Google glory for hi-tech deputy head
9:01am Thursday 29th July 2010 in News
A DEPUTY head from Bolton is stepping into cyberspace to learn about teaching in tomorrow’s world.
David Mitchell has been accepted on to the Google Teacher Academy.
He is just one of 50 teachers worldwide to be chosen to take part in the programme, which teaches how to use the latest in technology in the classroom.
Through being accepted into the academy he will be given exclusive access to top secret advances in ICT. The deputy headteacher of Heathfield Primary School, Henniker Road, Daubhill, already uses ICT to further children’s learning.
He said: “I am thrilled and honoured to have been chosen by Google out of all the applicants that did apply. Only 27 out of the UK, and 23 from the rest of the world were chosen.”
Mr Mitchell said: “I will see top secret advances in technology and I have had to sign documents stating what I see will remain confidential.”
But as part of his “membership” he, and others who have been accepted, will be among the first to be given permission to use some of the new teaching tools they will see.
Mr Mitchell’s passion for technology saw him create a virtual classroom during January’s heavy snowfall which resulted in the closure of his school, and many others in the borough.
This allowed pupils via their computer to take part in interactive lessons from their home.
He is an advocate of using websites such as YouTube in the classroom to enhance teaching in subjects such as literacy. Mr Mitchell and his pupils have given presentations about learning through technology.
Through the academy, a free professional development scheme, Mr Mitchell will become a Google Certified Teacher and will be equipped to share what he has learned with colleagues in Bolton.
Mr Mitchell, who will be attending the Google Teacher Academy in London this week at Google Headquarters, said: “I never expected to be accepted. At Heathfield we believe learning through modern technology is the key to success. It enthuses pupils and is about 24/7 learning.”
