FAQs

What is the ORBIT Project?

The Open programme and Resource Bank on Interactive Teaching (ORBIT) is:

• a collaborative project aimed at using and sharing Open Educational Resources (OER) with a focus on interactive teaching of STEM subjects in primary and secondary education,
• a Resource Bank to collate STEM OER for teaching,
• an open course book with selected OER arranged under pedagogical themes for different year groups in primary and secondary education.

What are Open Educational Resources (OER)?

ORBIT Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials freely accessible online for everyone to use, whether you are an instructor, student or self-learner. They have Creative Commons (or similar open) licences which enable them to be (re)used and adapted with the permission of their creator(s). For more information, see Help:OER

Who is ORBIT for?

The Open programme and Resource Bank on Interactive Teaching (ORBIT) is for:

• Classroom teachers
• Subject specialists
• Heads of departments
• Initial teacher education
• Training schools
• Teacher mentors
• CPD coordinators

Do I need to log in to the ORBIT Wiki to download resources?

You don’t need to log in to the ORBIT Wiki to download our resources.

Who can I contact if I have questions about a particular resource?

You can email us at orbit@educ.cam.ac.uk and we will answer your query as soon as we can.

How can I get involved in the ORBIT projectt?

You can get involved by:

• sharing resources you already have such as ideas for interactive activities or pedagogical approaches, classroom resources and teacher education resources,
• developing with us the resources you need,
• taking part in the creation of a digital open book.

Why should I get involved?

By getting involved in the ORBIT project you will:

• improve the quality and accessibility of teacher education and classroom resources,
• create tools to enhance your own teaching,
• provide support to educators and student teachers outside Cambridge University, including colleagues in schools.

What types of resources can I share on the Wiki?

You can share ideas for interactive activities or pedagogical approaches, classroom resources, or teacher education resources such as:

• Classroom, lab activities
• Interactive presentations or interactive whiteboard flipcharts
• Games
• Simulations, animations and other software activities
• Homework assignments linked to learning activities
• Quizzes
• Full teacher education / professional development courses
• Course modules

Are ORBIT resources copyrighted?

All our resources are copyrighted by ORBIT and are shared under the Creative Commons licence Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share-Alike. The Creative Commons licences enable OER to be (re)used and adpated with the permission of their creators who retain the copyright.

For more information on the Terms of Use.

In what format should those resources be provided?

We can cope with most formats but .pdf is less helpful as others less able to adapt the resource themselves if it is in this format.

Can I log on to the ORBIT Wiki and upload content myself?

This feature will be enabled soon.

Do I need training to edit the Wiki?

Editing the Wiki is easy. Please email us at orbit@educ.cam.ac.uk for more information.

Can I give feedback on existing resources?

Your feedback on the ORBIT Wiki and its resources is more than welcome. Please email us any suggestions or comments at orbit@educ.cam.ac.uk.

How can I contact the ORBIT team?

By emailing us at orbit(at)educ.cam.ac.uk.