Subject Leaders’ Update

Once again it was time to gather together to explore all things ICT and restock the chocolate store at the first of this academic year’s Subject Leaders’ Update. As usual, there was a good turn out for these popular events and it was great to welcome some new faces. If you’re a new ICT Subject Leader could you make sure we have your details so we can include you in any emailshots?

We were joined by Keith Ansell, E-learning Consultant with the SWGfL who lead a workshop highlighting some of the fantastic ‘free’ resources available through the SWGfL. We had a wonderful time exploring our region with Big Day Out, created mulitmedia rich Myths and Legends, looked at the great resources available in the media gallery. It was also great to hear that the SWGfL are to retain the popular British Pathe service.

Keith also highlighted a great offer from iBoard just for BaNES ICT Subject Leaders. Email us for the link. He also spoke about the SWGfL Film Animation Competition to be held in the summer term. He explained that teachers can use film animation techniques to create films in any curriculum subject area. There is the possibility of some workshops to support teachers and an associated awards and presentation event. If think you might be interested in this, please could you email Wendy or Spencer so we can begin preliminary planning for the event?

We had an overview of where we are with Merlin and updated everyone on what information was now with headteachers. As promised, we’ve set up a Merlin page on this blog (see link above or click here) where we can update everyone on all things Merlin. We’ve also published links to resources to explain what Merlin is as well as a link to an example of how Merlin might be used in a teaching and learning context.

Finally, we had a quick look at some new technologies that we feel will have a positive impact. These include the easy to use Flip video camera, Easi-Speak microphones and the Asus mini-notebook. We also looked at the emerging technology of epaper. I believe that this will have a big impact in a few years time to the way we view information and where we view it. If you’re interested in the development of technology in education, take a look at Futurelab’s newsletter; it makes interesting reading!

We ended with a few dates for the diary:

• eSafety Conference, Bristol – 26th November 2008
• ICT Regional Conference – 1st July 2009 (provisional)
• Next ICT Subject Leaders’ Update – 10th June 2009

Also don’t forget to look at our Courses page for the other events happening this year.

Informal Cakes and Tea 3

Once again it’s time to gather around the teapot, natter over a chocolate brownie and discuss all things ICT.

Rob Sandell has kindly volunteered to be our host at Camerton Primary school. The date for this meeting is Thursday 22nd May at 4pm. Please email Richard for any questions, suggstions and to let him know if you’re coming along. Richard’s blog for these events can be found here.

Informal Cakes and Tea

Once again it’s time to gather around the sponge cakes for a friendly, informative and lively meeting about all things ICT. The date is Monday 17th March from about 3:45.

Leah has very kindly offered to host the event at St Julian’s Primary School in Wellow. Richard has provided a Google Map here showing the route from the centre of Bath. He also says,

If you are coming from the BA1 side of Bath, I’ve found that if you can get to the A36 (Warminster Road) the route is really pretty and much more straightforward although longer. Less stressful though. Also found that it takes me less time than going through Widcombe – Bear Flat and then up to Odd Down

Richard’s blog can be found here.

At the moment, the suggestions for discussion are PDAs (Richard is our local pioneer on this exciting development), update on SWGfL and Merlin. If you have any more suggestions or would like to “show and tell” anything then please let Richard or Dennis know.

New Year Tea & Cakes!

 

Our second Informal Cakes and Tea meeting kindly organised by Richard and hosted by Michelle is being held on Tuesday 15th January at St. Stephen’s CofE Primary School from about 3.45pm.

This is an after school meeting to discuss all things ICT in an informal way. There’s no agenda just an opportunity to share ideas, strategies and resources.

It would be great if people could contact Richard direct to let him know if you’re coming richard.hearn@moorlands-jun.bathnes.sch.uk

Further details can be found here.

Subject Leaders’ Meeting

Yesterday, 26 teachers attended the first of this year’s Primary ICT Subject Leader meetings at the Brislington CLC.

The focus of the day was WEB 2.0 and the changing nature of education in light of the way technology is affecting working practices and allowing access to a wealth of resources and information.

The feedback from the day was fantastic – everyone commenting on how useful they found the day. As usual, there was a lot to take in, but in the true spirit of the day, the support material from this blog will allow participants to follow up those areas they feel most interested in.

The venue also proved to be a hit with people really enjoying the surroundings and having access to the computers. The Chill Out Room was very popular – allowing space to discuss key issues as well as take a break from the computers!

Please keep checking the meeting’s support PAGE. New items have been added already. In particular more support material for Scratch.

We’ll also post some advice on creating a custom image header for your WordPress blog. Many people wanted to create a fancy header after being inspired by ours!

Results of the Making the News session can be seen HERE.