Digital Learning

Using WebEx

Video conferencing has become an integral part of remote learning.  Hillsmeade uses Webex as our conferencing platform.  When your child is using WebEx, they need to adopt the following steps:

• Students must use their first name and their class for identification purposes.  For example: Jack-5D.  That way, teachers know that this student belongs to this class and isn't an intruder who intends on causing mischief.
• Students must have their cameras on at all times.  In some ways, a WebEx conference is just like a classroom, and teachers need to see their students at all times.  It is also another way of ensuring that we don't have any intruders in classes.
• Virtual backgrounds look cool but do take up large amounts of network and processing resources.  It can contribute to your child's WebEx conference experiencing lag and suffering frequent dropouts.  If you are having these issues, turn off virtual backgrounds as a first step.

• Ensure that your WebEx program or app is up to date. Check the app store or look for this reminder on other devices.

Touch-Typing

Despite innovations such as Siri, Google Assistant predictive text, learning to type remains a valuable skill for students and adults alike.  Research has shown that learning to touch type has the following benefits:

• Improved information and communication technology (ICT) skills.   By being familiar with the keyboard, students will understand how the keyboard and computers will become part of your everyday life.
• Improved Comprehension and Spelling.  When a student becomes a competent at typing, a lower percentage of their attention is directed at the keyboard and they can concentrate more fully on work and the concepts being taught.  Touch typing helps teach students how to decode and break down words and sentences, which can also help with spelling skills. As they learn to type, students become used to the pattern of the QWERTY keyboard, and the structure of the letters, muscle memory alone can help you remember how to spell!
• Speed.  Learning touch typing leads to a natural fluency when using a keyboard and faster typing speeds on average than someone using the two-finger method.
• Lifelong skill.  Touch typing is like riding a bike! Once you've learnt, you'll never forget how to do it, so why not master an essential life skill early? (Source - www.nessy.com)

How can I help my child learn?

Depending on your child's age and interest, you could try one or all of the following techniques:

• Print out a paper-based keyboard to practice where the letters and keys are placed.  Here is a link to keyboard templates that include upper and lower case, blank letters and keys.
• Use an old keyboard to get the feeling of pressing actual buttons.  Play games of identify a letter or number and typing their names.
• Using a keyboard on a laptop or desktop.  You could ask your child to type something in Word.  However, continuing to practise using an online tutor is advisable.  There are hundreds on the internet.   However, I would recommend https://www.typingclub.com/. They also have typing tutoring for other languages, including Mandarin.  It's a step-by-step instructional approach using visual aids and assessments.  Better still, learn with your child. There's nothing like modelling with a student.

Hardev Singh

ICT Learning Specialist

Year 5 Teacher

 Disenchanted Cats Fan.