ICT in Schools Bulletin
Minecraft in the Classroom
LEGO WEDO - Next Generation
Lego Education has revealed the WeDo 2.0 robotics kit aimed at Primary school students. As in the original Wedo, it's designed to teach kids the basics of robotics, and uses drag and drop programming. The new kit also replaces the old USB cables with a Bluetooth hub that connects to the motors and tilt sensors. The whole thing is driven by a tablet-based drag-and-drop interface that helps kids code basic robotics apps.
On top of robotics, the next-gen WeDo Kit also teaches kids STEM basics via various science projects. Lego has has developed a curriculum with over 40 hours of science lessons normally taught in Years 4 - 6. For instance, pupils get lessons about recycling by designing a truck, and even learn about biology and pollination.
The WeDo 2.0 kits are now available in the UK for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, PCs and Macs. Chromebook support will come in the second half of 2016.
Shakespeare and more!
With the 400 year anniversary of Shakespeare's death on 23rd April 2016, you may be looking to use some of his works in your classroom.
Shakespeare and More started out as a quick way of sharing planning for some of the books and plays the founder James Clements enjoyed teaching when he was a class teacher. In the two years since its launch, the site has blossomed and now thousands of their units and resources are downloaded every month. Which is nice.
Lots of people contribute to the English units, not least all of the teachers and children of the schools who kindly road test them. Sometimes seen as being stuffy or elitist, but their belief is that every child should have the chance to experience some of the most amazing books, plays and poems ever written.
As James says "we love teaching these stories and we know they’re great at helping children to improve their English. We hope you agree. To help we’ve created loads of planning and resources to help you teach them. They’re free to download and you can change them as much as you like to fit in with your way of doing things."
6 Areas your E Safety policy should be addressing
We can’t protect children from all the dangers of the internet, but we can teach them to protect themselves, says head teacher and fellow Intel Visionary, Ollie Bray
In his article, he covers a number of key points and associated messages that should be considered essential knowledge for all those working with children and young people. Click here to read the full blog.
Childnet Film competition
The Film Competition encourages young people aged 7-18 to create a short film to educate their peers about staying safe online.
The project engages schools in using new technology for creative and positive uses and equips young people with the skills they need to become confident digital creators....
BE NET AWARE
Findings revealed in the latest update to the NSPCC's Net Aware guide show how easy it is for school children to access dangerous and harmful material online - despite repeated calls for improvements in online safety.
Of the 1,725 school children who took part in the survey, they found that:
- 50% have seen sexual, violent and other adult material on social media sites, apps and games
- 78% of children reported that they had joined social media sites before reaching the specified minimum age
They have developed the Net Aware guide - now available as a free mobile app for iOS and Android - is the UK's only parents' guide to 50 of the most popular social media sites, apps, and games that young people use.
Click here to go to the report