The Digital Unite Blog

Chesham High School‘s commitment to older learners and IT, goes from strength to strength (see earlier posting here ).

This report from Siobhan Bygate, Head of Humanities at Chesham High School, Bucks, talks of a school working with sheltered housing, a local older person’s group and with schools in Africa and Paris, using live webcam debate:

‘Apart from our now-established monthly “surgeries” where our students hold IT “clinics” at a local sheltered housing scheme, we are hosting and organising a Silver Surfers’ Day at Chesham High School, for adult learners on Friday, May 15, from 10am until 12.30pm. Mayor Alison Pirouet will be opening proceedings.

Chesham High School  (CHS) are working with Digital Unite and Paradigm Housing Group to make this event a thoroughly enjoyable affair with exciting opportunities for those who want to learn. Pupils will be passing on their extensive IT skills to attendees. Computer skills are second nature to today’s generation but intergenerational contact is something that is often missing from their lives. Chris Morris, a CHS sixth former and Chesham resident, runs the Computer Surgeries at Cromwell House, a sheltered home near to the school, with three other students. He says almost the only contact he has with the older generation is once a year at Christmas with grandparents. So this has made a big impact on his life experience.

On Silver Surfers’ Day, things will be a bit different. A group of Year 9s will be leading an IT session actually at Chesham High School. They will take total beginners through the steps of basic computer use, emails and surfing the net. It is hoped this will encourage enthusiasts to take up a computer literacy course at a later date.

We are also adding an interesting twist!  Using Webcams and a large screen, participants in the IT class are invited to stay on for a short classroom debate on intergenerational issues with pupils from our partner schools. These are not just ”down the road” geographically. The wonder of technology will bring us into real-time contact with: Brenu Junior High School, Brenu, Ghana, and Lycee Pierre D’Ailly, Compeigne, Paris. Senior citizens from Paradigm Housing Group sheltered schemes, COPAG (Chesham Older Persons Positive Action Group), Compeigne and village elders from Brenu will also be in attendance.

This has been a major innovation for the Ghana partner as the school does not even have electricity! Instead, a Chesham run charity called SABRE Trust, with offices near Brenu, are bussing old and young alike to its technology centre for the event.  The IT class and Webcaming event on May 15th will run in two shifts from 10 to 11.30 and from 11 to 12.30. Paradigm Housing Group will be providing refreshments in the 15minutes break between each IT class and each Webcam opportunity, which will take place for 20 minutes thereafter.

Those interested in participating should call Chesham High School Community Coordinator, Siobhan Bygate  on 01494 782854, ext 247 or email sbygate@cheshamhigh.bucks.sch.uk  to book a place for one of the two slots on Friday morning.’

Thanks Siobhan! What an inspiring story…

May 5th, 2009 gilladams | 2 Comments »

Tags: school

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