Opportunity to join a visualiser pilot group

We have the offer of 20 visualisers to put into Worcestershrie schools from all phases.  The principle is that you make use of the visualiser for a few weeks and then have chance to buy the unit at an advantageous price.  The only thing we require from you in return is a short case study exemplifying how you used the visualiser and the impact on learning and teaching.
Contact us for further information on hos@worcestershire.gov.uk
Don't delay... you'll miss a great opportunity to try before you buy!

Got SMART, Get SMARTer!

Steljes will be providing 2 FREE SMART product training sessions for Worcestershire schools already using SMART boards and software.  The sessions are on November 10th (Finstall Centre) and November 15th (Pitmaston House) from 1 to 4pm.  They are designed to support schools to get the most out of their  SMART products and to introduce additional resources which may be of interest. 

Book by e-mailing hos@worcestershire.gov.uk to reserve a place.

Important information about Promethean Software Support

Promeathean board users are strongly recommended to update their software to the latest version as previous versions will soon not be supported. At the moment the update is free to Promethean users. The following is a statement from Promethean:

Promethean constantly strives to provide its customers with the best possible products to support the challenges they encounter in today’s educational arena. A key component of this process is the withdrawal of older products that no longer meet customer requirements. Promethean would therefore like to inform you that from the end of September 2010 they will therefore no longer be providing support for versions 1 and 2 of ActivStudio and ActivPrimary software. In the longer term support for version 3 of ActivStudio and ActivPrimary software will be withdrawn in September 2011. Promethean however would like to announce that customers can upgrade to its award-winning ActivInspire software free of charge before the end of September 2010.

ActivInspire provides users with a range of benefits not currently available within ActivStudio and ActivPrimary: ActivInspire is the ‘power behind the ActivClassroom and unlocks Prometheans entire range of hardware products, enabling greater pupil interaction. Available in 27 languages, due to increase to 30 and include Polish, Slovakian and Latvian from August 2010. Enables all existing premium and free educational content to be utilised. Offers the opportunity for users to utilise the vast array of Publisher Created Resource e.g. flipcharts. Within ActivInspire the number of Publisher Created Resources is significantly greater than those available with ActivStudio or ActivPrimary.
To learn more about ActivInspire and to download it visit http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en/support/software/activinspire/

Self-review Framework and ICT Mark

The Self-review Framework (SRF) and ICT Mark are continuing for the present and Becta is exploring ways these can carry on after March 2011.
Due to reduced Government funding and the planned closure of Becta the Next Generation Learning Charter has now been discontinued. All information about the Charter is being removed from the Becta website. It is recommended that schools continue to use the SRF and work towards the ICT Mark accreditation.

Becta will not contact schools on an individual basis. There will be no further distribution of Next Generation Learning Charter certificates. However, schools who have engaged with the earlier stages of the Charter are still entitled to display their certificate(s) and Charter logo(s).

Technology in schools: Is the clock being turned back?

Food for thought. Have a look at this article published on the BBC website on Saturday July 3rd.  What do you think the future holds for learning technologies in our schools?

Are you looking for listening resources for EYFS and/or KS1?

Free downloads from StoryPhones
http://www.storyphones.co.uk/resources/downloads.html

Even if you are not a StoryPhones user you may still download these free resources to play on any MP3 player for your learners to listen to.
Children can sing along with simple versions of traditional rhymes. (Baa Baa Blacksheep and Incey Wincey Spider). The picture resources encourage children to join in or sing the rhymes independently. Great for encouraging communication skills. Guidance is linked to EYFS and Letters and Sounds.

Other free downloads include songs and posters for 'Away in a Manger' and 'Twinkle Twinkle'. Plan ahead for Christmas!

To encourage children's listening and attention skills, StoryPhones have commissioned a special 'Listening Song' by Ingrid Sylvestre, an artist and songwriter. To accompany the song there are also PDFs of the words, a poster and guidance for using the song.

Thinking of buying Smartboards over the summer?

SMART Technologies is celebrating the arrival of summer with a £100,000 summer giveaway full of amazing prizes for your school


How to enter
If your school purchases a SMART Board™ Interactive Whiteboard* between 1st July 2010 and 31st August 2010, you will be entered into the free prize draws for your chance to win one of many fantastic prizes for your school!

Double your chance of winning!
Register your SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard serial number before 30th September 2010 on www.activatemywarranty.co.uk and you will receive an additional entry into the FREE prize draw - to double your chance of winning!

Grand prize draw
1st Prize: Laptop trolley filled with 30 Fizzbook Spin 10.1" mini-tablet PCs with Win7 Starter
2nd Prize: 1 of 75 sets of SMART Response PE 32 handset kits
3rd Prize: 1 of 100 SMART Slate™ wireless slates
4th Prize: 1 of 500 SMART Board for Dummies® pocket books

Weekly prize draw
Each week one lucky winner will receive a Fizzbook Spin 10.1" mini-tablet PC with Win7 Starter.
To find out more about SMART's three year onsite warranty and to enter the prize draw please visit: www.activatemywarranty.co.uk