New Media Awards 2007 Atos Origin

Create-A-Scape by Futurelab

http://www.createascape.org.uk

Nominated in Education award category.

Futurelab is a not-for-profit organisation that pioneers ways of using new technology to transform the way people learn (www.futurelab.org.uk). In September 2006, Futurelab launched Create-A-Scape (www.createascape.org.uk) a free educational resource for schools which combines hands-on activity with state-of-the-art mobile technology to support learning that is both engaging and stimulating. Create-A-Scape enables young people to learn while exploring their surroundings, using PDA handheld computers.

1 nomination from readers

  • Create-A-Scape is a free and powerful personalised learning tool that supports learning across the curriculum, on any subject, for any age group and in any location. The website, which provides everything that is needed (except for hardware), offers a set of resources for learners and teachers to create their own learning experiences – known as ‘mediascapes’. These personalised learning experiences, or mediascapes, take the form of a 2-D map enhanced with location-sensitive sounds, images and video – which can subsequently be explored in the outside world. Users can create a range of experiences from a mystery tour to an art installation – the only constraint is imagination.

    Benefits

    • Engaging and stimulating learning

    • Can be used across a range of subjects or to support a range of cross-curricular skills

    • Enables young people and teachers to design a learning experience relevant to them

    • Supports team work

    • Enables teachers and young people to collaborate

    • Encourages learners to engage with their surroundings and local community

    • Supports learners’ creativity

    • It’s freely available.

    All that is required is an internet-enabled PC, a PDA handheld computer and the enthusiasm to explore the outdoors. The website contains the mediascape toolkit, a planning guide, step-by-step guides on how to use Create-A-Scape, online help and examples of how others have used this resource.

    Create-A-Scape offers a unique approach because each time it’s used; students undertake an active and creative endeavour that results in the creation of new and original learning experiences and resources. The process of making a mediascape promotes the engagement of learners in both the design and content, as well as in the technical processes required to complete a mediascape.

    Since September 2006 the site has received over 35,000 visits by over 2,000 unique users per month.

    08 May 2007

2 comments from readers

  • great site, really inspiring for doing creative things with your PDAs

    Submitted by erica mitchell, 15 May 2007

  • Genuinely innovative, looks like a neat idea that learners will love. Futurelab's experimentation with new media benefits all educators.

    Submitted by Nick, 17 May 2007