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Microsoft have a set of Office 2007 posters available for free for schools.

Details can be found on the Microsoft Blog: blogs.msdn.com/ukschools/archive/2008/06/17/free-office-2007-classroom-posters.aspx

If you’d like me to send you a set, just email with your name, school name and address. Let them know if you’re already using Office 2007 in the classroom, or if you’re rolling it out this summer, and then they will get them in the post ASAP.  (If you just can’t wait, and you want to download the PDFs, then click here to get them from SkyDrive)

Microsoft’s Digital Literacy curriculum is now live – and available at no cost. The goal of the Digital Literacy curriculum is to teach basic computer concepts and skills so that people can use computer technology in everyday life to develop new social and economic opportunities for themselves, their families and their communities.

The Digital Literacy curriculum is available free-of-charge to everyone wanting to improve their digital literacy skills. It is easy to follow and if you have a PC at home you will be able to study on your own - or with support from your family - at any time. If you don’t have a PC at home - or you would like an experienced tutor to support you in your studies - then please phone the helpline on 0800 101 901. They can tell you about learning centres near your home - many learndirect centres, Microsoft IT Academies or local UK online centres will be offering the curriculum.

Successful completion of the Digital Literacy curriculum prepares you to take a recognised qualification - the Digital Literacy Certificate - with the awarding body, OCR. Use the links on the right to find an examining centre near you.

• Getting Started
• Access Version 1 of the Curriculum in English (Windows XP / Office 2003)
• Access Version 2 of the Curriculum in English (Vista / Office 2007)
• Access the curriculum in Welsh
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Access the Curriculum in Languages other than English

Whether you are entirely new to computing or have some experience, this curriculum will help you develop a fundamental understanding of computers. From using the Internet, to sending email, to creating a CV, the Digital Literacy curriculum helps you develop the essential skills you need to begin computing with confidence.

The Digital Literacy curriculum consists of five courses:

• Computer Basics
• The Internet and the World Wide Web
• Productivity Programmes (Word processing, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Databases)
• Computer Security and Privacy
• Digital Lifestyles

These courses are in elearning format with online assessments but are also available for download in Microsoft Word format.

• Download these courses in Microsoft Word format (English)

[Taken from the NAACE newsletter]

Following their interim report in January 2007, Becta’s final report on installing MS Vista and Office 2007 remains cautious. The key recommendations [quote]:

• Upgrading existing ICT systems to Microsoft Vista or Office 2007 is not recommended and mixed Windows-based operating environments should be avoided. However, Vista should be considered where new institution-wide ICT provision is being planned.
• No widespread deployment of Office 2007 should take place until schools and colleges are sure that they have in place mechanisms to deal with interoperability and potential digital divide issues set out in the report.
• To ensure widest compatibility of files between different applications, users of Office 2007 should not save in Microsoft’s new Office format (OOXML).
• Due to limitations in Microsoft’s implementation of the Open Document Format (ODF) international standard, users should in the short term continue to save files in the more widely adopted .doc, .xls and .ppt formats.
• Pupils, teachers and parents should also be made aware of the wide range of free-to-use products currently available and on how to use and access them.
• The ICT industry should be facilitating easier access to ‘free-to-use’ office productivity software.

Becta’s Executive Director of Strategic Technologies, Dr. Stephen Lucey, said, “Our objective is to make sure schools and colleges get the best possible value for money. Our advice is to be sure there is a strong business case before upgrading to these products as the costs are significant and the benefits remain unclear.”

The full report is available at http://publications.becta.org.uk/download.cfm?resID=35275
Press release http://news.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=35287&page=1658&catID=1633