DISCOVERY EDUCATION PROVIDES TEACHING AND LEARNING SUPPORT TO UCKFIELD COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE STUDENTS AND STAFF AS THEY BECOME DIGITAL LEADERS

− Discovery Education provides a professional development session to Uckfield Community Technology College on its Secondary service to support student-centred and 21st century learning. −

United Kingdom, 26 May 2015—As part of its core mission to transform teaching and learning, Discovery Education encouraged students at Uckfield Community Technology College (UCTC) to take ownership of their learning by leading a dynamic professional development event, where pupils became accredited Discovery Education Secondary Tech Champs, or ambassadors of technology implementation.

James Massey, Discovery Education’s Educational Consultant, delivered an interactive and engaging training session with 13 pupils, which encompassed drafting a plan to increase technology engagement throughout the school. The Tech Champs will serve as digital leaders in their school, providing advice and ideas to their peers and teachers about how to effectively integrate the Discovery Education Secondary service into their curriculum. These students learned about 21st century skills such as collaboration, analysing and evaluating, problem solving, and creating, as well as leadership by spearheading some of UCTC’s technology initiatives.

“I think being a Tech Champ will help the teachers a lot because they weren’t necessarily raised in a digital era. The younger generation who know a bit more can help teach them. It’s also an interesting experience for them because they normally teach us but we’ll be teaching them,” Chloe, a Year 9 student at Uckfield Community Technology College explains.

Following the student training, James delivered a professional development session for UCTC educators. During this CPD session, teachers learned about the various benefits the Discovery Education Secondary service provides, and they heard their own students’ perspectives on how it could be implemented in the classroom.

“Having students be involved in part of the roll out allows for them to be actively engaged in the learning process. They’re experts, they learn quickly and are excited by the digital tools, and they’re great teachers!” says Jeanette O’Connor, Assistant Head Teacher, Uckfield Community Technology College.

UCTC, whose motto is “realising potential,” strives to inspire students and support creative, individualised growth through its innovative and interactive programmes. In support of their inspirational use of technology, UCTC will be adopting a one-to-one Chromebook programme.

As part of its launch, UCTC will host a Chromebooks for Learning Show on Friday 26 June for students, parents, and educational leaders to showcase its transformative and innovative technology use, as well as their use of Discovery Education’s ground-breaking cross-curricular resources. Keynote speakers, including James Massey, will deliver informative sessions about digital services and pedagogical strategies; further, hands-on demonstrations will be offered during this stimulating, celebratory event.

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About Discovery Education

Discovery Education empowers teachers and captivates pupils by providing high-quality, dynamic, digital content to primary and secondary schools across the United Kingdom.

Discovery Education offers a range of services and opportunities for schools to meet the needs of students in the digital age. With award-winning digital content, interactive lessons, virtual experiences with some of Discovery's most talented presenters and contributors, classroom contests and challenges, professional development and more.

Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, the number one non-fiction media company in the world, which includes the popular global television networks Discovery Channel, Science Channel and Animal Planet.

For more information about Discovery Education’s Professional Development Programme and other services and resources, visit www.discoveryeducation.co.uk

About James Massey, Discovery Education’s Educational Consultant

With a Masters degree in Educational Studies, and a passion for 21st century learning, James has worked in a range of teaching establishments in the UK, and also taught for a short period in France, learning different cultural approaches to classroom practices. James held the position of Head of Year 6 at a large school in London, and was successful in driving up the overall exam results. His senior management experience has allowed for the development and sound understanding of the rigours of school improvement and an insight into the interconnected roles of staff, pupils, parents and the wider school community. James has 14 years’ experience working closely with schools on a 1:1 basis to improve the use of digital technology in classrooms and delivering effective and relevant professional development.

About UCTC

Uckfield Community Technology College, located in East Sussex, has approximately 1,700 students aged 11 to 18, with 450 students in their Sixth Form College. UCTC achieved specialist school status in technology in Spring 2002 and was awarded a second specialism in applied learning. In 2009, UCTC was honoured with the title of High Performing Specialist School to be a Leading Edge School and a Gifted and Talented Lead School. UCTC aims to be a learning hub at the centre of the local community.

http://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/who-we-are/announcements/detail/item826012


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