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Despite the obvious learning opportunities it offers, sometimes it’s difficult to justify buying a digital video camera for everybody.  There are limitations to using a DV camera; usually you need to connect the camera to the computer to get the video from it, and it’s unlikely that there will be enough for the whole class to use anyway.  What’s needed is a quick and easy-to-use portable device with removable storage, so while one pupil is editing their video, another can be using the camera.

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A new video conferencing programme for schools run by Parliament’s Education Service

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

Andrea, Keith and I were impressed by the following resources and are now going through the purchasing arrangements for all Shropshire schools, our hope is to have these within the new learning platform.

e-Safety - Us Online (KS2-3) www.roareducate.co.uk/esafety.pdf
A highly interactive online module that instils safe and responsible use of online technologies. Developed in conjunction with London Grid for Learning.

RE*CREATE www.roareducate.co.uk/recreate.pdf
An online application that empowers teachers to create highly engaging interactive student activities - simply and quickly. The application can be integrated into school or LA platforms and is appropriate across the curriculum for Key Stages 1-4

Celebrating Us - What We Do (KS2-3) www.roareducate.co.uk/whatwedo23.pdf
A highly interactive look at Rights, Roles & Responsibilities. Developed in conjunction with London Grid for Learning.

Celebrating Us - Who We Are (KS1) www.roareducate.co.uk/whoweare1.pdf
A highly interactive look at cultural diversity, stereotyping in the media, personal prejudice and migration. Developed in conjunction with London Grid for Learning.

Celebrating Us - Who We Are (KS2-3) www.roareducate.co.uk/whoweare23.pdf
A highly interactive look at cultural diversity, stereotyping in the media, personal prejudice and migration. Developed in conjunction with London Grid for Learning.

Colleagues

You may be interested in bringing this site to your colleagues and schools attention. It is about World Environment Day, which this year is taking the theme of climate change.  World Environment Day is promoted in the UK by the Environment Agency.

www.mendoftheworld.org

The site includes resources, such as web banners and posters and incorporates a mass survey to find out what people are doing, what else they could do and what is stopping them.

The approach they have taken, especially the animated introduction, may give schools ideas they could incorporate into their own websites and activities to raise awareness of climate change.

Regards

Margaret

Project Manager
WMnet Young People’s Climate Change Messages Project
climatechange.wmnet.org.uk

Kate’s Choice is an online simulation which deals with moral dilemmas such as stealing and telling the truth, and is perfect for use with an interactive whiteboard in order to stimulate discussions. Some colleagues may remember this from previous incarnations, when it was available from the VTC. NAACE have been given permission to use it again - it is well worth a look.

Following the success of Road Safety Week, Brake, the national road safety charity, have produced free teaching resources to help teachers run life-saving road safety lessons.

Road Safety Week was co-ordinated by Brake and supported by ASDA, Direct Line and Green Flag Motoring Assistance. Thousands of schools and colleges got involved in the Week by running road safety lessons, assemblies, displaying posters and distributing literature to pupils and parents.

The interactive PowerPoint presentations include information on the extent of road death and injury among teenagers, discussion points on risk-taking, and information on what action teenagers can take to reduce their chances of being hurt on roads – particularly as passengers and drivers. Brake’s online action pack also includes background road safety information for teachers, lesson and activity ideas, a resources catalogue, and a form to order free road safety posters.

To access the resources please follow this link.

Very good advice to pass on to parents at http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/09/11-steps-to-online-parental.html - very sensible - and its also worth looking at the rest of the blog !

www.zoo.com is a new child-friendly search engine which filters out a lot of inappropriate content and purposely has no image search (perhaps useful if you are allowing children to surf freely away from direct supervision). Whilst I agree that there is no substitute for teaching the children internet safety skills (using resources such as Gridclub’s cybercafe activity), this search engine will be useful for primary age children and may give some teachers peace of mind.