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Pupils have it all mapped out

Sue Carr
11/ 6/2008

PUPILS in Tameside are using ‘sat nav’ technology to blaze a trail in their geography lessons.

Fairfield High for Girls is one of the first schools in the country to use the handheld GPS navigators to help teaching and learning on field trips.

Youngsters put them into practice in a series of projects with pupils from Moorfield and Fairfield primaries, using them to check temperature, altitude and to map and navigate journeys.

Robin Llewellyn, head of geography at the school on Fairfield Avenue, Droylsden, said students loved the new software.

"It’s fantastic, they picked it up really quickly and after a while they were teaching me!" he said.

"With the primary schools, the main benefit is encouraging their geographical awareness and with older students it’s about keeping up to date with technology.

"The kids could just about use them before but now they understand them too."

Fifty personal navigators have been bought with a grant from engineering company Carnaud Metal Box’s benevolent fund and can also be used in other subjects such as maths and science.

Tameside Council, which has worked with schools on the project, said it was an ‘innovative’ idea which could transform lessons and build links with children from nearby primary schools.

Mr Llewellyn added: "It is with thanks to them that we have been able to buy this equipment.

"It has inspired a really enthusiastic response from pupils and we are now planning to use it in other fieldwork projects in the future."