Next Generation Learning in Kent

The Right Staff! ... with the Right Stuff?

AlanDay — Sun, 10 May 2009 11:50:00 GMT

Recent articles have highlighted the importance of good quality teaching as a determinant of child success. Bill Gates (ex Microsoft) argues strongly in a video presentation on the TED website that not only are good teachers the main determinants of success...(read more)

Videoconferencing - Visit to Tandberg.

AlanDay — Sun, 10 May 2009 10:41:00 GMT

Around two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Tandberg executive briefing centre in Staines with colleagues from EIS. The purpose of the visit was to look at the future roadmap for videoconferencing from the perspective of one its market leaders...(read more)

Graham Badman - Chair of Becta!

AlanDay — Sun, 10 May 2009 10:17:00 GMT

Graham Badman CBE, ex-managing director of Kent County Council's 'Childen Familes and Education' Directorate was appopinted Chair of Becta on 1st May 2009 , replacing Andrew Pinder who stepped down in January 2009. Graham has been interim...(read more)

Importance of ICT ... No comment!

AlanDay — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:13:00 GMT

I am one of those sad people who reads reports. I either agree, disagree or find out more. OFSTED reports tend to be quite short and pithy and 'The Importance of ICT' (OFTSTED 2009) is no exception as it looks at the quality of ICT in education...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye! 240409

AlanDay — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:28:00 GMT

The EU has adopted a new regulation aiming to reduce the energy consumption of external power supplies (includes laptop power adaptors and chargers). The new requirements start coming into force in 2010. Simulated brain ? - "Blue Brain" built...(read more)

Revised data security advice from Becta - Do's and Don'ts!

AlanDay — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:16:00 GMT

Becta have amended their data protection guidance in light of representations from various organisations, but the changes are not substantial. Becta does indicate that they are looking at how schools transition to what is a strong regime for compliance...(read more)

Common file format for interactive whiteboards? ... maybe, but not yet!

AlanDay — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:35:00 GMT

.doc .xls and now .iwb! I posted on this in November 2007 when Becta announced that RM had been contracted to develop a common file format that will allow interchange netween proprietary brands. Well, a technical specification has now been 'made available'...(read more)

Free memory sticks for all teachers and support staff!

AlanDay — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:20:00 GMT

2Gb memory sticks pre-loaded with lesson plans, worksheets and other useful resources are being given away by Memory4Teachers . Go to the website to get yours!...(read more)

Regional centres to improve ICT skills of teachers?

AlanDay — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

There was an intriguing procurement notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on 17th Feb 2009. (All major public sector buying must start with a notice published in the EU Journal under European Law). The DCSF notice states: "...(read more)

More ... Stuff that's caught my eye! 230209

AlanDay — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:32:00 GMT

2009 Horizon Report - the report identifies and describes six areas of emerging technology likely to have a significant impact on teaching, learning, or creative expression in higher education within three adoption horizons: a year or less, two to three...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye! - 230209

AlanDay — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:04:00 GMT

It's been awhile! Glastonbury new-agers protest against WiFi - New-age residents of Glastonbury are up in arms about the council's deployment of WiFi, claiming the wireless networks are interfering with their chakras and generally getting them...(read more)

School Together Now ... Kill or Cure?

AlanDay — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:08:00 GMT

School Together Now is a new site offering 'school centric' social networking, and it has not been received well in the press . Indeed, Cambridge University researchers have indicated that it's security is fundamentally flawed. The idea of...(read more)

Kent children and young people's survey results

AlanDay — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:25:00 GMT

I do think that the format used to summarise Kent 2008 survey findings for children and young people are exemplar. Clean and simple with the message designed for the audience. A perfect example of communication skills for teachers to use in ICT lessons...(read more)

Wrong Format? Sorry, no grade!

AlanDay — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:10:00 GMT

It has been reported that a number of schools have fallen foul of rules that govern the format for submission of student work in the Diploma in Digital Applications (DIDA) qualifications. DIDA requires the use of an e-portfolio, and files have to be submitted...(read more)

Learner Voice - its in the can!

AlanDay — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:25:00 GMT

I love this idea, so I thought I'd share it. Now on the market are a number of cheap and attractive coloured small voice recorders that can be used for learners to comment on displays. Some have a multi-message recording feature. All you need to do...(read more)

Becta ICT Self Review - Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes?

AlanDay — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:19:00 GMT

I was in London with Becta / NAACE earlier this week to renew my ICT Mark Assessor status . We are required to attend an annual assessors conference, (although its not really a conference, more of a seminar / workshop), where we get down and dirty with...(read more)

Assessment for Learning - critics vindicated?

AlanDay — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:48:00 GMT

Alongside my previous post on personalised learning , the same committee also questioned the Assessment for Learning (AfL) strand. Reported in the TES this week, concerns were raised that the DCSF version of AfL differs substantially from the research...(read more)

Is 'Personalised Learning' just waffle? ... the Emperors New Clothes?

AlanDay — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:34:00 GMT

The term 'personalised learning' has just taken a colossal bashing. David Milliband extolled its virtues and Christine Gilbert promoted it as key to education policy in the 2020 vision . Education is awash with acronyms and 'buzz words'...(read more)

New HSE Whiteboard Safety Advice

AlanDay — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:30:00 GMT

The BBC has reported on the Health & Safety Executive's revised guidance for the use of interactive whiteboards. Much of the advice remains the same as before; however there is recognition that risk is reduced if short throw projectors are used...(read more)

Innovation is risky ... what happens if it doesn't work?

AlanDay — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:25:00 GMT

Reading last weeks TES, I came across an article in which OFSTED is reported to have given a 'thumbs down' to themed lessons. Two Essex schools highlighted by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) as innovative and "putting together...(read more)

Kent gets funding for new and refurbished Primary Schools

AlanDay — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:14:00 GMT

Kent has been awarded Category 2 Approval (Approved with modifications) in the Primary Capital Programme . This means that Kent's plans have been approved for 2009-10 with more work needed to secure on-going funding. This brings in funding of £31...(read more)

Should we be afraid ... very afraid?

AlanDay — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:36:00 GMT

If you have a spare couple of hours, I recommend you read the ' Enquiring Minds ' [PDF] report from Futurelab. Enquiring Minds is a joint project between Microsoft and Futurelab , and is to be commended for pushing back boundaries with a radical...(read more)

Save money with / on ICT!!

AlanDay — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:11:00 GMT

Merlin John has been writing in the Guardian about ways to save money in school using technology. It makes interesting reading!...(read more)

National Strategies website - something missing??

AlanDay — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:54:00 GMT

I notice there is a new National Strategies website in beta, and very comprehensive it is too! ... but ... shouldn't there be a mention of the national e-strategy, Harnessing Technology: Next Generation Learning ... Becta is a mere footnote ......(read more)

Resolution on Children's Online Privacy

AlanDay — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:59:00 GMT

In October 2008, the 30th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners met in Strasbourg, and passed a resolution . The resolution supports education approaches, but also calls for legislation in respective jurisdictions limiting...(read more)

Becta: Next Generation Learning - bypassing schools, enlisting parents?

AlanDay — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:28:00 GMT

Becta's dedicated ' Next Generation Learning ' website marks a new approach. It is aimed at parents and employers, although most won't be aware of Becta, let alone find its website! It has a dedicated parents page , and one of the key...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye! - 111108

AlanDay — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:55:00 GMT

Teachernet Publications Making Software accessible: a guide for schools The new Secondary Curriculum: renewing the Secondary Frameworks Building creative partnerships: A handbook for schools Personalised Learning - A practical guide A Framework for Learning...(read more)

... and the ICT Excellence Award for learner experience goes to ... Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre!

AlanDay — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:28:00 GMT

Homewood School and sixth form centre in Tenterden was runner up in the prestigious national ICT Excellence Awards . The award ceremony last night was attended by Chris Foreman (Vice Principal Learning Systems) and his team, and was accompanied by CFE's...(read more)

Home Access for teachers ... ?

AlanDay — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:48:00 GMT

There are increasing expectations that teachers and pupls will access virtual learning environments from home. Good for pupils, but is it fair to teachers' work life balance? I can find no guidance or policies articulating an expectation that teachers...(read more)

Cramster - a viable concept for 'out of school' teaching and learning?

AlanDay — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:17:00 GMT

I'm always on the look out for interesting ideas in the Web 2.0 world, and am intrigued by the concept behind Cramster , a free online study community (portal) that claims to bring together those who want to learn and those who want to teach. It appears...(read more)