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You are in: Teaching & Learning » ICT » News, Events & Meetings » Newsletter - Summer Term 2007 |
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Secondary Strategy NewsletterWelcome back to another busy term, preparing for the SATs test window, completing and marking KS4 & 5 coursework, and running revision sessions. Since the Test announcement in January many of the schools we have been in contact with have decided to continue with test preparations and intend on running it in some form. Please let us know how you all get on. We look forward to seeing many of you at the next Subject Leaders Day 4th July which will include a number of hands-on sessions. Should you wish to discuss any matters please feel free to contact us. Keep in touch over the next term. Regards KS3 ICT Onscreen TestsA number of Hertfordshire schools are planning to take part in the 2007 pilot which will be the last full onscreen test. Results will be in school during July and will include the pupils NC level and a summative report. From September 2007 the tests will become short tasks used for formative assessment. These short tasks can be used at any time during the Key Stage to assess an aspect of ICT. NAA are developing a progression grid which will cover the KS3 Programme of Study. The progression grid will be very useful in helping teachers to track pupils’ progress. Results from the tasks will automatically be added to the progression grid which will contain a list of evidence for each level. Schools will be able to develop their own tasks and add the results manually to the progression grid but these tasks will not be assessed through the test software. Clearly a great deal of development will be taking place during the summer term to make sure the tasks and software are ready for schools to use next term. We will keep you informed of progress. For more information go to: Hertfordshire ICT Conference
Russell acknowledged that we are not closing the digital divide between students interaction with ICT during their home use (multi-user gaming, iTunes, blogs & MS Messenger) and that at school which continue to be blocked. Crying out for the importance of eSafety to be raised and addressed in schools in order for this shift to happen successfully. Main emphasis was on utilising existing handheld technology – mobile phones, MP3s, PDAs etc and gave examples from Wolverhampton. Research conducted Dr Claire Wood and Beverley Plester from Coventry University, proved there is no correlation with texting and text language and poor literacy skills. In actual fact it is quite the contrary. New developments, BBC Bitesize revision content can now be downloaded to mobile phones. Playstation/Nintendo/Milo (with a built in keyboard) handhelds used for educational purposes. Curriculum ReformsYou may have already been informed about the proposed changes to the KS3 curriculum due to come into effect in September 2008 and the consultation period that QCA have put in place to gauge teacher responses.
We feel that it is important for as many of us to be involved as possible in order to shape the curriculum to what we believe it should be. This period of consultation did not happen in 1987/8 during the introduction of the National Curriculum and QCA want to make sure that the changes made are in partnership with schools and teachers. We have attached two documents that compare wordings of proposed changes to the level descriptions and to the programme of study as you may find them useful. ICT Mark – Congratulations!
They are the first ESC in Hertfordshire to achieve this quality mark and only the second in the country. If your school is currently using the BECTA Self Review Framework and you would like any advice or support please contact Ann. National RoboCup Junior Competition Finalists Kate Sim from Monks Walk will be running a session at the engaging in open learning conference. Engaging in Open Learning Conference 28 June 2007The Engaging in Open Learning conference will focus on ways of using control ICT across the curriculum to engage learning and develop higher order thinking skills. The day will include thought-provoking presentations by practitioners both nationally and from Hertfordshire schools. There will also be exhibitions and demonstrations of the latest control ICT resources. ICT Head Teachers ConferencesYour head teacher has or will be attending an ICT conference either this week or next at which several issues will have been raised including e-Development, E-Safety, Learning Platforms and VLEs. Perhaps you could enquire about how your school is addressing these areas, and we will update you on this at our next Subject Leaders Day in July. Summer Term Subject Leaders DayThis is a FREE information day on 4th July 2007 9.00am - 3.30pm Email Val to get booked on: Secondary ICT Courses |
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The annual Herts ICT Conference last term was as usual an event not to be missed and greatly attended. Russell Prue’s Keynote was thought provoking and inspiring bringing a real energy back into ICT. 
We would like to send our congratulations to The Park ESC for achieving the ICT Mark. 
