Less copying and pasting. More questioning, connecting, discussing and thinking!

We’ve all seen it. Pupils are asked to research a topic online, and before long they’ve collected a mountain of information from websites. But how much of it have they really understood?

What if we could turn that familiar research activity into an opportunity for pupils to question information, share ideas, make connections and explain their thinking?

In this practical, hands-on session, we’ll explore how Freeform on iPad can transform internet research into a collaborative learning experience.

Starting with a research question, you’ll gather and evaluate information from online sources, then use a shared Freeform board to organise ideas, explore connections and build understanding together.

We’ll then use Freeform’s Scenes feature to turn the board into a presentation, creating a journey through the research that explains not just what we’ve discovered, but how we’ve reached our conclusions.

And because presenting is about more than showing what’s on screen, we’ll explore how pupils can develop their oracy skills by organising their explanations, communicating ideas clearly, justifying their conclusions and responding to questions from their audience.

Along the way, we’ll consider how this approach can encourage critical thinking, collaboration, purposeful discussion and digital literacy across the curriculum.

Who is it for?

Primary teachers looking to make research activities more purposeful and collaborative, and computing leads seeking practical ideas to share with colleagues.

What you’ll need

An iPad with an up-to-date version of Freeform installed, ready to take part in the practical activities.