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Sunday, October 03, 2010 3:30 PM

Stuff that's caught my eye - 031010

Internet Maths Tutor & BBC News Item: Indian Call centrer teaches maths in the UK Open Source Virtual Private Network (VPN) OpenVPN - with OpenVPNAS may be useful for schools who want a cheap solution for filtered home access for staff and students...
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Sunday, October 03, 2010 3:12 PM

Creating newspapers from your RSS feeds?

I must admit I was disappointed at the demise of Bloglines , the RSS feed reader I first cut my teeth on at an Alan November conference. It was something of a revelation and is fundamental to many of the Internets new tools. Rather reluctantly I've...
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Thursday, September 30, 2010 3:39 PM

ICT benchmarks for Kent Schools

Following a recent query from a Kent school network manager looking for data with which to compare his schools ICT provision, I have decided to publish two reports (Primary and Secondary) that show the data collected from Kent schools in 2009. Not up...
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Saturday, December 12, 2009 7:49 PM

Besa bash the BBC!

I find it hard to reconcile the recent press release from trade association the British Education Suppliers Association (BESA) with the BBC Trust Decision it refers to. Parking the fact that BESA members benefitted from £500m per year through Curriculum...
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Sunday, November 29, 2009 8:06 AM

OPEN ... Amazon for schools?

OPEN (Online Procurement for Educational Needs) is a web portal, a 'marketplace for schools' where schools can compare and then purchase educational products from a range of suppliers. There is a useful YouTube demo video that explains how it...
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Sunday, November 01, 2009 8:54 PM

ICT Suites ... an update!

As an update to my recent post on ICT suites, I've been checking out figures (Feb 2009) for computer locations in Kent Primary schools: 36% of desktops located in classrooms / teaching areas (not suites). 35% of desktops located in suites. 26% laptops...
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Saturday, October 24, 2009 4:30 PM

OFCOM report - young people's web access has doubled

An interesting read is the recent OFCOM UK Children's Media Literacy report . Here are a couple of the key findings: 16% of 11 year olds and 35% of 12 -15 year olds go online in their rooms. A fifth of 12 - 15 year oldsdon't know how search engine...
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Friday, April 24, 2009 8:28 PM

Stuff that's caught my eye! 240409

The EU has adopted a new regulation aiming to reduce the energy consumption of external power supplies (includes laptop power adaptors and chargers). The new requirements start coming into force in 2010. Simulated brain ? - "Blue Brain" built...
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Monday, February 23, 2009 8:00 PM

Regional centres to improve ICT skills of teachers?

There was an intriguing procurement notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on 17th Feb 2009. (All major public sector buying must start with a notice published in the EU Journal under European Law). The DCSF notice states: "...
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Sunday, November 09, 2008 12:55 PM

Stuff that's caught my eye! - 111108

Teachernet Publications Making Software accessible: a guide for schools The new Secondary Curriculum: renewing the Secondary Frameworks Building creative partnerships: A handbook for schools Personalised Learning - A practical guide A Framework for Learning...
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Tuesday, September 09, 2008 8:44 AM

14- 19, keeping track when students move around!

A continuing trend in education is the need to support 14 - 19 choice, and to achieve this schools join consortia to improve the range of courses on offer. This presents two problems: How do you move them around? How do you know where the student is?...
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Tuesday, August 05, 2008 8:23 AM

Northgate acquiring Anite?

Northgate Information Solutions has agreed to acquire Anite Public Sector Holdings Limited , which incorporates Anite ’s local government and secure information systems businesses, for a total cash consideration of £54.3 million payable at completion...
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008 7:22 PM

Stuff that's caught my eye - 220708

OFSTED says tests narrow learning Students bring kit worth £6K School design labelled 'mediocre' e-learning 2.0 -= the need for a real 2.0 VLE Corporate social networks are a waste of money Richard Stallman: Free software and beyond Top 5 platforms...
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Saturday, July 19, 2008 12:04 PM

Stuff that's caught my eye - 190708

It's not the Gates, it's the bars - Anti-microsoft commentary from Richard Stallman, Founder of Free Software Foundation . Government launches data mash-up . Spam experiment overloads inboxes . Job shortage for unskilled youths. Rural diplomas...
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Thursday, June 26, 2008 5:45 AM

Byron Recommendations? ... Online Information Card? ... Response?

Following this weeks publication of the Byron Review Action Plan , which aims to protect the safety of children online, Times Online reports that the worlds most influential firms have launced their online 'Information Card'. Note that its'...
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Sunday, June 22, 2008 8:24 AM

Stuff that's caught my eye! 220608

The computer that predicted the future - More than 20 years ago a generation of schoolchildren sat down to complete a questionnaire they were told would predict their future. One tonne baby marks its birth - Sixty years ago the "modern computer"...
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Monday, June 16, 2008 8:21 AM

Filmclub goes online

As previously posted , Filmclub launched last week. This is aimed at encouraging children to watch and learn, and was set up with support from the UK Film Council . Apparently 60,000 films are being, or have been made available to support 7,000 schools...
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Sunday, June 15, 2008 9:05 PM

Stuff that's caught my eye! Summary 150608

New Video demos radical Firefox Mobile Four nations appeal against Microsoft OOXML standard Encyclopaedia Britannica dips toe in Wiki waters Gamers not misfits after all Home Affairs Committee Report - Surveillance Society? Secret printer ID codes may...
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Friday, June 13, 2008 8:32 PM

£250 Ethernet Cable??

Denon the high-end audio firm is selling an ethernet patch cable for, wait for it ... £250!! (normally around £5 or less). Apparently it brings out 'all the nuances of digital music', and has signal direction markings. Don't they know that...
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Friday, June 13, 2008 8:19 PM

Shine - talent in all young people!

Shine is a national celebration of all talent in all young people providing creative ways to celebrate and showcase students' achievements during Shine week from 30 June to 4 July. Shine is the place for teachers to show off too. Do you have a hidden...
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Friday, June 13, 2008 7:39 PM

Parental Engagement - Online Reporting

Becta are sending all schools an introductory pack to assist them as they move towards online reporting. Secondary schools are expected to have arrangements in place by September 2010. Primary School's by September 2012. Parents will have secure access...
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Friday, June 13, 2008 7:21 PM

Kent County Council bans anti-teen device!

Here's a technology snippet! The Mosquito Teenager Loitering Deterrent is a device that emits a high pitch sound that only young people can hear. According to BBC News , Kent County Council has decided to ban the devices, with Mike Hill OBE , Cabinet...
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Friday, June 13, 2008 6:38 PM

Display Energy Certificates - Go one better?

On reading the recent e-bulletin item on Kent Trust Web (Formerly Clusterweb) I note with interest that from the 1st October schools are meant to display a certificate that shows the energy usage per square metre. This means that every school with more...
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Saturday, May 31, 2008 9:45 AM

Stuff that's caught my eye! - Summary 310508

Facebook violates privacy law - A Canadian privacy group has filed a complaint against the social networking site Facebook accusing it of violating privacy laws. EU calls for net address upgrade - Work to migrate Europe to the net's new addressing...
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008 8:19 PM

Open Source! ... about to be taken seriously by Becta?

Becta are encouraging the use of open source software in its latest framework agreement for software. The four year agreement will start in October and replace the current software licensing framework that has been in place since 2005. Up to 10 suppliers...
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Sunday, May 25, 2008 4:22 PM

XO2 - A new format for the sub $100 notebook

The $100 dollar laptop project has moved on with a new look and format, and is now planned to be $75! The new device created by the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project opens like a book and has a new price of $75. It's not aimed to replace the original...
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Saturday, May 24, 2008 3:34 PM

Post 'Byron Review'?

The Byron Report , Behind the Screen , and Grand Theft Childhood have all thrown their hats into the ring with research and recommendations for the safe use of technology by children; all agree that it is a complex area of research. There isn't much...
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Saturday, May 24, 2008 3:26 PM

Build Your Playspace

Merlin John pointed me at this kids consultation and my daughter thought it was cool! You get to build a play park whilst giving your views on playspaces. What a great way of getting kids opinions!
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Thursday, May 22, 2008 9:48 PM

Kent Boss reappointed to Becta

Graham Badman CBE, Managing Director of Kent's Children, Families, Health & Education Directorate has been reappointed for a further term on the Becta board. In addition there are three new members: John Roberts John Newbigin Lopa Patel
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Wednesday, February 06, 2008 7:12 PM

So, ... I'm out of touch?

My recent post, ' struggling with technology ' prompted an interesting comment from someone closer to the chalk-face than me, and I must admit it caused me to reflect. The essence of the comment is contained in the following excerpt. "That's all very...
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