BBC Education – BBC Bitesize GCSE Revision podcasts
BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource designed to help with learning, revision and homework. The podcasts support students getting to grips with GCSE topics, homework tasks as well as revision ahead of exams.
Students can listen to podcast episodes in the context of a subject guide, or stream the whole series via the BBC Sounds app whether they’re at home or out and about. They complement the video, text and illustrations in existing Bitesize subject guides by offering an alternative way to revise.
As well as covering the basics, there is analysis and discussion around complex topics including cell biology, homeostasis and nature versus nurture – all delivered in an engaging, authoritative and friendly way.
Students are encouraged to actively listen to the podcasts – there are quizzes and prompts to pause, write things down and listen again to make sure that the information goes in.
Craig’n’Dave / Mission Encodeable – TIME 2 CODE / Mission Encodeable
TIME 2 CODE & Mission Encodeable is a unique collaboration between highly regarded Computer Science teachers Craig ‘n’ Dave and sixteen-year-old cousins and star students, Anna and Harry. The best ways to learn to code meet the coolest ways, inspiring the next generation of computer scientists.
Completely free Python programming tutorials take a new and innovative approach to teaching students how to code in preparation for their GCSE examinations—getting ahead of poor habits by teaching the harder concepts first via videos, tutorials, differentiated practice programs, interesting mini projects and assessments.
TIME 2 Code & Mission Encodeable includes a plethora of supporting material including flowcharts, code sorting problems, syntax guides and more, wrapped up in what research suggests are the best pedagogical approaches including PRIMM, block model, live-coding, functions-first, Parsons problems and Rosenshine’s principles. These two independent schemes of learning have been developed in tandem to be completely compatible with each other, enabling their use within a diverse range of teaching and learning styles.
Make Real & Institution of Civil Engineers – CityZen
Without more uptake of civil engineering apprenticeships and university courses, Britain faces a critical shortfall of civil engineers. So, the Institute of Civil Engineers wanted a way to promote civil engineering as a potential career choice for college students.
CityZen is a team-based game for students aged 16-18 to help them better understand what civil engineers do and the career opportunities available to them. The teams manage a city and respond to specific civil engineering challenges, balancing what is needed for the city with conflicting stakeholder needs and environmental effects.
The game encourages critical thinking, communication, negotiation and problem-solving and is part of a national competition played in schools throughout the UK.
So far, the CityZen game has been run in 279 schools, 100 of which have taken part in the competition more than once or are already signed up for the forthcoming round. Over 300 schools and colleges are now part of ICE’s Education and Inspiration network and 1718 students have played the game.
Simply Effective Education – Key Cards GCSE AQA Biology
Key Cards GCSE AQA Biology is a revision app available for iOS and Android devices. It breaks down GCSE AQA Biology into hundreds of easy‑to‑learn flashcards, including flashcards on the required practicals.
The app covers AQA Combined Science (Trilogy) and AQA Biology (Triple Science) at higher & foundation level.
At the core of the app is an automatic review system that uses the principle of spaced repetition. All a student needs to do is just answer the flashcards and the app will tell them when to look at the flashcards again, increasing the effectiveness of the student’s revision.
No data is collected from the app, and the app is totally free – nothing is hidden behind in-app purchases, subscriptions or adverts.
White Rose Education – Secondary support curriculum
When students struggle with the core maths curriculum at key stage 3, teachers need a more tailored approach to encourage progress. In response to feedback from teachers, we’ve produced an alternative curriculum for KS3 maths that builds confidence by focusing on essential concepts and tackling them in small logical steps.
Our secondary support scheme aligns with our core scheme, so students can seamlessly move between the two. For example, if a student struggles with fractions, they can use the support scheme to slow down and work at a pace that aids understanding. If they are confident with area, they can rejoin the main scheme for that block and move more quickly through the content.
In effect, using the main and support schemes together creates a bespoke learning pathway for every student.
