ICT in schools

Even though i feel my ICT skills are up to scratch, i don't however, feel that I am up to scratch with all this new technology. I have decided to become innovative and gather new resources and think about the different types of software i could gather and use in schools. So i decided to do some research my self and found a brillopads website: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/ictis/resources/primary/
Download free teacher resources and lesson plans and find out about teacher-approved software.
You can download free teaching resources and lesson plans. You can also find out about teacher-approved software.
This is excellent because my initially worry about ICT is the cost and it recommends free software.

Take a look guys
Vikki
:-)

Flowol

Today;s task frustrated me at first. I found it quite difficult to begin. However, when I began to explore and play with it I began to understand how to use and it is actually quite simple to use. I felt an achievement after this seminar because it was challenging and when I saw the finished product it did make me smile. If it made me feel like I achieved something I can imagine how the child would feel after using this.

I can see how i would use this in school; cross curricular links include; science, maths and ICT.

Vikki :-)

Problem with blogging

I was reading my enthusiasm for the idea of blogging in schools. I still have the enthusiasm however I have come across many difficulties using blogger. This is now my third account using blogger, I have had to transfer much of my blogs over. this has obviously caused great hassle. i would like to pose the question; how do we know this wont happen in schools? if it does how can we overcome this. I have trundled on with blogger, I still enjoy reading other peoples blogs and I still believe there is still a use for blogging in schools. But i would like to know if anyone knows a way of sorting blogging problems.



Would appreciate it

Thanks :-)

ICT in todays world

'You cannot predict the future. You have to prepare pupils to be able to meet the challenges and opportunities the future offers.' What amazed me is the idea that there are jobs out there that are not around yet, but the scary thing is we are preparing children for the unknown future. This really made me feel that I need to really understand the full potential ICT has to offer and instead of holding children back because of my in experiences I can enhance both mine and the children's learning together through ICT. I have met children who are better than me at ICT (I don't think I am completely computer illiterate) and what I must do is not be afraid to try the unknown, I believe this will make me a better teacher, which will enable me to teach better ICT. We cannot predict and prepare for the future of ICT, What we do know is that ICT will not start going backwards or stop developing. However we can relish the new ideas and technologies and be prepared to try new things. Because that is what good teaching is all about.

Vikki :-)

Using ICT in Geography

I was amazed at how much technology there is out there to support Geography teaching (with a close link to science). It has really opened my eyes to ICT opportunities i can use in schools to really enhance, extend and empower children's learning through ICT. I loved the idea of Geo-caching in education. Its exciting, fun and motivating that allows children to extend many skills such as; maths, science, geography and outdoor education.

I was also fascinated with crate -a-scape. I was again initially confused and thought I would do some of my own research. This was a brilliant website: http://www.futurelab.org.uk/projects/savannah/

As I am so inspired i have decided to try and get hold of a PDA and have a play. Please write and tell me any ideas on how to use a PDA and creat-a-scape.

Vikki :-)

Pod Casting

I'm going to be honest, I have heard of Pod casting but i was unsure what it was about. So when we were going to do our very own i was a bit sceptical about it. Questions kept propping up such as; how were going to use it in schools? How was it easier than using a CD recorder, voice recorder? How easy is it to create your very own Podcast. So I decided to really get down to the basics of what is Pod casting and if anyone is stuck i found a really good short video on YouTube have a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-MSL42NV3c

Anyway it was so much fun doing the Podcast. It enable me to work as a group, take on a role, use a variety of ICT and literature (writing a quick script). I have a little bit more confidence in Podcast so it would be great to hear your comments and views on it too.

Speak soon Vikki :-)

ICT and music

I think it is really important to know that ICT is cross curricular and provides an essential tool for teaching and learning. We all use ICT everyday to support our teaching but is it a use for learning too? It is important that we understand the use of ICT in learning and of course not let it take over the whole of our teaching as we know practical hands on experience is best. However we must try to use ICT the best way we can and enrich, enhance and empower the child as a life long learner. Anyway the ICT and music DTA was awesome. It didn't provide a hands on experience but I do think it provided an alternative way to overcome hands on problems such as; not enough instruments, space etc. It also will allow children who do not feel confident in music to strive and really enjoy it. i base this on my own experience of trying to compose music using different instruments with year 1 music. I hated it and found it very frustrating. so when it came about we were composing a tune I instantly dreaded it. however i had so much fun composing using this simple software. It really put into perspective how ICT can effect a lesson in a positive way.

Thanks Vikki

p.s. wanted to upload my song, finding it difficult any hints?