E-learning passport to future

28 October 2004 07:25

Computers are often thrown in with game consoles and television when people look for reasons for the "collapse of society".

These three inventions are supposed to be responsible for most things - including young people's alleged poor concentration and violent tendencies.

But a pioneering Norfolk project is using computers to make a positive impact on the lives of dozens of young people.

The PASS-port e-learning scheme is a new system that allows those who cannot - or are not allowed to - go to school do their work at home.

The scheme, run by Norfolk County Council's education department, has reached a broad cross-section of disaffected or isolated children.

Those helped so far include children with severe illnesses, behavioural problems, who have been excluded from school, or who have so little confidence or self-esteem that school is too daunting.

If they do not have computers, the problem is easily solved. For they are provided with a computer and internet access free.

Paul Hartley, the ICT support worker who visits the pupils to introduce them to the system and new equipment, said: "It's good to see pupils who have sometimes been unable to attend school for months finally making progress and getting really excited about this type of learning."

The youngsters choose subjects to study and a team of qualified teachers sends lessons to them each week via email, according to the pupil's age and timetable.

Jackie Thompson, PASS-port's e-learning manager, said: "Our aim is to offer education to children out of school who cannot access it, for a variety of reasons.

"The teachers send the work and then mark it. The young people can also chat with the teachers on line once a week to get help and advice.

"One really good result that we have had so far is a lad who was excluded from school and had no access to education from October last year. He was able to study five subjects from home and has gained entry into college."

She added: "We are constantly challenged to keep up with latest developments and to make the technology fit our learning objectives instead of the other way round. It's a very exciting field to be in. I love it."

Before the e-learning programme was devised, the youngsters had home tuition one to two hours per week, or could attend a local learning base managed by the Visiting Teacher Service.

Many young people are still reached in that way, but the new system has allowed education staff to extend their reach to those whose circumstances are not suited to the existing programmes.

More than 30 people have been helped by PASS-port e-learning so far, and the co-ordinators have received some favourable comments via email, including:

"Please thank the teachers for their help. I enjoyed doing the work they sent."

"Hi, would it be possible if you could send me some work to do while I'm still off school, just to keep my brain ticking over."

Email A Friend