SSAT Vibe

Wellacre College’s experience using the VIBE for Construction and the Built Environment

by Chris Hatherall, Deputy Headteacher

Why I would recommend the VIBE

Access to building sites is extremely limited. By using the VIBE learners can gain daily access to a virtual site and therefore be thoroughly prepared and better able to get the most of an actual site visit.

I would recommend the VIBE:

• as an introduction into preparation for site visits
• to understand site management issues
• to introduce the framework for documentation relating to site work, including risk assessment and health and safety
• to enable the learner to contextualise the theoretical and practical aspects of learning

The VIBE is a way to introduce and sustain interest in concepts that have been considered to be “dry” and “disengaging” to learners.

Using the VIBE with our learners

The VIBE resource was loaded onto the school network quickly and efficiently. We were soon ready to go.

Our learners played the role of a new worker coming onto the site. They were able to explore the layout of the site, discuss its good and weak points before entering the site cabin and undergoing an induction simulation.

The health and safety and site management issues were brought to life by the immersive nature of the tool. Learners were able to explain choices and methods within the supplied framework of documents and tasks embedded within the resource.

Success

The VIBE stimulated whole class discussions with all our learners engaged and eager to have their opinions heard. Learners were more confident when they visited sites in reality and when going on placements. I believe it also helped them produce better coursework and more detailed portfolios. They were able to use screenshots of the VIBE to illustrate their points and supplement these with digital photographs stored in their electronic portfolio.

The learners have given very positive feedback regarding the environment and interface and this has been reflected in their level of understanding around the key learning objectives addressed by the VIBE resource.

Learners’ responses

The learners had no problems interacting with the resource, with one pupil stating  “it’s a part of our culture”.  They can immerse themselves within the environment and work through a range of problems which can be accessed easily.