Learning with Technology

At Sedgefield Hardwick, we want our learners to be digitally literate and well prepared for a technological world.  We acknowledge that today's children are born into a digital age, and it's our mission to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a future that holds endless possibilities.

Learning at Sedgefield Hardwick has iPads embedded at its heart. With our well established 1:1 iPad scheme in place from Year 2, children become fluent and creative users of technology as they progress through the school. As this has been in place for over six years, we have been able to observe the way that whole cohorts of pupils flourish throughout their entire journey with us, demonstrating how technology can have a significant impact upon the ways in which pupils engage with their education.

Our pupils swiftly master essential iPad apps, enabling them to engage with their learning daily. With the guidance of our experienced teaching team, children develop fluency and proficiency in these apps, empowering them to communicate, create, and collaborate effectively in our digitally-driven classrooms.

  • Showbie: central to our use of technology, this work flow app allows pupils and parents the ability to access work which their teacher has set.  It also allows for multimedia content, such as modelling videos, to be shared, instant assessment data to be captured and opportunities for collaboration. An example of this be during Maths lessons, where modelling videos can fulfil the dual purpose of allowing more confident children to access content more quickly, therefore challenging them by progressing them more quickly to more complex problems, but also to support less confident children by providing them with a reference point to come back to in order to support their understanding of a concept.
  • Keynote: This is a powerful tool, offering a platform for interactive and visually engaging presentations. Staff and pupils alike can utilize Keynote to create captivating lesson materials, incorporating multimedia elements like images, videos, and interactive charts to enhance student understanding. An example of this would be through Geography lessons, where pupils can demonstrate their understanding of Europe by creating an interactive map showcasing the knowledge that they have gained.
  • Clips: This innovative app empowers pupils to create and share captivating videos with ease. With its intuitive interface and array of fun features like filters, stickers, and music, Clips makes video creation accessible to all. In Year 3, for example, children access Clips to create an engaging advert for a favourite toy.
  • iMovie: Step into the director's chair and bring your stories to life with this user-friendly video editing app. Whether you're capturing memories, creating presentations, or expressing your creativity, iMovie offers all the tools you need to produce professional-looking videos effortlessly. iMovie has been used creatively in school, particularly in History and Geography, to produce green-screen creations transporting the viewers both back in time and around the world!
  • GarageBand: This revolutionary app transforms the iPad into a full-fledged music studio, allowing you to create, record, and share your own compositions effortlessly. Whether a budding artist or an experienced musician, GarageBand offers a wide range of virtual instruments, audio effects, and recording tools to bring music to life. Pupils in Year 6 use GarageBand to produce a podcast debating the legacy of the British Empire.
  • Book Creator: Pupils across the school use Book Creator to present their work in many different ways. Whether it be taking photographs, making films or even adding sound to their work, learners are able to personalise their own experiences and develop their digital learning skills as they move through the school. In Year 2, children use Book Creator in History to create a pamphlet from the 17th Century advising what to do if you caught the plague! 

A vital aspect of our use of technology across school is the assistance it provides to all children, but particularly those with additional needs. The range of accessibility features on the iPad, for example dictation, magnification and speak screen amongst others, go a long way to removing or reducing barriers to learning for these children. The portability of the devices mean that it is possible for children to access lesson content outside of the traditional classroom environment, making it possible to provide quieter, low-stimuli environments for pupils if needed. The Showbie platform has also proven a valuable communication channel with parents, as staff are able to provide lesson resources and timetables ahead of teaching in order for parents to prepare children who may feel anxiety about what to expect in the school day. The opportunities for children to revisit key teaching points through videos and keynotes on their own personal device allows them the opportunity to address uncertainty and misconceptions independently, before asking for the help of an adult if required.