Types of Software
Starters / Plenaries
Consider all reasonsThis starter is designed to encourage higher order thinking skills. Students are given a very open-ended question for which there could be any number of answers. (subscription only) |
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CountdownStarter activity Students are given a set of jumbled up words related to this topic. They have to unscramble each of the words within 30 seconds. (subscription only) |
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30 SecondsStarter activity Students are shown a number of terms for exactly 30 seconds. They need to memorise as many as possible. After 30 seconds, the terms are hidden and they need to write down as many terms as they can remember along with at least one fact about that term. (subscription only) |
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RunningA set of terms or statements are shown on the screen. Students have to decide whether they are related to systems software or applications software and run to the correct side of the room. Any students which get it wrong are 'out' (subscription only) |
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Sort a SentenceStarter activity Students work in pairs to reconstruct a cut up sentence about this topic. Requires preparation before the lesson. |
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10 QuestionsStarter activity A volunteer (either a student or class teacher) is given a slip of paper so they know 'what they are'. The rest of the class can ask up to a maximum of 10 questions to guess what they are. The volunteer can only answer 'yes' or 'no' (subscription only) |
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Teach me aboutLesson starter Students become the teacher! One student is tasked with preparing a five minute revision starter about this topic for the beginning of the following lesson. (subscription only) |
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Draw me a pictureStarter or plenary Students are given a selection of key terms and are asked to illustrate one of them in a diagram. (subscription only) |
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Three FactsStudents are asked to write down three facts that they can remember off the top of their heads about the topic. (subscription only) |
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Give me tenA starter or plenary task Students work in pairs to come up with ten words related to this project before joining up with another pair to expand their list. (subscription only) |
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Just a minuteStarter or plenary task Students are asked to talk to a partner about this topic for 60 seconds whilst abiding by a set of rules (subscription only) |
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Lucky dip questionsStarter or plenary task Every student is given a number at the start of the activity. This is used to help pick who will ask and answer questions about what has been learned during the lesson. (subscription only) |
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One, Two, ThreeCan be used either as a starter or a plenary task. Students are given a sheet to complete firstly on their own, then with a partner and then joining up with another pair (subscription only) |
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Pass the buckAn excellent starter or plenary for involving all students and getting them to identify a large number of facts about the current topic (subscription only) |
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Teacher talkaboutStarter or plenary task The class 'test' the teacher on their knowledge of key words related to this topic (subscription only) |
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What if ...Starter or plenary activity. Students work in pairs to discuss a number of 'what if ....' questions (subscription only) |
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Word associationCan be used either as a starter or a plenary task. Students are asked to write down all of the words they associate with this topic. They then work with a partner to categorise them. (subscription only) |
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MastermindA plenary activity which is loosely based on the game show 'Mastermind' (subscription only) |
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TabooA plenary activity. This task follows the traditional Taboo game. Students work in teams with one student from each team having their back to the board. A word is displayed on the board and teams take it in turns to describe the word to the student without actually mentioning the word itself. (subscription only) |
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4-4-2A plenary activity where students are asked to summarise the lesson and pick out the main key words related to the topic. (subscription only) |
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CorkboardA great plenary idea both for AFL and for getting feedback from every student (subscription only) |
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I predictThis task acts as the plenary from one lesson and the starter for the next lesson (subscription only) |
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Lesson summaryThis plenary provides students with an opportunity to evaluate the lesson and their learning and an AFL opportunity for the teacher. (subscription only) |
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PyramidA plenary activity. Students are asked to complete a self assessment sheet to indicate what they have learned during this lesson (subscription only) |
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Text meA plenary activity where students are asked to write a text message to explain what they have learned during the lesson (subscription only) |
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Tasks
Theory Notes TaskStudents read the theory notes on the mini website and then answer the questions on the task sheet. ( subscription only) |
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Tick the Answers TaskStudents are given a list of different items. They have to identify which category each item belongs to. ( subscription only) |
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Mind Map TaskStudents are given the basic structure of a mind map for this topic. They are asked to complete the mind map by adding extra branches. Mind maps are a useful tool to use as a revision aid. (subscription only)
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Exam question - what is wrong with the answer? (utility software)Students are given a genuine answer written by another student in response to an exam style question. They have to determine what is wrong with the answer and then write a better one themselves (subscription only) |
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Crossword (differentiated)Students are given a crossword to solve with clues relating to key words for this topic. There are three differentiated versions to allow students to choose the best level of difficulty for themselves. (subscription only)
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Correct the Teacher TaskStudents are given a piece of text written by a teacher. The text contains a number of mistakes. They are asked to read the text and correct any mistakes they find. (subscription only) |
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Prioritise TaskStudents are given a set of terms related to this topic. They are asked to prioritise them in order of importance. NOTE: there is no one correct answer. The aim is to encourage higher order thinking skills and to get students to think about and justify their decisions with a partner. (subscription only) |
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Agony AuntStudents are put into the role of an agony aunt who has to answer a set of letters about technology related problems. (subscription only) |
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100 wordsStudents have exactly 100 words to summarise the key points about this topic (subscription only) |
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Construct an answerStudents are given an exam style question to answer. They are also given a set of key words to incorporate into their answer. (subscription only) |
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In the style of ....A fantastic kinaesthetic activity which is bound to produce some amusing results whilst at the same time reinforcing the main concepts of this topic. (subscription only) |
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Key TermsStudents are asked to provide a definition and example for key terms related to this topic (subscription only) |
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PodcastStudents are given instructions about creating a revision podcast based on this topic (subscription only)
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Word cloudStudents write a set of notes about this topic and then use them as the basis to create a word cloud. Their work can be used to create a classroom display. (subscription only)
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You are the teacherStudents work in small groups to prepare a lesson on this topic. They are provided with information and tips about the tasks they need to prepare. Because all students will be working on this task there is no real need for them to actually teach it the following lesson (subscription only) |
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