Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Aberthin Road, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, CF71 7EN |

tel: 01446 772311 | email: enquiries@cowbridgecs.co.uk

Online Learning Resources

Resources and Learning for Pupils Unable to Attend School for Home-Learning
 
General
 
In the event of pupils being away from school for a significant period of time, there are a range of online learning resources available and some links and information to these resources are provided below. It must be highlighted, however, that expecting children to sit at a computer for long periods of time is counterproductive to their learning and will not present a sustainable way of working in the longer term. 
 
Different children will learn at different rates according to their ability, experience, self-motivation and perseverance and it is inevitable that online learning will present challenges, particularly when/if children become stuck, not challenged and disengaged. Therefore, the following advice and recommendations are provided for more sustainable home-school learning:
 
1. Read, Read and Read! 
 
 
How?  
All reading is good – Don’t discount non-fiction, comics, graphic novels, magazines and leaflets. Reading is reading and it is all good.  It is important that a wide range of reading types are available and encouraged.
 
Why?   
Reading is an activity that has real emotional and social consequences. There is a growing body of evidence which illustrates the importance of reading for pleasure for both educational purposes as well as personal development. The evidence strongly supports the argument that those who read more are better readers; the amount of reading and reading achievement are thought to be reciprocally related to each other – as reading amount increases, reading achievement increases, which in turn increases reading amount (Cunningham and Stanovich, 1998 – cited in Clark and Rumbold, 2006). Children who read very little do not have the benefits that come with reading, and studies show that when struggling readers are not motivated to read, their opportunities to learn decrease significantly (Baker, Dreher and Guthrie, 2000 – cited in Clark and Rumbold, 2006).  
 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284286/reading_for_pleasure.pdf   
 
2. Research and Create Individual Personal Based Projects 
 
How?  
Create an individual project, using the template link below, around best interests, current topical themes of interest and the themes currently being studied within subjects, already in exercise books
 
Why? 
Benefits of Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning connects students to the real world and prepares students to accept and meet challenges in the real world, mirroring what professionals do every day. Instead of short-term memorisation strategies, project-based learning provides an opportunity for students to engage deeply with the target content, bringing about a focus on long-term retention. Project based learning also improves student attitudes toward education, thanks to its ability to keep students engaged. The PBL structure lends itself to building intrinsic motivation because it centres student learning around an essential central question or problem and a meaningful outcome. Daniel Pink, in his TEDTalk and influential book, Drive, says people are intrinsically motivated by three things—autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Popular terms like "grit" and "rigor" become embedded dispositions when learners sink their teeth into meaningful endeavours. A recent collaborative study conducted by the University of Michigan and Michigan State University suggests the implementation of project-based learning correlated positively with student achievement.

Personal Project Information

https://www.schoology.com/blog/project-based-learning-pbl-benefits-examples-and-resources
 
 
 
3. Make Learning Active! 
 
How?
Playing games, indoor and outdoor exercise, cooking and engaging in arts and crafts are all highly beneficial ways to learn and we encourage all pupils and parents to place value on this form of informal learning. 
 
Why?
These types of learning are all great ways of developing skills, including reading, oracy, numeracy and spatial awareness, etc.! 
 
 
 
In addition, the following resources are available for pupils:
 
1. Remote access to Pupil Documents and Resources
 
All pupils in the school have access to this and know their personal login and password. This contains teaching and learning resources, including overview schemes of work and associated resources to learn. 
 
The link can be found as follows:
 
https://www.cowbridgecomprehensiveschool.co.uk/students/remote-access
 
 
2. Google Classroom and Drive
 
Many teachers and students use this for distribution of work and online collaboration. All pupils know how to access this, where subject teachers have populated and engaged in this work. 
 
3. Hwb Online Teaching and Learning 
 
All children in Wales have access to this and your child's individual HWB account will appear on the following lnk in the next few days. Form tutors will advise/remind pupils of their password, in the next few days, for those wishing to access this learning at home. 
 
Hwb Portal
 
 
4. Additional Websites and links to help and support pupils
 
Resources to support remote learning:-
 
http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/
https://resources.wjec.co.uk
https://hwb.gov.wales/distance-learning/
https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/2020/03/15/how-to-teach-online/
French - https://www.frenchteacher.net/free-resources/samples/
Biology - https://www.kayscience.com/
Free activities at home - https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/
English – Young Writers competition - https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/
Home learning - https://www.tts-group.co.uk/home+learning+activities.html
Science -- https://cogscisci.wordpress.com/resources/
Physics - https://www.gcsephysicsonline.com/
Music Online Resources
 
Khan Academy
http://www.khan academy.org
Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the US grade system but it’s mostly common material.
 
BBC Learning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/
This site is old and no longer updated, yet there’s so much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision.  No TV licence required except for content on BBC iPlayer.
 
Futurelearn
http://www.futurelearn.com
Free to access 100s of courses; only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).
 
Seneca
http://www.senecalearning.com
For those revising for GCSE or A Level.  Tonnes of free revision content.  Paid access to higher level material.
 
Openlearn
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
Free taster courses aimed at those considering Open University but everyone can access it. Adult level, but some - for example, nature and environment - courses could well be of interest to young people.
 
Blockly
http://www.blockly.games
Learn computer programming skills - fun and free.
 
Scratch
http://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/
Creative computer programming.
 
Ted Ed
http://www.ed.ted.com
All sorts of engaging educational videos.
 
National Geographic Kids
http://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Activities and quizzes for younger children.
 
Duolingo
http://www.duolingo.com
Learn languages for free.  Web or app.
 
Mystery Science
http://mysteryscience.com
Free science lessons.
 
The Kids Should See This
http://thekidshouldseethis.com
Wide range of cool educational videos.
 
Crash Course
http://thecrashcouse.com
You Tube videos on many subjects.
 
Crash Course Kids
http://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids/
As above but for a younger audience.
 
Crest Awards
http://www.crestawards.org
Science awards you can complete at home.
 
iDEA Awards
http://idea.org.uk
Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online.
 
Paw Print Badges
http://www.pawprintbadges.co.uk
Free challenge packs and other downloads.  Many activities can be completed indoors.  Badges cost but are optional.
 
Tinkercad
http://www.tinkercad.com
All kinds of making.
 
Prodigy Maths
http://www.prodigygame.com
Is in US grades, but good for UK primary age.
 
Cbeebies Radio
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio
Listening activities for the younger ones.
 
Nature Detectives
http://naturedetective.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives/
A lot of these can be done in a garden - or if you can get to a remote forest.
 
British Council
http://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/find
Resources for English language learning.
 
Oxford Owl for home
http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/
Lots of free resources for primary age.
 
Big History Project
http://bighistoryproject.com/home
Aimed at Secondary age.  Multi disciplinary activities.
 
Geography Games
http://world-geography-games.com/world.html
Geography gaming.
 
The Artful Parent
http://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/
Good free art activities.
 
Numeracy Shed
http://m.facebook.com/mathshed
A range of videos and resources for mathematics.
 
Literacy Shed
http://m.facebook.com/literacyshed
A range of videos and resources for literacy.
 
WJEC Resources
https://resources.wjec.co.uk/
Examination based resources.
 
BBC Bitesize
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Quality online learning resources.