Silkin e-News

First of all I would like to thank the e learning team for their work this year and the positive way in which they have supported colleagues in their respective departments. It is also very pleasing to see links and tools suggested in this blog being used across the school by a wide variety of staff. It is clear that many of you use technology on a day to day basis as part of your teaching and learning, as was recognised by Ofsted, and we must continue to share this good practice across the school as we move towards a new build.
As ever I hope you will find some more interesting links and tools below.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery for Kids
This is a really nice site with lots of resources and links. Art staff should have a look at the Pre Raph Pack
http://pre-raphs.bmagonline.org/

“A great place to make some exciting discoveries. You can join in the fun and find out about: Victorians,World War 2, Egyptians, Romans, Art and much much more…”

http://www.schoolsliaison.org.uk/kids/preload.htm

Games for Science

This is a Virtual world devoted to science, technology and free educational games online.
Have a look at Forestia which is about sustainable forest management. Carry out forest inventories, supply your mills using multi-functional tree fellers, fight massive forest fires, and protect a section of the forest that contains an exceptional ecosystem.

http://www.gameforscience.ca/games.php

“Explore is a multimedia organization that documents leaders around the world who have devoted their lives to extraordinary causes. Both educational and inspirational, explore creates a portal into the soul of humanity by championing the selfless acts of others. Among explore’s founding principles are “Share What You Know” and “Never Stop Learning.” The films profile issues facing the environment, education, human rights, public health, philosophy, animal welfare, spirituality, and disabilities. The lesson plans accompanying explore’s films are written for use in the secondary classroom. Background information about the non-profit organizations is provided along with questions for guided discussion about the films. The questions are intended for students to connect to the people and issues profiled by exploring and developing their own viewpoints and opinions.”
http://www.explore.org/education/

Famous Speeches from Online Universities
Speakers who have inspired thousands or even millions of people around the world, some even long after they’ve died. Here are 50 incredible, historical speeches you should watch online.
http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2010/04/50-incredible-historical-speeches/

Online Mind Mapping Tool
Mind42.com is a browser based online mind mapping application. The ability to add notes, web links and icons to your map nodes all for free.
http://www.mind42.com/

Posters
AutoMotivator is for making printable motivational posters or parody demotivational posters. You choose the picture, colors, and text then you can download and print.
http://wigflip.com/automotivator/

eType
“eType is your online multi-language dictionary with translations and word substitutes to virtually any language in the world. eType is your writing guide that auto-completes your words as you type them, enabling you to type faster and boost your level of confidence in your writing. eType prevents you from making spelling mistakes before they happen and helps you select the best word choice possible – even if you are not writing in your native language.”
http://www.etype.com

Video Conferencing
A few staff have asked me about video conferencing in school via the JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS) and I have asked T&W to investigate the use of this service. In the meantime click on the link below to see the number organisations which provide content. If you are interested can you let me know please.

http://www.ja.net/communities/schools/videoconferencing/content.html

Wallwisher
This is a nice tool for getting students to collaborate, feedback information or answer questions set by you.

http://www.wallwisher.com/demo

First of all in this post I wanted to let you all know what was happening with the e Learning Team which Trevor mentioned in his BSF update at the start of term. As you will be aware the e-Learning Team has representatives from departments ( e-champions ) these individuals will lead and support others on the creative and appropriate use of ICT within their designated area and are currently talking with colleagues about potential projects that could run in the new teaching lab and what they see as the type of ICT provision required for the new school. They have all recieved training on the use of Clickview and will pass on their knowledge in department meetings.
This is the team

Jeff Price-Jones: Team Leader
Paul Barnicott: Student e champion mentor, National Challenge Support and Creative Arts
Ben Goddard: Maths
Richard Jenkins: Science
Nathalie Jeavons : M.F.L
Jamie Perks: e Safety, Technical Support
Michele Grimley: Technical Support
Seamus McGinley: ICT Functional Skills, Games based learning
Karen Walker : English
Dan Ankertel: Music
Ben Hollis: Humanities
Glynn Bibby: P.E.
Mike Mottram: R.E. C.P.D
Alex Dungworth: Design

In addition to staff e champions, we will offer senior students the opportunity to become student e champions to support both staff and students. Paul Barnicott has agreed to look at this and move it forward.
Finally, funding will soon be released for the conversion of P8 into a teaching lab ( as mentioned above ) to showcase new technologies which will support teaching and learning. We are hoping this will be up and running by May half term.
Virtual Learning Environment
We have been asking for some time that T&W to buy some generic content for the VLE and they have now bought Birchfield interactive content. So check out your curriculum area on the VLE.

Some useful stuff
Text-To-Movie “Our revolutionary approach to movie-making builds on an almost universally held skill—typing. You type something; we turn it into a movie. On the web and on the desktop.” Movies can be created in a number of different languages. Students could use it to present work or act out a virtual scene!
Here’s one I made earlier!

www.voki.com

MP For A Week

This game allows you to drop you into the shoes of a backbench MP. And the job – as they say – is what you make of it.
http://www.parliament.uk/education/online-resources/games/mp-for-a-week-overview.htm

CoSketch

Is a multi-user online whiteboard designed to give you the ability to quickly visualize and share your ideas as images.
Simple sharing
• Anything you paint will show up for all other users in the room in real time.
• One click to save a sketch as an image for embedding on forums, blogs, etc
http://cosketch.com

Science

This website offering free science resources was developed by learningscience.org, an organization dedicated to sharing the emerging tools of science education: real-time data collection, simulations, inquiry based lessons, interactive web lessons, micro-worlds, and imaging. Click on categories including Science Inquiry, Life Science, Earth and Space, The History and Nature of Science, Tools to do Science and more. Read the student and teacher comment page, and add one of your own.
http://learningscience.org/index.htm
Einstein Archives Online http://www.alberteinstein.info/

IRIS: Seismology
IRIS is a consortium of over 100 US universities dedicated to the operation of science facilities for the acquisition, management, and distribution of seismological data. IRIS programs contribute to scholarly research, education, earthquake hazard mitigation, and verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. They provide animations and data to support teaching. Below is an example of one of the animations available for download.

Our Sporting Life
In the build up to London 2012 Olympic Games this site is starting a search for the sporting memories, heroes, objects, photographs and experiences that have inspired the nation.

http://www.oursportinglife.co.uk/

Finally, have a look at the toy blocks that think! have a good easter.