Prepared for the future
Technology has become a fundamental part of our education, not only allowing us to deliver great teaching and learning but as a platform for collaboration and productivity.
We have witnessed first-hand the positive impact it can have, putting pupils at the heart of their learning by increasing engagement, developing intrinsic interpersonal skills and preparing them for the future of adult life.
We are an innovative school when it comes to the use of technology and as well as our 1:1 device programme, we also use the most advanced software technologies to support learning, such as Century Tech. This engaging AI-powered system supports our approach to personalised learning in English, Maths and Science for pupils in KS3 and 4 by helping them to practice skills and apply their knowledge, as well as providing a source of data that supports timely, targeted intervention, and enables pupils to reflect on their progress and next steps.
We use many other systems too, such as our Firefly VLE, OneNote, Learning By Questions, Dr Frost Maths, Heggarty Maths & Unifrog to name but a few!
We have taken the next step in our digital learning journey by providing pupils in Year 3 and above with a 1:1 electrical device.
Greater ownership of learning
In a 1:1 environment, the learning shifts from the traditional instructor-led
model to become more pupil-centred.
Access to online learning tools gives the pupil options that naturally engage them and enables them to take ownership of how their learning goals are achieved. Pupils experience greater independence, greater task completion and a more efficient workflow with the ability to electronically manage and share tasks in a single environment.
Greater collaboration
Pupils can benefit greatly from 1:1 in the development of their collaboration
skills.
1:1 devices can support the communication and joint reasoning that’s essential to team collaboration. By sharing a digital workspace, pupils can create and edit content together, refine each other’s contributions and share information and ideas. Teachers can help pupils engage in expressive activities by allowing them to choose their communication tools and encouraging pupils to work together to ‘show what they know’.
Personalised learning and differentiated instruction
1:1 technology makes it possible for pupils to receive differentiated content and assignments, using a variety of methods and tools.
For example, our use of One-Note allows for content to be delivered within the class which is appropriate for the ability level of the individual child. Real time progress can be monitored, and immediate feedback can be given. For pupils who require more of an academic stretch, more challenging work can be provided, and this is particularly useful when assessments are being completed.
Improved assessment and digital feedback
Pupils can receive feedback in a myriad of new ways. Teachers can digitally annotate a piece of work, leave voice recordings, a video, or a link to additional support online.
The ability to leave voice marking creates a more personal, formative conversation in which the pupil can respond in a similar way. This shows teachers that their feedback is being acted upon which is critical for student progress.
A guide to your child's digital device
The guide features further information on the devices, their benefits and the safety protocols and software we have put in place.
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