WrightICT eNews
Issue 9
Welcome
Welcome to the latest issue of WrightICT eNews.
Articles and further snippets via my website, Twitter and Pearltrees.
A link to my SLA, recently circulated to schools, is here.
Forthcoming Events
Cars Maths in Motion Course. Thursday 5th Feb. Maths, computing and racing cars for the more able. What's not to like?
This course is free.
Barefoot Computing session. January 28th @ Hull CLC. 2.00-3.00 pm. Invitation details to follow direct from Hull CLC but the session will be delivered by me.
BETT. January 21st-24th. Excel, London. The UK's largest education technology show.
Information Security Seminar- Are you Legal and Safe?
Tuesday 10th Feb, Leeds. 8.45-12.00.
If you don't want to travel to Leeds, there's one in Hull, but not until 12th May.
Safer Internet Day School Resources
This year, there is a slightly different approach to the SID Involvement Kit for schools. At the link below you will find a gallery of resources - from across the Insafe network and beyond - to help you celebrate SID in your school. Search by country, language of age to find resources to meet your needs, or just browse the list.
This resource is constantly being updated so do check back regularly for the latest content.
www.saferinternetday.org/web/guest/gallery
Guest Speakers in Computer Science
As part of the partnership between Skype and Code.org, all a teacher needs to do is to visit Skype in the classroom to view a list of speakers available in their time zone and suitable to the age range of their students, and then create a shortlist of industry figures that they would like to speak to their class.
Padlet
Padlet, the popular free 'sticky notes' software now has a paid for option for schools. The free version is still available, but for Schools that sign up for Padlet Backpack enjoy the following advantages over free Padlet:
- Custom domain (e.g. mypeople[.]padlet[.]org or even mypeople[.]com) for you and you only.
- User management and access controls
- More privacy - all content is automatically hidden from the rest of the world
- Accounts without email (perfect for students)
- Your branding
- Organization wide activity monitoring
Frozen Coding
Click here for the activities.
Ocado Rapid Router
Run Macro
Computing Support for Teachers
QuickStart Computing is a free CPD toolkit designed to help teachers to develop and run successful CPD in their school or cluster. All primary and secondary schools have access to QuickStart Computing online and 40,000 free hard copies will be distributed through Computing At School.
The QuickStart website launched this week and will include downloadable versions of the full teachers' handbook, and lots of additional resources including links to useful sites, online videos and interactive tools. For more information visit: www.quickstartcomputing.org
Snippets
Timeline is a simple timeline creation tool for both Android and iOS tablets. Create a graphical representation of an event or process by displaying items sequentially along a line. Timelines can be organized by time of day, date, or event, and the tool allows users to create a label with short or long descriptive text. The ability to add an image encourages students to create a visually appealing project.
Timetoast has been round for a while now and does a similar job, but is web-based.
Venn Diagram for both Android and iOS. The Venn Diagram app allows users to compare and contrast information and to organize it in a visually appealing way. Users can customize their circles by choosing from several color choices, and both the circle and font sizes can be altered to better align with the users' needs for each project. The finished Venn diagram can be e-mailed or saved to the device's photo album. Compatible web version available here.
Solar System Scope is a very impressive interactive 3D Model of our Solar System. You can zoom in and move the planets around the Sun to see how they move in relation to each other. Switch to full-screen to lose the adverts. Apps available for both iOS and Android.
Comicshead. This online comic book maker has a good set of backgrounds, characters, props and other features. There are also a range of apps for Apple, Android and other devices to try.
WrightICT
Email: paul@wrightict.co.uk
Website: www.wrightict.co.uk
Phone: 07917160770
Twitter: @WrightICT