Prompt Questions

 

The situation in Ukraine

The situation in Ukraine is horrendous. Whilst we are geographically far away from the events, many in our school and community will be directly affected and may have families or roots in the region.

The news and social media feeds are filled with the latest information, and some of it is very upsetting and worrying; and may not even be verified. Children listening and viewing distressing images can become frightened and fearful.

Here are some background reading resources to help you think about how adults can support children with what they are seeing or feeling.

Current information regarding Ukraine

Supporting your child if they see upsetting content online about what is happening in Ukraine (Childnet)

https://www.childnet.com/.../supporting-your-child-with.../

We should not hide from children what is happening in Ukraine (Schools Week/Children's Commissioner)

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/we-should-not-hide-from.../

How to talk to children about what’s happening in Ukraine and World War Three anxiety (Metro)

https://metro.co.uk/.../how-to-talk-to-children-about.../

Help for teachers and families to talk to pupils about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how to help them avoid misinformation (Department for Education)

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/.../help-for-teachers.../

Underrated Websites

Here are the links to each one. I've not checked them for suitability or appropriateness for students! 

https://www.synthesia.io/ 

https://2050.earth/

https://framesynthesis.com/drivingsimulator/maps/

https://www.leolabs.space/

https://www.playphrase.me/ 

http://gaugan.org/gaugan2/ 

https://www.unscreen.com/

https://tailornova.com/

https://podcastle.ai/

Small steps to EDTECH SUCCESS

Excellent use of technology doesn’t need a big investment – just a team of staff and pupils who are willing to inch their way forward, observe Matthew Knight and Kate Broadribb.

read more click here

EEF Digital Technology Summary of Recommendations

We live in a digital age. Technology has transformed how we do things, from communication with friends and family to learning about the world around us. The pupils we teach do not know a life without it. The opportunities it offers us to improve education are truly exciting. The question is no longer whether technology should have a place in the classroom, but how technology can most effectively be integrated in ways which achieve improved outcomes for young people. 

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Publications/digitalTech/EEF_Digital_Technology_Guidance_Report.pdf

UK 'heading towards digital skills shortage disaster'

 The UK is heading towards a "catastrophic" digital skills shortage "disaster", a think tank has warned.

The Learning & Work Institute says the number of young people taking IT subjects at GCSE has dropped 40% since 2015.

Meanwhile, consulting giant Accenture says demand for AI, cloud and robotics skills is soaring.

Experts say digital skills are vital to economic recovery following the pandemic.

The Learning & Work Institute's research reveals that 70% of young people expect employers to invest in teaching them digital skills on the job, but only half of the employers surveyed in the study are able to provide that training.

Read more here

More details on what's coming to Meet and Classroom

Editor’s note: On August 11, 2020 Google for Education kicked off a global back-to-school event, The Anywhere School. Check out the full recap of product launches and our collection of announcements.

Google has always aimed to invest in products, programs and philanthropy that make learning possible for everyone, anywhere. This year we’ve been especially inspired by the teachers and students around the world who have used our tools in new creative ways and at an unprecedented scale.


As schools start this next semester, we’re excited to share the many new capabilities we’re bringing to Meet and Classroom, to support teaching and learning, no matter where it’s taking place. Let’s start with what’s coming to Meet.

https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/the-anywhere-school-meet-classroom-updates/