As most schools will know, resources provided by E2BN are mostly free and of a high quality.  Their latest journal signposts some of them. Take a look!

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

Adapted from Naace

Safer Internet Day 8 February 2011 It's more than a game, it's your life   Safer Internet Day is organised by Insafe each year in February to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world. The topic for 2011 is "our virtual lives" around the slogan "It's more than a game, it's your life".   To celebrate Safer Internet Day, Naace is encouraging its members to take advantage of the following opportunities: FREE e-safety courses   At www.ictcp4free.co.uk: ·         Embedding E-Safety in the Curriculum (Short Course) ·         Embedding E-Safety in the Curriculum (Long Course)   And in Second Life: ·         See here for joining instructions Prizes, prizes, prizes!   Put your e-safety knowledge to use and win a FREE subscription to to the new Sumdog numeracy website.   We’ve got 20 whole-school subscriptions (each worth £100) to give away, which extend Sumdog's free maths games with detailed pupil reports.   To be in with a chance to win one of them, please complete our short e-safety quiz at www.surveymonkey.com/s/E-safetyquiz   The first 20 winners with the highest score will receive a free whole-school subscription for a year. Enter now!   Get access to a selection of:   ·         interactive e-safety resources   ·        "How to..." guides     Extras, more freebies and support in lesson planning – read

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.

Interesting times - that's what I hear more and more often when I talk to people about ICT and learning.  Clearly, the change at a national level are having some impact, but school life is surprisingly resilient and the impact of technology on learning is increasing if anything. 

Whilst we are in a process of re-organising a few things (See ICT Services for School's project), we are also continuing with some of the work that teachers appreciate a lot.  For a start, there are two big conferences coming up and both of them promise to provide insight into the way pedagogy is changing and technology is enhancing learning.

Our Norfolk ICT Conference (details to be announced shortly) promises some high calibre keynote speakers and the E2BN Conference will provide welcome regional networking as new support structures emerge both within Norfolk and the East of England.

 

There is still time for parents of children with profound disabilities or special educational needs to apply for a Home Access package with Assistive Technology to help with learning in the home. Packages are being distributed free with the help of ICT specialists, XMA and Assistive Technology experts iansyst. Up to 5,000 grants for individually configured computer packages are left, but these grants must be applied for before 30 November 2010. Upon award of a grant a computer package is tailored for the learner’s individual needs and can be worth up to £2,000.

If you have children in your school or are working with children with SEN or disabilities, ask the families to check eligibility and apply by calling the Home Access helpline on 0333 200 1004 or visit www.xma4ha.co.uk/assistivetechnology.aspx or www.homeaccess.org.uk to learn more. (copied from naace)