Welcome to our Digital Learning Presentation!
In this presentation we want to showcase how our incredible team at Beancross dealt with the challenges and opportunities of remote learning. We hope it also provides some useful ideas and tips on key features and tools within Microsoft Teams as well as other digital learning apps.
Let's take a look at our Digital Learning journey so far ...
TIP: Click on the icons when you see an arrow
Microsoft Teams
In a very short space of time, teachers created their own 'Microsoft Team' for their class where pupils could continue their learning at home during the pandemic. Pupils were able to access their 'Team' via GLOW.
In the following slides, we'll take a closer look at some of the key features within Microsoft Teams which teachers (and pupils) found useful.
Click on the ‘laptop’ for an excellent PDF guide to getting started with Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams
Channels
By setting up 'channels' within a 'Team', pupils were able to share their learning, engage in conversation and ask questions specific to that curricular area (e.g. Numeracy channel). This helped pupils navigate around Teams more easily with teachers providing feedback more promptly to their learning and/or questions.
Another useful feature within Microsoft Teams is the 'notification' alerts - pupils (and teachers) can use the @ symbol followed by the name of the person they wish to 'notify'; this then sends a 'notification' alert to that person.
Teachers can also modify channel notifications within 'Settings' (e.g. 'Quiet Hours' can be scheduled for the evening, Notifications can be set on/off for specific actions such as Chats, Likes & Reactions and Channel Posts).
Click for help with Notifications
Microsoft Teams
Files
To help pupils access their learning resources quickly and easily online, teachers used the 'Files' tab to collate learning resources.
Within the 'Files' tab, folders were created (e.g. Spelling, Writing, Topic) with individual files saved using specific document names (e.g. Spelling Words - Wk Beg 01.06.20).
Microsoft Teams
Assignments
While pupils could submit completed work to specific channels, for some learning tasks teachers used 'Assignments'. Using this feature allowed a 'due date and time' to be created as well as 'points' to be awarded.
By scheduling a deadline, (second level) pupils were encouraged to think about how to 'break up their learning' and develop their time management skills. Teachers were also able to monitor clearly who had submitted work with pupils receiving personal feedback.
Click on the icon for a step by step guide on using Assignments and exploring its key features
Microsoft Teams
Meetings
Many of our teachers organised 'Meetings' to support pupils with their remote learning. By doing so, pupils could ask questions (beforehand and during the meeting) to enhance their understanding while also giving pupils the opportunity to discuss their learning, ideas and feedback verbally, in a more personal context.
Hosting regular 'Meetings' also helped to maintain positive relationships between pupils and teachers.
Microsoft Teams
Announcements & Praise
When posting in a 'channel', some teachers used 'Announcements' to make a particular post stand out (e.g. End of Term Meeting). Creating a customized 'Announcement' allows teachers to insert a headline and background illustration, both of which help grab the attention of pupils so that post is less likely to be missed.
A quirky feature which many of our teachers utilised as part of providing feedback, as well as engaging and motivating pupils to participate with online learning, was issuing 'Praise' badges.
Teachers can select a 'praise' badge, enter pupil's name along with a personal message relating to their work submitted.
Microsoft Teams
Insights
A newer feature within Microsoft Teams is an app called ‘Insights’. Class teachers installed this app to help monitor the engagement/activity of pupils online, quickly and easily.
Click on the icon above for a short tutorial on how to use Insights
Teachers were able to:
Other Learning and Teaching Tools
Immersive Reader & Microsoft Office Lens
To promote inclusiveness and improve accessibility, teachers were encouraged to promote the use of Immersive Reader within Microsoft Teams.
Immersive Reader is a free tool built into Microsoft Teams (as well as Word, OneNote, Office Lens, Forms and Flipgrid) which helps make reading accessible to all pupils.
Click on the icon to find out what immersive reader does
Other Learning and Teaching Tools
Forms
Some of our teachers used Microsoft Forms to gather pupil feedback (e.g. gathering views on preferred learning styles).
Forms can also be used to create quizzes as an alternative assessment tool.
Virtual Classroom
Some staff created a ‘virtual classroom’ (using Google Slides) to help promote engagement within Teams.
Education City
As pupils were already familiar with using Education City at home prior to remote learning, teachers continued to use this educational resource.
Teachers can assign fun activities relating to current learning & teaching and track pupils progress.
Click on the pic for a helpful YouTube tutorial on how to create a Bitmoji classroom
Other Learning and Teaching Tools
As well as the apps and tools mentioned so far, our staff also experimented with using the following to further enhance the online learning experiences for pupils. Click on the icons for info/examples.
PowerPoint
Screen recordings used
QR Codes
Literacy & Numeracy games grid created
Vittle
Engaging videos and tutorials created
Flipgrid
Another potential app to engage learners
Kahoot
Fun quizzes to assess pupils learning
iMovie
Sports Day & Assembly videos created
SWAY
Sharing learning & achievements
YouTube
P1 Transition videos created
Sharing & celebrating remote learning
One Note
Collaboration between SLMT
School Leadership & Management Team
Supporting Pupils, Parents and Staff
While our amazing class teachers delivered creative learning experiences online, our SLMT worked hard to support our Beancross family during these unprecedented times. Here are just a few examples of how we did this:
Miss Miller
Mr Watson
Headteacher
Mrs Macfarlane
Depute Headteacher
Miss Finlayson
Acting PT
Mrs McLeish
Acting PT
Miss Miller
Acting PT
Click on the Bitmoji’s for Twitter accounts
Beancross Primary - Digital Learning
What’s Next?
Not only did our dedicated team at Beancross adapt quickly and efficiently to remote learning, our staff continued with their own professional development at home. CPD completed by some of our staff online included:
We will continue to develop and share our knowledge and skills next session, particularly in relation to digital learning.
In addition, we aim to complete the Digital School Award programme.
Click on the icons to access website(s)
Beancross Primary - Digital Learning
Thank you!
Thank you for reading through our ‘Digital Learning’ presentation!
We hope you enjoyed learning about how we implemented remote learning and perhaps you’ve been able to take away some ideas or helpful tips for continuing your own Digital Learning journey.
Lastly, we would like to say ‘thank you’ once again to all of our amazing staff at Beancross Primary for going above and beyond during these unprecedented times.
And to our hard working, resilient and positive pupils - A huge well done for your continued effort! And of course a big ‘thank you’ to our parents/carers for supporting their pupils at home.