ICT Learning

ICT across the school

Secondary

Discover ancient Egypt in a Liverpool museum

In this programme Year 7 pupils are treated to a visit to the World Museum in Liverpool as an introduction to Key Stage 3 history. Teacher Gareth Rogers from Weatherhead High School on the Wirral chose a day of Egyptian-themed sessions to make best use of the collections his local museum has to offer. On the trip they find out about mummification through role-playing, handle Egyptian treasures and practice writing hieroglyphics. To make the visit memorable and get material for further study, the pupils take digital cameras to the museum and record what they see. Back in school the next day the pupils develop their ICT skills by preparing a PowerPoint presentation about the day and show it to their classmates.

Ancient Worlds

Useful tips on using animation and technology in the classroom

Find out about the benefits of using animation in secondary classrooms, along with useful tips and resources, in this pedagogical ICT resource for those less confident with technology. The video looks at how animation can encourage in-depth analysis, the equipment needed to create an animation, and how to add sound to an animation. Head of history Will Rennie has never used animation in his classroom so he visits Thomas Deacon Academy to observe a Year 7 cross-curricular art and literacy lesson run by Emily Blissitt. Emily explains the technology to Will and shows him how to use it to enhance teaching and learning. Will watches as the class create a stop-frame animation based on the poem Prince Kano and discusses how he might use the same ICT equipment in his history lessons. Back at his own school, Will delivers a lesson to his Year 9 students in which they create an animation about the rise of the Nazi party in Germany after the first world war.

Animation

How blogging is giving pupils self-confidence and fulfilment

Blogging is now a worldwide phenomenon with weblogs reaching a potential audience of hundreds of millions. Blogs have been described as the ultimate in publishing for the people and have been used to challenge governments and the press. Steve O'Hear, one of Britain's digital evangelists, explores how blogs can be used in schools. Steve finds some enthusiastic primary age bloggers and sees how it helps in literacy, ICT skills and a range of other subjects. He finds many of the benefits extend beyond the curriculum. Blogging can help pupils: Develop confidence Improve their self expression Get a real sense of fulfilment from publishing their work In West Blatchington School in Hove, blogging is practised by everyone from the head down. Steve visits the school's after-school blogging club, a special bloggers' assembly and sees weblogs being used in the school's autistic unit.

Blogosphere

How wikis and blogs can be put to use in the classroom

The use of blogs and online collaboration in education is explored as teachers discover how and why they should make good use of them. Head of geography at Bury Church Secondary, Sally Sumner, uses blogs as a resource in the classroom and as a revision tool, having overcome her initial doubts about her ICT skills. MFL teacher Janet McCann finds blogging invaluable for motivating the boys in her class, and discusses why the pupils find this technology so engaging. At Priestsic Primary School, Nottinghamshire, ICT co-ordinator Tom Barrett uses online collaboration tools for peer assessment, developing the pupil's literacy skills. Collaborative online educational games are also shown, providing a safe environment on the web for pupils to improve their numeracy skills.

Blogs/Wikis

Using video podcasts to help unveil Year 10 pupils' aspirations

Year 10 pupils at Penketh High School in Warrington have been asked to make video podcasts that will encourage them to consider their likely career paths and choices. The podcasts are based upon an imaginary scenario, set 10 years in the future, in which the students are unable to attend a school reunion. They are asked to record absence messages, explaining how their lives have developed since they last saw their classmates. It's a fun technique which genuinely engages the pupils but perhaps more importantly makes them think more seriously about their future and how they might set about achieving the things they want in life. With support from the ICT department, the task is easily implemented and serves to further the pupils' aspirations.

Careers Education - Developing Self-Understanding

Using technology to learn more about the world of work

Find out how an ICT-led project can help to alert pupils to the world of work, as students from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College in London follow an "industry trail". The trail, made up of local employers and places of careers interest, is placed within a PDA. Students then follow the trail on foot, using sat-nav style maps and directions. Along the trail, students encounter companies where interviews with selected personnel have previously been arranged. The pupils conduct audio interviews and take pictures using the PDA, later downloading this content to create a presentation. Such techniques enable students, who may have already learned about their individual strengths, to explore the "workscape" and discover what employment opportunities may be available to them.

Careers Education - Exploring the Workscape

How using computer games can inspire Year 3 and Year 6 pupils

These practical examples and resources can help with using ICT in the classroom. Follow a Year 3 teacher as he investigates whether using computer games in his primary class can enhance teaching and learning. Many teachers are sceptical about using computer games in the classroom. Key Stage 2 teacher Neil Webster's reservations are banished when he meets Dawn Hallybone, a Year 6 teacher, who's already using computer games in class to great effect. Neil later demonstrates the technology he has learned, as he puts it into action with his KS2 pupils.

Computer Games in the Classroom

New initiatives to improve literacy levels in traveller children

This programme takes a look at new initiatives that have been introduced to tackle falling literacy levels and attendance in traveller children. Evidence suggests that traveller children are the group most at risk in the education system. Is distance learning the key to raising academic achievement amongst traveller communities? A number of children try out laptops and data cards, keeping in touch with schools from remote locations. There is a focus on the positive effects such initiatives can have in terms of achievement and inclusion.

Distance Learning

A look at the benefits of using new technology in the classroom

New technologies are second nature to most young people. This programme seeks to explore how they can help and encourage learning in the classroom - particularly in an English lesson. Teenagers discuss their experiences of blogging, MySpace, YouTube, podcasting and more, whilst a panel of experts offer their opinions on these fascinating modern phenomenons. Dr Andrew Burn from the University of London, Apple Distinguished Educator David Baugh, Acton High School's head of media Toby Newton, and Andy Black from BECTA, are amongst those providing professional insight into new technologies. Elsewhere, Martin Owen from Futurelab - along with a group of young students - explains how mobile telephone technology can actually benefit learning, despite the fact that many schools have banned mobile phones from the classroom. This programme aims to help teachers overcome any technophobia they may have, and demonstrates how embracing technology can benefit both students and teachers alike.

English

We help a teacher who'd like to use digital video with his class

Secondary ICT SOS is our advice series that aims to answer some of the most common concerns about using ICT effectively in the classroom. In this programme, we come to the assistance of a PE teacher who is keen to use digital video and editing software to help his pupils with their cricket techniques. We also feature a showcase on how to use a Personal Digital Assistant and painting software in a science lesson, in addition to our usual selection of practical top-tips from teachers.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

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