6. Suggestions for Improvements

Introduction

6.1 Pupils, teachers and Road Safety Officers were asked for their views on how Your Call could be further developed and improved. Overall, teachers and Road Safety Officers felt that the toolkit had an ongoing relevance and any improvements should be up-dates and "tweaks" rather than significant changes. Pupils also suggested a number of changes. It should be noted that most of the comments relate to changes to the DVD content – as this was by far the most commonly used aspect of the resource.

Updating technology

6.2 The majority of pupils suggested that they would like to see the DVD updated to include more relevant technology, such as the latest mobile phones and iPods. Currently the DVD features the characters 'video-blogging' that the pupils reported was 'not cool' and not a practice that was regularly carried out any more. Suggestions for improvements included the characters using Twitter or Facebook.

6.3 The teachers agreed, and felt that if the resource was to resonate with this age group, it would have to keep up with technology.

"The film just copes with increasing technology, but it will need updating in a few years."

Teacher

Further detail on consequences

6.4 Some pupils wanted to find out more information about what happened to the characters in the DVD after the crash. They wanted more details about the extent of the injuries the young people sustained, and how it affected their relationships with one another.

"Maybe someone's family should be in it, like a real life example to show that this can happen to you."

S1 pupil

"I want more about after (the accident) about what can happen and the doctor saying 'you'll never walk again' to get the message across."

S1 pupil

Statistics

6.5 A few pupils and teachers suggested that they would like to see more statistics included in part of the DVD, but also in the activities. These would be in relation to the number of young people killed in road accidents, for example. Some pupils felt that this type of information was more likely to stay with them and make an impact.

"Statistics always have an impact on the pupils and it would be better if these could be included in the pack and be more up-to-date and local."

Teacher

"I did used to wear a helmet; but not so much now..." [Why?]" but I just don't think it will happen to me, so maybe they need to think of more statistics to show me."

S1 pupil

Making use of real life, or shock tactics

6.6 A large number of pupils were particularly keen for Your Call to be more hard-hitting and suggested that the DVD should include images of the crash scene to make it more realistic. Currently the DVD cuts away just as the pedestrian is hit by the car.

"You didn't see anything in the DVD about the crash. You need to see the crash and the injuries."

S1 pupil

6.7 This view was also held by the older pupils, who suggested that the DVD could have been made more appropriate to their age group if it contained more graphic images.

"We could've handled it if it was a bit more grown up and more dramatic."

S3 pupil

6.8 One pupil suggested that following the crash scene in the DVD, the characters did not seem too upset at their situation. Pupils suggested the DVD should have included more realistic responses to the situation.

"Matt didn't seem too upset to be in a wheelchair – he was talking positively about how he could still get out and meet his friends. It showed you that being paralysed isn't that bad."

S1 pupil

6.9 Some S3 pupils suggested that a different format would be better to get the road safety message across. They suggested that Your Call should include the presentation of a real car that has been in an accident. The idea would be that pupils could see firsthand the result of an accident on a vehicle. Some of the pupils had undertaken a similar fieldtrip in the past and suggested this was a more appropriate way to learn.

Delivery format

6.10 The research explored whether there was an appetite for Your Call to be available online. Some teachers mentioned this spontaneously as a suggestion for improvement, while others had reservations as to how useful it would be. These concerns tended to be linked to the general unreliability of the school's internet connection rather than the usefulness of an online tool.

"Sometimes putting things online can cause problems because the school's broadband connection is not good."

Teacher

6.11 Pupils at two schools spontaneously suggested that they would like to use the resource more interactively on the White Boards in their classrooms. This would allow them to 'play games' and take control of the resource themselves.

"You could choose whether he picks up his phone, or crosses the road. He might get run over, but you make the decisions."

S1 pupil

6.12 There was positive feedback from pupils and teachers at the school that delivered Your Call using older sixth year pupils. Teachers felt that the S1 pupils were more engaged with the resource when hearing the road safety messages from their peers; rather than from the teachers. The S1 pupils agreed, stating that they much preferred the sixth-year pupils to be delivering the pack. The S6 pupils also reported increased confidence, skills in public speaking and organisational skills.

"It's better than having a teacher – they're (S6) not as stressed."

S1 pupil

Other suggestions for improvements

6.13 There were other suggestions for improvements from pupils, these included:

Different story line – One focus group of S1 and S2 pupils also commented that the DVD "needs a different situation" to make it more relevant for them. They did not find the story convincing.
Celebrities to be included in the DVD as this would be more likely to capture their attention.
The young people in the DVD should be in a road safety class; not a maths class to make it more relevant.

Increasing publicity about Your Call

6.14 Our interview with a representative from Education Scotland revealed that this individual was not aware of Your Call as a resource. However, Education Scotland sits on the Road Safety Scotland Education Sub Committee.

6.15 Education Scotland would be willing to discuss with Road Safety Scotland how best to assist with the publicity of Your Call and to develop a plan for working together in the future.

"Education Scotland have a massive website for advertising; we've got Glow, Glow TV...there are lots of opportunities for development."

Education Scotland

Providing schools with more copies of the toolkit

6.16 Two of our case study schools indicated they had more than one copy of the toolkit. In Midlothian, our case study school had a total roll of 1,476 and two copies of Your Call. In Fife, our case study school had three copies of the toolkit, and a total school roll of 766 pupils.

6.17 The other case study schools were operating with one toolkit (or in one case no toolkit just photocopied resources). Schools reported that this could cause problems in terms of logistics and in many cases the resources were photocopied to share among the guidance staff, or scanned to appear electronically on the school's white board. If the schools were able to have more copies available, it might make it easier for schools to include Your Call in the Curriculum.

Summary

6.18 Overall, teachers and Road Safety Officers felt that the toolkit had an ongoing relevance and any improvements should be 'up-dates' and 'tweaks' rather than significant changes.

6.19 The majority of pupils suggested that they would like to see the DVD updated to include more relevant technology, such as the latest mobile phones and iPods. Currently the DVD features the characters 'video-blogging' which the pupils reported had been replaced with social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

6.20 Some pupils wanted to find out more information about what happened to the characters in the DVD after the crash. They wanted more details about the extent of the injuries the young people sustained, and how it affected their relationships with one another.

6.21 A large number of pupils were particularly keen for Your Call to be more hard-hitting and suggested that the DVD should include images of the crash scene to make it more realistic. Both younger and older pupils made this suggestion.

6.22 There were some reservations about the resource being made available online, but these were in relation to the unreliability of the school's internet connection, rather than the use of the resource in this format. Pupils suggested that they would like more of the toolkit to be interactive.

6.23 On a more practical level for the future, schools could benefit from having more copies of the toolkit, so as not to have to photocopy the resource.

6.24 Education Scotland indicated that they would be willing to work with Road Safety Scotland to develop and promote the resource in the future.