[fname] Computers in Classrooms, with details of zero-cost software and a job opportunity

I've been sent a couple of interesting items which I will share with you in a moment. First, though, a few words about the March newsletter, which is still available here.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL LEADERS

FREE online seminars with leading experts - Harnessing Technology, what does it mean to me and my school?

Talk to the experts about delivering the Harnessing Technology strategy in your school. During March 2009 The National College for School Leadership is running a series of FREE online seminars with these leading experts from Becta and SSAT. Register your interest now at http://www.ncsl.org.uk/onlineseminars

I do hope you've had a chance to look at the articles. Neil Howie gave his impressions of the recent BETT show in London, and I reported on a conference concernig the Primary Capital Programme, which is about funding for primary (elementary) school buildings. If you have been to a conference or a training day recently, and it was related to educational technology or ICT, why not think about writing a short article about it. That's exactly what David Luke, a school improvement consultant, has done for the next issue of Computers in Classrooms, in which he writes about the seminar Miles Berry and I presented at BETT.

There is also an article from two schoolgirls, Gemma and Melissa, who describe how they went about creating talking books. Interestingly talking books were mentioned in the recent Ofsted report about ICT in England.

That was followed by a sponsored article, including a reader offer, about revision podcasts for a number of subjects. Do check out the link at the end of the article.

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Getting back to the girls' contributions, I've had quite a bit of interest from teachers who like the idea of their puils or students contributing to the newsletter. There are lots of options. For example, if you have a student who is brimming with ideas and opinions but does not have the time or inclination to write them down, we could conduct an interview by email or wiki or Skype, in a way which meets your school's e-safety requirements.

Or perhaps you have a pupil who loves drawing cartoons, or who takes great photographs. The main criterion is that it must relate to ICT in education.

At the moment there are three ninth grade pupils (14-15 year-olds) in the USA working on articles for future newsletters, and only today I was chatting to a UK teacher about his students contributing an article.

There are several advantages of contributing for the young people:

Their work will be seen by a real audience of hard-nosed educators who don't have time for waffle and piffle!
It will be a good wake-up call in terms of real-world enterprise issues. For example, they'll have to take responsibility for sorting out any copyright issues, and they'll have to be good at meeting deadlines.
It's a chance for them to tell teachers what they'd like to see as far as technology in schools is concerned.

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The Army In Education website http://army.mod.uk/armyineducation is now live, offering free curriculum support for secondary school teachers.

Aimed at teachers of students aged 11-16 years, the website provides a range of free curriculum support materials for Geography, PE, Assemblies and History using aspects of the British Army as a theme for learning. In addition to the curriculum support materials teachers will be able to find out how Army museums and Army Careers Advisers can enhance classroom learning.

It is hoped that by developing a better understanding of the work of the British Army, that young people will respect the work of British Soldiers and their role in our society.

Simon Widdowson waxed lyrical about visualisers (document cameras), which brinngs me nicely on to the fact the Visualiser Forum is one of the sponsors of the fantastic Teachmeet event that is taking place in Havering, Essex, England on 31 March. Look out for more details on the ICT in Education website in the very near future, but in the meantime go to the Teachmeet wiki to see what's what and register an interest, and read a recent article of mine about it here.

Clare Needham of Crocodile Clips (which I recall had a very good reputation) sent me an email telling me that Yenka, which is the successor to Crocodile Clips, is free for home use. IT's an application that helps to teach programming and modelling in Computing, Mathematics, Science and Technology. I've had a quick play and it seems very good.

Within Yenka there is a library of ready-made objects, tools and environments, tailored to help teach in Yenka's virtual world.

There is no need to purchase anything!

Download and start using Yenka at www.yenka.com

Finally, Edexcel is looking to recruit moderators for Information Technology. I have to say that back in the days when I taught Economics I found it very handy to be an assistant examiner as it gave me a huge insight into what the examiners were looking for in students' answers. Here's the text of the advertisement I've been asked to include in the newsletter:

Edexcel is recruiting External Verifiers for Information Technology

We have interesting new opportunities for experienced and qualified NVQ practitioners to be involved in the verification of our Apprenticeships. These qualifications are helping to develop and train the workforce of the future and are currently being offered by training providers, FE colleges and employers

EVs for Apprenticeships will also be expected to verify related BTEC units in their sector, and to moderate Key Skills Numeracy and Literacy. You will need the relevant qualifications or recent experience, expertise in the subject area and a good understanding of the assessment method and requirements both for BTEC and for Key Skills.

Apply using our online application form at : Information Technology Role

More information can be found at: www.edexcel.com/aa-recruitment

Well, that's it for now. I'm aiming to get the next newsletter out for 1st April, and if you'd like to contribute to that, get in touch pronto as the deadline for copy is 17th March! The special focus for that issue is social networking.