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Productive use of devices

Technology should work to make us more productive, not less!

This page looks at some of the ways we can harness technology to make the most of ourselves.

Organisation:

Google Keep ia great (free) tool to keep you organised and 'on top of things' You can use it to:

Take notes (and tag them with subjects and topics to keep you organised
Set yourself reminders and to do lists (with alarms/notifications)
With a touch screen device you can use it to annotate photographs
You can share lists and notes with others and create group 'to do lists'
Access your notes on any device.
Keep works in the browser of a laptop or Chromebook and can be downloaded from the app store on a phone or tablet

Distraction free learning?

To succeed at college, there are times you will need to focus.

There is a lot of evidence about the impact that phones and other devices can have on attention and mental well-being but you have the power to create a positive learning environment for yourself in just a few seconds.

You can switch off your notifications when you want to work. In class your notification MUST be turned off as this is a core expectation but you will also need to work in the FYI or at home and you should know how to create focus.

Here is how to set 'do not disturb' on an Android phone/tablet

Here is how to set up an iPhone or iPad for 'do not disturb' mode.

If you want a little extra boost to help you focus on your work, here is a list of 10 apps that can boost your productivity and aide concentration.

Keeping your device charged!

One guaranteed distraction is running out of battery. It's really important to get in a routine of keeping your device charged and arriving at college with a full battery

Most classroom spaces will have a socket you can use to charge in an emergency but as most devices will last longer with a full charge than a day at college, get into a charging routine!

When to use and not to use?

Our staff want you to work in a way that suits you. However, there are times when we'll ask you to put devices away.

This might be because:

the work is more suited to being done by hand
the teacher does not want you to be able to look up answers
it's polite (e.g. if a class discussion is happening or you are listening to a teacher or visiting speaker)

Equally there may be times when teachers insist you do use your device:

This might be because:

The exam board demands the work is word processed
to enable your work to be shared with others or assessed efficiently
the teacher wants to teach you a particular skill or method of working

We expect students to bring their devices every day, but that does not mean that every single lesson will be taught using devices.

Looking after your device!

In the unlikely event of a lost device, the instructions below show you how to find and/or secure different kinds of device.

1: How to secure (so no one else can use) a Chromebook or Android tablet/phone.

2: How to locate a lost Android device using 'Find my Device' on any other device.

3: How to find and lock a lost Windows 10 device

4: Advice on finding and locking a lost iPad device (note - you should definitely activate 'find my' in settings)

5: Finding and locking a lost MacBook (again, you should set up the 'Find My' service just to be on the safe side)

The advice below will help you keep your device in good condition:

We'd strongly recommend keeping your device in a case or a sleeve. Whilst this is a small extra cost, it could save you a lot more money if it protects you against spilled liquids or a nasty drop and saves you the cost of repair or replacement
We'd strongly advise against walking round with the lid of a laptop open. Not only does it mean you aren't looking where you are going, but a laptop with a closed lid is for more likely to survive a drop!
When charging your laptop or tablet (whether at college or home) be careful to avoid trailing leads. Not only are they a tripping hazard but the device is likely to suffer if someone kick or trips over your cable.
Whilst college is generally a really safe environment, we cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to your property as a result of leaving it unsupervised. Modern devices are light and easy to slip in a bag and you should keep them with you between lessons. Obviously, you must also take similar care outside college!
As per the instructions you received before college, we'd recommend insuring any devices, especially if the cost of replacement is potentially expensive.
In the event of any problems with your device, remember that if you've used Google Drive/Classroom to complete work, you will still have access to all your work on any computer in college or replacement device.

Technology and life skills

We believe that education should prepare students the future and by using technology in all subjects, we are reflecting the nature of the modern world.

As well as your educational achievements, we want you to leave Blackpool Sixth with an ability to use technology with confidence, in a productive way.. This is a skill which you can apply to work, life and more education!

Almost every field of work, from healthcare to farming, from sports science to the arts, has seen a large increase in technology use in the last decade. We believe that our job is to ensure that when you leave college, using technology effectively is part of your skill set, whatever subject you are taking.

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