Module end??

Well half term is upon us and our ICT module is coming to a close. Have I learnt anything? Yes I've learned that there is more to school ICT than Microsoft Office and power point, there are some fab programs out there and variety is the spice of life!! I hope I have become more patient when trying new programs, Rome wasn't built in a day and if I persevere good things sometimes happen. The pupils in my school are on the whole so relaxed in their approach to ICT and things that make me shake with fear they embrace. My children for example have to make a brochure promoting Swansea(year3) and a brochure promoting Wales ( year 6) using any media but saved to a usb device for homework they are actually excited about homework!!!!. My 11 year old daughter has just created a most impressive multi media slide in school promoting Swansea which contains videos, hyper-links, introduction pop up video, pictures and really impressive effects and transitions. Ict seems to excite children and I feel on the whole my school does an excellent job my only real critism would be that micro sort office is dominant and if i've learned one thing this module it is the benefits of using other programs . In my opinion variety builds knowledge and confidence . So the module may have finished but I for one have developed a love of all things multi media and will continue to push my limits and keep abreast of ICT developments.

Arrrrrgh

It's a funny thing ICT, recently been forced to vacate our class to a room with no ICT at all!! When you have it it's a love hate relationship, but boy when it's gone you realise how much a part of a modern day classroom it is. Having said that the last few days i've been building my assignment, taking lessons and arranging resources and exotic guests to lead to my photo story. started the photostory today which took ages organising year 3 pupils to find and add pictures music and narration is hard enough, but when you've nearly finished and the computer just shuts down , you do it again and the voice quality is pants, so you do it again save it only to get home and your laptop refuses to play it file corrupt. I'll be a nervous wreck by the end of this module that or an alcoholic!!! tomorrows another day maybe it'll be mine.

Success Maker

Well we have finally got our children back on success maker. Most of you will be familiar with this application, but I feel it's worth a mention. For those who haven't used it, it is used for pupils that are having problems with english, reading, spelling and math. It is tailored to the individual needs of each child using information from NFER test and Salford reading tests. Pupils use the programme daily in addition to lessons. Each session is given a score % out of 100. Each week TA's use the report function to monitor progress, identify weaknesses which can then be reset at a lower level.

I used this with year 6 last year and did notice improvement in all areas, the pupils seem to enjoy using it and are always keen to participate.

The system can also be used by so called gifted and talented pupils as an extension programme to reinforce prior knowledge and aid new learning.

ICT - Year 3

Well we're coming to the end of our term and Year 3 have been learning to navigate web sights. They are researching St David and presenting these findings in a word document, using word art, clip art, copy and paste, changing text: fonts size colour etc. Although this in theory is quite low level ICT when you can't read simple text or write never mind type it is I imagine torture. 3 of my class are in this position, they simply cannot log on never mind create a word document or search the web. There was no differentiation for these children it was a case of wait until someone can help you. Considering the only way these pupils can get anything on word is if you do it for them I felt that this was a particularly demoralising ICT session. The session lasted 2 hours, 2 hours of not being able to read from the website or type any information without constant help, how must that feel? On a positive note the majority made nicely presented documents with good pictures and information and lots of different text types,colours etc. I however feel something could have been created to cater for the needs of pupil's with special needs using say textease with audio allowing them to cherry pick information that appealed to them, and then put with help into word. Any thoughts?