Learning Tools

Since the beginning of school closure, our teachers, Learning Technology Integrators and IT Support staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the very best academic and pastoral provision is available to our students. At BISHCMC, we started this journey on strong foundations, a cornerstone of which was our already well embedded and effective use of learning technologies in the classroom. Much of what you will see in the collection of videos below isn’t new, but is a series of adaptations that ensure your child’s needs are best met. These are just some of the many tools our teachers and students are using to ensure their learning is effective, engaging and productive.

Google Classroom

Google classroom has been at the core of our learning technology integration for several years. It is an excellent platform, which allows students and teachers to work together collaboratively with full synchronisation to the powerful Google Suite for Education, including Google Drive and associated tools.

Google Classroom goes beyond allowing teachers and students to converse, or simply set work for students to complete. A series of powerful feedback tools allow teachers to provide students with deep and meaningful feedback on their work, so that learning moves forward.

Synchronous learning tools

A blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning modes helps ensure balance, wellbeing and good academic progress for our students. By connecting with their teachers in 'real time', synchronous learning tools, such as Google Hangout and Google Meet, allow classes to discuss and share ideas, whilst affording the teacher the opportunity to desribe and model learning.

Our teachers are harnessing the power and versatility of countless extensions to the Google Chrome web browser and GSuite for Education to engage students synchronously with their learning. Extensions such as Pear Deck bring our teachers' instructions and modelling of learning to life in your home.

Asynchronous learning tools

Just as in the traditional classroom setting, there are times when students learn best independently, following a structure and pedgaogical framework laid out by their teacher. The same is true in the virtual school environment. Our synchronous learning tools are complimented with asynchronous learning opportunities through a wide-range of integrated learning technologies, such as EdPuzzle, Kahoot Challenges and Screencastify.

Supporting our teachers' professional development

In the same way we have supported our students during this period of school closure, we have also supported our teachers in their professional development. We regularly share best practice, innovations and 'how to' workshops so that all of our teachers have an extensive toolkit of learning technologies at their disposal. As the journey continues, we will evolve our practices as new technologies and ways of working emerge in supporting our provision of the virtual school.