Updated Calendar

Based on the feedback that we were given here is the updated training calendar. Although some sessions are 'repeats', there is flexibility in their content if those attending wish to explore other aspects of the software being discussed.

Tuesday	01/04/2014	Office (Excel)	Filters, Sorts etc
Thursday	03/04/2014	Office (Excel)	Basic Formulae
Tuesday	08/04/2014	Office (Ppt)	Timings and Animations
Thursday	10/04/2014	Office (Ppt)	Embedding Media
Tuesday	15/04/2014	Office (Word)	Formatting and Layouts
Thursday	17/04/2014	Office (Word)	Review (Tracking Changes)
Tuesday	06/05/2014	Office (Outlook)	Using the Calendar
Thursday	08/05/2014	Visualisers	Using the Aver software
Tuesday	13/05/2014	Google	Getting Started
Thursday	15/05/2014	Prezi	Getting Started
Tuesday	20/05/2014	Lino	Getting Started
Thursday	22/05/2014	Blogs	Getting Started
Tuesday	27/05/2014	Youtube	Effective (and safe) Use
Thursday	29/05/2014	Social Media	Effective (and safe) Use

Mobile Phones - Getting Started

Does this poster make any sense? Should a "Learning Area" make use of ALL available resources and tools?

Possible uses of mobile technology:

• Individual Research
• Evidence Gathering (video, photo)
• Resource Sharing
• Revision
• Many more with modern smart technology

With many students having their own encyclopaedia/HD film camera/portfolio in their pocket the key is in its effective use.

As with all teaching, starting correctly is paramount. Initially it is important to set out ground rules with which you are comfortable. For example, are they going to need to leave them on the tables when not in use? Are they all set on silent mode? Do they all need them? 

Once these questions (and a few more) are answered an initial activity should be set up. It may be worth creating a 'practice' activity that will allow you to test and enforce the ground rules without having major curriculum impact. Some possibilities are; setting a short quiz where answers are needed to be found online, asking students to photograph another individuals work and then send a message with peer feedback or possibly recording videos of what they think the ground rules should be.

Further examples will be given in future posts... 

Blogger, getting started.

So a Blogger post on how to use Blogger?

One of the best things about the internet is that most stuff already exists...

So click here to learn all about getting started on Blogger