[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Louise,

I think the key word term you have mentioned here is that of ‘deeper learning opportunities’. This is what we are always striving to provide, and is something that the skilled use of digital technologies can provide. OneNote has huge potential in this regard. It can be used to both challenge higher-achievers and make learning more accessible for learners with SEN. Immersive Reader is huge for helping those with literacy difficulties. Indeed, the ability to pick out different parts of speech within a passage is of benefit to all learners.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Samantha,

Thanks for your post. As you have said, there is very little difference between the Google and Microsoft products – the skillset from one is almost fully transferrable to the other. The advantage to the Google products is that they are free and make sharing and collaboration easier within a primary classroom. With shared devices, making the most of the time you have is always the greatest priority. Sticking with the Google products is certainly a way in which you can achieve this. Best of luck for the year ahead!

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Cliona,

For its flaws (mainly centred on the rollout), the Primary Language Curriculum is actually a really useful document. I find it works very well for guiding my planning, and the progression steps available online really help you to pinpoint the stage that your children are at. Obviously, communication is a key part of this and it recognises that communication can take many forms. The ‘two-way’ reciprocity of communication is a clear and obvious focus of the LO2 from the oral language strand. Are there any specific exercises or tasks we could do to develop this skill with our classes?

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Diarmuid,

Thank you for your post. You have neatly tied together much of the key learning around the Google Workspace apps. Inclusion and increased accessibility are key advantages of using the Google suite within the classroom. Learners can be challenged and supported in equal measure.

As you have said, Google Classroom is a single-platform that supports the use of all Google apps and has enough functionality to keep tasks varied. The increased interest and attention it garners from pupils is only a positive, and can be used to support learning both in school and at home.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Laura,

Welcome to the course. Thank your for submitting both your Sway digital story and your Forms quiz. These tools have the potential to be used extensively in any setting, including SEN. Your Forms quiz is well constructed, and as you said, it collates all the data in one place. It makes it extremely easy to keep on top of things and track student progress. The breakdown of performance on each question can also prompt the teacher to go back over some elements with larger groups again.

‘Sway’ would be a great tool for the children to use as part of a ‘write-up’ for procedural writing. This would tie in really well with any form of cooking or baking done with a class/small groups.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Thomas,

While Loom and many other digital tools are excellent educational resources, there is little doubt that OneNote is very close to being the ‘complete package’. It takes the positive aspects of a number of digital tools and moulds them into one powerful digital tool. When used properly, OneNote can guide parents and children in their learning seamlessly. As you said in your post, this can play a significant role in reducing anxiety. However, both parents and children need training and practice navigating the features before being left to discover content independently. If used consistently over a number of years, a school can really cut down on its workload.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Tanya,

The content of your post really speaks to the centrality of communication within human interactions. The ways in which we communicate are constantly evolving. You have listed a number of different forms of communication – this is important, as some children will be stronger at communicating through different mediums. Acknowledging that there are many ways to communicate, and embracing the use of digital technologies in this regard can only be beneficial. Teaching children how to communicate through audio recordings, videos, e-mails, etc. is very important now.  Reciprocity is at the core of communication and this is the main thing we should try to get across. It is a two-way process, regardless of the medium you are using to communicate.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Tanya,

Welcome to the course. As someone who loves neatness and everything having a place, I couldn’t agree more. Teams allows you to work in a clear and logical manner, with everything in the one place. It really does create that ‘one-stop shop’. It can be used equally effectively as a teaching and learning tool, and as a tool for staff collaboration and administration.

I agree that it can be challenging to get all staff members to engage, as they are reluctant to move away from what they are currently using. However, if it is a whole-school move (and everyone is consistent that it is the only tool to be used for communication), then it would be the duty of all staff to regularly check for messages and correspondence. Consistency, and ensuring this from the outset, is key to the transfer being a success.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Denis,

Welcome to the course – thanks for sharing the above link to your Forms quiz. From viewing it you have a very good grasp of how it could be used as an assessment tool. There are a good variety of questions, and require the students to really focus on the ‘detail’ within the questions. For those with literacy difficulties, images can be added to both the questions and answers to assist.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Michelle,

Welcome to the course. Thank you for submitting your forum reflection – you have highlighted a number of Forms and Sway features that would be highly suitable for use in your classroom. Very often, a change of tool can be really effective at generating interest and enthusiasm about a topic. Alternating between Sway and PowerPoint may do this for you and your class. Forms is such a comprehensive assessment tool, and the ability to provide feedback on each question allows students to get that bit more out of it for their learning.

If you wish to share you Form quiz and Sway digital story, you can share the links on the forum. They are not compulsory elements of the module assessment.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for your post. As an SEN teacher, OneNote would be an excellent aid for the distribution and organisation of content. The ability to label and colour-code content has huge benefits for all children, especially those with SEN. The ability to use yellow backgrounds is beneficial for dyslexic students, and the ‘Immersive Reader’ is a real game-changer for those with specific learning difficulties.

You have also highlighted many of the ‘admin’ features that OneNote could be used for. It really could form the basis of a ‘digital staffroom’, where resources are stored, worked on and monitored.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Arlene,

As you have pointed out, OneNote is a really useful and effective tool for staff collaboration and for use with the children in senior classes. It could be a really effective tool for a ‘flipped classroom’ approach where content is shared and gone through at home, before coming to school ready to engage in some interactive activities based on what they studied. Pen and paper is very limited, and OneNote demonstrates just how effective  a ‘digital notebook’ can be.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Teresa,

That should be sorted now – your post is now visible.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Louise,

Welcome to the course. There are so many resources and tools available within the Office 365 suite, and one is always learning. Most schools will start out at a very basic level and gradually word will spread of another great tool they can use. I am also a big fan of using Forms over Kahoot! as I find the assessment data you get much more reliable. The ability to insert images, videos, recordings, etc. are great tools for differentiation and accessibility. As you have said, the Microsoft Education Centre really is a ‘go to’ resource. There are so many excellent courses available and one could easily spend months upskilling and learning new features.

[Eoghan O’Neill]

Hi Liz,

The debating topic you have chosen is certainly very relevant and emotive. The activity you have chosen certainly places a focus on 21st century skills, and particularly that of ‘skilled communication’.  I really like the way you have managed to integrate so many of the Google apps into your plan in such a meaningful way. There is so much learning and skill development evident here, and it really is the essence of a 21st century activity.

[Author]

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