Simple uses of ICT
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We've been through video, audio, IWBs and all that, but one very simple and effective resource is the humble photo. Have the class produced some great artwork? Have they been creative with a camera? By being able to upload a simple photo onto a computer it can then be showcased on the school website, on a displey board or used as a resource on the IWB... the list could go on.
This photo is of a Warhol-style picture completed during my initial Art and Design session. By no means a masterpiece, in fact it's barely even a piece, but it again illustrates the many links ICT has with other subjects.
Afterthought - A 'taster' image such as this could be posted in a corridor with a QR Code attached. Those lucky enough to have a device that knows what to do with these codes could then access other examples from that display. My phone isn't good enough for this... but it does have a calculator and an alarm clock.
Update: My phone is now more app-friendly!
This photo is of a Warhol-style picture completed during my initial Art and Design session. By no means a masterpiece, in fact it's barely even a piece, but it again illustrates the many links ICT has with other subjects.
Afterthought - A 'taster' image such as this could be posted in a corridor with a QR Code attached. Those lucky enough to have a device that knows what to do with these codes could then access other examples from that display. My phone isn't good enough for this... but it does have a calculator and an alarm clock.
Update: My phone is now more app-friendly!
Bee-bot!
As detailed in the video above, Bee-bot is a very useful hands-on tool for KS1 groups. In our week 4 maths session we were introduced to the cute little black and yellow fellow, and it seems the amount of cross-curricular activities at its fingertips is almost endless. I liked the idea of the mats having pictures of different weather types; useful as a starter for science or as a hook for some creative writing or art. The truth is these mats can be created (or purchased) to allow for virtually any topic you can think of. Get thinking. Bee-bot app.
Espresso
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Although seemingly aimed as more of a resource for the teacher to teach with, Espresso still houses a fairly comprehensive collection of 'self-serve' games, activities and articles for children.
Creating your own 'route' appears to be an effective way to present a multi-sensory lesson, whilst the likes of the 'Daily Challenge' could potentially provide some focus for children when entering the classroom at the start of the day.
It's a bit of a shame that the site runs on flash and is therefore a bit jumpy at times, and more of a shame that some of the videos appear to be a little temperamental, but all in all there's enough content on here to suggest that schools (and teachers) not registered with Espresso are missing out.
Creating your own 'route' appears to be an effective way to present a multi-sensory lesson, whilst the likes of the 'Daily Challenge' could potentially provide some focus for children when entering the classroom at the start of the day.
It's a bit of a shame that the site runs on flash and is therefore a bit jumpy at times, and more of a shame that some of the videos appear to be a little temperamental, but all in all there's enough content on here to suggest that schools (and teachers) not registered with Espresso are missing out.
For Budding Naturalists
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With games, TV episodes, decorations and diaries, the legend that is Steve Backshall is the inspiration for what has to be one of the greatest websites of all time. Try a Deadly Dash (or three!) or learn some amazing biological facts as you explore the site.
Playing whilst learning, or is it learning whilst playing? Either way, "play is not a four letter word" (Alan Cross, 2012).
A number of children in my y4 class last year would have loved this had I known it existed. I hope they've discovered it since.
Fun and educational, well for me at least!
Playing whilst learning, or is it learning whilst playing? Either way, "play is not a four letter word" (Alan Cross, 2012).
A number of children in my y4 class last year would have loved this had I known it existed. I hope they've discovered it since.
Fun and educational, well for me at least!
Wordle
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Try wordle for the creation of wordclouds. This is where a piece of text is entered and a nice and arty looking cloud is formed, with the most frequently used words taking centre stage. I couldn't think of a subject to test so I just wrote some stuff about clouds into the box, the result is on the left (click it to enlarge). This resource was suggested during my Spanish language session as it can be a useful way to identify and practise frequently used words.
A word of advice - If you don't want to put your wordle into a public gallery then you'll have to use screen capture to paste it into a word file.
A word of advice - If you don't want to put your wordle into a public gallery then you'll have to use screen capture to paste it into a word file.
Cbeebies Alphablocks
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Alphablocks is a useful resource for practising phonics through songs, games and storytime. Could be used as a starter to revisit previous sessions or as an introduction to new phonemes.
Reflection: These guys featured in a few of the guided reading books in a placement school. The children didn't really know what they were, so it could be a good idea to show them some elements from this page before these books are read!
Reflection: These guys featured in a few of the guided reading books in a placement school. The children didn't really know what they were, so it could be a good idea to show them some elements from this page before these books are read!
CBeebies for grown-ups!
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Support and resources for teachers and parents through the use of games, songs, activities, video clips and more. Also includes a dedicated section for special needs. More to follow.
It's the final countdown...
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...Oh wait, no it's not. This is just one of the many useful inhabitants of the Woodlands-Junior website. Want to get some brains in gear? Then play the numbers, letters or conundrum version via this link; Countdown!
Also feel free to click the permed image on the right if you now have the need to hear some classic Swedish rock.
Reflection: I've seen countdown used in a y6 class as a very useful way to get children 'playing' with different numbers to find targets. Many of them didn't feel like they were doing run of the mill multiplications or divisions, but rather a problem solving game (and secretly having fun i'm sure). Discussions after each round proved to be a valuable way to share knowledge and calculation processess. This linked nicely with week 2's Professional Studies seminar content - Potential being realised through peer colloboration (Vygotsky, 1978).
Some of the targets may be a bit tricky, so keep clicking the 'target' button until it is suitable for your class.
Also feel free to click the permed image on the right if you now have the need to hear some classic Swedish rock.
Reflection: I've seen countdown used in a y6 class as a very useful way to get children 'playing' with different numbers to find targets. Many of them didn't feel like they were doing run of the mill multiplications or divisions, but rather a problem solving game (and secretly having fun i'm sure). Discussions after each round proved to be a valuable way to share knowledge and calculation processess. This linked nicely with week 2's Professional Studies seminar content - Potential being realised through peer colloboration (Vygotsky, 1978).
Some of the targets may be a bit tricky, so keep clicking the 'target' button until it is suitable for your class.
English Wiki
A collaboratively-created online space for the pooling of ideas and resources, the PGCE English Wiki is a useful resource for the sharing of literary ideas across both key stages. We have each reviewed a book (or three), posting a description and a reflection suggesting how the book could be best utilised.
Here's a snippet from one of my contributions; Toro! Toro! by Michael Morpurgo.
We start in the modern day. Antonito is an old man when his grandson asks him about the worst thing he's ever done. What follows is an emotional story of life and death in 1930s Spain.
Living on a southern farm producing bulls for the Corrida, Antonito is unaware of the fate awaiting his bulls, and indeed of the civil war that is gripping the nation. Attending his first Corrida, Antonito is horrified at what will happen to his favourite bull, Paco, and decides to escape with him into the hills during the night. Early next morning, he can only watch as his home town is destroyed by Franco's men.
Has anyone survived? What can he do? Could the stories about a black phantom bull keeping the enemy at bay be true?
To find out more click here to go to the English Wiki.
Reflection: It would be an idea to set up a class Wiki where children could post their own reviews. A school Wiki could also be a good way to share resources or for classes to illustrate their work.
I personally feel that the Wiki format is not as simple as it should be and would therefore probably favour creating a blog or website with my class over this.
A collaboratively-created online space for the pooling of ideas and resources, the PGCE English Wiki is a useful resource for the sharing of literary ideas across both key stages. We have each reviewed a book (or three), posting a description and a reflection suggesting how the book could be best utilised.
Here's a snippet from one of my contributions; Toro! Toro! by Michael Morpurgo.
We start in the modern day. Antonito is an old man when his grandson asks him about the worst thing he's ever done. What follows is an emotional story of life and death in 1930s Spain.
Living on a southern farm producing bulls for the Corrida, Antonito is unaware of the fate awaiting his bulls, and indeed of the civil war that is gripping the nation. Attending his first Corrida, Antonito is horrified at what will happen to his favourite bull, Paco, and decides to escape with him into the hills during the night. Early next morning, he can only watch as his home town is destroyed by Franco's men.
Has anyone survived? What can he do? Could the stories about a black phantom bull keeping the enemy at bay be true?
To find out more click here to go to the English Wiki.
Reflection: It would be an idea to set up a class Wiki where children could post their own reviews. A school Wiki could also be a good way to share resources or for classes to illustrate their work.
I personally feel that the Wiki format is not as simple as it should be and would therefore probably favour creating a blog or website with my class over this.