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virtual reality

5 online teaching resources to spice up September

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Looking for the top online teaching resources?

Are you an NQT searching for a way to put your stamp on the way education is delivered? Do you wish to incorporate educational technology into your lessons?

Then you’re in the right place.

We understand that teaching doesn’t stop at the school gates. Hours of preparation, planning and marking are put into every lesson, meaning you need the absolute best resources available to assist you in delivering your lessons.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the top online teaching resources available to spice up your lessons and make life easier this September. Ready?

Tes

Tes
The top online teaching resources: Tes

Tes is an online teaching resource allowing you to download and print worksheets.

On offer are both paid and free worksheets, suiting the budget of any teacher or school.

With over 1 million worksheets available to cater for early years, primary, secondary and SEND learners, TES offers an excellent range of high-quality resources, with all made for teachers, by teachers.

Tes is also perfect for finding a new job in teaching and conducting courses to help with your teaching – so it’s more than just of the top online teaching resources!

YouTube

The top online teaching resources: YouTube
The top online teaching resources: YouTube

400 hours of video are uploaded every minute. 1 billion hours of videos are watched per day. 81% of parents use YouTube to find educational content for their children.

So why don’t schools hop on the trend?

YouTube offers a range of educational content, including videos which make use of YouTube’s 360° video capability.

You can now experience a volcanic eruption, the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, and the trenches in World War 1 in an immersive 360° video!

YouTube also allows users to view 360° video’s in virtual reality with Google Cardboard, as well as launching a VR app for Oculus VR products.

Your pupils will all love to watch YouTube videos, and we can guarantee they will all be engaged as soon as they see the red logo appear on your interactive whiteboard. It’s a fantastic tool in a teachers arsenal to educate children in an easy and different way to usual.

Twinkl

The top online teaching resources: Twinkl
The top online teaching resources: Twinkl

Twinkl provides teacher-created resources to provide lesson planning, worksheets and assessments for teachers to use.

Over 525,000 resources have been created so far, meaning that there are choices in abundance for you to decide which to use in your lessons.

With all resources are tailored to the UK curriculum, Twinkl is truly one of the top online teaching resources around.

Teachers Pay Teachers

The top online teaching resources: Teachers pay teachers
The top online teaching resources: Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Pay Teachers is a resource available for educators to find the resources, knowledge, and inspiration they need to teach at their best.

Over 3 million resources have been created by educators, so the resources available have been made by people who understand what works in a classroom.

Despite their name, Teachers Pay Teachers offer both paid and free resources, meaning whatever your budget, they’ll be able to cater to your needs.

Seymour & Lerhn

Seymour & Lerhn: Educational VR
The top online teaching resources: Seymour & Lerhn

Step back in time and view how our ancestors lived, shrink down to the size of dust mite and visit their microscopic hiding places, or curl up and explore a narrated fairytale story in 360!

With a library of UK curriculum-based educational 360 experiences for school children, Seymour & Lerhn is one of the top online teaching resources available.

Teachers can deliver VR, AR and 360 experiences through hardware schools already own (such as laptops, tablets and smartboards), meaning no expensive VR headsets are required!

A range of content is available, catering for primary, SEND, and early years, meaning no child misses out on experiencing immersive, virtual tours.

Find out how you could use VR in your classroom.

Now you’re an expert on the top online teaching resources!

Utilising these top online resources mean you’ll be delivering the highest quality lessons, and saving valuable time on planning and creating resources at the same time.

With this arsenal of resources at your disposable, you’re ready to bring education into the 21st century.

Discover how VR could help education.

Should I use VR in the classroom?

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With the Government expected to further back the use of EdTech in schools, following a £10m investment into EdTech in 2019, we look at how schools could implement the use of virtual reality (VR) and VR headsets in the classroom.

We’ve researched several ways in which you could make use of VR or VR headsets in your classroom, with each finding you a solution no matter your school’s budget.

Purchasing VR headsets

VR headsets allow for a fully immersive VR display, with no additional mobile device needed to teaching engaging lessons.

Students can virtually experience World War 1, walk around ancient Maya or even visit the moon – there’s no limit to the benefits that all forms of virtual reality offer to students.

vr headset education
Learning with a VR headset

The experience of using a VR headset is unique, offering each individual learner an experience like no other.

However, this is the most expensive option for schools to consider, with a VR headset costing around £194, then multiply that by the number of children in your school or classroom!

Some VR headsets can also be fairly heavy, meaning they could be difficult for children to wear. There’s also the issue of motion sickness which can be experienced by whilst using a VR headset. However, the human brain is fantastic at adjusting to cope with new experiences, so this can be solved by taking it steady to begin with.

Renting VR classroom workshops

If you can’t afford to outright purchase VR headsets for your classroom, why not rent some out for a lesson to give your learners a taste of something different?

A tailored workshop for each class can be created, with passionate educators conducting the lesson meaning you don’t have to learn to use something new.

immersive learning headset
Immersive virtual learning

VR can have a meaningful impact when built in conjunction with the curriculum, whether you’re inspiring creative writing, explaining how something works or making children more sympathetic to historical events.

Renting VR headsets could be great for a one-off treat for your children, however, these experience days only offer learners a one-day solution.

Accessing VR through a headset can also only be experienced by one person at a time, taking away the shared experience that the modern-day classroom currently offers.

Luckily, there are alternatives out there for a permanent low-cost VR solution!

No VR headsets?

No problem!

It is possible to bring VR into your classroom without having to purchase or rent expensive VR headsets.

With our immersive eLearning platform, you can access engaging virtual experiences for free!

immersive learning ipad
You don’t need a headset for immersive learning!

We have developed virtual tours that allow children to be transported to another world, developed to hold their attention for longer and meet their key learning objectives.

The platform is designed to make lesson planning easier, as virtual tours have been developed alongside their very own downloadable lesson guide and activity worksheet, to extend the VR experience.

Instead of VR headsets, our content is delivered on devices that schools already own, such as interactive whiteboards, laptops and tablets. If you really want VR headsets, but don’t have the budget available, cheaper alternatives are available.

The Google Cardboard makes use of mobile VR technology, and Seymour & Lerhn content can be accessed this way too!

A truly immersive VR headset experience is unmatched. So, schools with larger budgets would suit purchasing VR headsets, as they are available for each classroom to use.

There is, however, still room for the Seymour & Lerhn eLearning platform in your school when all the VR headsets are booked out by another class!

maya virtual tour
An Iron Age Roundhouse!

Discover how VR could help education.

Find out more about Seymour & Lerhn.

The Schools and Academies Show: We’re Exhibiting!

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Drumroll, please…

We’re excited to announce that we’re exhibiting at the Schools and Academies Show Birmingham, taking place on the 13th – 14th November 2019 at the NEC, Birmingham, where we will be exhibiting at stand B23.

Why should I attend The Schools and Academies Show?

The Schools and Academies Show provides a platform for the education community to discuss ideas, have hands-on experience with innovative educational technology (EdTech), and speak to providers of education services.

The show is a must-attend education event for your calendar, and you’ll gain knowledge from a large range of high-level speakers, talk to leading suppliers and receive practical advice for your school, academy or educational institution.

You can attend the show for free by registering on their website, with exhibitors involved in the areas of SEND, business and finance, recruitment and workforce, and technology and educational resources.

The Schools and Academies Show aims to provide senior leadership teams with practical advice and solutions to overcome their school’s biggest challenges, and we believe Seymour & Lerhn goes a long way in assisting this in an affordable, engaging and immersive way.

We’ll be showcasing our educational platform, by giving you the chance to experience what we have to offer via our VR headsets, tablets and other devices which our content is available on.

Seymour & Lerhn VR Headsets
Come and experience immersive VR on our headsets!

You’ve convinced me, but are there any other reasons for coming along?

Yes! A discount will be available for all that attend the schools and academies show, who sign up for our services in our launch month of January.

This will provide you with full, discounted access to Seymour & Lerhn content for an entire year!

At Seymour & Lerhn, we’re all about delivering immersive, educational VR content at an affordable price, and we’re looking forward to meeting you on the 13th and 14th of November!

Visit the Demo Hub for a taste of what our content is all about.

Find out more about Seymour & Lerhn.

Using tech to support SEND students

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Technology is deeply embedded in the future of the education system, in the UK and around the world. 91% of school administrators say effective use of EdTech is critical to their mission of high student achievement, however at the same time support for children with special educational needs ‘in crisis’. In order to counter this, we believe that using tech to support SEND learners can help.

SEND stands for special educational needs and disability, and technology can assist the support which learners receive in numerous ways:

Physical barriers to access

Physical barriers include all things related to obstructing access for getting to a classroom for SEND students.

Examples of ways that schools can improve their access for SEND learners include having automatic doors, electric wheelchairs and lifts available. This allows learners to overcome barriers to learning and gaining access to the education they require to develop their learning.

EdTech for SEND engagement

Realising the potential of technology in education

How tech is revolutionising education for SEND students

Tech to support SEND students in education

Using assistive technology to give SEND learners independence

Reboot: Why we need to act now on the war against tech waste

Reboot: Why we need to act now on the war against tech waste

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The war against tech waste is on.

This year, the amount of e-waste generated globally is expected to reach 50m tonnes.

Currently, 45% of UK waste electrical goods are recycled, with 80% of it going overseas.

By 2020, at least 85% will have to be recycled, however this could change post-Brexit.

Yet here we are, preaching the benefits of technology as a learning resource.

Waste not, want not

The beauty of Seymour & Lerhn, is it’s developed to work with the technology you already have, meaning there’s no need to invest in extra hardware that will ultimately add to the landfill issue.

We’re an eco-conscious company and make efforts to reduce our impact, where possible, including measures such as switching to recycled paper, recycling batteries and using low-energy lighting throughout the office.

We also invested in reusable steel bottles and signed a pledge to end our use of plastic bottles last year.

How can I be more tech-mindful?

Working at a school? Chances are you’re already using laptops or tablets in the classroom, or have an interactive whiteboard installed. They’re perfect for accessing our library of content, which is constantly updated to suit each age range.

Wanting a more immersive experience? No problem! Cardboard VR viewers can be picked up for less than £5; simply pop your phone inside and you’re ready to go.

How about museums and heritage attractions?

The majority of visitors will likely already have their phones out, snapping memories and sharing their day.

Boost their experience by making more of your attractions and exhibitions.

Priceless artefacts on display? Visitors can hold a virtual version in the palm of their hand.

Remains of a period building? Step back in time and see how it used to look, as the landscape around you changes.

Chicken-keeper, Charlie, who’s Seymour & Lerhn’s Lead Creative Visualiser says: “We like to make sure our personal values reflect in our work, which is why we’ve created a zero-waste, multi-purpose platform for our educational content.

“We reuse as much as we can at Seymour & Lerhn, including saving fruit peel for my chickens and hope that our environmental efforts can trickle down into the services we provide.”

How green is your gadget?

Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics provides an analysis of what 17 of the world’s leading consumer electronics companies are doing to address their environmental impacts.

How Edtech can help those with Autism

How Edtech can help those with Autism

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Classic classroom teaching styles aren’t suited to everyone, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Children with autism can experience difficulties communicating, have different sensory needs and often have a need for routine.

As part of Autism Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the benefits of introducing technology to the classroom, to assist with learning and development.

Edtech has been hailed as an innovation in teaching, with the ability to craft a lesson in new ways to meet learning objectives.

Learning with SEND

Because Seymour & Lerhn’s educational virtual reality (VR) content can be accessed across a range of devices, it allows for both learning in groups and individually.

This means pupils can pick how they want to access the tours.

Whether using a laptop, tablet or mobile phone, pupils can navigate the content in groups or alone, with headphones for more concentrated learning.

Unlimited access to all Seymour & Lerhn content means videos can be viewed again and again, allowing pupils to get to grips with the objectives at their own pace.

Announcing extra funding for edtech last week, children and families minister, Nadhim Zahawi.

Speaking at an edtech conference in London, organised by the Education Policy Institute thinktank, Mr Zahawi said that “assistive technology” could allow pupils to access the curriculum and give them skills that “set them up for success throughout their life”.

During his speech, Mr Zahawi mentioned the Department for Education’s education technology strategy, which he said would allocate funding for EdTech development

“As part of this strategy, we will set aside funding for technology development to address those challenges faced across the education sector where we know technology’s impact can be far stronger,” he said.

Want a taster?

Take a peek at our range of immersive VR resources on our Youtube channel, where we’ve recently released our Education in 360 series; a collection of 360 videos suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2.

Simply visit our YouTube channel, load any of our Education in 360 videos and off you go!

Navigate round the video in 360 and explore from every angle, while our friendly mascots guide you through the lesson.

Need help?

If you’ve got any questions or comments, just drop us an email to hello@seymourlerhn.com

How much screen time is too much for children?

How much screen time is too much for children?

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There’s been a seismic shift in the way technology assists our day-to-day activities over the last 20 years.

‘How much screen time is too much?’ is always a popular debate, compounded even more when considering young people and tech usage. But can technology have a positive impact on learning and should we embrace it?

According to a study by TLF Research, four in five parents believe technology and gadgets are good for kids, aiding in their development and as technology becomes integrated more and more in our everyday life, it’s natural to find its way into the classroom.

With future technological advances certain, recent studies collated by The Guardian, suggest it’s quality, not quantity, that matters when it comes to our tech consumption.

Screen time can often be perceived as a very singular activity, which doesn’t lend itself to the concept of sharing and collaboration. However, in an educational environment, technology can foster group work and shared learning.

Seymour & Lerhn creates fully immersive virtual reality (VR) tours for children, helping them learn about the world around them without leaving the classroom.

School children can work their way through a series of immersive and interactive tours by themselves or in groups, encouraging shared learning.

Tailored to the educational goals of a specific age range, all VR tours are created in line with the national curriculum and downloadable lesson plans allow more time for fun and creative learning.

School trips used to take months of planning, but with Seymour & Lerhn, the whole classroom can experience educational trips round the UK, overseas and even back in time.

Handy pointers along the way provide pupils with information relevant to the subject they’re viewing, which can then be used to assess what they’ve learnt afterwards.

Find out more about Seymour & Lerhn eLearning

VR in the Classroom

VR in the Classroom

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Teachers want VR!

In a comprehensive study by Lenovo, data showed a whopping 94% of teachers in the UK think that virtual reality would benefit the classroom, with 42% expecting it to become commonplace in the next five years.

So what does this mean for the future of the classroom?

Although only 23% of teachers have used VR as a teaching aid, 97% found their students to be more engaged in lessons with the use of VR. These figures seem to suggest that VR is not just a gimmick, but a useful tool to be utilised by teachers, particularly when teaching subjects which have not been directly experienced by pupils. Indeed, 36% of teachers admit that they have struggled to make subjects real and relatable, with 42% saying they simply don’t have time to do so. However, 66% believed that VR can solve these problems, with the biggest benefit identified as the ability to bring things to life.

What do teachers want from VR?

Most teachers wanted to take students to explore new worlds, with climbing to the top of everest (67%), seeing moments in history such as the D-Day Beach landings (66%) and exploring wildlife and the natural world (65%) coming out on top. Teachers voted Sciences (27%) and Geography (23%) as the subjects which would benefit most from VR.

Even with the wide range of suppliers of VR and technology within the classroom, teachers still face hurdles to deliver these experiences, with 71% saying budgets are one of the biggest barriers, followed by lack of technology (50%) and time (44%). Despite these problems, 73% of teachers agree that it will be a key facilitator to move classrooms forward into the future, with 55% of teachers of the firm belief that VR will lead to an upturn in grades.

Rich Henderson, director of global education solutions at Lenovo, said: “The research highlights that tech and specifically VR offers endless possibilities when it comes to teaching. Students are no longer bound by classroom walls and teachers are no longer bound by traditional lesson plans. There’s a whole new range of experiences for students to take inspiration from, with three quarters (75%) believing that VR can support blended learning, and embedding it into existing practices will improve the classroom. It’s time to embrace this technology and give teachers the tools they need to inspire the workforce of tomorrow.”

 

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An infographic showing the key statistics of VR use in the classroom

How can teachers get over those hurdles and introduce VR?

Although the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift dominate the high end VR market, there are many other ways in which teachers can deliver high quality content to students, without stretching budgets to the limit. Web-based, multi-platform VR allows pupils to interact with virtual tours on almost any device, meaning significant savings for schools. This flexibility allows teachers to control the lesson, from individual experiences with a Google cardboard, through to a group experience and discussion based around a SmartBoard. Seymour & Lerhn is one such company delivering a wide range of experiences in line with the UK National Curriculum on an affordable subscription basis.

Find out more

It is clear from the research that VR is an invaluable tool, bringing impossible experiences to life and ultimately helping to sculpt the next generation. With 74% of teachers believing that there will be a positive effect on the design and creativity skills of students, it is certainly an exciting time to be in education!