Tech-hungry Islington schoolkids have taken it upon themselves to replace shoddy computer equipment with kit to take their learning into another dimension.
Year 5 students at St John’s Upper Holloway Primary School even starred in a YouTube video trying to persuade teachers to buy new virtual reality (VR) equipment and iPod Touches for use in lessons.
Although the video is tongue in cheek, with moments including deputy headteacher Nick Turpin saying he only has 10p to his name, the students’ desire for better learning facilities is no laughing matter.
The “light-bulb moment” for the kids came in a history class when students were pondering being transported back in time to discover what it would be like to be a Viking or part of the Maya civilisation.
Down in part to Google’s introduction of VR equipment to schools across the capital over the past year, students are becoming increasingly keen on technology that can provide computerised versions of places and periods of history.
Year 2 teacher Lucy Braithwaite, who is leading the project, said: “For many years we have been using outdated, slow and temperamental hardware.
“We believe that every child has the ability to achieve highly and think that using new technology to stimulate and enthuse our learners will be of huge benefit.
“Our children are keen programmers, animators and designers already, but our resources are sadly limited.
“Like a lot of small schools, we have been affected by funding costs in recent years and one area that has suffered is our IT provision.”
The kids’ video has already been a success, with more than £2,000 raised in a little over three days, but the school hopes to drum up twice as much cash so students can have one iPod Touch between two.
“We have great links with Islington’s computing support and our lead teacher is an expert in using VR in schools,” Lucy added.
“So we would be able to make the most of the money and our children will have the chance to learn in a new way.”
To view the video, go to rocket.fund/p/stjohnscomputing.
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