The city as the learning environment

making change happen in Leicester's schools

Josie FraserICT Strategy Lead (Children’s Capital)

Leicester City Council@josiefraser

Leicester!

Broader contexts

• Mainstreaming of mobile & social networking services

• e-Government agenda • e-Safety & cyberbullying• Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy

Efficiency Scheme• ‘The Importance of Teaching’ Nov 2010

How can we ensure that how we use technology in education

doesn’t further disadvantage already vulnerable children &

young people?

Children & young people’s priorities – the school environment

1. More indoor social space2. Better Library spaces3. Comfy chairs4. Attractive spaces, better use of colour5. Vegetable gardens6. Sustainable buildings, design & practice7. Nicer toilets 8. Bigger dining spaces with more food choice

9. Flexible classroom spaces & furniture10. More variety in teaching methods11. More student input into everything12. More flexible use of technology13. Greater choice & variety of subjects, more information about subjects 14. Outdoor shelters & classrooms15. Better careers information

Children & young people’s priorities- technology

1. Faster computers in school2. More creative, student-centred use of

technology3. Less using technology for it’s own sake4. More flexible use/access – school, city

centre, community5. Laptop borrowing/home use

6. Collaborate with & learn from young people in other countries7. Access to local & national decision makers via social media8. Young people only access/space in the city centre9. Teachers who can help them use social media – better e-safety advice10. A say in school filtering & blocking

Where are we heading?

• Increasing critical infrastructure, network & connectivity

• Into the cloud – services and storage• Learner owned devices• Technology & energy reduction• Increasingly school-centred decision making and

budgets• Unclear national commitment to technology for

education

Strategic priorities

• space & place• workforce development & innovation• networked learning & communities• information management• green ICT• e-safety & e-citizenship

Thank you!

josie.fraser@leicester.gov.uk@josiefraser