Kent ICT Blog

******   Starting Now! - Are you taking part?  *******

35 Kent schools took part in the January 2010.

Get the most out of this exciting project for your school!

January 2010 - Over 70 primary schools in Kent have purchased a Nestcam!

Pupils at Ward Stewart School, USA preparing different bird foods

Following the recent very successful project launch meetings will be taking place in schools across the county throughout March 2010. For details click on the links below:

Bird Watch 2010 Spring News

Kent Bird Watch 2010 March Twilight Meetings

Please note: All twilight meetings are from 4.00 to 5.15 p.m.

Why should you attend?

The meetings are an opportunity for teachers to find out how to:

Publish your pupil's work on The Kent Bird Watch Making the News web-site

Publish pupil’s photographs of birds in the school grounds on The National Education Network

Use a GPS Data logger to create and publish a school grounds Bird Walk

Take part in future planned Bird Watch 2010 web conferences with overseas schools

Take part in Kent Bird Watch Summer 2010 Science Activity Days with Andrew Berry and RSPB Education Officers

Learn more about how to use your McCam Nestcam to share live video with Parents, Community Groups and other schools

For more information about The Kent Bird Watch 2010 project contact:

Philip Bracegirdle - ASK ICT Hands on Support Consultant

E-mail: philip.bracegirdle@kent.gov.uk  

Available at www.schoolslinks.co.uk/resources_displays.htm

There is a now a Research section added to the Games pages. There are three 'safe search' resources for finding information about animal life, rivers and dinosaurs. These resources are aimed at supporting the sometimes tricky Research and e-Awareness Themes. These resources only search through content in a specific folder on Kent ICT, hence they are very much within our control. On the negative side this does mean that the available key words are limited. To see and print the full list of keywords available please select the 'teachers' note' link in the top left-hand corner of each game.

 
New Research Section

Why not try using these resources alongside Textease CT or 2Publish+ to create posters or leaflets. The images and text from thes resources can be quickly copied using buttons from within each search resource.

Have fun, James :)

This report is based on evidence from a small-scale survey carried out between April and July 2009 in 35 maintained schools in England. It evaluates the extent to which the schools taught pupils to adopt safe and responsible practices in using new technologies, and how they achieved this. It also assesses the extent and quality of the training the schools provided for their staff.  Available at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/The-safe-use-of-new-technologies

Your students are already using technology as part of their daily life and increasingly expect to use it for learning in school.  But what does this mean for you as a teacher?  As a 21st century teacher you are a learner yourself – adapting your previous technology skills and knowledge as new technologies emerge. You know when to use technology and when other strategies are more appropriate. You continually review how you use technology in your role.

To download a booklet that helps teachers address the challenge of using technology in daily school life go to

http://publications.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=41521&page=1835

Heidi

There is a Newsround special tonight narrated by David Tennant entitled Caught In The Web. The 20 minute episode tackles the dangers of meeing someone you have first met online. It is being aired tonight Tuesday 9th February at 16:55 and repeated at 18:30 on CBBC. There are also further chances to see it on Thursday 11th and Saturday 13th February. For more information visit the BBC Website (www.bbc.co.uk) or follow this link www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qp1pm.

There is also some good advice on the BBC website on Internet safety. Visit the BBC homepage and search for safe searching and don't forget about the Stay Safe resorces that are also available www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/help/web/staysafe.

Home Access is a government drive which will help low-income families to get access to a computer and the internet to get online at home.  Families who are on a low income in receipt of certain benefits could qualify for a grant to buy a computer and/or a minimum of one years’ internet access. The programme is aimed at those that need it most and targets families that do not have access to a computer or the internet at home.  More information is available at www.homeaccess.org.uk

Parents can call the Home Access Grant Helpline on 0333 200 1004 for an application form.

Heidi

The new e-safety resources created by CEOP are now available to download (with the exception of 2 downloads). Lee and Kim's Magical Adventures are aimed at pupils aged 4-7. The pack contains an animated cartoon, song, set of lesson plans and resources and a range of fun activities including making masks. So why not join in and use these resources to help spread the e-safety message with our youngest children.

You need to be registered with Thinkuknow to download the resources. If you haven't yet registered then visit the thinkuknow website www.thinkuknow.co.uk/teachers