Using technology to support pupils' learning
Russell Imrie currently teaches at Lenzie Academy, a six-year comprehensive, non-denominational school situated within East Dunbartonshire; its catchment area is Lenzie and the south and west areas of Kirkintilloch. The school roll is approximately 1400 pupils.
As a teacher in his probationary year, Russell is striving to further develop effective learning and teaching strategies within physical education. During this process Russell has been exploring the use of technology to support and enhance pupils' learning. This case study looks specifically at how Russell is incorporating the use of blogs in his teaching.
It is important not to confuse a ‘blog’ with a website; it offers much more. A blog allows a distinctive writing place where individuals are able to communicate and share online, creating a sense of identity, personality and ownership. Blogs form a part of what is often referred to as social media and this includes, for example, MySpace, Bebo, Facebook, MSN and many others. These are interactive dynamic applications where the users generate the content and can determine the look and feel of their own personal space and many young people engage with this technology on a regular basis.