The following aims have been identified as essential for implementing Kent's vision as stated in the ICT Strategic Plan. Experience from exemplar projects in partnership with leading technology companies have provided practical illustrations of their benefits. -
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Kent Learning Zone - A centralised collaboration and communications infrastructure to support personalised content, resources and Learning Platforms.
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Initially, it was essential to demonstrate why broadband is essential. Kent LA provided schools with an opportunity to try high bandwidth applications such as videoconferencing through the innovative ‘Meet In School’ partnership project. As a result, uptake for broadband has been high. Kent is one of a handfull of Local Authorities with high quality ‘plug and play’ videoconferencing from any KCN connected school. We are also connected to UKERNA, which provides national and international videoconferencing links. Kent established policies that ensure that broadband is provided regardless of the distance of the connection, with innovative pricing that ensures smaller rural schools receive the same connection as those in a larger urban area.
With the roll-out of broadband now substantially complete, and with 93% of schools connected to the Kent Community Network, we now have the infrastructure upon which to build our vision for children and young people. Kent Officers have influenced the national e-strategy and other initiatives to drive standards based approaches for school improvement. The new and emerging pedagogies associated with Kent’s innovative secondary transformation programme are being explored and directly applied to the design of new schools through the BSF and academies programmes.
This builds on our early experience in the Putting Learners First project. Kent’s work with Microsoft, Ramesys, Intel and other leading partners acted as a pathfinder in exploring a new model for learning in the 21st Century that exploits the advantages of mobile and wireless technologies, including the use of Tablet PC’s which have a positive effect on handwriting skills.
At the heart of 'Putting Learners First', was an e-learning environment that encouraged collaboration in the creation, management and sharing of learning resources. Kent's vision of ICT being used to connect communities of schools, working with each other in a collaborative culture to deliver a sustainable change in learning and pedagogy is now moving forward through both the Primary and Secondary Strategies.
The project is now closed, and each of the schools has developed approached that have moved them forward. The lessons learned now underpin the development of Kent's Primary and Secondary Strategies, and the Kent BSF and Academies vision.
The transformation of teaching and learning is evident in Kent schools; however much remains to be done to close the considerable gap between those schools at the leading edge of innovation and those with a more cautious approach.
Kent Learning Zone The ‘Kent Learning Zone’ (KLZ) launched this year, builds on the Kent Community Network broadband to provide a personalised communication and collaboration platform to schools through the Kent Community Network. This provides every school, teacher and learner with a personalised online learning space, email and other communication tools. The KLZ is unique in offering schools a choice of educational products that can be delivered through our infrastructure. It is also built on the latest Microsoft Sharepoint 2007 technology, and integrates effective content filtering. Creating a safe online environment where educators, administrators and children can learn, share and communicate. Additionally the Kent Learning Zone is joining the UK Access Federation and working towards becoming the high level Identity Provider for Kent schools and colleges. This means that children’s personal data will be safe and secure when accessing online services and applications.
Kent BSF and Academies programmes all specify campus wireless as a standard requirement, and Kent continues to be involved in the Microsoft 'School of the Future' Project through its PFI schools; Hugh Christie and the Holmesdale Malling Federation.
E-Safety – “Safe & Secure Online”
E-safety has been a priority, with Kent LA nationally recognised as being in the vanguard of ensuring children are safe and secure online. Secondary schools have undergone e-safety training, and Kent has organised a number of ‘sold out’ conferences in partnership with Kent Police to raise awareness. Becta acknowledge Kent’s leadership with the publication of their guidance for LA’s. Rebecca Chapman was recognised for her contribution with an award from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre of Children’s Champion 2006. Kent’s e-Safety Policy guidance is nationally referenced as best practice by Becta and has additionally been used as an example of Best Practice in Bectas "Safeguarding children in a digital world: Developing an LSCB e-safety strategy".
Future Challenges
The Every Child Matters agenda together with the Kent Children and Young Persons Plan present unique challenges for LA’s in managing and sharing personal data between agencies and stakeholders. The robust management of personal data is a critical requirement for systems architects to address strategically.
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