Introducing Group Working: Collaboration made simple

According to Teacher Tapp, just 15% of primary schools have 1:1 devices for pupils, and many others rely on shared sets of laptops or tablets that may not always be charged, available or in working order. When you add shrinking budgets and timetable clashes into the mix, delivering the digital curriculum that's been proposed in the Curriculum Review can feel like a distant dream.

That's why we're so excited to launch something on Purple Mash that's designed to help overstretched schools continue to teach quality computing lessons, even when devices are limited.

Introducing Group Working mode

With Group Working enabled, up to six children can work together on the same activity, on a single device, with work saved separately to the 2Do for each child.

So as well as pupils being able to collaborate on projects, each child will still have:

• Their own version of the work
• A record of their progress
• A piece of work they can revisit and continue independently

With no duplicating needed by the teacher - that's a win-win!

Why use Group Working in the Classroom?

Group Working ensures that lessons can continue in the event of laptops not working, or double-booking the tablet trolley, but there are a few more benefits of collaborative working:

• Developing communication: children talk, share ideas and listen to opinions of others
• Problem solving: pupils quickly delegate tasks and work together to complete the task
• Fostering inclusivity: all children can access the tools and contribute to the work, while having their voices heard
• Boosting engagement: collaborative activities can make learning more dynamic and enjoyable
• Developing leadership skills: group work gives opportunities for children to take on leadership roles and learn to make tricky decisions

This feature is available to all Purple Mash subscribers - if you're not currently a subscriber, you can explore the platform with a free trial.