Learning STREAM

Learning STREAM gives primary and secondary school pupils, parents and teachers in Hull access to multimedia lessons and resources through broadband-enabled set-top boxes and PCs. The aim of the project is to break down the barriers between home and school, to encourage parental involvement in their child’s education and the life of their school and promote a culture of learning at home.

Once logged in, parents and children have access to personalised content and services, including bespoke learning content and lessons. Pupils can take tests which are automatically marked and provide feedback. The content is drawn from existing learning content providers as well as being produced by pupils and teachers. School news programmes are very popular, replacing newsletters and helping to overcome literacy barriers.

A full evaluation is underway but early indications suggest that this approach helps to engage parents previously seen as 'hard to reach', resulting in greater attendance at parents evenings. The first pilot demonstrated an impact on students' attendance and attainment. In addition, involving students in content production helps them to develop interpersonal and communication skills and learn more about their subject by communicating the salient points to their peers.

The project is currently being redeveloped to act as a Parents' Portal, shifting the emphasis towards adults rather than pupils and engaging young people in creating content that reaches their families.

Further information:
www.broadbandcapital.co.uk
Alan Mumby (Project Lead): alan [dot] mumby [at] broadbandcapital [dot] co [dot] uk

Hosted by:
Hull City Council