This blog article shares some of our favourite ways that teachers are currently using FlashAcademy® in schools. Find out how you can better support your pupils and save time as a teacher:
We know that in any classroom, regardless of the lesson or the level of need, there is always a wide range of understanding: from those who get the subject to those who really struggle. When specifically looking at EAL, we tailor teaching for pupils who learn at different speeds, encounter different struggles and need varying levels of support. Here is where our first piece of advice comes in handy.
It is one of the more commonly practised methods of using FlashAcademy® in schools. It allows students a chance to have a dedicated time to use the app, whilst having a higher level of staff support, all outside of the distractions that can sometimes occur in the classroom setting. Many of our existing schools, dedicate time to intervention sessions. These can occur daily or weekly and often focus on small groups of learners who are new to the school or new to the English language.
With the addition of new grammar videos and an ever-expanding collection of resources/challenges, it is now even easier to support students in their learning away from the classroom.
A bonus of FlashAcademy® is the social interaction that it can promote within a classroom. It can be one of the scariest things for a child, learning a new language, especially when they might also be new to the country. Often a pupil thrives more when they see that others in their school are in a similar situation or having similar challenges.
The concept of shared experiences can often form social interaction and peer support, which can be nurtured through the games and assignments within FlashAcademy®. Whether your pupils are of a similar or mixed ability, allowing them to use FlashAcademy® in school can prove to be beneficial for their learning.
The group setting allows students to work together on tasks, support one another in their struggles but more importantly, praise one another in their successes and achievements. It is another frequently used method of usage, whether that be a dedicated time slot each week or simply allowing students 15 minutes at the end of the lesson to log in and complete an assignment.
One of our prominent MFL Schools, Royal Grammar School (The Grange), has spoken regularly to us about their use of classroom-based competitions. This is a really fun way to use FlashAcademy® and encourage pupil engagement. Often this is done successfully by using the “Live Leader Board” feature, which tracks a pupil’s progress during an active session.
An ideal way to end a lesson, a week or a term. It is suitable for groups of all sizes and always much more fun when the teachers take part too. Also, keep a close eye on your emails and the FlashAcademy® website for an upcoming competition that will challenge all schools across the country to get involved with FlashAcademy®.
This can sometimes be seen as a chore for students, but the benefits of an after-school club are becoming more and more apparent. A number of teachers using FlashAcademy® in schools are currently displaying their highest rates of usage directly after school finishes for the day. Whilst some pupils prefer to complete homework at home, there is a real benefit in providing an outlet for pupils to complete assignments in school.
It is a method of usage that schools could choose to adopt, especially if their current set-up does not leave much time for interventions or dedicated classroom time. It also allows students to be more independent in their learning, whilst having support close to hand if needed.
One of the main focuses at FlashAcademy® this academic year is to increase the amount of learning completed outside of the school setting. We are all aware that there are simply not enough hours in the school day to get done all there is to do. Often as a result of this, a lot of the great work done in the classroom is not reinforced and can sometimes be forgotten.
So, when it comes to the needs of many of our EAL learners, it is crucial for there to be a way for them to continue their learning outside of school. For those that have access to a smartphone or tablet outside of school, FlashAcademy® should be encouraged. Not only to further their understanding of key knowledge but also to allow them to become educational leaders within their families
In a lot of cases of learners with EAL, a pupil will come to school to learn English but will go home to speak their home language, which has been identified by parents as an issue when it comes to progress. FlashAcademy® being used in the home is an ideal chance for the whole family to learn English together.
Allowing your learners to become leaders but also to allow family support in your pupil’s education.
There you have just 5 simple yet effective tips on how other schools are using FlashAcademy® in schools. If you have any suggestions on other ways that schools could engage with FlashAcademy® then send them over to harry@flashacademy.com as we continue to work together to unlock the EAL Challenge. Want to learn more about how FlashAcademy® EAL can work for your school? Visit our EAL page for more details.
