This month we celebrated Burns Night with a series of digital live lessons centred on using apps such as Pages, Keynote and GarageBand. Learners had the chance to create some original Scots poetry, a piece of Scots music, and pair this with a moving haggis animation.
Teachers were welcomed to an information session where the project objectives were shared and were informed about the technical specifications of the live lesson as a means to best prepare them to deliver this to learners.
The first part of the lesson was focussed on Scots vocabulary with learners getting the chance to focus on some key Scots words. Learners then heard JK Annand’s Scots poem Elephant before being shown how they could use a Pages template to plan their own Scots poem.
After learners had the chance to immerse themselves in Scots vocabulary, they then began looking at how to create a piece of Scots music on GarageBand. Using a mix of live instruction and a step by step guide in their pupil Pages handbook. Learners got the chance to see how to use the creative elements of GarageBand and to use the different instrument tools in order to create their version of the Scottish classic, the Skye Boat Song.
The second live session focussed on creating a haggis design in Pages using the shape tools. Learners got the chance to use features such as grouping, locking, and resizing shapes. Learners then moved their design over to Keynote where they used the skills of animation to bring their haggis to life.
Learners were then shown how to combine all their respective elements, creating a short film that contains an animated version of their poem, a moving haggis animation, and an their original piece of GarageBand music played on top.
The sessions were successful in combining Scots poetry and celebrating the creative legacy of Robert Burns, whist using digital tools and learning experiences to do so. The project also provided learners with a number of extension activities that could see them combine their learning about Scots culture and history with fun, transferrable digital experiences.
Edinburgh teachers can view our list of planned live lessons and professional learning opportunities here.
You can see some of the work created by pupils at Craigour Park School below.
Examples from P6A at James Gillespie’s Primary School below:
Edinburgh Learns Digital | City of Edinburgh Council 