Formby Labour MP Bill Esterson joined children from Woodlands Primary School

Formby Labour MP Bill Esterson joined children from Woodlands Primary School on a virtual expedition to the Amazon rainforest when he visited the school.

The expedition was a Google Expedition Programme in which the children learn by using looking through special glasses at a smart phone, using a special app. Bill Esterson joined Year 6 children who were learning about the Amazon Rainforest.

Bill Esterson said, "It was fabulous to see the children so enthusiastic about the topic they were studying. Every child was completely absorbed by the topic and was clearly enjoying the lesson. The Google app made sure that the Amazon came to life, as I discovered when I tried the glasses and saw the rainforest on a smart phone. Technology can make a big difference in learning and the Google Expedition app is a good example of what can be done. The trick is to make sure that teachers can take advantage of what is available and make sure it helps with lessons. Woodlands are clearly making the most of the opportunities available and both Year 5 and Year 6 children were learning using the virtual expedition. Thanks to head teacher, Mr Williams and his fantastic staf for making this available to the children and for inviting me along to find out about the great teaching and learning at Woodlands.

We have some fantastic schools in Formby and excellent teachers. I am really pleased to able to support our schools whenever I can. Visiting schools and seeing the great work going on from staff and pupils is one of the best parts of my job. The expedition and the learning by the children, which I saw at Woodlands, was great to see and I look forward to my next visit."

Bill Esterson is pictured with Year 6 children showing the Google Expeditions technology. The children pictured are Sean, March, Clara and Abi