Blackfriars SchoolFrom ICT Register Wiki
MPrint Project[Background information and details of the project]
Mprint Trial within a Vocational CurriculumAbout the LearningThe activity to explore the possibilities of deploying mobile printing within the Vocational aspects of our curriculum by introducing mobile technology within vocational subjects.
ActivityActions taken The Mprint printer was introduced to staff during a department meeting. Before the meeting potential projects and solutions were discussed with other members of the ICT department. These projects proved to be the more successful in utilizing the full potential of the mobile features of the printer. However the Mprint was used as a classroom printer with a laptop trolley. It was also trialled as a printer for instant certificates for achievements within class.
What did and didn’t work (Barriers and Enablers) The Mprint’s unique feature is its diminutive dimensions and portability. The Mprint can be connected via a USB cable and Blue tooth. One barrier we were unable to overcome within the department was the realization that more devices could have the potential to be fitted with Blue tooth. Our Laptops had Blue tooth and worked great. We would have liked to have used a digital camera with Blue tooth. We explored the use of a PDA but could not find accessible software that our students required. The Mprint was most successfully used within our Community Café where the printer replaced a hand written notepad for taking orders. The Mprint was also used within classroom based Maths and ICT lessons. It performed as well as a traditional printer but we weren’t exploiting the potential of its clever design in this setting.
ImpactEvidence of Success The Mprint had most impact within our Community Café. The Café is run by the students with support from teaching staff every Wednesday morning. Students prepare all of the food and serve the tables. A significant number of our students are working within Milestones the post 16 equivalent to pscales. Therefore their literacy levels are quite low and I wondered if a portable laptop or PDA could assist the students when taking orders, the Mprint would provide the paper receipt need to complete the order and both devices could be taken to the customers table like the hand written note pad. I have attached an [example] of the hand written note book and whilst legible I am aware that the student needed significant support to enable this to be produced. I am also aware that within classroom based lessons we use software called Clicker 5 that enables the students to produce word processed projects to a very high standard. It also includes a text to speech facility and vocal word prompts. The Mprint enabled us to use Clicker at the customers table we used a HP MiniNote with Windows XP and Clicker 5. I created a simple grid within Clicker that included all of the items available and a number pad to record quantities. Because the students had a familiarity with the Clicker software staff training was considerably reduced and students were confident with the intuitive layout of the software. The Mprint was easily transported to the table and we found that customers liked the printer on the table and were quite intrigued about how it printed with no ink. Within hours of using the Mprint students required less support, with less support the students are able to develop their confidence and independence. Students were motivated by the new technology but more importantly the technology assists the student. Please indicate any impact using the printers had with regard to enabling:
To further develop this project I would look to replace the netbook with a touchscreen laptop which can be held in one hand and the student can operate Clicker with the other. As previously mentioned the Mprint uses Blue tooth with this printer we needed more devices such as our digital cameras also equipped with Blue tooth PDA's were explored as a possible solution but we could not find suitable accessible software I would also consider the screens of a PDA too small. The most important outcome from this trail is that the students gained independence working within the cafe environment. The technology has significantly helped us to move forward and without the ability to print we would not have considered using a laptop within this environment. I would highly recommend the Mprint both A6 and A7 models. Personally I would choose the A6 (larger) model if I intended to print pages with a large amount of text. Likewise it is worth considering the size font used within documents which you intend to print at these sizes, 12pt is readable obviously using 14-16pt makes your document much more easily read. Within our own trial both printers performed equally as the information is scaled to fit the paper and there was only small snippets of information per page. We did not incur any additional costs during the trail although buying touch screens and blue tooth cameras were considered. Blue tooth devices do carry a premium when purchasing them compared to similar devices without Blue tooth However if you did own an Mprint I think the small premium is justified. Overall we were very impressed with these small printers. Information about the school/settingBlackfriars School Staffordshire In our most recent Ofsted Inspection the inspectors graded us as outstanding, calling us: ……a very reflective school that provides an excellent quality of education…..the school’s great strength lies in its ability to balance the promotion of pupils’ personal development with stretching their intellectual capability.. Currently we have pupils from the age of six to nineteen but over the next few years we will gradually become purely a secondary school and FE Department. The School has particular skill and expertise in working with pupils who have physical and medical difficulties, communication problems and complex needs but accepts pupils with any special needs. The School has worked hard to achieve national recognition of its success and is proud to have the following status:
Our vision is one that increasingly takes us beyond the confines of the school walls and is allowing us to interact and be known not only locally but also regionally, nationally and internationally.
All students within the group have statements for Moderate Learning Difficulties and abilities range from Entry 1-3 within ICT. The group consists of 10 students aged 18-19 who participated in the different aspects of running the Cafe which included taking customers orders. The Mprint required a laptop we used a HP miniNote running Windows Xp and Clicker 5 by Crick software. Author Scott Kelter |