Bromley ICT Forum Blog

Asus Minibook presentation (Chris Browning)

The Asus Minibook is a great innovation that made its introduction at BETT this year.  Like a small laptop computer, the Minibook has WIFI capacity, along with access to multimedia software and the internet. Unlike the laptop the price of these machines make it extremely attractive for schools wishing to build and improve upon  their computer pupil ratio. Chris provided an overview of the product and outlined its features in more detail. What was impressive was its functionalilty and its price (£199). The built in WIFI  of the Minibook  offers a great deal of potential for students to engage with school VLE (Virtula Learning Environments. They are also extremely light and portable.

http://www.rm.com/Primary/Products/product.asp?cref=PD1030046

There are some tweaks that need to be addressed with the Asus Minibook. Battery power only lasts for up to two hours which could pose a challenge for use in classroom activities. RM are promoting the Minibook as a portable device to support learning between home and school.

Organisations such as Go Education are addressing the battery issue by  supplying hardware such as desk chargers and  cabinets for the  Minibook. 

 Eportfolios and Honeycomb  (Phillipa Lloyd Perks)

Honeycomb is a great online tool that takes advantage of using Web 2 Technologies. For schools considering the creation of student centred eportfolios, this online tool offers some interesting features, although some of the functionality was limited http://www.rm.com/Primary/Products/Product.asp?cref=PD1075734&position=1   Phillipa has offered an account for any school interested in using or trialing Honeycombe as a possible eportfolio solution. If you are interested please indicate using  by clicking the Comments link on this blog entry. ICT in the curriculum 

 During this session delegates looked at Schemes of Work  and shared some local examples of strategies in  planning and delivering great ICT enriched lessons. The most successful strategies were those where ICT was used to support and enrich other areas of the curriculum rather than teaching it as a subject. There is a perception that the ICT strategies on the QCA site still promote lesson strategies which have been ‘out grown’ by the learners.  Concepts such as databases for example are best delivered within the context of a science or geography activity rather than a unit of work by itself.  There doesn’t appear to be much advice on the QCA site about implementing Web 2 Technologies (learner interactive technologies such as blogs, wikis and podcasting) although to be fair there are some examples of lessons where podcasting was used.

 It was great that members brought along some examples of the work they are currently doing with ICT and I would like to thank Alison Tanner (Darrick Wood Junior School), Mark Wynard (Malcolm Primary School) and Emma Cook (Pickhurst Infants School.)

All the delegates found it was very positive to examine the work of teachers from other boroughs and all expressed a desire to do something similar in Bromley. Therefore it was decided that the next meeting should be devoted entirely to teachers teams jointly planning work together.

Churchfields Primary and Nursery School are hosting an Interactive Whiteboard Cluster Meeting on Tuesday 10th June commencing at 3:45pm

Come along to:

• Find out some free training tips
• Share flipcharts and resources
• Update yourself on new developments in IWB resources including the pupil response systems.
• See a range of new available software
• Take away some free resources
• Have free refreshments

This event is run in conjunction with Promethean Technologies but is suitable for users of all IWB software and hardware.

Don’t forget to bring along your memory  key!

If you would like the chance to attend please email: pennyj.churchfields.bromley@lgfl.net

If you would like to take the opportunity to share your own good practice and demonstrate any work you have done using IWB’s please let us know, we can definitely fit you in.

Penny Jones (DHT) and Caroline Greenall (ICT SL)

Churchfields Primary and Nursery Schools

Churchfields Road

Beckenham BR3 4QY 0208650 5247

Primary ICT Coordinators (Foundation, Key Stages 1 and 2) 

Some time ago we mentioned the excellent Newham Schemes of work for ICT as well as the materials produced by National Curriculum in Action.

You might want to consider these links and documents put out by

 Greenwich LA,

Hertfordshire Grid for Learning,

Wokingham Primary Schemes of work 

 Darrick Wood Junior School.

If you would like to share your school’s scheme of work or provide examples of successful lessons please email me at andrew.ferrier@bromley.gov.uk
Click here to download Lesson plan proforma

As Tesco would say ‘every little helps..’

ICT in Schools 2004-7

Reprinted from NAACE Newsletter

HMI David Anstead presented Ofsted’s findings about ICT during a conference seminar. These “long reports”, based on a sample of schools, supplement the Section 5 inspections, which no longer directly report on subjects. He was unable to say anything about the content of the next 3-yearly report, due out in autumn this year, but David’s presentation was drawn from the same evidence base that will be used for that report. Caution must also be exercised regards the accuracy of your editor’s notes! Given that the report will be based on survey visits made between 2004 and 2007, it is effectively monitoring the impact of policy implemented to 2003.

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A new video conferencing programme for schools run by Parliament’s Education Service

As part of a new video conferencing programme offered by the Education Service at the Houses of Parliament, these pilot sessions focus on the issue of Prison Reform in order to bring to life the role of Parliament, both historically and in the present time.  The conferences include the opportunity to talk with a member of the House of Commons or House of Lords
Set amidst the backdrop of Victorian prison reform, the session is based in 1878 as the government takes control of the prison system.  Your students will meet a Victorian prison governor and a long-time prisoner as they talk about their experiences of life in Pentonville Prison.

During the workshop, your group are encouraged to engage with both characters, played by costumed actors, and to ask questions before being led into a debate on the issues surrounding the prison system and its purpose.

Students will explore what prison is for and whether it works from both historical and contemporary angles; developments in the prison system and the role played by Parliament in its reform; as well as the future of prisons today.

A member of the House of Commons or House of Lords will be invited to conclude the workshop and discuss the role of Parliament in relation to this issue*.

A pack of preparation materials will be sent to you in advance of the session, including background information and discussion topics, to help your students prepare their arguments in advance of debating the issues involved.

To book, please call the Education Service on 0207 219 2105

Available: 12 May – 23 May 2008
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: free of charge
Suitability: Years 8 and 9 (KS3)

*Please be aware that on occasion due to the nature of Parliamentary business, Members of both Houses can be called away at short notice.
Parliament’s Education Service
Parliament’s Education Service works with schools and Members of both Houses of Parliament to support young people in developing their understanding of Parliament and democracy. It runs a busy visits programme all year round and provides printed and online resources for schools.
http://www.parliament.uk/education