Kent ICT Blog

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 older products that no longer meet customer requirements. Promethean would therefore like to inform you that from the end of September 2010 they will therefore no longer be providing support for versions 1 and 2 of ActivStudio and ActivPrimary software. In the longer term support for version 3 of ActivStudio and ActivPrimary software will be withdrawn in September 2011. Promethean however would like to announce that customers can upgrade to its award-winning ActivInspire software free of charge before the end of September 2010. ActivInspire provides users with a range of benefits not currently available within ActivStudio and ActivPrimary: ActivInspire is the ‘power behind the ActivClassroom and unlocks Prometheans entire range of hardware products, enabling greater pupil interaction. Available in 27 languages, due to increase to 30 and include Polish, Slovakian and Latvian from August 2010. Enables all existing premium and free educational content to be utilised. Offers the opportunity for users to utilise the vast array of Publisher Created Resource e.g. flipcharts. Within ActivInspire the number of Publisher Created Resources is significantly greater than those available with ActivStudio or ActivPrimary. To learn more about ActivInspire and to download it visit http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en/support/software/activinspire/

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 of the week and months. There are some spoken translations or written phrases from English for six different languages, Czech, Polish, Urdu, Filipino, Farsi and Nepalese. 
You can download these  from www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/kentict/kentict_sub_mfl_index.cfm

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.

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 Technology package has not changed and mandatory documentation remains the same: Statement of SEN, Disability Living Allowance or a signature from the SENCO/senior teacher/LA rep. However, Child Benefit Award letters are not required now to be included as a piece of evidence.

Packages are limited and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Eligible families are strongly encouraged to apply immediately. More information can be found on the Home Access website www.homeaccess.org.uk

 

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.

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 :)

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 GIS Activities
This resource includes 3 GIS activities for use in the primary classroom. Pupils are required to determine the best location for a castle and a recycling plant and then justify their choices. The third activity requires them to guide Red Riding Hood through the forest in the shortest possible time.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/gis-activities-primary
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/gis-ks2

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

The current online resources are continuing to be developed.

FULL ACCESS FREE all videos, activities, clip art, printed work sheets

If you / your schools would like the Sherston Channels FREE until the end of the academic year please email Matt ASAP.

Kent ICT Disclaimer
It is not our intention to tell schools what to buy and we acknowledge there are many other equally good products available.  Schools should conduct their own evaluation of hardware / software prior to making decisions about purchasing

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 that takes place as part of the Ramsar site, including the puffins on Burhou.

To take part please send us your question before midday on Wednesday the 23 June 2010.

Either:

Post your question on the Ask an Expert Forum thread.  Click here to go to the forum page. Click the Ask and expert topic and fill in the boxes and post your question.

or email your question directly to ecologist@alderneywildlife.org

Replies will be posted on the 24 June between 2-4pm on the Ask an Expert Forum Page

For more information about this event please contact:

Nicola Davison - Alderney PuffinCam SEGFL Manager

nicoladavison@hotmail.com

 

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 programs for the future. Thank you for your help

"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 City, 2Publish Projects, 2Go, 2Publish, Maths Games, 2Sequence, 2Investigate Projects, 2Count, 2Animate lite, Logo, 2Type, 2Publish Extra, a 2Simple online save area for each user, and much more!

Special Summer offer

£500 annual licence for Mash Value Pack  plus a plus a FREE CD site licence of your choice.

or  2Paint Projects: £100 per year  or  2Design & Make: £100 per year

Please contact Katherine for more details or visit http://www.2simple.com/purplemash/

Katherine@2simple.com

Kent ICT Disclaimer
It is not our intention to tell schools what to buy and we acknowledge there are many other equally good products available.  Schools should conduct their own evaluation of hardware / software prior to making decisions about purchasing.

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 on the project blog

Publish weather data (temperature / rainfall data for that day) on the project blog

Add photographs of the birds they have seen to The National Education Network Photograph gallery

Use Google Maps to view settlements around the World

Web conference with schools around the world (FlashMeeting) and talk about the birds they have seen

How can my school take part?

Click on the link below for further details and to download a copy of the "Flying around the World Booking Form." Remember if you are planning to take part booking forms must be completed and returned by Friday 18th June 2010.

Click here for more information about The Kent Bird Watch 2010 Flying around the World Day

Phil Bracegirdle - ASK ICT Hands on Support Consultant      philip.bracegirdle@kent.gov.uk

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 this mean for Schools?
All data schools have submitted will automatically be transferred. This means that on the 17th June the online tool will be unavailable, while the transfer takes place. All schools who are currently using the framework will be notified by email about the changes. All queries regarding the changes should be directed to Becta customer services 0800 877 8777.  The revised framework will then be available to use from the 18th June 2010.

The ICT Mark
Schools intending to apply for the ICT Mark or to be re-assessed before October 31 2010 can ask to continue using the existing framework. However these should contact NAACE for further information. ICTMark@naace.co.uk. All schools applying for the ICT Mark after October 31st 2010 will be expected to use the new framework.

 

 

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 Data Handling report

For more information about the project contact:

Philip.bracegirdle@kent.gov.uk

 

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.

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 on Alderney this spring/summer?

February - Puffins return to the Channel Islands from their winter feeding
grounds

March - Rafts of Puffins start forming near Burhou, occasional Puffins
visiting.

Early April - Puffins start coming ashore in small numbers to check out
potential nest sites

Late April/Early May -  Puffins numbers start rapidly increasing on the
island during the first week, puffin eggs laid

End May/First week of June  - Pufflings hatch

June 3rd   - Ask an Expert session based on Pufflings

June/July  - Rearing of Pufflings, keeping the family fed.

July 8th - Ask an expert session about problems Puffins face

End July/ early August - Puffins depart

For full details about the project and the planned summer programme click here

or e-mail: nicoladavison@homail.com

Nicola is presently looking after Puffin Cam on behalf of SEGfL and Alderney Wildlife Trust

 

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 Mandy to book a place or to find out more (mandy.barrow@kent.gov.uk)

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 the foundations laid by previous editions and incorporates new content and materials that schools and other settings may find useful when writing and reviewing e-safety policies.

It is essential that schools and settings are aware of both the benefits and the risks of using new technology for students, staff and the wider community. The 2010 guidance document now has a specific section regarding the use of social media tools as an establishment. We strongly recommend that all schools and settings read and carefully consider the information and advice discussed before using externally controlled online tools, such as social networking, as a communication method. Schools and settings can also consult with the e-safety officer to discuss ideas and options.

New content includes:

• An updated incident flow chart for e-safety incidents (including a handy customisable poster version to use in staffrooms etc)
• New information about Kent Police procedures
• Sections added regarding cyberbullying and learning platforms
• Data security considerations
• Discussion regarding use of social media tools as an establishment
• Updated audit tools, contact information, notes on the legal framework and references to useful materials

The documents are available to download electronically at www.kenttrustweb.org.uk?esafety

The policy template is also available as an online collaboration tool at www.policy.e-safety.org.uk

The online policy generator is an interactive tool which enables Schools to prepare their e-safety policy online by selecting and amending statements from the Kent policy template bank as well adding their own statements to create a personalised and appropriate policy. It is strongly recommended that all stakeholders should be actively involved in using this tool to collaboratively create an appropriate e-Safety policy for their establishment.

Hard copies of the documents will be sent to Kent headteachers and chairs of governors shortly, along with an accompanying letter and e-safety checklist which will be used to help inform and plan Kent’s e-safety approach in the future.

For more information about e-safety visit www.kenttrustweb.org.uk?esafety or contact Rebecca Avery, e-safety officer.

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 Kensington Palace into “a palace for everyone”.

Transported through a mysterious portal to the past, players of Enchanted Palace need to use all their skill and imagination to explore Kensington Palace throughout the ages and return to the present day. 

Inspired by actual rooms in the palace, the game is a colourful journey through time where players meet and interact with Kensington’s former residents to solve puzzles in each room.

The game is entirely free to use, carries no chat facilities and is non-commercial. Visit www.enchantedpalace.org and discover if you are up to the challenge.

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.

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.

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-D Art Workshops**

Our school would like to take part?

Please read the attached flier and return the enclosed booking form by Monday 17th June 2010. Places are limited (maximum 10 schools) so book early to avoid disappointment.

Northwood Hill Key Stage 2 Nature Detectives flier and booking form

For more information contact:

Phil Bracegirdle - ASK ICT Hands on Support Consultant    E-mail: philip.bracegirdle@kent.gov.uk

:

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.

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 ICT Leading Teacher ict@:ham-street.kent.sch.uk  

 

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 Watch 2010 Photographic Competition

How to publish your pupils photographs on the National Education Network Gallery

 

The competition is open from Wednesday 21st April to Thursday to Thursday 24th June 2010. Who can enter?  Any pupil aged 4-11 who attend a primary school in Kent.

 

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 will be asked to create a film about why they love the internet / how to stay smart online. This could be done through drama, music, dance, animation or poetry for example. All films must be no longer than 60 seconds!All shortlisted finalists will be invited to a private screening of their film, in a London cinema, with the judging panel.Fopr more information: [Direct link to pdf] or visit the ChildNet website.

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 share your ideas with others.

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.

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

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 version (not the more expensive pro version)

Would you like to buy Crazy Talk this term at the special price of £12.55?
Schools should place their orders by emailing  Matt at  m.williams@blieducation.com

Closing date: Friday 30 April

Mandy:)