TeachBot

What is Teachbot?

This cutting-edge initiative is a conversational web-based system which 'talks' students through tasks for GCSE English and Maths.  Bristol CLCs have spent several years working with commercial partners and experienced teachers and LA Advisors in developing TeachBot, which is designed to act as 1:1 support for Bristol students in improving the pass rate of A* - C at Key Stage 4. 

Young people enjoy 'chatting' to the Bot - an avatar that will answer questions by taking them through a significant range of guided tasks on a computer whilst they complete GCSE assignments.  We have learned some lessons and have recently made changes which are equivalent to "three strikes" rule in baseball - i.e. conversational aspects of the 'Bot' initially allowed students to 'chat' in an informal manner without restriction.  Now the 'Bot' will respond to casual enquiries twice and then on the third enquiry will direct students back to the task in hand!

How does Teachbot help students with the english curriculum?

We believe that this initiative has moved on the personalised learning agenda because TeachBot reinforces what is taught in class as well as allowing students to revise and extend their work through one to one tuition with the Bot.  It is an excellent way of encouraging young people to think about how to improve their work in their own way and at their own pace.  One particularly useful aspect is that they can log on to their accounts at home and teachers receive feedback about the time spent and the percentage of content completed by students on specific modules within the program.

Our aim in 2010 is to have integrated TeachBot into English and Maths KS4 schemes of work in the majority of Bristol schools.

It is currently being trialled in two secondary schools (Henbury School and Orchard School) and two Academies (City Academy and Cabot Partnership).

Reviews

"TeachBot has some good tips on descriptive writing - i.e. using all of my senses and picking up every little detail around me. Would definitely use it again."

"I like the way it interacts with you, and answers the questions you ask, and also that it responds to words that have been misspelled"

We would like to roll out TeachBot to all Bristol schools, so please contact the.i@bristol.gov.uk if you'd like further information or support in introducing it in your classrooms.