Highland Digital School Hub
Helpline 0300 303 1362
For issues with HC Laptops and Desktops, please contact ICT service desk on 01463 383810
For Chromebook support, please visit DigiLearn Highland
Educators - please also use the Schools Hub, Digital Education & Learning Folder for strategy, policies and professional learning or the Digital Learning Toolkit (also available in Schools Hub) for pedagogical support & whole school self-evaluation.
For online safety support - please use the Highland Online Safety Centre
How can the Hub help?
The Highland Digital School Hub provides support for all through resources, learning opportunities, and skills based learning
Resources here are also intended to support home learning when in person learning is not possible for any given reason.
Please use the side menu to navigate the learning resources, skills & information
Previous blog posts.....
Highlife Highland Countryside Rangers' Wildlife and Biodiversity Digital Week
Resources available
The Highlife Highland Countryside Rangers held a week of online activities to celebrate the wildlife and biodiversity across the Highlands. They have created a Google Classroom for staff and will be launching daily activities. These activities are suitable for BGE and may also support learners who are currently at home.
The aim of the resources are to get pupils involved with the amazing living things in their school grounds and surrounding areas. The Countryside Rangers whave provided videos, challenges and learning materials in their new Google Classroom, where school staff can join and deliver the activities to their own classes, either in person or via online learning.
Please do share this information with your staff. The classroom will be linked on the Schools Hub and the Digital Schools Hub for ease of access and the joining code for the class is ig52ag4
Any activities you complete can be returned via a Google Form within the Classroom, along with any photos or videos of the pupils participating #thisishighland. The Countryside Rangers can then share with other schools across Highland on the classroom, HLH social media and on the ‘This is Highland’ website. Please ensure you have permissions for all photos.
The Google Classroom will be a growing and evolving resource for schools. Watch out for new content and activities through the winter and in spring 2023.
Please click below for Gaelic Wildlife Links
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1495390121669689345
Visit Scotland Launch a New Gaelic Toolkit!
FC Sonas Weekly Football: Session 5 and 6
Our Safer Schools-60 Sec Update
Our Safer Schools-60 Sec Update
(Wk Beg 1st March)
FC Sonas Weekly Football: Session 2 and 3
Our Safer Schools-60 Sec Update
(Wk Beg 22nd Feb)
Our Safer Schools-60 Sec Update
"Wake Up and Shake Up" with Amy...
Recorded Sessions Now Available
Teaching Primary Music from Benedetti Foundation
This morning, we are thrilled to announce the release of 'Teaching Primary Music' - resources and lesson plans for primary class teachers, written by Jimmy Rotherham, Feversham Primary Academy and edited and developed by the Benedetti Foundation.
In these lessons, pupils will learn about pulse, rhythm and tempo through fun and engaging lesson plans and video resources recorded by a wonderful, vibrant group of educators.
The resources are designed to be accessible, easy to use and deliver a high-quality music offer to children despite the current COVID-19 restrictions and have been created with non-specialists in mind. There are two levels - age 4-7 and age 7-11.
They are FREE to download, and along with Jimmy Rotheram, we will be delivering training sessions for classroom teachers to to boost confidence and provide an even bigger bank of ideas for teaching primary music
All resources are available here: www.benedettifoundation.org/primary-music
We would be very grateful if you might be willing to share the resource and we hope they will help support teachers at this difficult time.
Laura Gardiner
Foundation Director
Benedetti Foundation
Watch the Recording of Read and Write Info Session for Parents
The parent info session for Read and Write was recorded and is now available to watch back. Please take the time to see how this powerful tool can help with supporting your child both at home and at school.
FC Sonas Weekly Football: Session 1
Yesterday (Wed 27th Jan) saw the first Livestream session offered by FC Sonas to help develop both football and Gaelic at the same time! The session, run by Calum Ferguson from FC Sonas, was streamed live to over 50 children and is now available to watch back again here. If you want to join the Livestream session next week (and for the next 3 Wednesdays), simply click on this link on Wed at 9.25am.
https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/47473eca-1c33-4a93-b70a-9c35fd8bd5fc
Free Music Resource from CCC to Support Remote Learning
Our Safer Schools' Weekly Update
Completing Google Classroom Assignments using iPads
This video shows students how to complete a google classroom slides assignment using a mobile device such as an iPad.
(Thanks to @clint_lees for this tutorial)
***YouTube Fix for Chromebook Users***
We have been made aware that some pupils have experienced issues in terms of watching and accessing YouTube videos on Chromebooks with various error messages appearing instead. It appears that this problem has arisen from Google/YouTube changing their policy on permissions which has required users to re-accept cookies.
This short video talks you through how to resolve this problem and hopefully allows these videos to be watched as planned.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dMacfkQeXZISifIzqqNACb6vbX2LhY_y/view
It is worth noting that Highland Pupils are not able to sign into YouTube using their Highland Google Account. This is due to the fact that YouTube has set a recommended age of 18 (13 with parental permission) to have a YouTube account. With an account, users are able to upload their own content, bookmark and favourite video clips and leave comments on other videos.
However, not being able to sign into YouTube does not stop any pupil from watching videos that have been set by teachers-it simply means they cannot access their own YouTube account.
Education Scotland - Remote learning- we want to hear from Parents, Carers and Learners
Education Scotland wants to hear from parents, carers and learners about their experiences of remote learning. We want to learn about what is working well and the challenges that you face.
These views will help inform the national overview of how remote learning is being delivered in Scotland. The report relating to parent, carer and learner views will be published on the Education Scotland website on 29 January 2021.
If you are a parent, carer, or a learner, please complete our survey below. There is one survey for parents and carers, and one for children and young people. At the end of the questionnaire, there is an opportunity for you and your child to tell us more about your answers. Both surveys will close on Monday 25 January at 12 noon.
Remote Learning Overview- Survey for parents and carers
Remote Learning Overview- Survey for children and young people
This national overview report will:
Show what is working well, celebrate success and support consistency in the quality and effectiveness of delivery of remote learning.
Identify any challenges or issues so that these can be addressed either locally or nationally.
Identify what further assistance is required to continue to improve the delivery of remote learning so that relevant support can be provided.
You can read more about the national overview on our website.
Online Safety Update: "Avakin Life"
Everybody Belongs Here-Music Feeds Gig!
EBH (Everybody Belongs Here) is an organisation set up by Saul Davies, resident in Wester Ross and member of the world renowned band, James. Saul's daughter Mia is a pupil at Gairloch High and has recorded a message for inclusion in the event that will draw attention to how the younger generation regard food poverty.
Music Feeds is the first event which EBH has done to help combat food poverty. Over 40 artists from around the world, including several from Scotland, have recorded unique, never before seen performances that will go out globally, with ticket proceeds going directly to fight food poverty in partnership with the Co-op supermarket through FareShare, Help Musicians UK and Stage Hand.
More Resources to Support Remote Learning
Resources for Remote Learning from the Northern Alliance As part of the National e-Learning offer, e-Sgoil is delighted to offer free support to schools and learners during this period of remote learning. e-Sgoil Lockdown Live includes:
• Daily, live sessions hosted on the e-Sgoil website. Monday to Friday at 10 am for P2-P7, 11 am for S1-S3 and 2 pm for S4-S6. No prior sign-up required - simply direct learners to e-sgoil.com at the appropriate time. Further details, including a weekly schedule, past sessions and associated resources, can be found at: http://www.e-sgoil.com/lockdown-live/
• Daytime study support. A range of Advanced Higher, Higher and National 5 courses on offer. This is in addition the 25 courses already available in the early evenings. For further information and to register, young people can access (Pupil Glow account required to register): http://e-sgoil.com/studysupport2020/
• Gaidhlig Bheo. An extensive programme of live lessons for Gaelic Medium and Gaelic Learners – from P2 to S6. Class teachers can view the full schedule and register interest (Teacher Glow account required) at: http://www.e-sgoil.com/gaidhlig-bheo/
• Early years, including Primary 1. Meet internet sensation Dug in his Discovery Den – an ever-evolving online learning environment for our youngest learners. No prior sign-up required. Visit Dug at: http://e-sgoil.com/earlyyears20/
Please find below a link to a summary of Lockdown Live you may wish to share within your school community, including social media: http://e-sgoil.com/media/1455/lockdown-live-leaflet-v5.pdf
This Week's Online Safety Update from 'Our Safer Schools'
Parent and Cares Guidance for Remote Learning in Highland (Jan'21)
Read and Write Support Page for
Pupils and Parents
We are delighted to share the resource below which has been created as a 'bespoke' support page for Highland Pupils and Parents. To visit this site, please click on the site below or click HERE
PSE Resources for Primary and Secondary
Our Safer Schools' 60 secs Guide to Keeping Safe Online During 'Home-Learning'
BBC Scotland Help Plug Learning Gap with Lockdown Education Content!
Judy Murray, Sanjeev Kohli and magician Kevin Quantum are amongst those helping to bring a raft of dedicated educational content to pupils in Scotland once again from Monday next week (11 January) on the BBC Scotland channel, iPlayer and online to help plug any learning gaps caused by the enforced schools closure.
As happened last Spring during the first national lockdown, the BBC has moved quickly to offer Bitesize learning content aimed specifically for pupils studying in Scotland on its dedicated Scotland channel - initially covering Maths, English, Science and Social subjects for primary and secondary pupils - and also lots more additional new Bitesize online content on topics such as health and weather.
From 10am every weekday, the BBC Scotland channel will offer a range of programmes for primary and secondary learners. Focussed on the Curriculum for Excellence and complementary to the Bitesize Daily offering on CBBC, there will be programmes for primary around numeracy, literacy and social subjects including quizzes and wordsearches to help keep kids engaged. There will also be another chance to see animated stories and celebrity-led lessons from the likes of Judy Murray, who teaches us how to stay active even in a small space, Sanjeev Kohli who brings the fun to maths and magician Kevin Quantum with his unique take on science.
Secondary learners will also be offered a range of content around maths, science and literacy while Authors Live will feature an archive of events for both Primary and Secondary audiences, with writers including Michael Rosen, Malorie Blackman and Steve Backshall reading aloud from their work.
The programmes, some made both before the pandemic and some over the last few months under strict Covid-working, will be broadcast each weekday whilst also being available through iPlayer for students to watch at their leisure.
Learners throughout Scotland also will now have a newly created website accessed easily for both English and Gaelic content bbc.co.uk/lockdownlearningscotland with both existing and new additional educational content available online while BBC ALBA will also offer dedicated programmes for Gaelic pupils.
BBC ALBA will have a range of programmes to support learning such as Baile Mhuilinn, A' Bhùth, Leugh le Linda, Aithne air Ainmhidhean and Saidheans Spòrsail and they will be screened in the daily CBeebies and CBBC ALBA schedule with all programmes being made available through iPlayer after transmission.
Additional programmes will also be made available within a learning collection on BBC ALBA's iPlayer channel from 11th January through to 2nd April. This will include primary content with a focus on maths, numeracy, literacy and history. The collection will also include a range of Bitesize video content produced in Gaelic for primary maths, science, literacy and social studies.
Further learning resources for primary and secondary school children at National 5 and Higher is accessible through the Bitesize website, bbc.co.uk/lockdownlearningscotland with pre-school resources available through bbc.co.uk/cbeebiesalba
The dedicated Scottish content is part of the overall BBC plan to deliver the biggest education offer in its history across more of its platforms. It will bring together BBC Scotland, BBC ALBA, BBC Two, CBBC, BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and online to deliver a new education offer to children, teachers and parents as another lockdown begins.
Reacting quickly to the news of UK schools moving to remote learning, the new offer from the BBC will ensure all children can access curriculum-based learning even if they don't have access to the internet.
Tim Davie, BBC Director General said: "Ensuring children across the UK have the opportunity to continue to follow the appropriate core parts of their nation's school curriculum has been a key priority for the BBC throughout this past year.
"Education is absolutely vital - the BBC is here to play its part and I'm delighted that we have been able to bring this to audiences so swiftly."
A Parent/Guardian Guide to G-Suite Tools
Google for Education have created a helpful guide to support parents/guardians to understand the various tools within G-suite that pupils in Highland are using during this period of home-learning. If you click on the link next to each tool, you'll be able to find out more information about this particular tool.
Parents' Guide to Google Classroom
Highland Schools Set to Deliver COVID Themed Education Package to Primary Children
A brand new COVID-19 education toolkit aimed at primary school pupils is aiming to turn Highland’s pupils into community superheroes.
The Build Back Better resource pack is being issued to every school in Highland today (15 December 2020) and will provide educators with a fun and interactive way to teach children about coronavirus and the actions they can take to keep themselves and others safe.
This innovative new resource includes seven specially designed worksheets which focus on the following themes: making a model of a coronavirus; why should we wear a face covering; how to wear a face covering correctly; how soap works; how does social distancing help; how does a virus travel and handwashing with paint.
The bespoke toolkit has been jointly funded by The Highland Council and the Science Skills Academy – a City Region Deal funded project – and supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government. It is hoped that the toolkit can be rolled out across Scotland next.
The idea for the toolkit was developed following discussion on children’s wellbeing during the COVID pandemic which was raised by Highland Councillor Muriel Cockburn. Cllr Cockburn said: “I am so proud to have been given the access to the teachers and the Quality Improvement Team. They listened intently to my ideas and they had the skill set to get this wonderful package together in a short space of time.
“This was an idea that has developed into something quite spectacular. I was initially looking into ways we could improve children’s wellbeing and following discussion with the team we developed the Build Back Better toolkit.
“The toolkit was put together by the Science Skills Academy and they have done an excellent job. I am so proud to finally launch Build Back Better today.”
She added: “Although this launch is initially in Highland, I hope we can get this rolled out across Scotland.”
Executive Chief Officer for Education & Learning, Nicky Grant, said: “This is an excellent resource for teachers and one we hope will be as successful as it has been at some of the pilot schools we have tested it at, such as Dunbeath, Rosehall and Strathpeffer Primary.
“The children are given the opportunity to learn about the virus, how they can help keep themselves, classmates and their loved ones safer. They can be proud to be responsible citizens and set an example for everyone to follow.”
The education package focuses on the importance of social distancing, handwashing and wearing face coverings, but goes into detail about why these things are so important during the pandemic.
Chair of Highland Council’s Education Committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “This is an extremely innovative way of teaching children about their social responsibilities at a very young age.
“They will enjoy the fun involved in doing the tasks, but will also be learning some very important messages at the same time. Highland’s children really can become community superheroes with the Build Back Better package.”
A special video has been made to highlight the toolkit and show some of the pilot schools enjoying their first look at a programme that is now being made available everywhere in Highland.
"What is ADHD?" Film Screening and Q&A at The Pines
We would like to invite you to watch the Pines YouTube film, 'What is ADHD?' and then attend a virtual Q&A session with Lesley Soffe, Advanced ADHD Nurse Practitioner on Wednesday 20th January 2021 via Microsoft Teams at 1.30pm-2.30pm. This will be open to all Parents/Carers and Professionals.
Lesley has been working as an ADHD specialist for 10 years and will be happy to answer any questions you may have after watching the film or any questions about ADHD in general.
To book a space please email the.pines@highland.gov.uk stating if you are booking as a parent/carer or professional. Education staff should book through the CPD Calendar.
Safer Schools 60 Second Update for this Week Self-Generated Images, Disappearing Messages, Anti-bullying Week and Harry Potter!
Find Out More About "Among Us"
Wee Flags for Change-Highland One World
Wee Flags for Change
September is Global Citizenship Month in Scotland. It’s a time for us to reflect and consider the actions we can take to contribute to a fairer and more sustainable future for everyone, and to celebrate our role as active global citizens. As part of this, Highland One World are inviting people across the country to commit to one positive action on a global issue and to share this on a ‘wee flag for change’.
It’d be a great class (or whole school!) project for primary or secondary, if you are already exploring the UN Sustainable Development Goals or as an opportunity to start! For more info on how to contribute to the SDGs, and create and share your own bunting flag, see here.
It’d be fantastic to have a really great response from children and young people in Highland. Eden Court will be hosting a huge public display of all the bunting in October.
Helping your Child at Home with Literacy
How to use Google Meet from a Phone
(Thanks to @MissCavRMPS for the video!)
Google Translate Extension Video!
Please watch this video to see how to set up your Google Translate extension to your first language. It will make translating English text quick and easy!
Obejrzyj ten film, aby zobaczyć, jak skonfigurować rozszerzenie Tłumacza Google na swój pierwszy język. Dzięki temu tłumaczenie tekstu angielskiego będzie szybkie i łatwe!
يرجى مشاهدة هذا الفيديو لمعرفة كيفية إعداد إضافة الترجمة من Google إلى لغتك الأولى. سيجعل ترجمة النص الإنجليزي سريع وسهل!
'Kids Love Short Films'-Another Great Resource!
125 Things to Do With your Kids During Lockdown
Little Door Books-Free Audiobooks!
FC Sonas Scottish Gaelic Football Service Launched!
STEM at home videos and activities - Science Skills Academy
Living Organisms Theme:
Teacher note – https://drive.google.com/open?id=15kE0P3u1FbUnebBlmsCbLvs75Jm1V0ZnqCSNrhEQI40
How to classify living and non-living things (early/first level)
How to make your own microscope (second level)
Space Theme:
Teacher note – https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XSomZ7ZAMOp_L3QDyPv8zEG18o2HODXDB59bI1w8vaA
How to Build a Rocket
Pupil worksheet
Video – https://bit.ly/RocketHowTo
How to Build a Satellite:
Pupil Worksheet
Video – https://bit.ly/SatBuild
In your garden theme:
How to make a Hover Fly Lagoon (early/first/second level)
Teacher guidance – https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AyF397QFIE6RI8yt9_rVKoyEp-PIS4AxtiDz5Arvp94
Pupil worksheet - https://drive.google.com/open?id=10pwjrWn1XeOwgcaA6y80q_XBn8NxPW2V
Video https://bit.ly/Hoverfly
BTO Garden Bird Watch (second/third level)
• Pupil worksheet https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cvzXIe44PyXVILCcYQIMxkGzYfDLuqkl
• Video - https://bit.ly/GardenBirdWatch
Our Ocean Theme:
Level 1 and 2 – How to make an Ocean in a bottle:
Teacher guidance – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kUWf6gi2rQukz6gBVG4mh6Q1n0fQ37VAcXav6hjHcuo/edit?usp=sharing
How to Clean an Oil Spill
Teacher guidance – https://drive.google.com/open?id=14dWOgQ0Nfq0MeGqLEv-LLiYuwubE_YUTtyxCc0jBv4k
Pupil worksheet – level 3-4
Cardboard Engineering Theme:
Teacher guidance –https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iRdGmh9MxknhWk9XKkpUPUbfaBAglQc2__VjEzyp_eI/edit?usp=sharing
Level 1 – How to build a paper tower
PDF How to Build a Paper Tower - Pupil worksheet
Level 2 – How to build a marble run
Latest 60 sec Update from Our Safer Schools App
Latest 60 sec Update from Our Safer Schools App
Looking for Free Wifi across Highland?
A new page has been created on the Digital Hub, to highlight the areas in Highland where free wifi is currently available and how to access this wifi. This page now has a collection of maps showing the coverage areas for the locations identified on the map to the left.
Need Some Help in Setting up a Council Provided 4G Dongle?
V&A Dundee - Online Resources for Primary and Secondary
Design Busters https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/info/design-busters
Design Busters is a great, fun way to get minds young and old(er) engaged in the design process. Each week a new challenge will be released (the old challenges will stay up too – scroll to the bottom of the page for the archive) to encourage thinking about design in a different way. Call the freephone number to hear the challenge, or simply look online and read about this week’s task, then download the resources and off you go. Once completed, pupils (or even whole classes) can show off their designs by tweeting @VADundee #designbusters
Learning Resources https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/info/learning-resources
We have different learning resources, some of which we’ve already shared with you, and others that are new. ‘My Garden Design’ encourages learners to think about how design can be used to create the perfect outdoor space. Thinking about how it would look, sound, feel, pupils can design their own unique garden in detail using magazines and recycled materials from around the house. ‘Pop-Up Museum in a Book’ allows pupils to become curators of their very own mini museum. Add items from V&A Dundee, or decide on your own objects that should be included. What will the theme of your museum be? Will it be interactive? Again, using magazines/newspapers/recycled materials from around the house, pupils can use their imaginations to design and create their own collection.
V&A Dundee Stories https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/stories
Our short stories are a personal take by some of the V&A Dundee staff at some of the objects from the Scottish Design Galleries. The stories would be useful for older pupils (or staff) to engage with the process of design and think about what design objects in the museum or their home inspire them. Older pupils could be encouraged to write short stories of their own, using their own stimulus, to capture what design means to them. We’d love to read them, so please share them on twitter @VADundee
Audio: Within the stories section we also have a series of online talks which can be listened to on Spotify or Apple Music. These talks, recorded from our lunchtime series, cover a range of topics and again could be used with older pupils as a basis for discussions, writing tasks or questions. Downloadable info sheets accompany each talk, giving an overview of the content as well as highlighting the potential CfE and subject specific links, and a series of slides show the images referred to in the talks.
Highland Primary Science Resources
Science Skills Academy Challenges!
How to make a Hover Fly Lagoon (early/first/second level)
Teacher guidance – https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AyF397QFIE6RI8yt9_rVKoyEp-PIS4AxtiDz5Arvp94
Pupil worksheet - https://drive.google.com/open?id=10pwjrWn1XeOwgcaA6y80q_XBn8NxPW2V
Video https://bit.ly/Hoverfly
BTO Garden Bird Watch (second/third level)
• Pupil worksheet https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cvzXIe44PyXVILCcYQIMxkGzYfDLuqkl
• Video - https://bit.ly/GardenBirdWatch
Toothbrushing with Dino the Dinosaur!
Google Meet Tutorials
Thanks to @NiallRidgway
Highland Archive Centre Resources
The themes below will be accompanied by a fabulous information video, which will be uploaded to the YouTube page at 11am on these dates. Check them out!
23rd April – Archives for Family History
30th April – WWII
7th May – Jacobites
14th May – Health & Wellbeing
21st May – Education
28th May – WWI
4th June – Victorians
11th June – Crime & Punishment
18th June – Fake News & Reliable Sources
25th June – Transport
2nd July – Clearances
First Bus Education Packs
Videos to Support Reading Comprehsion
Big thanks to one of our Digital Leads, @tavs_laurie, for this very useful slideshow with number of links to videos that can be used to support reading comprehension. Check out his Twitter page for many more tutorial guides which are of a very high standard
Digital Youth Work Guidance Overview
STEM activities from the Science Skills Academy
Exciting activities have been created by Science Skills Academy Team. See below!
There are two activities which contain links to the video and they contain an explanation of the task.
Level 1 – How to build a paper tower
Level 2 – How to build a marble run