SGP132 is now ready for collection – a special on Programming

In his speech at BETT this year, Michael Gove promised to disapply the ICT programme of study to allow schools more control over what is taught. In particular he argued in favour of a move away from the ubiquitous use of MS Office software towards: “teaching exactly how computers work, studying the basics of programming and coding and encouraging pupils to have a go themselves.” Could now be the time for a revival of programming in the primary phase?

The magazine can be downloaded from here.  Log-in first then go to the SGP tab.

New lesson2go from ictopus: 131 History 7-8 – Pharaohs and Pyramids

In this lesson the classroom is set up as a tomb dig for groups of children to investigate. The groups use cameras and visualisers to record their discoveries and compile the photographs into a Photostory or movie. The work is best carried out in conjunction with a visit to a museum or gallery.

Please login here first, then access the activities via the lessons2go tab. To see this lesson select ‘Latest items’.

Bee-Bot iPad/iPhone app

The Bee-Bot app for the iPad/iPhone has just been released. It is FREE and can be downloaded from here.

Here’s what they say about it:

The app makes use of Bee-Bot’s keypad functionality with forwards, backwards, left and right 90 degree turns.
The app is designed to appeal to children from reception age upwards and there are various levels encouraging progression.

More iPad apps … Primary Literacy

The Creative Education Blog has come up with a good set of iPad apps to support work in Primary Literacy … worth a look if you are iPadded up.

Scale of the Universe

My Twitter friends have again found something that interested me … The Scale of the Universe 2 – a wonderful scaleable view of the Universe and lots of things in it  … seeing it will make it make sense  (I can’t vouch for the mass of other games that seem to be there)

SGP131 is now ready for collection

This week we have a special with a couple of great resources seen at this year’s BETT show which was held from 11-14th January at Olympia, London. Also, Geoff Turrell updates us on Educated Fish – his education website – and see page 6 for a note about an exciting new resource coming from ictopus later this term.

The magazine can be downloaded from here. Log-in first then go to the SGP tab.

Excitement

This morning trawling through my Twitter and FaceBook streams I came across two things that interested and excited me so I decided to store them here in case I misplaced them in the future or needed to direct others towards them.

Firstly was a course from iTunes U that was based on the concept of ‘Creative Problem Solving’ particularly in an educational context.

Secondly there was a blog post from Michael Rosen investigating the ownership of literacy … this was wonderful to read.

Symmetry Scoop.it

Scoop.it seems to be catching on in the PGCE world … Joel Davies has just curated a set of ideas on symmetry .

Primary Pad Autoque

This is what they say about it:

Ever wanted to make a movie and needed an autoQue? Well why not collaboratively write your script in PrimaryPad then export it straight to our autoQue tool?

We have released the autoQue tool under an open source license and we will be adding it to the suite of tools available through the safe search website.

Check it out now, visit this pad then click Export –> autoQue

New lesson2go from ictopus: 130 Maths Ages 5-6 – Mittens

Pupils use a computer program to sort mittens according to the shape patterns on the back of the mitten

Please login here first, then access the activities via the lessons2go tab. To see this lesson select ‘Latest items’.