Reading the latest "SWITCHED ON" newsletter from CAS (Computing At Schools), I would love to see some Norfolk Schools produce their own the folk dances and other innovative non-computing ways to teach key concepts.  As described on page 3 of the publication, there are plenty of resources alreaedy available online.

We will ensure that any video produced in Norfolk gets promoted through our networks and conference.  Go on - have a go!

Adopted from NAACE newsletter:

Are you considering your curriculum - see the futurelab article for some food for thought.

Content vs Skills article by futurelab

http://content.yudu.com/A1si7n/SecEd08jun11/resources/index.htm

The E2BN Conference promises to be a fantastic event for teachers interested in the latest developments around ICT and learning.

Take a look at the Journal to see what will be happening.  It's not too late to book a place either...

E2BN - 2011 conference.pdf

E2BN will be running ‘Safe Smartphone – It’s no Game’ E-Safety sessions on 25th May and 6th & 7th July

Once again we are delighted to be able to offer E2BN schools access to this online interactive role play that develops e-safety knowhow.

Each session lasts an hour and takes place at 9.30, 11.00, 1.30.

Your students take on the role of ‘student adviser’ to a number of virtual characters who are concerned about their own online activity. As the scenario unfolds your students will be prompted, via a series of on-screen messages, to consider how best to advise them. Students respond to the scenario via an ‘instant messaging’ type interface. Throughout the session, our experts monitor and respond to your students comments. The activity encourages students to think about some of the dangers that the Internet presents, how to best to deal with them and most importantly how to keep themselves safe.

Simply send an email to info@engage.net with your name, schools contact details (school name, address, telephone number), number of students taking part and say which day/ time session that you would like to take part in.

Sessions are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

If your school takes it's broadband connectivity form one of the local authorities listed below and you quote 'E2BN' in your email you will not be billed for these sessions

(Bedford Borough, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend-On-Sea, Suffolk, Thurrock)
Places are limited to two classes per school.
Session run for an hour, at 9.30, 11.00 and 1.30

Subject Leader Network for ICT      -      Spring Term 2011

The following agenda is designed to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in order to improve standards in your department

Session 1

·        Impact of white paper on ICT

·        Functional skills incl. apprenticeships

·        Wolf report on Vocational Education (role of ICT Qualifications?)

Session 2

·        The Curriculum Review

·        What ICT should every pupil learn?

·        EBac, Gold Standard and ICT

Session 3

·        Developing learning and teaching through schemes of work

·        Examples for Y7 integrated curriculum, Year 9 and OCR

·        Choice of focus to work on

o       Considering differentiation

o       Behaviour and climate for learning

o       Developing subject knowledge

Session 4

·        Feedback from Teachers International Development – ICT Teachers in Australia

Session 5

·        Evaluating different tracking models (3 groups)

o       Vocational related qualifications (OCR, DIDA, BTec)

o       New GCSEs, IT Diploma

o       APP at KS3

Session 6

·        ICT across the curriculum

o       Effective models for tracking and development.

o       Progression or consolidation through cross-curricular teaching?

Increasingly, there seems to be a consensus that pupil owned devices should play a bigger role in their learning at school.  A recent survey by RM, NAACE and Intellect gave an interesting insight into how practitioners evaluate the role of technology in learning.  Whilst we continue to work towards this and can even point to some early success in Norfolk, we cannot yet talk of a widespread approach to make this a normality.  A significant proportion of schools continue to ban pupil devices.  Usually there is an acceptance that pupils will have devices, but they must stay out of sight or will get confiscated. Some schools have taken a bold approach, developed some rules and policy with the student body and are beginning to see some benefit.  Other have started to adjust their networks to provide free wifi & Internet for pupil owned devices.  This is increasingly seen as a normal expectation in FE and HE institutions, with Sixth Forms catching up fast.

What is needed next, are the case studies which show that such an approach has impact on learning throughout the whole institution and not just for the enthusiast who deploys this in their classroom.