EPP - Editing photos and writing instructions

In the computing lesson, the year 3 class used their iPads to take a photo and edit them using an editing app. The teacher started by discussing how to hold an iPad safely.

Even if children nowadays are digital natives, they need to be reminded of how to use hardware safely. Children might be able to hold an iPad or laptop with just one hand but it is always safer to hold things with both hands to prevent them from dropping expensive school equipment. There may also be children with certain backgrounds who do not have iPads, laptops and other mobile devices at home. It is thus important as teachers to ensure that children are aware of the basics of handling ICT equipment.

After the pupils took a photo and edited them, they then moved on to the main task. Their main task was to write an instruction on how to take a photo with an iPad. At this school, most tasks are differentiated in 3 levels: good, great and super. The computing tasks were differentiated with more challenging computing skills required.

Good
- Type instructions for taking photos
- Insert photos

Great
- Explain why photos are edited
- Change the next size or colour

Super
- Type handy hints to follow
- Change the page background

Sometimes we forget to differentiate tasks in subjects other than English and Maths but today's lesson made it clear that their is a big difference between children who frequently use computers and tablets at home and children who do not have much access to these equipment. Thus, its important to differentiate computing tasks and allow children to do tasks that are appropriately challenging.

The main task in this lesson could also be computing unplugged task where students need to create concise instructions which outline ALL the necessary steps. The importance of outlining all the steps can be emphasised through scenarios such as :"If it doesn't say I need to hold the iPad firmly, I might drop it!", "if you don't tell me to save it, I might lose all my work."