Here are a collection of 25 tips on tasks that can be set for students to undertake at home, either directed by the teacher as home/flipped learning or as independent tasks that are undirected. The focus is on the core subjects of English, Maths and Science

Faculty Type of activity Description of activity Tool or online platform used For the average student, how successful were the learning outcomes?
English Directed task undertaken as home learning Chapter summary quizzes of Jekyll and Hyde to check reading and comprehension https://quizizz.com/ 4
English Undirected task that students do independently for revision Podcast on An Inspector Calls (GCSE English RevisionPod) Spotify or Podcasts on Apple 3
English Directed pre-lesson task (flipped learning) Listening to audio of set text prior to the lesson Depending on the text, there are some free audio version available such as https://librivox.org/ . I have recorded myself reading each chapter of Jekyll and Hyde for my year 10 (saved on English Google Drive and shared with faculty)as some online version lack intonation and it is hard to locate individual chapters. It supports those who struggle with reading for whatever reason. 4
English Undirected task that students do independently for revision Revision cards for poetry I have created a revision card for poetry anthology which can be printed out and filled in or filled in online. Each card has sections such as setting/character/links to other poems which help the students to organise the key ideas which need recording. 4
English Undirected task that students do independently for revision Knowledge quiz on key texts- there are lots available. I have done a quiz on each chapter of Jekyll and Hyde which have been shared with faculty https://quizizz.com/ 4
English Directed task undertaken as home learning Use of Quizlet flashcards to consolidate knowledge of key words, terminology and quotations. Drip-feed students 5 cards per week and each week increase their revision e.g. week 1: learn 5 – end of week 1 test those 5, week 2 – learn 10, end of week – test 10, week 3 – learn 15 (consolidate first 10, learn 5 new), end of week test 5 new and 5 old etc etc. Having a set day for a weekly quiz, either using the test function on the App or writing your own questions. Pre-made flashcards can be used or you can create a set and share with the faculty. https://quizlet.com/ 4
English Directed task undertaken as home learning Peer assessment linked to own learning. Students type up their answers to a long question e.g. 16/20 mark exam question. This can be done on one shared doc or teacher collates all answers on one document. Students directed to choose 2 answers to respond to and assess against specific success criteria. They then use this feedback to inform their own writing and edit/re-draft their own response for final submission. Google docs 4
English Undirected task that students do independently for revision Extended reading for stretch and challenge. Appropriate journal articles sourced on text and topic being studied e.g. Of Mice and Men, Macbeth, Animal Farm. These are shared with students with key questions. Students use the questions to direct their reading and use the information to enhance their understanding of a text. Only successful with highly engaged and motivated students who want to push themselves. If directed as a home learning task, it would need greater scaffolding. Google Scholar / Project Muse 3
English Directed task undertaken as home learning Setting the class an essay question for the Literature course and getting them to fill a Padlet with possible points/quotations/analysis that could work to answer it. They can also include relevant contextual information. It is really useful for the class to look at how others approach the question and the different ideas that they have. https://padlet.com/ 4
English Directed task undertaken as home learning (This could also work whilst in lockdown) I originally structured this as a lesson but could be done as home-learning. On Google Drive, set up a shared folder for the class, within which you put a template for character profiles (a separate document for each character). Then split the class into groups, each of them given a character. It is then their job to populate the profile for their character e.g. key information/quotations/plot points. After the task was finished, I made a booklet from their work and printed everyone a copy. I think they enjoyed the shared responsibility in making a revision resource. Google Docs meant that all could contribute and edit. I also carried this out for key themes in the text. Google Docs 5
English Undirected task that students do independently for revision Listening to audio books of set Literature texts – an easy but useful revision task. YouTube 3
English Directed task undertaken as home learning Read material on an element of text study (context, plot, characters, themes) and answer questions. I have used as a directed task during lockdown too. https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/ 5
English Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown Quizzing on reading completed https://quizizz.com/ 5
English Directed pre-lesson task (flipped learning) Listening to an audio reading of a text Google Drive – to share the audio files 3
Maths Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown Watch the video and then complete the questions. Teachers can alloacte almost any subject, then the workbooks or worksheets (different resources) are all freely available as PDF. Solutions also available https://corbettmaths.com/contents/ 5
Maths Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown There are numerous interactive tasks – particularly good for constructions in lockdown learning. https://www.mathspad.co.uk/ – a subscription is required 4
Maths Directed task undertaken as home learning Matshwatch – assignments. This can be for home learning, flipped learning or remote learning. Teacher assigns the tasks to be completed and associated video clips are highlighted as support for those who need it. Can be timed with deadlines included. https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle 5
Maths Undirected task that students do independently for revision Online revision tool that can be guided or otherwise. Review the site as can be used for topics too. https://mathsmadeeasy.co.uk/gcse-maths-revision/gcse-maths-all-higher/ 5
Maths Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown A bit different but a link to blogs on online learning AND by topic ideas for sites for resources. This site is constantly updated. https://www.resourceaholic.com/ 4
Maths Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown Completion of short tests on particular topics, set by teacher to revisit topics. Links to short video clips to support if necessary https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle 4
Science Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown in a Powerpoint or Word document that I send; any tasks that I set are clearly identified by the word ‘TASK’ and the instructions in bold red font Microsoft Powerpoint or Word 4
Science Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown Going through a Powerpoint independently, then using padlet to assess understanding. https://padlet.com/ 4
Science Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown Revision or review of a resource or video followed by a quiz to assess understanding Edpuzzle with embedded questions, quizizz and Kahoot (they have changed the format so you can now preset quizes) https://edpuzzle.com/ 5
Science Directed task undertaken as remote learning activity during lockdown Seneca learning on Cell Biology for year 10 – use firstly in adaptive mode to recap notes with questions and then repeat with ‘Wrong answers only’ a few days later to repeat areas where knowledge was uncertain https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/ 5
Science Directed pre-lesson task (flipped learning) Use of Explain Everything to create explainer videos using whiteboard. Students review the concept with the video before the lesson and then review again in interactive mode with their teacher during the lesson time, with the ability to pose questions and receive feedback. Explain Everything (free for all during COVID) https://explaineverything.com/ 4