The document discusses the implementation of a new learning platform called The Learning Platform at Berkhamsted School. The platform aims to make learning more collaborative, accessible, and student-focused by integrating Google Apps like Gmail, Docs, Calendar and Sites into an upgraded version of the existing Moodle platform. It is hoped that the new platform will ease the workload of teachers, improve learning outcomes for students, and promote digital literacy. The platform allows for real-time collaboration on documents, creation of student websites and portfolios, and new ways of organizing and sharing content.

1. The Learning Platform – Sacha van Straten
Head of Media & ICT

2. ! The rationale – make learning
collaborative, always available, and more
student focused
! Make life easier for teachers, learning
better for students
! Promote digital literacy
Technology enhanced learning

3. ! The existing VLE (Moodle) renamed as The
Learning Platform
! Single Sign On – one log-in required
! Internet connection upgraded
! http://thelp.berkhamstedschool.net
The Challenge – evolution or
revolution?

4. ! Promoted to staff: ‘if you can use Word, you can
use Google Apps.’
! Promoted to students: ‘this is Facebook for
school.’
! Note: a policy of education rather than
prohibition – school Twitter & Facebook
presence
The Challenge – evolution or
revolution?

5. Moodle back end – contextual
drop down menus at the front

6. Moodle back end – contextual
drop down menus at the front

7. Google Apps in Moodle
! Four main tools for collaboration: Email, Docs,
Calendar and Sites
! Google Apps makes it easy to put existing
content online, create new content online, and
edit it within the web browser
! Documents can be edited live, with multiple users

8. Theory into Practice
Pedagogical aims:
! Scaffold ideas and concepts
! Build ‘communities of practice’ (Wenger)
! Promote independent learning
! Develop research and assessment skills

9. Google Apps in Moodle
The Educational Benefits of using online collaborative tools
For Teachers:
• Better assessment of student and class progress
• Less paperwork to carry around
• Potential for live marking
• Easier to share student work with colleagues and parents
• Ease of producing learning resources
For Students:
• Increased opportunities to learn – from teachers and other students
•Development of IT skills across subjects – content producers
• A system they will use from start to finish

10. Google Apps in Moodle
Gmail:
Allows teachers to filter student email and track it
Conversation threads make it easy to create learning
conversations

11. GMail

12. GMail

13. GMail
Creating email groups enables teachers to send messages and attachments to an
entire class

14. Google Docs
Google Docs allows real-time editing and collaboration – individually or whole
class

15. Year 12 live writing
One year 12 AS English class produced a
5,000 report in a double lesson!

16. Google Docs
Google Docs permits granular control over content. Easy to change from the few
to the many, from internal to external accessibility.

17. Google Docs
Review student progress and development over time

18. Google Sites
! This is a drag and drop way to make websites.
These can include text, images, video,
embedded Google Docs, calendars and web
links.
! Students can be given their own pages onto
which they can upload content.
! Templates can be created

19. Sample Primary e-portfolio:

20. English – Creative Writing

21. English – creative writers

22. Year 9 travel blogs

23. Year 9 travel blogs

24. Sample student site:

25. Use Google Sites to share SoW &
digital resources

26. Berkhamsted and the social
web

27. Berkhamsted and the social
web

28. Berkhamsted and the social
web

29. Berkhamsted and the social
web

30. Sacha van Straten
Head of Media & ICT
svanstraten@berkhamstedschool.org
Twitter: @svanstraten
Web: http://www.svanstraten.com
Contact: