There’s nothing static about teaching
College is an organisation based on the motto, “good traditions, well maintained”. It is true that what is successful is maintained. The CTER for has the privilege of observing the maintenance of quality teaching, yet at the same time is witnessing inquiry learning and pushing traditional boundaries to improve the learning and understanding of College boys. Teaching is never a static job. Changes to programmes are made depending on the boys, their interests, and ways in which teachers can improve the boys' learning. A project that reflects tradition, but at the same time looks for ways to improve performance, can be seen in the work of teachers Eloise Nevin and Paul Rodley. Together they are conducting action research, through the International Boys’ School Coalition, with a focus on how the classroom, via digital storytelling, can enhance our College virtue of stewardship. Clearly, an example of innovation attempting to “maintain good traditions”. The motivating factor behind this project with the Year 10 Digital Technologies class is the power of augmented reality to enhance the boys’ appreciation of stewardship. The plan is that this class will develop links to College’s past by retelling historical events, with technology strengthening the boys’ understanding of stewardship. Augmented reality is technology that brings elements of the virtual world into our real world. It has the ability to superimpose computer generated imagery, graphics or video on a user’s environment in real time. To do this, the class is generating images that, when looked at through an app on their phones, will reveal an alternative image. For instance, the class is currently experimenting by using photographs of College buildings to reveal historical video clips of previous generations of College boys. The test will be to see whether the 2018 boys gain a greater emotional attachment to the content. Another desired effect will be to assess whether this activity, combined with technology, will further assist students to recognise the good from the past, so that it can be preserved or enhanced – in other words, recognising the importance of stewardship.
This trial has some lofty goals. But at its core is the idea that there are inherent good traditions worth being celebrated and preserved at College. The challenge for us is to develop ways in which to use the “boyology” of technology to engage with our 21st century students. Augmented reality, or at least the application of it, raises many ideas and possibilities for use in the future. Innovative thought, critique, reflection and wonderings are occurring in our classrooms. And why? It is about providing the best possible environment for our boys, one in which they can learn and advance.
Warren Lidstone Languages, Arts and Technology
College Issue 35 2018
09
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