Derek Robertson micro-presentation on - Objection! Games in the classroom? Using Phoenix Wright for the Nintendo DS to encourage and motivate writing in an S2 English language class.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Monday, 14 January 2008
Cool Items from Bett 2008
First off Hardware:
Q4technologies - Interesting Stand which caught my attention from some of the show guides. Basically its a piece of software that allows you to programe and control Robospaien Robots. Most of the software only works with the new robosapein V2, but the highest programme level had support for all the robospaien robots. The software has 3 versions which have a clear progression from KS1 all the way up to KS4. I saw it and was really inpressed. The ks2 interface has programing language like LOGO - its a new take on robo dance with mindstorms Lego. Check out this video of the robots danceing to a program - at the highest level. http://www.q4technologies.com/GoRobo.objects/ExtObj-2/The%20Lion%20Sleeps%20Tonight%20-%20lq_r24-1.wmv
Finally the last offering was the Roamer Version 2 - Sadly still a prototype but it seems to have a lot of potental. The way I understand it is that you will be able to remove the 'brain' of roamer and get it to control other things - so set up traffic light simulations.
Next up Software: - there where 4 interesting pieces of software at the show.
Honeycomb by Testease - which i mentioned on the last post is a easy to use safe - blogging personal website tool - its is worth a look, though isn't cheap.
Podium Version 2 - was also being shown - Podium is a great pieces of software which others have been using for a while - these updates finally allow to add backing tracks to the audio you record.
2Simple had 2Publish+ which Anthony had already talked about - I need to have a closer look still, but looks great. Another I just spotted as I left was 2Design and Make - which allows you to make nets.
All in all another great show.
Q4technologies - Interesting Stand which caught my attention from some of the show guides. Basically its a piece of software that allows you to programe and control Robospaien Robots. Most of the software only works with the new robosapein V2, but the highest programme level had support for all the robospaien robots. The software has 3 versions which have a clear progression from KS1 all the way up to KS4. I saw it and was really inpressed. The ks2 interface has programing language like LOGO - its a new take on robo dance with mindstorms Lego. Check out this video of the robots danceing to a program - at the highest level. http://www.q4technologies.com/GoRobo.objects/ExtObj-2/The%20Lion%20Sleeps%20Tonight%20-%20lq_r24-1.wmv
On the TTS stand we had the newest offering from the makers of Beebot. The Easi-Speak it is a really easy to use voice recorder. It records about 2/4 hours of voice, (depends on format), it had a USB rechargeable battery built in and had the ability to record multiple tracks. For £25 each or 5 for £100, it is a great buy and a possible solution to how to podcast in the classroom without the need for a pc.
Finally the last offering was the Roamer Version 2 - Sadly still a prototype but it seems to have a lot of potental. The way I understand it is that you will be able to remove the 'brain' of roamer and get it to control other things - so set up traffic light simulations.
Next up Software: - there where 4 interesting pieces of software at the show.
Honeycomb by Testease - which i mentioned on the last post is a easy to use safe - blogging personal website tool - its is worth a look, though isn't cheap.
Podium Version 2 - was also being shown - Podium is a great pieces of software which others have been using for a while - these updates finally allow to add backing tracks to the audio you record.
2Simple had 2Publish+ which Anthony had already talked about - I need to have a closer look still, but looks great. Another I just spotted as I left was 2Design and Make - which allows you to make nets.
All in all another great show.
Sunday, 13 January 2008
TeachMeet08 Live at Bett 2008 - and some thoughts
Unique talk program with something called nanopresentations. Which are basically either a 2min or 7 min presentation - you were not allowed to use PowerPoint.
It was a unique format that allowed for a forum where you could hear from "innovators" about their practice in ICT. Nice and easy to digest in bitesize chunks.
It was a unique format that allowed for a forum where you could hear from "innovators" about their practice in ICT. Nice and easy to digest in bitesize chunks.
Just listened to Vivien Black about work she has done with year 1 using blogs in Honeycomb - new software from Softease. She told use about a year 1 child who at home drew a picture in paint and then logged in and uploaded it to his blog.
Me and Anthony had been shown this software (by Vivien Oddly enough) on the Softease stand earlier. It’s a mix interesting mix of piczo.com and Blogging tool - wrapped up in Textease Studio Tool. I'm not a Textease user but it looked good and very easy to use - Vivien's example shows this. Well worth a look.
There were many other speakers but one which stood out for me and Anthony was Derek Robertson micro-presentation on - Objection! Games in the classroom? Using Phoenix Wright for the Nintendo DS to encourage and motivate writing in an S2 English language class.
It was an inspiring talk about how in Scotland he has been using computer games and consoles in the classroom.
I need some more time to digest it - but he talked about using Wii in Nursery. Using DS with Brain Training to develop mental maths skills and Phoenix Wright, a text based decision making game to learn about play scripting and persuasion in English.
It linked nicely with a Seminar me and Anthony visited in the morning on ICT and the Primary Framework for Literacy led by Gayle Gorman and Helen Wolstencroft. Gayle made a comment about the press keeps talking about that children are on games consoles and the internet too much. She suggested that we should be enbracing childrens culture and using that to motivate and engage children in school. Derek Robertson seems to be doing it already.
Hopefully I'll upload the video I took of his presentaion so you can all check it out.
It’s always something I’d been interested in and it’s great to see that people are doing it. With my new AST status i’m now gonna try and pursue some of these ideas.
Check out the Teachmeet08 site with a list of who spoke. http://www.teachmeet.org.uk/
More on Bett 2008 and some of the highlights soon.
It’s always something I’d been interested in and it’s great to see that people are doing it. With my new AST status i’m now gonna try and pursue some of these ideas.
Check out the Teachmeet08 site with a list of who spoke. http://www.teachmeet.org.uk/
More on Bett 2008 and some of the highlights soon.
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
SMART Notebook Version 10 - its here
Readers of Anthonys Blog will know that this is the new software from Smart. He has posted a number of youtube videos. (I'll put the link below)
Finally after weeks of trying I finallt managed to download it. It does not disapoint.
It retains all the functions from before and adds more.
Finally you can make tables - no longer will you have to draw them - works very much like MS word.
The dual page mode which in the past was hidden under menus is on the main toolbar.
The auto draw shape tool is excellent - this will correct all your bad shape drawing.
You have a fill tool - I think its new - I've never noticed this before.
You can now animate text just like MS Powerpoint. - need to play with this a bit more.
Themes are a new one as well - work in the same way as powerpoint themes - set one up apply it and all your sides will take on the same formatting - background colur etc... Nice quick way to alter Notebooks to your schools prefered set up.
All in all great additions - try and download it from here....
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Support/Downloads/SBS/SBSv10Beta.htm
Here's a link to a selection of videos that show most of what I discussed above.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=teachertrainer&search_query=version%2010
Enjoy - Hope to see some people a BETT 2008
Finally after weeks of trying I finallt managed to download it. It does not disapoint.
It retains all the functions from before and adds more.
Finally you can make tables - no longer will you have to draw them - works very much like MS word.
The dual page mode which in the past was hidden under menus is on the main toolbar.
The auto draw shape tool is excellent - this will correct all your bad shape drawing.
You have a fill tool - I think its new - I've never noticed this before.
You can now animate text just like MS Powerpoint. - need to play with this a bit more.
Themes are a new one as well - work in the same way as powerpoint themes - set one up apply it and all your sides will take on the same formatting - background colur etc... Nice quick way to alter Notebooks to your schools prefered set up.
All in all great additions - try and download it from here....
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Support/Downloads/SBS/SBSv10Beta.htm
Here's a link to a selection of videos that show most of what I discussed above.
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=teachertrainer&search_query=version%2010
Enjoy - Hope to see some people a BETT 2008
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
More on ICT Infrastructure
Happy New Year.
I was welcomed back to school with unfortunate news - the brand new ICT Suite which had been installed in September had been stolen. So no ICT for a few weeks....
But how is this related to ICT Infrastructure - before I was saying how important it was to have a reliable system etc...
What I have discovered the hard way is security is part of this. If you have poor security then your infrastructure will be stolen. Our server was also stolen - which meant the data and work went as well - luckily we have a backup that is done on a weekly basis automatically so we can restore our work. How many schools out there have a regular back up made. If we didn't we would have lost 2/3 years of planning and resources.
My new plan for the suite is - Computers locked to desks with cables. Bars on windows - not nice looking but its a deterrent.
Finally because the sever was stolen I've decided to keep the new server in a completely different location to the suite. A sever can sit anywhere. This way the work and data is much more secure.
Hopefully some of these points might help you avoid the same mistakes I have.
I was welcomed back to school with unfortunate news - the brand new ICT Suite which had been installed in September had been stolen. So no ICT for a few weeks....
But how is this related to ICT Infrastructure - before I was saying how important it was to have a reliable system etc...
What I have discovered the hard way is security is part of this. If you have poor security then your infrastructure will be stolen. Our server was also stolen - which meant the data and work went as well - luckily we have a backup that is done on a weekly basis automatically so we can restore our work. How many schools out there have a regular back up made. If we didn't we would have lost 2/3 years of planning and resources.
My new plan for the suite is - Computers locked to desks with cables. Bars on windows - not nice looking but its a deterrent.
Finally because the sever was stolen I've decided to keep the new server in a completely different location to the suite. A sever can sit anywhere. This way the work and data is much more secure.
Hopefully some of these points might help you avoid the same mistakes I have.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
How important is ICT Infrastructure?
In my new role as an ICT AST, I have had the privilege of visiting and working in a number of different schools around Redbridge.
Every school is different and so is their ICT infrastructure, so how important is this in your school?
What is ICT infrastructure firstly?
Well as I understand it it is how all the computers, ICT hardware and software interact.
The Becta website defines it as, "Your ICT infrastructure is made up of your network and the equipment that the network connects together plus applications, services and data."
We as teachers always are talking about using ICT and IWB effectively, but without good ICT infrastructure this can be very difficult.
My 3 top musts for ICT infrastructure are:
1. All computers must be networked to a central server - this allows you to share resources and software much more efficiently and helps in deploying software.
2. Computers need a reliable Internet connection - their is such a wealth of resources out on the
web that to work with out being able to access them is disappointing.
3. Wireless is great for add the odd computer to the network or running class laptops, but don't rely on wireless for your core network, go with wired, it is much more reliable.
Once your infrastructure is up, running and reliable we teachers can get back to using this great technology effectively to teach the children in our classrooms.
Every school is different and so is their ICT infrastructure, so how important is this in your school?
What is ICT infrastructure firstly?
Well as I understand it it is how all the computers, ICT hardware and software interact.
The Becta website defines it as, "Your ICT infrastructure is made up of your network and the equipment that the network connects together plus applications, services and data."
We as teachers always are talking about using ICT and IWB effectively, but without good ICT infrastructure this can be very difficult.
My 3 top musts for ICT infrastructure are:
1. All computers must be networked to a central server - this allows you to share resources and software much more efficiently and helps in deploying software.
2. Computers need a reliable Internet connection - their is such a wealth of resources out on the
web that to work with out being able to access them is disappointing.
3. Wireless is great for add the odd computer to the network or running class laptops, but don't rely on wireless for your core network, go with wired, it is much more reliable.
Once your infrastructure is up, running and reliable we teachers can get back to using this great technology effectively to teach the children in our classrooms.
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Activ Primary Or Smart? Which IWB to choose....
In my new AST role, I've been working recently with schools who have Promethean boards over Smart boards in their classrooms.
Now I am a Smart user - I have always used their software, and choose their boards over Promethean when my school first got IWBs.
The main difference in the board itself is that Smart boards are touch sensitive, so you can use your hand to interact with it, and Promethean boards you need to use a pen. I prefer the Touch Sensitive board since it is much more versatile that the pen based systems.
So I have been working hard on learning how to use Activ Primary 3, the software that you use with a Promethean board.
My inital impressions, where that Activ Primary was a bit clunky compare to Smart Notebook. But on exploring further the two pieces of software are much closer in design that I had thought. (Just make sure you use design mode on Activ Primary)
Both have there good points.
Activ Primary has some very nice tools - that Smart Notebook does not, the ruler, protractor and dice tools are nice.
Smart Notebook - allows for a much nicer and cleaner interface and works alongside the windows (or mac) environment. I find text editing more fluid as well. The resource gallery is allow just easier to use and access.
Much of the other tools and options - though appearing slightly different work in the same or very similar ways.
Some negative points
Active Primary - awkward interface, the need to be in design mode to do certain things is confusing. My initial experiences with copy and pasting, from the Internet where frustrating.
Smart Notebook - more education specific tool set - this is improving though, the gallery has been updated in many positive ways. But there are more tools that should be developed.
What IWB to choose? Well for some school the choice has been made already. Keep doing what you are doing but, hope is not lost. Since both pieces of Software can be used on each others board.
Activ Primary does cost though where as far as i'm aware as Smart can be download and used for free.
The jury is still out, I know what I like and will be continuing to use Smart, though I will dabble in Activ Primary 3 for time to time.
Comments? Suggestions? What is best?
Take my vote.
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/uk/
http://smartboard.co.uk/
Now I am a Smart user - I have always used their software, and choose their boards over Promethean when my school first got IWBs.
The main difference in the board itself is that Smart boards are touch sensitive, so you can use your hand to interact with it, and Promethean boards you need to use a pen. I prefer the Touch Sensitive board since it is much more versatile that the pen based systems.
So I have been working hard on learning how to use Activ Primary 3, the software that you use with a Promethean board.
My inital impressions, where that Activ Primary was a bit clunky compare to Smart Notebook. But on exploring further the two pieces of software are much closer in design that I had thought. (Just make sure you use design mode on Activ Primary)
Both have there good points.
Activ Primary has some very nice tools - that Smart Notebook does not, the ruler, protractor and dice tools are nice.
Smart Notebook - allows for a much nicer and cleaner interface and works alongside the windows (or mac) environment. I find text editing more fluid as well. The resource gallery is allow just easier to use and access.
Much of the other tools and options - though appearing slightly different work in the same or very similar ways.
Some negative points
Active Primary - awkward interface, the need to be in design mode to do certain things is confusing. My initial experiences with copy and pasting, from the Internet where frustrating.
Smart Notebook - more education specific tool set - this is improving though, the gallery has been updated in many positive ways. But there are more tools that should be developed.
What IWB to choose? Well for some school the choice has been made already. Keep doing what you are doing but, hope is not lost. Since both pieces of Software can be used on each others board.
Activ Primary does cost though where as far as i'm aware as Smart can be download and used for free.
The jury is still out, I know what I like and will be continuing to use Smart, though I will dabble in Activ Primary 3 for time to time.
Comments? Suggestions? What is best?
Take my vote.
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/uk/
http://smartboard.co.uk/
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