Rachael Parkinson, Head of Science at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai shares her experience using Educake.
Educake is a tool that has revolutionised the way we teach and assess students, particularly in my experience across two very different schools; one in Peterborough, UK and now in Dubai. When I first used Educake at my previous school, I was one of the early adopters, and its effectiveness was immediately clear. The simplicity of the platform and the detailed insights it provided into students’ strengths and weaknesses made it an invaluable resource for both teaching and assessment.
I recommended Educake to many colleagues, and when I moved to Dubai in 2016, I introduced it to my new school. Since then, its usage has expanded across various subjects, and the impact has been profound. We love Educake. It’s straightforward to use, provides detailed data and students enjoy engaging with it as well.
A Valuable Tool for International Schools
Working in an international school, particularly in Dubai, has presented its own unique challenges. The school is evaluated based on GL assessments, and with no GCSE results yet, we are under constant scrutiny. Educake’s question style aligns closely with the GL assessments, which makes it an essential tool for preparing students for these tests.
It’s also invaluable in terms of time-saving. With subjects like history and geography, where teachers have limited time with students, Educake provides a fast and efficient way to gather data and identify areas that need attention. This is especially useful in an international setting where data tracking is crucial and the speed at which you can generate information can make a huge difference.
Simplifying Teaching and Assessment
One of the first things that drew me to Educake was its ability to reduce photocopying and paper wastage. While I’m fortunate to work in a well-resourced school in Dubai, not every school has the luxury of abundant resources. In my previous school, we often didn’t have enough paper to print tests, so the shift to an online platform was a huge benefit.
With iPads and computer rooms available, it became easy to set up quizzes and have students complete them independently. I could then pull up the results in real time and address any common difficulties in the classroom. This quick access to data saved time and improved the effectiveness of my teaching.
Celebrating Student Success with Educake
At our school, we place a strong emphasis on celebrating student achievements. Every term, we host an “Educake Party,” where we reward the students who have used Educake the most. The focus isn’t on the highest scores or percentages, but on independent usage. The top student gets to choose the flavour of cake and the top ten students are invited to enjoy cake with us in the science department.
This celebration of success is not just internal; we also report back to parents about their children’s progress. This approach fosters a sense of achievement and encourages students to use Educake regularly, reinforcing the importance of independent study.
The Power of Data
One of the most powerful features of Educake is its ability to provide detailed data analysis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Educake became an invaluable tool for assessing student performance remotely. It helped us determine teacher-assessed grades and provided crucial data during a time when traditional forms of assessment were limited.
The Impact Across Subjects
Educake isn’t just limited to science at our school,it’s expanding to other subjects as well. English has started using it, and history and geography are following suit. The versatility of Educake allows teachers in various subjects to generate data quickly without the hassle of creating individual quizzes or assessments.
The Future of Educake in Our School
Looking ahead, I believe the next step is to expand Educake’s use across the entire school. I’m excited about the possibility of holding a cross-departmental “Educake Party” to celebrate success across all subjects. Additionally, we want to involve parents more in using Educake to support their children’s learning at home.
Educake’s growing database of questions and its ability to cater to students at different levels makes it an invaluable tool in our school’s assessment strategy. As the platform continues to evolve, I’m excited to see how it further enhances student outcomes and fosters a culture of independent learning.
Conclusion
In summary, Educake has become an indispensable tool for both teaching and assessment. Its ease of use, detailed data analysis, and ability to engage students have made it a favourite among both teachers and students. Whether it’s for reducing paper usage, celebrating student success, or preparing for assessments, Educake has proven to be an essential resource in our school’s educational toolkit.
