Next Generation Learning in Kent

Bless this computer!

AlanDay — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:35:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Tablets, slates and ultrathin ...

AlanDay — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:10:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Kerboodle! ... the video

AlanDay — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:00:00 GMT

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

Top technology ... BETT 2010

AlanDay — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:37:00 GMT

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...(read more)

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

AlanDay — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:35:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Besa bash the BBC!

AlanDay — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:49:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Capita CS v Bromcom? ... fighting talk!

AlanDay — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:40:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) ... more information

AlanDay — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:36:00 GMT

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...(read more)

OPEN ... Amazon for schools?

AlanDay — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:06:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Too many cooks ... salami-slice anyone?

AlanDay — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:15:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Becta publish draft functional and technical principles ...

AlanDay — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Becta have published their draft functional and technical specifications for consultation. If you want your say before they're set in stone sign up for the Becta collaboration site (it could do with more activity!). I've commented the technical...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye 071109

AlanDay — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:37:00 GMT

Youth cannot live without the web - YouthNet charity report based on a survey of young 16-24 year olds Tech addiction 'harms learning - report concludes that modern gadgets worsen pupils' spelling and concentration, encourage plagiarism and disrupt...(read more)

Interactive games v real games ... Northfleet Tech' proves why it's got an ICT Mark!

AlanDay — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:03:00 GMT

Interesting way to get kids engaged with fitness ... see the BBC take on it by clicking HERE . When you work in schools and discover the number of kids sat out of games with notes or without games kit, you can only applaud this innovative approach. ....(read more)

Home Access! ... do you know what's going on?

AlanDay — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:34:00 GMT

On my travels it amazes me how little is known about a scheme that about to impact schools in a big way. Home Access is part of Becta's Next Generation Learning campaign and aims to address the perceived digital divide. An estimated one million children...(read more)

CCTV in schools ... statement from Information Commissioners Office (ICO)

AlanDay — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:52:00 GMT

Jonathan Bamford, Assistant Information Commisioner today issued the following statement after an incident where CCTV captured pictures of school children changing. “CCTV should only be used for a pressing need. It is perfectly reasonable for a school...(read more)

Kent ICT Mark schools ... numbers up!

AlanDay — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:31:00 GMT

Just seen my NAACE newsletter , and two more Kent schools have recently achieved the coveted ICT Mark. They are Hugh Christie Technology College and Swalecliffe Community Primary School . Knowing how difficult it is to achieve the coveted ICT Mark (judging...(read more)

ICT Targets ... now that's an interesting subject!

AlanDay — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:55:00 GMT

I had an enquiry from a Kent secondary school asking about current targets for ICT. It set me on a bit of a quest as 'deadlines' are often quoted and mentioned. I started by looking at data the government collects through the school census, as...(read more)

ICT Suites ... an update!

AlanDay — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:54:00 GMT

As an update to my recent post on ICT suites, I've been checking out figures (Feb 2009) for computer locations in Kent Primary schools: 36% of desktops located in classrooms / teaching areas (not suites). 35% of desktops located in suites. 26% laptops...(read more)

Comparisons are odious ...

AlanDay — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:41:00 GMT

Just been reading the recently published Harnessing Technology Schools Survey 2009 and comparing with Kent's most recent figures for learning platforms: 61% of Kent Primary schools have a learning platform compared with 52% nationally. 83% of Kent...(read more)

Where are all the ICT Mark schools?

AlanDay — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:21:00 GMT

I've been preparing reports today and comparing Kent's ICT Mark schools with neighbouring Local Authorities. Interesting observation, the number of schools with the ICT Mark is not increasing (In Kent, currently 5 secondary schools if you exclude...(read more)

ICT Suites ... dead or alive?

AlanDay — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:26:00 GMT

“Schools have successfully created a demand from teachers to be able to use ICT to improve learning in other subjects but are rarely able to meet it. Most primary and secondary schools have chosen to centralise the bulk of their ICT resources in networked...(read more)

Re: Don't let your mind die

AlanDay — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:55:00 GMT

This creased me up and I can't resist a comment! I hope the article is meant to be tongue-in-cheek as I have this horrible vision of elderly drivers swerving across motorway lanes as they do brain training on long journeys. I also love the thought...(read more)

OFCOM report - young people's web access has doubled

AlanDay — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT

An interesting read is the recent OFCOM UK Children's Media Literacy report . Here are a couple of the key findings: 16% of 11 year olds and 35% of 12 -15 year olds go online in their rooms. A fifth of 12 - 15 year oldsdon't know how search engine...(read more)

Twitter Ye Not?

AlanDay — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:52:00 GMT

Well, the light bulb moment happened and I'm micro-blogging with Twitter (trailing way behind the prolific Ms Barrow). I opened an account in 2007, and well ... didn't get it. Now I'm a convert and my account is flourishing. My problem is...(read more)

Will schools jump on the bandwagon or be left behind?

AlanDay — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 09:06:00 GMT

The title of this post is the opening of a web 2.0 in education report based on research responses from school administrators in the US. Some of the report's statements and findings raise interesting questions. "... digital media - and particularly...(read more)

Economic and efficient ICT in schools ...

AlanDay — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:58:00 GMT

The Audit Commission recently published a report highlighting ways schools can improve economy and efficiency. ICT, (a major cost for most schools) gets scant mention with a bland statement " ... regular reviews of high cost services, such as administration...(read more)

Carbon Reduction! ... ready for the commitment?

AlanDay — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:24:00 GMT

A colleague took me through the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) in the context of building energy efficient schools and the ICT used in intelligent buildings. CRC is a new mandatory emissions trading scheme that will affect large organisations (including...(read more)

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)