News stories

The need for schools to prepare for 21st century learning was top of the agenda at this year's BETT conference.

 

They must embrace mobile technologies, games, podcasts and social networking, according to leading educationalist Professor Stephen Heppell.
Schools should also break away from traditional classroom and curriculum models, he argued.
The gap between those schools embracing technology and those not is getting bigger, he said.

School becomes first to lift classroom ban on mobile phones and MP3 players-2009

A secondary  school is to be the first in the country to let pupils use mobile phones as a learning tool.
MP3 players such as iPods and gaming platforms will also be allowed into the classroom at Notre Dame High School in Sheffield.
Senior staff believe the versatile devices should be regarded as small computers for schools to use without extra cost, instead of banning them as most schools do.
Assistant headteacher Paul Haigh said: ‘There’s a huge untapped resource staring us in the face.’
As a specialist technology college, Notre Dame already has substantial IT resources but Mr Haigh believes mobiles can expand the stock available to state schools.
He said: ‘We could never afford to buy every student all the IT and mobile devices we would like them to have. But most students own many of these devices anyway. What’s more, they’re experts in using them.’



School becomes first to hand every single pupil a laptop to use in lessons and at home (that's 1,400 computers at £400 each)
The traditional school exercise book and pen could become items mentioned only in history lessons. Every pupil at Writhlington School is being issued with their own laptop to use in class and for homework.
In what is understood to be a first for British state schools, all 1,400 boys and girls will have a Dell Netbook, worth around £400. These will allow pupils at the school, near Radstock in Somerset, to ‘hand in’ work online and receive
instant feedback from teachers when they are not in the classroom

BBC Bitesize

BBC bitesize is a revision tool which is used by thousands of students over the UK studying for exams like GCSE's, KS2, KS3 and the Scottish standard grades.

It is extremely easy to use and find a topic you need extra help with or a topic you want to be tested on. For example if i needed help with GCSE ICT, I would click GCSE bitesize, select the subject, select the topic and choose something to be tested on or to revise.

You can complete tests on this website and it will be marked for you showing you your progress on a particular section.

Bitesize also offers a radio selection so if you find it easier to revise with music playing in the background there is this option.

Also, if you dont like reading pages and pages of information from books or the internet you can listen to audio which you are able to download onto an ipod or mp3 and listen to the information you need to know before your exam.

Another feature of Bitesize is the activity section. You can be taught the information you should have been taught in class. This is especially good if there are certain things which were unclear at the time. A different explanation may make something clearer.

There are also message boards on the site where you can discuss a certain topic with students learning the same thinsg you are or for someone to get help or even help others.

You pick the subject you want to discuss

Find a topic

Reply to someone elses comment

Also you can post your own comment to ask a question but you would need to register and sign in to do this

There are rules on bitesize to stop inappropriate comments being made.Also you have to be of a certain age to post comments.


Interview with user of Bitesize


What subjects do you use bbc bitesize for?
At the moment I am studying for my GCSE's. It is extremely helpful for subjects such as ICT, history and religious studies. My favourite section though is the English Literature section.
It has really helped me to understand the novel i have been set. I disliked the book at first but now with help for bitesize i have gained a greater understanding of the novel and I have now begun to enjoy writing about and readind the novel.


What is your favourite feature of bbc bitesize?
I love the games! You can learn everything you need to know by using them but while having fun at the same time. Also the tests are extremely useful as i can see my progress and pick up where i need to revise more.


What don't you like about the site?
I dont like the fact there isn't an a level section. I would have found that extremely useful next year.


Do you use the tests activity or revise sections more?
I use all of them. I revise, do the activity and then do the test.


Have you ever used the message board?
Once, yes. I saw a girl post a comment about the advantages and disadvantages of using a network. As i study ICT I could help her.


Have you ever downloaded the audio clips?

The language ones. I study french and by listening to accents and pronuctation of words my grades have improved dramatically!

Laptops and Phones

Beneficial

• technology is a massive thing in the 21st century and all
•  jobs are based around computers therefore it is good practice
• students are ready to function in the 21st century
• notes are neater and easily read
• it is quicker for most people to type than to write
• the technology can be taken anywhere. teachers have more freedom as to where they teach

Distraction

• more tempting to copy and paste information from the internet into essays instead of referencing and putting information in someones own words
• you could loose the ability to write which is essiential for exams
• spell checking is done for you, therefore you never learn to spell
• at the beginning of lessons you have to wait for laptops to start up
• in a class a teacher cant always see what students are doing on the screen for example playing games or accessing social networking sites
• laptops are more expenisve than the usual pen and paper
• a school computer has a filtering system, a pupils own laptop does not

Yes

• can be used for memory aids- storing information which needs to be remembered
• cyber bullying is already an issue, therefore allowing phones won't cause a problem because the problem is already there,
• if a child was to miss their bus they could call and make other arrangements instead of walking home which could lead to all sorts of dangers

No

• mobiles require reception. they would be pointless as a learning tool if they werent readily available
• not all students have phones, or a good one. leading to jealousy, bullying
• cheating during tests. texting for answers or having answers readily saved as a draft message
• a lot of phones have internet access allowing cheating and viewing inappropiate websites during school time
• there is always one student who forgets to put their phone on silent causing a distraction
• students could text while a teachers back is turned.

Fronter

Fronter is a virtual learning environment.

Each school has a different URL. It is www.fronter.com with the school name or an abbrviation added to the end.

You will then be asked to enter your username and password which the school issues to each student.

You are then presented with the home screen to fronter.

If i wanted to find the Psychology resources to help with a homework or note taking i would:
display all rooms
select Psychology
Click student resources
Click AS
Select the unit
And select the work or teacher notes you need.






Advantages

• students can hand work in online
• homework can be set if it was forgotten in class
• homework can be set in the holidays
• students can print out past papers which are large files saving the school money on ink and paper
• if a student missed out on notes during a class they can find the notes online

Disadvantages

• by using this systemm schools are encourging students to spend more time online. They could easily be distracted by facebook or msn causing a delay in getting homework completed
• it can be difficult to use for beginners. teachers may not receieve work on time as a student may have had difficulty in finding the work set.

Interactive Whiteboards

What are Interactive Whiteboards?
An interactive whiteboard, is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand. Interactive whiteboards have replaced old fashioned whiteboards and blackboards over the UK. Teachers can access all their resources from one place such as the internet, word processinng documents. This reduces the need for the teacher to keep moving around the classroom handing out handouts. The teacher can stay in the same place throughout the lesson giving more teaching time. They are especially good for watching videos and films on as they are large and clear.

How are they used?
Interactive whiteboards are used in classroom environments and the technology allows you to write or draw on the surface, print the image off, save it to computer, or distribute it over a network. You can also project a computer screen image onto the surface and then either control the application by touching the board directly or by using a special pen. Once drawn over, the image can be saved.

Most use four componants

• a computer connects the projector and whiteboard
• a projector displays an image from a computer screen
• appropriate software
• display panel

• Write over the top of programmes to highlight and annotate points.
• View and navigate the Internet from the whiteboard.
• Allow staff and/or students to move around a screen without the use of a computer because the screen itself is sensitive.
• Offer the same features as a traditional whiteboard such as writing directly on the board, circling things, highlighting or labelling elements on the screen.

Advantages

• They allow learners to absorb information more easily.
• They allow learners to participate in group discussions by freeing them from note taking.
• They allow learners to work collaboratively around a shared task/work area.
• When used for whole class interactive testing of understanding, they can provide learner feedback rapidly.

 Disadvantages

• Interactive whiteboards are more expensive than conventional whiteboards or projector/screen combinations.
• Their surface can become damaged.
• Front projection boards can be obscured by the user(s).
• Fixed height boards are often too high to reach the top or too low for their bottom to be readily visible.
• If multiple data entry is allowed then inputs can get jumbled, resulting in onscreen gibberish.

Interview with teacher

How long have you had your interacive whiteboard?

I think i was one of the last in the school to get one, but about 2 years now. I think most schools have them now as they are so good to teach with

What is your favourite thing about the interactive whiteboard?

I like how i can save work from a lesson and show it again at another for a remind or if that lessons work was incomplete.

How much do you think the white board cost and was it worth the money?

I think they still are quite expensive at around £2,000-£3,000 pounds each but if a school has the money they are worth getting. I also believe pupils pay more attention with them and in my subject in particular i have seen a rise in grades.

What do you use your interactive whiteboard for mainly?

Showing slide show presentations. Students have more time to write down notes and it is much better than having my writing on the board. Students can actually read better from the slide show presentation. Also i sometimes show videos from the internet which show examples of what I am teaching them.

My Maths

MyMaths.co.uk is a resourse for teachers all over the UK. It covers GCSE maths as well as parts of the A level course. Each exam board is also represented and teachers do believe it is a helpful revision and homework resource which has helped improve results.

Teachers can find new ways of teaching certain topics, set homework and keep an eye on all students by issuing them passwords and usernames. A teacher can make sure the student has done their work and got a good grade without having to mark.

A paid subscription is required which can be partial or full depending on how long it will need to be used for.