It's nearly revision season!

Revision season is almost here and some of our pupils will be looking for ways to use digital technology as they plough through their notes. There are plenty of subject specific revision apps out there but some of the more generic apps allow pupils to plan their study time, make their own notes and resources and so on. Here are some of the best generic apps:

1. Revision App - App Giant Ltd, iPhone/iPad

Perhaps the most appropriately named App, the 'Revision App' supports students with revison on the move with over 1 million revision notes, flash cards and quizes covering everything from GCSE, A-Level and University subjects. The app allows students to create their own flash revision cards with video, text or audio which can be saved for future revision sessions and sent to friends to support group studies.
The app accommodates different types of learner to help the student learn faster, whether they're a visual learner or they process information acoustically.
Price: Basic app is free. Add 69p for revision notes, flash cards and information on each subject.

2. Remember the Milk - Remember the Milk, iPhone/iPad.

Not only does this app have a great name, it's one of the best organisational apps out there. The app has an attractive and easy to use user interface, and lets the student organise and prioritise lists, revision sessions, reminders and tasks the way they want.
Another great feature is the ability to view, change and bookmark tasks from mobile to the web to apps including Outlook, iCal, Gmail, Google Calendar, Twitter
Price: Absolutely free.

3. iMindMap - ThinkBuzan, iPhone/iPad

One for visual thinkers and learners, iMindMap is a brilliant mind mapping application that turns an iPad or iPhone into a personal brainstorming and thought-structuring device.
The app is great for dyslexic students, who often find visual learning a helpful revision tactic. It's a unique workspace for brainstorming; revising, note taking and planning that will automatically cross-platform sync across iPhones and iPads.
Price: Absolutely free.

4. Oxford A-Z of Grammar and Punctuation - Mobile Systems, all Android phones.

This has 250 grammar themed questions, along with a lot of basic information about grammar and punctuation of the English language.
Not just for English students, this app will provide help across all subject areas and give students a boost to their grammatical skills.
Price: Absolutely free.

5. Exam Countdown - Richard Knights, iPhone/iPad

Counting down the days, hours and minutes until the next exam is high on the agenda of pupils. Being able to visualise the order of exams helps it helps to effectlively prioritise revision sessions for each subject and effectively prepare for their exams.
As the name suggests, this app is a countdown clock letting students input and know exactly how long they have before their exam dates. It's simple, but effective and allows students to fully prepare for all upcoming examinations.
Price: Absolutely free.

6. Notability, iPhone/iPad

Notability is one of the most popular handwriting apps on the market. The app gives pupilss the natural experience of writing on paper, with the added ability to take notes, keep sketches and share content through social media and E-Mail.
Notability is easy to use, and will quickly become one of the core productivity apps for students over the Easter revision period. Great for revision notes on the go, creating your own flash cards and keeping everything in one place.
Price: £1.99

7. Grammar Up - Eknath Kadam, iPhone/iPad

A fun way to brush up on spelling and grammar before the exams, Grammar Up is a multiple choice quiz system with over 1800 fun questions across 20 grammar categories. Grammar Up can help pupils improve their grammar, spelling, vocabulary and sentence structuring.
Price: £2.99 for the complete app.

Happy revising!

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Twits!

One of the most significant developments of the digital age has been the growth of social networking. At the start, the development of social networking arose as a result of the need for people to keep in touch with each other on a very informal basis. More recently, this has developed into an important communication tool and increasingly this is being used as the key deliverer of information in many organisations.

At Bishop Gore, we have seen a huge growth in the way in which we use Twitter. A key stage in this development was during the 2013 summer examinations where we posted the following day’s exam timetable on a daily basis. This meant that pupils, parents and carers had access to the most relevant and up-to-date information. On one of the days, we simply forgot to post the relevant section of the exam timetable. This caused quite a storm with a large number of Twitter messages letting us know that we had let pupils, parents and carers down in no uncertain terms! This proved how important this was as a means of communication.

Today, we use Twitter in a number of ways. It is a quick and easy way for us to share examples of learning across the school. Parent and carers have commented how they have appreciated having the insight into the daily workings of the school. Of course, we use Twitter to ensure that important messages are passed on to the whole of the school community.

it is amazing to see that something which started as a means of keeping in touch with friends and family is now an important part of our learning process. If you don’t follow us on Twitter at the moment (and 900 people already do) then please do so - you won’t regret it!

@bishopgore

 

 

 

 

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Happy New Year

I hope you have all had a restful break as our thoughts turn to the new year in school. This year promises so much after having had such a positive start last term.

In Years 7, 8 and 9, we continue to develop our new curriculum model. The structure of learning and development blocks appears to be making a real impact on the way in which pupils are accessing and developing learning opportunities. We are also investigating strategies to ensure that all pupils have the literacy and numeracy skills that will give them the ‘life chances’ we often hear about.

Whilst Curriculum 2012 is primarily focussed on Key Stage 3, the fact that it offers a personalised learning experience for all pupils will mean that pupils completing Key Stage 3 will be accessing the next phase of their learning in a different way. The key is to ensure that pupils are able to progress in the way that best suits their learning needs. The implication of this in the near future will be that pupils will be learning with pupils from other year groups and completing their KS4 studies as and when they are ready to do so.

Finally, our sixth form provision is also being reviewed. A great deal if time has been spent ensuring that all of our pupils (and also those outside the school) are fully aware of the learning opportunities that exist in our sixth form. We are now entering the period where all of our pupils will be interviewed in order to identify accurately the most appropriate course of study for them. It really is an important period for all involved.

As can be seen, there is a great deal to look forward to in the new year and we certainly are not going to waste any time in ensuring that we move the school on still further. It really is an exciting time at Bishop Gore!

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

 

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