If you work in a school in rural Derbyshire and you have to do a traffic survey knowing full well all you are going to see is Fred's tractor and a sheep on the run this is for you! I have used this at a rural school and at a school where we did a local traffic survey and then did this activity so we could compare the road outside our school with a road in busy London.
You can use this on an IWB with the pupils sat around it or on pc's with two or three pupils in a group, usually a couple of spotters and one to record the results on a tally sheet. Do it for two or three minutes and then swap over. This is no more than a five to ten minute activity, the novelty soon wears off! The website is http://www.abbeyroad.co.uk/virtual_visit/webcam. Change the setting to fast, which is a new picture every two or three seconds which is fast enough for the younger children.
Create a pictogram with the results, and have a chat about it. If you want to compare two traffic surveys you can talk about vehicles that you may see in rural Derbyshire that you will not see in London, ie tractor and vice versa, ie black cabs!
Have fun!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Voting systems
Promethean ActivExpression - tried it at BETT, first in a wave of improved voting systems that also have ability to text in responses. Comes with separate software so not tied to Promethean IWBs - although a new release of ActivPrimary/Studio software in the near future will incorporate this.
I've tagged the link into our delicious account, so that I can add more voting system links when I get the chance:
http://del.icio.us/DerbyshireICT/voting
P.S. Ages since I've posted, thanks for being so proactive and sharing your thoughts, ideas etc.
I've tagged the link into our delicious account, so that I can add more voting system links when I get the chance:
http://del.icio.us/DerbyshireICT/voting
P.S. Ages since I've posted, thanks for being so proactive and sharing your thoughts, ideas etc.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Technical Support
Can anyone recommend a firm/individual to supply technical support? We need to buy a new server and I need someone to install and set up.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
OFSTED!
Finally, I've found time to blog again! What with OFSTED last week the first few weeks back this term have been hectic! I had planned to have a go at some film animation using the digiblues in Literacy which I haven't taught before and the pupils have never done before either. That was before I knew OFSTED were arriving! So I decided to be brave and continue with my plans. The Lead Inspector and my Head came to watch the lesson. I was really pleased with how it went. All the children were on task and we have all learnt a lot these past couple of weeks. It's great learning with the children and to see their enthusiasm when it works and they are proud of what they've achieved. However it did help borrowing some digiblues from another school so each group could have one. So definitely another thing to purchase are some more digiblues.
We are actually going to spend longer on it than I planned because the pupils want to finish their films and get them to a good standard. I had showed them one of the films on the embc website as inspiration and a film from the British Film Institute. We are going to show our final films in achievement assembly this Friday. Got to borrow a projector from Springwell because all of ours are attached to the ceiling! Note to self: get another projector!
Also spoke to another inspector about ICT. She wanted to know how I monitored the subject, what programs we had in place for special needs children, if pupils had targets and knew which levels they were working at. She asked about staff competence!!!! I said 'variable!' She suggested pupils having an ICTbook in which they write down points to remember about certainpieces of software, particular keys to press/shortcuts etc and she suggested displaying ICT levels in the suite so children can see where they are and it might encourage and familiarise staff with the levels as well. So taking her ideas and going to put into practice.
Did feel that althoug I'd done a lot everything she asked I had to just say 'Its on my development plan, butI haven't reached it yet', which was a bit disheartening.
But I've learnt a lot using the digiblues and am now going to try and get all staff using them.
We are actually going to spend longer on it than I planned because the pupils want to finish their films and get them to a good standard. I had showed them one of the films on the embc website as inspiration and a film from the British Film Institute. We are going to show our final films in achievement assembly this Friday. Got to borrow a projector from Springwell because all of ours are attached to the ceiling! Note to self: get another projector!
Also spoke to another inspector about ICT. She wanted to know how I monitored the subject, what programs we had in place for special needs children, if pupils had targets and knew which levels they were working at. She asked about staff competence!!!! I said 'variable!' She suggested pupils having an ICTbook in which they write down points to remember about certainpieces of software, particular keys to press/shortcuts etc and she suggested displaying ICT levels in the suite so children can see where they are and it might encourage and familiarise staff with the levels as well. So taking her ideas and going to put into practice.
Did feel that althoug I'd done a lot everything she asked I had to just say 'Its on my development plan, butI haven't reached it yet', which was a bit disheartening.
But I've learnt a lot using the digiblues and am now going to try and get all staff using them.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
AWOL...
Well - I've now returned to my original terrapin after refurbishment, and a variety of other little niggles including a broken fibre link! Still - all up and running again... I still have an IWB to move into a new classroom before the condemmed terrapin comes down and a solution to fixing my projector to the very thin ceiling of my room.
I've managed to get licences for my RM IWBs to run the Smart software. (Thanks John)
My Class Diary Blog now has 222 posts, of various standards of speelings and content. And to add to the success, a pupil who moved to the Channel Isles has just joined and is keeping in touch with her old classmates.
(And arranging holidays between themselves - but not for ex-teachers!)
I'm experimenting with some Amateur Radio too and have a digital Satellite system in the classroom, with radio and aerial (APRS). The program I use shows radio amateurs with GPS systems connected to radios in their cars moving around local maps. If I can connect it to one of the servers through the EMBC filters, I shall be able to have a wide range of Geography opportunities with maps and places to discover. Who do I talk to about that, John?
Nettie, would it be possible to see your questionaire questions? Thanks..
Friday, January 18, 2008
asus Eee pc
My mini pc arrived today!!! So far I'm impressed. Am writing this blog on it now. Keyboard a little small for me - interesting to see if the children find it easier. It was simple and quick to configure for our wireless network and printer. Also to find resources on the server. Internet loads instantly. Screen a bit on the small side for 40+ eyesight!!! The built in web cam and voice recorder are an added bonus. More applications on it than I expected. Anyone coming to St John's Belper for ICT briefing will be able to have a play. I've got a few teachers who say they would prefer this to a laptop because of the size.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
ICT Survey
I have been conducting an ICT survey throughout the juniors over the past few weeks. I used Junior Viewpoint so it also tied in with our ICT curriculum and it was a format familiar to the children. I have done this because I was interested to find out what the childrens perceptions of ICT in school were, also to find out what they were up to at home with a view to thinking about where we were going in the future. Some of the results have come as a bit of a surprise to me - mostly because they do not seem to be leaving us behind. It is obvious that the children are more inclined to be motivated to try at home what they have learnt at school - I had feared that I would discover they were frustrated at school not to be able to do what they could do at home. (well in one respect they were but I've had google unblocked so that should cure that!!)
In summary:
Haven't had everyones comments yet but so far I've surveyed 169 children - 87 boys 82 girls. They all enjoy using ICT and feel it helps them learn with the exception of one boy who doesn't enjoy ICT because we don't play games all the time and doesn't feel it helps him learn because he "already knows it all"!! They seem to generally feel ICT helps them learn because they have access to a wider variety of information and they can present there work quickly, neatly and with a spell checker (I teach touch typing from year 2 to year 6 so some of them are already quite fast). 140 children have computers at home, 110 have the internet, suprisingly only 112 have a games console. Unsurprisingly at home they mostly use the computer for playing games with about a quarter downloading music and sending instant messages. Sadly (but not surprisingly) none of them think they get to choose when to use ICT in school but most would like to. They were asked to consider what they would like to use the computers in school for - most wanted to play games (despite being directed to make sensible choices for a school situation!!) , but a great number wanted greater access to the internet for research and to use the computer for presenting their work - wordprocessed, powerpoint and through creating web sites and 1 wanted to be able to use his PSP to access the internet in school.
Sorry I've gone on a bit but I guess if you're not interested you don't need to read this!! I would be interested to know if anyone else has surveyed their school in some way and to know the results.
In summary:
Haven't had everyones comments yet but so far I've surveyed 169 children - 87 boys 82 girls. They all enjoy using ICT and feel it helps them learn with the exception of one boy who doesn't enjoy ICT because we don't play games all the time and doesn't feel it helps him learn because he "already knows it all"!! They seem to generally feel ICT helps them learn because they have access to a wider variety of information and they can present there work quickly, neatly and with a spell checker (I teach touch typing from year 2 to year 6 so some of them are already quite fast). 140 children have computers at home, 110 have the internet, suprisingly only 112 have a games console. Unsurprisingly at home they mostly use the computer for playing games with about a quarter downloading music and sending instant messages. Sadly (but not surprisingly) none of them think they get to choose when to use ICT in school but most would like to. They were asked to consider what they would like to use the computers in school for - most wanted to play games (despite being directed to make sensible choices for a school situation!!) , but a great number wanted greater access to the internet for research and to use the computer for presenting their work - wordprocessed, powerpoint and through creating web sites and 1 wanted to be able to use his PSP to access the internet in school.
Sorry I've gone on a bit but I guess if you're not interested you don't need to read this!! I would be interested to know if anyone else has surveyed their school in some way and to know the results.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
EeePC
I've been thinking for sometime now that the days of needing pcs with ever increasing hard drives are numbered. Most of the work I do now days is web based and when I install new pcs at school I load a basic suite of applications on. So I was very interested to read about the Eee Pc - a mini laptop - small and light with built in wi-fi and web cam. The battery life isn't great at 3 hours but the price is very attractive £187. I'm not thinking this would replace the computer suite or computers in the classroom but it would enable large groups to work on projects in class. I've ordered a couple of laptops on evaluation and am hoping they arrive before we host the ICT meeting at the end of month. Has anyone already seen the product or have any views on it? Another product we've had a look is the Bunja. We've got a demonstration model. It's probably too expensive at £19.99 each (I can see them having to reduce this price). "Bunja is a new interactive audio toy designed for children aged 6-11 to help improve maths skills with an exciting interactive adventure story. " www.bunja.com I would be interested to see this product a little further down the line - perhaps when the price has come down and the questions have been further developed.
Monday, January 14, 2008
My turn to host the blog
In response to Mel's question about school websites. The school secretary maintains the "grown-up" side of our website. The "kids" section is written by pupils who come to our computer club. We bought a product called "pip-online" which allows the children to create and edit pages without needing to know a thing about HTML. It's a few years old now but I'm sure there are plenty of similiar products. We don't aim to be another Woodlands (I believe they had a member of staff who was given time specifically to maintain the website). Personally I think it's much better to give the children ownership of the site.
Learning Platform from Extranet!!1
Dear colleague
Learning Platform - preferred supplier
I am pleased to inform you that the preferred supplier of the Learning Platform which will be made available to all Derbyshire schools is RM, subject to finalisation of contract. I am sure that this partnership, with one of the leading companies in the field, will help secure the success of this important initiative.
The decision has been taken following a rigorous procurement process. I would like to thank the large number of school staff who gave a significant amount of time to supporting the procurement process. We feel that one of the strengths of the process has been the major role played by school staff at all stages.
We have our first meeting with RM on 22 January 2008 and shortly after that I hope to be able to give more detailed information about the learning platform and the proposed implementation plan.
The initial set up costs of the platform will be met in full by the local authority and we will also be offering fully funded training opportunities to all schools. Further information will be provided soon about the school contribution to the annual charges for the learning platform.
If you have any initial queries about the platform please do not hesitate to contact me. In the meantime, we will be running short introductory briefings for headteachers across the county as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely
Brian RichardsSenior adviser for school improvement
Learning Platform - preferred supplier
I am pleased to inform you that the preferred supplier of the Learning Platform which will be made available to all Derbyshire schools is RM, subject to finalisation of contract. I am sure that this partnership, with one of the leading companies in the field, will help secure the success of this important initiative.
The decision has been taken following a rigorous procurement process. I would like to thank the large number of school staff who gave a significant amount of time to supporting the procurement process. We feel that one of the strengths of the process has been the major role played by school staff at all stages.
We have our first meeting with RM on 22 January 2008 and shortly after that I hope to be able to give more detailed information about the learning platform and the proposed implementation plan.
The initial set up costs of the platform will be met in full by the local authority and we will also be offering fully funded training opportunities to all schools. Further information will be provided soon about the school contribution to the annual charges for the learning platform.
If you have any initial queries about the platform please do not hesitate to contact me. In the meantime, we will be running short introductory briefings for headteachers across the county as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely
Brian RichardsSenior adviser for school improvement
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Learning Platforms
John,
Is there any word on the Learning Platform yet??
I don't know if you are aware but my school is moving to a new building at February half term and I am currently trying ot organise all the new Suite and software. It is a good time to make a new start. There is going to be a really big push on ICT when we move in and it would be great to be able to introduce this at the same time.
As I said on the last thread I am also keen to update our website with the new school details but am holding off for the Learning platform as a basis for this.
Is there any word on the Learning Platform yet??
I don't know if you are aware but my school is moving to a new building at February half term and I am currently trying ot organise all the new Suite and software. It is a good time to make a new start. There is going to be a really big push on ICT when we move in and it would be great to be able to introduce this at the same time.
As I said on the last thread I am also keen to update our website with the new school details but am holding off for the Learning platform as a basis for this.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
ICT Inset
Had a great Inset day with Jon and a lady from Espresso
We looked mainly at Textease and Espresso to inspire writers!!!!
We also looked at Rapid Reading resources- but as ever we seem to be having technical problems with the mic!!!
Really pleased as already seen a teacher using some of the skills we all learnt yesterday.
Wonder if any one has any tips on being Head and ICT ?
I feel it has some good points - I don't need to go cap in hand for money !!
But the down side is time - I haven't got enough!
We also currently have a school website that a Dad does for us but really don't know how much use it is - would welcome other peoples thought's on school websites???
I don't think we will ever be Woodlands or Ambleside!!!!
Are there any other school sites worth looking at ????
We looked mainly at Textease and Espresso to inspire writers!!!!
We also looked at Rapid Reading resources- but as ever we seem to be having technical problems with the mic!!!
Really pleased as already seen a teacher using some of the skills we all learnt yesterday.
Wonder if any one has any tips on being Head and ICT ?
I feel it has some good points - I don't need to go cap in hand for money !!
But the down side is time - I haven't got enough!
We also currently have a school website that a Dad does for us but really don't know how much use it is - would welcome other peoples thought's on school websites???
I don't think we will ever be Woodlands or Ambleside!!!!
Are there any other school sites worth looking at ????
Friday, January 4, 2008
Stay safe
E-Safety is a key area of concern and something that everyone has been working hard on over the last year, to ensure the safer use of the Internet in schools.
Panorama is highlighting the problems our society faces with using the Internet and how it is being misused to groom children through social networking sites.
Thus highlighting the need to ensure that children are taught how to use the Internet safely.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/7107918.stm
Also some useful resources here
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/ict/safety.htm
Pagebull is a search engine that teachers may find useful to quickly find a good website to show to the class. When you enter a search term, the results that come back are not text, instead visual images of the website are shown on the screen.
This makes identifying favourite sites already visited easy to spot.
http://www.pagebull.com/
Also just subscribed to
ictopus;-)Ictopus (ICT online primary user support) is a free support service for primary education which was launched on 1st September 2007. Each week registered members of the service have access to a six page printable magazine (Sharing Good Practice) and a set of activity suggestions (lessons2go). There are also frequent news postings and a variety of other resources and projects. All the resources are available from the web archive and members can also opt to receive alerts offering a one-click download service for each item.Ictopus builds on the highly successful Becta Direct2U service and also the legacy of MAPE (Micros and Primary Education).Register now to be a part of this exciting venture. Registration is free.Please join us now – be part of ictopus.
www.ictopus.org.uk .
Panorama is highlighting the problems our society faces with using the Internet and how it is being misused to groom children through social networking sites.
Thus highlighting the need to ensure that children are taught how to use the Internet safely.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/7107918.stm
Also some useful resources here
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/ict/safety.htm
Pagebull is a search engine that teachers may find useful to quickly find a good website to show to the class. When you enter a search term, the results that come back are not text, instead visual images of the website are shown on the screen.
This makes identifying favourite sites already visited easy to spot.
http://www.pagebull.com/
Also just subscribed to
ictopus;-)Ictopus (ICT online primary user support) is a free support service for primary education which was launched on 1st September 2007. Each week registered members of the service have access to a six page printable magazine (Sharing Good Practice) and a set of activity suggestions (lessons2go). There are also frequent news postings and a variety of other resources and projects. All the resources are available from the web archive and members can also opt to receive alerts offering a one-click download service for each item.Ictopus builds on the highly successful Becta Direct2U service and also the legacy of MAPE (Micros and Primary Education).Register now to be a part of this exciting venture. Registration is free.Please join us now – be part of ictopus.
www.ictopus.org.uk .
New Year
No my new years resolution is nothing to do with little donkeys- we had enough of those in December !!!!! But they are cute.Somehow I got talked into Blogging for the next week !!
We are having an Inset day at our school on Monday on ICT - so .....
I hopefully will have something to report to you all at the end of the day.
Happy New Year to you all and may you at least keep your resolutions till the end of the week!!!
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