Open day at Islay School.

Islay open day one of my regular readers (Hi Ian). Ian on the Isle of Islay is having a an ICT Open Day on Friday 13th June 08.

This is being aimed at parents, and local businesses, but anyone interested in what they are doing is more than welcome.

Ian is doing great stuff with ICT with mobile and other devices but to be honest as always the pupis are stars.

Ian has more detail on his blog at http://islayian.blogspot.com/2008/05/ict-open-day.html

He is also using google web forms to register peoples interest.

I cant go I am in Scotland 11-12 June ;-( .

Good luck Ian would love to come and loving my rugby (see Islay beach Rugby) would have made a weekend of it. If you do it next year send the dates a bit earlier but good luck.


If you can make it go it wont be a waste of your time !!!!
Being a bit clever and using bloggers recently added ability to date stamp post into the future so they appear at top f the blog for longer . So hopefully more people notice Ians efforts. BTW his blog is in my blog roll.

New research report on 1:1 access to mobile learning devices

More of emerging evidence Re Mobile devices in Education in the formal sector

New research report on 1:1 access to mobile learning devices

The University of Bristol is conducting research into the impact of 1:1 access to mobile learning devices at KS2 and KS4. Five schools, which are part of the Learning2Go or Hand-e-Learning projects, are being investigated.

This Development and Research project is using mixed methods to evaluate impact in terms of learners’ learning skills, attendance, behaviour and attainment. It will also review the success of the implementation and sustainability of the schools’ PDA initiatives and provide examples of emerging good pedagogic practice.

The final reports from the project will be available in Winter 2008.

The Summer 2007 Interim Report is available at: http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02&rid=14204. Emerging recommendations include:

Implementation – policy

• The initial implementation of mobile projects is logistically challenging.
• The open negotiation of contracts of acceptable and responsible use with learners and parents can be very useful in clarifying issues and building mutual trust.
• Then learners expect devices to be used, they are more likely to bring them to school every day and keep them charged. When all pupils in a class have their devices with them, the learning benefits are optimised.
• Teachers need to play an integral role in choosing software and content to ensure that it is relevant to learners’ needs. They are then more likely use the devices.
• Where possible, all relevant staff – especially teaching assistants, ICT co-ordinators and teachers – should be provided with mobile devices.
  

Implementation – technical

• It is beneficial to ensure reliable wireless connectivity.
• It is useful to consider systems for dealing with breakages and temporary loss of use of devices. This may involve planning for temporary loan stock.
• Systems for storage of and access to work need to be developed. Teachers and learners need to access digital work to provide and receive feedback.
• Consideration can usefully be given to possible software solutions to teachers’ issues around observing process, tracking progress and formative assessment.
  

Professional development of teachers

• Teachers benefit from having time to explore what the devices can do before integrating their use into planned learning.
• Using mobile devices is likely to increase learner autonomy. Teachers need to ensure that learners are able to evaluate resources, think critically and reflect.
• It is important to consider the ways in which mobile devices are integrated with other (ICT and traditional) tools in learning at home and at school.

Ewan Mcintosh speaking in London

Having Derek Robertson of learning and teaching Scotland speak at the Becta serious games event last Tuesday in Birmingham I have by sheer chance got an opportunity to see his partner in crime fellow crusader for education Ewan Mcintosh speak at this first Tuesday event organised by Redhouse Media . Link to redhouse and therefirst Tuesday events here



The little abstract is interesting enough see below:

EMPLOYEES OF THE FUTURE

Ewan McIntosh


Educational Technologist


Learning and Teaching Scotland Futures

This
year, 16-year-olds who know little about life before the Internet and
email will enter the workforce. Ewan McIntosh is an experienced teacher
and a recognised authority on new media and technology in the
classroom. He’ll lead a session on how understanding the interests of
IT-savvy teenagers will be critical if businesses and the government
are to get the best out of the next generation of worker.

Enhancing Learning; virtual worlds, simulations and games based learning

Had the great pleasure of meeting Ernest Adams and Derek Robertson today. haven't had time to blog their presentation from BECTA event. "Enhancing Learning; virtual worlds, simulations and games based learning"

will put up the link to presentations from the day later. But for now feel the urge to put up these two inspirational individuals web presences:



Ernest Adams homepage link

http://www.designersnotebook.com/Home_Page/home_page.htm



Derek Robertson blog from Learning and Teaching Scotland

http://hotmilkydrink.typepad.com/

Business cards that show your web2.0 credentials

Heads up to Will Thomas of Suffolk college for spotting this before I got to mybloglines feed
great card from a great teacher and a great class
http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/business-cards-we-love-to-see/.

Reminds me I must post about geoff Stead of Tribal CTAD great idea and gift of a a rubber stamp "connected by andy" with my blog address . His idea knowing me well is when I meet someone who I think is cool to ask for five cards or so stamp the back and pass them onto to people I meet in the future .

Great Things Happening in New Zeland Hi to Room 9 at Nelson central School.

Came across two great blogs while looking at Ewan Mcintosh's blog http://edu.blogs.com

are the kids at room 9 central nelson school !!! Check the classes first ever podcast how cool is that http://room9nelsoncentral.blogspot.com/Well go on regular readers of Andysblackhole go and listen to the podcast and post a comment.