Picture books provide an excellent route into teaching about Online Safety with young children. A storybook can provide a simple route into discussing ideas, concepts and issues in a way that supports and engages young children. A story book can start a conversation about online safety early, and can also be used at home by parents. Use the books to facilitate age-appropriate discussions about some of the things young children like to do online (YouTube Kids, Games). As well as EYFS and KS1, a lot of thes stories would be suitable for KS2 and SEND children. Here’s some books to get you started ..read more

Did you know you can use Google Calendar to book appointment slots? You can now even book short slots of 5 or 10 minutes. This would be great for teachers who would like to use it to book meetings with parents for parent’s evening/consultation sessions. I’ve seen other solutions to booking parent meetings, my daughter’s school use a Google Form, for example, but using a Google Calendar does seem to be a very neat solution. If you have a Google Workspace subscription, you already have access to Google Calendar appointment scheduling. This feature could also be used to book the ICT room or the i ..read more

Augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a powerful tool that can transform the classroom experience. One app that stands out in this domain is 3D Bear, an innovative platform that makes great use of AR to make learning interactive and engaging. What is Augmented Reality? Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital information—such as images, videos, or 3D models—onto the real world, typically through a smartphone or tablet. Unlike virtual reality, which immerses users in a completely digital environment, AR enhances the real world by adding virtual elements to it. This technology has vast potential ..read more

Ideogram AI is a new generative AI image tool that can transform text into images with impressive typography. From what I can see, Ideogram deals with text much better than other AI tools like midjourney and Adobe firefly. Ideogram AI aims to democratize creativity and help people visualize their thoughts, ideas, and stories. Unlike other tools, Ideogram produces readable text in its images, although it doesn’t always pull in the phrase you ask it to do. When I tested it (See video) I found that while there are a few words missing each time, the images produced are quite good and seem to have ..read more

Are you an Microsoft office user? Are you aware of Copilot Pro, the new AI tool for Microsoft  Office? Do you want to know if it’s worth shelling out a monthly subscription for? Copilot Pro is a writing assistant that uses artificial intelligence to help you write better, faster, and more creatively. It can generate text, suggest ideas, correct grammar and spelling, and improve your style and tone. Remember clippy the helpful paperclip? Well he’s back. Kinda. So is it worth paying for? And how can you access it and use it in your Word documents? This video explains more: Using Copilot Pr ..read more

In today’s digital age, presentations are an indispensable tool for conveying information effectively. While Microsoft PowerPoint is the go-to choice for many, accessing its new AI-powered features requires a subscription to CoPilot Pro. But there is a free and efficient way to create professional presentations without the need for pricey subscriptions. All you need is ChatGPT (or Gemini, or Copliot) and the online version of Microsoft Office 365. Using ChatGPT for Content Generation ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI, is a versatile tool that can assist you in generatin ..read more

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force. From personalized learning platforms to administrative automation, AI’s potential to enhance educational experiences is immense. However, with great power comes great responsibility. School leaders must establish a robust AI policy that governs the ethical and practical use of this technology. This article serves as a guide to creating a comprehensive AI policy tailored for educational institutions. Objectives of an AI Policy The primary objectives of an AI policy in a school set ..read more

Suno.ai is an AI-powered website that allows you to create songs and tunes based on a particular theme. It is a fun and engaging tool that can be used by teachers to create revision songs or to introduce a lesson in a fun way. To use Suno.ai, you need to go to the website and log in using your Microsoft, Google, or Discord account. Once you are logged in, you can click on the box and type in the song you want. Suno.ai will then generate a short song for you based on your prompt. There is a free plan that gives you 50 credits, which is equivalent to 10 songs a day that renew daily. However, you ..read more

Microsoft Copilot Pro is an AI assistant designed to enhance productivity and efficiency within Microsoft Office applications. In this article, we will explore the features and capabilities of Copilot Pro, focusing on its use in Microsoft Excel. Copilot Pro is available to all Microsoft 365 users via an additional monthly subscription. It offers a range of AI-powered functionalities that can assist users in performing various tasks within Excel, such as data analysis, formatting, filtering, sorting, and chart creation. With Copilot Pro, you can use natural language to tell Excel to do things l ..read more

So my daughter is nearly 7 and this weekend we heard the fateful words “Daddy, can I play Roblox? All my friends are playing it”. And so after years of talking about online safety in schools, I needed to start practicing what I preach. My wife and I are both big gamers and we appreciate the fun and excitement of gaming, but we’re also well aware of the dangers and the need to apply limits. Online video games offer immersive experiences that go far beyond just playing. Many games now feature complex social interactions, allowing children to connect and chat with others online. While this can be ..read more