Digital Mysteries: Amy is a unique app in allowing pairs to work simultaneously on one iPad with a task designed for the KS1 national PSHE and English curriculum for England.
Users are given illustrated slips of information which they read and organise into groups. These focus on typical friendship problems that often arise within this age group and help students to discuss them. It does this through a young character called Amy and her experiences at school. Students must read information then organise their ideas to help them decide an answer to the question ‘Why didn’t Amy come to school today?’
The mystery would fit well within the PSHE/Citizenship curriculum; could also be used to support the development of speaking and listening within the English curriculum; and could be used to foster the development of generic higher level thinking skills.
Students can generate a PDF report of the session which can be shared or printed, plus they can move to a Reflection Stage. This involves sitting as a group, with their teacher, or as a whole class, and playing back the app session to help them reflect on what they’ve understood, discussed or learned. While students do this, it will also help develop their problem-solving, communication and collaboration skills.
Who is this app for?
Digital Mysteries: Amy works well with those in late KS1 (Year 2 is ideal) or early KS2. By having three difficulty levels, it supports differentiation in class and can be suited to varying abilities/levels of knowledge. The easier level includes some grouping hints in the introduction to the grouping stage.
What’s different about Digital Mysteries?
• Truly collaborative: It is unique in that more than one student can interact with it at once
• Cross-curricular: Mysteries come in various topics plus many are cross-curricular in themselves
• Record of learning: Students can interact and have fun with exciting technology then generate a printable PDF report of their session which shows what they’ve done
• Reflection: Sessions are automatically recorded so students can playback and discuss their work, emphasising the importance of the process as well as the outcome
• Speaking and listening: Due to its collaborative nature, each session aligns to this learning goal, plus ‘group discussion and interaction’
• Engagement: Working in pairs adds to the fun experience of problem-solving
• Research: We’ve done years of academic research on how to make the most of touch screens for learning in general, and collaboration specifically
What does a mystery consist of?
• Illustrated slips of information: Short snippets to help students with reading
• Open question: To maximise the potential of collaboration, discussion and expression of ideas, the nature of the task is usually open ended
• Extras: Most tasks come with personalised hints for those who need them, e.g. suggestions for organising ideas or simpler stage introductions to ease them in
• Description: This gives teachers the information they need to plan their session including the curriculum point each task links to, the advised age range and possible learning outcomes
How can I try other mysteries?
At the bottom of the app details tab, tap ‘Developer Apps’ to view our current range.