Teacher Training and E-Learning

If you are interested in E-Learning and Staff Development please take a look at our event which is running on the 14th of May at Leicester University. The day is to provoke thought!

What are you doing in your teacher training courses about blogs for reflective diaries; a blend of on-line and face to face delivery; interactive whiteboards; podcasts of key ideas; social networking technology such as Facebook and MySpace … … ?

Teacher training courses prepare course members for teaching careers that may last forty years into the future. New teachers must be comfortable not only with the technology that will be available to them, but more fundamentally, the culture of change they will need so they can constantly update their skills, understanding and values.

The programme includes contributions from.

Life long Learning UK – responsible for the creation of the Standards the courses use
· East and West Midlands Centres of Excellence for Teacher Training
· learning providers from the West and East Midlands – sharing what they are doing
· advisors from the Regional Support Centre from the West and East Midlands

To book click on this link this day is not to be missed
http://info.rsc-wm.ac.uk/events/events_list.asp?action=month&month=5&year=2008

Interactive Whiteboards

Whislt visiting colleges I am being asked more and more for resources for Whitebaords. Colleges are now becoming more proactive with use of Whitebaords, and on the look out for resources. Recently I came across some useful webistes which have resources fWhiteboard Webs Discussion forums have a wealth of hints and tips to help you get the most out of your IWB. With nearly 150 users its a great place to start if you have interactive whiteboard questions you're looking for an answer to forums take a look at the following links this maybe useful for your lecturers.

Curriculum Online
How to use interactive whiteboards in the classroom, teaching tips, learning benefits and things... http://www.curriculumonline.gov.uk/Howto/howtouseinteractivewhiteboards.htm

The National Whotebaord network.

This website provides basic technical instruction on using the Interactive Whiteboard Software p...
http://www.nwnet.org.uk/pages/software_guidance/interactive_whiteboards.html

Teacher Resource Center
The Teacher Resource Exchange (TRE) is a moderated database of resources and activities created ...
http://www.furl.net/item/31220721/forward

The LSC and Becta Exemplar Network

The LSC and Becta have selected the ten learning providers to “leading the way in the effective use of technology for learning” and noted as having Exemplar Status. They will now work with other providers to help share and develop the use of technology across the sector. (A full list of these Exemplar Status Providers can be viewed online).

The programme will lead to the development of a national support network by encouraging providers with a track record of successfully embedding technology into their learning and teaching to create a forum to share best practice with other providers.

50 providers can apply to join the Technology Exemplar Network as' developing providers.” Those selected as part of this process will be able to benefit directly from these exemplars’ knowledge and experience to improve the way technology is used to support their own learner achievement”.Revenue grants of £7,500 and Capital grants of up to £50,000 are available to support providers participation in the Network. More information and documentation is available online.

Mobile Learning

Last week, I visited a Strathmore College in Stoke on Trent. Strathmore have been using mobile technology to help their students navigate on walks as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The aim of using technology is to integrate Literacy and Numeracy into the award schemes and prepare the student for their final expedition. Strathmore College were successful in gaining project money through the Innovation scheme. The money allowed them to purchase a two Weather Stations, 5 Digital Walkers and Memory Map Software. A lecturer from the College identified that the technology has helped to improve student motivation, as the students are able to take control of the walks by planning the route, identifying the type of terrain, and creating short videos of their walks for evidence.The College felt that the use of technology had improved student motivation; it had also fulfilled a need in the teaching observations to provide technology for the students.