Classroom Connect

Inclusive learning and creating equitable access to learning are essential considerations for all teachers to ensure all their pupils can succeed. In this episode Ian and Andrew explore some of the ways digital tools and resources can support with inclusion and equity. Flexibility, adaptability and access to authentic relatable experiences are just some of the ideas covered. They explore ways to support children to be consistently working in their zones of proximal development, which in turn promotes increased engagement and progress.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

At Discovery Education our advisory team work across the country in regions, developing a deep understanding of the schools we work with. In this special episode Ian and Andrew spend some time with Jonny Thelwell a school advisor for the North region and former teacher. Jonny shares with us some of the ideas, opportunities and activities being provided by Discovery Education.

Our team support schools right across the country and are available to support you and your colleagues with ideas, guidance and resources, through video calls, webinars, face to face events and via email. 

If you subscribe to any Discovery Education products you will have a member of the team assigned to support you personally - please do share their details with colleagues. You can also reach out to the team using this link. 

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

Online safety is of course a major concern for parents, carers and educators as we try to ensure our children can participate fully in the digital world and benefit from the huge learning opportunities it affords. This week, Ian and Andrew share their thoughts, ideas and experiences concerning online safety.

In particular they explore ways to give children appropriate levels of independence to develop the critical thinking skills needed to recognise the voracity of information and content they are experiencing.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

Access to digital devices can have a huge impact on the ways children can learn using the power of digital. In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss some options for ways to increase availability and access to devices, in order to ensure greater equity.

Andrew also shares some of his experiences working with vulnerable refugee communities in the Middle East and discusses some possible lessons we can learn from these challenging situations.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

Phonics are the foundation for literacy and learning. A secure understanding of phonics is essential and requires a range of effective resources to teach, reinforce, embed and, where needed, remediate this crucial aspect of learning. 

In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss some of the ways digital resources can support here, including whole class, group or independent work, how they can support interventions, work at home and also their potential for older children with additional needs or who are new to English.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

At Discovery Education our advisory team work across the country in regions, developing a deep understanding of the schools we work with. In this special episode Ian and Andrew spend some time with Ellie Fraser a school advisor for the South West region and former primary school teacher. Ellie shares with us some of the ideas, opportunities and activities she is involved with in her area. 

Our team support schools right across the country and are available to support you and your colleagues with ideas, guidance and resources, through video calls, webinars, face to face events and via email. 

If you subscribe to any Discovery Education products you will have a member of the team assigned to support you personally - please do share their details with colleagues. You can also reach out to the team using this link. 

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

Carefully deploying a range of digital resources can help to support the continuity of learning by making effective links between home and school, providing opportunities for children to secure, develop and apply their learning. This includes keeping children engaged through holiday periods.

Ian and Andrew discuss a range of ideas and options - from the use of gamification to support skills practise to more creative ideas like designing apps in DE Coding, or using our free Sandbox AR app to create exciting immersive learning experiences with Augmented Reality.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

Most teacher like to start the day with purposeful activities to get children thinking as they arrive in class. Ian and Andrew discuss some of the ways digital resources can provide a wide range of options to make these starter tasks rich and engaging, whilst also saving teacher time.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

A key measure for the value of a digital resource is - "Will it improve children's learning?" However this goes hand in hand with - "Will it save me time as a teacher?" If the answer is 'yes' to both of these questions then we can be sure the resource is truly valuable to us as teachers. Ian and Andrew discuss how we can evaluate resources with examples of assets that deliver on both.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected] 

Ian and Andrew are back to discuss some more teaching strategies which can enhance teaching and learning through the use of digital resources. This time they focus in particular on the use of senses to help children to think and connect to learning in richer, deeper ways. 

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]