How I’ve used it / plan to use it: I plan to use “Odd One Out” activities to prompt classroom discussions. It will help to encourage children to justify their thinking and explore science vocabulary.

Benefits: Improves critical thinking and promotes scientific talk, especially useful for KS1 & KS2.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: I have seen the “Forces and Motion” simulation used to support understanding of push/pull in Year 4.

Benefits: It makes abstract concepts visible and interactive, great for visual learners.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Assigned free eBooks to children for home reading practice.

Benefits: Promotes home-school learning, and supports reading comprehension and phonics development.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Used images to inspire descriptive writing in class.

Benefits: Stimulates imagination and builds vocabulary.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Used KS2 challenges during maths mastery sessions.

Benefits: Develops problem-solving and reasoning skills.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Daily warm-up activity for Year 3 mental maths practice.

Benefits: Builds fluency in a fun, game-based way.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Used their Toolkit to support decisions around interventions.

Benefits: Evidence-informed and practical advice for improving outcomes.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Used KS1 History videos to introduce topics like “Toys from the Past.”

Benefits: Engaging and age-appropriate content that supports curriculum topics across subjects.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Plan to use creative writing templates and simple coding projects with Year 2.

Benefits: Encourages digital literacy, creativity, and cross-curricular exploration.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Introduce basic programming concepts through simple animation projects.

Benefits: Develops logical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Used visual support cards and social stories with a child with ASD.

Benefits: Provides accessible materials and supports inclusive teaching practices.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Created visual schedules and emotion boards for a child with communication needs.

Benefits: Enhances understanding and independence for non-verbal or EAL learners.

How I’ve used it / plan to use it: Accessed articles on sensory needs and classroom adjustments.

Benefits: Promotes inclusive practices and a better understanding of neurodiversity.

What it is: Kodu Game Lab is a free, visual programming platform developed by Microsoft that allows users—especially children—to create games using a simple, intuitive interface. It’s designed to teach the fundamentals of programming and game design through a creative and playful environment, without needing to write traditional code.

How I've used it/ plan to use it: I plan to use Kodu Game Lab as a tool to help children develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and creativity. By designing their own games, they can explore key computing concepts such as sequencing, events, and conditions in a fun and engaging way, making it an excellent addition to the computing curriculum at primary level.

Benefits: Kodu Game Lab makes learning programming fun and accessible for children. It helps develop creativity, problem-solving, and logical thinking skills through game design. Its visual interface is easy to use, making it ideal for beginners and primary-aged learners.

How I've used/ Plan to use it: To enable children to create digital storybooks by combining images, voice recordings, and typed text.

Benefits: Supports differentiated learning and builds confidence in communication skills.

How I've used/plan to use: To stay current with educational trends and broaden my professional learning network.

Benefits: Enhances reflective practice and encourages new ideas for classroom integration of technology.