ICT in Schools Bulletin
APRIL 2016
Two new fun apps for teaching coding.
The Foos
Code spark have just launched this fun, new, free app to help younger students learn to code. Foos are cute creatures that were only discovered by scientists very recently. They are microscopic and live deep inside of computer chips. Foos can be programmed to do almost anything. However, to be truly happy Foos need to have fun and help each other. There is a range of teacher resources including lesson planning to help teachers integrate into the curriculum. Kids have fun learning:
- Problem Recognition
- Conditionals
- Critical Thinking
- Perseverance
- Sequencing
- Algorithms
- Loops
- Commands/Parameters
Fix the Factory by LEGO
Meet EV3RSTORM, the cool LEGO MINDSTORMS robot who can walk, rotate, grab, shoot and put the misplaced battery packs at the NOGO factory back in their right place - if you tell him the right moves to do it!
Help EV3RSTORM navigate the massive NOGO factory maze and put the dislocated batteries back in place to proceed to the next level. But watch out, it’s not as easy as it seems. And you never know which challenges the floors inside the factory are going to present to you!
Fix The Factory is an addictive puzzle game full of unexpected obstacles that are guaranteed to challenge your logic thinking, your spatial intelligence and your robot commanding skills.
The game is packed with fun sound effects, challenging puzzles, cool robot functions, great level designs and a funky robotic soundtrack.
See you if you can complete all levels and earn the maximum score based on:
- Least number of attempts
- Least number of moves
- Least amount of errors
- Shortest time
RECOMMENDED AGE: 8-99 years
Available on Google play and apple app store.
Three great new tools from Storyboard That
Storyboard That
Storyboard That is a digital story creator that was designed to be used by all audiences, not just professional artists.
- Drag and Drop Interface
- No Software to Download
- Create your first storyboard in minutes
Website: http://www.storyboardthat.com/
Photos for Class
Teachers need a place to access safe images that are available to be used in the classroom and for educational purposes. Plus, they want accurate image citations. Storyboard that have also created “Photos For Class” to meet your needs for images!
- Age Appropriate Images - All images are appropriate for the school setting, thanks to Flicker SafeSearch and proprietary filters - Read More
- Automatic Citation - Downloaded images automatically cite the author and the image license terms - Read More
- Creative Commons - All photos shown are, to the best of their (and Flickr's) knowledge, licensed by Creative Commons for public use
Website: www.photosforclass.com
Quick Rubric
Storyboard That have created an easy to use rubric tool to make your own.
Website: www.quickrubric.com
Microsoft Education Webinar
Website: https://www.naace.co.uk/naace/microsoft-educator-community-naace-webinar/?fueid=36062&qid=18062
Naace announces new procurement partnership with the Department for Education
Naace and the Department for Education are developing a new partnership to provide procurement advice for schools. The partnership will build on the general procurement guidance of the Department with tools and support to enable schools to plan procurements specific to their particular circumstances. Naace Chief Executive Mark Chambers said, “As more and more schools contact us for advice, we are delighted to work together to provide guidance and support in this area, particularly as budgets shrink. We know this partnership will be of real help to schools, to maximise the value of their education technology purchases.” The Naace/DfE Procurement Advisory Service will be formally launched in September 2016. As part of this partnership, Naace is working with the DfE to bring early procurement opportunities to the attention of the Naace communities. The latest announcement follows.
Call for schools to register for aggregated tablet procurement by 6th May
The Department for Education is facilitating a procurement of tablet devices through the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Aggregation team. The pilot procurement made a saving of 12% for participating schools.
The procurement will offer 4 tablet options: Apple iPads, Microsoft Surface Pro, LearnPads and a generic tablet, along with associated items e.g. covers, security marking, charging trolleys.
Indicative timescales are April/May: gather school’s commitment and volumes, with delivery targeted in July/August.
For further information on this opportunity use the link below
Website: www.gov.uk/government/news/register-to-buy-tablet-devices-for-your-school
Staying Safe using technology
KIDSAFE UK
Two South Tyneside boys aged 12 and 13 arrested for possession of indecent images
Cyberbullying and the sending of inappropriate images is on the increase. It is becoming a very serious and very upsetting issue and is affecting the well-being of students in school. Schools are reporting pupil absences due to anxiety caused by incidents, and the long term effects can be devastating. The power of teaching students about how their behaviour online impacts on others cannot be underestimated.
Get in touch with one of our team on 0191 427 2120 if you would like some support in your school.
Posting pictures and videos on social media
A few years ago most people only took a camera to special occasions like parties or holidays. Now we carry cameras all the time - on our phones.
You can take some snaps or shoot a video anywhere and share them online in no time. Photos and videos can be a great way to show your friends what you’re up to.
But remember, it can be really hard, sometimes impossible, to delete pictures or videos from the internet or other people’s mobiles. Once you’ve shared something online or on your mobile you’ve lost control of it - it can be copied, shared and even edited!
If you send an embarrassing picture or video to a friend it could end up anywhere. If you post it online anyone could see it, including your parents, teachers or future employers!
Remember – it’s never too late to get help if you’ve shared something you regret.
For more information from Thinkuknow click here
For more information on sexting advice for parents from NSPCC click here
For more information on cyberbullying from bullying UK click here
For advice about what to do if you have been bullied on Snapchat from nobullying.com click here