INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION GIVES ROBOT THUMBS UP TO SUPPORT LITERACY & NUMERACY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

An electronic robot that can read stories and guide children through an extensive range of interactive learning card activities can provide a “strong support tool for children whose confidence in literacy and numeracy needs special attention”, according to the first phase of research carried out by the Institute of Education.

[ClickPress, Fri Mar 28 2008] An electronic robot that can read stories and guide children through an extensive range of interactive learning card activities can provide a “strong support tool for children whose confidence in literacy and numeracy needs special attention”, according to the first phase of research carried out by the Institute of Education.

During the first phase of a two term research project, Institute of Education researchers monitored the impact made by RED the Robot®, an upgradeable learning system from Exeter-based *Head Start Learning System®, in three very different state and independent primary schools and has monitored how the system can be used in primary schools and Early Years settings to introduce and support the Government’s preferred Letters and Sounds phonics programme.

“Our initial trials have allowed children and staff at schools in Suffolk and Essex to explore freely how RED the Robot® can work alongside teachers in promoting confidence and learning in children,” explains Dr Maria Da Costa from The Institute of Education.

“Designed mainly for one to one and small group learning but with the potential for class based activity, RED the Robot® is ideal for reinforcement learning with all children and is a friendly face in the classroom where children can work at their own pace with teacher supervision without being overwhelmed by the class situation,” she adds.

The second phase of the Institute’s trials begin shortly and will include more prescriptive tests in controlled conditions to assess how children’s rapid educational development can be enhanced by RED the Robot®.

The RED the Robot® system, which is already in use in a number of primary schools and early years settings across the UK, is initially available for the teaching of children from 3 years and up. Content currently covers EYFS through to the end of Key Stage 1, though there are plans to expand both the content and age scope of the system.

Resources currently available include 200 Letters & Sounds focussed interactive activity cards to support Phases One to Four, 18 graded interactive adventure story books for ages 3+ and a whiteboard-enabled RED the Robot® Literacy CD Rom,. To be followed shortly by an additional 100 Letters & Sounds cards for phases five and six, a second set of 18 graded adventure story books, six First Reader’s story books, new multicultural storybooks and four cross-curricular project boxes exploring topics such as Light & Dark, Movement, Sunflowers and Waterproof Materials.

“We are delighted that the Institute of Education research is confirming what we are seeing in classrooms around the country, that RED the Robot® and his comprehensive interactive range of resources are highly effective in supporting the teaching of Letters and Sounds in school,” explains educational development director Lisa Thompson.

“After the teacher has taught the pupils a new concept, RED enables children to practise what they have been taught through hundreds of different fully interactive activity cards and other great resources specifically designed to interact with this friendly robot. If the child correctly answers the questions posed by RED, they are praised by the robot and encouraged to keep working, demonstrating to the teacher that the child is able to apply their knowledge. If the child can use the interactive cards correctly without any assistance, the teacher is able to assess their learning against curriculum criteria.”

In addition to Letters and Sounds, RED the Robot® can play a valuable role in rewarding children and giving them a degree of responsibility in the classroom. Children can be tasked with putting RED back in his box, with charging his interactive star, changing his 3 AA batteries etc. In addition to a highly interactive educational resource, RED has the ability to become a valued, trusted member of the class.”

The introduction of RED the Robot® follows the call by the Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, at the end of last year for "a national revolution" in children's reading at school and at home. He said that, although literacy levels have improved, work was still needed especially to struggling children up to standard. Although 84% of 11-year-olds achieved the required reading standards last year, this is only one percentage point higher than in 2000, and on average boys' reading and writing abilities still fall consistently below girls. Systems like RED the Robot® have a serious contribution to make towards achieving these objectives.

Further information is available from www.redtherobot.com .

Ends.

* Head Start Learning System® is a trading division of Impact International Limited.
Media Information:
Howard Robinson or Joe Palmer
Early Doors
T: 0207 754 5560
E: howard@earlydoors.com or joe@earlydoors.com

About The Institute of Education

The Institute of Education is a graduate college of the University of London. It was founded in 1902 to deliver high quality training for teachers. The Institute has long been recognised as a leading centre of educational enquiry. At any one time it hosts over 100 research projects funded by research councils, government departments and other agencies. The scale and excellence of this research attract large numbers of students from all over the world keen to work with scholars at the forefront of education. International links are also fostered through active participation in European Union-sponsored programmes and through collaborative projects with overseas institutions.