The Learning Zone is based at The Boleyn Ground,
Upton Park, in the Dr Martens Stand
Futuristic design, cutting edge technology - the Learning Zone has
landed! Its dazzling new image makes it one of the funkiest, most
colourful classrooms in Britain.
This room doesn't politely ask you to look around; it grabs
your attention and hurls you through a breathtaking space at
breakneck speed.
Photographic grass on the floor, metallic trees growing out of
tables, long skateboard ramp desks, a fluorescent orange arch and a
reading shed send our wow! factor into orbit. The designers
definitely succeeded in their plans to "bring the outside
in" and create a classroom that would have a massive impact.
Alongside the cool interior is some impressive raw computing power.
State of the art flat screens, broadband internet access, video
editing facilities, an interactive whiteboard and an interactive
kiosk give us the potential to run a range of activities from basic
ICT to multimedia workshops.
Summer 2003 saw the Learning Zone radically re-invent its 10 week
programme. The sessions are now structured so that pupils take
control of their own learning and are encouraged to become
independent learners.
Week 1 and 2 of the programme are designed so that pupils get to
know the Learning Zone and each other. Pupils enjoy circle time
activities and ice breakers helping them to relax in their new
learning environment. Pupils also set their own learning targets in
Numeracy, Literacy, IT and Key Skills by completing a self
assessment questionnaire on the computer. In week 2 the pupils go
on a tour of the ground and use digital cameras and video to make
up a digital arts storyboard.
Many of the sessions start with circle time when the group comes
together. Activities include a story led "Learning to Count
1-10 in Japanese" which takes into consideration pupils
preferred learning styles, Shipwrecked (What would you choose to
survive on a desert island?) and Key Skills Presentations based on
a theme(Designing a new trainer!).
For the bulk of the programme the pupils select activities as
suggested by the Learning Zone teachers to achieve their individual
targets. Activities are chosen from a bank of football related
topics including The Fans, The Stadium, The History, The Players,
The Game and The Business. Each pack is designed to cover Numeracy
and Literacy activities as well as introduce ICT packages. All
packs for instance cover the Microsoft Office suite Word, Excel,
Publisher and PowerPoint. In The Fans pack for example you can try
a numeracy merchandise activity, write a song for your favourite
team or create a diary of a fan in PowerPoint. In The Stadium pack
you might produce a graph of stadium capacities, measure the West
Ham United pitch or email a member of the West Ham United staff
about their job and duties at the Boleyn Ground.
The final two weeks of the Programme focus very specifically on the
Key skills of communication, presentation and organisation. The
pupils put together a practical and poster presentation to show
what they have learnt at the West Ham United Learning Zone.This
term, we had a fantastic array of practical presentations with
pupils taking off game shows such as 'Who wants to be a
Millionaire' and 'The Weakest Link'
Pupils have the opportunity to enter their final presentations into
the Learning Zone competition. All pupils with a hundred percent
attendance record are invited to a prize giving evening held at the
end of each term. As an extra reward for their hard work all the
students receive a certificate and all the competition winners
receive their awards from West Ham United players.