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| ICT Newsletter #298 |
23rd July 2007 |
GENERAL
Flooding
Our thoughts are with all of you who are flooded or about to be! If you think the ICT team can help with ICT issues during this time, please contact us on 01865 428034 or the ICT Helpdesk on 0845 052 1000.
Courses
A general reminder - increasingly our courses give you opportunities to create content that would be very easy for you to save onto a USB memory stick. If you have one, please remember to bring it along to your next course.
Courses for next term
The following courses (taken from the 'pin-me-up' sheet circulated in the latest copy of Ox-On-Line) have places available. 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
Graftas 2007
The full list of winners, including highly commended entries, and the winning films are now available on the ICT Team website. http://www.ict.oxon-lea.gov.uk/graftas07/
Competitions
There are a number exciting competitions coming up. Look out for the fliers in your school:
· 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
Newsletter Update
A reminder that from September newsletters will be automatically posted to all school's ICTC email accounts as well as to the normal OCN ICT Newsletter conference. Also keep an eye open for newsletter 300 - there might be something special coming!
Caching Servers
A reminder that you need to leave your caching server on and running throughout the Summer holidays so that it can continue to be updated by ICT Services who will be accessing it online. (It also means you won't forget to switch it back on when you return!) If you really would like it shut down please contact the ICT Service Desk (0845 052 1000) and they will arrange for your cache to be remotely shut down for you.
PRIMARY
Traded Service
A quick reminder to contact your ICT Consultant if you wish to arrange any traded services for the coming terms. Many of us have already taken bookings up to Christmas - so plan ahead (if it isn't too late) when organising staff training, etc. Also a reminder that some schools still haven't taken up their full entitlement to free Digitalbrain support - if you're in doubt please contact your ICT consultant or Christine Ruane (01865 428034).
What happens in Parliament?
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the Palace of Westminster? Do you know what the House of Commons or House of Lords look like?
Here is a newly updated website addressing many issues of Citizenship at KS 2 & 3
http://www.explore.parliament.uk/
To access a range of teaching resources:
SECONDARY
New Secondary National Curriculum launched
On 12th July the QCA launched a new Secondary National Curriculum. "The new programmes of study," we are informed by the QCA website, "have been designed to give teachers a less prescriptive, more flexible framework for teaching, creating more scope to tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of each individual student."
Chief Executive Ken Boston's speech at the launch of the Secondary National curriculum can be found at http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_12278.aspx.
The importance of ICT in the new Secondary National Curriculum is stressed in the new Programmes of Study for KS3 and KS4.
"The increasing use of technology in all aspects of society makes confident, creative and productive use of ICT an essential skill for life. ICT capability encompasses not only the mastery of technical skills and techniques, but also the understanding to apply these skills purposefully, safely and responsibly in learning, everyday life and employment. ICT capability is fundamental to participation and engagement in modern society.
ICT can be used to find, develop, analyse and present information, as well as to model situations and solve problems. ICT enables rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures, and allows pupils to collaborate and exchange information on a wide scale. ICT acts as a powerful force for change in society and citizens should have an understanding of the social, ethical, legal and economic implications of its use, including how to use ICT safely and responsibly. Increased capability in the use of ICT supports initiative and independent learning, as pupils are able to make informed judgements about when and where to use ICT to enhance their learning and the quality of their work."
The programmes of study for ICT at KS3 and KS4 can be downloaded from http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_12214.aspx and http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_12215.aspx respectively
New pilot GCSE ICT (including functional ICT)
Edexcel will be piloting a new GCSE in ICT (including functional ICT) from September 2007. The
qualification will be awarded for the first time in summer 2008 and will be loosely based on Unit 1 of DiDA. For more information see http://alerts.edexcel.org.uk/go.axd/14702
And finally…
Best wishes for a happy summer break to everyone,
The ICT Advisory Team
