Embedded Files
Work in Progress:
This website is still a work in progress and not every section is finished. Equally, I am still trying to work out the best way to create and deliver stand-alone lessons and topics using this method (so you will likely see changes as you go through the topics while I develop my skills). This also has been rushed out given the current circumstances, so please be forgiving of spelling and grammar issues as I have not had the time to currently do a deep quality check on everything through the website. Look on it as a way for you to develop your own skills by spotting them.
I use a combination of Microsoft Sway, Google Sites, Microsoft Forms, and Google Drive throughout this site. This is representative of finding the best tool for the job and also my journey in developing this site. However, all links should be open and you may not even notice the change in the platforms as you move between.
No personal data is stored on this site. Microsoft forms are annoymous and only the person completing will know their results.
Why a website?
The main driver behind the creation of this website is to try and ease the burden on pupils who do not have a consistency of device, available time, or reliable internet connection. PowerPoints and pre-recorded lessons are good but face challenges around file size, storage, and access, aside from giving a very linear path of learning.
This website can be tackled at students' own pace and in the manner you choose. This capitalises on the technology allowing students to create a much more personalised and self-directed method of learning. Beyond the academic reasons for improving pupil learning, a website and Sway is simply designed to tackle the problems of access. Every lesson, quiz, video, and worksheet is hosted within the site, so nothing needs to be downloaded. Google Sites and Sway are also preset to adjust for the device they are being used on. Ideally, you would be using a laptop or PC to access this website, but the site can be accessed equally as well from a tablet or smartphone.
Built into Sway and Google Sites there are also accessibility tools, those with learning challenges can access these to improve their access to education.
Using the Website as a Student
Look at the information below to help understand how to use this website.
For each topic you will find a "Launch Page" which contains the information on what the SQA says you are required to know, more detail about what this really means you need to know and then the lesson contents section. The lesson contents will look similar to the box below:
The image box will contain a link to the lesson. For some lessons, this may take you to another page in the site and for some it will take you to an MS Sway.
After you have completed the lesson, attempt the quiz to check your learning - you should aim for 80-90% before moving onto the next lesson.
Watch the video below for more information.
Tasks within Lessons
Tasks have been created with the idea that they can be completed in either a paper jotter or a digital workbook. This has been written clearly into the topics I have completed later in the year. With those that don't explicitly say Digital Workbook/Paper Jotter, please adapt as best you can until I can work back through to adjust the lessons.
Watch the video to find out how to create your own digital workbook. OneNote is the recommended as you get a free version through your Glow login name.
Digital Workbook - OneNote Recommended
Using the Website as a Teacher
This website is mainly for use by students to have self-directed learning in terms of learning content. However, as you will be aware that is only a small part of teaching and learning. Despite the set up of lessons, students still need a live interaction and talk through especially on the complicated parts to fully grasp what is and isn't important. Effective teaching is also not simply about delivering content, but the funny story or interesting anecdote which makes that one piece of information cannot be replicated. It is individual to pupils and teachers and no amount of technology will ever remove that need.
However, this website is here as a tool to assist in remote learning and I have identified 2 main ways in which it can be used:
Each week setting clear guidelines on completing certain lessons. Maybe between 3 and 4 depending on your students and many other factors. This is paired with weekly "live lessons" where you may talk through complicated sections, hold QandAs and issue assignments to submit to check learning over and above the lesson content.
In MS Teams/Google Classroom, setting each lesson as an assignment. You can also add a submission for each lesson from practice question, self-marking quiz, or share a diagram for you to check-in with student's understanding.
These are just 2 ideas I have been using however there are doubtless several more and ones that you know will work better for you and your students.
Thank you
Thank you
A lot of the content and resources in this website have been curated through the last few years of teaching Higher Geography. I would like to offer special thanks to those who have shared resources and helped me develop my own in the last few years.
This could easily a much longer list but I would like to offer special thanks to the Geographers of:
Banff Academy @bxageography
Belmont Academy @belmontacad01
Elgin High School @ElginHSGeog
Gairloch High School @emmaearth
Lenzie Academy @lenziegeo
Largs Academy @largsacademy
And an individual thanks to Mr. Armitage (@mrarmitageasn) for dealing with my constant messaging for help!
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