Exploring Digital Tools

Overview

Duration: 45 minutes
Year Group: Year 2
Class Size: 30 pupils
Subject: Technology
Curriculum Focus: Computing
Key Stage: Key Stage 1

UK National Curriculum Reference:

Pupils should be taught to use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

• Understand how to use an iPad to take photos for a digital story.
• Explore an age-appropriate AI-assisted app to support creativity.
• Begin to organise digital content with purpose.
• Work collaboratively in small groups, using technology safely and respectfully.

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Resources Required

• 10 iPads (1 per 3 pupils)
• App: Book Creator or similar (AI-supported voice-to-text and image integration)
• Pre-set folder with sample images (for those needing additional stimulus)
• Printed 'Digital Story Plan' worksheets
• Large display screen or interactive whiteboard
• QR code printouts for easy app access
• Classroom objects/toys for photo opportunities
• Headphones (optional, for quieter AI voice use)

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Prior Learning

Students should:

• Understand basic rules for using devices safely and respectfully.
• Have experience taking simple photographs using a tablet.
• Be familiar with sequencing stories verbally.

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Vocabulary

• Device
• Digital
• Image
• Story
• App
• Voice-to-text
• Respectful

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Lesson Structure

⏱️ Starter – 5 minutes

Activity:
Begin with a question:
“What can technology help us create?” Take pupil responses and record some ideas on the Interactive Whiteboard.

Display a short 60-second animated video (without dialogue) – e.g. a cat trying to reach a toy. Ask:
"Can we tell our own story about this?"

Explain: Today, we will use iPads to take pictures and use an app that listens to your voice to help tell your very own story!

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👀 Introduction – 10 minutes

Modelling on the whiteboard:

• Open Book Creator or similar app.
• Demonstrate how to create a new book.
• Show how to take a photo using the app.
• Demonstrate how to use voice-to-text feature (“Tell your story and it will type for you!”).
• Briefly model how to drag and resize photos, and add titles.

Teacher Prompt:
“We’re going to become digital storytellers using pictures and our voices. You’re going to go on a little photo adventure with your group!”

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🤹‍♀️ Main Activity – 20 minutes

Task: In groups of 3, pupils use the iPads to:

1. Choose 3-5 objects around the classroom to photograph (related to a simple story of their choice).
2. Open the app and insert their photos into different pages.
3. Use voice-to-text to narrate part of the story on each page.
4. Work together to decide on a beginning, middle, and end.

Teacher Roles:

• Circulate and support pupils with technical help or prompting story ideas.
• Encourage use of descriptive language where appropriate.

Adaptive Strategies:

• If pupils are stuck on story ideas, provide a prompt card (e.g., "A robot finds a key", "A balloon that travels").
• Pupils with EAL or SEND may use just 2 pages or simply narrate without typing.

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🧠 Plenary – 5 minutes

Gather pupils back to the carpet or meeting area.
Choose 2–3 groups to share their digital stories using AirPlay/cable connection to display their book on the classroom screen.

Reflection prompts:

• “What did you enjoy about using your voice to tell a story?”
• “How did the iPad help you be creative?”
• “What else do you think technology can help us create?”

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation: Active engagement during group work.
• Anecdotal Notes: Monitor use of app features, group dynamics, and digital language.
• Learning Outcome: Completed 2-3 page digital story with at least one image and one voice-to-text sentence.

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Extensions / Support

🌟 Extension:

• Add sound effects or use app stickers to enhance their story.
• Record a video explaining their story.

🧸 Support:

• Use template books with pre-inserted pages.
• Use printed sequencing cards as prompts for storytelling.

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Follow-Up Opportunities

• Print or export stories and add to digital classroom library.
• Discuss digital citizenship in a future lesson — reflecting on how we use our voices and images respectfully online.
• Introduce a future app (e.g. simple coding or drawing) to integrate cross-curricular links like literacy or art.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Story sequencing, spoken language
• Art: Visual design using digital tools
• PSHE: Working respectfully, digital boundaries

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Teacher Tips

• Pre-load the app and ensure all iPads are updated and charged.
• Create QR codes or use AirDrop to quickly load the Book Creator template per group.
• Use paired seating to support collaborative stages.
• Remind pupils that using AI voice tools means speaking clearly and kindly – reinforce classroom etiquette with technology.

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Wow Factor ✨

• This will be many pupils’ first experience of using AI (voice-to-text) to create content — watch their faces light up as they see their ideas magically appear on screen!
• Encourages confident use of digital storytelling while subtly introducing digital literacy and the concept of human-AI collaboration.
• Creates memorable, shareable content that can be celebrated across the school and with families.

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Summary

This lesson harnesses the magic of AI and familiar digital devices to empower Year 2 pupils to become confident, imaginative digital content creators. It introduces the concept of purposeful technology use within a safe, playful, and educationally sound framework — inspiring storytelling, collaboration, and digital confidence.