Next Generation Learning in Kent

Northgate acquiring Anite?

AlanDay — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:23:00 GMT

Northgate Information Solutions has agreed to acquire Anite Public Sector Holdings Limited , which incorporates Anite ’s local government and secure information systems businesses, for a total cash consideration of £54.3 million payable at completion...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye! - 040808

AlanDay — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:54:00 GMT

RM Gets Fingers into school biometrics market - RM's acquisition of Orchard Partners Ltd T/A Easy Trace . MP's report back from Internet's dark side . MPs have called on the government to install a YouTube Czar to oversee user-generated content...(read more)

Codename Midori: Microsoft's ascension from physical to virtual?

AlanDay — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:59:00 GMT

It's no secret ... Microsoft software was born in an era where getting connected wasn't much of a concern as few had connections! Microsoft has moved with the times with constantly updated products, but they still largely install on hardware....(read more)

Science Content - The Periodic Table of Videos

AlanDay — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:41:00 GMT

The Periodic Table of Video's is a modern version of the periodic table. Each element has an associated video explaining what it is and how it reacts. Great resource, but shame they chose YouTube ... the videos are blocked by most school filters ...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye - 220708

AlanDay — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:22:00 GMT

OFSTED says tests narrow learning Students bring kit worth £6K School design labelled 'mediocre' e-learning 2.0 -= the need for a real 2.0 VLE Corporate social networks are a waste of money Richard Stallman: Free software and beyond Top 5 platforms...(read more)

If you read just one book ...

AlanDay — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:13:00 GMT

Last week Jerry, a colleague handed me a short book, What's Next: 21 Ideas for 21st Century Learning by Charles Leadbeater , and published by the Innovation Unit . Jerry was emphatic as he placed it on my desk ... "This says what I believe ....(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye - 190708

AlanDay — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:04:00 GMT

It's not the Gates, it's the bars - Anti-microsoft commentary from Richard Stallman, Founder of Free Software Foundation . Government launches data mash-up . Spam experiment overloads inboxes . Job shortage for unskilled youths. Rural diplomas...(read more)

Assessment is for Learning

AlanDay — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:25:00 GMT

Thanks to Ewan McIntosh for highlighting the following Assessment is for Learning guide on the Learning & Teaching Scotland (LTS) web site. Thought I'd pass it on!...(read more)

Government Computers go green!

AlanDay — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:34:00 GMT

With Gershon efficiency savings being imposed on Local Government, and cascaded down to schools, I picked up an interesting Cabinet Office news item from a colleague. A bold plan has been announced to reduce carbon emission caused by ICT in central government...(read more)

Harnessing Technology:Next Generation Learning - New Strategy in a nutshell!

AlanDay — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:31:00 GMT

I thought that I would try to summarise the key features of the revised and updated e-strategy Harnessing Technology: Next Generation Learning ; a sort of ' Reduced Shakespeare Company ' version for those who don't have time to read the document...(read more)

Learning in class - the sequel

AlanDay — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:43:00 GMT

The survey evidence from the harnessing technology: next generation e-strategy review, also shows that children prefer to learn: 1. In groups 2. Doing practical things 3. With friends 4. By using computers In that order!...(read more)

Learning in class?

AlanDay — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:35:00 GMT

The chart above is taken from the recently published revision of the e-strategy, Harnessing Technology: Next Generation Learning . It shows the learning experiences of children taken from MORI survey evidence. Its quite an indictment that the most common...(read more)

Parent Power? The case for online reporting.

AlanDay — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:45:00 GMT

Becta commissioned survey of 2,058 parents 95 per cent of parents think the effective use of technology can help their child learn 77 per cent of parents think technology can help their child engage with difficult subjects 78 per cent of parents think...(read more)

Ikea Primary Capital Programme Bid? The flat pack school? Where's the Allen Key?

AlanDay — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:48:00 GMT

Times Online has a news item that shows work beginning on building Britains first flat-pack school in Manchester. Delivered from Switzerland and shipped on 20 trucks, the three storey school is built from 600 computer cut panels. St Agnes CE Primary School...(read more)

Disarming Britain

AlanDay — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Channel 4 has produced a 3D game for young people called ' Dead Ends ' as part of its ' Disarming Britain' season. You play on both sides of the law, as Keith Wilcox, a new gang recruit caught in a deadly situation he can't handle...(read more)

Google Oil!

AlanDay — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Thanks to Ewan McIntosh for highlighting this little gem for Google Earth . The ( kmz ) file overlays world oil consumption on to the globe of the earth. Below are some pics so you get the idea. Wow, what a way to show the 'inconvenient truth'...(read more)

Scrapping subject lessons? replaced by themes ...

AlanDay — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:03:00 GMT

I picked up this interesting report of a school in Totnes that has created a foundation year aimed at helping children to become good learners. Whilst the report claims they are scrapping subjects, the story affirms that children still cover the subjects...(read more)

Byron Recommendations? ... Online Information Card? ... Response?

AlanDay — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:45:00 GMT

Following this weeks publication of the Byron Review Action Plan , which aims to protect the safety of children online, Times Online reports that the worlds most influential firms have launced their online 'Information Card'. Note that its'...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye! 220608

AlanDay — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:24:00 GMT

The computer that predicted the future - More than 20 years ago a generation of schoolchildren sat down to complete a questionnaire they were told would predict their future. One tonne baby marks its birth - Sixty years ago the "modern computer"...(read more)

Todays ICT conference!

AlanDay — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:29:00 GMT

The ICT conference 2008 Home Access conversation is now under way! For theose interested there is a conference blog. The Theme of the conference is the practicalities of Home Access. We are blogging through the day as we capture the conversation through...(read more)

Filmclub goes online

AlanDay — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:21:00 GMT

As previously posted , Filmclub launched last week. This is aimed at encouraging children to watch and learn, and was set up with support from the UK Film Council . Apparently 60,000 films are being, or have been made available to support 7,000 schools...(read more)

Becta awards Open Source schools project

AlanDay — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:40:00 GMT

The Open Source community is apparently ' up in arms' following Becta's decision to award a £270K Open Source project contract to AlphaPlus Consultancy . This follows previous work with Becta on e-learning vocabularies . Mark Taylor of Sirius...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye! Summary 150608

AlanDay — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:05:00 GMT

New Video demos radical Firefox Mobile Four nations appeal against Microsoft OOXML standard Encyclopaedia Britannica dips toe in Wiki waters Gamers not misfits after all Home Affairs Committee Report - Surveillance Society? Secret printer ID codes may...(read more)

Re: Worry over capital funds for subscription services

AlanDay — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:06:00 GMT

Merlin John recently posted on a confusion about how schools should spend their Harnessing Technology funding, claiming that confusion has reduced schools purchasing. The post goes on to discuss the difference between capital and revenue items. School...(read more)

£250 Ethernet Cable??

AlanDay — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:32:00 GMT

Denon the high-end audio firm is selling an ethernet patch cable for, wait for it ... £250!! (normally around £5 or less). Apparently it brings out 'all the nuances of digital music', and has signal direction markings. Don't they know that...(read more)

Shine - talent in all young people!

AlanDay — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:19:00 GMT

Shine is a national celebration of all talent in all young people providing creative ways to celebrate and showcase students' achievements during Shine week from 30 June to 4 July. Shine is the place for teachers to show off too. Do you have a hidden...(read more)

Parental Engagement - Online Reporting

AlanDay — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:39:00 GMT

Becta are sending all schools an introductory pack to assist them as they move towards online reporting. Secondary schools are expected to have arrangements in place by September 2010. Primary School's by September 2012. Parents will have secure access...(read more)

Kent County Council bans anti-teen device!

AlanDay — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:21:00 GMT

Here's a technology snippet! The Mosquito Teenager Loitering Deterrent is a device that emits a high pitch sound that only young people can hear. According to BBC News , Kent County Council has decided to ban the devices, with Mike Hill OBE , Cabinet...(read more)

Display Energy Certificates - Go one better?

AlanDay — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:38:00 GMT

On reading the recent e-bulletin item on Kent Trust Web (Formerly Clusterweb) I note with interest that from the 1st October schools are meant to display a certificate that shows the energy usage per square metre. This means that every school with more...(read more)

Stuff that's caught my eye! Summary 070608

AlanDay — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:28:00 GMT

Assessing the Impact of the Commercial World on Children's Wellbeing - A Call for Evidence (Interested parties version) Millions must be on vetting list - More than one in four adults in England will have to register with child protection authorities...(read more)