The Educator Magazine U.K. Sept-Dec 2024 issue - Magazine - Page 34
Get Ready for Summer
Learning: Keep Pupils
Motivated With Doodle
Summer is almost here, and we’re all ready for a break.
But does that mean that learning should stop?
One of the things teachers and parents often worry
about at this time of year is how children will get
back to learning in September. After the long
summer holidays, some pupils struggle to adjust
and for many, the issue of lost summer learning is
real.
Research shows that attainment levels can dip during the school
holidays. But while the ‘summer slide’ might feel like a worrying
concept, there are lots of ways to keep children on track.
Whether you’re a teacher who likes to set summer work, or one who
sees summer as an opportunity for a different kind of learning, most
educators agree that pupils should stay curious during the holidays.
And one of the best ways to do this, is by encouraging them to
practice what they’ve already learned, little and often.
Practice makes perfect
So why is the DoodleLearning Summer Challenge
so popular? And how can it help to prevent the
‘summer slide’?
Teachers who use Doodle’s innovative apps regularly, say that it
keeps learning fresh and boosts children’s confidence, by using
the latest adaptive technology to provide a personalised learning
programme tailored to their needs. Acting as their very own
personal tutor, Doodle plugs learning gaps and refreshes
knowledge. This lets children relax and enjoy the summer,
accelerating progress without hours of studying indoors.
For teachers, there are even more benefits, because Doodle delivers
invaluable data and insights into learning gaps, without the need for
extra work. Doodle automatically sets and marks differentiated work
for every pupil. So, when school re-opens in September, educators
can hit the ground running, armed with data they need to help
children succeed.
While most pupils might resist the idea of daily practice, summer
learning competitions are a great way to keep them engaged, and
one of the most popular is the DoodleLearning Summer Challenge,
a fun interactive maths and English activity for primary schools.
One of the schools taking part in last year’s Summer Challenge,
was Bickley Primary School in Bromley. The school hosted a special
assembly in September, to present 32 pupils with their awards,
and teacher Louisa Dakin said that the Challenge had made a real
impact. “We were absolutely delighted that so many children took
part”, said Louisa. “The ‘little and often’ approach during the summer
break does so much to support their learning and helps them to
remember more over time. The children also really enjoy using
Doodle, which encourages them even more!”
Using Discovery Education’s award-winning DoodleMaths and
DoodleEnglish apps, the Challenge encourages kids to practice
maths and English for just a few minutes each day and rewards
learning with prizes. Children receive special stars in their Doodle
apps, and can also win physical badges and certificates, when they
‘Doodle’ little and often.
Teachers at High Littleton Primary School in Bristol credit the
Challenge with getting children ready for the new school year.
Ian Gunning, Deputy Headteacher at the school said: “The Summer
Challenge is particularly effective as it keeps children ‘ticking over’
during the six week holiday period. It allows them to build their
confidence as they get instant feedback and success.”
Filled with fun exercises, interactive numeracy games and unique
rewards, DoodleMaths ensures that learning is always engaging,
while DoodleEnglish helps kids practice spelling, punctuation and
grammar. Both apps can be used offline and on tablets, phones,
laptops and desktops, so children can learn anytime, anywhere.
Evidence-based impact
As well as being teacher-approved, DoodleLearning’s impact is also
evidenced by academic research. A study by the University of Bath
found that children who use DoodleMaths for just 20 minutes each
week are 4 x less likely to suffer from learning loss. They also score
an average of 9.4% higher in maths tests, making the apps the
perfect choice to beat summer learning loss.
It's an old adage, but practice really does make perfect. Having fun
with maths and English for just a few minutes each day is a great
way to help children progress, and this is especially true when it
comes to preventing summer learning loss.
A learning event
The DoodleLearning Summer Challenge – which also takes
place in the spring – is fast becoming one of the most popular
learning events for primary school pupils. Last year, over 34,500
children across the UK entered and this spring set a new record
for the number of pupils taking part.
The DoodleLearning Summer Challenge is easy to join, and best of
all its free. Just visit https://doodlelearning.com/ to sign up,
Ready to join hundreds of schools across the UK in keeping your
pupils motivated this summer? Ready, steady, Doodle!
