In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch, Rachael and Clare share some of their favourite iPad apps for infants classrooms. From creativity and coding to storytelling and literacy skills, these apps help teachers use technology intentionally to support learning, engagement, and accessibility.

Whether you’re brand new to classroom iPads or looking for fresh ideas, these are practical, classroom tested tools you can start exploring with confidence.

ABC Kids Listen

A fantastic free audio app from the ABC packed with podcasts, music, stories, mindfulness tracks, nature sounds, and educational content for children. Great for English audio texts, calming transitions, listening tasks, and sparking new learning.

rED Writing

A handwriting app designed to help students practise letter formation through tracing activities and guided feedback. Teachers and parents can choose Australian fonts and handwriting styles.

Book Creator

An easy-to-use digital publishing app where students can create their own books using text, drawings, photos, audio recordings, and video.

ScratchJr

A beginner coding app designed specifically for younger learners. Students use visual block coding to create animations, games, and stories.

Freeform

Apple’s built-in collaborative whiteboard app that allows students to draw, brainstorm, annotate images, create mind maps, and visually organise ideas.

Honourable Mention: Play School Art Maker

A creative app inspired by Play School that allows young learners to create artwork, scenes, and visual stories.

Teachers Choice: Explain Everything

A powerful, interactive teaching and note taking app that allows teachers and students to record lessons, annotate slides, demonstrate thinking and create engaging content.

Drawing on feedback from an early adopter, Rach and Clare explore the new Apple Neo and how it sits between an iPad and a traditional laptop for school use. They unpack what makes it a strong classroom option, from battery life and performance to affordability and integration within the Apple and wider ecosystems. The conversation also highlights how tools like Apple Classroom can elevate teaching and learning by giving teachers greater visibility and control over student devices. If you, your school or child is considering a new device this episode offers practical insights.

Key Takeaways

• Apple Neo sits between an iPad and MacBook in both price and functionality, making it a viable BYOD option.
• Education pricing makes Apple devices more accessible for schools, teachers, and families
• The Neo is not locked in to particular software, making accessing Microsoft or Google tools possible
• Performance is significantly improved compared to older, low-spec laptops, especially for everyday school tasks
• Some limitations possibly for high-performance tasks (e.g. video editing) and camera use

• Apple Classroom is a free tool that allows teachers to monitor and manage student devices in real time

• Apple Classroom is powerful but often underutilised, so worth exploring if you’re in an Apple environment.

Resources

• Apple Education Pricing
• Apple Neo
• Apple Classroom
• Apple School Manager

Drawing on real classroom experience, Rach and Clare explore how Code.org can introduce coding in a simple, engaging way without overwhelming teachers or students. From the popular Hour of Code activities like Dance Party and Minecraft to unplugged lessons and AI-integrated tasks, this episode is packed with practical ideas to build computational thinking and confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Hour of Code offers free, browser-based coding activities that work across devices with no login required
• Block-based coding makes it accessible for primary students and beginners
• Activities are highly engaging, using themes like Minecraft, Dance Party and AI for Oceans
• Built-in supports like hints and debugging help students problem-solve independently
• Teachers can extend use through a dashboard to assign and track progress
• Resources now include lesson plans, slide decks and curriculum links
• Unplugged activities provide tech-free ways to teach coding concepts
• Strong differentiation through self-paced levels and increasing complexity
• Best used as a starter, supplement, or engagement tool rather than a full unit of work
• Ideal as a low-prep lesson, especially for casual teaching or end-of-term activities

Resources

• Hour of Code (via Code.org)
• AI for Oceans
• Dance Party coding
• Minecraft Hour of Code

This week Rachael and Clare explore how NotebookLM can act as a personalised research assistant for teachers. They unpack how it can streamline planning, simplify complex syllabus navigation, and generate study materials from trusted sources. From creating quizzes and summaries to producing podcasts, mind maps, and slide decks, this episode is packed with practical ideas perfect for reducing workload at any time of year.

Key Takeaways

• Notebook LM uses a “walled garden” approach, meaning it only generates responses from the sources you upload
• Teachers can upload syllabus documents, policies, and resources to quickly find and summarise key information
• Built-in tools can generate quizzes, flashcards, mind maps, and study guides in seconds
• Audio overviews allow content to be turned into podcast-style summaries, supporting flexible learning
• Quality of output depends on the quality of sources and prompting
• Particularly powerful for senior students as a study and revision tool
• Encourages AI literacy by citing sources and promoting verification
• Best used to enhance learning, not replace critical thinking or core teaching practices
• Can significantly reduce teacher workload, especially for admin and resource creation

Resources

• NotebookLM
• NotebookLM Help site
• Google Gemini
• ChatGPT
• Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools (Australian Government Department of Education)
• Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL)

In part two of our discussion on Seesaw we explore how to get started without overwhelm, real examples of how Seesaw can be used across learning areas, and how it can function as a powerful formative assessment tool. We also share our honest reflections, what works brilliantly, what becomes tricky, and what to consider before rolling it out school wide.

If you’ve been wondering how to move to embedded classroom practice with Seesaw, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Despite the difference in timezones, the Seesaw help team is very responsive to requests for help.
• Start small. Introducing Seesaw with one clear routine or learning task builds confidence for both teachers and students.
• Explicit modelling is essential; students need to be taught how to create quality multimodal responses.
• Seesaw supports all types of assessment through ongoing evidence collection and student reflection.
• Feedback workflows can be streamlined when expectations and processes are clearly defined.
• Consistency across teams or stages improves parent understanding and reduces confusion.
• Clear boundaries around notifications and communication help prevent teacher overwhelm.
• Successful implementation requires intentional planning, not just access to the tool.

Resources

• Seesaw Homepage: https://web.seesaw.me/
• Seesaw Training & Professional Learning: https://web.seesaw.me/training

In this first episode of our two part look into Seesaw, we unpack what Seesaw can do, who it is designed for and why it has become such a widely used digital portfolio tool in primary classrooms.

We explore access levels for teachers, students and families, how Seesaw aligns with curriculum and what schools need to consider before implementation. If you’ve been curious about Seesaw but unsure where to start, this episode will help you on your way.

Stay tuned for Part 2 which will focus on examples of practical classroom applications, assessment features and, as always, our honest pros and cons.

Key Takeaways

• Seesaw functions as a digital portfolio platform designed primarily for primary school settings.
• It allows students to document and reflect on their learning using multimodal tools (text, audio, drawing, video).
• The platform supports assessment through ongoing evidence collection.
• Family engagement is a major feature, enabling visibility of student learning beyond the classroom.
• Schools should consider privacy, permissions and consistency of use before rolling it out.
• A clear implementation plan is essential to avoid it becoming “just another platform.”

Resources

• Seesaw Homepage: https://web.seesaw.me/
• Seesaw Learning Resources & Training: https://web.seesaw.me/training

In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch, Rach and Claire tackle the gap left behind by Google’s retirement of Jamboard. We explore three practical, free alternatives that Aussie teachers can use for brainstorming, planning and collaboration.

Whether you use digital whiteboards with students or staff, this episode helps you choose a replacement that fits your context.

The Three Alternatives We Review

FigJam - The most seamless Jamboard replacement

• Google recommended Jamboard replacement
• Can import existing Jamboard files
• Simple, familiar layout

Lucid Spark - Best for structured, higher level planning

• Powerful collaborative whiteboard and diagramming tool
• Excellent tools for more complex whiteboards
• Strong moderation tools (including guiding participants on the board)

Canva Whiteboards - Our favourite all rounder

• Free with Canva for Education
• Versatile templates, visuals, and easy sharing
• Ideal for brainstorming, inquiry planning, and professional learning

Resources

• FigJam
• Lucid Spark
• Canva Whiteboards
• Google Slides
• Google Docs (Tabs feature)
• Pear Deck
• Apple Freeform

Jamboard (retired Dec 2024)

Welcome to the final minisode in the "Start Smart" series. Here we are chatting about one of the more subjective parts of starting a new school year: Classroom Displays. Whether you are a 'laminating queen' or more 'minimalist and clean', we’re sharing our favourite digital tools and ‘old school’ hacks to get your room ready to go.

Key Takeaways

• Digital resource hubs provide easy access to themed lettering and visual timetables that support student routine and accessibility.
• Inclusive design is essential when decorating; ensure fonts are legible and color schemes are mindful of students or colleagues who may have varied needs.
• Curated decor bundles from online content creators offer polished, cohesive aesthetics that save teachers hours of design and formatting time.
• Student-centered displays, such as interactive door art builds a sense of belonging and ownership from the very first day of school.

Featured Resources

• SparkleBox: Excellent for pre-made signs, themed lettering, classroom management posters, and visual timetables.
• Instant Display: A UK-based site perfect for themed alphabet sets
• Canva: The modern teacher’s best friend for DIY borders and custom lettering using their massive library of stock images.
• Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT): The go-to marketplace for ready-to-print bundles.

Miss Jacobs Little Learners: Highly recommended for cohesive, beautiful classroom decor bundles

Getting organised for a new school year looks different for every teacher. In this minisode, we explore how digital planners can support your workflow and which Clare and Rachael prefer. From Calendar and Slides based daily planners to colour-coded grade books in Sheets, we talk through practical, flexible ways to plan, adapt, and stay on top of the teaching load in 2026. We also share ready-made options for teachers who want a polished planner without building one from scratch.

Key Takeaways

• Digital planners can replace, or enhance, traditional day books allowing easy collaboration and a lighter bag to carry ;)
• Slide decks work well as a daily or weekly visual planner for students and teachers, with links to lessons and resources.
• Spreadsheets are a powerful for grade books, using drop-downs, colour coding, and data validation.
• Collaboration is easier when planners and grade books live in shared platforms
• Paid Teacher sharing platforms often offer polished, low-cost digital planners you can adapt.
• The best planner is the one that fits your device, system, and professional needs.

Resources

• Google Calendar – for time blocking, booking links, and lesson organisation
• Google Slides – for daily/weekly classroom planners and visual schedules
• Google Sheets – for grade books, assessment tracking, and reporting support
• Teachers Pay Teachers – digital planner templates
• Mrs Presley ICT
• Talkin Chalk
• Canva – digital planner templates and visual planning layouts

In this minisode, we explore how smartwatches can act as a quiet, practical assistant in the classroom. From discreet notifications to reminders, alarms, and multi-factor authentication, a smartwatch can help reduce mental load, support time management, and keep teachers focused on teaching.

Key Takeaways

• Smartwatches allow for discreet notifications, helping teachers stay contactable without checking their phone in front of students.
• Voice assistants make it easy to set reminders and alarms on the go, supporting memory and organisation during busy school days.
• Timers and alarms are useful for lesson rotations, transitions, and medication reminders.
• Smartwatches can support multi-factor authentication, saving time when logging into school systems.
• Calendar-linked reminders and tasks help reduce the mental load of teaching.
• Additional features (health reminders, movement prompts, camera remote use) can support teacher wellbeing and workflow.

As with any tech, it’s important to test settings outside the classroom before relying on them at school.