 |
|
|
|
| ICT Newsletter #294 |
25th June 2007 |
GENERAL
OCN Consultation
A reminder that colleagues can participate in the consultation process by accessing the OCN Consultation conference on the OCN. (Everyone > OCN Consultation). In that conference you will find the names and contact details for members of the consultation group, some background information as well as notes and presentations from the sessions. Anyone can contribute to the consultation by posting their thoughts in the Consultation conference.
Courses
The following courses still have places available:
Getting Started with Video Conferencing
There are many exciting uses of Videoconferencing (VC) in schools that will enable the curriculum to be brought to life. Videoconferencing can be a cost effective means of enhancing teaching and learning. People may be put off by Videoconferencing as there are numerous acronyms and a range of technologies available to schools at a range of costs - it can be difficult to know where to start!
This course has been designed to show teachers how easy it can be to set up a Videoconference, which equipment you will need to have in order to Videoconference successfully and which educational providers are available to schools to help support and develop the curriculum.
The course will:
This course is aimed at non-specialist teachers new to the KS3 ICT Strategy
1t will look at:
If you would like to attend please apply to the Inset section at Cricket Road or online at: http://intranet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/links/intranet/oqsaapply
The pin-me-up sheet for next term is now available in school in the latest copy of Ox-On-Line.
Competitions
The Newsday Competition held recently was a huge success with more than 200 entries! Congratulations to Jordan Strickland and James Kearley from Hill View Primary School in Banbury for their winning entry, The Daily Flow. Mollie Woodley and Jason Walsh, also from Hill View, were second with their entry, Star News and James Currah and Alexander Gunasekera from Batt Primary School in Witney came third with their entry The Wednesday Times.
Our thanks to all the staff and pupils who participated.
There are a number exciting competitions coming up. Look out for the fliers in your school:
· Graftas (back by popular demand) entries due Friday 6th July
· You may already want to register an interest in the Lego league Competition
- Initial Bids to be completed by 14.09.07 If you need further information please
contact your consultant on 01865 428034.
Looking further ahead:
· National Poetry Day Competition (theme DREAM) 17/09/07 - 12/10/07
· Foundation Stage Christmas Card Competition 29/10/07 - 23/11/07
· Maths Challenge - week beginning 12/11/07
BCS Oxfordshire Schools 2007 Web Competition Winners
Congratulations to all teams who entered the BCS Web site competition. The grand prize giving event took place on 20 June 2007 and was hosted, as previously, by Cranfield University at their Shrivenham campus.
Congratulations especially to Faringdon College, winners of the Silver Challenge Cup, to Rush Common Primary who won the Junior Shield, and team Silver Star from Didcot Girl's School for the best Individual Site.
For more information and links to the winning sites visit http://www.ict.oxon-lea.gov.uk/BCS_web_comp/
Offers from Inspiration
If you have Inspiration or Kidspiration please see the attached fliers for details of a special offer on upgrades. If you wish to take up this offer please contact Christine of the ICT team on 01865 428034.
PRIMARY
Espresso Latest Updates
For the Foundation stage - Photo books: Blue and Brown
A series of photo books about colours are being developed for the Creative development area. High quality photos are used to explore colours of different living things and objects.
Find it: Foundation > Creative
Word machine: Level 2 - NEW!
Word machine contains a collection of presenter-led video clips that were produced for 4 Learning. In the videos the presenter, Aidan Cook, accompanied by the animated character, Word Machine, take children on a phonic journey, creating engaging contexts for teaching about the written word. The materials explore endings, long vowels and how CCVC words are created by blending single phonemes.
Find it: English 1 > Word machine
KS2 Learning paths: D&T and ICT and Music
New learning path indexes are now available for D&T, ICT and Music.
Find it: D&T2 or ICT2 or Music 2> Learning paths
Oxfordshire Primary ICT Conference
Many thanks to the delegates for making our ICT conference a vibrant and lively event.
SECONDARY
POS for KS3 and 4 and Level Descriptors for ICT
You may like to be aware that the POS at KS3 and KS4 has been rewritten as have the level descriptors. The consultation period is now over and materials are due to be in schools from September 2007, for implementation in 2008. The main changes at KS3 seem to be the introduction of use of email, folder management and awareness of health and safety issues, and the removal of data logging. The draft documents can be found on the QCA website -
http://www.qca.org.uk/secondarycurriculumreview/subject/ks3/ict/index.htm
Online approval for OCR Nationals
OCR Released the following statement on Monday 11 June 2007:
"OCR is delighted to announce the launch of its new online approval process for centres wishing to run OCR Nationals. OCR Nationals do require you to gain approval to run the course, whether you are already teaching OCR Nationals or looking to start them in the future. Please apply for approval for OCR Nationals with our online form; it is quick, simple and free. OCR Nationals are vocationally-related qualifications that are proving hugely popular with schools and colleges alike, because they are recognised, rigorous and valued qualifications that are suitable for all learners.
If you have any questions relating to your approval please call us on 02476
851509."
Best wishes,
The ICT Advisory Team
