E-Learning

Girls' E-Learning: Developing Digital Literacy Skills

We recongnise that e-Learning support is essential for our student’s on-going development.

The uses of technology in and around the classroom (e-Learning) and the development of our students’ digital skills and competencies lie at the heart of our approach to curriculum design and learning and teaching. At St Geroge’s all-girls school, we have a firm focus on developing our student’s digital literacy from a young age. We provide modern technology throughout the academic journey to ensure e-Learning is properly integrated into our curriculum.

Digital skills are taught explicitly in IT lessons, then consolidated and reinforced through regular practice in subject-specific lessons.

Specialist E-Learning Staff

Our specialist team of e-Learning Coordinators focus on the specific challenges and opportunities at different stages of education, while also working together to ensure consistency of progress and a smooth transition.

The technology used by teachers used to enhance learning and teaching is tailored to best-practice pedagogy for the age and stage of students.

E-Learning support at different school stages

Junior School – use of iPads, supported by laptop & desktop computers for dedicated IT lessons; classrooms equipped with SMART screens to encourage interactivity and play in learning.

Lower School – transition to Windows devices, with students using school laptops and desktop computers, before developing autonomy through their individual inkable laptop; classrooms retain SMART screens.

Upper School – students use their individual devices to access learning materials within and outwith the classroom; Class Notebook is used extensively to structure class notes and student work; staff use an inkable Windows 2-in-1 device, which can be wirelessly streamed to the digital screens in classrooms, which we call “the untethered classroom”.

Curriculum

Digital skills are developed by classroom teachers. Much of the learning is play-based, and with a focus on engagement and gamifying learning. A range of iPad specific applications are used to make learning fun, and to demystify technology; parallel to this, students engage in lessons using laptop and desktop computers, gaining important hand-eye coordination skills, and initial exposure to the Microsoft 365 apps they will rely on as they progress through the school.

As students transition into and through the Lower School, they discover more about Microsoft applications, using Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote regularly in their learning. A series of dedicated Digital Skills lessons is delivered alongside the Computing Science curriculum, and students learn more sophisticated skills and gain greater autonomy in their learning. There is a strong focus on transferrable skills, and on preparing students with the knowledge and expertise they will need to fully access and engage with the curriculum, as well as with the ever-changing face of technology in the wider world. Homework is issued digitally, and students learn to organise themselves and their time, through Teams Assignments and their Outlook calendar.

This develops as students progress into the Upper School, where the increasing demands of the curriculum necessitate more independent learning and increased autonomy from students. Students use their individual devices to support their learning in lessons, helping them coordinate and structure their notes, making homework and revision easier and more meaningful. Digital inking, coupled with a full keyboard and full desktop app functionality affords students the best learning experience, with the greatest flexibility in how they use their device to enhance their education. Class Teams are used as a learning hub for students, where their teachers can share files, links and notes, as well as issue Assignments for classwork, coursework, and homework.