Early Years
Google Drive
Google Drive is the king of the clouds when it comes to quick and easy access to files and folders from any device and any location. If you use Gmail and not Google Drive, you’ve got to take the leap! With easy file sharing and unlimited storage space for schools, Drive is a superb way for schools to start working towards a server-free future in the clouds. A quick note – Google Drive is YOUR personal space. Google has introduced Teams to manage shared and collaborative spaces. For collaboration and file sharing with students use Google Classroom, not Drive, as Classroom makes the whole experience better and safer.
Impero
Impero is that tool schools hear about which allows teachers to control student devices, see and share student screens, block the internet adhoc and direct students to websites and applications in seconds. That is all very well, but where it is equally as powerful, is in giving teachers really useful classroom tools. These tools mean that teachers can improve collaboration, poll students on the fly, broadcast from one student’s screen to all the other students in the class as part of peer assessment, and even reward students for using keywords that they’ve learnt during a topic or theme. Easy to master and great for removing distractions, Impero is a classroom must-have, and isn’t just one for the network guys!
What are you going to learn about?
In this FREE Learning Trunk, you’ll learn how Impero works and develop a good understanding of how the dashboard works in both basic and advanced modes.
Who is hosting this Learning Trunk?
This is a CURATED Learning Trunk built for you from content sourced online. We have selected these particular videos after reviewing several available online.
How long do I need?
Less than 20 minutes.
Anything else I need to know?
We have set this Learning Trunk so that you progress through each video in any order.
G Suite – Google Classroom
When we think about Google Classsroom, one word always comes to mind. Wow! Google Classroom is without a doubt one of the most intuitive tools in education, creating a seamless and highly collaborative link between teachers, teaching assistant and students. We’ve used Google Classroom with Early Year all the way through to FE and HE. The great thing about Google Classroom is how easy it is to grasp and just how powerful it is, combating the use of email for communication and dare we say it, even paper and textbooks. Don’t believe the hype? Jump in and check it out!
mBot – Presets & Apps
mBot by makeblock is an entry-level educational robot kit. The reason we love mbot is because it is easy to build with the included assembly guide and it uses bock-based programming, just like Scratch. mBot is perfect for the maker community and for schools it offers gamified learning and even more fun with expansion packs.
What are you going to learn about?
In this FREE Learning Trunk, you’ll learn how mBot works and how to make the best use of it for lessons. You’ll learn how to do things like make the mBot react to light, or avoid objects and even follow a line, a little like modern cruise control systems in cars.
Who is hosting this Learning Trunk?
This is a CURATED Learning Trunk built for you from content sourced online. We have selected these particular videos after reviewing several available online.
How long do I need?
Less than 15 minutes.
Anything else I need to know?
We have set this Learning Trunk so that you progress through each video in any order.
Google Forms
Nearpod
Nearpod is without a doubt one of the best tools for teacher and students. It works on any device is the one tool that should be a staple in every teachers Edtech Toolkit. NearPod connects teachers with every device in the classroom using a simple PIN. By connecting, a teacher can now control student devices and guide them through a series of slides and activities including watching videos, browsing images, polling, quizzing and our favourite, drawing activities. We’ve used NearPod with Early Years, all the way through to FE. It is so powerful and so intuitive to create NearPods and use them with students. You’ll love NearPod, so do give it a try.
What are you going to learn about?
In this FREE Learning Trunk, you’ll learn how NearPod works and how to make the best use of it for lessons. You’ll learn how to build slides and use activities to bring boring a PowerPoint to life, use NearPod with any device and understand how Live and Student-Paced lessons work.
Who is hosting this Learning Trunk?
This is a CURATED Learning Trunk built for you from content sourced online. We have selected these particular videos after reviewing several available online.
How long do I need?
Less than 20 minutes.
Anything else I need to know?
We have set this Learning Trunk so that you progress through each video in any order.
EdPuzzle
EDpuzzle is a favourite of ours. It is the simplicity that makes this one stand out from the rest. Using video in class, particularly when it is directly on sites like YouTube can be risky and also full of distractions. Also, how do you know how much of what a student is watching is going in? We can all sometime glaze over when watching videos! EDpuzzle fixes all that and is one for the Teacher Toolkit for sure.
What are you going to learn about?
In this FREE Learning Trunk, you’ll learn how EdPuzzle works and how to make the best use of it for lessons. You’ll learn how to trim videos sourced online and also how to create questions throughout the video.
Who is hosting this Learning Trunk?
This is a CURATED Learning Trunk built for you from content sourced online. We have selected these particular videos after reviewing several available online.
How long do I need?
Less than 10 minutes.
Anything else I need to know?
We have set this Learning Trunk so that you progress through each video in any order.
Padlet
Padlet is a free application to create an online bulletin board that you can use to display information for any topic. Easily create an account and build a new board. You can add images, links, videos, and more.
What are you going to learn about?
In this FREE Learning Trunk, you’ll learn how Padlet works and how to make the best use of it for lessons.
Who is hosting this Learning Trunk?
This is a CURATED Learning Trunk built for you from content sourced online. We have selected these particular videos after reviewing several available online.
How long do I need?
Less than 15 minutes.
Anything else I need to know?
We have set this Learning Trunk so that you progress through each video in any order.
Google Slides
Explain Everything
Explain Everything is one of those essential teacher tools. With Explain Everything you can capture everything happening on your device, which now works with Chromebooks as well as iPad. Explain Everything is all about Flipped Learning and a great way to build resources and engage students.
This is a CURATED Learning Trunk built for you from content sourced online.
What are you going to learn about?
In this FREE Learning Trunk, you’ll learn about what is new in the latest update, editing the timeline, working with pens and gestures and even link in with Google Classroom.
Who is hosting this Learning Trunk?
This is a CURATED Learning Trunk built for you from content sourced online. We have selected these particular authors after reviewing several available online.
How long do I need?
Less than 10 minutes.
Anything else I need to know?
We have set this Learning Trunk so that you progress through each video in order.
Plickers
We love Plickers at Spongy Elephant. Plickers is one of those classroom essentials that every teacher can embrace with every class. Plickers is a powerfully simple tool that lets teachers collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices. Use Plickers for quick checks for understanding to know whether your students are understanding big concepts and mastering key skills.
What are you going to learn about?
In this FREE Learning Trunk, you’ll learn how Plickers works in a classroom using the printable markers that can be printed from the website. You’ll also get an overview of how to create Classes, Questions and how the Live View works.
Who is hosting this Learning Trunk?
This is a CURATED Learning Trunk built for you from content sourced online. We have selected these particular authors after reviewing several available online.
How long do I need?
Less than 10 minutes.
Anything else I need to know?
Work through the Learning Trunk in order to ensure you can see how the whole solution fits together.