Classroom Connect

Carefully scaffolded challenges, usually with defined criteria for success and reward, can be a great way to motivate children and increase their engagement in their learning. Ian and Andrew discuss some of the ways we can use challenges to support learning, including how this can also develop connections with families and carers. Examples of Challenges include: Time specified challenges where children are asked to complete a defined task or tasks by a certain date or across a particular time period. Creative tasks with a clear brief, where their work is submitted and shared. Group challenges where children collaborate to produce something. Rewards usually form an integral part of a Challenge - such as certificates, badges, celebration events, prizes etc. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

Across the year there are lots of events that schools connect to, these may include religious festivals, charity appeals, awareness raising days or memorials to events in the past. Ian and Andrew discuss ways these can used to enhance learning, drive cultural capital and enable children to make connections between their lives and the experiences of others. Espresso's 'Calendar Picks' for EYFS, KS1 & KS2 can be a great way to bring these events into the classroom with easy to use ready-made lessons. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

Building children's skills is an essential part of our work in the classroom. The 4Cs are a particularly important set of skills we need to build to prepare our children for their futures. Communication Critical Thinking Creativity Collaboration In this episode we consider how collaboration fits in to this eco-system and explore ideas for building this essential skill. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

This time we discuss how Adaptive Learning is the differentiation of the digital age, and how we can start to use it effectively in the classroom. Key its use is the way we can adapt in the moment for each learner. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

In a complex world it is essential children have the skills to understand the events and issues that affect them. Ian and Andrew discuss some of the benefits of engaging with real world news, with a particular focus on how this helps to develop their critical thinking skills. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

With so many options available to us, what are some of the best ways to engage children in their learning? Ian and Andrew share their thoughts on some great ways to ensure children are engaged in order to deepen their learning. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

With access to so many digital videos how can we maximise their benefit for children's learning? Ian and Andrew discuss some of the ways that video can be used to enhance learning in your classroom. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

Ian and Andrew share some of their favourite, easy to implement, teaching strategies. There are plenty of other ideas in Discovery Education's Spotlight on Strategies collection. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss the potential benefits of adopting some simple approaches to flipped learning and the impact this can have in the classroom. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]

In this episode Ian and Andrew consider some of the ways that digital resources can support accelerated learning, by making the content, concepts and ideas sticky. Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at [email protected]