ICT and the Curriculum

I have been extremely impressed with how ICT is being integrated into your learning programmes across the school.  I have seen some great examples of how interactive technology is used to motivate and engage writers.  I see students roaming around the school with cameras and flips capturing examples of students learning and thinking and I see the students using ICT to present learning in many different ways.  If we reflect on where we were this time last year and think we can agree that we, teacher & students, have come a long way in how we use ICT to support learning across the curriculum.  We now have 3 sets of netbooks and I look forward to seeing what our next steps will be to continue our journey.  I also look forward to developing our strategic plan with Joe and the staff to target our next steps for develpment.

e-Portfolios

I read an interesting article in the Education Gazette (4th July/ Vol. 90 No. 12).  I talks about how Tawa Intermediate have developed their e-portfolios.  On page 6 there is check list describing what they have done to develop them.  Its worth regarding.  The link is:
http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/

Marcus

Horsham Downs Visit

Thanks to those of you who allowed us to show Phil, Claire & Andrew from Horsham Downs School what you are doing with ICT in your rooms.  They were impressed with what they saw and where we are going with IT.
Claire asked an interesting question: "If we did it again would we invest in IWBs or 6 computers per class, which delivers better outcomes for learners?"
I good question I thought... but I'm sure of the answer.
I am interested to hear what those of you with interactive technology think.  Are we better investing in multiple computers or in IWBs, or both?

Thanks

Marcus

I can finally hold my head up when you are all talking about your Blogs.  But... now I can relate to those children who just "don't get it"! 
If anyone needs someone to help them out I recommend Bailey Guildford from Room 15.  She very calmly walked me through how to up load photos using Photopeach.  For me though I will need to repetition or I'll forget and be back to square one.

The other thing I have started is a document with all my passwords on, (thanks for that brainwave Myra).  my biggest challenge was trying to remember that and now I've added another one.

Marcus

My trip to Malaysia on PhotoPeach

My First Photo

I have just been working with Bailey and she has shown me how to add a picture to my Blog.  This is a photo of me talking to a student in Malaysia.  She was 6 and her writing was immaculate.  They spend a lot of time on surface features in the first 6 months of school. I wonder do we over do the Deeper features?

I finally got there

I finally got here and have made a post.  This is way I thought it is a good idea that we dedicate time in each staff meeting to make a comment.  I find the urgent drives out the important!  I think developing self reflection skills with the children is important.  I wonder what conditions we need to develop in our classrooms to encourage genuine self reflection.  As adults it requires a certain amount of trust with our collegues, why would it be different for children? 

My next step is figure out how to add a pet or two.

Marcus's Wall

A Summary of Thinking

Our understanding at this stage is that the e-portfolio/blogs serves two purposes:

1.      It will allow the teachers to become confident using the technology we are asking the students to use

2.      It provides a forum for us to reflect on our learning and develop an online learning community to support each other learning.