iDEA
we last lookedLittle online modules about computers, money and work skills. You earn badges as you go, and they add up to a Bronze, Silver or Gold award. Handy if you like having something to show for the term.
iDEA stands for the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, and it describes itself as the digital and enterprise equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The modules are short and interactive, written with industry people, and they cover three broad strands: the digital side, including coding; enterprise; and the employability bits like work skills and money. There is no set order to any of it, so you can follow whatever your child is interested in this week and still be earning towards the same award.
Bronze came first in 2017, Silver followed in 2018 and Gold in 2022. Every badge you finish adds points towards the next level up. The site reports more than 2.6 million people signed up, over 19 million badges completed and 243,000 awards won — their figures, not ours. You can download a portable Record of Achievement as you go, which is the useful part if you want something on paper for a portfolio, a college application or just the end of a term.
It runs in a browser on any device, anywhere you can get online, so there is nothing to install and nothing to keep updated. It is free the whole way through, with no trial period and no paid tier waiting further in.
