WrightICT eNews
Issue 4
Welcome
Welcome to the latest issue of WrightICT eNews.
Articles and further snippets via my website, Twitter and Pearltrees.
Forthcomong Events
Bett 2014: January 22nd – 25th
Safer Internet Day: Feb 11th (Resource packs here)
Hull and East Riding ICT Conference. April 3rd
Naace Strategic Conference. March 27th-28th
RSBP Birdwatch
Big Schools' Birdwatch is a simple activity that gets you and your class closer to the birds visiting your school grounds.
Taking just one hour, the Birdwatch can be carried out in school, or by visiting a local outdoor space any time between 20 January - 14 February 2014. And every school or group that submits their results before the end of the activity will be sent a certificate and free personalised minibeast poster as a thank you for taking part.
New Primary Curriculum
School Inspection Handbook Update, January 2014
Mary Myatt, Lead Inspector, has her comments on the Revised Framework here.
Naace Membership Offer
In 2014 Naace will be celebrating its 30th anniversary.
To help celebrate Naace’s 30th anniversary in 2014, for a limited time they would like to invite you to apply to become a member at a discounted rate of £30 (individual) or £100 (whole school) for the first year. Further details here.
Computing in the National Curriculum
Published by CAS and written in collaboration by CAS and Naace members, this easy to follow guide for primary teachers has been sent to all schools. It gives an overview for non-specialists of the 2014 Computing curriculum in non-geeky language.
If your copy hasn't arrived, or has been mislaid, download one from here.
Switched on ICT
In 2014 the scheme will be updated to take account of the new PoS and will be called Switched on Computing, with some units being altered, some deleted and some new ones added.
A sample Y3 unit, We Are Programmers, can be downloaded here.
Schools who bought SoICT last year get a free upgrade to SoC and it's at 50% discount for schools that bought prior to that.
App Making
I've written about Blippit here. AppFurnace is new and I've not had a long look at it, but all the benefits about app writing apply as much to this as they do to Blippit.
I will be running a course on app making after half term. Dates and venue tbc.
Mobile Devices
“I am often asked ‘what are your top five apps?’ but it isn’t as simple as that. One cannot simply buy iPads and work out what to do with them later! We must take ownership of the devices and the apps that we intend to use, by carefully assessing their pros and cons. Before we go out and purchase iPads or a heap of apps, we must consider what we are looking for, what our criteria is, and what apps are out there that match our requirements.”
Although Carol refers specifically to iPads, I believe the principle applies to any IT purchase.
I pop it here as food for thought.
Handy Snippets
Getting the Best out of BETT guide.
Mind 42. Free online mind mapping.
The Jan 2014 Ofsted e-safety briefing document for schools can be found here.
Setting Parental Controls on all of your Gadgets. Click here.
WrightICT
Email: paul@wrightict.co.uk
Website: www.wrightict.co.uk
Phone: 07917160770
Twitter: @WrightICT