Learn 4 Life Podcast

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This week’s interview is with Paul Harrington from Cefn Fforest Primary school in Wales – audio and video blogger extraordinaire. He talks about his classes’ use of David Warlick’s Blogmeister . Just watch him teach the time in Welsh using Flixn.com – completely transfixing and inspirationall! People like Paul trawl for Web 2.0 apps and share their use with a community of colleagues sometimes thousands of miles apart; they find the most relevant and use them in a concrete and very practical way in the classroom – I wish the government and Local Authorities would wake up to this amazing innovative use of technology – if you want to see how embedding ICT in the curriculum is done then go to his sites and employ him in a wider capacity!

He also talks about E-twinning, and the naming of pets with classes 11,000 of miles apart. He became interested in using new tech tools for communication around 15 months ago and has self taught himself before giving the opportunity to his pupils to use the tools in a creative way.

As he says:

“I can’t see me going back from this indeed, I am constantly looking for opportunities to work in Web 2.0 when developing topics in school. I have recently been asked by my local authority IT advisory staff to present some short seminars on Podcasting and Social Networking in schools.”

His classes’ podcast is at http://cefnfforest.podomatic.com/. The UK needs imaginative and ground-breaking teachers like Paul – he gives the lie to the digital native hype showing the way forward for colleagues often much younger. If we don’t showcase these teachers and laud them the education system in the UK will just remain in the doldrums. Listen to his podcast here. This is the first in a whole new series of Podcasts with inspirational and talented teachers and advisors over the next few weeks – so keep your ears pricked.

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At the end of April 2007 – something happened – to change – the use of technology in education….

This month I talked to Ian Lynch about the INGOTS qualification given accreditation status by the QCA. INGOTs are International Grades in Open Technologies. They are a coherent set of certificates providing a progression route from complete beginner with learning disabilities to the level of secondary school leavers. They are designed to support international and social inclusion and to reflect contemporary learning through participation in on-line communities.

What is unique about INGOTS is that they are to do with competencies and can be started by children as young as 5. At the higher levels pupils are encouraged to engage socially in online communities. The costs to schools for this are minimal, far less than traditional outgoings and the concept fairly unique in the world of exams. Not a pencil and paper test in sight it’s all by observable outcomes and what is more there is online validation of certification through the website.

You can read about INGOTS and download sample packs etc. from the INGOTS site. If you are thinking of offering certification through the QCA then attending the training day in June is essential. You can get details from here.

Some people are reporting that they can see the integral player on their feed but not on the site so click here for the file.

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Learn 4 Life recently covered the 'let's talk about txt conference at the School of Music in Leeds university.' This was europe's very first conference on using txt in education and was hosted by edutxt.

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Lead Presentation: Mark Berthelemy, Learning Solutions Architect, Capita Learning and Development

Online social networking tools have the potential to support reflective and collaborative CPD both within and across schools and local authorities.

This session will examine what’s possible, raise a number of issues and suggest ways in which using such tools can become an integrated part of your CPD approach.

Filmed on behalf of Naace.

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John Cuthell, Director Research and Implementation MirandaNet Fellowship and Dai Thomas, Director of ICT at Warden Park Specialist School and Mirandanet Fellow

This theme will explore a number of approaches to ICT CPD and evaluate their effectiveness in terms of school improvement, pedagogical change and learning for both pupils and teachers. Examples will be drawn from a number of projects that have examined the affordances provided by new technologies, and ways in which these have been used to promote personal and institutional transformation in learning.

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This was filmed on behalf of Naace for the Torquay Strategic Conference.

Cathy Morgan, HMI, Ofsted

Using the findings from ICT inspections and surveys undertaken by HMI during 2005/6, this session will highlight how effective use of ICT can make a positive difference to the quality of teaching, learning and management in schools.

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Margaret Wright, Adviser for ICT, QCA

The Education and Skills white papers proposed reviews of the ICT curriculum and ICT general qualifications in schools, including GCSE and GCE A Level. In addition, two new qualifications were proposed, one for functional skills in ICT and another, the specialised diploma in ICT. These changes are due for implementation in 2008 and 2009. This session will explore the curriculum and qualifications proposals and prompt thinking about what they might mean for the learner.

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Tim Tarrant, head of ICT Team, TDA; Georgina Stein, Canterbury Christ Church University; Margaret Baxter, Teacher ICT Tea Member and AST at Eccleston lane Ends Primry School and Outreach worker delivering Hands on Support for St Helens LA; Joe Goodwin, Vice Principal, Greensward College and Sarah Neild, Teacher, ICT Coordinator and AST at Birchley St Mary’s Catholic primary School and Outreach worker delivering Hands on Support for St Helens LA.