At Westhill Academy each department & faculty in Westhill Academy has a Glow Group. The pupil, parent & staff homepages have been designed with a ‘hot-spot’ notice board image which simply allows the user to click on a department, faculty or area on Glow to access specific materials – creating a smooth path to the information requested. The school’s daily bulletin is only available on Glow therefore all teachers login during tutorial to access this. Pupils & parents have access to the daily bulletin & each department & faculty Glow Group.

The ASN Glow Group is populated with sub groups for each teacher to use with their classes. In addition, resources are stored which teachers, learners & parents can access. Each class has a page in my Glow Group which I update at least twice weekly with the work we will be undertaking. These updates include details of the work, any homework set & any handouts or resources required are attached. Moreover, additional copies of ASDAN resources that I have created are stored in the ASN department Glow Group. Step-by-step instructions for how to access the various materials have been provided to my learner’s & their parents.

Games Based Learning at Westhill Academy

Last session we introduced Games Based Learning initiatives to our ASN classrooms. Learners were keen to explore GBL initiatives to aid others to see the advantages for use in a secondary setting – I’m glad to see we have encouraged others in our school. The French Department used My French Coach last session & the PE Department were using Just Dance. Other ASN groups have been using Brain Training too.

Learners first used ‘Dr Kawashima’s How Old Is Your Brain’ as an aid to help improve numeracy skills. Progress was monitored and tracked as learners (teachers & Pupil Support Assistants included) worked through various numeracy and memory games including: x20 calculations, Low to High and Brain Age check. Our brain training photographs and videos were shared in our class Glow Group, on our Brain Training page. Learners were responsible for filling in a record sheet each session. In addition, control x20 calculation sheets were made, where pupils answered questions on paper. Similar to the DS game, time was added on for each incorrect answer. Results from the DSs and the control sheets were compared. Learners have had great enjoyment from, in their words “doing Maths in a different way”. We have also tried to integrate many AiFL techniques into our learning, & other ICT initiatives including using MangaHigh and other web-based numeracy games in a bid to meet IEP targets. Since borrowing the equipment, we have now invested in our own deptartment. DSs.

We have also been using Wii Fit as part of our Healthy Lifestyles topic. Using the Wii fits in well to the ASDAN Key Skills Award work we complete in our ASN lessons. ASDAN Key Steps develop a range of skills to aid our learners’ ability to learn effectively, as well as equip them with skills for work. The core skills of ASDAN Key Steps are: working with others, improving own learning, problem solving, literacy, numeracy & ICT. Learners undertook 10 minutes of balance & aerobic activities on the Wii Fit, twice a week. They were responsible for noting down their scores. These are then tracked on line graphs, so the learner can track their progress. This lends itself well to one of the personal challenges set in the ASDAN Key Skills progamme of study, as well as developing numeracy skills. The balance games such as Table Tilt, lends itself well to aid with coordination development. As well as this, learners are completing a variety of other activities in & around health including: personal care, healthy eating, risky behaviour, keeping fit, sports in the community, first aid, road & transport safety, relationships, alcohol, smoking & substance abuse & where to find help & advice. Learners were very enthused by the project, & their learning  are shared on the Healthy Lifestyles page of our class Glow group.

Gemma Pirie, Westhill Academy.

Well Done Westhill Academy 🙂