Students dive into iPad digital storytelling project

Making waves in the world of science and storytelling, Primary students are co-authoring a digital book exploring the many stages of the water cycle.

But this project is about much more than science and literacy – the Year 4 boys are using their iPads and the Apple Pages app to embrace the power of collaboration and technology.

“This task goes far beyond learning about evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection,” said Mr Richards, from Matt Richards Creative Digital Learning, who is leading the project.

“It’s a busy blend of scientific inquiry and contemporary digital literacy, where students are not just absorbing knowledge, they are actively creating, communicating and collaborating.”

Year 4 students working on their digital book.

Using the real-time collaboration tools built into Pages, students are working together as connected individuals on a singular goal.

The class started by discussing how adults in the workplace used technology to collaborate on tasks.

“We linked this real-world connection back to our classroom. So, whether drafting a section about cloud formation, or designing diagrams to illustrate groundwater movement, every student plays a part in building the shared product,” Mr Richards said.

The students are students are working together as connected individuals on a singular goal.

“Students are also learning how to work as part of a digital team, navigating communication, resolving problems, responsibility, and shared creativity – all vital skills for future learning and life.”

Teachers were seeing students become more independent, more engaged and more aware of how to contribute to a joint effort with purpose.

“This level of collaboration provides not only instant feedback but also opens students’ eyes to ideas and levels of quality of their peers,” Mr Richards said.

“The result? A rich, student-driven publication that showcases not only their scientific learning of the water cycle, but also their ability to collaborate using digital tools.”

The boys are using their iPaad and the Apple Page app to develop their digital book.

Mr Richards has been regularly working with Blackfriars since the introduction of one-to-one iPads for all students from Reception to Year 6 at the start of the 2023 school year.

Since then, among other skills, the boys have learnt how to program and fly drones through code, the secrets of digital photography and editing and how to create podcasts and develop functional code-based apps.

Blackfriars Head of Primary Emma Begg said the iPad learnings, under the guidance of Mr Richards, had been an invaluable addition to the curriculum.

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