Susan Nyman
Curriculum Manager Health and Social Care
"Using puppets to teach aspects of AS Health and Social Care"
Background
The aim of the project is to improve the understanding, attainment and achievement of coursework and external examination marks using puppets for the Health and Social Care curriculum area.
· To establish whether AS and A2 students could improve their understanding by staff using more active learning techniques through the use of puppets for examinations.
· To establish whether visualisation of case studies and scenarios using more active learning techniques through the use of puppets to improve coursework for AS and A2 students.
Key Actions
· All classes were chosen as Action Research groups as the team considered that they did not wish for any class to be at a disadvantage in the preparation of all students for their coursework and external examinations.
· Data collection for all AS and A2 classes has involved primary research utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methods from the use of post results examination analysis, as well as electronic and paper based questionnaires involving open and closed questions.
· Data collection for all AS and A2 classes has involved primary research methods including case studies and interviews.
· Finally, data collection has included secondary research methods including statistical analysis and literature searches linked to the UK PUPPETS project.
Key findings
· Preliminary results analysis indicates that active learning in conjunction with puppets has improved the attainment marks for both the AS and A2 classes taught by the curriculum manager.
· Students enjoyed the use of more active learning techniques this academic year.
· All students found their lessons more fun. They benefitted from the use of puppets when linked to case studies, scenarios and pneumonics, and this related well to real life situations which provided an educational memory hook for improved recall.
For more information on this project please contact: