Content:

-A discussion about the current digital age and the widening digital divide between teacher and student..

-Portable devices in the classroom. Classrooms without walls and classrooms of the future.

-How to utilise new technologies to enhance current educational practice.

-The Internet’s move towards personal continent creation has expanded its ability to foster enquiry and collaboration, within the classroom and beyond, some examples given.

-All were in agreement: it really is the process and not the product that affords educational focus.

-PREZI used to display concepts and practice.

-Time to explore applications on iPads in groups of 2.

Participants:

Predominantly  Creative Arts and English teachers.

Feedback Comments:

What went well?

“Playing with iPad”

“Nice to be able to handle the equipment”

“Nice and practical, so I could have a go.”

“Enthusiastic, positive environment and approach.”

“Great thanks, would have loved you to be my teacher!”

“Great Presentation”

“Enthusiasm! Ideas! Encouragement!”

“Great-really enjoying”

“New way to consider collaborative learning”

“Good workshop”

“Informative- wealth of information.”

What went well?

“Seeing PREZI being used”

“Darryl was very approachable”

“Loads of information and ideas”

“Well prepared PREZI- will def use that.”

“Great to see how other schools have used ICT”

“PREZI- will use this.”

“Great ideas”

“Practical and theoretical beautifully combined. Lots of food for thought.”

“Very clear delivery”

“New access to learning”

“Good ideas of how I could use the iPads to enhance learning.”

Even better if:

“Could access wireless features.”

“What happens if Kids damage all these things?”

“More time to play.”

“More directed use and time to explore the iPad.”

“We need the technology!”

“We could go away and apply it!”

“More time- to listen, to play etc.”

“More time to try out apps.”

General comments:

“What are the best apps for supporting post 16 group work/ learning activities?”

“How do we improve our own knowledge, I was lost for some of it. (the ‘digital divide’ in action!)”

“Thank you very much!”

“How do you find the apps?”

“Thank you!”

“More please!”

“Really enjoyed”

“Bit concerned about how this would translate in the classroom.”

“More hands on”

“More time to try out Apps”

“Thank you very much!”

“Great. Well done!”

“Excellent presentation and interesting discussion. Darryl has a very nice personality. Really enjoyed it.”

My feeling about this presentation:

I was very pleased with the presentation’s reception from a very nice group of teachers. After delivering this session I have an insight into the difficulty of delivering an ICT presentation to any group that comes with specific expectations, and individual teaching focuses. This was a short introductory session on a broad range of creative ICT approaches in the classroom and across the curriculum. I hope to have given the participants practical ideas and starting points to help integrate ICT into their own practice.

I am aware of the hardware limitations; Southfields does not have a wireless Internet network throughout the school or a portable mobile classroom…as yet. Southfields is a recipient of BFS funding, and will have funds to develop ICT resources. Teachers like those involved in this session will hopefully play a lead role in purchasing and developing ICT resources that utilize future technologies to facilitate collaborative learning and communication.

Highlighting the importance of senior managements’ understanding of educational ICT issues and future technologies.

Being “Native’ users does not mean students are mature Internet users, or safe users of these new technologies, teachers have the responsibility to utilize the potential of the Internet and teach students how to use it safely and creatively.