Given the lockdown, teachers, parents and pupils are once again grappling with remote teaching and learning. This has been a time for edtech to shine as many products fill the gaps and provide new ways of doing things.
For help with independent writing, the Story Engine is one such example. The resource is accessed through a browser at www.storyengine.co.uk. The premise is simple: an online writing pad with the added benefit of an inspirational jellyfish. It’s creative writing at home with a extra helping hands.
The strength of this tool is in its simplicity. The interface is remarkably clear. Users are immediately greeted with the writing page – no need to register or sign in. There’s space for a title and then the open page beckons. A blank page can be intimidating, especially for a novice writer. This is where the inspirational jellyfish steps in.
The jellyfish sits in the right-hand bar and dispenses inspirational ideas. It’s a fun and inviting concept. With a simple click, pupils can generate an endless flow of mind-boggling prompts. A few that stood out for me are:
- What would it be like if you had an elephant as a pet?
- Write a story about your secret hidden super power.
- Write an acrostic poem for the word ‘seaside’.
The user has free rein to find the idea that inspires and get going. As the writing is only stored in the browser, it should be copied and pasted into a word processor to be saved and shared.
This all makes for a highly accessible and lightweight writing tool. It is especially suited for independent work: set a challenge of reaching a word limit based on a chosen prompt, and then send to the teacher for feedback. It’s also ideal for those who enjoy creative writing in their own time and just need a little push to get started. Unavoidably, young people are spending more time than ever in front of a screen; the more opportunities to do something creative the better.
This incarnation of the Story Engine has just been released. The team behind it are some friends of mine at The Workshop, working in collaboration with The Ministry of Stories with funding from Innovate UK. More features are in the works that will increase the functionality of the site and add greater interaction with a certain scintillating cephalopod.
The Story Engine is live now and can be accessed here. You can keep up with the jellyfish on Facebook and Twitter, and read a few sample stories now on Instagram.
LPearceLearning 