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I have been testing out the latest title from immersive education.
Kar2ouche: On the Farm: ICT across the curriculum
I liked the activities and the comprehensive teachers pack that accompanies the software. The software makes good use of the links with geography and science. Good selection of backgrounds but I felt there could have been more props and more new characters, more adult female characters and less stereotypical costumes on the farmers would have been good. The age group that this title is aimed at seems to be middle primary but there is scope for using this with older pupils. More comprehensive prop and character options would have enabled this resource to be used with secondary pupils looking at land use conflict – maybe an idea for a future release?
Here is my first attempt – using the audio provided and composing my own storyboard.
Read this article about a Falkirk Secondary removing History from options….
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7926016.stm
Very interested to find out what people think of this.
Just been reading the article on the BBC news website about social networking and the possible harmful biological effects from lack of face to face interactions.
Today I participated in the RGS Google Earth training workshop remotely via Glow, and I am now the first person to have completed a CPD course in this way. The workshop run by Jamie creator of the digital explorer website was excellent and had a great mix of hands on activities in the computer suite and beyond using GPS equipment and digital cameras. Read the rest of this entry »
Just found these games on the BBC website. I like the mountain rescue game thought and skill required rather than just blasting midges.
Shame about the bins!
Well thought it was about time I got back to blogging, the purpose of this blog is for me to learn how to use edublogs / wordpress so that I can help colleagues with their educational / class blogging projects. So now I have reset my password and emailed me my login – yes it has been that long since I logged in – and here I am!
Well it has been a year since I took up post as an ICT staff tutor. My secondment will continue for a second year but my role is likely to change due to local restructuring. It is the time of year when I am to write up achievements and next steps in my personal review; here is a sample:
I am looking forward to the Scottish Learning Festival which will take place on 24 and 25 September at the SECC and Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow. Last year I attened interesting keynotes and seminars, but I especially enjoyed the fringe events. Meeting other educationalists and learning about developments in other schools and local authorites at TeachMeet and in the local authority hall was particularly interesting. I am keen to attend and participate at TeachMeet08 @ SLF, more details to follow.
Today Lynn and I visited Lori Ramsay and the Mothership project at Lourdes Secondary School. Lori showed us her classroom and recording studio. The Mothership project is a secure website offering an educational resource to pupils attending a selection of primary and secondary schools in Glasgow. Lori is working on expanding this across Glasgow and into Yorkhill hospital school sector. The Mothership provides schools with an area to showcase pupil work including artwork, music recordings, short-films and a pupil led radio station as well as a revision area where they can access teacher resources. Lori is developing the idea of teacher avatars to help with homework and exam revision. Read the rest of this entry »
CEOP Ambassador Training
Today I attended the CEOP Ambassador training course in Edinburgh. I am now a CEOP Ambassador which means I can deliver and cascade training to teachers and other appropriate individuals in order for them to deliver the CEOP thinkUknow presentations to the 11-16 year old age bracket.
All staff who wish to deliver the CEOP materials must first register with CEOP. Primary colleagues are able to dowload the resources, lesson plans and notes. Secondary staff must be trained before accessing and delivering the materials, which is where I step in.
Just want to promote this excellent resource for educators. There are vast numbers of podcasts out there and David Noble’s site, Podcast Directory makes finding educational content much easier. David produces his own podcast which can be found at http://booruch.libsyn.com/ 
WeatherLink Data Logger & Software for the Vantage Pro2 weather station.
I have now installed the software on the laptop and tested the weather station outside. It was exciting to see the wireless reciever pick up the current condtions which could then be downloaded to the computer via a USB data logger. Read the rest of this entry »
I am not an experienced ‘gamer’ and I was not sure what was in store when my colleague organised a visit to the Consolarium in Dundee. Due to accomodation issues Derek Robertson visited the ICT Staff Tutor team at the training room in Forfar.
ElectroCity is an online game (similar to Sim city) that lets players manage their own virtual towns and cities. It’s teaches players all about energy, sustainability and environmental management (with a New Zealand emphasis). Its addictive to play and would be great for teachers to use with a class. There is a limited number of turns so the game has ending!
This piece of kit kept me occupied for a few hours today. I have started putting this Davis weather station together. This combines two of my passions – ICT and Geography!
Next week I will put the tripod stand together and install the software on the laptop and test the equipment. We have purchased two weather stations and it is planned to site them at contrasting locations within the local authority at two secondary schools.
It will be great when the weather stations are installed in schools, pupils will be able to analyse real life, accurate and up-to-date stats, it is also possible to connect with other stations around the world and upload data to the WWW.
I will post updates here as they happen. More photos on flickr.
The new Promethean voting kit arrived today, ActivExpression. 
I am looking forward to getting started with it. I have installed the Expression software on the laptop, next step is to register the handsets.
For more info visit the website.
I have spent the afternoon updating my Promethean User Certificates for ActivStudio and ActivPrimary Version 3. I have previously completed the certificates for an older version of the software but thought I had should have the most recent certificates. It also means I have been through the process of completeing the tutorials and assessments so I can promote this method of training to colleagues.
The first foundation course is free, all that is required is to log on to the Promethean Learning website. This course provides a very good grounding in all of the basic functions of the software. The tutorials and assessments can be completed without the need for the software to be installed on the PC which makes it ideal for staff working at home.
