ICT developments

Frustration. An exciting meeting and dialogue (well, heated debate!) between some pionier users of ICT and SLT occurred yesterday. We made some great progress:

Agreement to get at least one teacher desktop in every classroom asap
Online registration - this will reduce the cost of photocopying currently used to track internal truancy
The possible move of the school email system to gmail

Other topics were talked about also. To me the way to get teachers using ICT is to ensure that they have access to a computer and have to turn it on each and every day. Insisting on online registration will do this. Then, once the computer is logged on and on the desk a teacher may use the internet to search for resources, use a PPT to make life a bit easier....

One of the most frustrating parts of the discussion centered around the VLE / blog debate. We all have to use VLE's, the government expects it. However, it seems to me that the learning conversation isn't going on. I was told that my blogs, that support pupil learning, dilute the brand of the school and that I should migrate over to the VLE. The problem is that time is needed for training. I am enthusiastic about using a VLE but it must be able to match the educational functionality of the blog - quick, easy, instant, accessible, looks great etc...

It may be me, but on reflection I wonder how many decisions begin with either:

'How will this improve learning?', or
'How will this make life easier for teachers?'

To me these questions should be at the forefront o any decision, new initiative or course in a school.

I may be way off the mark here, but I find using VLE's as a virtual filing cabinet is missing the point. However, I have committed to playing around with the VLE this weekend - even if it's just to add ammunition to my case!!

The new blogs are going well - the plan is to create a virtual 'study/homework diary' that pupils and parents can access. If successful I plan to 'launch' the blogs using moo cards and text messages.

Another advantage with a Wordpress blog over a VLE is that I can measure its success. I can see the number of hits and measure the number of downloads through 4shared and slideshare. This is really useful in providing evidence linked to my development plan and the eventual aim of going for the SGQM.

It also doesn't help that the VLE is not accessible yet to pupils - a blog needs to evolve and react to what happens in the classroom.

Anyhow, I'd better climb off my box, get the bike out and enjoy the sun! Plans are afoot to ride the length of Wales and my climbing partner has convince me to complete the 'end to end'. Mmmmm.

Photo credit

Comments

High Impact, Low effort

This month is the start of the #29daysofwriting challenge. I enjoyed this last year and will be using my Staffrm account to post. I'll also be reporting here, both to give a little more detail and to keep a log of what I have written. The challenge developed a great sense of community last year, which is why I'm choosing to write on Staffrm. What I would say to those who are new to writing or don't want to run out of ideas is: Write for yourself. Clarify an idea, write something out loud. The process of distilling thoughts into writing is immensely beneficial to your practice. If other read, comment and respond, that's a bonus. Ignore the muppets who know nothing of your context, style or students. Mix it up - I like to read about real stuff from real classrooms and schools and also about other stuff. If we always write about school, how does that work for workload? If you've nothing nice to say, don't say it. So, the following has been ...

What makes a learning experience profound? Personal reflections and possible implications for classroom practice.

I have recently begun a Leadership Pathways journey. As part of the first core day, we were asked to reflect on a profound learning experience. This got me thinking about how many profound learning experiences I have both been involved in, and how many I have been able to give to others. Our group came up with a huge long list, but these are my five. Emotional Connected Demanding Reflective Collaborative As always, these are personal thoughts and quite mixed up. I put them here so that I can look back on them (plus they’d get lost inside my world-cup-free brain) 1. Emotional I can’t think of a time where deep learning hasn’t engaged my emotions. From being awe inspired to that tingle feeling when a student gets a light bulb moment. From this-is-the-happiest-day-ever, to I-think-I’m-about-to die. How often do we engage the emotions of those we teach? Here, I would argue that having a safe learning environment i...

Year 10 need your help! Can we get Twitter and Facebook in to a GCSE project?

I’ve been told that social media has no place in the classroom. Now, this post is not to battle that argument head on. Let’s smash it. This week, Year 10 are visiting Hengistbury Head . They are investigating whether this piece of coastline should be protected. They are wondering what you think? You may know the location well, you may not know it at all. But we’d like to hear from you all the same. This will either result in some usable data and comments, or not. Either way, we'll know and I’m sure that your comments will help spark discussion in class! What would Year 10 like me to do? Just simply comment on this post or tweet me, with an answer to this question: ‘Should Hengistubury Head be protected from the Sea? Just answer Yes or No and give a brief reason. It would also be useful if you could tell us whether you know the area or not. Many thanks in anticipation…… Image – my own.

David Rogers

Search This Blog