MICHAEL GOVE NAMES ABBEY SCHOOL IN SPEECH OUTLINING THE DIGITAL LITERACY STRATEGY
11th January 2011: The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, recognised the pioneering work being done in the field of computer science by The Abbey School during his keynote speech on the future of ICT teaching in schools. During the speech, in which he announced the scrapping of the current “too dull” ICT curriculum, Mr. Gove referred to The Abbey’s pilot 3D learning project stating:
“The Abbey School in Reading has already been piloting 3D technologies for teaching Biology, showing 3D images of the heart pumping blood through valves, and manipulating, rotating and tilting the heart in real time. As Abbey School Biology teacher Ros Johnson said, the 3D technology "has made me realise what they weren't understanding...what I can't believe is how much difference it has made to the girls' understanding".
Mrs Kathryn Macaulay, Deputy Head of Operations and Communications at The Abbey School, who has been responsible for driving the 3D learning project, said: “We are proud that our strategy at The Abbey School is at the forefront of innovation and excellence in ICT education nationally and globally. We deliver an exciting and future-rich academic teaching programme which integrates the use of an outstanding range of ICT tools supporting the pupils to high achievement in a full range of subjects.
“We are delighted that Mr Gove has recognised that The Abbey’s vision - to develop an ICT framework which has exciting media, computer graphics, core ICT computer science and programming skills - is a path that schools nationally should follow. We aim to equip all our girls with the skills, knowledge, ability and power of choice to fully realise their potential in their 21st Century future.”
The Abbey School’s 3D project has been a two-year project involving technology partnerships, in-depth supporting research and the live classroom environment. Kathryn Macaulay continues:
“The School highly values our partnership with Optoma projectors, Amazing Interactives software and Texas Instruments in our development and leadership of the successful 3D pan-European LiFE (Learning in Future Education) research project. It is evident that this sustainable and effective technology when used as part of an excellent educational programme provides a high quality immersive learning environment for our digital native pupils. We have focused our 3D development in Biology in the first stage of the LiFE project. The next stage of development will pilot interactivity with the 3D models, such as the heart, the eye, the Ear and the Respiratory system. This is a most exciting phase. We will be able to annotate, manipulate and change the 3D models while projected and online working with partner schools globally.
“There is no doubt that Abbey pupils are able to achieve their very best potential in all areas of their education. ICT is an important part of that exceptional educational experience.”
The full text of Mr Gove's keynote speech can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/jan/11/digital-literacy-michael-gove-speech
Detailed information about the project can be found here: http://www.theabbey.co.uk/home.aspx?MicrositeID=2&LevelxID=1231
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