Switched on ICT for the Early Years

Transform ICT within the Early Years Foundation Stage Switched on ICT for the Early Years

Switched on ICT in the Early Years provides creative activities that fit easily within EYFS settings and puts ICT at the heart of learning.  Children develop ICT skills through meaningful experiences that cover all the prime and specific areas of learning and development.

  • Links to the new EYFS framework with units covering each of the prime and specific areas
  • Develop children’s ICT skills through creative activities: teach digital music in ‘We are DJs’ and programmable toys in ‘We are adventurers’
  • Enable all practitioners, regardless of skills or confidence, to embed ICT in their teaching
  • Use with free software or software you already own

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Units

Switched on ICT in the Early Years Units

Switched on ICT in the Early Years contains 24 activities in total covering the prime and specific learning and development areas.

  •     We have confidence
  •     We can take turns
  •     We are successful
  •     We have feelings
  •     We can drive
  •     We are DJs
  •     Early Years Units gridWe can exercise
  •     We are healthy
  •     We can listen
  •     We can understand instructions
  •     We can understand messages
  •     We are talkers
  •     We are digital readers
  •     We can email
  •     We can blog
  •     We can count
  •     We are designers
  •     We are shape makers
  •     We are community members
  •     We can observe
  •     We are games players
  •     We are creative
  •     We can record soundtracks
  •     We are film producers

View the grid for full details of learning outcomes and suggested software for each unit.

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In the pack

Buy packSwitched on ICT in the Early Years Pack Contents

Teacher’s Book

  • Planning notes
  • Assessment guidance
  • Extension ideas and curriculum links

12 Pupil Posters

Fully Networkable CD-ROM

  • Fully networkable with a site licence that lasts a lifetime
  • Teacher’s books in eBook format (PDF)
  • Editable versions of the classroom envelope and technology labels
  • Walk throughs – an easy to way to get to grips with unfamiliar software
  • Bank of free resources including images, sound effects, sticker templates, editable certificates
  • Guidance for safe and responsible use of technology
  • Spreadsheet for recording and tracking pupil progress

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Sample units

Download and try a sample activity from Switched on ICT in the Early Years

In this project children make a presentation which celebrates their achievements or special events in their life.
Hardware: digital camera, computer, possibly printer
Software: Microsoft PowerPoint, Clicker 5/6, Tizzy’s First Tools, Microsoft PhotoStory.

Download Teacher’s notes only – the pack also contains pupil posters and CD-ROM.

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How it works

How to use Switched on ICT in the Early Years

1.  Prepare yourself! The Teacher’s Books contain everything you need to prepare before beginning the experiences including tutorial links to allow you to get up to speed with any unfamiliar software and advice on preparing your environment to ensure technology is used safely and responsibly.

2.  Prepare the children! Children work through the experiences in groups, using bright classroom posters and technology labels to guide and inspire them.

3.  Get started. The Teacher’s Books provide full support and guidance for running each experience. The CD-ROM contains a resource bank of sound effects, photos and artwork, and sticker and certificate templates.

4.  Evaluate ICT capabilities. The Teacher’s Books offer guidance to assess next steps for learning before planning further experiences and an excel based progression record.

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Authors

Tricia Neal is an e-learning consultant and PGCE Early Years ICT Tutor.  She is a former Primary teacher and Local Authority ICT Advisory teacher.

Rachel Ager is an educational consultant.  She is a former Primary school teacher and Local Authority Early Years ICT Advisor.

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Training

Book workshopsLooking for help with how to deliver ICT across the curriculum? Rising Stars is pleased to be able to offer face-to-face training packages for schools, clusters of schools and local authorities.

Rising Stars’ training is practical, tested and always run by consultants and experienced trainers. It always represents good value for money and gives teachers knowledge and skills that they can use immediately they return to the classroom.

ICT and the primary curriculum

We offer two training workshops in this area, both of which build on the Switched on ICT scheme. These workshops will help you to embed ICT across your curriculum and to improve outcomes for your learners through the use of technology. A full skills audit is completed beforehand.

1) A one-day workshop for up to 25 teachers – £800 per day

  • An overview of Switched on ICT
  • Getting started – a school’s experience of Switched on ICT and outcomes you can expect
  • Workshop 1 – your school to choose from blogging, programming, movie making, web design and more
  • Workshop 2 – as above

2) Using Switched on ICT in your school (2 hours) – £350

  • An overview of Switched on ICT
  • Getting started – a school’s experience of Switched on ICT and outcomes you can expect
  • Examples of work

Request a call to discuss your training needs.

 

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