There are so many apps out there, the choice is often bewildering. Every now and then, you stumble across an app that really causes you to stop and think about the power that it has to change the way learning takes place in school (and at home). Nearpod is one such app.
I have spent the last few days investigating the amazing features of this app and have to say, it is incredible. The app allows teachers to create interactive presentations, which pupils access on their iPads in class. The presentation can be quite exciting but it is the interactive nature of this app that really does set it apart.
Consider the situation in our school at the moment. Lots of teachers will spend a great deal of time creating presentations and so on. These, whilst a huge improvement on the presentations of years ago, are still teacher centred, learners have to move at the pace of the presentation regardless of their learning needs. In addition to this, the teacher will have to rely on pupils responding to questions and will often not have the time to question everyone.
Nearpod allows pupils to move through presentations at their own pace. They can review parts of the presentation that they feel need more work. The teacher can set assessment tasks within the presentation and, as the pupils complete these, instant feedback is given to the teacher enabling a more personalised approach.
The future of learning is so exciting.
Sunday, 24 March 2013
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Twitterific!
We are increasingly using Twitter as a means of communication at Bishop Gore and we now have nearly 600 followers, with this number increasing on a weekly basis.
Twitter is used by us in a number of different ways:
One of the most interesting ways is the 'live Tweet' which is where we use Twitter to give regular updates on events. We used this recently to great effect in our Eisteddfod and our Talent Unleashed concert. We plan to use this this more and more - including in this week's Presentation Evening.
Pupils, parents and carers have also started to use Twitter to communicate with us. We often receive Tweets on Sunday asking 'what week are we on next week' and so on. It really is helping to improve our communication channels with members of our community.
It will be interesting to see how the use of Twitter as a teaching and learning tool develops. Pupils being able to ask questions before, during and after a lesson will hopefully become an important part of the pedagogy at Bishop Gore.
Meanwhile, if you haven't done so yet, please follow us on @bishopgore!
Twitter is used by us in a number of different ways:
One of the most interesting ways is the 'live Tweet' which is where we use Twitter to give regular updates on events. We used this recently to great effect in our Eisteddfod and our Talent Unleashed concert. We plan to use this this more and more - including in this week's Presentation Evening.
Pupils, parents and carers have also started to use Twitter to communicate with us. We often receive Tweets on Sunday asking 'what week are we on next week' and so on. It really is helping to improve our communication channels with members of our community.
It will be interesting to see how the use of Twitter as a teaching and learning tool develops. Pupils being able to ask questions before, during and after a lesson will hopefully become an important part of the pedagogy at Bishop Gore.
Meanwhile, if you haven't done so yet, please follow us on @bishopgore!
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Pupils lead the way in being responsible digital citizens
We had a brilliant day last Friday. Our annual Eisteddfod took place and was a fantastic celebration of our Welsh culture and emphasised the importance we place on this at Bishop Gore. We also held the launch event for our latest year 7 development block entitled 'Footprints'. The school is always a special place to be, but even more so on Friday.
Sadly, some people who really have nothing to do with the school, decided to spread malicious and completely untrue rumours using Faecebook and Twitter. Apparently, we were not celebrating St David's Day.......... Of course, we thought this was hilarious until the comments became highly personal, targeting individuals and groups within the school.
As is always the way at Bishop Gore, we shrugged this off and carried on with what really matters - learning together as a community. It did upset us, we were angry but we never allowed it get the better of us.
If there ever was a time when our pupils could have used social media in a negative way, it was last Friday. When they read (as many of them did) the disgusting comments made about Bishop Gore, they could have joined in. This didn't happen, pupils that did contribute to the discussion responded in a mature and accurate manner - unlike those many years older than them that caused such upset.
Our pupils have proved that they are truly responsible digital citizens.
Sadly, some people who really have nothing to do with the school, decided to spread malicious and completely untrue rumours using Faecebook and Twitter. Apparently, we were not celebrating St David's Day.......... Of course, we thought this was hilarious until the comments became highly personal, targeting individuals and groups within the school.
As is always the way at Bishop Gore, we shrugged this off and carried on with what really matters - learning together as a community. It did upset us, we were angry but we never allowed it get the better of us.
If there ever was a time when our pupils could have used social media in a negative way, it was last Friday. When they read (as many of them did) the disgusting comments made about Bishop Gore, they could have joined in. This didn't happen, pupils that did contribute to the discussion responded in a mature and accurate manner - unlike those many years older than them that caused such upset.
Our pupils have proved that they are truly responsible digital citizens.
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Work experience
Our year 10 pupils are undertaking their work experience this week. This is a really important week for them and I am sure they will make the positive impression that our pupils always do on this week.
Wouldn't it be fantastic if all of our pupils were equipped with an ipad as they completed this week? For example, they would be able to record observations from their experience, interview work colleagues, upload and send information back to school, keep a diary and so on. Often, on return to school, pupils tend to forget much of the detail from the experiences of the week - using a iPad would help to to ensure their experiences are recorded in one place and will be also easily shared with others on their return.
One of our problems as teachers, is ensuring that we visit all of the pupils when they are on placement - with iPads we could FaceTime or Skype pupils and their supervisors as they complete the week (as well as trying to visit them all).
What do you think?
Wouldn't it be fantastic if all of our pupils were equipped with an ipad as they completed this week? For example, they would be able to record observations from their experience, interview work colleagues, upload and send information back to school, keep a diary and so on. Often, on return to school, pupils tend to forget much of the detail from the experiences of the week - using a iPad would help to to ensure their experiences are recorded in one place and will be also easily shared with others on their return.
One of our problems as teachers, is ensuring that we visit all of the pupils when they are on placement - with iPads we could FaceTime or Skype pupils and their supervisors as they complete the week (as well as trying to visit them all).
What do you think?
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Creative pupils
One thing that continues to amaze me is the way in which our pupils use social networking in such a fluent and creative way. What is annoying is the fact that the negative issues surrounding social networking sites are often the only ones which are reported. There has been (and still is) innappopriate use of sites such as Facebook, Twitter and so on. Those that do behave in this way are wrong and need to accept that they can often do a great deal of harm. On the other hand, there are so many outstanding examples of pupils using social networking in a way which is making a phenomenal impact on their learning.
This half term, I have noticed just how many of our pupils have accessed our school Twitter account, often asking questions to ensure that they are ready for learning. During the last week many of our pupils and staff have used Edmodo - it has been so exciting to see learning taking place using this platform.
Let's not ignore the obvious resource that is our pupils. They often have the solutions to the communication problems we are puzzling over!
Finally, just to emphasise how much talent is out there, take a look at the following Ted video in which 12-year-old Thomas Suarez talks about the apps he has made and how he is now using his skills to help other app developers. This just goes to prove that we need to encourage such talent and not put up barriers.
http://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_suarez_a_12_year_old_app_developer.html
This half term, I have noticed just how many of our pupils have accessed our school Twitter account, often asking questions to ensure that they are ready for learning. During the last week many of our pupils and staff have used Edmodo - it has been so exciting to see learning taking place using this platform.
Let's not ignore the obvious resource that is our pupils. They often have the solutions to the communication problems we are puzzling over!
Finally, just to emphasise how much talent is out there, take a look at the following Ted video in which 12-year-old Thomas Suarez talks about the apps he has made and how he is now using his skills to help other app developers. This just goes to prove that we need to encourage such talent and not put up barriers.
http://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_suarez_a_12_year_old_app_developer.html
Half term - or not......
That went quickly! This is our last day as we break up for half term and we all return to school on Monday 18th February.
For many of our pupils, there will not be a half term break as they will be involved in various activities including extra coursework sessions in school supported by our wonderful LSAs and teaching staff. Some of our pupils will be taking part in the Technocamps Enterprise Bootcamp at the university.
It just goes to prove that the traditional model of learning only taking place in the classroom during 'normal' timetabled lessons is rapidly disappearing.
For many of our pupils, there will not be a half term break as they will be involved in various activities including extra coursework sessions in school supported by our wonderful LSAs and teaching staff. Some of our pupils will be taking part in the Technocamps Enterprise Bootcamp at the university.
It just goes to prove that the traditional model of learning only taking place in the classroom during 'normal' timetabled lessons is rapidly disappearing.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Mobile learning
It is quite simply amazing to see the growth in the use of personal technology in school. We allow pupils to bring phones/tablets and so on into school as we all recognise the impact these can have on learning.
I remember 5 years ago, some of our pupils were not behaving in a responsible way when using technology which was causing a number of problems. This resulted in us trying to enforce a complete ban on mobile technology - which lasted only a few days! It quite quickly became apparent that pupils would continue to use their mobile regardless of any school policy - attempting to ban them was futile. More importantly, recognising the impact on learning that could be made by integrating this technology into teaching was an important step for us as a school. in addition to this, it was recognised that the school could play a role in teaching pupils how to use these responsibly.
Now we are in the position where pupils are using their iPads, Smartphones, Galaxy tablets and so on in the canteen, on the fields, in corridors and, of course, in classes. It is wonderful to see the major impact this is having on learning now - and look forward to enhancing this further by giving pupils access to iPads provided by the school. Exciting times are ahead!
I remember 5 years ago, some of our pupils were not behaving in a responsible way when using technology which was causing a number of problems. This resulted in us trying to enforce a complete ban on mobile technology - which lasted only a few days! It quite quickly became apparent that pupils would continue to use their mobile regardless of any school policy - attempting to ban them was futile. More importantly, recognising the impact on learning that could be made by integrating this technology into teaching was an important step for us as a school. in addition to this, it was recognised that the school could play a role in teaching pupils how to use these responsibly.
Now we are in the position where pupils are using their iPads, Smartphones, Galaxy tablets and so on in the canteen, on the fields, in corridors and, of course, in classes. It is wonderful to see the major impact this is having on learning now - and look forward to enhancing this further by giving pupils access to iPads provided by the school. Exciting times are ahead!
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