Hi, Subscriber
It's not my usual practice to send pre-newsletter emails at all, never mind past midnight on a Friday night! However, because the next issue of Computers in Classrooms is going be delayed for a couple of days, I wanted to give you the 'heads up' on a few things in advance.
The reason for the delay is that although the content of the next issue is fantastic (that's not me being egotistical: I'm referring to the guest writers' contributions), I want to see if I can make it look a bit less newsletter-like. I'm going to be playing around with some templates. However, if it looks like taking ages, I'll abandon that idea for now and just get the newsletter to you and be done with it!
The next issue contains the following:
- News and reviews, including free resources.
- Back to work: a guide to some useful articles to help people get off to a good start.
- Teaching yourself Chinese: Adrienne Blaser evaluates ten relevant websites, three of them in depth.
- Five Minute Fiction: The Big Sweep A hard-boiled tale concerning a new school build.
- Using new technologies to enhance learning experiences: Kevin Mc Laughlin discusses four applications and how he uses them.
- The European Pedagogical ICT licence (EPICT) course: Neil Howie explains what this is and why it is useful.
- Using cartoons and comics: how to make use of free cartoons and even get the kids creating their own, using free or almost free resources.
Anyway, these are the things I wanted to let you know about for now:
1.Teaching assistants
You may have read the news report today that a study has shown that classroom assistants do not help to raise pupils' progress. I've had a look at the report and the Guardian's summary is a good starting point, and certainly an easier read than the report itself.
A couple of years ago I published a short article giving ICT teachers 14 tips on how to make the best use of teaching assistants. I have just read it again, and it is still relevant. Here it is:
Five Minute Tip: Getting the best out of teaching assistants
2. Web 2 Projects book update
I intend to update this (free) ebook which contains details of classroom activities which use Web 2.0 applications. If you would like to contribute to the second edition, there is an online form for that purpose. The current edition is still available.I'm looking for examples of interesting practice, and not seeking to make judgements on 'best' practice, so even if you are new to all this, please consider contributing.
3.Terry’s Two Minute Tips #14: For new ICT Leaders
Finally, I’ve recorded another two minute tip, on the subject of what kind of things a new ICT Co-ordinator (Technology Co-ordinator) or other leader of educational technology in a school might do in their new job.
I will be publishing an article to go with it soon, but in the meantime you can view it online.
Well, that's it from me for now. Have a nice weekend, and look out for the first issue of Computers in Classrooms of this school year early next week.
Best wishes
Terry Freedman