In this blog we cover questions and tips to bear in mind when creating quality resources, as well as how these resources can potentially be showcased to users on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

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When it comes to resources, quality is king!

And with that in mind, we thought it might be a good idea toÌýshare some of the factors that signify quality to us, as well as to explain how we showcase them.

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Yet to become an author?

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Alternatively read more about becoming an author here.

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What does a quality resource look like?

Ask yourself, is your resource…

• original?
  Are the words and images you have used entirely your own? If not, you must seek permission from the original owner before publishing them on ÌÇÐÄVlog.com.

  • Tip: WonderingÌýhow to source copyright-free images? Find out more in this blog post.

• complete?
  Does the description match the contents? Does it download correctly? Does it include everything teachers need to run the lesson or activity (eg, plan, presentation, worksheets)? If being sold, does it represent value for money?

• well-structured?
  Is it easy for both teachers and pupils to access? Does it allow for progression, differentiation or extension?

• well-presented?
  Is it ready to use? Will it engage pupils? Is it obvious how it will work in the classroom? How positive are the reviews on the page?

• free from errors?
  Are there any obvious factual, grammatical or spelling mistakes within the resource? Is it formatted properly?

• one or more of these things: creative, topical, differentiated or easily adaptable?
  Is it unique? Does it do something different to similar resourcesÌýon the site?
  
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Additionally, is it fully optimised for search on the site? Have you...

• ​written a thorough description and title?
  Are they correctly spelled?ÌýDo they make explicit reference to relevant curriculum links, exam boards and specifications?

  • Tip:ÌýThoughtful descriptions naturally contain keywords that do well in search.

• added a cover image?
  Does the image you've chosen effectively showcase your resource?

  • Tip:ÌýWhy not show off what's included by usingÌýa photo of your resource in the classroom?

• tagged your resource to the correct subject and topic?
  Do the tags accurately portray the subject to which the resource is best suited?

• tagged the relevant age range?
  Do the tags realistically reflect the ages of the students that can access it?

• stated the file type(s) or program requiredÌýforÌýyour resource?
  Consider whether the customer will need additional software to use your resource - many users will not have the time or ability to download new programs.

How do we showcase quality resources?

There are many large, specially curated spaces through which high-quality resources are given a chance to shine. Examples of these can be found on our ever-growingÌýtopical and themed page. Any resource included in one of these spaces contains a block under the preview image, which explains as much.

Tip: Increasingly, we are involving authors in the creation of these spaces by asking for resources to fill specific gaps. Watch your emails for upcoming notifications!

Additionally, the content team collate smaller collections in the form of resource highlights. These posts are written according to typical themes and topics that occur during the academic year.Ìý

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Unfortunately,Ìýwe do not have the capacityÌýto review individual resources on request. However, please be assured that we are continuing to look at different ways to incorporate and highlight quality resources on the site.

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From authors to authors Ìý

Over the last few years, we have asked some of our more experienced authors for some top tips on creating resources. Below you can find some guidance on creating high quality and engaging resources: Ìý

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What are your top tip/s for creating engaging resources?Ìý

My top tip for planning engaging resources is to keep it simple, colourful and straight to the point.Ìý

Visit Lauren Mates' profileÌý

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What is your tip for creating engaging resources?Ìý

Simply remember that if you find that link between the topic and their lives right now, you’ll conquer engagement and guarantee a fantastic resource that all teachers and pupils can engage with. Go forth and teach!Ìý

Visit Michael Ratcliffe's shopÌý

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What is your top tip for creating high quality resources?Ìý

Teaching is flawed when we give one resource out to an entire class of 30 students and expect them all to react to it in the same way. If I had to give one top tip for creating high quality resources, I’d say spend time with your pupils and get to know what works best for them, because as we all know, all children are not the same.Ìý

Visit wrightseducation16's shopÌý

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What are your top tips for creating classroom resources?Ìý

1. Be creative, colour is a good way of getting your students engaged...Ìý

2. Not all ideas are new ones, think of ways to develop and improve old concepts.Ìý

3. If you make a resource well, you won’t have to make it again.Ìý

4. If you struggle with spelling, grammar and punctuation, always ask someone to check over it!Ìý

Visit Leila Rasarathnam's shopÌý

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What are your top tips for creating high quality resources?Ìý

A high-quality resource should be easy to use. I’m immediately turned off by complicated graphics and lengthy instructions, so my resources are simple and to-the-point. For example, when I put together a reading comprehension course for ‘Treasure Island’, I kept in mind that the novel itself is very rich in concepts and events that will be brand new to a young reader; therefore there’s no need to offer excessive explanations and information – it becomes overwhelming. Instead I guide the reader to note major concepts and plot events, to improve their vocabulary, to engage their imagination, and to relish the story’s atmosphere and mood (which are what make it such a classic, in my opinion). Students also write a diary-style summary of each chapter on notebook pages that look like something Jim might have used; these make a nice ‘keepsake’.Ìý

Visit Canadian Winter's shopÌýÌýÌý

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What is the most important piece of advice you would give to authors of resources in creative subjects?Ìý

Always produce resources that you would use - I use all the resources that I publish.Ìý

As teachers we have a huge responsibility to engage students and help them discover their full potential. The quality of the resources we use can contribute to this. It isn't just about teaching and learning facts, it's about teaching and learning how to learn and encouraging a joy of learning along the way.Ìý

Visit Mael's shopÌý

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How do you turn a good resource into an outstanding resource?

To be truly outstanding, a resource should give students an engaging purpose for the work. Why should they learn this content or master this skill? How does the knowledge connect to their background experience as well as their present life? How will it help them achieve future goals – and why are these goals important? Only by answering these questions can we be confident that the resource is worth students’ time and energy.

VisitÌýÌýWisewire's shop

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How do you turn a good resource into an outstanding resource?Ìý

Attention to detail plays a big part in it. Think about starter activities. Good resources include a starter, but it can feel quite arbitrarily bolted on when it involves a few practice questions on another topic or a general recap. I try to design starters which open up a flow of thought, so that it is the beginning of a journey. A starter should be asking questions that the lesson will answer.Ìý

I think the outstanding resources are the ones that have a vision for a whole journey of a lesson rather than being a 10-minute activity that can be mixed and matched with other ideas.Ìý

VisitÌýTomotoole’s shop

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What is your top tip for creating high quality resources?Ìý

Teaching is flawed when we give one resource out to an entire class of 30 students and expect them all to react to it in the same way. If I had to give one top tip for creating high quality resources, I’d say spend time with your pupils and get to know what works best for them, because as we all know, all children are not the same.Ìý

VisitÌýwrightseducation16's shopÌý

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Many teachers have access to a range of resources but what makes a great resource?Ìý

Excellent teaching resources should encourage learning that relates to the real world, not learning for the sake of it. Each of our lessons has purpose as a solid foundation and focuses on real-world learning and taking action. We also include a learning intention and success criteria.Ìý

VisitÌýThe Teacher's Friend's resourcesÌý

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What do you think makes your resources stand out/special?

My resources cover literacy, numeracy, time, money, hand-eyeÌýcoordination and visual perception. Many of them result from myÌýfrustration with the lack of quality in the resources I’ve found. So I’veÌýbuilt resources suchÌýasÌýMoney Search UK,ÌýNumber snakeÌýandÌýWordsearch mathsÌýfrom the ground up to function correctly.ÌýAll too often educational resources look appealing, but they don’t work well.ÌýThis is where my products differ. I’ve designed each one fromÌýthe outset toÌýbe visually engaging, informative and fun to use.

VisitÌýChris's resources

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What is your tip for creating engaging resources?

Simply remember that if you find that link between the topic and their lives right now, you’ll conquer engagement and guarantee a fantastic resource that all teachers and pupils can engage with. Go forth and teach!

VisitÌýMichael Ratcliffe's shop