July 2008 - Posts
In Kent, we have many schools eager to use the computer game 'Myst', after being inspired by Tim Rylands at our recent ICT Conference. January 2009 is the official launch of Kent's writing project using the computer game Myst, when we will be inviting Tim back to Kent to run a series of workshops and lesson observations.
Whether you are joining in with the official launch or considering doing a unit of work using Myst, I am sure you will find the following two websites interesting:
A Myst project in Scotland
A case study looking at the use of the Myst game in schools in Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Have a look to see how paired writing tasks were initiated and how it has motivated reluctant writers to write.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/ICTineducation/gamesbasedlearning/sharingpractice/myst/introduction.asp
How a class teacher used launched a mini project in his classroom
Tom Barrett, an inspiration classroom teacher, has written his reflections on making a start with a games based learning approach to writing using Myst.
Emerging from the Myst: Being inspired and making a start. ( Tom Barrett, writes about his experience of ict in the classroom on his blog. It is well worth reading!)
Please let us know if you come across other Myst resources on the internet.
Google has launched Lively, a new social network built around the concept of each user creating an avatar and a personal virtual room that can be embedded anywhere on the Web. Although, as with all pupblic chatroom, we can't see Lively being a safe tool to use it schools, it is being used with educators to meet and chat.
Getting Started
To use Lively, you need to sign up using a Google account and download a browser plug-in. From there, you are able to create your own avatar – starting from a “template” character which then has customizable attributes like skin tone, hair colour, and eye colours. You can also dress your character with clothing and accessories.
Teachers
A special room, EducBlogger Lounge has been created by Frank from Mexico for fellow educators and Twitters to meet. If you do decide to try out Lively please drop by. Click here to go directly to the room.
The clock will be turned back to Victorian times again at the Museum of Kent Life in October. Children will take part in a carousel of 6 workshops with a Victorian theme.
This year's workshops are The Victorian Dinnertable, Meet the Toymaker, Victorian Schoolroom, See the Blacksmith at work, What happened in the Scullery, and Learn a Victorian dance.
Children are encouraged to come dressed up in Victorian costume to heighten the atmosphere. We have been able to keep our cost the same as last year at £7 per child. This includes admission to the Museum and all 6 workshops. All teachers and helpers come free of charge.
Dates still available are 13 October and 15 October 2008. Times of programme are 10:00 - 14:00. If sufficient interest, more days in the week starting 17 November 2008 will be added.
For more information or to book, please contact the Learning & Access Officers Claire or Marieke on 01622 621246 or visitors2@museum-kentlife.co.uk.
From 31 July 2008 the national contract which provides the British Pathe film archive to schools at zero cost will end. Schools may continue to use downloaded film material to the end of August 2009. After that date such material will have to be deleted. The low resolution film material will still be available.
For further information, please see attached document.
British Pathe Letter [Size: 96Kb] .
The Downs CE Primary School's Wiki
http://thedowns.wikispaces.com/
Planning for an ICT Club has just got easier with the help of Mark Warner, at The Down's Primary school.
Wikis, like other tools (content management systems, weblogs), are being used by educators as effective teaching and learning tools. The Downs Primary School in Walmer, Kent have created a very interesting and useful Wiki on resources for ICT Clubs.
Many schools have approached me asking where they can find avatars for their children to use on the internet instead of using photos. Have a look at The Downs Web Generator page for links to a variety of websites.
19 January - a whole day workshop for 200 Kent teachers. Contact mandy.barrow@kent.gov.uk for further details
After Tim's inspirational afternoon presentation at the EIS ICT Conference, we are inviting Tim down to Kent for the last two weeks of January 2009 to kick start a whole unit on using Myst to develop Literacy and ICT skills.
Tim will be visiting Maidstone, Tonbridge, Malling, Darford East, Cranbrook & PW and Tun Wells in January and we have space for three more Clusters. To register your school's / Clusters interest please leave a comment below or email mandy dot barrow at kent dot gov dot uk.
Tim will also be visiting Canterbury and Ashford, but at a different time.
BBC News item on Tim
A two week block will be kicked started with a Myst training day for 200 teachers. This would be followed by teachers being invited to observe Tim in action teaching Year1/2 , Year3/4 and Year 5/6 classes throughout West/Mid Kent. Observations will take place in school halls so that 30 teachers can attend each session. Schools taking part must be prepared to share pupil's work via the internet.
Not sure whether to get involved or not?
“Vocabulary, especially descriptive, has improved considerably.....
Sentence construction is better and they are more willing to have a go with punctuation. Their writing is much more interesting and they think more carefully about the content. Spelling still needs improving but then so does myne”
“Myst has improved my confidence in teaching writing and added a much more creative approach to writing and literacy.”
“Children are naturally writing in paragraphs!”
“Boys have been really motivated”
“Great SAT’s results!”
Visit Tim's web site to view some samples of students' writing e.g.
‘I stepped out into a landscape of almost unbearable beauty, a feathered sky stretching out across the silken sea, warm sand beneath my feet. Turning, I saw steps, foot worn and timeless, winding downwards. Where would they lead me?’
Ben, aged 10
You can also read about what the press say, the impact on pupil attainment and also see Tim in action on YouTube.
http://www.timrylands.com/html/media.html
www.bishopsinaction.com
The bishops of the Anglican church worldwide meet at the Lambeth conference every ten years to discuss issues which concern the church and pray together.
The ‘Bishops in Action’ website:
- contains material for Religious Education, particularly at KS2
- includes powerpoints for the interactive whiteboard, photos, posters and fact files about bishops and their role in the church
- encourages multi-cultural, global perspectives in teaching about Christianity
- provides 5 acts of Collective Worship for Primary schools
The Kent ICT Conference was another huge success with the added bonus of an afternoon enthralled with the imaginative ideas of Tim Ryland. Tim, who is mainly well known through his work using Myst to inspire children’s writing, captured his audience attention right from the start with his wit and imagination and, over two hours later, we all left wanting to know more! ThanksTim.
Click here to visit Tim's blog about his afternoon with us.
"WOW!! It’s a mark of a good afternoon when 2 hours vanish as quickly as 5 minutes. Great resources and ideas presented in such an inspirational and witty way. I’ve aleady used the powerpoint idea of making notes - brilliant! Have ordered my myst game and can’t wait for the new term to start."
Sonja Weed
"I was lucky enough to have a day out of school visiting the Kent ICT conference. This was a chance for me to find out more about VLEs, and to explore any new and exciting ideas / products available. The highlight of the day though, and the bit that I was looking forward to the most, was definitely the afternoon session with Tim Rylands."
Mark Warner, teacher at The Downs School and creator of Teaching ideas website.
Read more about Mark's thoughts on the day and Tim's presentation
Just to let you know the 2 Simple offer for the entire software collection at £999 will end on July 15th. For more information visit http://www.2simple.com/