SONY PLAYSTATION WORKS IN FURTHER EDUCATION

‘The SONY PSP replaces lots of technology – you really don’t need much else once you have one of these’
Gill Black – e-Learning Tutor, St Helens College, Merseyside

St Helen’s College is a large FE College located in Merseyside in the Northwest.  It offers a wide range of further and higher education courses to adults, school leavers and businesses. 18 months ago the College received funding from MoLeNet to introduce mobile technologies across a range of different courses. They started off with 120 SONY PlayStation Portables; they now have a stock of150 with 400 students across the college using them.

Tutors, managers and students have recorded their experiences of using SONY PlayStation Portable across a diverse range of courses including Adult Numeracy /Skills for life, NVQ Electrical Engineering, NVQ National Certificate Horticulture Learning Environments, CTLLS (Certificate in Teaching in the Learning Sector) and Sports Studies.  All groups reported encouraging results on how SONY PlayStation Portable is engaging learners, improving results and increasing attendance.

Gill Black, Lead Practioner for the Molenet project , told us “We choose SONY PSP because it is so easy to use. It’s a device many of our students are already familiar with, the screen size is good and it’s really easy to get content on and off the devices.”

Other comments from staff included:-

 “When introducing the PSPs to the students for the first time at least 60% were already familiar with the device and they were able to support the others. The reaction from the students was extremely positive; they were surprised but delighted to get the resources, as were the staff’”

”We built time into the curriculum to familarise students and tutors with the PSP, running a series of support sessions with ConnectED to help staff build up their skills and get confident in using the devices. The tutors then did some additional training with the students.”

“The PSPs are robust and easy to use. Initially we were concerned that the students would lose the PSP or that by providing them we would make the students vulnerable outside the college, however we have had no problems with this at all. In fact the students take them home and look after them and they love working with the PSP.  They really do value them.”
 
The PSPs were used across a range courses in a variety of ways, showing the flexibility of the device and the diverse ways in which it can be used.

In the Adult Numeracy Course the PSP was used to provide short video “bytes” of  the tutor completing various calculations.  The PSP was then available as a reference tool in class for students to use if they needed clarification. Students were also given brain training games on the PSP to encourage practice and embed learning. Using the PSP gave learners independence as they could learn at their own pace.

Course tutor Cat Clucas reported, “The exercise helped me break topics down into small chunks as I created the video demonstrations in stages of each calculation. This was particularly useful in meeting the learning style of a dyslexic learner. One group of students took the PSPs to look at alternative methods of multiplication. This was time saving for me as a tutor as I was able to continue to give 1-2-1 support to the other learners rather than having to demonstrate alternative methods to the whole group”.

On the NVQ National Certificate Horticulture Learning Environments course the PSP was used to create a video diary for the RHS Tatton Flower Show. The students kept a record of the course tasks running up to and including the show itself. The exercise allowed the students to collate information and record experiences during the long project and the work they captured can now be showcased to new students to the course.

Course Tutor Rob Hogan reported, “We now have a record of the process of building an exhibit which we can show to new recruits. The opportunity to practice with the devices was great, and they were so easy to use that it was a pleasure to use them. Very often learners had previous experience of using the devices, usually to play games on. They quickly got the hang of the camera facility, and downloading content to their PCs”

The Electrical Engineering Apprentices used the PSP to gather Key Skills portfolio evidence. . They recorded their outdoor activities and then used the content to evaluate their performance in problem solving activities. Any apprehension tutors felt about using the devices quickly disappeared once they could see how engaged the students were with the project.

Dave Pye Course Tutor, “The project was a success and enabled us to easily capture all the relevant evidence required in a user friendly manner. It also introduced a new method of teaching and learning by means of mobile technology. Learners responded in a positive manner, enjoying being trusted to look after the equipment.  They demonstrated a very enthusiastic approach, and it was also apparent that the learners made good use of the brain training software and enjoyed using it.”

”Learners reacted very favourably to the devices.  They needed minimal training, and were soon hooked up to the wireless network, researching information in class.  They created Skype accounts and used them to contact one and other.  Very quickly they realised that the device could convey information as well as record it, and they began to drive the agenda for the use of the device by asking if tutors could put lesson content directly onto it.”

Electrical Engineering Student, Jordan Greenall, ”The responsibility of the PSP made us feel more independent, not like a piece of paper you just shove in your bag, having the PSP gives you responsibility.”

Learners on the CTTLS course incorporated the SONY PSP into their teaching practice. A module on the course at the College asks students to investigate the impact using ILT would make on their curriculum area. The students reported that they found the devices easy to use.

One trainee teacher commented about using the devices to support differentiation  and said ,“The main outcome was the independence it gave learners. It meant that they did not have to ask me how to do something, and could progress at their own speed without drawing attention to themselves or slowing the class up.”

On the Sports Studies course learners were set the task of producing a short video describing the FITT principle of sports training. The results of the assignment tasks were better than expected.  

Tutors reported that the learners were far more engaged in the task than any other task that had been set throughout the year.  

Paul Styles the course leader said, “Students were well-motivated, they enjoyed planning, appearing in and producing their video.  Without exception, every video submitted was imaginative and met the outcome of describing the FITT principle.  Learners not only enjoyed the task, but also retained the FITT principles.  Discussion amongst colleagues afterwards showed we all agreed that learners knew and understood the information rather than just remembering it.  Weeks after the task, learners could still show a far greater knowledge and understanding on the topic than other topic’s that had been covered in the course.”

“The other unexpected outcome was that attendance improved because of the nature of the task.  Learners working in groups did not want to let other members of the group down by being absent while making and producing the videos.”

Paul also commented that Learners felt this was the best assignment we have done so far in College; and they were keen to know if we had planned for them to make further use of the devices.  One student also said’ ‘I loved how we had control of what we could put in the video.‘We were disappointed when the task was over.”

Across the college students and tutors have been really positive about using SONY PSP. Gill Black said

”We saw a real improvement in behavior and the PSP also had a positive impact on attendance. Students see using the PSP as a reward,  as well as beingenjoyable for the students to use. We also saw an improvement in assignment scores.”

“Never underestimate your learner, they enjoyed using the equipment and took great care of it!  The students were given independence in their learning and demonstrated trust and enthusiasm for this new technology.” Dave Pye, Tutor, Electrical Engineering

Further developments planned at the College will include creating a media server where content can be uploaded and then downloaded to the PSP. So far Tutors and students have been creating their own content and they are now building up a library of video and audio resources for their bricklaying, catering, sports studies and animal care courses.

The College also has a web developer who has made interactive resources for use on the PSP.  Staff are also investigating the use of  Flash-based resources from the Starboard  software suite. In the future, tutors will be encouraged to extend their use of  mobile technology for assessment and learners will be able to develop their skills with the equipment.

The college would like to see , a forum or online community where both students and tutors can exchange ideas, share information and content for education.

Finally, Gill Black said “I would suggest educational establishments who are keen to work with PSP to take a good look at the resource and see how easy it is to use. Many teaching staff may not be familiar with gaming devices and the positive impact they can have on education but the students are! I’d advise tutors to take their lead from the students; get the students to demo the product and teach the tutor how to use it. On our engineering course it was the engineering students who were really driving the agenda for content delivery once they’d got hold of their PSP”

‘To sum up I’d say that the PSP replaces lots of technology – you really don’t need much else once you have one of these!’

See video feedback from engineering students and their experiences of using PSP by visiting MoleTV here.

To find out more about PSP in Education:
Call us on:+44(0) 844 800 9375
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it