The Many wonders of Computers

This may not be entirely clear to view so as always I will place the link to a full size version below.

I'm interested to hear thoughts on this... I've taken it out of context for this entry. I believe this image shows what computers can do, the pictures relate to the empowerment that ICT offers. Art, Communication, Graphs and Finance, Film, Research and much more.

To me this sums up ICT and it's importance in the modern world. It ties into so many things in our world that we can all now achieve or do. ICT has thrived in this capatilistic world by aiding the any man can be a winner approach. It is a tool that has shown how much it benefits our world...

... and without it, I think I would be lost.

COMPUTER SUITES

ICT suites... I pose this question to you.

Are they outdated?

Do they promote ICT or hinder it within learning?

Is it time we moved away from these pits of monitors and followed Bill Gates idea... a laptop for every child?

I believe that ICT suite's are horrible... they get stuffy from the heat of the machines.

With the modern technology in our world today, it would be so much easier to simply have laptops for the classroom, they are getting smaller, and prices are falling.

Do we want to use ICT as a subject or a tool?

I think it's high time we moved away from computer suites and moved into the here and now...

... let's use the benefits of technology that are at our fingertips and empower ourselves to learn in the most efficent way.

NFER and their study.

Stumbled across this the other day...

It is a study from Nfer, stands for


It was a study looking into the use of ICT in the classroom for both primary and secondary education. It talks about innovation and the schools selected had to undergo some extra workloads... to have a look just follow the link below.

http://www.nfer.ac.uk/research-areas/pims-data/summaries/ite-the-use-of-ict-in-the-classroom.cfm

Podcasts... I'm addicted!

PODCASTS!

Since this ICT midule introduced podcasting to me I haven't stopped.
One of my passions is poetry, and after downloading all the Poetry shows online, a few friends and I have decided to make our own poetry podcast... you can check it out at the link below as always.

http://finaldraftmedia.podbean.com/

Over the Atlantic...

Another Teacher in the Web 2.0 revolution...

... she's an american teacher and you can find her views and podcasts on
the use of web 2.0 at the link below...


http://www.gcast.com/user/coolcatteacher/podcast/main?nr=1&&s=232057656

VIDEO CHANNEL WORKING

Okay, I have linked my Blog to my You Tube Channel... I advise, currently the picture/video second on the list is the podcast intended for children. The other videos below are of an adult nature. They include swearing and slapstick comedy... watch at your own risk. Otherwise ignore them and watch the Podcast video at the top. Sorry for the rant. Blah! Enjoy!

PODCAST, I LOVE IT.

Have been experimenting with podcasts recently. I think they are a fantastic tool for the classroom. We all used to do it, with the tape recorder... make your own radio shows. They are fun and constructive. It is an alternative to presentations, it is open to cross curricular links... it is fantastic!

Me and two friends recently completed a podcast based on a fable. It's on YouTube... and hopefully will be available on this blog very soon.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQTJF5cAVjI&feature=channel_page

Animaniacs!

Animation!

Animation is an excellent activity for ICT lessons in the primary classroom.
The cross curricular links vary from Art and Design to Drama,
down to literacy and numeracy skills. If you are interested in learning more about Animation and it's place in the primary classroom then check the link below.

http://www.learn-ict.org.uk/resources/animation/index.asp

The Government steps in...

The BBC showed an article this evening on the Government's new initiative. Every home will have access to broadband by 2012. The current Government is trying to pass this as a law but the conservative opposition doesn't think it's enough. You can read the full article or watch the story by clicking using the link below.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7858495.stm

Creating a new internet in the classroom.

The internet is a wonderful tool that has given us communication, research and entertainment.

With the evolution of Web 1.0 to 2.0 we have seen many amazing new ranges of networking, information and online resources. The problem when bringing them into the primary classroom is sometimes content, bias, reliability of source and security.

I feel that this could be overcome if only a few software engineers could spend sometime developing a new piece of software I call... The Intra-Schoolastic National Network (abbreviation sorely needed).

The ISNN as I am calling it would have all of the amazing technology and tools the internet has to offer but would be safe and secure without any of the problems mention previously.

It could contain a profile page that every child could create, similar to facebook, mysapce or bebo. It could even go national within all schools however it would not be open to the public because it would use a secure server through the internet.

A form of Encarta or Google Maps could be built in for the children to use with research.

A List of sites with interactive and educational games.

Access to the internet that is regulated by a filter. The filter being controlled by the
School ICT Co-ordinator.

A Store for relevant YouTube videos ripped and storred within school for children to watch and use in research/lessons.

A School email with a filter for content. This could be used with 'pen-pal' projects.

The Children could also have their own blog which could be used for numerious things such as posting ideas, tracking progress and writing reflections/recounts.

With this design children could use all of the tools they use at home but with a safe space environment. Now all I need is to find some software designers and trick them into creating it without paying them. The game begins...