Shiver My Timbers

A journey into mixed reality piracy

Three Ways School

Bath

Context

• Generic Special School • Cohort MLD ASD years 3-5 (ages 8-10)• 10 boys 4 girls split into groups• Established tradition of working through multi-

sensory immersive learning experiences but often through the sensory studio

Project Purpose

• To encourage collaborative learning approaches • To develop imaginative play and co-construction

of narrative and content• To provide an environment and session structure

in which pupils could enhance their expressive and receptive language skills

• To encourage risk taking through an experiential learning approach

• To explore learning through a language familiar to the children (gaming, role play and digital media)

Source of Inspiration

• As all good learning should…it started with the pupils

• A pirate ship arrived at school and generated a storm of interest and amateur piracy

Project Structure

• Consistent framing at the beginning and end of the sessions

• Predictable elements and props• Link to class-based work (puppet structures and

backdrops)• Building on previous week’s narrative and pupil-

generated content • Feedback and ideas • 5 Weeks then parental performance session

Progress Made

Lowered anxiety from complex pupil group

Established bank of skills in controlling and developing the

software

Mixed Reality Learning

Pupils as Engineers

Parental engagement and investment

Improved reciprocal communication between peers

Increased use of imaginative language and narrative structures

Greater confidence, risk taking, experimenting and problem solving

What Next?

• Therapeutic potential• Story sharing and pupil voice• Small world theatre• Story writing • Forging and reinforcing the relationship

between home and school• Life skills sessions and outdoor learning• Open Source

Project Links

http://www.threeways.co.uk/research_collaborations

http://thesparkarts.co.uk/popupplay/