Education Technology in Schools

Success for Single Sign-on! ... and onwards for EIS guru!

2010-10-27T07:22:00Z

Sometimes we need to take a leap into the unknown. After much deliberation, soft market testing, reading and studying it is possible to still end up being unsure. What was it Donald Rumsfeld said about Known Unknowns and Unkonwn Unknowns .... ? What are we trying to achieve? We want any Kent Learning Zone user to be able to access the online resources their school provides without having to have a different login for each, and to stop companies insecurely extracting lots of personal data from school...(read more)

RM ... Primary ICT Seminar in Maidstone

2010-10-25T17:46:00Z

RM will be at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel Hollingbourne just outside of Maidstone on Monday 22nd November with their Primary ICT Seminar. The predominant theme is ' Achieving more with less' Full details can be found by clicking HERE : It's rumoured you may catch a glimpse of their excellent new RM Slate Also, check out UtilEyes , an energy monitor to save on utility bills and connect your learners to real data....(read more)

Vital CPD 4 ICT - adding value to teaching

2010-10-20T07:27:00Z

This is a shameless plug for Vital , professional development ICT development aimed at teachers. Vital is delivered by the Open University and funded by the DfE (at least for now!). Vital offers flexible courses and case studies, with guides to new technologies and ideas on how to use them. In my opinion, School leaders should insist their teachers register to gain access to the course materials, discussion forums and interactive learning tools. A good feature is The Market Place which includes firms...(read more)

Home Access - the numbers for Kent!

2010-10-19T07:30:00Z

We have been keeping track of the number of approved applications for Home Access laptop and Internet packages in Kent. We have figures associated with each school, and have used them to produce a summary report. The report highlights the numbers by District, and can be found by clicking on the image below . We also have totals for each school, and you can find out how to obtain these for your school through the next e-bulletin. District teams will be sent the totals for schools in their area in...(read more)

ICT Provision in schools - BESA summary report findings

2010-10-14T18:53:00Z

According to a recent BESA report ! Desktop Computers - 58% of primary schools report being well equipped and 64% of secondary schools report being in the same position as last year. Digital Content - 52% of primary school ICT leaders do not consider themselves well resourced. Learning Platforms - 12% of primary schools consider them irrelevant. 30% consider themselves deficient, 47% report being well resourced. Teacher computers - 71% primary, 70% secondary provide good teacher access to computers...(read more)

What is Federated Access Management (FAM)? In a nutshell!

2010-10-09T08:32:00Z

Who? A national body called the UK Access Management Federation looks after things, and requires you sign up to a strict contract that assures you are trustworthy, have your organisations approval at a high level and are a recognised educational institution. You can sign up as either an Identity Provider or a Service Provider ... or both. Identity Providers (IdP's) have a directory of users who want access to resources, Service Providers (SP's) have a catalogue of resources and services they...(read more)

What is Services Interoperability Framework (SIF)? In a nutshell!

2010-10-08T07:41:00Z

Following my last post on interoperability , I received an email asking for a plain english explanation of some of the key concepts, so here goes with the first - SIF. Services Interoperability Framework (SIF) - used to be called School's Interoperability Framework. Who? - Controlled by SIF Association (US) - SIF Association UK (UK). Designed for the US schools market - very different to the UK market! SIFAUK spends most of its time trying to tailor SIF for the UK which has much tighter data...(read more)

Education, Skills and Children's Services - Interoperability? Ouch!

2010-10-08T04:41:00Z

The Department for Education's predecessor, DCSF, commissioned a report (PDF) to review information and data sharing within education, skills and childrens services (ESCS), with the aim of suggesting a way forward. The report makes interesting reading, concluding that the current lack of interoperability wastes £300m per annum! The report also concludes that a national approach to interoperability would deliver financial benefits of around £250m, (payback within 3 years), and would join up services...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye - 031010

2010-10-03T14:30:00Z

Internet Maths Tutor & BBC News Item: Indian Call centrer teaches maths in the UK Open Source Virtual Private Network (VPN) OpenVPN - with OpenVPNAS may be useful for schools who want a cheap solution for filtered home access for staff and students. The Future of Education ? Mostly American perspective, but some interesting nuggets. Minimum wage for apprentices - should every school employ an ICT technical apprentice? I think so! I took on an apprentice last year and strongly recommend it. Wonder...(read more)

Creating newspapers from your RSS feeds?

2010-10-03T14:12:00Z

I must admit I was disappointed at the demise of Bloglines , the RSS feed reader I first cut my teeth on at an Alan November conference. It was something of a revelation and is fundamental to many of the Internets new tools. Rather reluctantly I've moved across to Google Reader , which does the job I guess. I've also heard about online apps that turn feeds into a personalised newspaper. There is paper.li that creates news from Twitter, so the articles are a bit short! Thanks to Andy Hutt...(read more)

Kent e-safety officer - mentioned in dispatches!

2010-10-03T11:03:00Z

Broadcasting on Mon 4th October, Radio 4 @ 8pm is a documentary looking at S*x, P*rn and Teenagers . Guardian Online has a trailer article that quotes Rebecca Avery, e-safety officer in my team. Worth a look, and the broadcast sounds well worth listening to. Scary stuff!...(read more)

Primary School Design Guide

2010-09-30T18:35:00Z

We've put together an ICT Design Guide for Primary Schools. It covers key considerations for architects and builders. Click HERE to download a copy ....(read more)

Green ICT in Schools advice

2010-09-30T18:27:00Z

I was asked to consider how schools might adopt greener ICT in order to save energy. Prevailing thought is that low-energy technology saves money ... and it does, but the cost of changing technology early is more than the cost saving!The real savings are in the way ICT is operated now! Anyway, I offer the document for your consideration. Comments welcome! Click HERE for a PDF copy ....(read more)

Software licensing on conversion to Academy

2010-09-30T17:53:00Z

Don't assume your software transfers automatically from your School to your new Academy! I've been investigating the pitfalls of software licensing, and the following is based on a telephone conversation with a Kent contracted software supplier and my own research of software manufacturers' licensing terms and conditions. Microsoft Licenses Kent Schools typically purchase software through one of the following: Microsoft Select Agreement for perpetual licenses (supplied by Civica under...(read more)

ICT benchmarks for Kent Schools

2010-09-30T14:39:00Z

Following a recent query from a Kent school network manager looking for data with which to compare his schools ICT provision, I have decided to publish two reports (Primary and Secondary) that show the data collected from Kent schools in 2009. Not up to the minute, but it does provide an interesting snapshot that I hope you find useful. Primary Report Secondary Report Provision by area...(read more)

Student's reminded of their rights to know more about their exam marks

2010-08-05T12:10:00Z

The Infomation Commissioners Office (ICO) has sent out a reminder that student's have the right to request examiners' comments. Apparently the ICO received complaints about how Subject Access Requests (SAR's) are dealt with by schools and colleges. A Good Practice Guide has been published....(read more)

Funding for shared primary School Business Managers.

2010-08-02T13:06:00Z

Not particularly ICT related, but schools may be interested in knowing that DfE is providing grants of up to £20K per project to fund a School Business Manager to be shared across a cluster of Primary Schools, with the aim of at least one cluster funded in each LA. Early application advised as funds may be fully allocated ahead of closing date of 31.3.11. http://bit.ly/aPKq24...(read more)

Online applications. More than just trust?

2010-08-02T11:56:00Z

I came across what seems to be a remarkably useful online application being promoted to schools, PlannerLive . As with all online services there is a need for schools to consider questions about privacy and the transparency of the service providers business plan before considering using the services they provide. 1. How does the service cover its costs? Answers typically include advertising (services to staff etc.), free trial period followed by subscription, selling user information or lists. PlannerLive...(read more)

Times they are a changing!

2010-07-07T09:50:00Z

It can't have escaped notice that my Blog has been 'quiet'. You may be aware that Kent County Council Children, Families and Education Directorate have consulted widely on changes to the way we do business. This process of change is still under way, and my understanding is that changes should be complete by September 2010. Significant debate is also taking place in Blogs and on Twitter regarding government policy and funding commitments for ICT, the role of LA's, Building Schools...(read more)

Technology: rights of the child v fears of the school

2010-07-02T09:37:00Z

Interested to read a paper by Miles Berry , incoming vice-chair of NAACE the schools ICT association and evangelist for Open Source Schools . Miles was invited to share a topic of interest to them. Rather surprisingly, instead of a polemic on Open Source, Miles offers the Convention on the Rights of the Child as an illustration of a number of issues. In particular the tortuous issue of appropriate filtering in schools is set against the Human Rights Act 1998 which guarantees the freedom "to...(read more)

Bless this computer!

2010-01-17T16:35:00Z

Since watching Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy, I've often mused that gargantuan data-centres may be cathedrals where we get ever nearer to the meaning of (virtual) life (42 wasn't it?). The church of the blessed motherboard seems nearer with a vicar recently reported as adapting a medieval ceremony used to bless plows (and other farm tools). He brought it up to date by placing 2 laptops and 4 smartphones at the altar and getting the congregation to wave their's above their heads, then...(read more)

Tablets, slates and ultrathin ...

2010-01-17T16:10:00Z

It seems that the impending Apple iSlate is re-igniting interest in Tablet's, (now called slates to disassociate them), but the best version I've seen isn't available yet, but is coming in 2012 and may only be available in developing countries. It is the XO3 from the one-laptop-per-child (OLPC) project, and can be found here. The ring in the corner is a wind-up mechanism which recharges the battery! So cool, so cheap, so where and when can I buy one??? Further pics can be seen by clicking...(read more)

Kerboodle! ... the video

2010-01-17T16:00:00Z

No comment on the Kerboodle product, but the YouTube video is a hoot!...(read more)

Top technology ... BETT 2010

2010-01-17T10:37:00Z

I don't often get excited by classroom projectors and interactive whiteboards (IWB's), with new health and safety guidance that means they must be short-throw, the problems of height adjustment (especially with boom types) etc. they often seem to generate problems. There does however appear to be light (.. no, not a projector bulb) at the end of the tunnel with the new Epson interactive projectors in that they appear to be designed specifically for classrooms. With interesting synchronicity...(read more)

British Pathé? Great ... but can you get it to work?

2009-12-18T20:35:00Z

After reading the ' Pathe Returns ' blog post by a colleague, you may have tried to find out more whilst sat at your home computer and wondered why it doesn't seem to work. Well, British Pathe is a commercial organisation that (quite rightly) charges local authorities and broadband consortia a subscription. This means the resources are not freely available on the web. I want to see these great quality educational resources being fully used by schools, and I can't help but note that...(read more)

Besa bash the BBC!

2009-12-12T19:49:00Z

I find it hard to reconcile the recent press release from trade association the British Education Suppliers Association (BESA) with the BBC Trust Decision it refers to. Parking the fact that BESA members benefitted from £500m per year through Curriculum Online and e-learning credits, they just don't seem able to let it go! BESA's take on the BBC Trust committee's report is a little mis-leading and its worth stating that the BBC Trust Committee found: " ... no evidence to suggest...(read more)

Capita CS v Bromcom? ... fighting talk!

2009-12-12T18:40:00Z

I picked up a report in the Guardian last week that Bromcom PLC are crying foul at what it sees as Capita CS' domination of the schools Management Information System (MIS) market. I remember that the Becta MIS and value for money report (PDF) in 2005 made a number of recommendations after concluding that a dominant supplier in any market is not a good idea. It didn't however take up all of the recommendations. Bromcom's complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (PDF) centres on what it...(read more)

Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) ... more information

2009-11-29T19:36:00Z

My colleague Andy Morgan has put together a useful briefing on the new statutory duties contained in the Carbon Reduction Commitment and what it means for schools. I have blogged about this before , but recommend you view the document that went out with last weeks e-bulletin for up to date details. Key Points Each April the council has to pay for carbon (estimated £1.4m for KCC) This may come back to KCC in October dependent on our position in a 'league table' of carbon reduction. All Schools...(read more)

OPEN ... Amazon for schools?

2009-11-29T08:06:00Z

OPEN (Online Procurement for Educational Needs) is a web portal, a 'marketplace for schools' where schools can compare and then purchase educational products from a range of suppliers. There is a useful YouTube demo video that explains how it works (if you can get YouTube through your school broadband connection!). OPEN consists of five elements. Electronic marketplace Purchase-to-Pay transactions. Secure access to user information Portal for suppliers to upload their catalogues. Sales ordering...(read more)

Too many cooks ... salami-slice anyone?

2009-11-28T10:15:00Z

Following weeks of colleagues trying to get a single Home Access for Targeted Groups ADSL Internet connection working in the home of a needy family, I decided to go to the house and see what could be done (if only to apologise in person to the family concerned). Armed with test gear and tools, I was shocked at the impact of the salami-slicing of service responsibilities. It results in a culture of passing the buck and avoiding ownership of the problem, resulting in delay, inefficiency and work avoidance...(read more)