Next Generation Learning in Kent

Becta Frameworks v Open Source

The more astute of you may have picked up this interesting debate initiated by John Pugh MP in his parliementary early day motion, quoting from a campaign group called the Open Schools Alliance. The motion brings together concerns about centralised contracts for educational hardware, software and services (Becta frameworks), and the promotion of Open Source software.

Moodle is a classic example of valued Open Source software developed and supported by a worldwide community of enthusiasts. The current Becta Learning Platform procurement does not include Moodle; why? because there is no supplier to tender for the contract because it's free! The real debate about the use of Moodle is not whether it works; it clearly does for a large number of schools and colleges, but how it can be contractually supported?

Schools can of course choose to have mission critical systems, (and the Learning Platform will become such over the next few years), supported by enthusiasts within their schools, or they can purchase a managed service that includes support and upgrades. In both cases schools' should rely on effective management rather than enthusiastic individuals. The essential argument is one of risk management.

The linking of Open Source to the Becta frameworks is erroneous. The former is not prejudiced by the latter. The frameworks were originally intended to secure factory gate prices for common software, and to lower prices to education, which they are doing. The choice still remains with the schools. Open Source software use in schools will rise (it's already used in education across Europe, and by the Open University), but it will take time. Why? not because of Becta contracts, but more likely because the main market place for educational software is Curriculum Online, paid for by eLearning Credits (eLC's) a government subsidy aimed at propping up the school software market in the face of attempts to provide free digital curriculum resources through the BBC (There is now a proposal for a public value test).

Even the Apple Mac is not well represented in curriculum online; if schools want to run curriculum online software they need to run Windows! There is much great Open Source software that would save schools thousands, but curriculum coverage is not there, and currently requires a mixed approach. The direction of travel though is clear!

Google 4 Educators

Google are offering a collection of free applications for schools called Apps for Educators, offering email accounts (instant messaging can be disabled if required) and a complete range of online and downloadable curriculum applications. Theoretically, all a school needs is a filtered broadband pipe, and thats the end of a whole heap of servers and infrastructure (yes, and technical support I guess!).

All in all it is a pretty impressive mix, and potentially could save the connected school a considerable sum in licenses! Would love to see what the implications are for a 'Google School'. Maybe see how a year or group get on with it to see if it is viable? Add this to some open source devices, such as the Nokia 770 or the SONY PSP (yes the SONY is based on Open Source)??

It wasn't going to be long before Google made moves into education. Targeted on teachers (now called educators of course to ensure that teaching assistants are included), they have also created a site to support teachers called Google for Educators.

In true collaborative nature that befits the King of Web 2.0 widgets, they are inviting educators to share their best ideas for using technology to innovate in the classroom (and presumably beyond it!). 

There is a teacher's guide to Google products, with basic information about each tool and examples of how educators are using them, and lesson ideas. They have partnered with Discovery Education on two of their most popular tools: Google Earth and Google SketchUp.

The site aims to become a platform of teaching resources – for everything from blogging and collaborative writing to geographical search tools and 3D modeling software.You can explore a Google tool you've never tried before and write about it. try lesson ideas or add your own.

Google also have a 'Google Teachers' Newsletter' full of updates on Google tools, features, tips, and other information relevant to teachers.

Capel-Le-Ferne - Folkestone Fame Academy?

Following on from my recent blog entry on the good stuff happening at Capel Le-Ferne Primary school near Dover, it was interesting to see James Blomfield appearing 'on the tele' in a best practice showcase for ICT SOS.

The programme looks at the use ICT in the context of storytelling in literacy, and can be viewed or downloaded as a video on the TeacherTV site, check it out

Win a computer suite for your school competition

There is a great competition for children that could win your school a laptop based computer suite worth £15,000, that includes a SmartBoard and charging trolley.

You need to run a school competition asking pupils to explain in no more than 150 words how ICT affects their learning experience.

Closing data is 19th March 2007, so plan it into your scheme of work NOW! It's too good to miss!!

Run by Insight, you can find the details HERE.

White Paper - Mixed Ownership - a potential model for 1:1 computing

Just to let people know that I have been putting a white paper together with my thoughts on affordable 1:1 computing. Feel free to read and comment.

BBC SkillWise

The BBC Skillwise site provides a wealth of resources to help learners improve literacy and numeracy skills and includes engaging and interactive games, factsheets, worksheets, quizzes and games to support struggling learners.

Click here to visit the BBC Skillwise Learning site

Text-to-Speech Software (Saving spoken text in MP3 format)

Text-To-Speech software will read back text on a range of Windows applications. A particularly useful feature of the following downloads is that they can record spoken text and save the files in MP3 or WAV format.

Recorded text can then be played on a portable device such as a mobile phone, PDA or MP3 player.

Both downloads will allow you to use the software for a 30-day trial period.

CoolSpeech 5 and TextSound 2

Download IISC Text-to-Speech software

Download TextAloud

My Learning Toolkit - clever toolbar for Word

Assist-I.T. has developed the My Learning Toolbar to support struggling learners. The toolbar integrates with Word and provides a range of frequently used tools all in one toolbar, for example, frequent homophones (confusables), increasing text size and space, colour background and the 'research' tool for accessing synonyms and encyclopedias on line.

Click Here to download

Wordtalk - Free download for turning word docs into speech

Free text to speech utility that integrates into Word! For people with reading and writing difficulties, having text reinforced by hearing it read aloud can be very useful. 

WordTalk is a free plug-in developed for use with all versions of Microsoft Word (from Word 97 upwards), which can help people with reading difficulties use Microsoft Word more effectively. It will speak the text of the document and will highlight it as it goes. It contains a talking dictionary to help decide which word spelling is most appropriate. It sits neatly in your toolbar and is highly configurable, allowing you to adjust the highlight colours, the voice and the speed of the speech. 

Click Here to download

Excellent Videoconferencing site

Birmingham City Council have created a superb 'Learn about videoconferencing' web site packed full of lesson ideas and new ways of using VC, Check it out!

Harrietsham C of E Primary School Opens!!

Harrietsham C of E Primary School was officially opened today, Friday 10th November 2006! It is a new build school that replaces an old village school sandwiched between the busy A20 and a busy railway line between Maidstone and Ashford. It is a great design (Spacecraft architects), and was built by Barwicks. The school was opened by Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart.

The ICT procurement was managed by Donna Rogers of KCC Digital Curriculum team, , and was the first school to test run the new ICT procurement guidance, with Kent County Supplies running a competitive process. EIS won hands down against stiff competition. EIS have installed a great school network using DELL servers and desktops, with computers in each room, and a dedicated ICT suite, and all in time for the start of term, which is no mean feat, especially since the orders weren't placed until late in the Summer. 'Hats off' for a great job well done!

Bethersden, a great school website ... and a school with very special wireless!

Just happened to drift along to the Bethersden school website. It's got some really cool features, and looks just great.

As an aside Bethersden has a rather unique wireless system that uses MESH technology to connect its main building to its out buildings. Cabling would have cost a fortune and meant some serious digging. Campus Mesh wireless provides a secure wireless zone around the main school building, which can then be picked up by other secure MESH receiver / transmitters to provide teachers and pupils with a local wi-fi hotspot. this technology is pretty clever, as it can create its own network without cables. If you want to extend your network, just add another receiver / transmitter, and it picks up the signal, and creates another hotspot. This type of technology is providing Broadband in rural communities, as well as a commercial and residential service to customers in Ashford and Canterbury.

Must have 'blue screen of death' screensaver - Microsoft Approved!!

This is the ultimate techie dream. Play tricks on your friends and school technicians. I love this because it may show something very rare indeed. A sense of humour at Microsoft.

It's a 'blue screen of death' screensaver and its available as a download from ... Microsoft! Authentic in every way. Download yours now, and have a laugh as you watch the techies sweat!

Click Here to get yours!

'veni, vidi, exerci', I came, I saw, I exercised!

This story brought roars of laughter from my family! It links a games console to an exercise machine. Stop peddling, or fail to meet the exercise regime, and the game pauses until you get up steam again.

Schools now have a limited choice of MIS suppliers!

The Becta juggernat thunders ever onwards. The Becta value4money report that explored the near monopoly of the management information system (MIS) market recommended that data collection be simplified to reduce the burden on schools and authorities. Whilst this is to be applauded, only six suppliers signed the MOU (memorandum of understanding), a sort of declaration that they will follow the spirit and substance of the recommendation!

According to an article in the TES on Friday 3rd November 2006, this will have the effect of these six suppliers dominating the market. We've then gone from a near monopoly to a genuine oligopoly? Slightly overstated, but this has to be put in the context of the number that actually exist now (mostly small).

They are:
Capita (SIMS.net)
RM (Integris)
Serco (Facility)
Pearson Phoenix
Wauton Samuel (PASAPP) never heard of this one, ... anyone know anything about it?? email me!
SDA (Online Pupil Database)  ditto this one!!

Details can be found by clicking here, but no-one seems to be able to provide a copy of the MOU!!

OpenLearn - open Access and sharing knowledge

I have to say that I have fond memories from my early years of trendy looking lecturers with beards, tank tops (remember them?) and massive collars teaching the principles of science on BBC2 - The Open University! Well, a £5.65m project using Moodle will share around 5,000 hours of resources, and its free! It's called OpenLearn.

There is great potential for using the resources as teaching and learning resources.

Pupil attendance - 26 letters in the alphabet (and lots of symbols!)

Caught this item about attendance on the BBC news, and couldn't help but see it from both sides. Life used to be so simple, if a pupil was in you marked a forward-slash or back-slash in a wonderful large register, if absent you drew a perfect 'O'. The tighter controls on types of absence have resulted in a whole new set of letters. The more ICT makes analysis easier, the more we realise we can analyse in greater detail! My old statistics lecturer at university used to talk about the unrecognised importance of the man in the watchtower doing the counting!