Oddizzi is a new, primary school focused, multimedia website. We wanted to find out more so we asked the creators to tell us a bit more about it.

Continued after the jump

What is Oddizzi?

Oddizzi is a new multimedia website for primary schools providing knowledge and understanding of the world through written content, imagery, video, games and virtual online postcards. www.oddizzi.com

Why was it developed, what gap did it fill?

Oddizzi was developed after seeing the need for high quality interactive resources that would bring the world to life in a way children would enjoy and understand. As our own research concluded, many teachers felt that current humanities resources were often uninspiring, outdated and not as good as materials available for the core subjects.

What are the key ways pupils learn effectively? How does Oddizzi support these?

Pupils learn most effectively when they are engaged

Oddizzi provides children with an engaging and interactive resource that makes them want to learn more about their world and become better global citizens. Oddizzi’s content is current and inspiring to interact with so it encourages children to ask questions and look for their own answers.

Pupils learn most effectively when the materials they use are age appropriate

Oddizzi’s content has been put together by teachers and travel writers with a tone and style that suits all levels of primary learning. Oddizzi’s written content also contains a feature called “sneak-a-peak”. This condenses the whole topic into simple, easy-to-read sentences. Ideal for use with younger children or those with specific reading needs.

Pupils learn most effectively when the process is simple and straight forward

Oddizzi is simple and easy to use with a navigation system that really works. Pupils can explore a topic in as much or as little detail as they need and jump from topic to topic in a logical way. Oddizzi has a breadth of content that means pupils need not waste time switching between resources to find what they need. Now, for example, identifying similarities and differences between parts of the world has never been easier.

Pupils learn from each other.

Oddizzi also allows pupils to engage in peer to peer learning by using ClassPals, an online penpals system. This allows classrooms in different locations to communicate with each other quickly and easily, sharing cultural experiences and thinking more about other people’s lives.

Pupils learn more effectively when they are challenged and enjoy it.

Oddizzi’s learning games allow pupils to have some fun with their global learning by testing their knowledge of flags, places and animals.

What are the key ways of teaching effectively? How does Oddizzi support these?

Oddizzi provides teacher with a flexible tool that allows them to take global knowledge across the curriculum. Its wealth of content, images and videos and interactivity provides an excellent resource bank to engage with all levels of learning and across any subject in which questions about the world may arise.

Oddizzi works well in a variety of teaching situations for example , in whole class situations Oddizzi keep pupils engaged. Oddizzi can also be used effectively in small groups when covering topics in more detail. Oddizzi is also a perfect research tool for pupils to use alone when set specific tasks. Oddizzi’s navigation systems allows a teacher to answer a question about the world whenever it crops up and explore a point in just the right amount of detail.

Are there any other ways it make the teacher / pupils’ lives easier / better?

Oddizzi can save a teacher hours in sourcing materials as it contains images that are current, age appropriate and curriculum linked.

ClassPals our online penpals system enables classes to communicate with others around the world quickly and easily. This process has been difficult for schools to manage in the past. Oddizzi solves that problem and allows for international links with other schools to be integrated smoothly into school life.

Does it solve any problems for the school?

Oddizzi is an affordable one-stop-shop for world knowledge and understanding so removes the need to expensive materials that quickly date. Oddizzi saves time for busy teachers keen to source the right material but starved of time to do it. Oddizzi’s interactive and vibrant approach keeps children engaged when learning. Oddizzi provides an easy and less arduous way to connect with classrooms around the world.

What evidence is there of the impact it has / how are schools using it effectively?

Teachers have commented that the children really engage with the site, they love its style, its vibrancy and its interactive features. The structure of the site allows teachers to use the resource in many areas of the curriculum. Children have enjoyed using it independently or together. Teachers have commented on the way in which the Odd & Izzi characters help to engage younger children without alienating the older ones. ClassPals is great for connecting children around the world with structure and purpose. Within inner city schools and schools with diverse ethnic mix the resource has been particularly effective in celebrating the different cultures within the school.

Quotes

It will be a fabulous tool for learning and teaching. We’re really keen to improve geographical awareness and skills in our school, it’s something our pupils really struggle with!
A Gateshead Primary School

Oddizzi opens up the world for children so that they can appreciate what a wonderful, exciting place the earth is.
Brigida Martino, Headteacher - St Anne's Catholic Primary, Keighley

Wow! What a great resource for primary school children. Very impressed with what Oddizzi has to offer. I hope it helps promote the good things they are doing in education and for geography. It's the future of education.
Mike Tidd (geography teacher and blogger)

Do you use Oddizzi in your classroom? Leave a comment below and tell us your experiences!