BerylSpence Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 We have just trialled Tapestry and like and are now going to trial 2 Simple. It is a difficult decision and I am not the most IT friendly person. Which do you prefer and why, what are there strengths and weaknesses? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diesel10 Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Not tried 2 simple but tapestry is amazing. Everyone loves using it. Even the children love looking at the short videos of themselves and photos. It does everything you need it to do and more. As a manager I find it so easy to overview the journals which I could never really do with 60 paper versions. It was also great to show the area Senco yesterday when she came in to observe a child. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pooh Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I've used both, I used 2simple first then tried Tapestry. I've stayed with Tapestry, we use it in a school with two classes and we both like it. It was much cheaper than 2Simple, I'm not sure of current prices, it is easy to manage and the assessments etc. are great if you want to use them, the support team are fantastic and have helped us out several times very promptly. Our parents love it and find it easy to use and the children enjoy looking at it with us. I could go on, I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with Tapestry! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKeyteach Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I love Tapestry and yes the support. Is great. We are also able to have a say in the development. We make a suggestion here on the forum and the developers get on and do it for us. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 We did a trial with both and Orbit too and went for Tapestry. It was hands down the best value for money, we found it the most user friendly and most importantly for me the support is outstanding with Tapestry. Tapestry is always updating and changing things in response to its users needs. We love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Ditto to all the above re Tapestry As I recall 2Simple parents cannot yet upload their own photos and video so Tapestry is BY FAR the best. You can tailor make to meet you and your staffs needs. We don't used the analysis side but everything else if fantastic and it keeps getting better. You won't regret it, go on, you know you want to! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Tapestry, Tapestry, Tapestry....all the way! :1b 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I have tried lots and tapestry is a clear winner for me. 2 simple was ok I used it for nearly a year when I moved on to toucan learn but linking to eyfs was a little tedious and time consuming. Then we moved to tapestry which I think is fab I just wish the parents had an option to link to eyfs as I think it would improve the parents knowledge of the eyfs and they could understand next steps etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I'm not sure what you mean by "I just wish the parents had an option to link to eyfs" appletree? You know that you can make the EYFS assessments visible to parents do you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoolhamptonCE Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Looked at both 2Simple and Tapestry. Sign of a good piece of software is the ease in which it can be set up and used and in this respect Tapestry was much the better system. Whole look and feel of Tapestry is better. That it was also much cheaper was an added bonus. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Tapestry all the way, cost (although last in the list in of consideration), support and the way it is constantly evolving and changing in response to it's users. I love Tapestry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegemsy Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I think I have probably tried every online LJ going and Tapestry is by far the best! The support from the team there is amazing too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolschildcare Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 I am using 2simple, has been ok but want to analyse data and allow parents to have an input. Want to trial tapestry as it look as if it will do these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueFinanceManager Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 I am using 2simple, has been ok but want to analyse data and allow parents to have an input. Want to trial tapestry as it look as if it will do these? Hi Carol I have just replied to your PM....the trial account is in creation and you should get the email shortly Sue Admin team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolschildcare Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Thankyou Sue, I am trialling it now and so far I am impressed at what it can do, only thing I have not liked so far is that I can't use 2 bands for 1 observation. I know it's not meant to be a ticklist but I was just inputting where the child is at now just to see how it all works and to get an idea of areas that I have missed so that I can think about my planning to cover anything missing next year. Also, what do these mean under settings? age bands, refinements or statements./ Base P Scale summative assessments Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Hello Carol, You're right in saying that the statements should not be used as a ticklist, where children are expected to 'achieve' each one. It is for this reason that you cannot select two age-bands simultaneously- we advise that you select the best-fit for that observation. You can of course see which statements you have selected, by going to analysis- and selecting the EYFS statement screen. The next steps feature uses your assessments and suggests next steps, based on your age-band assessments, thus ensuring you don't miss any areas of learning, or aspects within those areas. Age- bands can be refined- eg emerging , developing or secure. P scales are for use with KS1 children identified as having SEN. And I think you mean 'baseline' not 'base'? This is the first assessment you might choose to do when the child first starts at your setting, against which future assessments can be compared. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Does anyone have a link where you can request a free trial of Tapestry? ive used 2simple for about 2 years so id love to see what the difference is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I'll email you, hedgehogsclass :1b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roovruth Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I began with 2simple and am now using Tapestry. Tapestry is by far the best as parents can comment, and add their own observations. Orbit are shutting down, so not one to consider now!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanK Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 We are just about to buy Tapestry but looking at the hardware options we would love to hear people's opinions. We are wondering whether iPods make using Tapestry fiddly but how do you carry an iPad / iPad mini with you around everywhere? Thank you. Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Hi I am going to purchase Tapestry for the Autumn term Please can you point me in the direction of the free trial, and also information for parents, as I have an open morning this week and want to give out as much information as I can Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueFinanceManager Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 SusanK - you can use the most recent generation iPods but for me (and possibly some of your staff) I think I would find the screen too small ..... glasses on and off all day!!! iPad minis are very popular with users and I know fit in a tabard pocket nicely. One setting even got /made little handbag type holder that staff could use to carry them around You can use Android devices too so worth looking around at deals. Glen - you want a trial then click here and fill in the request As for resources, go to the library here (members only content) and download anything you might find useful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlesparklesnursery Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 We have ipad minis and works really well for us 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafa Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 We are just about to buy Tapestry but looking at the hardware options we would love to hear people's opinions. We are wondering whether iPods make using Tapestry fiddly but how do you carry an iPad / iPad mini with you around everywhere? Thank you. Susan We have an ipad and 2 Tesco hudls. between 5 of us. We dont carry them around, they are on the side so - see a moment, snap the photo, then add obs at end of session and save to LJ. Simples! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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