BESA CORNER


This month, in our ongoing feature highlighting the work of members of the UK education suppliers’ trade body BESA, we hear how DISCOVERY EDUCATION ESPRESSO is supporting Broadclyst Community Primary School; and find out from DB PRIMARY how schools have fared during lockdown.


Online Learning following lockdown


School closure at a moment’s notice In these new and strange times, schools quickly found ways to connect and cope with a sudden change in operations. From remote meetings to delivering school meals, schools rose to the challenges with admirable skill and speed. They demonstrated the dedication and commitment that underpins the profession.


A lifeline for remote learning They rose to the challenge of creating rich and diverse learning opportunities for their children; they continued to maintain their communities. Online learning became a central plank through learning apps, websites and platforms. We, at DB Primary, have seen a significant rise in usage, and we are not alone in this. Although our products were not listed by the DfE on their Coronavirus


Online Education Resources guide, our customers demonstrated the value that we brought in these times. Our schools spoke loudly and clearly. Their engagement and usage rates demonstrate the value. But so too did the feedback they gave in a recent survey.


Maintaining well-being They have not however, focused solely on traditional learning, but have used the facilities to maintain and strengthen their community and to focus on well-being. They communicate safely and securely using the tools available and they share content confidently with their restricted audiences. They have allowed children to connect safely during unprecedented


times. To give them a sense of continuity and community. The teachers, the coaches, the parents, the families have made it happen. But it is the tools that have facilitated it.


Emerging from lockdown We are rightly proud of what has been achieved during lockdown, but this is only part of the story. Many of our schools were already prepared for such unprecedented circumstances because they were already using their online provision as a core part of their curriculum delivery. They have successfully blended the online and offline. They recognise how it may be used to enhance, not replace, other activity. But for some schools there has been a much steeper learning curve. We


can only hope they emerge from lockdown in a stronger position to reap the rewards such platforms can bring when used effectively.


What happens next? Schools will need opportunities to develop their practice. It is not only about having provision, but about understanding how to use it, what to use it for and even, dare I say, when not to use it. Even for free resources there are associated costs- often higher than for paid services. Schools will wish to build on their experience and assimilate online learning into everyday practice.


There is a role for key players. BESA offer accreditation through their membership and code of conduct. They provide the LendEd online service where teachers can find EdTech products and read reviews (left by other teachers) as well as access case studies and book demonstrations and trials. The DfE can ensure that schools receive the funding required. Fundamentally, they can promote equally resources that have proven success irrespective of cost or origin. They should help support the innovation of companies such as ours by ensuring their activities don’t unfairly skew the market. Companies for their part can continue to innovate and listen to the feedback from schools, building success through effective partnerships. We will continue to develop our products and offer consultancy, training and support and will be on hand for schools that need us.


June 2020


Discovery Education Espresso: supporting a leading digital school Broadclyst Community Primary School, Devon


Broadclyst Community Primary School was recently named an ‘Ed Tech 50 School’, a prestigious award which recognises teachers’ use of technology. Part of the Cornerstone Academy Trust, this leading digital school uses Discovery Education Espresso across the curriculum. CEO and Executive Headteacher Jonathan Bishop and his colleagues explain how Espresso supports their teaching and deepens pupil learning.


Enhancing the curriculum We’ve used Discovery Education Espresso for thirteen years. Our Academy Trust has always embraced new technologies in education, and especially those that enhance our project-based curriculum. Espresso works well to this aim, as it supports across the subject range without requiring sticking to a defined lesson structure or sequence of teaching.


Taking learning beyond the classroom Discovery Education Espresso is used across our curriculum, in every year group. It’s most useful in subjects where video content makes complex and abstract concepts clear for children. This is particularly true of science, where virtual tasks help to make concrete a process or idea. One of our teachers explains how the service is used in Year 2: “We regularly use Espresso in Year 2 across the curriculum. We use the


videos during our inputs and the activities during lessons. Espresso is also a good research tool for the children."


Engaging current content Our pupils enjoy the Espresso activities in each curriculum area. These allow children to create original content. They also enjoy the quizzes, which they often complete as a whole class at the end of the day after watching Espresso News Bites. Teachers really value the timely nature of the Espresso content, which


responds to current news, trends in culture and national and international events. These are often difficult to explain to children. Here’s what one of our teachers has to say about Espresso News: “I’ve always been really keen on the Espresso News Bites feature. I love


using this as a way of discussing current events with the children, especially as many don’t engage with the news. Espresso News is often quite positive which is a good change from the mass media.”


Supporting Maths and English We use Espresso most in our English and maths lessons. In maths, the video content supports the teaching of multiple methods, as one of our teachers explains: “I really like using Espresso, particularly the videos in maths to help


introduce and support a new topic. I also really like that the videos cover multiple methods e.g. there is a multiplication video which begins by using a grid method and then checks the answer using a formal method.” Espresso is also used widely in our English lessons, to support the


teaching of grammar and punctuation, and help children to build new skills. One of our KS2 teachers says: “Espresso’s short videos are really useful for grammar and punctuation


sessions, introducing children to the concept. They can link to a help page where they can watch the video as a recap for each skill.”


Across every year group The Espresso platform caters well for both key stages. The separate KS1 and KS2 delivery is key to the clarity for each age group – and the look of each platform is compelling for that age group. Espresso works well for us. It supports our project-based curriculum across every year group.


www.education-today.co.uk 13


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