Hand-held technology can help to improve primary pupils' learning of grammar, according to a new study by the Institute for Effective Education (IEE) at the University of York. 

Researchers at the IEE conducted a large randomised evaluation in more than 40 primary schools of the use of Questions for Learning (QfL), a technology-enhanced, self-paced learning tool. It was found to enhance grammar achievement and was particularly effective for average- and low-achieving pupils. If these results held over a school year, these pupils would make between three and four months of additional progress.

In QfL each pupil responds to progressively more difficult questions that are presented on Promethean ActivExpression wireless hand-held devices at the rate that the pupil answers them. This allows both more advanced and weaker pupils to answer in a private way at a pace appropriate to them.

Pupils receive immediate feedback on their hand-sets on whether or not their answers are correct while the teacher sees a developing chart on his or her computer screen, showing how each pupil is performing. The teacher can then intervene immediately to support struggling pupils and identify which aspects of the curriculum require revisiting or re-teaching.

Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of short exposure to QfL on learning of grammatical concepts. The evaluation took place over 12 weeks from January to May 2012. One Year 5 class from each of 42 primary schools in nine local authorities in the north of England and North Wales participated in the study. Schools were randomly assigned to either use QfL or to continue with their regular grammar teaching.

Pupils in classes who used QfL showed significant gains in grammar compared with pupils in the control group. This improvement was greater in schools that used QfL at least three days each week, as prescribed, and for low- and average-achieving students.

For more information on this study, please contact us: info@lebpartnership.co.uk 

Please see below a list of the events that we are hosting and supporting over the next couple of months. If you are interested in attending, please contact us to reserve your place.

24th April - North Yorkshire Headteachers Conference, Great Yorkshire Showground HG2

We will be exhibiting the latest Promethean technology at the Headteacher's conference all day. Please come along and visit our stand for a complementary demonstration.

25th April - Woodhouse Community Primary School, Durham DL14

Local schools are invited to attend the Woodhouse Communtiy Primary School event on the 25th April. Daniel Handford, Education Consultant, will be demonstrating the latest Promethean technology at 4pm and letting delegates have a 'hands on' experience. To register your place, please contact Helen Kenrick on helen.kenrick@lebpartnership.co.uk 

30th April - ICT Resources Exhibition, Holiday Inn, Basildon SS14

We are pleased to announce that we will be supporting ICT Resources at their exhibition on the 30th April at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Basildon. Chris Barlow, Director of LEB, will be showcasing the latest Promethean technology to all attendees. Please visit our stand LC4 for a demonstration on how the latest technology will save your school time and money.

14th May - Gloucestershire College, GL2

Local schools are invited to attend the Gloucestershire College (Gloucester Campus) event on the 14th May. We will be exhibiting the latest Promethean technology to schools at 4pm. To register your place, please contact Helen Kenrick on helen.kenrick@lebpartnership.co.uk  

LEB Partnership are pleased to announce our partnership with FUNDA.

FUNDA sport, education and creative physical play has a mission to provide fun classes for children across Lancashire. Their aim is to deliver professional services designing world renowned programmes tailor made to meet the verifying needs of children, parents and teachers from a variety of environments.

LEB have provided FUNDA with ActivExpression - a unique learner response system with the ability to text, have numerical responses, likert scale and multiple choice options, all linked to data capture perfect for pupils reports, attainment and assessment.

"It is important to be creative and engage inactive children to become active through sport, activities, play or in the classroom. My team of coaches will use ActivExpression during PPA/PE cover time to collate accurate planning and attainment evidence for teachers, parents and most importantly OFSTED. This will open new doors and will also support our team to assure quality provision by gaining accurate feedback from parents on how best to improve the services we offer." - Kieran Fletcher, Creative Director

Designed to meet the needs of students and teachers, the whole class is instantly engaged and ready to respond. Information can be transmitted directly to students, or can be reviewed for lesson planning and evaluated - all at the touch of a button. 

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The ActivBoard 500 Pro System is an essential part of the Promethean's ActivClassroom, with the new pen and touch technology, and seamlessly integrates with a full range of ActivClassroom solutions and content.  It can accommodate multiple users collaborating on a single task and images can be easily moved, scaled and rotated with the finger touch in conjuction with real life "pen" tasks such as writing and drawing across the whole surface, increasing engagement.