DIVERSASIA - Best practices

Futurelab, together with Mobile Pie, the originators of ShoutBox, are developing a web-based mobile tool to help young people recognize and capture their out-of-school learning in order to share the experience and learn from others. This case study describes the findings from a trial with a group of young people taken from three schools in Bristol. Context: ShoutBox is a cross-platform tool which allows young people to recognize and showcase learning outside the classroom. It uses technology already familiar with young people, such as mobile phones and social networking sites. Method for inclusive practice: The young participants in the trial captured their out-of-school experiences on video, photo or audio applications. Young people tagged their captured experiences in themes and categories, such as sport and leadership. Young people then showcased their out of school learning through the www.shineweek.co.uk website hosted by Creative Partnerships and on popular social networking sites, eg BEBO or Facebook. Focus of inclusive practice: ShoutBox aimed: to raise the profile and value of out-of-school learning; to enable young people to better understand the benefits from their out-of-school experiences; to support young people in their out of school experiences; and to inform teachers and/or ‘others’ of the activities young people choose to partake in out-of-school and how this may benefit their relationships and learning in school. Level of success: The idea of ShoutBox was popular amongst both young people and teachers who took part in the study. All the participants in the study saw the benefits of using ShoutBox to support and showcase their outside school learning.