In terms of professional development, the days of waiting for a course to be offered and teachers booking time out of school have long gone - now we as teachers we can access professional development in multi-modal hybrid formats. Webinars are one such method - but how can we make the best use of them and when are they most effective?

In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss how webinars can be effective and look at the ways we design and deliver these to maximise their value.

At Discovery Education we offer PD in a wide variety of formats to suit different needs and purposes - get in touch with your School Success Advisor to access the PD which works best for you and your colleagues. schoolsupport@discoveryed.com

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

One way of connecting the real world to children's learning across the curriculum is to make links to events, festivals, anniversaries and special days. Our 'Calendar Picks' provide a wealth mini-lessons linked to events throughout the year. Whether you are celebrating Harvest Festival, recognising Eid Ul Fitr, exploring the events of D-Day, participating in Road Safety Week or remembering Holocaust Memorial day there are lots of choices across the whole year, with around 80 events covered - with versions for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 included in Espresso! Find them in your Key Stage Home Page.

Ian and Andrew discuss some of these and the ways these events can impact on children's learning throughout the year.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

Another Spotlight on Strategies special. Join Ian and Andrew as they discuss the use of the 'Close Encounters' strategy and explore other ideas for enhancing learning with effective strategies linked to digital resources, which are designed to develop children's skills.

Espress users can access all of our SOS resources here

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

In this special episode Sophie Withey shares with Ian and Andrew the ways in which digital content is produced and the careful thought processes which go in to ensuring they enhance classroom practice. Sophie is one of our senior producers building the content which is used by children and teachers across the world. As a teacher herself Sophie talks about how this work is rooted in her own classroom experience.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

For educators in the modern classroom inclusion is at the forefront of our minds. It is essential that each child is helped to feel valued for who they are and what they are. Digital resources can ensure that children are supported and challenged in ways that meets them at the point of need, thus ensuring they feel a sense of agency over their learning, especially when they find something challenging.

In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss ways in which digital tools and resources can be used to empower children whatever their individual needs or challenges are.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

In this episode Ian and Andrew discuss some of the features of effective professional development. Andrew suggests that professional development 'should be motivating and not just for the motivated.' Which in turn means successful PD creates commitment and excellence not simply compliance or competence.

PD comes in many form but relevance, immersion, reflection and active participation in tasks and discussions all contribute to positive outcomes for teachers by connecting new ideas or approaches to the reality of their classrooms and teaching style.

All of this helps teachers to find 'THEIR right answer' not 'THE right answer.'

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

There are a wealth of ways in which digital tools can support planning. The ability to adapt our planning (including content provided by others), enables us to iterate our lessons as we seek better outcomes and more personalised learning. Collaboration within and beyond school can further develop this, all of which results in much more flexible learning sequences and a more accurate match to the needs of our pupils.

Ian and Andrew discuss some of these options and look at ways we can maximise the value of lesson planning.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com

In this special extended episode dedicated to Phonics, Ian and Andrew meet Sophie Pickles, Early Years expert, instructional designer and part of the team behind the Time for Phonics DfE-validated SSP programme.

Sophie begins by outlining 'the why' behind Time for Phonics and gives us the lowdown on how it was created.

Next Sophie discusses with Ian and Andrew the importance of Phase One phonics, how they impact on children's ability to make secure progress with phonics. She highlights ways we can support progress and how we can provide a solid foundation for children's future success.

The conversation continues with Sophie sharing ideas for interventions, acceleration and remediation, looking at how these can be supported by digital tools and resources.

Finally, Sophie shares her thoughts and insights on the benefits of different forms of classroom grouping. She also talks to Ian and Andrew about what research suggests and how digital can provide flexibility to support the needs of each cohort.

Please email us with questions, ideas or suggestions at classroomconnect@discoveryed.com