ARC RM Learning Platform; Just over half way they share their experience.

Of the five Early Adopter schools in the project you may have of Steve Miles' experience by reading the Education Guardian's Learning Platform Supplement, featured in the article below.

The remaining four schools share their experience as 'Video Interviews', click here to link to the new generic Learning Platform blog to view the clips. 

Donna Rogers             Project Manager                -   talks about a 'Virtual Key' for safe, secure access.

Richard Rule                Pluckley, Cluster Vision   -   says "It's Bringing Us Together', cluster communication and collaboration.

Anne-Marie Trustram   High Halden, Headteacher   -   helps visualise a 'Virtual School' and how teachers use it.

Gill Hollamby               Hamstreet, ICT Co'            -   shares 'Enjoyment and Personalised Learning' benefits.

Chris Drage                  Egerton, Yr 3 teacher         -   celebrates how it 'Makes Pupils feel Special' by teachers assigning digital management to specific individuals or groups.

Take a look and see how we are getting along, we'd love to hear from you please leave a comment.

Attachment: ARC_Pilot_Agreement_Sept05.jpg

Posted 16 January 2007 11:02 PM by Sophie | 1 comment(s)

ARC features extensively in the Learning Platform media - Newspaper

Ashford Rural Cluster has received several favourable reviews celebrating their hard working in relation to the RM Learning Platform pilot project during Jan 07, especially during BETT week.

Tuesday 9th January 2007, the Educational Guardian ran a Learning Platform supplement, written by George Cole.  ARC is extensively featured recording the work of the Early Adopter schools, highlighting the communication and collaboration opportunities available to all 19 primary schools across the cluster.

                                  

The image above shows one of the four cameo features;

Steve Miles, Furley Park's project lead teacher with his year 5 class.  Steve Miles says "Using a learning platform presents challenges, including finding the time to do everything you want to do.  but the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. Once the children's data is up there, tracking their progress through school will be much easier."

Richard Rule, Pluckley's Headteacher and ARC ICT Steering Grp Chair says, "... it is important that people can see we all have the same goal of helping our children to learn...  shared (online) areas where staff can share planning, resources, diaries and so forth"  Greater collaboration and communication across rural cluster schools.

Chris Foreman, Homewood School - Secondary, Assistant Vice Principal is enthusiastic about their Studywiz learning platform and explains, " its about changes in teaching and learning... not ICT project; its based on moving towards 21st century learners... its a space on the web where people can access resources and share and exchange; teachers, students, parents."

Georgia - Yr 7 Homewood Student; importantly pupil participation.  Georgia happily relates her learning platform experience, "I use Studywiz to find out the homework we've been set, I also use it to check that I've done it and handed it in. I've also used the discussion room to ask people about homework ... if I don't understand what to do, they could explain it to me. That's really helpful."

A combination of strategies; out of school provsions for broadband; via home, libraries and community centers combined with school laptop schemes, wireless technology has addressed many issues to ensure every learner has access.

Posted 16 January 2007 10:22 PM by Sophie | 2 comment(s)

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.

Posted 04 December 2006 01:45 AM by Sophie | no comments

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.

Posted 03 December 2006 10:58 PM by Sophie | no comments

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.

Posted 03 December 2006 10:41 PM by Sophie | no comments

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!

Posted 03 December 2006 10:30 PM by Sophie | no comments

ARC Learning Platform enters Phase 2

Early Adopter schools; Egerton, Furley Park, Hamstreet, High Halden and Pluckley take on the ambitious stage of synchronising Kaleidos VTLE "digital curriculum management", assigning differentiated personalisation through the Learning Platform.

                           

Teachers can plan and assign interactive lessons, trackable 'test' and markbooks using differentiated resources to target specific teaching groups from one to several pupils - offering teachers maximum time management opportunities via online synchronisation. 

When do you prefer your PPA are you and early riser, do you really want to jump in the car just to get that planning document or try out some content resources before lesson time?

Kaleidos training in preparation for phase 2 starts on the 16th November 2006.

 

Posted 06 November 2006 08:25 PM by Sophie | 1 comment(s)

ARC schools are all on board!

All Ashford Rural Cluster schools are now on board with 'live' Learning Platform accounts. 

Woodchurch are the last school to join the fold after their administration server needed a little extra TLC from EIS.

Not only that but all schools have non-teaching staff accounts. In other words teaching assistants can join in the news, information and events around the cluster.

The sparkling touch is all of this is achievable through SIMs automatic updates. From now on any new additions to pupils or staff will be reflected on the Learning Plaform school administrators will can access the new account(s) within 24hrs!

Posted 06 November 2006 08:07 PM by Sophie | no comments

Pupils are introduced to the Learning Platform at the Rare Breeds event.

30 pupils per day from Monday to Thursday were introduced to the Learning Platform as Ashford Rural Cluster schools celebrated Harvest through the 'Creative Arts Week' at the Rare Breeds Centre last week.         

Have a look at the Rare Breeds blog to see all the wonderful comments left by the children, remember if you ever forget the internet address to visit all the Digital Curriculum team and project blogs, just click on the Learning Platform - you'll find all you need to know in the 'Interest Groups' tab! (Have your login details to hand, and remember to keep them private!)

Happy blogging and collaborating on our digital communications 

Posted 01 October 2006 10:17 PM by Sophie | 3 comment(s)

Learning Platform 'Guest' accounts moved to LIVE status.

Several ARC primary schools experienced technical difficulties which left them using 'guest accounts', this meant they were able to collaborate with their cluster colleagues but these schools could not utilise the full benefits of  personalised 'My School'  and 'My Site' areas. 

Good News - half of the guest account schools now have full 'live' account status; Hamstreet, John Mayne & Bethersden!

It gets better - Over the next two weeks, prior to Term 1 break, EIS have committed additional time to visit all remaining ARC schools to process the earlier Learning Platform to SIMs upgrade.

Ultimate celebration - Yes the upgrade did generate 'non-teach staff' accounts.  A truly welcomed addition, now our committed supporting workforce are about to join us on our Learning Platform experience.  I will have to do some testing in this area before we issue usernames and passwords, but still this is really good news and will update you further shortly.

Posted 01 October 2006 05:44 PM by Sophie | 1 comment(s)

Staff 'Instant Messenger' function is about to go live.

EIS have completed their in-house testing of the Learning Platform instant messenger service which uses 'Windows Messenger version 5.1'. 

This service will be activated for 'Staff' accounts only, its initially been trialled through the Wilmington Datford federation group as there will be a few KCN/user issues to be evaluated:

• How easy is it for non-technically experienced staff to follow the necessary procedures to activate this function?
• Can 'Windows Messenger' filter through KCN's firewall?
• Is the use of messenger outside the Learning Platform environment the system we want to adopt where LP users sit alongside friends and family?

We will let you know how we get on over the next couple of weeks - keep an eye on our progress.

 

Posted 17 September 2006 09:37 PM by Sophie | no comments

Learning Platform Update to local school SIMs

With the recent update to the datacentre back at EIS in Maidstone last week all Ashford Rural Cluster schools will have a visit from an EIS officer, probably Steve James, to inturn update their local SIMs to enable data transfer to the Learning Platform.

The update should increase efficiency and address several issues;

• Enabling guest accounts schools to become live - generating logins for staff, pupils and parents.
• Automatic updates - SIMs to Learning Platform updates allow pupil and staff changes to be reflected on the virtual learning environment.
• Creation of 'non-teaching staff' - teaching assistants and administration staff. 
• Mirror image portrayal of attendance and timetable records.

So expect a phonecall to arrange a visit an extra 20 mins SIMs fiddling will provide personally managed hours of cluster collaboration and greater school communication = happy days!

 

Posted 17 September 2006 09:04 PM by Sophie | no comments

‘Alert Me’ notification is live and kicking again.

Ever had a blockage – Oh, the sweet release once you’re back on track!

 

Thank you especially to High Halden’s headteacher for highlighting additions to the Learning Platform had gone quiet, when in actual fact more and more teachers are sharing quality resources – but the notification was being blocked.

 

Considering the lead up to the end of term and the summer holidays I thought it reasonable you busy people were putting your feet up.  I should have known better, is there such a thing as a resting teacher?

 

Turns out a recent update to the Kent McAfee/firewall security wasn’t aware that our system generated notes were a life line rather than spam.  So a kindly EIS technician had a stern word with the server in Maidstone and made it see the error of its ways.

 

Result – Oh and what a result it was, you know what happens when a blockage is cleared!  I’d just like to ask can anyone else surpass my total of 495 email notifications?  Now tell me Learning Platform communications will never catch on – how wrong they are.

 

Seriously, I do recommend when you first set your ‘Alert Me’ notifications requirements on the interest group you wish to keep up-to-date with, that you mark the daily summary box, and check the email address you want the messages to go to.

 

If you are still unsure how to make information of events, announcements and new content items come to you check out the guidance on the LA home page ‘Documents’ tab in the Portal Training Resources folder; you'll find several really useful training guides including the ‘Alert Me set up guide’ (see the enclosed post attachment if you don't have your login details to hand). 

 

While you are there the quick guides for teachers is very useful.

Next time don't be quite, anything you've added you don't see after just a couple of days drop me a line on my email and we'll see what's happening!

 

Keep in touch - Donna

Attachment: Alert Me set up Guide.doc

Posted 17 September 2006 01:20 PM by Sophie | no comments

Learning Platforms - Where Do I Start?

A frequently asked question...

I've organised a few links on the left to reading material you might find interesting; 

• Start with Becta's ICT and Home - school partnerships, which gives a good overview.
• Need to know if your institution (school in my language) is ready by working through Becta's Learning Platform online Matrix.
• Thirsty for more - Becta's Functional Specification aimed at Headteachers and ICT coordinators. 
• Next question is usually - Becta's Technical Specification aimed at ICT coordinators and Network administrators.

As you can see from the Learning Platform / Personalised Learning links section I've added several more sets of reading material.

Hope you find the links useful, if you have any additional links you think maybe of use to our readers please leave me a note on the comments section and together we can build a great knowledge base.

Regards, Donna

Posted 11 June 2006 11:38 PM by Sophie | no comments

Pesonalised Learning - Learning Platforms: advice and guidance, by Alan Day

Alan Day has published his the final draft of the Learning Platform advice and guidance document. One thing is certain, he is expecting it to be updated regularly!

 

 

Alan writes, "Because ... I have had an early site of version 1.0 of the Becta learning platform functional specification, and it amplifies the challenge schools face in deciding what they should be doing.

In a nutshell, the Learning Platform is starting to look less like a single product; rather it may be collection of applications linked by a single sign-on. From the spec, I can tell you with certainty that there isn't a single product on the market that fully meets the spec'. AND all of the suppliers are marketing aggressively to schools.

So ... we have local authorities being pressured to 'buy a one size fits all system' (that schools may not want). Schools being told to go out and buy '... something! ... but to keep an eye on what their Local Authority is doing', and a specification that doesn't match either of the above, which means it all may be different in three years time! Oh ... and add to this the fact that Becta won't have the framework contracts in place until probably Feb 2007."

 

 

To assist schools, becta have produced an online tool for advisors and headteachers / ICT coordinators to assess their readiness and school needs without resorting to technical language.

Posted 11 June 2006 11:26 PM by Sophie | no comments

BBC Breathing Places - "MAKE A PLACE FOR NATURE" at Canterbury Environment Education Centre

On Sunday 4^th June Canterbury Environmental Education Centre will be holding a unique family day to take action for the environment. ‘Make a Place for Nature’ is one of 19 flagship events around the UK to kick start the BBC Breathing Places project and marks the return of Springwatch to BBC2. BBC Breathing Places aims to mobilise a million people over the next 3 years to transform our landscape create breathing spaces for people and wildlife.

 

Canterbury Environmental Education Centre, run in partnership with Kent County Council and National Grid, is hosting the event free of charge to all. The day will give people of all ages and abilities a chance to try out a range of environmental activities to learn new skills and get involved in volunteering. A number of guided walks will give visitors a behind the scenes look at the nature reserve and develop wildlife monitoring skills. Practical conservation tasks will be a hands on chance to learn how to improve a space for wildlife.  Those with a creative interest can have a go at environmental art, and much, much more around the reserve.  Whether it be an insect shelter made on the day or simply a new way of thinking, all visitors will learn something special to take home.

 

The event continues the centre’s successful summer season of public events and should prove to be the most popular yet with large numbers of people expected, so book early to avoid disappointment! 

 

The centre offers delicious locally grown organic food, free parking, a picnic site, toilets, information centre and gift shop. ‘Make a Place for Nature’ at Canterbury Environmental Education Centre, Broad Oak Rd, June 4^th, 9-4pm, free. Site is not suitable for wheelchairs. No dogs. To book your exclusive free tickets call 08458 247 600.

Posted 13 May 2006 11:30 PM by Sophie | no comments

ALERT ME - Let the 'New Items' and any changes come to you.

Many of you are starting to add to the Learning Platform ARC collaboration of content;

• Anne-Marie has contributed some great quality 'Assembly' PowerPoints.
• Bruce has added excellent 'Assessment' resouces to help us out.
• Lindsay shared a wonderful WWII interactive PowerPoint.
• Gill is collating a set of resources now Hamstreet have just got their live login accounts.
• Creative Curriculum covering core and foundation subjects is in the History/Tudor folder.
• Contents Factory generated 57o URL resources across Literacy, Numeracy & Science

To get a taste of these delectable morsels I recommend next time you are in on the Learning Platform click the Alert Me link, on the main Documents page to take you straight there to set up your requirements.

N.B/ Don't forget to check the first section: Send Alerts to  = type your email address.  I suggest the Change Type = 'Added Items' and the Alert Frequency as 'Weekly Summary'.

Otherwise you'll get my constent updates!!

Posted 01 May 2006 08:00 PM by Sophie | no comments

Creative Curriculum on the Learning Platform = Tudors theme

I've had such positive feedback from teachers about how they are using the resource links in the ARC Interest Group's Documents tab.

When I've been out visiting, many of you have said how more schools are following the 'Creative Curriculum' method; teaching a range of subjects as part of a theme.  So armed with this knowledge I have added another set of resources, mainly Word documents and the now familiar URL resource link pages incorporating this method.

I chose History / Tudors as my theme, aimed at year 4, which can be easily extended for year 5 or adapted for year 3, just click on the ARC Cluster's 'Documents Tab' and enter the History folder.

• Literacy         -   Newspapers; formal language reporting the end of marriage to Henry VIII? Check out the Research sub folder to find printable information sheets on the Six Wives of Henry VIII.
• Numeracy      -   Graphs & Databases; Tally charts & graphs to show the duration of marriage to Henry VIII. Example record cards to create a Database to explore Search & Sort or an example to create a Branching Database to organise questions that provide Y / N answers.
• Science         -   Food; Balanced diet. Teeth; health how did the Tudor's diet and hygiene effect their teeth. Earth & Beyond; explore Light to learn the moon cycle or how many days in a year.  Don't forget to take the quiz!
• Art               -   Portraits; Tudor portrait style use the bank of resource ideas to create your own portrait following the Tudor style - pastel anyone?  Inside the Portraits folder is a sub folder called 'Six Wives' which has at least three images per wife.

There is so much more inside the Tudor folder, but you'll have to visit to see.  While you are there it's just another click of a couple of links to Edit/Add your own resources, to keep the collaboration alive!

I've heard one or two people say "It's a lot of clicking to manoeuvre around the Learning Platform".  Nothing could be further from the truth; each individual page on the Learning Platform can be saved into your 'Internet Favourites' section - ready for a single click next time you want to visit the History folder.  If you 'Organise' your Favourites by creating a central Learning Platform folder to store them in, they're even quicker to find later!

Please leave a comment in the 'Discussions' area to let me know what you think or if you have any ideas and tips.  Thank you!!

Posted 01 May 2006 07:13 PM by Sophie | 1 comment(s)

Congratulations

Pluckley , Furley Park and recent additions Hamstreet and Egerton have been awarded the prestigious National ICT Mark for commitment to continual improvement for ICT. Very impressive statement to have four primary schools accredited with this quality mark in one cluster, well done.

Egerton are winners of the National Gallery's 'Take One Picture' competition. They are having their work displayed at the National Gallery in London in June and at the Primary Headteachers Conference taking place this week, and you can see the pictures on their website gallery.

Godinton received a bronze award for flair in Modern Foreign Langauges.

There are many areas to celebrate within our cluster schools, please leave a comment to let our viewers read your achievement news!  Donna.

Posted 22 April 2006 10:28 PM by AlanDay | no comments

Deputy Headteacher / Senior Teacher Training

In liaison with the Deputy Heads and Senior Teachers, a further training session has been planned for Friday 23rd June 2006 at The Wyvern School.

The whole day session will cover: P

Personnel Issues; OFSTED feedback; NPQH training.

Posted 22 April 2006 10:22 PM by AlanDay | no comments

Welcome to Sue Cox

Welcome to Sue Cox who is Acting Headteacher at Tenterden CE Junior School.

Posted 22 April 2006 10:20 PM by AlanDay | no comments

NQT Training Events

NQT Training takes place at the Community Room Ashford South

Report Writing - Weds 10th May 1:30 - 3:30 pm.

Subject Leadership - Weds 21st June 1:30 - 3:30 pm.

 

Posted 22 April 2006 10:18 PM by AlanDay | no comments

Congratulations To Hamstreet!

Hamstreet have every reason to be pleased following their recent successful OFSTED inspection.

"Hamstreet is a good school where pupils achieve well and experience a wide range of activities. The good quality of provision seen by inspectors confirms the school’s own judgement that its effectiveness is good. Provision is outstanding in the reception class, where children make an excellent start and achieve well. Pupils also achieve well in other year groups and generally reach above-average standards by the time they leave school."

Posted 22 April 2006 10:13 PM by AlanDay | no comments

Learning Platform Content - “Build it and they will come!”

Which film was this quote from?  Reply by adding a comment.

 

I am delighted to announce a wealth of Literacy, Numeracy and Science content has been added to the Learning Platform.  On the LEA home page select the Interest Group tab, then the ARC Cluster link, or just click on the interest group link created in the previous blog post.

570 url resources within subject category folders:

 

Literacy;           Reading, Writing, Spelling & Grammar and Quizzes

Numeracy;       ITPs Standards, Number, Time, Data Handling, Mental Maths, Space Shape & Measure and Quizzes

Science;           Living Things, Materials, Physical Processes and Quizzes 

 

The beauty of these resources is they are not just a long line of url address links.  First of all the title is informative, once opened you have a screen shot to scan suitability, and then click on the image to hyperlink straight to the website.

Remember to click the back arrow when you have finished to return to the Learning Platform, many links do not open up a separate window – so if you close the web browser you will close the platform too!

Alan Day listened when we identified the need for content, he went further than just supporting us, by provided the resources to hold a ‘Contents Factory’ three day program. Rebecca Chapman and I managed three student teacher temps to follow Alan’s guidelines to produce quality informative links.

I’m really proud of our achievements, but as they say the proof is in the pudding, please sample our delights and let the Digital Curriculum team know your opinion by adding a post comment or contributing to the Discussion in the Learning Platform ARC Cluster interest group.

 

Happy hunting!      

 

P.S/ As always when venturing into the land of the internet - should you find any broken links that end up nowhere or does not represent what the image portrays PLEASE email me and let me know.

Posted 31 March 2006 01:31 PM by Sophie | 2 comment(s)

Learning Platform; Interest Groups

The LEA level is the front page of our Learning Platform and open to all account holders.  To view locations available only to specific users you need to click on the Interest Groups tab.  The main ARC interest groups are:

ARC Cluster

ARC Foundation

DEA Evaluation

Infomapper 2

Rare Breeds

Please click on the interest group name to hyperlink onto the Learning Platform.  Remember to logon your username needs to be prefixed with kenten\

I would love you to contribute to their Documents sections, which is really a store for any dgital format material you can think have, from standard word docs to video clips - you are only restricted by imagination.  Join me in the Discussion forums to record your experiences.  Post your own discussions to ask questions or offer tips and ideas.

Posted 17 February 2006 02:30 PM by Sophie | no comments

Andrew Adonis announces an extra £125 million of eLearning credits.

A total of £200m is being invested in education software over the next two years.

£75m towards the standard eLCs we are all familiar with. Then there is to be an additional £125m ring fenced on top of this available only for spending on Curriculum Online approved products and services.

Schools can use eLearning credits to purchase solutions as diverse as virtual theatres, specialist communications for children with speech difficulties and online multimedia newsrooms. Schools have the freedom and choice to use the products that are best suited to their pupils’ and teachers’ needs to help them to make even better use of powerful tools such as laptops, interactive whiteboards and high speed broadband in learning and teaching.

Perhaps this is the time for the cluster to look at how we can collectively benefit from this investment.  Imagine if we had a central cache, where we could combine our spending power to negotiate prices so ALL schools could benefit from products like; Espresso, Kartouche, Knowledge Box, AEN packages...

Providing a foundation of products that once individuals specialise with, they can then disseminate tips and ideas through our HOS programme.  We all have different operating systems; RM, Viglen, Windows Server or standalones etc and different IWB's; RM, Smart, Promethean etc - imagine if this could provide us with a collaborative technology base, a universal language we could build our cluster resources upon?

Posted 29 January 2006 11:33 AM by Sophie | no comments

SEGfL Learning Platforms Conferences

In February, the DfES plans to release details of Learning Platform functionality that will help schools with the personalised learning agenda.

The DfES has approached regional organisations for assistance with conferences to disseminate and publicise their findings.

In the South East Grid for Learning region there will be four events in four locations, see the SEGfL link above for full details.  Although more detailed conference agendas and individual invitations will follow shortly, it would be helpful if you could reserve our areas date and venue:  Ashford, Weald of Kent Conference Centre, 29th March.

The theme of the conference is; Personalised Learning - What is it? How will it affect my school?

Aim of the event; Inform school leaders of the policy context, existing practice and future developments of 'Learning Platform' technologies.

Audience/intitees; Headteacher or a member of the senior management team from schools in the Southeast Region.

Posted 29 January 2006 11:18 AM by Sophie | no comments

ARC Project Communications

Keeping In Touch

Throughout the course of this project; first year progression and second year support, I would like to make sure we can all keep in touch.

By subscribing to this blog you will be notified of any updates automatically.  Drop me a line on my email if you'd like help setting this up.

But more importantly if you are an ARC ICT co-ordinator or Project Representative I would appreciate an email just to make sure I have an up-to-date contact address against your details.

Project first point of contact - arc.project1@btinternet.com

 

Posted 05 January 2006 07:59 PM by Sophie | no comments

SIMs install to extract Portal data going well!

Chris Shaw and the EIS team have been fantastic, contacting schools and arranging visits to install an additional extraction file onto SIMs, which will then allow them to create your virtual school and populate it with users.

I feel confident this will be achieved for all Ashford Rural Schools over the next couple of weeks, until then please iron out any wrinkles and gain experience through your training user account in the EIS Primary school area.

Once you are online please drop me an email, so I can welcome you into the ARC page (LEA) 'Interest Groups', please let me know if you are taking part in the Infomapper phase2 project and I can add you into this group too!

My focus will be 'Discussions and Live Communications' within the safe environment of the learning platform, to help me with this please keep visiting the 'ARC 5 - 11 Curriculum' Interest Group and contribute to the forum discussions - PLEASE! 

See you on the virtual side!

Nov 2005

Posted 05 January 2006 07:46 PM by Sophie | no comments

Excellent Progress - Learning Platform's Engagement Day

I was thrilled to see so many faces at the Ashford International for the 'Learning Platform', Portal, Engagement morning on Tuesday 8th November.

Several delegates spoke very highly of the enhanced communication opportunities, believing this platform would provide a sound basis for greater collaboration.  Success will be measured by our involvement and participation not new technology skills.

That said we obviously start with training, I'm pleased how many users have said they find the programme intuative and user friendly. 

Of course there may be teething problems along the way, please feed frustrations and successes back to me - I'm here to support you, and don't forget to drop a line just to let us know how you're getting on.  We will be taking this learning journey together.

I will be contacting you all over the next week or two to agree 'Partnership Schools' and discuss your interest focus ideas, once you've had chance to absorbe the training.

Best Wishes - Donna

Nov 2005

Posted 05 January 2006 07:43 PM by Sophie | no comments

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