A Journey into Learning

Checkout the healthy eating games my key stage 4 students created using 2simple’s 2DIY here.

I love this software.

I’ve been using 2Simple DIY to platform games with a Healthy Eating theme. We had great fun! The children downloaded pictures of “bad foods” from the internet, designed the level’s, created their characters, recorded the sounds and playtested each others games. Best of all – the games can be saved as a SWF file and can be easily uploaded to the internet which has got the kids more motivated than I have seen them in a long time. The project has reminded me of the power of ICT to enhance creativity and empower children. It rather reminds me of something I read recently:

For learning to take place with any kind of efficiency students must be motivated. To be motivated, they must become interested. And they become interested when they are actively working on projects which they can relate to their values and goals in life.

Gus Tuberville, President, William Penn College

Take a look here  (KS3 GLD classes)! Also here (KS2 mixed GLD and ASD).

I picked up a trial copy of 2Simple Do it Yourself at BETT – and must say that I have been very impressed. Like all 2Simple software the interface is simple and intuitive. It allows children to create their own games and activities and has lots of scope to be intergrated into our curriculum.

We’ve been playing with it this week. The work can be saved in both a 2simple format or as flash objects. It was all very creative and motivating – and was a big hit with the learners.

The work can be saved in a 2Simple format – or as a .swf – meaning that it can all be easily embedded in MLE’s or blog posts!

KS3 ASD learner (independent)

KS3 ASD non-verbal learner (indpendent)

KS2 GLD (supported)

I created the the attached animations with a GLD KS3 class. The class are mixed ability – and contain both verbal and non-verbal children. They all created animations. We used 2animate and the simple drawing tools to create the animations. We then used Windows Movie Maker to add the sounds. It was fun and the children learnt a great deal.

S in SDM  L in SDM  E in SDM

I’ve been using 2Simple’s 2Email with SEN students over the past term – and have had some fantastic results. The software enables students with very limited literacy to send emails. The system is internal only – with no access to the internet – and all users are identified by their name and, crucially, their photo. The body of the email can be written text – but can also be a picture created with the intuitive and very simple drawing feature. Attatchments are also possible. Brilliant!

Examle of work created by a girl with complex learning needs. Note that there is also an attachment (a video of herself).

A KS2 boy on the spectrum independently created this email. He is a reluctant writer – so I was very pleased with his enthusiastic efforts and perfectly formed sentence.