'Facebook'-style technology in Newcastle schools takes the classroom beyond school walls

Three schools in Newcastle have installed a new online learning environment called Frog (www.frogtrade.com) to allow teaching and learning to continue outside the school classroom. Cramlington Learning Village, Walbottle Campus Technology College and Sacred Heart RC High School, have installed this technology to enhance anytime anywhere learning. It allows students and teachers to access all school information, including homework, diaries, email, resource-booking, daily bulletins, school hard drives and timetables, from one online location. Gosforth High School has also purchased Frog and plans to install the technology later this academic year.

According to recent research, only 67 per cent of secondary schools are using a learning platform, with a further 29 per cent planning to implement one in late 2009.* The Government has set schools the target of offering parents real-time access to their child’s learning on a timely and frequent basis – at least once per term by 2010. Having implemented Frog, these Newcastle schools are set to meet this target one year in advance.

Simon Brown, Head of Music and VLE Coordinator, Cramlington Learning Village, comments: “Frog is changing the way we work both in terms of the when and the how. The ability to upload and share high quality resources through a searchable web space is giving staff and students an interface which incorporates features that they are familiar with from real world technologies. Frog acts as a one-stop-shop for all our e-learning systems meaning staff and students have access to all our teaching and learning tools at the touch of a button. Frog is shaping our development plan for effective use of technology in the classroom and we look forward to developing the platform to its full potential.”

Glen Whalley, Assistant Headteacher, Walbottle Campus Technology College, adds: “Staff find it extremely useful to be able to access their online performance management objectives, daily cover lists and duty rotas from one online location. Teachers love being able to easily create interactive learning resources that engage the students and also the ability to work from home and to set work for absent students more easily than before. Also, students, parents/carers and staff all enjoy being given a voice with the opportunity to vote on topical issues through the Frog Learning Platform.

Gareth Davies, Managing Director, Frog, says: “These schools in Newcastle are fantastic examples of those which have implemented an effective online learning environment that engages the whole school community.”

Cramlington Learning Village is hosting an event to showcase how it is using its learning platform to other secondary schools on Tuesday 8th December.

For further information about Frog please call 01422 250 800, email: hello@frogtrade.com or visit www.frogtrade.com.

*According to 2009 research from BESA (British Educational Suppliers Agency) – a trade association with over 300 members which include manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital content – all to the education market.

Further information:

1. Cramlington Learning Village is holding an awareness day on December 8th to demonstrate how it has successfully used Frog to raise achievement through digital learning. If you would be interested in sending a reporter to the event please contact Jennifer Jackson Livewire Public Relations, on 020 8339 7431 or email: jennifer.jackson@livewirepr.com.
2. About Frog - Frog (www.frogtrade.com) is one of the leading learning platform providers for secondary schools in the UK. Currently used in almost 300 schools across 80 UK Local Authorities, schools can personalise their Frog Learning Platform to engage the whole school community.
3. Winner of ERA Award – Best Supplier of the Year (£1 - £3million turnover)
Frog recently won Best Supplier of the Year at the Education Resource Awards for its innovative ways to boost learning. The awards, organised by the trade association for the sector, the British Suppliers Association, are recognised as one of the highest accolades in the education industry.

For further press information please call 020 8339 7440 or email: info@livewirepr.com.