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As part of a course I was running last night, I had cause to revisit Picasa, Google’s free image manipulation software, and I must say that it was well worth revisiting. I had forgotten how powerful it is. A particular favourite is the ‘collage’ facility, which enable you to take a number of images and display them in a number of  interesting ways. So - just a reminder - if you haven’t used Picasa for a while, or you have never used it and are in need of some imaging software, have a go! You can download the software from http://picasa.google.com

NumberGym provides a set of extremely useful maths tools and activities for primary maths, especially good for use with an interactive board. Shropshire schools can download an example of their ‘Digit Counters’ file - SMART users from here, Activ users from here. Well worth a look.

I was recently asked where to get film clips/trailers from the net. Came up with the following:

http://creative.bfi.org.uk/titles/ - British film institute
http://www.imdb.com/ - scroll down to the bottom of the page and there’s a link for ‘trailers’, which can be accessed via an index
Obviously, http://www.youtube.com (using our friend www.zamzar.com to get it to the children)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/

Health warning! All of these site will need checking! The videos should either be downloaded (copyright permitting!) or links should be made directly to that video. I wouldn’t necessarily want young children to be browsing these sites in school!
If you know of any other useful sites- please share

Billy from Thomas Adams has uploaded all his x-games resources to the KS4 documents section within the ICT area of the new Shropshire Learning Gateway.  These resources are only available to Shropshire schools:

https://www.shropshirelg.net/curriculum/foundsubjects/ict/secondary/Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2fcurriculum%2ffoundsubjects%2fict%2fsecondary%2fDocuments%2fKS4%2fX%20Games&FolderCTID=&View=%7b00AB74E3%2d6FA2%2d4181%2dB4B3%2dEFCD662FBD24%7d

These resources support the use of an xbox to provide evidence towards the ASDAN qualification at KS4.

This BBC article explains all - in a very accessible and interesting way

I have demonstrated using Animoto several times over the last few months, the ability to produce a cool looking 30 second video for free was excellent. Well now Animoto are offering ‘all access’ accounts to educators for free:

THE OVERVIEW -

Since launching our site in August, we’ve heard countless stories about how useful Animoto has been as a tool for educators to use with students. While we never originally thought Animoto would be something that could be used in the classroom, we’ve been both surprised and inspired by hearing how effective Animoto has been. We feel like this is one area we can do our duty to “give back” a little.

If you are interested, we’d like to give you a “Classroom Code” that’ll give each of your students a free All-Access pass (unlimited full-length videos for a whole year) upon signing up with this code. And you can use Animoto with your students however you wish. Keep in mind that videos can be viewed full-screen for classroom presentations.

Students’ Animoto videos can now also be downloaded to your desktop–we’ve heard this is often more conducive for class presentations because you can view videos without being dependent on an internet connection and without the “Distractions” of the website.

The only thing we ask is that you keep us posted with the creative ways you find to use Animoto in the classroom. Our goal is to put together a collection that becomes a hub of sorts for teachers who use web 2.0 technology in a clever, innovative & fun way.

I was asked recently if I knew of any non-fiction scripts online, that could be used as part of a Year 5 literacy unit. No problem, I thought - but its much more difficult to find any than I ever dreamed of. So - if you are about to embark on said unit, here are a few scripts that might get you started:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/bulletin_script_wed.shtml - news for kids - script of news bulletin
link to adult news scripts: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/6180944.stm
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carousel/pob02.html John Lennon ‘Man of the decade’ tv programme
http://www.safekids.co.uk/video-bicycle-safety-check.html - bicycle safety check (video and script)
http://www.safekids.co.uk/video-cycle-helmet-safety.html - cycle helmet safety (video and script)
http://www.safekids.co.uk/VideosChildSafetyCategory.html - full list of safety videos with scripts
http://www.find.co.uk/everest_expedition_2007/impressions_of_Tori_James - Everest expedition report (podcast)
http://www.wateraid.org/documents/splish_splash_flush_podcast_transcript_2.doc - Water Aid interview (podcast)
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/aid-works-transcript.asp - Aid works - advert script
http://www.lemsip.co.uk/transcripts/day_and_night.php - Lemsip ad
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/script_archive.shtml - BBC archive of scripts including children’s drama, tv comedy, radio drama etc
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/60secondshakespeare/writing_scripts.shtml - 60 second Shakespeare scripts – differing formats
http://www.geocities.com/tvtranscripts/comm/ - transcripts of tv commercials (anonymised)
http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk/things_to_know/countryside_code/creature_comforts_video/script - a ‘creature comforts’ script

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

Apple’s next Apple Teacher Institute courses runs from April 1 to April 4 2008 at Cheltenham. We still have some places on this fully residential learning experience, using ICT to deliver exciting learning outcomes in the classroom,

“In the age of digital literacy and creativity, educators need to seek out best practice in the use of the tools available. Apple Teacher Institute offers a unique opportunity to develop the ideas you have already had about digital creativity, to see how others are using these new tools with great benefits in learning gains, and to understand the pedagogy that underpins the excitement of digital media.”

On this four-day residential course, you will learn in an environment where you are given the opportunity, inspiration, space and support to be creative with like-minded colleagues. All learning on this unique course will give you a thorough background in digital media but is carried out in a relaxed and friendly manner so that newcomers to the disciplines covered will not feel intimidated.

At this event, you will investigate a range of activities that focus on different digital media:

Digital storytelling
Podcasting
Creating content using digital video cameras and editing software
Exploring the use of still images, music and animation in multimedia projects
Methods for sharing digital projects on iPods, portable devices, DVD and the Web
Sharing of experiences, action planning and portfolio development
Development of skills in subject/age group relevant projects”

For more information click on: http://www.apple.com/uk/education/ati/

or email Fiona McGlashan for registration information.

I’ve become increasingly aware recently that people don’t know/ have forgotten about the rich source of ‘free’ music available from the National Education Network (via WMNet) at http://audio.lgfl.org.uk . You have to access this from a school computer - which is verified automatically, and then you have access to over 6000 recordings from known and unknown artists. Also just heard, via NAACEtalk, of another source of free sound effects at http://www.soundsnap.com/, which looks really useful and can be accessed from any computer.