This section contains information covered at the three training days held between the 7th and 9th November. Most of the references will be those mentioned on the day but other information is included which may be of interest.
FISH NET – all Education staff are encouraged to use FISH as it is the main source of information for the Fife Education Service. Section 12 is of particular interest as it is the access to CPD in general and CPD Online – the distinctive website hosting courses, news, reading material etc as recommended by Marjorie Kinnaird and other members of Fife’s CPD team.
Section 5 – ICT – is worth viewing as it hosts information and resources of value to teachers. In particular, the two Download options where applets and drivers are posted which otherwise might not be accessible through Web Sense from external sources.
SSDN
The Scottish Schools Digital Network, renamed GLOW is accessed from Section 5 just click on SSDN mentors. The three Inspiration Charts matching SSDN to Learning Styles, A Curriculum for Excellence and the SSDN hierarchy are available here as well as an Information Pack. Newsletters and further information is located at the Glow Scotland website.
SmartBoard
The latest software release for SmartBoard interactive whiteboards will be distributed to all schools over the next few weeks. The CD ROM will hold the SmartBoard application (80+ MB) and a comprehensive gallery (over 220 Mb) holding images, backgrounds and Flash activities.
Smart Notebook files and other copyright-cleared resources are included on the CD and a Word file named “Installation Instructions” should be read before proceeding. Please note that the SmartBoard software may be installed in any computer in the school and teachers are permitted to install it on their home computers. In fact, the Smart software can run independent of the SmartBoard so teachers can become familiar with the software and create their own Notebook activities.
To support SmartBoards please refer to SmartBoard Curricular Links – part of the Fife Education site and from within FISH NET use the search pane to find the SmartBoard Curriculum Group which will be a source of news and resources and FAQs.
Creating Interactive Resources
Spell Master with sample files for Jig Word, Match Word, Speed Word and Word Web is included on the SmartBoard CD ROM plus a Word file describing how to create your own exercises.
Further information about SpellMaster, including a link to the parent site is available. In addition to SpellMaster some groups were directed to Hot Potatoes software which enables a teacher to create interactive puzzles which are presented as web pages. Examples are included in the Science and Social Subject websites and more information is included in the L and T website. The software has to be downloaded from the University of Victoria website as you have to register (at no charge for non-profit making educational users).
Creating Interactive Resources is covered as a twilight course at the Auchterderran Centre over three nights. The CPD Programme holds more detail but the dates available just now are Course 1 – 20 th Nov, 5 th and 14 th December – Course 2 – 6 th, 15 th and 20 th February 2007 and more can be added if there is high interest. Other content-free software will be included such as Blockbusters and Who Wants to be a Millionaire (PowerPoint).
Search Engines
Some groups were asked which search engine they use and most mentioned Google. This is a text-heavy search engine and you are invited to consider alternatives such as kartoo.com which is a visual search engine. Please click here for more on visual search engines in general including a sample from Kartoo, but do log on and try this as it offers opportunities for children with different learning styles and suits teachers who use concept or mind mapping techniques.
Within the Fife Education site the ICT in Education section includes links to websites devoted to introducing and supporting the two concept mapping programs available in all Scottish schools; namely Kidspiration and Inspiration. Twilight CPD courses have been included in the CPD programme for staff interested in finding out more and to have the opportunity to create your own concept maps. New dates can be added if there is sufficient interest expressed.
Kidspiration is specific to primary but Inspiration is found in both sectors. The websites host numerous examples from Fife schools with links to other sources from the Internet. All curricular areas and secondary subjects can use this software, in fact Leckie and Leckie use concept or mind mapping as a revision tool.
New users could view some of the sample files in the websites or decide to use one of the many templates included with the software.
Two recent additions to the L and T site are links to resources promoted for educational use by Learning and Teaching Scotland. These are British Pathe News and the London Grid for Learning’s Music collection. The Music resource is already being considered as background music in some of the 60 Fife schools using RadioWaves audio pod casting software.
Useful websites
Let’s consider these in two categories: curricular/subject links and personal development/research links.
The list below can be expanded by reference to the various sections of the L and T site.
Curricular/subject links
Primary and secondary teachers should refer to the relevant sections in the Fife Education site and everyone should look at the national links collection to go direct to the GTC, National Priorities etc.
The sites referred to at the Auchterderran sessions included
Reference to online activities created by the National Museum Network
East Renfrewshire’s Curricular Links cross referenced to the Scottish Curriculum Teachers’ Resource Exchange a site hosting a considerable collection of files covering lesson plans, teaching activities posted by teachers. Registration is free and is used to establish a profile to direct relevant information to you on subsequent log ins.
A massive collection of educational websites have been put together by Chris Smith at Shambles.net to support school all across south east Asia yet the links are worldwide and are better than a general internet search as they have been recommended by teachers.
Teacher Express offers a similar British based collection. Primary teachers will find more in the Resources for Teachers part of the Fife Primary Website.
English, Drama , Art and Expressive Arts teachers should look at the information included in the attached Word file (ICT in Drama), which holds numerous links, recommended by teachers across the UK, in particular Malcolm Wilson of Falkirk Council. Comments as to the content are welcomed. Myths and Legends are covered online – find the origins of Humpty Dumpty.
Stories may be mapped out online – try Story Mapping.
Science and social subjects websites have their own distinct sections on the Fife Fife Education site.
Personal development/research links (more are included in CPD Online in Section 12 of FISH and in the National Links section of the Fife Education site)
If you are looking for other sources of information the following links are worth visiting.
The Open University e-learn site
Research in ICT and publications are found at:
i-papers from the National Priorities website
BECTa for free publications on a range of information and research
Innovation in ICT a Europe wide collection (in English)
Finally, if you wish to contact me do so by sending an e-mail to Jim.Birney@fife.gov.uk
