At the moment we have a trial account to try out Millionaire for Schools. I've tried it in class and it is very easy to use and the kids absolutely loved it. That said, I tested their retention the next class and it was not equally amazing...
This video is hard-sell, but it does show clearly how to use the tool.
Alternatively we can use one of the free versions available on the web. Both are quick and easy to set up.
Choose between:
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Workshops: chat and community
incl. Facebook
to be completed...
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to be completed...
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Make your IWB interactive
To make IWBs interactive, students need to be able to communicate with the board from their computers or mobile devices (as well as with board pens).
In the future, they should be able to send graphics, videos, voice and text to the 'shared' central board. But for the time-being, just being able to 'post' their responses to a question would be a positive first step.
To do this, you can use Google Docs. If you use 'Forms' you can send a question to a student, or visualise it on a website and then 'collect' student responses in real time in an Excel document. You can then create a graph to visualise the responses.
Alternatively you can use J2Vote from the company just2easy.com which is simple, effective, colourful and at 99 GBP, with a 20% discount until 13th February, possibly affordable too!
In the future, they should be able to send graphics, videos, voice and text to the 'shared' central board. But for the time-being, just being able to 'post' their responses to a question would be a positive first step.
To do this, you can use Google Docs. If you use 'Forms' you can send a question to a student, or visualise it on a website and then 'collect' student responses in real time in an Excel document. You can then create a graph to visualise the responses.
Alternatively you can use J2Vote from the company just2easy.com which is simple, effective, colourful and at 99 GBP, with a 20% discount until 13th February, possibly affordable too!
IWB Games
Alternative 1: Create your own
There are a lot of free tools for creating 'games', but they can be difficult to configure, slow to set-up and practical, but not 'professional' in appearance.
One I use is hotpotatoes which can be inserted into Moodle (and so can be evaluated)
There's also puzzlemaker.com for worksheet crosswords, wordsearches, etc.
Alternative 2: games 'pack'
Taskmagic.co.uk have taken about 50 of these simple flash games and brought them together in one package, allowing:
There are various sites on the web where you can find one, a couple or a collection of games made by teachers. An example is www.superteachertools.com. Xtec has a list of around 120 sites.
There are a lot of free tools for creating 'games', but they can be difficult to configure, slow to set-up and practical, but not 'professional' in appearance.
One I use is hotpotatoes which can be inserted into Moodle (and so can be evaluated)
There's also puzzlemaker.com for worksheet crosswords, wordsearches, etc.
Alternative 2: games 'pack'
Taskmagic.co.uk have taken about 50 of these simple flash games and brought them together in one package, allowing:
- a different game each time you want to revise vocabulary, definitions, key terms and concepts (with text, graphics and sound)
- a professional, colourful interface
- immediate transfer of items from one game format to another
- full IWB compatibility
- games ranging from space invaders and football to old-fashioned card-matching
There are various sites on the web where you can find one, a couple or a collection of games made by teachers. An example is www.superteachertools.com. Xtec has a list of around 120 sites.
Economics
Mr Aznar's annual stock market challenge to his students is difficult to improve upon. However, it may be made easier by some software which creates a virtual stock market with multiple companies and a whole universe of news events that affect the markets: www.stockmarketchallenge.co.uk
The plus points:
- Each day's trading takes 25 minutes: leaving time to analyse, discuss and plan... or to teach other topics.
- The software is available in Spanish, English and French (but the games have to be played in one language or the other: you cannot keep switching between the two).
- Schools already use the software as a cross-curricular tool, with English departments using the input as GCSE Speaking and Listening assessment.
- There is a thriving community against which to compare, compete or with whom to share.
History / Geography/ Socials
Digital Historical Atlas
One stand had a straightforward and practical Digital Historical Atlas with 50 maps and related images, animations, film-clips and text. It is not GoogleEarth-style 3D-rendered, but it would help in class if the information fits the syllabus and/or the interests of the students.
A sample map in pdf format is here.
Google street view as a teaching tool
Google street view is fantastic... but it doesn't always get:
This provider, eye-to-eyesoft.co.uk, does just that, with sites organised into categories, with brief text descriptions and with the option for placing on the Learning Platform for use as an image and text bank.
Before purchasing, it is probably a good idea to look at free alternatives, including www.worldmapper.org, which distorts world maps depending on the variable being studied: population, production, resources, etc.
One stand had a straightforward and practical Digital Historical Atlas with 50 maps and related images, animations, film-clips and text. It is not GoogleEarth-style 3D-rendered, but it would help in class if the information fits the syllabus and/or the interests of the students.
A sample map in pdf format is here.
Google street view as a teaching tool
Google street view is fantastic... but it doesn't always get:
- into a pedestrian area,
- into a castle's grounds or
- onto a prehistoric site.
This provider, eye-to-eyesoft.co.uk, does just that, with sites organised into categories, with brief text descriptions and with the option for placing on the Learning Platform for use as an image and text bank.
Before purchasing, it is probably a good idea to look at free alternatives, including www.worldmapper.org, which distorts world maps depending on the variable being studied: population, production, resources, etc.
Projects
There were a couple of stands that offered children the chance to manage their own school radio station (broadcasting on the internet or through an antenna). The friendliest were www.schoolradio.co.uk. Initially, they are far too expensive - but if the concept of a radio club is of interest, the website is full of ideas.
TV
Student TV software was also present at the show.
Finished videos can be posted on the school's website or intranet, or digital signage system (once installed). They can be shared via new emerging 'safe' sites such as www.eurocreator.com or Teachertube.com or even via Youtube.com (with parental permission and no data about who or where the children are).
So, in conclusion, the software would allow:
- one-off activities
- revision activities
- presenation of group work or individual work
- a school TV channel via the web
Animation
Kudian also produce a very successful package, I can animate. Examples of childrens' work can be found here.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Science
General Science Videos
YouTube does provide a huge number of videos. But the quality, reliability and length of these varies. Another option for science could be: www.twig-it.com
Definitely, have a look at the site right now for demo videos. Alternatively ask Julie for our access codes. Julie, Nikki and I were impressed and, as there was the option of using the films for free for the first 6 months, we signed up on the spot (you can back out at any time before the 6 months expire).
This source is visually stunning and extremely informative, but does lack a sense of humour; unlike some of the videos at howstuffworks.com/science. Try looking for the one, "Making Paper from Poo". Apparently, it's all about eating fibre...
Sunflower Science also provides flash animations, worksheets and quizzes - off-line or online (on the learning platform), for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Organic Chemistry Videos
A source of videos, animations and models is rogerfrost. The link is to a preview page. I have a code to look at a demo.
Data-gathering
There were a large number of stands selling data-gathering hardware and software. Most appeared to be USB plug-in units that would take your readings directly into EXCEL or similar. The best was probably the BETT Award Winner, www.data-harvest.co.uk I have a catalogue...
Definitely, have a look at the site right now for demo videos. Alternatively ask Julie for our access codes. Julie, Nikki and I were impressed and, as there was the option of using the films for free for the first 6 months, we signed up on the spot (you can back out at any time before the 6 months expire).
This source is visually stunning and extremely informative, but does lack a sense of humour; unlike some of the videos at howstuffworks.com/science. Try looking for the one, "Making Paper from Poo". Apparently, it's all about eating fibre...
Sunflower Science also provides flash animations, worksheets and quizzes - off-line or online (on the learning platform), for Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Organic Chemistry Videos
A source of videos, animations and models is rogerfrost. The link is to a preview page. I have a code to look at a demo.
Data-gathering
There were a large number of stands selling data-gathering hardware and software. Most appeared to be USB plug-in units that would take your readings directly into EXCEL or similar. The best was probably the BETT Award Winner, www.data-harvest.co.uk I have a catalogue...
Writing made EASIER
One example is WriteOnline from Crick Software which can be fully integrated within the school's Moodle.
It incorporates word bars which can be imported or customised, as well as predictive text and text-to-voice features. In addition, it integrates brainstorming (the words or phrases brainstormed can automatically be turned into word bars) and writing frames. The best way to see what is possible is to watch the websites' video here.
The potential for this tool is that students can prepare in class, then access the same information via the school's Moodle, and complete the work online (which is therefore logged).
The text reader is available in English, Spanish and Catalan (for school use), although the file size of Spanish and Catalan is currently too big for internet use.
The pricing structure is currently too expensive, but is open to negotiation. And there are other alternatives on the market; for example:
WordQ - which is just a text predictor with topic list (and text-to-voice if you want to pay more) - there's a video here.
Other subjects
PE / Educación Física
I didn't find exciting PE software. I could only find an on-line version of paper plans: PEplanning.org.uk
However, there were software/hardware combinations that used webcams or Playstation PSPs and similar to record at high speed and playback in slow-motion.
All subjects
If new legislation comes in restricting the use of online images from Google, etc, then a supplier like edupics.org could be interesting. They have a clear menu and all images are tagged using key words.
I didn't find exciting PE software. I could only find an on-line version of paper plans: PEplanning.org.uk
However, there were software/hardware combinations that used webcams or Playstation PSPs and similar to record at high speed and playback in slow-motion.
All subjects
If new legislation comes in restricting the use of online images from Google, etc, then a supplier like edupics.org could be interesting. They have a clear menu and all images are tagged using key words.
Robotics
- Lego Mindstorms- a large stand with examples of their robot units and kits.
- Parallax.inc (USA) - present via a friendly small concern, Active-Robots.com
- Various simulation-software and data-gathering hardware stands.
- is launched every September
- has national finals at this time of year
- has a Green City Challenge (= renewable energy) for 2011/12
- provides 45 hours of lessons
- is holding a challenge in Cornellà on 29 January at the Citillab
One of the great things about Lego is the community that it fosters. Also, if you enter the challenge, registration includes a kit including mat and hardware - but not the robot base unit which has to be bought separately.
All the 'experts' on the stands agree that Robotics is best started as an after-school club with fewer students and the possibility of showcasing their work on Parents' Day.
The representative for this part of Europe is mirella.mariani@LEGOeducation.eu
Active-Robots.com and Parallax
The good thing about Active-Robots.com is that they can supply a wide range of robots from different companies (including LEGO) and are happy to break up kits to supply spare parts, or to meet specific needs. In addition, they run a course subsidised by Parallax to teach BASIC Stamp and to share ideas at the University of Bath in June.
Simulation Software and Data-gathering Hardware
I hadn't realised, but the LEGO robot units can also be used as data gatherers for scientific experiments and so, perhaps not surprisingly, stands with this hardware also had robots.
One looked interesting: flowol.com as it had clear flow-chart planning and 2D and 3D simulations running from this. Apparently, this could then be transferred to 'real' models via Fisher-Price and other interfaces.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Mobile technology
There is clearly a lot that can be done with mobile devices, including PDAs, PSPs (yes - the portable PlayStations), netbooks, the iPad and iPhone or iTouch (with camera), as well as student-response handheld units sold by IWB hardware and/or software suppliers.
These devices were demonstrated being used by students:
- to record their performance in plays and in sport
- to record scientific experiments or simply notes on the board
- to send single key or text responses from their group to the teacher's IWB or computer
- to play pre-recorded videos or show photographs while a student browses through a text-book or works on an exam paper (using barcodes and a PSP with 'Second Sight' software)
- to create videos, music, interactive stories, etc, etc using Apps created for the iPad family
IWBs
Shadow
The problem with a shadow on the board is soon to disappear. There are now:
Interestingly, apart from the well-known names in whiteboards, there were a number of (I imagine) unknown Chinese companies present in the show with efficient whiteboards. Hopefully, this competition might help drive down prices.
3D
The future is probably going to be 3D, but:
In one presentation a UK school and Texas Instruments detailed how they had introduced 3D technology into the classrooms to great success. They conducted a controlled experiment in which students were split into 2 groups: 3D and 2D. The teacher used the same lesson plan and a script for their explanations. The final task was to create models. Without prompting, the 3D group all produced detailed 3D models while the 2D group produced flat, less accurate models.
More interaction
Texas Instruments is working towards allowing the teacher and students to interact with the 3D object - pulling it apart and rearranging it.
BETT Award Winner
Promethean won the BETT 2011 ICT Company of the Year Award.
The problem with a shadow on the board is soon to disappear. There are now:
- new large plasma IWBs on the market. Samsung launched a 63" version at the show
- a lot of short-throw IWBs and ultra-short-throw IWBs, which hardly stick out from the wall you project on
3D
The future is probably going to be 3D, but:
- progress is slow - not least because software is lagging behind hardware
- the technology is currently using 'active' glasses which recieve information and use batteries and which are still relatively expensive; even if we wanted to purchase, it makes sense to wait for leasing plans to be developed
In one presentation a UK school and Texas Instruments detailed how they had introduced 3D technology into the classrooms to great success. They conducted a controlled experiment in which students were split into 2 groups: 3D and 2D. The teacher used the same lesson plan and a script for their explanations. The final task was to create models. Without prompting, the 3D group all produced detailed 3D models while the 2D group produced flat, less accurate models.
More interaction
Texas Instruments is working towards allowing the teacher and students to interact with the 3D object - pulling it apart and rearranging it.
BETT Award Winner
Promethean won the BETT 2011 ICT Company of the Year Award.
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