Ashford Rural Blog

Extranet Magazine Winter 2006 - Learning Platforms Special Edition

The latest Digital Curriculum Extranet magazine features an eight page article headed "Learning Platforms - Advice for Schools in Kent". 

Providing clear guidance if you are considering purchasing a Learning Platform solution for your school, college or cluster collaboration.  Or perhaps you already have a Learning Platform solution and want to know how this can be incorporated into Kent's strategic plans.  "What should I be considering now and how do I prepare?" - are key questions, addressed in the 'Time to Prepare' summary section.

Kent are currently tracking 10 commercial providers plus Moodle's open source solution.  We anticipate there will be changes to this line-up once BECTA announces the Learning Platform framework contracts, planned for January at BETT07, the information provided is to provide an insight to the technology and market place - so you can research further.

ARC Learning Platform Evaluation - end of phase 1; active users?

Real success was achieved when we had user accounts for 100% of staff; Teaching and Non Teaching Staff and Pupils for 100% of ARC Primary schools.
62% of Ashford Rural Cluster schools have enjoyed the opportunity to experience cluster communication and collaboration for 12 months now, although quite naturally it has taken some time to get us up and running, most schools have been enjoying the central access to news, dates and shared resources for quite some time now.

Therefore, I'd like to ask for your comments and reflection as we come to the end of phase 1 - 12 months on!  Either send an email to me at the usual address or if you would like the benefit of anonymity add a post comment.
  
Your evaluations are extremely beneficial, the good and the bad, cluster feedback on; use, experiences, thoughts, feelings and future recommendations:
-  How many school are using the Learning Platform - several months on?
-  Of the schools actively using the platform what is your staff % of regular users?
-  What % of staff are receiving ARC Cluster interest group 'Alert Me' notifications?
-  What % of staff feel comfortable to contribute the shared resources?
-  How many schools actively use their 'My School' Staffroom interest group?
-  Which schools are planning to extend their LP use to include pupil interest group(s) with a selection of pupil e-portfolio activity?

I'd like to hear from as many contacts as possible, covering all aspects.  I will be making a more formal evaluation request shortly to schools, but I also wanted this informal method to invite all subscribers the chance to express their thoughts.

Cluster's chance to communicate with ALL staff; Teachers and TA's

When the project was first cascaded each school attended the November 2005 'Learning Platform Engagement launch" at the Ashford International,  sending two project representatives. 

However, the opportunity to share best practice, collaborate and communicate with ALL staff across the cluster has the potential to reap so many benefits, that the overall user group account demand has surpassed expectations.

Every school now has their own My School "User Details" link, located under the search field, accessible to their local Administrator level user(s).  Which opens up an up-to-date excel file showing all their school's account username & passwords for staff; teaching and non-teach staff plus pupils - a selection of schools will also be trialing parental access.  More importantly any new additions to school roll via SIMs, of staff or pupils is automatically reflected on the Learning Platform the next day.

This recent development puts the power of the Learning Platform  in the hands of school's SMT to promote it's use through visits and encouraging contributions of shared resources, where possible. Then it can be said with confidence that we are actually reaching all our colleagues through the engagement of all staff.

Several schools are keen to take advantage of cluster communication through the ARC Cluster Interest Group, and have invited me to carry out a whole staff twilight session.  Over the last term I have visited John Mayne, and Great Chart for whole staff training, with dates set for Woodchurch and Wittersham in January. 

Schools that have received whole staff training include (12 out of 19);
Egerton
Furley Park
Great Chart
Hamstreet
High Halden - in house whole staff
Hothfield
John Mayne
Pluckley
Rolvenden
Smarden
Woodchurch - Jan 2007
Wittersham - Jan 2007

How are the remainder schools staff getting along on the Learning Platform?
Bethersden, Charing, Godinton, Kingsnorth, St Michael's, Tenterden Infants and Tenterden Juniors.

Drop me an email or post a comment to let us know, please request Learning Platform staff training can be arranged to your requirements.

Charing CE Primary - are live on the Web!

I'd like to welcome Charing CE Primary school as they take their first steps of creating their school website.  The site is developing under the encouraging eye of the Headteacher, Mrs Rosemary Olley by Mrs Pip Taunton, ICT Co-ordinator.

It is quite difficult for small schools to maintain a global presence on the internet as keeping a school website lively and vibrant to reflect busy school life takes time and dedication.  Ashford Rural Cluster has a high number of schools with active websites, last year Wittersham started to celebrate class publication of their work and project acheivements too.  (If I've missed anyone from the list on the right-hand side please drop me a line and I look forward to adding your details).

I particularily liked the 'Guestbook' posting, which reads:

"I love being at Charing School. Everyone who visits us comments on the warm, friendly atmosphere. It's a very special place to work and I'm proud to be part of it." Niki Paterson, KS1 Manager

Charing's site is only just starting out and has limited pages at present - we wish you all the best and watch as you grow well done!