Next Generation Learning Campaign January 28, 2008
Posted by cre8tor in Continued Professional Development, Developing and training teachers and students.add a comment
The Next Generation Learning campaign is about using technology well to make learning a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for people of all ages and abilities. I have signed up the school to this and have committed to send a weekly newsletter via email (linked to the school VLE) with 3 technology tips to try.
Putting technology at the heart of learning will improve education and training in the UK – inspiring learners, engaging parents, enabling teachers, motivating employees and giving school and college leavers the skills businesses want. This is a campaign led by BECTA.
One of my medium term targets is to get the school to achieve the ICT Mark. This is the new quality mark that recognises schools who can demonstrate they use ICT to support all learners and all school activities. This could be an objective for me to guide Blackpool Secondary schools through this process as the CLC Secondary Teacher.
Online Questionnaires January 26, 2008
Posted by cre8tor in Continued Professional Development, Creative use of ICT, Developing and training teachers and students, Experience outside the classroom.add a comment
I have helped a wide variety of staff to develop online questionnaires to help them gather feedback quickly and easily from parents and staff. These have ranged from transition questionnaires to gain feedback from Year 7 parents to PSHE questionnaires to gage curriculum feedback from students.
I have also used surveymonkey.com in the classroom to allow students to collect Market Research information as part of the Business and ICT curriculum. Students have found this really useful and has also ensured students deal with real data and more of it. Many students post their questionnaires on Forums or email thems to their sample which acheives an excellent response and is far easier and quicker than asking individuals.
Camtasia and Captivate January 26, 2008
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I have started to use Camtasia over the past year to produce tutorials and vodcasts that students can use to develop their ICT skills and complete coursework. This has been great as a way for students to have a teacher there with an explanation 24/7 and they can even download and watch on their video Ipods. It also allows me as the teacher to spend more time with struggling students and helps students develop their indpeendent learning skills.
I am also looking to start using Camtasia for students to use as a way of explaining why and how they have used software as an alternative to endless screen shots.
At Trinity Academy I introduced Captivate as a tool for the Business, Information Technology and Enterprise (BITE) to produce interactive tutorials and tests. A brief overview of the software was given during a department meeting which led to 6 of the department producing learning resources.
CPD VLEs January 26, 2008
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In January 2008 I completed my University Certificate in Virtual Learning Environments from the University of Central Lancashire.
I am also completing a Masters in Education with a focus on successful implementation of Virtual Learning Environments within secondary schools. This is through the University of Cumbria.
BETT Show January 26, 2008
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I attended this years BETTS show in London early in January which allowed me to keep up to date with what products are available from over 700 suppliers. It was also a good excuse to ‘kill two birds with one stone’ and catch up with some former colleagues and friends in London over that weekend.
Animation in RE January 26, 2008
Posted by cre8tor in Continued Professional Development, Creative use of ICT, Developing and training teachers and students.add a comment
I demonstrated to the RE department how they could use animation as an activity for students to demonstrate learning. Whether it was recreating a story from the bible, looking at different traditions in other a variety of religions or simply as an outlet to explain or argue the students own point of view.
Due to being at a very early stage we simply used Microsfot Movie Maker and a web cam to produce the animations. Before I left I suggested for them to look to use a variety of programs including I Can Animate (Kudlian) which I considered easy to use and very cheap for a specific animation software.
Whole school Moodle Development January 26, 2008
Posted by cre8tor in Continued Professional Development, Creative use of ICT, E Strategy, Virtual Learning Environment.add a comment
In my current position I have the responsibility to develop and implement Moodle across the curriculum. This experience has meant quickly learning the new technology so I am an authority on it within school. It has also meant developing an understanding of where departments and individuals are upto in terms of using technology to allow me to taylor suggestions on how they can start to use Moodle. I have also arranged and delivered training to staff on an individual, departmental and formal cross departmental level. It has also required introduction training to my classes I have developed online courses for.
Please click the image below to take a look at the Ripley St Thomas Moodle site so far…
