it4L » Enhancing the curriculum

Cleaner YouTube

Steve Beard — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:37:43 +0000

Safari, the Apple browser (that works on both pc and mac) updated to version 5.1 this week. This update included the ability to add extensions, similar to what you have been able to do with Firefox for several years.

For teachers the extension ‘A Cleaner YouTube’ is a no brainer, it removes everything off the YouTube page apart from the video you want to watch. You can install the extension here.

So, if you want to use YouTube in the classroom and you have been put off by the related videos or comments then install Safari and add the extension for a clean view of YouTube.

Smart Notebook Express

June — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:41:56 +0000

Smart Notebook Express is an online tool which enables the opening of Notebook files without downloading any software or using a login. You can also create and save your own Notebooks. It includes use of pen tools and text functions. You can sort pages, add or delete slides, move objects, or run flash files. Smart Notebook Express can be used with other brands of IWB and with an LCD projector. Great for editing and sharing lessons with other users.

Click here to find out more and to try out Smart Notebook Express

Smart Notebook express brochure

Android app development tool

Dale — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:13:35 +0000

Google have announced a new Android App development tool that looks like it will enable anyone to write apps for the fast-spreading mobile phone operating system.

The Appinventor is a graphical programming environment that looks very similar to StarLOGO TNG, a direct descendant of Seymour Papert‘s LOGO and yes, it is very closely related to Scratch. So it looks like all those budding Scratch programmers in primary and secondary schools will soon have a market for their talents in the form of Android apps development.

Additionally, there is an obvious progression from using Scratch to learn concepts of programming that can then be easily transferred straight to mobile phone app development. I’m looking forward to getting my copy of AppInventor – perhaps you would like to sign up too.

Video Conferencing with the Imperial War Museum

Steve Beard — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:05:56 +0000

Yesterday I was at The Marches School in Oswestry. A group of year 9 students were participating in a highly interactive video conference with the Imperial War Museum.
The students were split into 4 groups, media, spies, weapons and deployment.

Each team was given some information and then set some activities to carry out the media team were in charge of propaganda. The group of spies were deciphering codes sent to them, some of these messages were in direct response to broadcasts made by the media team. The weapons group were deciding on what weapons to purchase and where they should be positioned. Other students in the weapons group were designing new weapons this information was passed on to the media team. The deployment group were discussing tactics with the media group and the weapons group.

It was great to see the high level of engagement by all students. The session was fast paced and everyone participated with the tasks. Apart from the history content that they were learning the students were developing PLTS.

For further details about the session visit the Video Conferencing site at the Imperial War Museum.

Free energy meter for schools

Andrea Dunn — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:10:17 +0000

Just read this from the Kent ICT blog – Why not apply for your free energy meter at www.energydisplaymeter.co.uk and help the school save money. It can be used to help raise awareness of energy use with the children and comes with a set of lesson plans and resources.

Shropshire ICT Student Conference

Dale — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:49:40 +0000

Today at the Prostar Stadium in Shrewsbury the Shropshire Student ICT Conference is starting to fill up. Students from all over the county are meeting today to share their experiences and learn new things about how they might use ICT in their learning. There’s an excited buzz of anticipation in the room with a backdrop of sound from Russell Prue who is here to kick off proceedings and later deliver a radio workshop for a select band of students.

Also involved in the proceedings are Steve Smith from Tandberg who will be videoconferencing in to talk to us about VC and how it can be used in learning, Stuart Slater the Director of the Institute of Gaming and Animation from Wolverhampton University to talk about careers, Andy Kilding from Apple and a number of workshops to take part in.

More to come later.

Sherston Mega Deal

Andrea Dunn — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:17:19 +0000

Sherston software are offering over £20,000 worth of software for £999. This includes 114 of their award-winning titles such as Izzy’s Island, Crystal Rainforest V2, Easi Keysi, Email Detectives, Mission Control V2, Model Shop, BBC Magic Pencil, Literacy Bank 3 to 7, Oxford Reading Tree, Measure Up!, Numeracy Bank 3 to 6, Where in the World is Barnaby Bear, Magic Grandad Great Fire, Homes, Toys and Seaside Holidays and Time Detectives. To see the full list click here. (This site quotes £1099, but if you order through g.lewis@blieducation.com, it will cost £999 plus you get a free Flip Mino video camera!)

Shakespeare’s Treasures

Andrea Dunn — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:27:04 +0000

Just read about this brilliant competition through the Bee-It blog. Aimed at young teenagers, this is a virtual treasure hunt designed to hone information skills. The prize is a beautiful – and valuable- gilded mask; ‘Shakespeare’s Treasure’. There are two parts to the competition, the first part consists of 15 questions, the second part involves solving riddles based on 37 paintings. You can find out more information and see some sample questions here. The competition costs £10 to enter, 25% of which goes to a fund to help gifted children from deprived backgrounds to achieve artistic success.

World Cup story

Andrea Dunn — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 06:48:05 +0000

Justin at Gobowen Primary told us yesterday about Tom Palmer’s episodic World Cup story, featuring football detective Danny Harte. Tom is writing and publishing a new chapter every day throughout the World Cup, including actual events as and when they happen. You can read the story and download new chapters from the Literacy Trust’s website. There are also writing exercises included on the site. An excellent way for children to feel included in the creative process – and to enjoy a great story!

Becta SRF

Dale — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:23:01 +0000

The revised Becta Self-Review Framework is now out here.