pi-top LEARNING SYSTEM CASE STUDY
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THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE pi-tops
THEY. ARE. ” AMAZING. WHAT WERE THE SCHOOL’S COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS? Corbridge was looking for a product which would support them in developing the physical computing aspect of the curriculum. They wanted their students to get hands-on and work with physical devices.
Dean Johnston is the Deputy Headteacher at Corbridge Middle School in the north-east of England. Corbridge is a popular 9-13 middle school with high academic standards, and a focus on developing successful learners, confident individuals, and responsible citizens. As well as being deputy head, Dean teaches computing technology and runs a curriculum enrichment program.
School size: approx. 350 (Years 5-8) Students per class: approx. 25 In order to deliver a relevant and differentiated curriculum and as part of their enrichment program, Corbridge adopted the pi-top Learning System to develop the physical computing aspect of the curriculum. Dean is clearly passionate about using pi-tops and says that as a result, there has been a positive impact on both student progress and engagement in computing technology.
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pi-top LEARNING SYSTEM CASE STUDY
They also wanted a product which would cater to all the ages at their school (9-13), as well as to students of all abilities within that age range. The product also had to provide the opportunity for extended learning, with increasingly challenging lessons for students as they progress and become more proficient. Finally, it had to be engaging, something that students would enjoy and want to use.
SO WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE pi-top LEARNING SYSTEM THAT MEETS THE SCHOOL’S COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS? Dean says that, “Because pi-tops are so hands-on, they really help with student engagement in computing technology. I’ve definitely seen an increase in engagement across the board since we started using them and I’d say my students’ favorite thing about pi-tops is that it allows them to get physical. Rather than just using a computer, they are the creators of that computer.” There’s also the relevant curriculum content, “It’s great that the content is linked to the real world because it means there’s a purpose to what the kids are doing. For example, the sonic sensor
