NEWS

May 19, 2015

Samsung Electronics UK today opens its next Digital Classroom at IPACA Sixth Form in Portland, following the opening of Samsung Digital Classrooms across the country to help bridge the digital skills gap in the UK. The new Digital Classroom will be a multi-use space that will support a wide range of digital learning activities not only for students but all age groups, from parents to toddlers to senior citizens. Samsung has equipped the classroom with a range of resources, deploying some of Samsung’s latest mobile, wearable and interactive display technologies on IPACA’s innovative IT infrastructure.

As the next generation of Samsung Digital Classroom, the space seeks to digitally empower not just learners but local community members, who will be encouraged to play a major role in supporting learning, raising aspirations and becoming learners themselves in the new Classroom. Aster Housing Association and Skills and Learning from Dorset County Council have played a vital role in giving the space a community-driven purpose.

The space will also support IPACA’s students with Special Educational Needs through technology. Initial findings from Samsung’s wider Digital Classrooms programme research reveal that pupils with Special Education Needs (SEN) particularly benefit from learning via technology to improve their engagement and confidence levels.

Developing these findings further, Samsung is partnering with the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice (CEMP) at Bournemouth University. This partnership involves the funding of Researcher in Residence, Phillip Wilkinson, to explore the impact of the Digital Classroom. As the Digital Classroom is designed as a multi-use space, this research seeks to capture evidence of increased engagement, empowerment, and aspirations of SEN students and their families in the wider local community.

As part of Samsung’s wider Corporate Citizenship programme, the Digital Classrooms are used for lessons and workshops to help close the digital divide, providing access to and training for over 37,000 young people and educators every year. The programme has seen Digital Classrooms opened in schools, charity partners and cultural institutions including the Royal Albert Hall and the British Museum.

Chair of the UK Government’s Education Technology Action Group and IPACA Patron, Professor Stephen Heppell said: “We are living during a digital revolution and as such, it’s so important that all members of society are equipped with the necessary skills and understanding to enjoy and thrive in this new world. I think it’s fantastic that Samsung is bringing these facilities to Portland and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the positive impact that this facility will have on the community.”

Andy Griffiths, President, Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland said: "Samsung is thrilled to be opening a Digital Classroom at the IPACA Sixth Form today that will benefit not only the students who attend this academy but also the local community, giving all age groups the opportunity to engage with and enjoy what the digital world has to offer. We’re particularly excited about the research being undertaken by Phillip Wilkinson, and hope that these efforts can move the needle on Special Education Needs teaching.”

Portland Academy Director for Change and Innovation, Gary Spracklen, said: “The Digital Classroom is a fantastic resource for our whole community. We plan to see it used in a wide range of ways by a variety of local community groups and organisations. Our collaborative approach means we have established a Digital Classroom Management Group with representatives from our community, IPACA staff and our students.”

John Tizard, Chair of Governors, Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy, said: "IPACA is delighted to be able to open the Samsung Digital Classroom. This exciting initiative exemplifies our commitment to IPACA being in and of the local community, and the local community being inside and part of IPACA. We are very grateful to Samsung for its generosity. We hope that this will be one of many future collaborations with Samsung. A special thanks to our learners, staff, parents and friends who have helped to make this possible.” About Samsung’s Citizenship Programmes Samsung is committed to help close the digital divide and skills gap in the UK. Samsung Digital Classrooms in schools, charities/non-profit organisations and cultural partners provide access to the latest technology. Samsung is also providing the training and maintenance support necessary to help make the transition and integration of the new technology as smooth as possible. Samsung is also offering qualifications and training in technology for young people and teachers through its Digital Academies in London and Birmingham. These initiatives will inspire young people, staff and teachers to learn and teach in creative ways and to help encourage young people into careers using technology. Find out more: www.samsung.com/uk/citizenship

About IPACA The Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy is a non-selective, non-fee paying, co-educational state school providing an outstanding learning environment for young people aged 3 – 19, from Nursery to Sixth Form.The Academy offers an exciting curriculum delivered using the 21st Century teaching and learning techniques in a digitally rich environment. IPACA offers all-through-learning with stage-not-age progression that is individually tailored to the needs of each student. IPACA also place particular emphasis on entrepreneurship and employability skills– giving students the confidence to achieve whatever they want in life. IPACA is sponsored by educational charity The Aldridge Foundation, which helps young people to reach their potential and contribute to improving their communities. Sir Rod Aldridge, the extraordinary entrepreneur and founder of Capita, is the Chairman of the Foundation. Professor Stephen Heppell, visionary educationist, is Patron of IPACA. Stephen is recognised internationally as a leader in the fields of learning, new media and technology, and is Chair in New Media Environments, Centre for Excellence in Media Practice, Bournemouth University. Children and young people are welcome to join IPACA at anytime during their educational journey as well as the usual points of entry at Nursery or Foundation, Year 7 or Sixth Form.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. We employ 307,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, please visit our official website at www.samsung.com and our official blog at global.samsungtomorrow.com

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