10 Of The Best Online Learning Resources

10 Of The Best Online Learning Resources

by GT Scholars Learning Resources What's new?

As parents, we all feel the need to ensure that our children are growing and developing and that we’re doing all that we can to facilitate a stimulating environment for their young minds. But carving out time in our own daily grind for homework, maths revision and science projects can be tough, not to mention also finding time to keep them entertained!

That’s where online learning and education resources can lend a helping hand. Online learning resources give young people a fresh perspective on the topics they learn at school and they also offer a new way of learning. High-quality, online learning environments can also help young people develop key problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative thinking skills using a platform that is fun, engaging and motivating. 

But with so many online learning resources and websites out there, where does one begin? Well, we’ve rounded up 10 great sites which promise to keep the young people entertained AND learning for hours on end. These sites ensure that your young ones learn something new in a safe, online environment that also makes learning fun and interactive.

FunBrain
One visit to FunBrain and you’ll want to bookmark it right away! This site’s educational games are designed to build on skills that young people are already working on in school. It’s aimed at young people aged three to 13 years old, and it offers interactive games in numeracy, literacy and science which make developing maths and reading skills fun. With interactive games like Math Baseball and Grammar Gorilla, this site is free to use and also has online educational books and comics which can be read on the go. Visit this great website here: https://www.funbrain.com/  

Science Bob
Let your child geek out on this informative site. It’s the go-to spot for all things science, with experiments to try, research tips and a weekly Q&A section. On Science Bob, young people can watch science-related videos, print out directions to more than 25 experiments, and find links to other useful websites about space, earth science, and more. The site’s experiments and research are perfect for piquing the interest of young science fans. Science Bob is also a great website for parents and kids to look at together, and the kid-safe science videos offer interesting edutainment for after-school entertainment. Take a look at this fun website here: https://sciencebob.com/ 

Kids Know It
The Kids Know It Network provides free and fun educational content for young people, including educational movies, games, and fun activities, in addition to tons of information on a wide variety of subjects. Learn about animals, chemistry, spelling, geography, astronomy, and read fun facts about everything from bats to bones! Kids can also find homework help in a number of subjects including astronomy, biology, geography, geology, history, maths, and spelling. Each subject area includes games and activities to keep students involved. When it’s time for just fun, students can also head over to the game section to play games which are not found in other sections of the site. Visit Kids Know It here: https://kidsknowit.com/

CoolMath
Launched by a maths teacher, this online amusement park of maths offers online games that help young people with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, money and much more. They can check out algebraic property definitions, learn multiplication tricks, or test out the online graphing calculator. The site is geared toward ages 13 and up, but they also have a sister site called CoolMath4Kids which is appropriate for ages three to 12. It’s truly a one-stop maths experience and also has a helpful section for parents and teachers. Visit this website here: http://www.coolmath.com/ 

BBC Bitesize
The BBC’s Bitesize website covers all subject areas of the curriculum, ranging from primary school level up to GCSE exams. It’s free to use and includes a host of resources such as useful animations, revision flashcards and interactive sections to help your child learn and revise their school work. Bitesize also has lots of fun educational games that promote learning in maths, science and literacy. Young people love learning through these interactive games and can easily navigate their way through the site independently. Check out their website here: https://www.bbc.com/education  

NASA Kids’ Club
Calling all space buffs! Blast off into learning with this galactic page where young aspiring astronauts can do puzzles and games and learn all about the famous space program. There is information for children of all ages, with footage from Mars and the International Space Station, interviews with astronauts and news on the latest launches. There are also games and craft activities for younger children. Young people can also check in on current space missions, play games in a clubhouse, join an asteroid naming contest, and view exclusive NASA photographs. Visit their website here: https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/text/index.html 

Make Me A Genius
Make Me A Genius is filled with entertaining videos that cover a variety of subject topics that can help your child learn more about their favourite subjects. Topics include physics for kids, photosynthesis, the nervous system, solar system and electricity. All of the videos are child-friendly and will keep your child interested from start to finish. Take a look at their website here: http://www.makemegenius.com/ 

National Geographic Kids
The world-famous environmental network, National Geographic, hosts over 100 fun, engaging, and interactive science, action, adventure, geography, quiz, and puzzle games for young people. They can spend hours engaged in learning in their five major sections which include animals, videos, activities, games, and stories. Other sections include word games, brainteasers, geography games, action games, interactive games, puzzles and quizzes, a video gallery, some very interesting science stories, and activities that can be done online and at home. Visit their website here: https://www.natgeokids.com/   

BrainPOP
This site offers heaps of educational games and videos on subjects like maths, science, art and history. Full access to the site requires a subscription, but there’s also plenty of free content to explore. The team at BrainPOP sifts through hundreds of online games by various publishers and selects only the ones of the highest quality – only the best games make it onto the site. Their animations also bring learning concepts to life and all with the help of a plucky learning bot and his friends! Visit the BrainPOP website here: https://www.brainpop.com/ 

Oxford Owl
This website is best for expert advice, educational resources and free eBooks to support children’s learning. With over 250 free ebooks from the reputable Oxford University Press, this site helps young people to learn reading and maths. They also have heaps of tips and advice for parents who want to expand their child’s learning. Visit this great website here: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/ 

While online educational and learning resources can go far in creating a fun learning environment and hours of entertainment, sometimes students need a little more extra attention, care and guidance. Among the many options to consider, many busy parents often opt for tutoring, short courses and mentoring programmes. Investing in one of these learning avenues can give students the opportunity to nurture their talents, improve on their weaknesses and develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.

GT Scholars is a not-for-profit social enterprise that offers various programmes and workshops to provide young people between the ages of 11 to 18 with the necessary skills to set them on a successful career path, improve their grades and enrich their learning experiences. Contact us to find out more about our programmes, workshops and courses.

10 Websites young people can use to learn anything online

10 Websites young people can use to learn anything online

by GT Scholars Learning Resources What's new? Young people

Knowledge is power! Learning new things can change your life for the better. It will give your self-esteem a boost and it will also affect the way you do things on a day to day basis. On top of that, you will experience personal growth.

Being in a constant flow of learning new things ensures that we are current and up to date with our ever-changing, fast-paced environment. It makes us open to new, exciting opportunities and will kick start a personal growth journey filled with endless possibilities. As long as we can learn, the sky’s the limit! If we do not learn new things we stagnate and eventually we will start moving backwards.

Because there is absolutely nothing to lose, except your comfort zone, there should be no reason why you should not visit one of these awesome websites to embark on your new journey!

  1.  CodeAcademy  – The demand for people who have coding skills are on the rise. This is not only true for developers, programming is on the way of playing bigger roles in everyday career paths. With coding added to your list of skills, you can definitely pursue a more rewarding career. Codecademy offers free coding classes covering 12 different programming languages, which include, Python, Java, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, and Sass, to name a few.
  2. PhotographyCourse.net – A picture is worth a thousand words. It will be worth your while to have photography added to your skills list. It is a powerful tool which allows us to share and to communicate to those around us.  This website offers free online photography courses. You can enrol in comprehensive photography lessons that cover various topics, such as Photographic Lenses, How to Use Your Camera, Light and the Photographer, and Digital Cameras.

  3. Adobe Photoshop CC – The Complete Beginners Guide – Photo editing is just as important as the actual photo shoot.  Editing defines the mood of the photograph and enhances the overall message that a photo is supposed to deliver. Up your skills with this free course by Adobe Know How. Having photo editing skills can open many doors.

  4. Channel 9 Web Development – If you are interested in a career in web design, go check out  Channel 9 Web Development. This website offers a course for beginners wanting to learn web design.  The course is presented online in a series of 21 videos of 30 minutes long in length. You will only be able to move on to the next lesson if you can master the basics of the lesson before.  At the end of the course, you should be able to create a very good website.

  5. Yousician –  Yousician is an interactive music service that allows you to learn and play a musical instrument.  The website supports the guitar, piano, ukulele and bass.  The site offers easy step by step tutorials and proves exercises based on your performance level.  Starting a band has never been easier.

  6. Developing Android Apps – Android Fundamentals – Google and Udacity have teamed up to launch a free crash course in Android development. This course covers theory as well as practice to teach you how to build great apps in a jiffy. The course has step-by-step instructions to teach you how to build a cloud-connected Android app. You will also learn the best practices of mobile development, mainly focussing on Android development.

  7. DuDuolingo – Knowing an additional language can open a world of job opportunities and at the same time establish meaningful connections and be the start of possible cross-cultural friendships. Whether you want to learn a new language from scratch or just want to brush up on your French skills, this site is ideal.

  8. Blender – Animation is everywhere, whether it is in a movie, a TV commercial or business presentation. It will be definitely worth your while to master this skill. Blender is a 3D animation software that can be used to create amazing 3D images and animate them. The best of all is that the software is free and so are the courses. So if you are interested in a career in animation, be sure to check out this site.

  9. Alison.com’s Sketchup course – Do you want to become the next most sought after architect? Get a headstart with yet another awesome program that is completely free to download. The good news is that some architect firms actually recognises Sketchup as a valid 2D plan drawing tool. A free course, plus a free software! Isn’t that cool?

  10. Music Technology Foundations by EDX – All features and materials may not be available as this is the free version of the course. EdX keeps courses open for enrollment after the end to allow learners to explore content and continue learning. The course offers history, theory and practice of music technology, Sound, audio, MIDI, effects and sequencing. It also entails hands-on practice with music-making using contemporary digital tools

So, what are you waiting for? Information has never been this easily accessible We need to grasp every opportunity to learn with both hands. The world (or should I say web) is definitely your oyster!  There are numerous free and low-cost websites and apps available on the Internet.  The list above is only but to name a few. It is also worth to mention that Youtube also offers thousands of video tutorials on a wide variety of topics.  To find out about more great opportunities and events for young people, feel free to sign up to our newsletter.

The GT Scholars programme wants to help young people aged 11-16 to achieve excellent grades and reach their future goals. If you’re interested, you’ll need to register your interest or give us a call on 020 881 68066.

 

10 Free learning apps to learn everything from Geography to Human anatomy

10 Free learning apps to learn everything from Geography to Human anatomy

by Kate Lacey Learning Resources What's new? Young people

We know that young people spend way too much time on their phones but did you know that there are a multitude of apps available online that could boost your child’s knowledge and understanding in Maths, English, Science and other subjects?

Young people have access to so much information online and this means that with the right amount of effort and motivation, many pupils could teach themselves or be tutored in any subject, just by using the right resources.

There’s a tonne of research that shows that young people learn more when they’re having fun and thanks to the wonderful world of technology and the internet, everyone’s learning online.  

We’ve put together a list of 10 of the top learning apps that make learning enjoyable and the best news is that they’re free!

  1. Gojimo

This is the UK’s top revision app for GCSE and A-Level. Not only does it have a massive bank of questions for all major subjects, it gives detailed explanations for the questions and you can track your progress, strengths and weaknesses and check off each topic as you master it.

  1. Learn World History

Learn world history from the beginnings of civilization! This Android app helps you learn hundreds of key events throughout world history with quizzes that test you on details and dates. With options for customising quizzes, this app is great for secondary school children all the way up to adults looking to brush up on their history knowledge.

  1. Essential Skeleton 4.0

Essential Skeleton is an iPad app that young people studying the human skeletal system should definitely download. The app puts a 3D skeleton on your iPad and you can then rotate the skeleton, zoom in and out, find out the names of each bone and more. It’s great for a range of ages as you can go into as much detail as you want.

  1. DoodleMaths

This app is perfect for ages 7-11 and can dramatically improve your child’s confidence and ability in maths. It works by identifying your child’s level, strengths and weaknesses, and gradually progressing them at the rate that’s right for them. Use it on your computer or on any device.

  1. World Map Atlas

World Map Atlas is a great Android app you can use to grow your geography knowledge. It has a wealth of information about all the countries in the world, such as the capital, the country flag, the languages and even the currency.

  1. Duolingo

Learning with Duolingo is fun and addictive. This app, available on Windows, Apple and Android, helps you learn a wide range of languages, from French and Spanish to Ukrainian and Vietnamese. The variety of speaking, listening and multiple choice activities keep it constantly new and exciting.

  1. Magic Piano

You can learn to play the piano on a phone or tablet, Apple or Android! With everything from Bruno Mars to Mozart, this nifty little magic piano guides you through playing a variety of tunes on its three keyboards, by following beams of light with your fingers.

  1. How to Draw

Enjoy learning how to draw with this easy to use Apple app. Video tutorials and step-by-step lessons will teach you how to faces, bodies, flowers and even cartoon characters. There are simple instructions for beginner drawings as well as more advanced tips for the more experienced artist!

  1. English Grammar – Learn & Quiz

Who knew English grammar was so interesting! This is an easy and fun new way to practice and learn English grammar. With a huge variety of tests and activities, you can choose between basic grammar to more advanced concepts, making it suitable for all ages.

  1. ▻Sudoku

A classic puzzle game that is sure to make your brain work! This Apple app enables you to seamlessly play endless amounts of Sudoku at your preferred difficulty, all while keeping track of your scores. This app makes it so much easier to improve your Sudoku skills, without the hassle of having to use a pen and lots of paper.

 

The GT Scholars Programme is a unique tutoring programme that gives young people aged 11-16, the support, strategies and skills that they need to reach their academic and career potential. We also take advantage of what the Internet has to offer and use online platforms to deliver effective online tutoring to our scholars. To get more information, click here.

The world of free online education

The world of free online education

by Katie Dawes Learning Resources Post 16 What's new?

Next month is the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web. In the last 25 years, we have seen posted letters turn into e-mail and witnessed the birth of social media. But for students and parents, the internet also brought something far more useful: free online education.

Private tuition can bring about huge benefits to young people but what about independent learning? There is a wealth of research supporting the benefits of teaching students to be self-starters and helping students develop an intrinsic motivation for learning  – learning because they simply enjoy it.

Thankfully there are many places where young people can start to develop their independent learning journey. There are thousands of websites that can provide 24/7 access to a whole world of learning and the best part is that they’re free to use.

Free online education for young children

Crickweb offers fun and interactive educational games for children from their early years right through to Key Stage 2. Subjects covered include Maths, Science, Literacy and History.

If you’re focusing on providing a world education for your children, then National Geographic Kids offers a fun space for children to play games and videos that will teach them more about the natural environment.

Free online education for secondary school students

For children revising for secondary school exams, the BBC Bitesize website has some of the most in-depth revision aids and practice quizzes online. Now with a free app for tablets and smartphones, students have the option to benefit from Key Stage 1 Maths tuition all the way to GCSE level Science tuition.

Another popular free online education provider is S-Cools. Referred to as ‘The Revision Website’, S-Cools not only provides revision guides for GCSE and A-Level subjects, but they also have a forum space for students to group together and tutor each other as peers.

For students focusing on English literature, SparkNotes and EnglishBiz together offer comprehensive study notes on curriculum literature. Perfect for keeping an analytical mind on nights when your child isn’t with their English tutor!

Free online education for all ages

Perhaps you yourself want to study a new language or your child needs to revise their history? Memrise provides free online courses in a wide range of subjects presented as quizzes and games, which also make them fun to complete. Whether you use the website online or via the app, you get to track your progress as you go and pick up at home later where you left off earlier in the library.

If yourself or your child learns best via video courses then the Khan Academy is one of the best free education tools out there. The courses are based on sub topics within Science, History, etc., which gives great in-depth understanding to a topic without the need for private tuition. A similar website that offers free online education in advanced modular topics is FutureLearn.

Further sites that offer free and in-depth learning courses include EdX (which also offers a paid opportunity to earn recognised qualifications) and Udemy. Udemy also offers paid courses, but there is a huge library of free courses on offer on a wide range of topics from business marketing to world history.

The GT Scholars programme aims to help young people develop an intrinsic motivation for learning. We teach young people how to become better learners so that they can attain excellent grades across all subjects.

Why not subscribe to ‘In the know’? This is our weekly newsletter for parents. You’ll get updates on events and academic and career opportunities for 11-16 year olds. Click here to subscribe: www.gtscholars.org/contact-us