Family Discovery Learning
Please note the information on this page is aimed at family members but is still relevant for schools.
What are they?
Family Discovery Learning (FDL) sessions with Study Parks are designed to help you support your child(ren) with their school work in the classroom or at home, using digital technology.
FDL is based around teaching you skills around researching, creating and presenting information to develop both your own and your child(ren)'s confidence in learning. We call the concept "enquiry based learning" which encourages you and your child(ren) to investigate things more thorougly.
To make it relevant, we always try and link the activities around something currently happening at your child(ren)'s school so what is learnt can be applied straight away.
How does it work?
- Sessions are typically run as part of the school day in the afternoon
- Our driver Colin will collect you and your child from school to Study Parks and back in our 17 seater minibus
- Depending on the nature of the chosen course, the day could be spent at Study United FC or at Study Heslam.
- Longer courses will be available in the future which can include a qualification
We are currently offering two types of FDL:
Taster Session
A two hour session at Study Parks, Scunthorpe.
Glanford Park
First half: Discovery Learning
- Welcome to FDL
- Explanation of FDL and further courses
- Mini tour and pictures
- Online survey
Second Half: Football Coaching
- Coaching on SUFC practise pitches by Scunthorpe United Community Sports Education Trust coaches!
Heslam Park
First half: Cooking Skills
- Welcome to FDL
- Share the preparation and cooking
- Measure and weigh ingredients
- Follow recipe instructions
- Find out about health and nutrition
- Take pictures of each stage!
Second Half: Discovery Learning
- Explanation of FDL courses
- Online survey
Example Activity of FDL:
- Create a simple photostory using photos from tour+webcam
- Present photostory to the group!
- Explanation of further FDL
After completing the taster session you can then go onto the next stage:
Introduction Course
Three weeks worth of two hour sessions at Study Parks, Scunthorpe.
Session 1
Defining, responding and researching
Encourages children to find out everything they can on a topic, to categorise and differentiate the information they've got, and then to develop and prioritise further questions and research.
- Consulting with others - talking with peers, parents, teachers or experts
- keeping a log of findings, research evidence, collating the knowledge and understanding
- identifying a plan of action, or the format/audience for output i.e. video, pamphlet, report, prezi etc.
searching different sources for evidence - internet, TV, radio.. - working together and collaborating on each others' projects
Session 2
Doing and making
Encourages children to create a product which communicates, shares and presents their new knowledge and understanding with others. There are many ways in which this could be done, for example it could be a audio/visual presentation, audio report, video blog, website item, prezis, photostories and so on. This work will be shared and saved as a resource for others to use in the future.
- creating live videos, prezis, radio broadcasts, blogging, writing reports.
- refining their work, conducting further research to fill in the gaps
Session 3
Presenting and evaluating
Children have an opportunity to present and communicate their emerging findings to their peers and tutors. And it develops children's skills of evaluation, since they are more likely to take seriously the advice and feedback of the audiences they work with.
- performing – drama, role-play, delivering presentations, presenting arguments to a wider audience.
- reflecting upon their goals and whether these have been achieved, and identifying further action or research.
The Model
- Enrichment opportunity linked to the school's curriculum activities i.e. Year 6 Victorian Britain ~ Children at School.
- Enquiry-based Learning: cross curriculum supported by digital technology.
- Based on 'Learning to Learn' principles shared and supported by a family member.
- Researching, Creating and Presenting process to develop children's skills and confidence in school and at home.
Who is it aimed at?
- Open to children from Year 5 and 6
- Family members can include a parent, a grand parent, guardian/carer or close family relative (eg. Auntie or Uncle)
- There are no restrictions on entry; all we ask is to work with learners (including staff!) who are keen, willing and not afraid to try something new.
What will we need from you?
- As always, there will be some forms to fill in. We've tried to make this as straightfoward as possible and all of them can be completed at your child's school.
- A commitment to come along with your child(ren) to learn together
How to book
- Contact your school for more information who have been provided with a pack and more details
- Alternatively you can email: contactus@studyparks.org.uk