http://elgg.norfolk.e2bn.org/elearning/weblog/15585.html

There are some fantastic free courses available to promote good use of ICT in schools.  NAACE and the TDA are supporting this initiative and some courses have been contributed by ICT Advisers and professionals across the country.

Current Courses available:

• Monitoring Using ICT –BRAND NEW!!
• Web 2.0 Visual Learning Collaboration Tools (Primary) –NEW!
• Web 2.0 Visual Learning Collaboration Tools (Secondary) –NEW!
• Assessment of ICT in the Primary Phase
• Assessment of ICT in the Secondary Phase
• Developing Higher Order Thinking Skills Utilising ICT
• Embedding e-safety in the Curriculum (short course)
• Embedding e-safety in the Curriculum (long course)
• Introduction to finding Digital Resources
• Exploring Digital Media
• Finding Digital Resources
• High Interaction, Reflection and Peer Assessment Through Online Forums
• ICT Subject Knowledge in QCA Primary Framework
• Modelling and Models for Learning
• Monitoring Using ICT
• Using ICT in Innovative Ways

All courses are available at, www.ictcpd4free.co.uk

http://elgg.norfolk.e2bn.org/elearning/weblog/15367.html

http://elgg.norfolk.e2bn.org/elearning/weblog/15265.html

Norfolk schools will have received their conference brochures for the 2010 E2BN conference in the last few days.  The summer conference is always a great occasion to catch up with the latest thinking on learning with ICT.  Keynotes include Dale Banham and Prof. Stephen Heppel.

• Sample the latest technology through hands-on workshops
• Have access to a range of practical advice and assistance
• See examples of how innovation and best practice is transforming education in schools across the region
• Discuss and debate topical issues

http://elgg.norfolk.e2bn.org/elearning/weblog/15233.html

You can see most presentations and some video recordings of our successful conference online:

Presentations

Video recordings

Seb's presentation on the new Norfolk E-Learning Strategy

The strategy document (pdf) will follow shortly.

http://elgg.norfolk.e2bn.org/elearning/weblog/14870.html

Futurelab and HP have teamed up to develop Pedagogy 3.0  as part of a global initiative led by HP. Secondary schools may be interested to explore the funding opportunity.  It would be great to have a Norfolk School take part in this initiative.

Futurelab

HP Catalyst Initiative

Give pupils a dictionary and a piece of A4 paper. Tell them they are going on holiday and need to pack 10 items. Let them look up the words and write them down in the TL only. They then swap papers with a partner who has to look the words up and possibly draw them. Obviously this would work with many different topics and could be done sensibly or it could be a silly list. A variation could be that the partner has to copy the words under the column heading of sensible or silly. This activity can also work if you need time to do one to one assessment with pupils whilst the class get on with something without continually asking for help.

http://elgg.norfolk.e2bn.org/elearning/weblog/12952.html

Earlier this week Ofsted publised a report on the safe use of technologies.  This is the summary from the Ofsted website:

'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. It responds to the report of the Byron Review, Safer children in a digital world.'

The key findings outline that managing and monitoring access is preferable to simply filtering sites.  Norfolk's policy advocates such an approach, as schools are encouraged to use e-safety monitoring tools (Securus) in conjunction with a more liberal filtering policy (e-learning caste).

The report also highlights the need to develop policies whilst listening to pupil and student views.  Norfolk has been providing templates and guidance for this process, which can be found on the e-safety section of the ICT Solutions website

The need for training and good monitoring of the impact of the training is also one of the outcomes of the survey.  The advisory services have been offering training sessions on e-safety and Pip Cartwright is leading the advice and support on this topic. 

http://elgg.norfolk.e2bn.org/elearning/weblog/12795.html

Alex Savage, former AST for ICT and now in charge of the Training School at Notre Dame High School wrote to say:

Fronter is working really well for us now.  I am noticing a significant impact on the quality of learning.  The starts of lessons are more focussed.  Students can quickly access a wide range of digital resources and they are getting more regular feedback on their work through the Hand-in feature.

Let's just say that this is music to my ears, as it is exactly the kind of outcome we are looking for.  It has to be about learning in the end.  This is not to say that parental engagement, more efficient communication or time savings for teachers are not important, but in the end learning is just the most important aspect of all those things that learning platforms can make at difference with.

http://elgg.norfolk.e2bn.org/elearning/weblog/12794.html

The biggest event for Norfolk Heads and teachers enthused about learning with ICT is undoubtably the annual Norfolk ICT Conference.  Our 2010 event on March 24th and 25th is special in many ways:

• Launch of the new e-learning strategy for Norfolk (2010-2014)
• Focus on learning spaces and the way ICT can enhance them
• Presentations by Norfolk Schools and Learners
• Innovation in learning through games, including the Futurelab 'SPARK' exhibition
• Keynotes, practical seminars and break out sessions by leading individuals and national agencies (Steve Moss, John Davitt, Partnership for Schools, Becta, Futurelab, E2BN)

For full details and booking please see the conference site.