Children could soon be doing their homework on PSPs with new learning software devised by Sussex academics.

Trial runs of a laptop computer-based maths programme for primary school children proved an overwhelming success when they were held last year.

Now Professor Rosemary Luckin, who co-ordinated the project with a team from the University of Sussex, is investigating ways of transferring the software to handheld technology, including games consoles like the PlayStation Portable. (PSP) Parents, teachers and pupils who tested out the system, named Homework, said they would like to see it used on a full-time basis.

Five to seven-year-old children at two trial schools were issued with laptop computers equipped with the software.

They worked through the programmes both in maths lessons at school, under direction from their teachers, and at home alongside their parents.

Teachers were issued with their own version of the software which they could display on interactive classroom whiteboards.

Videos from the Channel Four education series The Number Crew were integrated into the software as part of the programme.

Prof Luckin said the research at West Dene Primary in Bankside, Brighton, and Little Horsted Primary, near Uckfield, had been very successful.

Michael Davies, headteacher at Little Horsted, said his pupils clearly enjoyed using the computers and were visibly engaging with maths, which he said was often the hardest subject to get children to respond to.

Prof Luckin said the key part of the software was the link it provided between home and school.

She said: "When parents ask their children "what did you do at school today?" the response is quite often "nothing", or is very vague. With Homework, parents sit with their children and see what they have done at school and what they are expected to do at home. They can understand how it all fits together.

"Parents can use it to improve their own understanding of subjects so they can then help their children in turn."

Prof Luckin, whose work was funded by several science agencies and commercial partners, is now looking at ways to get the technology introduced into classrooms across the country. She wants to develop packages for different subjects as well as investigating different computer types.

Dr Davies said he had begun trying to find funding to make laptop computers available to his pupils having seen the impact they had had.

He said: "There is no doubt they make a big difference. I think the only problem is in making sure they are robust and simple, so a teacher can deal with any technical problems without needing a team of special staff to back them up."

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