Dear all
please see below for a freelance opportunity to lead a digital learning consultation at Stonehenge with English Heritage.
 
Stonehenge Digital Learning Consultation
Fee: £4000
Closing Date: Friday 10th August 2012
Interviews in Bristol: Wednesday 22nd August 2012 
 
best wishes
Harriet
 
Harriet Attwood
English Heritage
Education Manager South West (Monday-Thursday)
29 Queen Square 
Bristol
BS1 4ND
 
0117 975 0729
07770 812111

 


Stonehenge digital learning consultation 

Expressions of interest
July 2012

Deadline for written expressions of interest: 5pm on Friday 10th August 2012
Interviews in Bristol: Wednesday 22nd August 2012
Project to be completed by: Friday 28th September 2012



Contact: Hilary Jones, Education Resources Manager 
Harriet Attwood, Education Manager SW
English Heritage
29 Queen’s Square
Bristol
BS14ND
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask] 

 
CONTENTS


1.	INTRODUCTION


2.	BACKGROUND INFORMATION


3.	SCOPE OF PROJECT


4.	APPROACH


5.	REQUIRED OUTPUTS


6.	SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE


7.	BUDGET


8.	TIMETABLE

 

1.	INTRODUCTION
1.1	The Employer
The Employer is English Heritage. English Heritage is the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment in England, established by
the National Heritage Act 1983. It is concerned with all aspects of England’s built and archaeological heritage and works to conserve and enhance the historic environment, broaden public access to heritage and increase
people’s understanding of the past. Activities include caring for over 400 historic properties and making them accessible to the public; supporting programmes of research and grant-giving; maintaining the National
Monuments Record as a national archive of the historic environment; encouraging broader public involvement with heritage. English Heritage is funded in part by the Government and in part from earned revenue and fundraising. In 2010-11 there were £5.2 m visitors to staffed properties.
1.2	The Project Managers are Hilary Jones, Education Resources Manager and Harriet Attwood, Education Manager SW
1.3	Project Overview
English Heritage wishes to commission consultation work on the development of digital resources, including content and platform, to help students understand about Stonehenge. The consultation work will need to be backed up by research to enable us to create a relevant and useful product for teachers and students. This work will ultimately enable us to tender for the provision of digital learning content with a Stonehenge focus.

2.	BACKGROUND INFORMATION
2.1	Education
English Heritage Education Team work with schools and other learners who are following planned or curriculum-based learning activities. Education programmes and partnerships are developed by the Education Team of 5.5 f.t.e. regional Education Managers (one of whom is also the Education Team Leader), 4 regional Education Co-ordinators, an Archives Education Manager, a Resources Manager, and a Resources Developer. They are supported by 4 centrally-based Educational Bookings Co-ordinators and by a 0.5 f.t.e. Education Marketing Manager. 
Education provision can be broadly grouped as follows:
2.1.1	Free Educational Visits
English Heritage offers free admission to its sites for educational groups during the normal opening hours of the properties and on some days at some properties when they are normally closed to the public. Free Education Visits are part of our funding agreement with the DCMS. In 2012-2013 we anticipate there being in the region of 360,000 free education Visits to English Heritage properties
2.1.2	Discovery visits
At some sites education groups can take part in a facilitated activity led by a member of English Heritage staff, a freelancer or volunteer. Discovery Visits currently cost £90 per class. Discovery Visits constitute c. 10% of Free Education Visits
2.1.3	On-line resources
English Heritage offers a wide range of free on-line and downloadable learning resources. These are designed to support Free Education Visits or to act as stand alone resources for use in a classroom. These are available at http://www.heritageexplorer.org.uk and http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/education/   Additional resources are also available on the TES website.
2.1.4	Partnership projects
English Heritage has a range of on-going projects with partners across the heritage and education sectors. This includes input into Initial Teacher Education, CPD for teachers as well as partnership projects with individual schools and clusters. At Stonehenge the education team works in partnership with the National Trust, Wessex Archaeology, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum and Wiltshire Heritage Museum.
    2.2    Stonehenge 
  2.2.1	  Stonehenge Visitor Centre
   A new visitor centre and an improved landscape setting are planned for Stonehenge for autumn 2013. The developments will include:
•	An improved landscape setting for Stonehenge. The A344 adjacent to the Stones, and the current facilities, will be removed and returned to chalk downland, reuniting the monument with its Avenue.
•	A new, sensitively designed and environmentally sustainable Stonehenge visitor centre. The new centre will provide high-quality and fully accessible exhibition, education centre, café, shop and toilets.
•	Better interpretation of the Stones and the Stonehenge WHS. Innovative displays will engage and inspire visitors, whilst equipping them to explore Stonehenge and its landscape in completely new ways.
 2.2.2    Stonehenge education programme
  Resources and programmes currently available:
•	Free entry for learning groups and free planning visit for leaders
•	Discovery Visits (facilitated sessions £90 per group) - Stones and bones: Stonehenge in its landscape KS1-3; The business of heritage & tourism KS4-5
•	Hazard information sheet 
•	Twenty Stonehenge Explorer family backpacks with maps and activities for families and young people to explore the wider Stonehenge landscape from Summer 2012
•	KS2 scheme of work - "What was our area like in Prehistoric times?" (timeline, games and puzzles)
•	Teachers’ kit (info, illustrations, ideas and activities to help make the most of visits) 
•	Images of Stonehenge (plus classroom activities useful before and after visits)
•	Stonehenge activity sheet (short quiz and fun facts for KS3 and overseas groups)
•	Stonehenge Education Resources for French groups (includes Teacher’s Kit, FAQs and Myths and Legends)
•	Stonehenge WHS Interactive Map 
•	Stonehenge Heritage Management resource for travel and tourism students
Planned education programmes and resources at Stonehenge include:
•	On-line interactive global timeline
•	Neolithic Houses live interpretation hands-on programme 
•	Film for learning groups setting the site in context
•	New teacher’s kit
•	Hands-on interactives in the education room including costumes, replica objects and models.
•	CPD programme and resources for teachers


3.	SCOPE OF PROJECT
The project includes:
3.1 reviewing and summarising current research in the sector on digital learning, including current non-EH digital learning resources linking to Stonehenge, or other equivalent sites
3.2 consulting with teachers and students (including Digital Leaders) at KS3 and FE (16-18years) to ascertain what interactive digital learning experiences will most effectively engage students with Stonehenge. Consultation will involve demonstrating different examples of digital learning experiences to students and teachers.
3.4 wider, and more specifically Stonehenge focussed data gathering using quantitative and qualitative methods to establish the extent schools are currently using digital technology for learning and requirements for content and platform.

4.	APPROACH
4.1	We would welcome an approach which involves regular clear and open dialogue from the consultant and EH staff. 

5.	REQUIRED OUTPUTS
We anticipate a report which: 
5.1   addresses the question: ‘what interactive digital learning experience (including content and platform) would most effectively engage KS3 and FE students with Stonehenge?’ In addressing this question it will be useful to establish if there is a distinction between  apps,  games and material specifically developed for an education audience.
5.2	   includes recommendations to form the basis of a tender for the provision/creation of digital content with costings
5.3	   provides quantitative and qualitative research results
5.4	  gives a brief overview of current digital learning provision across the sector


6.	SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
•	knowledge of current technological climate within schools 
•	experience of consulting with schools, pupils and teachers and heritage education sector
•	knowledge of current research in the sector and understanding of current trends within digital learning and delivery/dissemination
•	excellent communication skills with a range of people, including students and teachers 


7.	TIMETABLE

Deadline for submission of tenders 5pm on Friday 10th August 2012.

Interviews to take place on Wednesday 22nd August 2012.

Project must be broadly complete by end of September 2012 (although there may be some flexibility). 


8.	SUBMITTING an expression of interest

Expressions of interest must be submitted via e-mail to [log in to unmask] by 5pm on Fri 10th August 2012. 

Letters must indicate:
•	your skills and knowledge, 
•	a draft timetable with details of how you would approach the project (including the consultation with schools and colleges), along with a budget breakdown. 
We would also like you to highlight key research you’d expect to draw on for this role. There is a budget available of up to £4,000 available for the project, exclusive of VAT. 

****************************************************************
       website:  http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
       Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
      Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
 [un]subscribe:  http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
****************************************************************