When you move your mouse over the picture on the homepage there are several notes/questions about the picture.  As the picture changes daily this could be a nice activity at the start of a lesson.

There are a couple of options for handheld pocket video devices.  One of these is a Busbi camera which is cheap and stores over an hour of video on a removable 1 Gb SD card (included in the price).  With only one button to press (and it’s a Big Red one), using the camera is simplicity itself, allowing pupils to record video and sound straight out of the box.  It comes with all the right cables to connect to a TV or a PC and needs two AA batteries for power.  Resolution and quality aren’t great but it’s fine for understanding the principles of creating an information source.

Another device is the Flipcam which does a similar job but doesn’t have removable storage, yet it fits neatly into a USB socket for instant access to videos.  It does have bigger storage and better resolution though, so the choice is there depending on what you want to use the camera for.

The learning opportunities are endless.  All the creative effort that goes into making a movie might be exemplified in mindmapping, storyboarding, researching – even before shooting starts! Then comes the creativity of getting the right angles in the filming, creating the right moods with the right shots. The post-production work in the digital editing suite such as Windows Movie Maker or iMovie has enormous potential for creating starting points for appraisal and discussion in groupwork.

These devices make video so much more accessible, from many perspectives.  Making a report for a science experiment may never be the same again!  they are so handy that they can fit into a pocket fro a field trip, for instance.

Call or email Nick Hawksworth at the Shropshire Teacher Development Centre for details of pricing on pocket video devices. nick@it4l.org

As part of a new video conferencing programme offered by the Education Service at the Houses of Parliament, these pilot sessions focus on the issue of Prison Reform in order to bring to life the role of Parliament, both historically and in the present time.  The conferences include the opportunity to talk with a member of the House of Commons or House of Lords

Set amidst the backdrop of Victorian prison reform, the session is based in 1878 as the government takes control of the prison system.  Your students will meet a Victorian prison governor and a long-time prisoner as they talk about their experiences of life in Pentonville Prison.

During the workshop, your group are encouraged to engage with both characters, played by costumed actors, and to ask questions before being led into a debate on the issues surrounding the prison system and its purpose.

Students will explore what prison is for and whether it works from both historical and contemporary angles; developments in the prison system and the role played by Parliament in its reform; as well as the future of prisons today.

A member of the House of Commons or House of Lords will be invited to conclude the workshop and discuss the role of Parliament in relation to this issue*.

A pack of preparation materials will be sent to you in advance of the session, including background information and discussion topics, to help your students prepare their arguments in advance of debating the issues involved.

To book, please call the Education Service on 0207 219 2105

Available: 12 May – 23 May 2008
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: free of charge
Suitability: Years 8 and 9 (KS3)

*Please be aware that on occasion due to the nature of Parliamentary business, Members of both Houses can be called away at short notice.

Parliament’s Education Service
Parliament’s Education Service works with schools and Members of both Houses of Parliament to support young people in developing their understanding of Parliament and democracy. It runs a busy visits programme all year round and provides printed and online resources for schools.
http://www.parliament.uk/education

The session is targeted at KS3, year 8 and will be based on a role play that will take you and your pupils back in time to 1642. The key characters will lead your pupils, who will be Royalists and Puritans alike, in an inspiring debate on the causes of the civil wars. Together they will argue the causes of the civil wars and the attitudes of people to them at the time.

In order to prepare for and research their part in the debate, a pack of preparation materials and teacher’s notes, are available online at http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/workshops/civilwar.htm. The pack includes copies of original documents and simplified transcripts, such as the very important ‘ Petition from the citizens of London, Sept 1640’ on which the pupils structure their arguments.

A flyer can be found here with all the details on the workshop and how to book. The week of workshops will take place 14th May to the 18th May 2007 and are free and open to all.

Hurry to book your place!

Regards Heather
Heather Pettitt
SEGfL Project Officer
Easthampstead Park
Wokingham
RG40 3DF
Web: www.segfl.org.uk

To enter just send in a picture of what Bonfire Night means to you: spectacular fireworks, burning bonfires, gruesome Guys or anything else you can think of.  You can use anything you like to make your picture – pencils, pens, paint, collage – or you can even do it on your computer.

Your entry must also include the names of THREE of Guy Fawkes’ fellow plotters. To help you with this you can find out about who was involved in the plot on The Parliamentary Archives and Show Me’s Gunpowder Plot site.
There are four age groups:
• 4-7
• 8-11
• 12-14
• 15 and over
Your Entry must include a sheet of paper with the following information:

•    Your first name and surname
•    The age group you are entering and your age on November 30 2005
•    Your address and a contact telephone number
•    The names of THREE of Guy Fawkes’ fellow plotters
email your entry to: showandtell@show.me.uk

For further inspiration and ideas visit the websites exploring the history of the plot – www.show.me.uk/gunpowder (4-11)  www.gunpowderplot.parliament.uk (12 and above). Enter from school or home and we’ll publish a selection of our favourites on Show Me.

The closing date for entries is November 30 2006, so get to work!

British History Online is the digital library containing some of the core printed primary and secondary sources for the medieval and modern history of the British Isles. Created by the Institute of Historical Research and the History of Parliament Trust, we aim to support academic and personal users around the world in their learning, teaching and research.