Kent ICT Blog

Update to ActivInspire over the Summer

2010-07-22T14:44:00Z

Promeathean board users are strongly recommended to update their software to the latest version as previous versions will soon not be supported. At the moment the update is free to promethean users. The following is a statement from Promethean: Important information about Software Support Promethean constantly strives to provide its customers with the best possible products to support the challenges they encounter in today’s educational arena. A key component of this process is the withdrawal of...(read more)

New EAL Support Resource

2010-07-22T07:33:00Z

Do you have a child in your class next year with English as an Additional Language? If so you may find this new Kent resource useful. Members of the Kent ICT and Hands on Support Team have been working closely with some specialist teachers from the Minority Ethnic and Bilingual Achievement Team and Leading Teachers to produce a language pack for pupils and staff. It aims to support young people, parents and staff with an introduction to some of the basic phrases used in school, such as numbers, days...(read more)

Well Done Wittersham

2010-07-09T11:06:00Z

Congratulations to Wittersham Primary School on achieving the ICT Mark. Well done to all the staff and children for their hard work. Best wishes for the future from the Kent ICT Team....(read more)

Assistive Technology Package

2010-06-25T13:35:00Z

Next week families will have chance to apply for Assistive Technology packages. Please can you raise awareness with parents and carers. The packages are for children with profound Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or physical impairments. The application process is similar to the Home Access package that is coming to an end. A tailored ‘Home Access application form for Special Educational Needs’ will be available for applicants from next Monday. The process for applying for a bespoke Assistive...(read more)

Free Energy Display Meter

2010-06-23T08:00:00Z

Government cuts in budgets, worried about your school's carbon footprint and high energy bills. Does this sound familiar? Why not apply for your free energy meter at www.energydisplaymeter.co.uk and help the school save money. It can also be used to help raise awareness of energy use with the children and comes with a set of lesson plans and resources....(read more)

World Cup Match Report

2010-06-16T14:12:00Z

The Learning Grids website has a lovely Clicker5 grid for writing a Match Report . It says it's for 9+ aged children. I wondered if it might be useful a little younger?! You'll need to register for free to see this resource. [ direct link ] Alternatively look for other World Cup resources at Learninggrids.com . Have fun, James :)...(read more)

Spreadsheets and GIS

2010-06-16T13:21:00Z

An introduction to spreadsheets An interactive resource based on a simple school shop accounts that introduces the basic concepts of a spreadsheet including simple formulae. The resource demonstrates through animation the main parts of the spreadsheet and five basic types of formula including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and the average formula.. http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/vtc-home/vtc-ks2-home/vtc-ks2-ict KS2 – GIS Activities Access from: KS2 Geography Skills and investigations...(read more)

Sherston Online Channels

2010-06-16T13:00:00Z

SHERSTON ONLINE CHANNELS www.sherston.com ‘take a tour’ If any school would like 200 curriculum matched, engaging, differentiated, narrated activities with no teacher preparation required FREE for the rest of the academic year – please contact Matt M.Williams@blieducation.com NO OBLIGATION OR SALE EXPECTATION An offer will be made which can be taken advantage of or not – no worries T he current online resources are continuing to be developed. FULL ACCESS FREE all videos, activities, clip art, printed...(read more)

Puffin Cam "Ask an Expert" 24th June 2010

2010-06-11T18:55:00Z

Have you ever wondered how puffins are adapted to living at sea? Do you want to know when the Burhou pufflings are likely to fledge? Why not ask an expert online on Thursday 24 June 2010? Our puffin expert Jen Stockdale will be answering your questions between 2 -4pm. Jen Stockdale has worked in bird research and conservation for the past four years both in the UK and abroad. She is currently working as the ecologist for the Alderney Wildlife Trust, and is in charge of the different seabird monitoring...(read more)

Internet Research Survey

2010-06-11T15:17:00Z

Rebecca Avery (Kent's E-safety Officer) has asked for your help in identifying some of trends of young people today using the Internet. The research is being carried out by Lancaster University and the National Education Network. If you would like to help please visit her blog http://clusterweb.org.uk/CS/community/esafety for more information or complete the online survey at www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/projects/nen The hope is that the results from these surveys will help us develop strategies and educational...(read more)

Purple Mash Summer Offer

2010-06-08T07:56:00Z

" Purple Mash is 2Simple’s brand new ONLINE space where children and teachers can enjoy their creative experiences anywhere and at any time. With so many creative tools and curriculum focussed activities, we hope Purple Mash will inspire teaching and learning in your school every day." 2Simple Being online means that pupils can access the tools and templates at home as well as at school. http://www.purplemash.com/ Mash Value Pack for FS, KS1 + KS2 2Paint Projects, 2Design & Make, Simple...(read more)

Kent Bird Watch 2010 Flying around the World Day

2010-06-07T17:09:00Z

Tuesday 22nd - Wednesday 23rd June 2010 “An exciting opportunity for pupil’s from around the world to share news about the birds they have seen in and around their school grounds!” What is the 24 hour blog all about? The event is an opportunity for pupils to use ICT to collect and share information about birds that live and visit their country with other schools in The Bird Watch project. During the “Day” all pupils will have the opportunity to use ICT to: Post details about the birds they have seen...(read more)

Becta SRF is Changing

2010-06-07T12:33:00Z

Despite the announcement that Becta will be closing down later this year, the proposed changes to be made to the Self Review Framework will go ahead as planned later this month. The Becta Self Review Framework will be reduced to 6 areas and all ICT Mark thresholds will now be at Level 2. The changes have been necessary to make the framework more streamlined and to take into account the recent developments in ICT (such as Learning Platfrorms, Home Access and Parental Engagement initiatives) What will...(read more)

Kent Bird Watch 2010 Data Handling project

2010-06-06T19:57:00Z

Fifteen Kent primary schools are presently taking part in The Kent Bird Watch 2010 Data handling project . An opportunity for pupils to use a range of mathematical and thinking skills to collect data to answer questions about the birds that visit our school grounds in the summer months. To find out how Key Stage 1 and 2 pupil's are using ICT in and outside the classroom to develop their mathematical skills click on the link below to read the short project report Link to The Kent Bird Watch 2010...(read more)

World Cup Resources

2010-06-03T11:17:00Z

Are you looking for some World Cup 2010 resources? If so then the TES Connect website may be what you are looking for. http://www.tes.co.uk/resources It has pooled together some useful cross curricular sites you may wish to use with your class. Visit the site and search for World Cup 2010. You will need to register to be able to download the resources....(read more)

The Alderney Puffin Cam Project

2010-05-20T20:26:00Z

The project is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to view live video of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitats. Watch out for Puffins leaving and entering their burrows, rafting in groups just off shore and, later in the season, bringing fish home for their growing chicks. This summer pupils in schools across the Sout-East region will have the opportunity to web conference and talk to Jen Stockdale, The Alderney Wildlife Trust Bird Research and Conservation expert. What is happening...(read more)

KLZ ASK Demo Site Updated

2010-05-19T16:44:00Z

The KLZ ASK Demo site is now even more colourful than it was before! https://portal.klz.org.uk/SCHOOLSITES/8869302/Pages/default.aspx (You will be asked to login using your KLZ details to view) There are still several free hands on KLZ workshops going on around Kent and it is not too late to book a place on them. The next ones will take place in: Herne Sevenoaks Maidstone Dartford Ramsgate Sittingbourne Ashford The workshops are a quick and easy way for you to create your school sites. Please contact...(read more)

e-safety policy guidance and template 2010 update

2010-05-18T07:25:00Z

The Kent schools and settings e-safety policy and guidance has been updated for 2010 to reflect the changes in technology and practice within schools and settings. All schools and settings need to understand the significance of e-safety within the 2009 Ofsted inspection framework, which highlights the importance of safeguarding, including e-safety in helping children learn and achieve to the best of their abilities and to stay safe. The updated 2010 e-safety policy guidance and template builds upon...(read more)

New interactive game ‘Enchanted Palace’

2010-05-11T09:29:00Z

New interactive game ‘Enchanted Palace’ brings Kensington Palace alive for young online generation www.enchantedpalace.org You’re at Kensington Palace, but something tells you you’re not in 2010 anymore... Developed by digital production agency Kanoti, the game Enchanted Palace has been designed to complement the visitor experience of the same name showing at Kensington Palace until 2012. The game is intended to attract children at Key Stage 2 level (aged 7 to 11) as part of an initiative to transform...(read more)

Smart Board Resources

2010-05-06T15:51:00Z

Some people may find the Smart Exchange website useful http://exchange.smarttech.com/index.html . You can download ready made Smart Board resources to use or adapt with your class. You can search by subject e.g maths or by most downloaded or recommended. If you have created your own resource, why not upload it for others to use....(read more)

Change of ITN Venue

2010-05-05T11:59:00Z

The Thanet ITN meeting tonight (Wednesday 5th May) has been moved to St.Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Margate instead of Cliftonville as originally planned....(read more)

ICT and Science Day for Key Stage 2 Nature Detectives

2010-05-04T12:56:00Z

09:30 - 14:30 at Northwood Hill, Cooling near Rochester on Friday June 18th 2010 Part of the Kent Bird Watch 2010 project this activity is open to all Kent Schools. The activity day is a wonderful opportunity for six gifted and talented young scientists to visit the nature reserve at Northwood Hill and work alongside RSPB Education Staff. Planned activities will include: ***Observing Birds**** **Pond dipping** **Searching for minibeasts** **Checking Water Quality** **Adaptation Games** **2 and 3...(read more)

More ICT Mark Success

2010-04-22T09:49:00Z

Congratulations to Bridge and Patrixbourne Primary School who are the latest Kent School to achieve the ICT Mark. Well done to all the staff for their hard work....(read more)

View Nestcam video of Kent Birds

2010-04-21T19:45:00Z

This daily news service will be launched on Wednesday 21st April 2010 http://microsites2.segfl.org.uk/view_page.php?id=2146 80 primary schools in Kent have purchased a Nestcam. Visit the Kent Bird Watch 2010 website every day to view new recorded video clips of birds preparing their nests and feeding their young chicks. Do you have a Bird Box Nest Cam in your school ? If the answer is yes please contact or e-mail the video clips to: Rob Slight – ICT AST rob.slight@kent.gov.uk Gill Hollamby – ARC...(read more)

Kent Bird Watch 2010 Photographic Competition

2010-04-20T20:44:00Z

The competition is an opportunity for pupils aged 4-11 to use ICT to record and publish digital photographs of birds for others to view on the National Education Network Gallery . Look outside or your classroom window or take a walk in the school grounds? What birds can you see? Use your digital camera to record these images. Think and be creative ? Could you use photo editing software to improve the appearance of your digital photograph? Interested in taking part? Read the fliers below: Kent Bird...(read more)

Childnet Film Challenge Summer 2010

2010-04-19T18:38:00Z

This summer Childnet is launching a Film Challenge. Childnet is inviting all schools in the UK to enter. Two separate projects are in place for primary and secondary aged children. They are asking secondary pupils to consider the direction that they would take the internet in, were they to have complete control – what is their idea of an internet utopia? How can we all look to be good digital citizens and use our online presence to grow and shape the world in a safe, creative way? Primary pupils...(read more)

BBC Learning Zone Clips

2010-04-19T10:34:00Z

If you haven't visited the BBC site for a while, then you may not know that there are some useful resources available in the Learning Zone www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/ . There is a wide variety of topics covered with video and audio clips including Sikhism, Bhangra Dancing, Anglo Saxon Settlements, Second World War and much more. So if you want to embed ICT across the curriculum, you may find this a helpful starting point. Why not leave a comment on how you have used any of these clips and...(read more)

Do you want to improve your spelling?

2010-03-15T10:33:00Z

The Times and Microsoft have teamed up to form a website called Spelling Bee. www.timesspellingbee.co.uk There is a section called Mini Bees that is suitable for primary aged children to use. There are a range of activities and games to play to help children improve their spelling. Why not let parents know about this resource or even link to it from your school website....(read more)

Games Link Not Working

2010-03-13T13:30:00Z

We're having a bit of trouble with the games tab on the top right-hand-side of the Kent ICT site. If you find that it is not working please follow this link instead: http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/kentict/content/games/index.htm I am sorry for any trouble caused. James...(read more)

Crazy Talk offer for UK Schools

2010-03-12T20:00:00Z

Take a digital image and make it talk? Easier than you might think. CrazyTalk 6 is an easy and powerful tool for generating talking characters from an image or photo and facial animation for video, websites and widget. Many schools are using to bring photos alive in projects across Kent. http://www.taglearning.com/productdetails/Crazy+Talk+6.html The software retails at £34 per licence but UK schools can buy it at the special £12.55 (ex.vat) per licence . Please note this offer is for the standard...(read more)