Classroom Connect

Immersive technology, such as augmented reality, can utilise the senses to create learning experiences that were previously inconceivable. How about exploring a Mayan Temple in your school grounds, or walking around a spaceship which has a crash landed in the playground, or comparing a life size shark to a plesiosaur in the school hall, or walking through a street during the Blitz? All of these can be achieved FOR FREE using Sandbox AR, which enables children to build life size immersive environments they can explore, even recording their experiences to support further work in the classroom. Ian and Andrew discuss some of the ways immersive tools can impact children's learning, by creating emotional and physical responses. They also explore how this can support differentiation, for example by inspiring more reluctant writers. Please email us with your questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

In this special, extended episode Ian and Andrew meet our News and Topical Producer Ben Isaacs to explore how we can make news accessible and meaningful to children. He gives us some fascinating insights into how we actually make the news, including the decisions behind what to include and importantly how to make this appropriate for children, whilst not shying away from complex or challenging issues. In our increasingly complex digital world where information is a commodity and open to manipulation in many ways it has never been more important to teach children how to engage with news and how to identify trusted sources and think critically about what the read, hear and see. We also discuss ways to use news in the classroom and how this can support learning right across the curriculum as well as developing children's learning skills, empathy and cultural capital. As always we would love to hear from you about how you engage with news in the classroom. Please email us with your questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss ways in digital resources can be used to support children with different levels of educational needs. We can provide flexible options where layers of support can be peeled back or added quickly and efficiently to provide juts the right level of scaffolding at the right time. How do you use digital to address different levels of educational need? Which resources work best for you and how do you adapt them? Please email us with your questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss how when we work with pupils - for example by delivering model lessons - we can provide opportunities for professional development for teachers. These sorts of interactions can provide the chance for a teacher to step back and see how an approach can work with their children in their school. Do reach out to us if you think that this sort of approach would benefit your school - we can then discuss the best options for you. Please email us with your questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

Join Ian and Andrew for this special episode with guest Maddy Austin, where they discuss the use of digital resources at home, supported by parents and carers. Former teacher Maddy is a Product Lead in our direct to consumer (D2C) team, here she works closely with families to ensure they get the best out of digital resources in a home setting. Maddy shares with Ian and Andrew some of the ways we can adapt resources, and how parents and carers can utilise them to really enable children to take ownership of their learning, which in turn boosts their confidence and progress. They also share thoughts around how schools can ensure their is a 'continuity of learning' between home and school and how digital can be at the heart of this. Please email us with your questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

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 Alex and Curtis school advisors for the West region and both former teachers. They discuss some of the ideas, opportunities and activities being provided by Discovery Education both locally and nationally. 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 classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

There are a wealth of different digital tools and platforms available to teachers, many of which can work effectively as a standalone resource, however combining different tools can enhance their impact and allow for richer, deeper learning experiences. In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss some of the ways tools with different purposes can be combined to create more impactful lessons. How for example can video, Augmented Reality and shared documents support writing when used together? Please email us with your questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

In terms of professional development, the days of waiting for a course to be offered and teachers booking time out of school have long gone - now we as teachers we can access professional development in multi-modal hybrid formats. Webinars are one such method - but how can we make the best use of them and when are they most effective? In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss how webinars can be effective and look at the ways we design and deliver these to maximise their value. At Discovery Education we offer PD in a wide variety of formats to suit different needs and purposes - get in touch with your School Success Advisor to access the PD which works best for you and your colleagues. schoolsupport@discoveryed.com Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com