eChalk
eChalk is an innovative collection of hands-on activities, games, animations, simulations and quizzes created with a strong focus on learning through fun.
The resources are designed specifically for classroom teaching and are ideal for use with interactive whiteboards or data projectors.
850 resources are currently available with hundreds more added each year.
Relevance to the National Curriculum
eChalk is suitable for teaching across Key Stages 1 to 4. Activities are modular by design so they fit in with the teacher's existing lesson plans and resources.
At secondary level eChalk provides resources for Maths, Science, English Language and Literature, Modern Foreign Languages, PE, History and Music. A Geography section is in development.
At primary level eChalk currently covers Numeracy, Literacy, Science and Music.
Content
eChalk currently includes 850 resources, with hundreds more added each year. They cover many styles but all are innovative, fun and interactive - and thousands of teachers are already using them in the classroom to engage and motivate learners. Many eChalk resources are also accompanied by worksheets that can be printed off and used to complement the interactive content.
Teachers can choose from a host of activities to meet their lesson objectives. There are simulations, educational games, interactive models, open-ended teaching tools, investigations and puzzles, visual databases, revision exercises, five-minute starters and plenaries, class discussion tools, quizzes, tests, and animations.
Here are links to some examples:
A range of other resources for primary and secondary teachers can be previewed here.
Resources for primary teachers can be previewed here.
Reviews
"If these resources for use with interactive whiteboards and data projectors don't convince you, nothing will."
Teacher's TV
"An online goldmine of interactive programs." Planet Science
"I am very impressed with eChalk, I use lots of software in my Physics teaching and eChalk is certainly one of my favourites. The simulations and animations are so clear, and fun too, they really help the pupils learn, especially the more difficult concepts. I think this is a superb website with clear and interesting animations that really engage the pupils.? Ben Porter, Head of Physics, Maricourt Catholic High School
"Great site, very useful and engaging." Rob Bright, Teign School
"I've found [eChalk] invaluable. I'm always trying to interest other schools in this resource. All power to your elbow!" Jennifer Kennedy, Teacher, Auchterarder School
"I am delighted with the eChalk site - used some in class today!" Fran Backwell, The Westgate School
Access options
Access to eChalk is available both within schools (for example, by IP address) and from home (for example, via Shibboleth, a link on the school's secure intranet, and/or username and password).
An unlimited number of staff and students at subscribing schools can access eChalk concurrently so it can be used in the classroom with confidence.
Pricing
Pricing is calculated according to the total number of learners at a school, or schools within a region - so the more schools that subscribe to a resource as a group, the lower the price per learner is likely to be.
All suppliers have guaranteed that the prices negotiated by JISC Collections are the lowest available.
- Download the price list for all resources for individual state-funded schools
- Download the price list for all resources for individual independent schools
- Download the price list for all resources for buying groups
- Download a spreadsheet enabling individual schools and buying groups to calculate prices for all resources
Subscription and invoicing information
The agreement for eChalk runs until 31 August 2012.
Schools and buying groups can subscribe at any time but are committed until the end of the subscription year in which their subscription starts i.e. 31 August 2010, 31 August 2011, or 31 August 2012.
Charges will be prorated - for example, if a subscription starts on 1 January 2010, the cost of the subscription will be for 8 months until 31 August 2010.
Please note that subscriptions will not be set up, and access granted, until a signed copy of the Acceptance of Licence Agreement Form (see below) has been received by JISC Collections for Schools.
An invoice from the subscription start date until the end of the subscription year will also be issued when the signed copy of the Acceptance of Licence Agreement Form (see below) is received.
How to subscribe
- View the Licence Agreement for eChalk
- Download the Acceptance of Licence Agreement Form for eChalk
- Complete the Acceptance of Licence Agreement Form, sign it, and return the full form as follows:
Scan and email it to schoolshelp@jisc.ac.uk
OR
Post an unbound copy to:
JISC Collections for Schools
Unit 7, North Leigh Business Park
North Leigh
Oxfordshire OX29 6SW
- Keep one signed copy of the full Acceptance of Licence Form for your records.
- When the signed Acceptance of Licence Form has been received by JISC Collections for Schools, the publisher will be notified and access will be set up.
- An invoice from the subscription start date until the end of the subscription year will also be sent when the signed Acceptance of Licence Form has been received by JISC Collections for Schools.
How to get the best price
Prices offered through JISC Collections for Schools are guaranteed to be the lowest available. Schools subscribing individually to one or more JISC Collections for Schools resources benefit from discounts on publishers' list prices in the majority of cases, but schools subscribing as part of a buying group can achieve discounts of up to 75%.
A buying group can consist of any group of schools in a region with a combined total of at least 2,500 learners that places an order for a resource at the same time.
Local authorities, and organisations such as School Library Services, are taking an active role in coordinating buying groups in many areas in order to achieve the highest possible discount.
In addition, an increasing number of schools in informal local or regional networks are also working together to secure the best possible pricing.
To find out what is happening in your area, or if you would like help setting up a buying group, contact jcs-info@jisc.ac.uk.
Support for teachers
eChalk's raison d'etre is to provide tools that help teachers explain ideas and make classroom learning interesting. Applications are ideal for use with data projectors and fully exploit the touch-sensitivity of interactive whiteboards. Many activities are particularly appropriate for whole-class teaching where the teacher wishes to engage the entire group.
All of eChalk's resources are authored by subject experts with first-hand experience of classroom teaching. The activities are intuitive and easy to use and they all come with guidance on how to employ them in the classroom. Many are accompanied by printable worksheets to complement the interactive content.
Examples of resources for both primary and secondary teachers can be previewed here.
Examples of resources for primary teachers can be previewed here.
Free trials
Free 30-day trials of eChalk are available to enable schools and local authorities to assess its value in teaching and learning.
- Click here to request a trial for your school, or for a group of schools
Subscriber services
Login URL
www.echalk.co.uk/
Useful information and weblinks
Powerpoint presentation available soon.
Technical, administrative, and user support
Email schoolshelp@jisc.ac.uk
phone: +01993 880044