Tairawhiti e-Learning in Education

2009-09-10T14:19:00.001+12:00

Film Competition

2007-08-10T08:53:00.000+12:00

Here's a great film competition for all you environment friendly people.

"The Outlook For Someday" is a sustainability challenge for young New Zealanders.

Make a short film, up to 5 minutes, about how you see the future unfolding. Look at your world through a lens of sustainability. Give your personal take on what matters to you, focussed on the future.

Check it out at http://www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/

Survey Monkey

2007-06-11T11:42:00.000+12:00

Survey Monkey is a great site for developing an online survey to use in your classroom or with staff.
SurveyMonkey has a single purpose: to enable anyone to create professional online surveys quickly and easily.

Riverdale staff click here to answer a 1 question survey.

Curriculum Integration

2007-05-25T09:36:00.000+12:00

Here is a great integration site for learning about Curriculum Integration from the Wellington based LEA (Learning Enhancement Associates). Click Here

It aims to provide teachers and schools with information about Curriculum Integration. The intention is to describe, explore, model, and support Curriculum Integration within New Zealand schools.

While at the LEA site check out their other e-Learning resources.

Also on this topic "John Faire" Principal of Mt. Eden Normal School has published a report on "e-Learning in Programmes of Inquiry: It’s not what you use, but how you use it... and knowing how it uses you!"
Click on the above link and download for your information and to share with staff.

SKRBL - Online Whiteboard

2007-03-30T12:19:00.000+12:00

Here is a great little tool for getting some collaborative brainstorming happening or posting information online, realtime using the SKRBL online white board.
The complete web whiteboard.
Just start skrbl, give out your URL and instantly share online.
Use skrbl to collaborate with others or, keep it your own private web space.
Write notes, sketch drawings, upload pictures, share files...
Everyone sees the same screen,
Everybody stays on the same page.

Check out at http://www.skrbl.com/

New Zealand History On Line

2007-03-04T17:00:00.000+13:00

Here's a choice reference site for finding out about our past.

The site features information and resources from within the History Group of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Wellington, New Zealand. Three broad categories showcase themes in New Zealand history: Culture and society, Politics and government and War and society. A Hands on history section includes links to guides, external websites and other material for those who are 'doing' and teaching history.

Umajin

2007-02-28T20:34:00.000+13:00

Last week I attended a workshop on the Umajin creative publishing software. It is a NZ made publishing software (Story books - pics - animation) that is storybook based and very easy to use.

I was impressed especially with its easy to use interface, (ideal for Junior classes as it is so easy to use.)

They have plans to add many more features with upcoming updates.

A very good bit of software for all levels.

You can download a 90 day free trial at www.umajin.com but cannot save with this free trial.

Cost for 1 licence is a low $29.95 with price reducing the more licences you aquire.

Download it and give it a go.

Putting An End To Topic Research

2007-02-15T15:39:00.000+13:00

Here's an interesting read from Jamie Mckenzie's latest newsletter.

When students conduct topical research, they do little more than scoop up information. Topical research requires little thinking and little imagination. It pays few dividends. It does almost nothing to prepare students for the kinds of thinking skills listed in state and provincial curriculum standards. (Jamie McKenzie)

I certainly agree that we need to making learning RELEVANT and focusing on thinking skills will help our students to lead their own learning.

Dr Jamie McKenzie in Gisborne

2007-02-12T11:54:00.000+13:00

Dr Jamie McKenzie is in Gisborne for the day on Friday 2nd March.

Don't miss a day with him as he is a great presenter on debugging the information glut. His focus is on using thinking skills, images and questioning techniques inter weaved with e-Learning.

I was at one of his workshops a couple of years ago and was very impressed with his emphasis on child lead learning using 21st century tools.

DON'T MISS this opportunity to see an international educationalist.

Contact the Education Resource Centre 06 8633 3741 to enrol.

Check out his Website "From Now On"

20 reasons why ICT is an excellent tool for teachers

2007-02-02T09:31:00.000+13:00

Kia ora koutou

Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday and all set for the New Year.

Here is an interesting list of why ICT is an excellent tool for teaching.

20 reasons why ICT is an excellent tool for learners and teachers

10 reasons why ICT is an excellent tool for all learners in the inclusive classroom:

ICT enables inclusion in classroom activities

ICT enables the pupil to be an active participant in the classroom, not just a passive observer

ICT offers opportunities for differing learning styles

ICT is a motivating medium which has 'street cred'

ICT enables pupils to stay on task by focusing their attention and alleviating some of the physical pressures

ICT enables pupils to develop independence

ICT affords privacy to work and develop at the learner's own pace

ICT provides a medium through which pupils can demonstrate their true ability and potential

ICT can facilitate social communication and interaction, including pupils in a wider community

ICT can support the production of well-presented, high-quality outcomes.

10 reasons why ICT is an excellent tool for all teachers in the inclusive classroom:

ICT provides a tool for differentiation by tailoring and adapting tasks to a pupil's abilities and skills

ICT provides a means for pupils to publish for a wider audience

ICT provides a readily available range of hardware and software to support all pupils

ICT facilitates continuity and progression.

ICT provides a different means of presenting materials which will engage, stimulate and motivate pupils

ICT enables teachers to produce materials of a high standard

ICT enables teachers to access adaptable, freely-available materials in electronic form from a wide variety of sources

ICT facilitates a collaborative mode of working, where teachers can share resources and materials using the World Wide Web and email

ICT provides a means of keeping records of individual progress

ICT encourages all pupils to work independently and creates opportunities for making the best use of human resources

From Becta.org.nz

Families and New Zealand Maths

2007-01-11T18:10:00.000+13:00

Check out the new jigsaw piece on the nzmaths home page - link. This piece contains information and activities related to the numeracy project, aimed at families and communities. This would be a url well worth sending home in a school newsletter. The section is brief and user-friendly outlining the changes to the way mathematics is taught and loads of activities to try at home to help develop your children's number knowledge.

Thanks to Rochelle Jensen (ICT Adviser - Tauranga) for this posting.

Te Reo Maori e-Learning Action Plan for schools 2006–2010

2006-12-15T19:53:00.000+13:00

The MOE has released an e-learning and information and communications technology (ICT) initiative for teachers and students in Maori medium schools. Te Whakakaha ake i te Hunga Whakaako mo te Rau Tau 2000 is an e-learning action plan for Kura Kaupapa Maori and Maori medium schools. It provides strategic support and direction in the implementation of e-learning and ICT across the school system, and reflects principles of the Maori Education Strategy and the Schooling Strategy goals.

This action plan provides goals and direction for e-Learning in schools for the next four years. It describes the intended outcomes for each goal and the actions that are required to achieve them, particularly focussing on the Schooling Strategy.

"Move it" - for computer crazy kids!

2006-12-11T00:32:00.000+13:00

Here is a small news item on a new video called "Move it" a computer program that teaches kids better habits in the hope that it will decrease their chances of getting work related injuries later in life.
The program is called "Move It" and it emphasises the importance of changing position regularly and getting the right support.

Check it out at http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/909259

e-Portfolios for Learning

2006-12-05T08:24:00.000+13:00

Thinking about introducing e-Portfolios in your class next year?
Wanting to expand your e-Portfolio use?

Check out Dr Helen Barrett's blog site for articles and ideas about e-Portfolios. http://electronicportfolios.org/blog/2006/06/new-eportfolio-articles.html

I especially like Becta's article on e-assessment and e-portfolios.
They say "Within a few years, e-assessment and e-portfolios will be integral
parts of modern learning and teaching.They are vital elements
for personalising learning,with benefits for both learner and
practitioner. E-assessment provides the flexibility for learners to
strengthen their understanding of key concepts, and to formally
demonstrate that understanding at a time that is right for them.
E-portfolios allow learner and practitioner to track progress, carry
evidence of their work across transition points (for example, from
school to college), reflect on their learning and build a skills profile
across a lifetime".

ONfinity Interactive Whiteboard

2006-11-22T11:57:00.000+13:00

Is your school thinking about Interactive Whiteboards in the future.

Here is a cool interactive solution that works on any ordinary whiteboard and many other surfaces. I have seen it in action and was very impressed with it. The price seems pretty resonable and the company does have a representative in New Zealand.

Have a look at http://www.ideal-resources.com.au/_onfinity_iwb.php?cat=CM2%20Portable%20Interactive%20Whiteboard%20System&PHPSESSID=dd5ff8af674a67f8430ad1ab874fbb92

Great Clock For Maths And Number Sequencing

2006-11-07T00:18:00.000+13:00

Here is an interesting tool for helping tell the time as well as number sequencing for Math.
It puts a new twist to watching time fly.
Check it out at http://home.tiscali.nl/annejan/swf/timeline.swf

Read - Write - Think

2006-11-01T10:25:00.000+13:00

Information on the http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/index.asp site to Read-Write-Think comes from Rochelle Jenson, ICT Adviser in Tauranga and looks full of great ideas. Rochelle's comments are:
The student materials section of this site contains a range of engaging interactive tools to support reading and writing in primary schools. Each of the 40+ tools is well supported with a summary of the intended learning objectives, directions on how to use the tool and sample lessons that integrate the tool.
No payment or passwords are required!
Ideal for use with a literacy group.
A brief site introduction to the whole class via a data- projector followed by an opportunity for groups to explore and demonstrate their understanding of a particular text via one of these interactives would prove an ideal start.

I have listed some of the interactives below:
Character Trading Cards – explore characters by creating character cards
Plot Diagram – use to map the events in a story
Fact Fragment Frenzy - an online model for finding facts in nonfiction text
Comic Creator – use to compose own comic strips for a variety of contexts

Check it out

New Shop In Town

2006-10-27T15:59:00.000+13:00

Kia ora koutou
There is a new ICT shop in Gisborne that could be worth a look.
"CONEL" is the name of the shop and they sell compatible ink cartridges, flash drives (memory sticks), MP3 players, rechargable batteries and lots of blank CD's/DVD's.
Costs are very resonable, much cheaper than other Gisborne shops. Quality seems ok.
They are going to increase their stock progressively.
Certainly worth checking out.
They are by the clocktower/number 1 shoe shop. The phone number is 0508 243 274.

Up until recently they have been doing all of their business on TradeMe and recently decided to open there shop. You can still purchase there goods at auction on TradeMe as well.

"STICKIES"

2006-10-24T17:39:00.000+13:00

There has been plenty of interest from teachers about the software programme “Stickies”. I did mention it earlier on in the year but it is certainly worth mentioning again.

"Stickies" is a freeware programme that sits on your desktop and allows you to stick Post It notes for remainders to yourself or you can also email them to others who have the Stickie programme.

I find it very useful and it sounds as if many of you feel the same.

Go to http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/stickies/ to download the latest version.

Ministry ICT Strategy Publication

2006-10-17T14:17:00.000+13:00

The publication 'Enabling the 21st Century Learning should be available in your school'. This is a handy document when looking at the contribution of e-learning to your school's strategic goal. This document outlines the different e-learning areas i.e. learning resources, infrastructure, leadership...and the projects, tools and resources available for your school.Download the pdf from this link :http://www.minedu.govt.nz/web/downloadable/dl10475_v1/itc-strategy.pdf

Gaming Software

2006-10-15T13:35:00.000+13:00

Just back from the Australian ACEC conference, my apologies for not posting. Must be full of Jet lag.

Spent a bit of time playing around with gaming software and further realising the value of using computer game making software in the classroom.
They are learning skills that I think are very important for the modern world. They are not content like science or chemistry, but they are learning how to think about complex worlds and situations. Problem solving is a huge ingredient. Check out "Video Games in Education"

Check out some free game building software at http://www.gamemaker.nl/
This is a program called GameMaker.

Also a very good bit of game making software is "Neverwinter Nights" where you create your own environment, much like SimCity, but heaps more fun. View at http://nwn.bioware.com/

Good hunting.

Comic Life

2006-10-01T11:53:00.000+13:00

For all you Mac users out there.
"Comic Life" is a very easy to use bit of software to enhance your literacy programme. At a relatively cheap price of about $30 your class can add images and written speech bubbles to make their very own comics.
It's simple and well worth the purchase price. Your local Apple Mac dealer will have a copy.
I have been informed that the latest Macs have the software already installed.
Ivan

Podcastibg

2006-09-28T14:40:00.000+12:00

Kia ora all from a not so hot Christchurh.
I attended a workshop on Podcasting yesterday and found it very useful.
Some benefits of Podcasting:

Digital Literacy
Key competencies: relating to others, thinking, participating and contributing.
Authentic audience
Oral, written, reading.
Communication skills
Critical thinking
Decision making
Metacognitive strategies.

Try www.podomatic.com for a hosting site for your podcasts.

Check out some podcasts at www.podcast.net and www.podcastdirectory.com/

ALICE - Interactive Animation/Gaming Software

2006-09-24T18:21:00.000+12:00

Alice – is a programming environment that allows students to create animations and simple games. Students control the behaviors of 3D objects and characters in a virtual world. This software is free, user-friendly and suitable for students from 8 +. Download from: http://www.alice.org/This software is great for retelling legends, stories and interactive animations.
Check it out!

WikiSpaces Free Offer for classrooms

2006-09-23T17:35:00.000+12:00

Wikispaces is offering their Plus Plan wikis to classoom teachers for free without ads. They have given away over 10,000 educational wikis and now they're taking the next step - They want to give away 100,000 free K-12 Plus wikis. That includes all the features and benefits that normally cost $50/year - for free. No fine print, no usage limits, no advertising, no catches. They have some tickers you can use to track their progress toward 100,000 and spread the word on your blogs and websites. They hope you'll consider helping and of course that you'll take advantage of their offer in your own schools. Information on the program is here: http://www.wikispaces.com/t/x/teachers100K

Try Something Different - Podcasts

2006-09-22T10:48:00.000+12:00

Want to give something different a try in your classroom.
What about Podcasting?
Is it relevant to learning in the classroom?

K12 Handheld's podcasting page. It's a great webpage full of clear instructions and web links that will lead you through the podcasting process, as well as providing advice about hardware, recording and editing software, and some podcasting sites.

Blogmeister!!!

2006-09-21T01:06:00.000+12:00

This FREE blogging tool is designed explicitly for teachers and students. The teacher can evaluate, comment on, and finally publish students' blog articles in a controlled environment.Check out this for a very cool junior classroom blog created using blogmiester:http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337
Kathy Cassidy is encouraging her year 1 & 2 children to use blogs to enhance her childrens writing. It looks if they love it!

To get started with a classroom blog visit classblogmiester http://classblogmeister.com/ and drop David an email asking for a login.
Ivan
Thanks for this idea by Rochelle Jensen (Rocky)

Te Rangitawaea Festival - Nati Awards

2006-09-18T13:17:00.000+12:00

What a fantastic event again this year!!
Congratulations to all of those Ngati Porou East Coast schools who participated, especially Tolaga Bay Area School and Tikitiki School who won the Senior and Junior supreme awards.
Many commented on how well our tamariki are using ICT tools to enhance their learning. They are definately digital natives who have embraced e-learning.
Ka mau te wehi koutou.

WEBoogle

2006-09-05T00:17:00.000+12:00

Here is a cool word game to get your students playing online.
It's an interactive game on the old wordbank building idea that was always on a worksheet type format.

Check it out!!! WEBoggle

e-eyes on Tairawhiti

2006-09-04T23:48:00.000+12:00

Kia ora koutou

Posts on this blog have not been that regular lately as term 3 is proving to be a very busy month.
Hopefully the following will keep you up to date with what has been happening in our rohe.

Te Rangitawaea Festival is happening on the East Coast again next Wednesday 13th September. Come and visit during the day at Ngata College to view Ngati Porou schools participating in the annual ICT expo. Powhiri is at 8.30am. During the morning schools will also enter an ICT team challenge that lasts for 3 hours followed by each team presenting their mistery ICT challenge. At 6.00pm it's all LIGHTS - ACTION as we move to Uepohatu Marae for the nights glamour event, the "Nati Awards". Come and see ICT in education with the COAST flavour.
After School Workshops are still running in Gisborne and Wairoa. If their is a particular topic that you would like included in the last workshop coming up in Gisborne and Wairoa please drop me a line. One suggestion for the Gisborne workshop is to learn some basic skills of PhotoShop, anyone keen?
Computers in Homes - Gisborne is about to start amongst our 17 primary schools in the Gisborne city area. Riverdale and Waikirikiri will be the first to roll out a cluster of 25 computers each to their school whanau. I have set up a blog to keep Computers in Homes information flowing. http://www.cihgisborne.blogspot.com/

Computers in Homes - Gisborne

2006-08-30T13:02:00.000+12:00

Great news that Computers in Homes - Gisborne has been given the funding to proceed with the 2 year project of rolling out 500 computers to whanau/family through the 17 Gisborne primary schools.

I have started a blog www.cihgisborne.blogspot.com that will keep participants up to date with the project. Please feel free to visit and make a comment.

Ivan

History of Wikipedia

2006-08-25T09:06:00.000+12:00

The article provides an excellent history of the development of Wikipedia, the phenomenally successful online encyclopedia where the number of visitors has been doubling every four months and the site receives as many as fourteen thousand hits per second. The article includes an historical overview of encylopedias in general, before focusing on Wikipedia and how it works etc.

Blogging is great. Just be smart about what you share!

2006-08-08T09:06:00.000+12:00

Safe Blogging Tips

Be as anonymous as possible. Avoid postings that could enable a stranger to locate you. That includes your last name, the name of your school, sports teams, the town you live in, and where you hang out.

Protect your info. Check to see if your service has a "friends" list that allows you to control who can visit your profile or blog. If so, allow only people you know and trust. If you don't use privacy features, anyone can see your info, including people with bad intentions.

Avoid in-person meetings. Don't get together with someone you "meet" in a profile or blog unless you are certain of their actual identity. Although it's still not risk-free, if you do meet the person, arrange the meeting in a public place and bring some friends along.

Photos: Think before posting. What's uploaded to the Net can be downloaded by anyone and passed around or posted online pretty much forever. Avoid posting photos that allow people to identify you (for example, when they're searching for your high school), especially sexually suggestive images. Before uploading a photo, think about how you'd feel if it were seen by a parent/grandparent, college admissions counselor, or future employer.

Check comments regularly. If you allow them on your profile or blog, check them often. Don't respond to mean or embarrassing comments. Delete them and, if possible, block offensive people from commenting further.

Be honest about your age. Membership rules are there to protect people. If you are too young to sign up, do not attempt to lie about your age. Talk with your parents about alternative sites that may be appropriate for you.© 2006 BlogSafety.com

Copied with permission from Rochelle Jenson (ICT Adviser Tauranga)
http://rocky11.blogspot.com/

Science and Maths Software

2006-08-07T22:23:00.000+12:00

This website contains a collection of free software for mathematics and science. Software has a brief review and screenshot to explain the purpose and use of each program.

free software

Nothing But Net: Creating Slam Dunk Lesson Plans

2006-08-06T20:24:00.000+12:00

Being a Basketball junkie I just love the push by Jamie McKenzie for his use of Slam Dunk Lessons to incorporate ICT within your classroom practice.

The secret to effective use of digital resources is good lesson design. Teachers often find these resources overwhelming or unreliable until they have seen the power of Slam Dunk Digital Lessons (SDLs) to structure learning activities in ways that make them efficient, reliable and worthwhile.
What is a Slam Dunk Lesson?
How can I use them?
Check Jamie's website "FNO - For Now On" out to learn more about Slam Dunk Lessons.

Blogging - Has it any educational value?

2006-08-01T14:32:00.000+12:00

The Pew Internet and American life project has released a survey on blogs. It is an interesting survey because, despite a small sample size, it is the second in a series of surveys looking at the same questions, and thus provides some sense of the growth and development of blogging as an online activity.
The section relating to the audience and motivation for blogging is an interesting read.
Check it out - HERE

Comparing Fractions

2006-07-30T20:10:00.000+12:00

Here is a website with two quick and easy games for identifying fractions.
Check it out HERE!

Memory Game

2006-07-24T01:09:00.000+12:00

Need a concentration game to test your short term memory or to see if your sight is in sink with your mimd?
Check out ZYRX

Gaming in Education

2006-07-17T21:00:00.000+12:00

Is sitting in front of a computer playing a video game all day bad for our children?
Do we really know what gaming is all about?
Digital natives love gaming, can we use it in the classroom?
Check out these sites for teaching and learning theories and information about the impact of gaming in education.
21stcentury learning.
Marc Prensky
Video Gaming, Education and Digital Learning Technologies

Podcasts

2006-07-13T19:30:00.000+12:00

The Telecom "in touch" newsletter that arrives with your Telecom bill had some interesting sites to visit to see how podcasts are evolving.
Check out:
Rugby Roundtable
The Nick & Jane show
The Voice Booth
Podcast.net

New Schools for a New Century

2006-07-10T20:29:00.000+12:00

EDUTOPIA - The George Lucas Educational Foundation has lots of interesting e-Learning parts to it. Check out the site and in particular have a read of the article by Bob Pearlman "New Schools for a New Century", I like the look of his teaching theory as it fits in well with teaching of thinking skills, integrated curriculum with some e-Portfolios thrown in for good measure.

ArtisanCam

2006-07-03T08:41:00.000+12:00

Here is a great site for adding a bit of zing to your Art lessons.
You can watch artists at work through video and get lots of tips and tricks for art lessons. There is also a kids space for arts and crafts ideas.
ARTISANCam

Gliffy - web based drawing

2006-07-02T16:07:00.000+12:00

Here is a cool online programme that allows you to draw flowcharts, floorplans, wiring diagrams and drawings.
Sign up for free and have a play.
Check it out - Gliffy

Uses and Potentials of Wikis in the Classroom

2006-06-27T20:41:00.000+12:00

This is a very good professional reading about the use of Wiki's in the classroom. As I have been introducing Blogs and Wikis to classroom recently this article reaffirms how our Digital Natives are learning in this current e-Learning paradigm.
Check it out HERE. You will need to register - it is free.

Improving Instruction Through the Use of Weblogs

2006-06-22T20:26:00.000+12:00

This site has lots of examples on how educators are using blogs for teaching and learning.
Check it out - click "Here"

Whyville

2006-06-19T08:45:00.000+12:00

Whyville is an on-line community for primary age kids and is dedicated to learning through exploration and communication. The site is very friendly with plenty of safety tips and allows children to communicate with other members. It is loaded with places inside where kids can participate in high quality, learner-centred learning experiences from across the curriculum. If you haven't got time to create your own login and look around check out the teacher's page which is pretty informative.

Listen to the Natives

2006-06-15T22:38:00.000+12:00

Here's a very good reading from Marc Prensky continuing on from his Digital Natives - Digital Immigrant theme.
Check it out at "Listen to the Natives"

Geosense

2006-06-12T09:28:00.000+12:00

Some more on Geography.
Check out "Goesense" for an easy online quiz for all age levels.

Google Map

2006-06-06T20:38:00.000+12:00

Maths mapping - geography - presentations?
Check out Google Map it's a choice site for zooming in to anywhere in the world.

Stickies

2006-06-01T19:05:00.000+12:00

Need some time management help?
Check out stickies at http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/stickies/download.html
They sit on your desktop and are very easy to use. With one double click you can post a note for a great reminder.

Photo Story 3

2006-05-26T12:12:00.000+12:00

I have been pushing Microsoft Photo Story 3 this year as a cool bit of software that is easy to use for all ages. The site below takes you through step by step on how to use it with some great ideas.
Check it out at "Photo-Movie".

Kupu o te ra!

2006-05-25T14:38:00.000+12:00

This is a cool site for those who wish to improve their Te Reo Màori.
Get a new word emailed to you everyday.
http://www.cultureflow.co.nz/mainsite/Newsletter.html

Fact Monster

2006-05-21T19:33:00.000+12:00

Cool site for the classroom.
Check it out at "Fact Monster"

GATE & Taskboard Files

2006-05-18T16:32:00.000+12:00

Click on the "Click for ICT templates" on the right of this page to download the GATE day 2 Evaluation and the After School Workshop "Reading Taskboard" ideas files.

e-Learning After School Workshop 1

2006-05-17T14:53:00.000+12:00

Could those who attended today's after school workshop please leave a comment on:

1. How was the workshop relevant for your own e-Learning integration?
2. What is your next step with using Freeware/Shareware in your classroom?

Thanks
Ivan

Twitch Speed - Marc Prensky

2006-05-17T13:28:00.000+12:00

An excellent professional reading. Amongst other readings Marc is the author of "Digital Game Based Learning". Check this very interesting reading out at http://www.games2train.com/site/html/article.html

Unfortunately, the Gen-X discussion has focused mainly on the youths' supposedly short attention spans and attention-deficit disorders, ignoring or underemphasizing what is perhaps the most crucial factor--that this under-30 generation thinks, and sees the world, in ways entirely different from their parents. (Taken from reading)

The QUlity Information ChecKlist (QUICK)

2006-05-12T20:14:00.000+12:00

This is a cool site to assist students, (and teacher's) to purposefully work through questions and issue regarding a web sites credibility and validity.
It has a teacher's section to guide you through its use.
A subject well worth spending time on as part of the classroom e-Learning.

Matariki Video Conference from Te Papa

2006-05-11T14:22:00.000+12:00

Two video conferences about Matariki are being broadcast on 25th May. The first session at 10.00am is in English and the second is in te reo Maori at 11.30am.
Get to a school with video conference and interact.

Interesting Sites

2006-05-11T10:23:00.000+12:00

Here's a few interesting sites to send the kids too.

How the world was populated.
This site shows the world map in timeline form and goes back 150,000 years to the first humans and traces their trek through the world.

Damn Interesting . Com
All sorts of weird and wonderful short articles.

Eagle Eye Cam
I don't know how popular Hornby Island, off the coast of Vancouver, was before this web cam arrived, but there's no doubt it's squarely on the map now. The extraordinary, live footage of a Bald Eagle's nest is getting over two million hits a day. The eggs are due to hatch at the end of the month.

100 Photos that Changed the World
For all you history buffs. Some great photos here that capture history. Perfect for visual language lessons.

e-Learning Teacher Fellowships for 2007

2006-05-10T09:46:00.000+12:00

Applications for the 2007 e-Learning Fellowships will soon be available.
An e-Learning fellowship is a one year research grant open to practicing teachers who have an e-Learning research idea. The programme has been going since 2004 and is aimed at research that will demonstrate an innovative and creative approach to improving students' learning through ICT.

You don't have to be an ICT expert, you just need to have a damn good idea about how e-Learning can benefit kids learning.

Check it out at the e-Fellowship MOE website.

Light up your Brain!!

2006-05-07T20:14:00.000+12:00

Stumbled upon this site with lots of online stories for primary classrooms. Check it out at http://lightupyourbrain.com/

Teaching Questioning Skills

2006-05-05T13:54:00.000+12:00

I have mentioned Jamie McKenzie before about his focus on questioning skills, especially in relation to thinking and ultimately using ICT to enhance those thinking skills.
The link below is Jamie's latest piece on creative questioning skills.
Drop by and have a squizz at "The Question Mark".

E Learning After School Workshops

2006-05-01T23:31:00.000+12:00

"E Learning in the Classroom" workshops are being offered for teachers who would like to participate in some after school professional development. The workshops will be targeted to teachers who are new to ICT curriculum integration as well as those who are confident users looking for new ideas.
Teachers may wish to attend only one workshop or a number of them. Each workshop will run from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at the Gisborne Education Centre.

Email confirmation is required as workshops will be limited in numbers.
(No charge for workshops)

Wednesday 17th May - Curriculum Freeware/Shareware and Online Gems
Need some ideas on integrating ICT into your class? Let your imagination go wild as we look at sites, freeware (Photostory 3 is an amazingly easy bit of software), taskboards and other tips and tricks. Something for everyone across the primary levels.

Wednesday 7th June - Electronic Portfolios (E-Portfolios)
This session will give teachers a hands on opportunity to create student E Portfolio’s using MS FrontPage. How E Portfolio’s can be used to enhance the learning experience will be discussed along the way. Examples of Digital Portfolio’s will also be shown using MS FrontPage as the platform.

Wednesday 28th June - File Management/Maintenance and Microsoft Windows
Teach your students ho to manage their folders and files as well as WindowsXP tips and tricks.

Wednesday 2nd August - MS PowerPoint Presentations
How can we use MS Powerpoint in the classroom? Learn some skills to make PowerPoint work for you! We will also look at some examples of how teachers are using PowerPoint in classrooms.

Wednesday 30th August - Digital Animation using MS PowerPoint & Paint
Using MS PowerPoint we can learn how simple it is to put together digitally created animated stories. We will use MS Paint and ArtRage to create characters and backgrounds. No prior experience at using Paint or PowerPoint is required and this activity can be used across all levels. So bring your creative minds and let the show begin.

Wednesday 20th September - To Be Advised

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

ICT PD clusters

2006-04-25T13:47:00.000+12:00

Hi everyone. It has been a good week or so since my last posting. I have been busy putting together a bid for Computers in Homes Gisborne. Through the Gisborne District Council and city schools we are hopeful of a city wide Computers in Homes project that will see 1000 computers in 1000 homes. The bid is through the Governments "Digital Strategy" funding. Fingers crossed that we will be successful with the 1000 computers or a scaled down project of 500.

ICT PD clusters are being called for again. The proposal needs to be submitted by July for 2007 clusters. If your school is interested please check out ICT PD Clusters
While most of our schools were involved in the KAWM project this is an opportunity to further your schools ICT development with the focus on teacher professional development. This site attempts to answer many questions about the clusters that you may have. If you want any assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Podcast Test

2006-04-11T12:15:00.000+12:00

I'm currently at a hui in Auckland with other ICT Advisers from around the country and we are sharing all sorts of neat stuff.
Will post all sorts of new stuff over the next few days.
Just checking out podcasts.
Dr who dalek sound - click here

ICT Research in Education

2006-04-10T15:28:00.001+12:00

There are some very good reports on many aspects of ICT use in Education.
You may be revisiting your ICT strategic plan or you may want to view some good practices.
Check it out at http://educationcounts.edcentre.govt.nz/research/ict.html

Ivan

4teachers.org

2006-04-06T07:33:00.000+12:00

4Teachers.org works to help you integrate technology into your classroom by offering FREE online tools and resources. This site helps teachers locate and create ready-to-use Web lessons, quizzes, rubrics and classroom calendars. There are also tools for student use.
Check it out! 4teachers.org.

Maori Language

2006-04-04T00:29:00.000+12:00

Kia ora koutou
Here is a site I haven't come across.
maorilanguage.net.
You can watch the movie lessons to get a grasp of the basics, use the dictionaries, take on some phrase drills and much more.

Social Software Links

2006-03-27T07:21:00.000+12:00

The links for the various social software that I spoke about at TUANZ and Derek Wenmoth reinforced are:

Webnotes - http://www.aypwip.org/webnote/
Wikis - http://www.wikispaces.com/
Blog - http://www.blogger.com
Education Weblog Community - http://educational.blogs.com/
Derek Wenmoth's blog - http://blog.core-ed.net/derek/

If I have left anything out please leave a comment or email me irl@xtra.co.nz.

Ivan

TUANZ Hastings

2006-03-25T10:31:00.000+12:00

Thursday was a busy day in Hastings at the TUANZ conference. Thanks to those who attended the 2 workshops I ran. Listening to both Derek Wenmouth and Adrian Boyce was certainly beneficial to me as I further develop my social software skills.

For those who asked about how to insert the circle pointer I was using, the instructions are:
Start - Control Panel - Mouse - Pointer Options - then click on "Show location of pointer when I click on Ctrl key".

I will post the website links that we discussed in the next couple of days.

Ivan

Wikipedia

2006-03-20T08:48:00.000+12:00

The start of a new week and it has been a few days since my last posting.
Lets look at Wikipedia today. It's an interesting concept that acts as a wiki where anyone is welcome to make a contribution to this ever expanding online encyclopedia. My first reaction was that many of the entries are just made up and not valid. However the research into Wikipedia says that well over 99% of entries are factual. Could be used with your class during research, literacy and a unit on sifting through the internet to determine what is valid and what is not.
Check it out. Wikipedia

ICT Professional Development

2006-03-13T20:23:00.000+13:00

Thursday 23rd March is the date for the annual TUANZ conference. This year the closest conference is at Hastings. I am presenting a workshop on ICT in Literacy. If you are keen on attending I will be traveling down on the Wednesday and returning after the conference on Thursday. I have room to take 3. Check the days events at TUANZ

The Australian Computers in Education Conference 2006 (ACEC 2006) is the biennial conference of the Australian Council for Computers in Education (ACCE).
This year it is being held in Cairns from 2nd - 4th October. This is a fantastic professional development opportunity along the lines of NAVCON. Check out the website at http://www.acec2006.info/item.asp?pid=7423

Starting in week 2 of term 2 I plan on running a 90 minute workshop after school every 3 weeks. the content will vary from windows tips and file maintenance to video editing. You are welcome to attend any of these workshops at no cost. Dates and programme details will be sent to schools before the end of this term. If you have a particular need that we could address during these after school workshops please drop me a line.

The video workshop day is on Friday 7th April at School Support Services, Gisborne. Please check out the choices booklet for details.

Ivan

E-Portfolio Templates

2006-03-10T14:18:00.000+13:00

I have finally completed a basic Microsoft FrontPage template construction tutorial for an E-Portfolio.
I have posted it "on line" under the link to the right "Click for ICT Templates".
Follow the link and download to your computer. I have also included the tutorial for construction using Microsoft PowerPoint.
Have a good weekend.
Ivan

Environment Online

2006-03-08T21:16:00.000+13:00

Have you been wondering how to use ICT in your teaching and find interactive ways in learning? Are you interested in environmental issues and global education? Would you like to improve your teaching, and network with colleagues from all over the world? This is your chance.
ENO-Environment Online© is a global virtual school for sustainable development and internationality.
Enrol your class for free to participate in the 2006−2007 interactive themes offered by the Environment Online (ENO) programme.
Click on the above picture to be redirected to th ENO website.

Computor Companion

2006-03-06T09:07:00.000+13:00

We have all needed a good, simple, easy to follow tutorial at times. Computor Companion has a very easy to follow website with short, "How To" tutorials on all sorts of software and windows uses. From inserting an Excel chart into word, through to uploading a website using Internet Explorer FTP. (File Transfer Protocol)
It's certainly worth a look. "COMPUTOR COMPANION"
Yes, they do spell computer with an o.
Have a great week.
Ivan

Need Some Inspiration?

2006-03-03T19:08:00.000+13:00

From E-Pals to Maths Logo, Quiz Makers to Artisits - check it out!
Lots of links, ideas and freeware can be found on this site.
Click on the picture above.
Ivan

Images - Quality Visual Language Programmes

2006-03-01T20:06:00.000+13:00

Jamie McKenzie is no stranger to New Zealand. He is a regular presenter at conferences and has some great ideas about quality learning practices.
Check out his "Wondering with and about Images" article and exercises on Jamie's "From Now OnThe Educational Technology Journal".
If you have time to have a good look around his site you will find lots of great ICT in education ideas and strategies.

ICT Templates/Files

2006-02-27T11:38:00.000+13:00

Just a quick reminder about templates and files that I have loaded on the internet for schools use. Follow the "Download ICT Files" link on the right side of this page.
There are policy templates on internet safety as well as interesting files for ICT integration use.
Check out the ICT levels overview file.
Ivan

Studyit - for NCEA Students

2006-02-24T13:13:00.000+13:00

Studyit is a website for secondary students to help them achieve in NCEA maths, science, and English. They can find what they need to know, contact subject teachers, and get encouragement from other students.
Check it out at Studyit.

Photo Story 3

2006-02-22T05:23:00.000+13:00

Photo Story 3 is a fantastic bit of free software from Microsoft.
It's easy to use for all ages and is so useful for integration into your language programme.
Add stunning special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Then, personalize them with titles and captions.
You can download for free at Microsoft and install on your laptop or fat client/stand alone computer that has sound capabilities.
You will need windows media player 10 for it to work. Download media player 10.
Try it, it's the easiest bit of multimedia freeware that I have seen for a long time.

PriceSpy

2006-02-19T09:13:00.000+13:00

Are you about to purchase your computer/electronic gizmo's for the year?
Check out PriceSpy.com to find the best price.
It's an awesome site that lists computer equipment at the cheapest prices. All you need to know is the type of equipment you want and PriceSpy tells you who is selling it the cheapest. This site is upgraded nearly every day and can save you money. It shows links to the company selling the equipment.
Have a look at it!

Exemplars

2006-02-14T08:25:00.000+13:00

What is an exemplar? An exemplar is an authentic piece of student work, annotated to illustrate learning, achievement, and quality in relation to the levels in the national curriculum statement.

The assessment pages of the TKI site are definately worth another look.
The exemplar section has expanded and has included exemplars for most levels in all curriculum areas.

YES! Maori medium exemplars have arrived - Yeah!
Print versions of the Māori medium exemplars for te reo, pāngarau, pūtaiao, and hangarau have been distributed to schools. The online versions of exemplars for te reo and pāngarau will be available soon.

TUANZ Conference 2006

2006-02-12T19:12:00.000+13:00

This years round of TUANZ education conferences are again being held in March.
No Tolaga Bay this year so the closest to our area is Hastings on Thursday 23rd March.
I will be attending and would encourage others to spend the day keeping up with what's happening with ICT in Education.
see http://tuanz.org.nz for registration.
If you are able to attend I could broker transport and accommodation to reduce costs.

Please email me if you are interested in attending and sharing costs with others from Te Tairawhiti.

Ivan

21st Century Skills?

2006-02-10T21:43:00.000+13:00

What are they?
What do they mean for today's Teachers?
The 21st Century Skills website titled "Route 21"offers an interactive site for seeing how well you understand our 21st century students.
It's also a neat site for refining/developing your idea of the skills required to teach those students.
The site defines 21st century skills as: "the full integration of core subjects with learning skills, learning tools and 21st century content as taught in 21st century contexts".
Check it out as it's worth a good look. "21st Century Skills"

ICT Education Conference

2006-02-06T12:03:00.000+13:00

Australian Computers in Education are holding an ICT education conference in Cairns from 2nd - 4th October.
This is shaping up as a big conference with lots of workshops and new initiatives.
It's a great professional development opportunity for Principals and ICT lead teachers. There is no NavCon conference this year so I am targeting this workshop for my professional development.
Check it out at http://www.acec2006.info/acec2006default.asp?orgid=1&suborgid=3

Science - Biology

2006-01-31T12:28:00.000+13:00

"Biology in Motion" is a cool interactive website that can be used for science lessons and/or reading activities. Will probably suit year 5 upwards. Take a look at http://biologyinmotion.com/ to see if it fits your science programme.
Ivan

Software for Learning

2006-01-30T16:47:00.000+13:00

Thinking about purchasing some educational software for this year?
Check out the Ministries site "Software for Learning" it gives you an idea of the different types available. Use the search function to search by curriculum areas.
Ivan

Information Literacy

2006-01-27T09:23:00.000+13:00

Information Literacy is the ability to locate, evaluate, manipulate, manage, and communicate information from different sources.
Digital Horizons, p5, 2002
A good start with helping your students become information literate is having a school wide "Inquiry Learning" model. The joy of a school wide model is that the kids are using the same language during their inquiries throughout the different class levels. There are many varieties of models from Gwen Gawith's Action Learning to De Bono's Six Hats, just to mention a couple. It may be that your school decides to come up with your own model.
If you are not currently using an Inquiry Model then it's important that time is spent teaching your students how to be self directed learners.
The following website has a good model with learning outcomes for teaching the different steps.
Noodle Tools - Information Literacy
Also the home page of this site is worth looking at.
http://www.noodletools.com/
as well as "Action Research Resources"

Have a good day - Ivan

ICT Professional Development

2006-01-24T15:43:00.000+13:00

School is once again about to get under way. If your school/kura requires assistance with ICT development and/or teacher professional development please contact me as soon as possible, my available dates for term 1 are filling fast.

Site of the day is: http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/page114.html
This site covers Learning Quests that incorporate problem solving, information literacy, and use of information and communications technology within a collaborative, classroom pedagogy.
Ivan

Future ICT Predictions

2006-01-23T21:45:00.000+13:00

Wow! Where are we going with this thing called the microchip?
The following sites make for some interesting reading on how ICT will have an impact on our lives.
http://blog.core-ed.net/derek/archives/001019.html
http://www.battelle.org/forecasts/hightech.stm

Ivan

ICT Integration By Levels

2006-01-20T11:48:00.000+13:00

I'm consistantly being asked for level tick sheets that show student achievment at each level. My answer is simple, we don't need to make sure they know how to insert boarders or complete an excel chart when it's not meaningful. We need to teach ICT skills in relevant contexts. Why teach "how to insert a boarder" when they may never use it? In other words teach skills relevant to what you want them to achieve within your lesson/unit objectives. Heck! don't we have enough tick sheets?
I do have a very good document though that gives an overview of the types of ICT experiences that students should be participating in at different levels. You can use this as a guide and incorporate the different items into your curriculum studies. Follow the link on the right side bar "Download ICT Files" to download this document.
Ivan

Blogs - Is their a problem for our teens?

2006-01-18T21:40:00.000+13:00

Follow this link to view a good article on the moral panics surrounding teens and blogs along with the other social networking tools.
Many schools are banning any type of online communities that are not heavily monitored.
This type of reaction is worth looking at, and in particular we need to counter balance the discussion if we are to enable institutions to support and embrace (1) students having their own learning management tools under their control, (2) student-contributed technologies in institutions, and (3) students being encouraged to form their own informal learning networks.
My teenage daughters have taken to them along with all their friends without any input from me. Check her site out http://www.piczo.com/kokonati1?g=5978687&cr=2 I'm constantly telling her to tone it down.
What do you think?

Sorry about the change of blog name to "Waimawharf" as the old ymawharf was confusing some people.

Good Teaching Site

2006-01-17T08:02:00.000+13:00

A top site for today is http://www.teacherplanet.com where there are lesson ideas and resources. TeacherPlanet features over 200 theme based resource pages. It's not kiwi, but many of the resorces are still relevant with links to other education sites. Sign up for the weekly newsletter that has some great features.
Ivan

Pandora.Com

2006-01-16T09:27:00.000+13:00

Check out this website http://www.pandora.com/ it is great for developing your own personal on-line radio stations. Listen to your own type of sounds and rate the songs and artist's to play more favorites each time you listen. Can be accessed by any internet ready computer.
Could fit in well with parts of the Arts curriculum. (Music strands - Developing practical knowledge in music, Developing ideas in music & Understanding music in context.)
Ivan

Email Lists

2006-01-12T10:09:00.000+13:00

If you are interested in joining my ict in education email list please drop me an email with your address. I want to use this list a lot more this year to send out "what's happening" and "what's new" in ICT.
Also if you have any collegues who would benefit, please encourage them to visit this blog and drop me their email.
Site of the day http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=tl
Ivan

WebNotes

2006-01-11T15:45:00.000+13:00

WebNotes are an online tool that allows groups to add notes, pictures on any selected topic. Follow the link and add a suggestion on how your students could use webnotes to enhance literacy and/or unit studies.
Check it out!
http://www.aypwip.org/webnote/ymawharf
Ivan

After School Cyber Time

2006-01-10T14:23:00.001+13:00

Kia ora koutou. Thinking about school next Year?
I plan on running an after school cyber time once a month starting in March. It would involve a 90 minute get together looking at various education software as well as new ICT in education ideas.
Each session would be something different and you could pick and choose which one you wanted to attend. The sessions will be held in the inservice room at School Support in Gisborne at no cost.
Please drop me an email with ideas/software that you would like included. irl@xtra.co.nz

Sudoku - Number Game

2006-01-02T15:42:00.000+13:00

Check this out http://www.websudoku.com/ an on line maths game as it's the new time wasting craze amongst the corporate world. Could be choice for your Maths corner.
Ivan

Happy New Year

2006-01-02T15:26:00.000+13:00

The crazy week is coming to an end with cars and tourists a plenty around Te Tairawhiti.
Since ipods and cellphones were up there in the christams present list it is a good time to check out an Australian media release on the future uses of MP3's, cellphones etc. There is also a link at this page to the full report commissioned by the ACT Dept of Education. It is a long report so just have a look at the executive summary if you are short on time.
http://www.educationau.edu.au/media/0509_emerging_tech.html
Ivan

Merry Christmas

2005-12-22T11:44:00.000+13:00

For those who are still thinking about school and ICT and have come to take a peek - Kia ora and a very Merry Christmas.

Jamie McKenzie has an excellent site on ICT in Education http://www.fno.org/ and is a regular visitor to New Zealand. I love his emphasis on questioning techniques. Also check out his SLAM DUNK lessons. They are an awesome way to get information literacy and inquiry learning happening in your classroom.
Have a great holiday and be safe and healthy.
Ivan