Over the course of this year, regular readers of this blog will have read about the BBC Earth 3D nature film Enchanted Kingdom, and the accompanying learning resources. The following blog post is written by Professor Sonia Blandford, Founder and CEO of Achievement for All, a movement focussed on educational change, and looks ahead to the organisation’s project based learning initiatives using the Enchanted Kingdom, as well as October’s National Conference.
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As CEO of a charity dedicated to ensuring the academic progress of every child, regardless of the background they come from, the challenges they face, or the needs they may have, I am always looking out for new ways of engaging pupils with teaching and learning. At Achievement for All we know not every child learns in the same way, or at the same pace, and that as educators we must broaden the horizons of the classroom if we are to ensure every child achieves what they should. And that’s why Project Based Learning is so exciting, and why we leapt at the opportunity to work with Microsoft and the BBC by sharing the resources that accompany Enchanted Kingdom.
We are encouraging our students and teachers to take the learning journey that surrounds “the most ambitious 3D nature film ever made” together. All Achievement for All settings will have access to the unique resources that accompany the film via The Bubble, our online hub for knowledge, information, and tools. We love how each lesson provides a journey to a specific learning objective but allows the class teacher the flexibility to adjust tasks on the basis of age and ability.
Project based learning is a dynamic approach to teaching and learning, which enables pupils to explore real-world problems and challenges over a sustained period of time, just like those faced by the wildlife in the Enchanted Kingdom. Learners, regardless of challenge, need or disadvantage will be inspired through individual and group activities that develop creativity, innovation, understanding and skills.
The Achievement for All National Conference 2015
We would encourage anyone wanting to find out a bit more about how this might work in school to join us at our annual National Conference at the NEC in Birmingham on the 7th October where we will be demonstrating the impact the Enchanted Kingdom experience is having on those who have been working with it for the last few months, and giving you the chance to see its wonders first hand via our workshops.
This is far more than just a set of resources. At Achievement for All we believe that through using the project specific software and group activities, learners will actively engage with each other, whether it’s to explore and create gardens, write poetry, or delve inside volcanoes! And children will not only increase their awareness of the environment, but also gain in confidence when using enabling technologies. I have no doubt the Enchanted Kingdom will boost the learning experiences of Achievement for All children and young people.
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Enchanted Kingdom takes audiences on a journey of discovery through the wilds of Africa. It is narrated by Idris Elba, star of The Wire, Luther and Oscar-nominated Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. The movie brings together cutting edge 3D technology, Hollywood production expertise and the best nature film making to bring to life the incredible wonders, stories and characters of our planet.