A small number of schools have already recruited pupils as Digital Leaders to help drive digital learning forward and we are keen to find out how this is working across Highland Schools. |
Teachers can find more information about the curriculum here. There is a 48 page document containing lesson plans on each concept in the Be Internet Awesome curriculum that teachers can download for free. Other resources include...
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Give a brief explanation of your project.
We have created a Chrome stand in one of our classroom to help all our children become more familiar with using Chromebooks, setting up online profiles and using Google Classroom as well as the main other apps within Google.
How has the technology enhanced learning and teaching within your school/department?
Technology continues to have a huge impact on learning and teaching within our school. The use of apps such as Google Classroom continue to help make learning relevant, personalised and provides further challenge. Children have been further developing the skills they need for life, learning and work. Children have been using the Chromebooks to research and consider career options using apps such as Hangouts to share research as well as using G Suite apps to present their information.
Any tips for other schools looking to do a similar project?
We found that our children were already very familiar with the majority of G Suite and were very quick learners!
Next steps for the project...
We have created a Chrome stand in one of our classroom to help all our children become more familiar with using Chromebooks, setting up online profiles and using Google Classroom as well as the main other apps within Google.
How has the technology enhanced learning and teaching within your school/department?
Technology continues to have a huge impact on learning and teaching within our school. The use of apps such as Google Classroom continue to help make learning relevant, personalised and provides further challenge. Children have been further developing the skills they need for life, learning and work. Children have been using the Chromebooks to research and consider career options using apps such as Hangouts to share research as well as using G Suite apps to present their information.
Any tips for other schools looking to do a similar project?
We found that our children were already very familiar with the majority of G Suite and were very quick learners!
Next steps for the project...
- Continue to place technology at the heart of literacy and numeracy.
- Build on the number of devices that we have.
- Continue to further develop staff knowledge and confidence.
P6 Intergenerational IT Classes
P6 pupils have been working alongside local residents on a 6 week project with Care Lochaber to share their digital skills. The children and adults have enjoyed sharing skills and knowledge before having a cup of tea, cakes and a blether!
Topics covered include using email, searching the web, internet security, sharing photos and documents and using social media.
P6 pupils have been working alongside local residents on a 6 week project with Care Lochaber to share their digital skills. The children and adults have enjoyed sharing skills and knowledge before having a cup of tea, cakes and a blether!
Topics covered include using email, searching the web, internet security, sharing photos and documents and using social media.
Above are two great short videos that highlight what a Chromebook is and explains what it can do by busting some myths such as it cant work offline. Could be a great way to show staff what a Chromebook is as an intro.
Give a brief explanation of your project.
Hilton Primary school is a large school with approximately 500 children. It covers a diverse catchment area with 90% of children in SIMD 1-7. Some of our pupils and their families have limited access, or no access, to technology at home therefore we recognise the need and indeed importance of our role in providing learning opportunities to develop their skills in the area of digital literacy.
So our project was to purchase more Chromebooks in order to provide more opportunities for our children to access technology in the school. We are going to timetable our 10 Chromebooks across all classes in the school. This will allow pupils to develop their skills in using ICT equipment, it also facilitates the development of their skills for learning, life & work.
How has the technology enhanced learning and teaching within your school/department?
The two P5 classes have focussed on logging each child on and creating their own account. The children have then used the Chromebooks for tasks linked to reading and IDL activities.
Next steps for the project...
The plan is to ensure all 120 children in P5 and P6 are familiar with Chromebooks, can confidently and independently log on and search for specific information.
Hilton Primary school is a large school with approximately 500 children. It covers a diverse catchment area with 90% of children in SIMD 1-7. Some of our pupils and their families have limited access, or no access, to technology at home therefore we recognise the need and indeed importance of our role in providing learning opportunities to develop their skills in the area of digital literacy.
So our project was to purchase more Chromebooks in order to provide more opportunities for our children to access technology in the school. We are going to timetable our 10 Chromebooks across all classes in the school. This will allow pupils to develop their skills in using ICT equipment, it also facilitates the development of their skills for learning, life & work.
How has the technology enhanced learning and teaching within your school/department?
The two P5 classes have focussed on logging each child on and creating their own account. The children have then used the Chromebooks for tasks linked to reading and IDL activities.
Next steps for the project...
The plan is to ensure all 120 children in P5 and P6 are familiar with Chromebooks, can confidently and independently log on and search for specific information.

Banavie Primary school in Fort William have been doing some exciting Computing Science work during National Digital Learning week. Below is a brief report from Leah Burns from Banavie.
P1-6 have taken part in an hour of code and between us we have been coding for over 100 hours, the children loved using their computational thinking skills and working in partners to navigate their way through the levels.
In Primary 1 they had to write algorithms for the baker’s business in Fairyland, he has been really busy and has just had to employ Little Miss Muffet, Little Bo Peep and Little Jack Horner however they are useless! Primary 1 had to create a simple algorithm for them to follow to make sure they decorate the gingerbread men properly.
In Primary 3/4 they have been learning about algorithms and have been creating lots of real life examples for their peers to follow.
In Primary 4/5 we looked briefly at how technology has evolved and came up with our own fantasy digital creations, there were lots of good ideas but I particularly liked a house that could shrink and move around with you so you never had to pack your suitcase or book a hotel again!
In Primary 5/6 they have been carrying out market research on what the younger children like and are using this information to make new BeeBot games. They will be making lots of games based on Fairy Tales and Castles and Knights, the primary ones and twos can’t wait to play them.
It has been a very busy week but lots of fun and everyone has learnt something new, including the teachers!
P1-6 have taken part in an hour of code and between us we have been coding for over 100 hours, the children loved using their computational thinking skills and working in partners to navigate their way through the levels.
In Primary 1 they had to write algorithms for the baker’s business in Fairyland, he has been really busy and has just had to employ Little Miss Muffet, Little Bo Peep and Little Jack Horner however they are useless! Primary 1 had to create a simple algorithm for them to follow to make sure they decorate the gingerbread men properly.
In Primary 3/4 they have been learning about algorithms and have been creating lots of real life examples for their peers to follow.
In Primary 4/5 we looked briefly at how technology has evolved and came up with our own fantasy digital creations, there were lots of good ideas but I particularly liked a house that could shrink and move around with you so you never had to pack your suitcase or book a hotel again!
In Primary 5/6 they have been carrying out market research on what the younger children like and are using this information to make new BeeBot games. They will be making lots of games based on Fairy Tales and Castles and Knights, the primary ones and twos can’t wait to play them.
It has been a very busy week but lots of fun and everyone has learnt something new, including the teachers!
At TRA we requested 9 Chromebooks to enable our students to engage more fully with G-Suite. In addition to:
How has the technology enhanced learning and teaching within your school/department?
S1, S2 and S3 ICT classes have all begun using Google Classroom and applications. There are courses now in place that have a high degree of coding and during coding activities the mobile nature of the Chromebooks has allowed more flexibility for pupils to trial programmable devices such as the Makeblock mBots.
There has been some uptake in using mobile devices in maths to access graphic calculator applications for Sr Phase and and extension or reward activities in BGE.
Sr Phase assessment also takes place online in Maths and Chromebooks have enabled us to meet individual assessment requirements more efficiently, maximising the opportunity for pupils to succeed.
A good proportion of staff have now engaged with Google and are looking forward to the big roll out. These staff are enthusiastic and are growing more familiar with the devices to be best prepared to support the pupils. Google Classroom is now available in all departments and all departments have begun transferring course materials on to Google Classroom.
Use of Google Apps and Hangouts has identified Bandwith issues for the school in preparation for access to distance learning courses etc. This information has proved valuable and has allowed us to plan contingencies before the rollout of Chromebooks.
Any tips for other schools looking to do a similar project?
If multiple users are accessing a Chromebook they must remove their profile before other users sign in.
Next steps for the project...
Further integration of school systems with G-Suite and roll out of team teaching using Google Classroom. Chrome book access for Engineering Science and Digital Technology will enable pupils to use the Bluetooth feature to control programmable devices.
- Providing training opportunities for staff who have already begun their journeys in google classroom and apps.
- Provide enhanced resources for classes where appropriate.
How has the technology enhanced learning and teaching within your school/department?
S1, S2 and S3 ICT classes have all begun using Google Classroom and applications. There are courses now in place that have a high degree of coding and during coding activities the mobile nature of the Chromebooks has allowed more flexibility for pupils to trial programmable devices such as the Makeblock mBots.
There has been some uptake in using mobile devices in maths to access graphic calculator applications for Sr Phase and and extension or reward activities in BGE.
Sr Phase assessment also takes place online in Maths and Chromebooks have enabled us to meet individual assessment requirements more efficiently, maximising the opportunity for pupils to succeed.
A good proportion of staff have now engaged with Google and are looking forward to the big roll out. These staff are enthusiastic and are growing more familiar with the devices to be best prepared to support the pupils. Google Classroom is now available in all departments and all departments have begun transferring course materials on to Google Classroom.
Use of Google Apps and Hangouts has identified Bandwith issues for the school in preparation for access to distance learning courses etc. This information has proved valuable and has allowed us to plan contingencies before the rollout of Chromebooks.
Any tips for other schools looking to do a similar project?
If multiple users are accessing a Chromebook they must remove their profile before other users sign in.
Next steps for the project...
Further integration of school systems with G-Suite and roll out of team teaching using Google Classroom. Chrome book access for Engineering Science and Digital Technology will enable pupils to use the Bluetooth feature to control programmable devices.
Give a brief explanation of your project.
As technology has been a specific area our school has been focussing on, we decided to join this with other Interdisciplinary Learning Topics, India, that had been covered in the P5-7 classes. The pupils were charged with creating some way of preventing or helping before or after a natural disaster that happens regularly in Asia, due to a wild and varied climate. Designs would have to be drawn up and prototypes made in 3D, before a presentation to other groups was given.
How has the technology enhanced learning and teaching within your school/department?
We applied for a Lego Mindstorms unit and a controlling Chrome Book, with our funding. This was then used so that children could create and program the robots to carry out the tasks their prototypes had been designed for. It allowed the child to research the pitfalls and problems of a real working model, as opposed to just a static one. Children were able to take designs back to the drawing board and recalculate how machines would need to function to be successful for their purpose.
Any tips for other schools looking to do a similar project?
There are a few bugs with the downloadable Lego Mindstorms Chrome Book app and the Chrome Book Bluetooth connection. However after some internet searching we found that it does work fine and it just need some other setting added within the app.
Next steps for the project...
As the Mindstorms come with a variety of sensors, the pupils want to investigate whether they can increase the effectiveness of their prototypes by incorporating more programmes into the coding.
As technology has been a specific area our school has been focussing on, we decided to join this with other Interdisciplinary Learning Topics, India, that had been covered in the P5-7 classes. The pupils were charged with creating some way of preventing or helping before or after a natural disaster that happens regularly in Asia, due to a wild and varied climate. Designs would have to be drawn up and prototypes made in 3D, before a presentation to other groups was given.
How has the technology enhanced learning and teaching within your school/department?
We applied for a Lego Mindstorms unit and a controlling Chrome Book, with our funding. This was then used so that children could create and program the robots to carry out the tasks their prototypes had been designed for. It allowed the child to research the pitfalls and problems of a real working model, as opposed to just a static one. Children were able to take designs back to the drawing board and recalculate how machines would need to function to be successful for their purpose.
Any tips for other schools looking to do a similar project?
There are a few bugs with the downloadable Lego Mindstorms Chrome Book app and the Chrome Book Bluetooth connection. However after some internet searching we found that it does work fine and it just need some other setting added within the app.
Next steps for the project...
As the Mindstorms come with a variety of sensors, the pupils want to investigate whether they can increase the effectiveness of their prototypes by incorporating more programmes into the coding.
Author
The Digital Learning Team will add news or examples of good practice on here so keep checking back for up to date info.
If you would like to share something your school has done or is working on then please get in touch by clicking here.
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