It is now time to submit an evaluation to the Trowbridge Area Board for the grant they awarded us to purchase tablets and educational apps.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Trowbridge Area Board for awarding us the grant and to all those who took part in the project, including childminders, parents and of course the children themselves. Above all the children have enjoyed using the tablets and Apps and I have seen first hand what a fantastic resource they are to keep learning fun. Thank you to all the parents who have completed evaluation forms informing me which apps their child used, which they enjoyed and which apps they would like me to support their child with in the setting. This has enabled me to use the tablets to their full potential.
Communication and Language and Literacy
Literacy apps such as Hairy Letters, Pocket phonics, and phonics play, have all helped the children to learn letters and sounds and to practise saying and writing sounds as well as blending and segmenting them to read and form words and sentences. The apps have been extremely effective in helping children to learn whilst having fun, and those that are starting School in September go with a strong foundation in phonic knowledge.
Some of the children have also used an app called ‘Puppet Palls’ to create their own stories. Through selecting characters and settings and using their own imaginations to create problems and resolutions, the children were able to record a video of their story.
Mathematics
Mathematics apps have also been very popular with the children and have helped them to learn to count, recognise numerals and learn about shape, size, colour, and pattern, as well as learning to tell the time and add and subtract.
Expressive Arts and Physical Development
Drawing apps have helped to develop hand eye coordination and an understanding of colour.
Understanding the World
World Atlas Apps have aided the children’s understanding of the world we live in, and Forest school Apps have supported our learning whilst in the outdoors.
The overarching theme of the project has been fun. The children have really engaged with the apps and they have helped make learning very effective and extremely enjoyable. Thank you to all involved and I hope we will continue to enjoy using the tablets to learn through play.