Friday, 22 December 2006

Becta Seminars, Wednesday


Becta leads the national drive to improve learning through technology. They do this by working with industry to ensure we have the right technology for education in place. They also work to support the education workforce to make the best use of technology to improve learning. So that every learner in the UK is able to benefit from the advantages technology brings, thereby helping them achieve the best they can.

Each day at BETT, Becta will be delivering a number of seminar sessions.


11:00
How e-portfolios can support personalisationStuart Jones, Assistant Director, Becta

This session will explore how e-portfolios assist in realising the learner journey and how they can integrate with learning platforms, e-assessment and the developing strategies regarding personalisation. It will explain the current position regarding e-portfolios in government thinking and offer examples of how they have made an impact to learner achievement. Discussions will be invited around how to introduce the concept of learning logs and individual learning plans into delivery methodologies, and will look at the general benefits and issues of introducing e-portfolios into learning.

What would you hope to gain from attendance at this seminar? Do you have your own views about learning logs and individual learning plans? Post your comments to share with the BETT community.

12:45
Evidence of ICT impact and progressDr Vanessa Pittard and Malcolm Hunt, Becta


The seminar will present evidence from the Becta Review 2006 combined with emerging findings from Becta’s 2006-07 research programme, such as Test Beds and the Becta Survey of ICT in FE. The aim is to provide an overview of the progress of ICT developments in schools and colleges in the context of the key themes and objectives of the E Strategy.

What further knowledge and understanding would you wish to take away with you by attendance at this seminar? What is your view about the E Strategy? Join the discussion by posting your thoughts.

14:00
Making use of Becta’s Infrastructure Services Framework AgreementPeter Hughes and Chris Faulkner, Becta

This session will outline the Infrastructure Services Framework Agreement and explore some of the ways that customers can make use of the framework in order to improve the effectiveness of ICT provision in their schools. It will also look at the wide range of advice materials available from Becta to assist customers in using the framework.

How can this seminar help meet your needs in identifying the support required with respect to the Infrastructure Services Framework Agreement? By posting your views you can help shape the debate and the development of the BETT seminar programme in the future.

15:15
Transforming learning – Impact on the Schools sectorNorman Crawford, Assistant Director, Becta

This session will explore how technology can be used to drive forward educational reform in the school sector. Looking at how technology can be better used to narrow the achievement gap and connect with hard-to-reach learners, the session will also focus on benefits to the learner and barriers to achieving system reform.

How can we support the hard to reach learners? What are your views and how would attendance at this seminar aid your understanding?

16:15
Transforming Learning – Impact on the Post-16 sectorChristine Lewis, Assistant Director – E-strategy, Becta & Bob Harrison, Consultant, Becta

This session will explore how technology can be used to drive forward educational reform in the post-16 sector. Looking at how technology can be better used to narrow the achievement gap and connect with hard-to-reach learners, the session will also focus on benefits to the learner and barriers to achieving system reform.

What are the key challenges educators face when connecting out to post-16 learners who have proved difficult to reach? What are your views and how would attendance at this seminar aid your understanding?

International Seminars

The seminar programme hosts a number of seminars with a distinct international flavour on Thursday.


11:00
Using Whiteboards to Develop Unit PlansDave Blemings, Prairie Rose School, Alberta, Canada & Kim Wright Service Children's Education, Germany

This session highlights how teachers can use a range of software that allows them to make varied and interesting interactive lessons. Units of study can be developed that can include web links, embedded audio, multi-media and video. Teachers attending this session will explore and watch the creation of a unit plan.



AISWA supports schools across 3000kms of Western Australia including remote aboriginal, regional and urban schools. For 3 years AISWA has successfully provided it's teachers with online CPD in ICT Integration. Moodle is the chosen learning platform with Atomic Learning embedded. Come and explore some of the issues, challenges and opportunities.





Kobus van Wyk, Khanya Project, Western Cape & Hintsa Mhalane, Kwa Zulu Natal
As yet there is no description for this session but details about the project can be found at http://www.khanya.co.za. Kobus van Wyk's own blog can be found at http://www.khanya.co.za/blogs/


15:15
Video Conferencing in a Rural School DivisionLyle Roberts and Eli Merrick, Prairie Rose School, Alberta, Canada

Video conferencing is an emerging technology. In the Prairie Rose School Division it is an integral part of the day to day operation. The school division is the geographical equivalent to Switzerland. Within the jurisdiction there are 20 public schools that all have video conferencing suites. These suites allow teachers, outside professionals and students to interact live with one another.

16:15
Enciclomedia (Mexico): The World's Largest Interactive Classroom ProjectDr. Raul Medina-Mora, Enciclomedia Project, ILCE, Mexico
This session will present and discuss the Enciclomedia Project in Mexico. Enciclomedia is the most important project of Mexican President Fox' administration. It is the largest interactive classroom project in the world today and is to be implemented in all 5th and 6th grade classrooms in Mexican public primary schools. Enciclomedia is a system that makes the educational materials 'alive' and 'interactive' in the classroom providing a community of learning where teachers and children play active roles in the learning process.
What can we learn from our education colleagues in different countries across the world?
What ideas or practice would you hope to adapt and incorporate into your own classroom practice?
Does BETT offer enough exposure to international practice through the seminar programme?
Are there developments in other countries that you would like to see discussed and debated in future years?
Post your thoughts and help shape the discussions about the future of the BETT seminar programme.

Art an Design Seminars

Peter Worrall and Kevin Mathieson from the Association for Advice and Support in Art and Design (A4) will be delivering the following two seminars -

Thursday at 11:00
Eportfolios in the Creative and Performing Arts

This workshop will provide an introduction to the key concepts and issues regarding the introduction, construction and development of eportfolios in the creative and performing arts.
The objectives of the session are to:

  • introduce the context and concept of eportfolio(s)
  • demonstrate the construction of multimedia eportfolios in the arts
  • present the creative development of eportfolios through learning platforms

and on Friday at 12:00
Embedding ICT in Art and Design Projects

This session explores key issues and processes in using ICT within the Art and design curriculum The three objectives of this session are
  • To explain planning and resource issues.
  • To provide a range of Art and ICT examples that extend the boundaries of creativity KS2 to 16+.
  • To explore ideas regarding planning and embedding ICT in Art and Design teaching and learning.

As an art and design teacher and in terms of your own continuing professional development, what would you hope to gain from attendance at either or both of these seminars?

What resources do you use to embed ICT into the curriculum?

Are there other aspects of teaching and learning this aspect of the curriculum, and the role ICT has to play, which could be covered within a future BETT seminar programme?

As a subject, is Art and Design adequately covered at BETT?

Please post your views to the wider BETT community.

Wednesday, 20 December 2006

BETT Awards shortlist for Supporting Institutional Leadership and Management,Viglen Learning Environment from it’s learning,Viglen Limited

The Viglen Learning Environment is a powerful Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) specifically designed for schools and universities. Its’ defining characteristics are unrivalled flexibility and user friendliness. The intuitive platform allows everyone to master the technology in order to succeed with his or her learning activities. A strong focus on the implementation process ensures that each school gains an optimal set of pedagogic tools for reaching it’s particular objectives.

Is this your experience of the Viglen VLE? Please let us know.

BETT Awards shortlist for Supporting Institutional Leadership and Management, SAM Learning Plus,SAM Learning Ltd

SAM Learning Plus includes:
Personalised teacher access with information for their own classes Manager accounts that make teacher usage easier to see, review and measure Simplified system for personalising student learning by assigning and reviewing multiple tasks and homework and setting ability levels to individuals or groups of students Use of EstimIt® technology to give potential grade indications for students in maths, English and science.




What is your experiences of this tool? We want to hear your views and shape the discussion on tools like this.

BETT Awards shortlist for Supporting Institutional Leadership and Management,Live Register,Cyclone Industries Limited

Live Register™ is a revolutionary new approach to recording student attendance, replacing old school registers with a system that enables students to register for themselves.

Using the latest in biometric fingerprint recognition technology, Live Register™ eradicates wasted registration time and gives more time for teaching or for form tutors to deal with students' concerns.


Do you use this system at school? Is it a useful tool for managers in the recording of attendance? Post your comments for discussion by the BETT community.

BETT Awards shortlist for E-Assessment,Turning Point vPad 2006,Turning Technologies/Steljes Ltd

TurningPoint is an Assessment for Learning tool that allows every child to be heard, so that his or her individual learning needs can be assessed and addressed, loud and clear. TurningPoint lightens the load of assessment by providing real-time, ready-to-use reports which can be used on the spot to amend lessons as you go. It enables teachers to practice personalised learning and potentially improves learning outcomes for every individual pupil in the class.

Does your use of the technology match with the statements above? Please share your views with other educationalists.

BETT Awards shortlist for E-Assessment,MAPS eQUALIFICATIONS,TAG Learning


The benefits to teachers of using this resource are said to include

Easy online access to students’ coursework for review, marking and assessing.
Manage all your students’ assessment work centrally online.
Promotes robust assessment and moderation practices.
Requires no technical expertise.
Safe, secure and backed up daily.
Is this your experience? Let the whole BETT community know by posting your views.

BETT Awards shortlist for E-Assessment, Activote,Promethean

Activote is Promethean’s integrated personal response system that is designed to encourage whole class participation and enhance learning. By enabling each pupil to “have a voice”, the opinions, thought processes or feelings of a whole class can instantly be shared and addressed accordingly.

Have you used Activote in the classroom and if so how successful was it in including all the class.

BETT Awards shortlist for E-Assessment, Digivey Suite,Research House UK

Digivey survey software is a complete touch-screen survey management in three powerful modules.

The Digivey Survey Suite comprises three powerful survey software modules that work together seamlessly and manage all elements of the touch screen survey process:
Composer Touch Screen Survey Creation: Digivey Composer
Launcher Touch Screen Survey Data Collection: Digivey Launcher
Analyzer Touch Screen Survey Data Analysis: Digivey Analyzer

What is your experience of this suite of assessment tools?

BETT Awards shortlist for E-Assessment,InCAS (Interactive Computerised Assessment System),CEM Centre

InCAS (Interactive Computerised Assessment System) is a personalised diagnostic reading assessment.

InCAS is fully adaptiveThe entry point into the assessment is tailored to each individual pupil according to his or her age. The difficulty of subsequent assessment items presented to the pupil is dependent upon their responses as they proceed through the assessment. Thus pupils each receive an individualised assessment according to their developmental level.

It would be useful for other to know how you have used this assessment device with your pupils and students.

Post your comments to continue the discussions.

BETT Awards shortlist for Creative and Constructive Tools,Gridmagic, Q4 Technologies Ltd

With its powerful image-processing engine, Gridmagic enables all pupils to create superb quality computer art without resorting to clipart. Its unique printing capability instantly turns designs into creative D&T projects such as bookmarks, place mats, wallpaper and wrapping paper.

We want to know what you and your pupils experience of this tool is?

BETT Awards shortlist for Creative and Constructive Tools,LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT, LEGO EDUCATION/DACTA Ltd

LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT is the next generation in educational robotics, enabling students to discover Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in a fun, engaging, and hands-on way. LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT helps students aged 8 and up to develop curriculum skills by building and programming smart robots in a natural, step-by-step learning process.

Share your views of the tools available with this resource. How do pupils develop the curriculum skills by engaging with the system?

BETT Awards shortlist for Creative and Constructive Tools, BuzzWebz, Indigo Learning Ltd

So the pupils have just been on a class trip and they all had a great time. Why not share their experiences in the form of a website? The whole class can work on the same website at the same time. Now that's collaboration at its best.

What sets this tool apart from other web authoring tools? Share your experience of BuzzWebz with other educators by posting your comments.

BETT Awards shortlist for Creative and Constructive Tools, iLife 06, Apple

Apple describe iLife ’06 as the easiest way to make the most out of every bit of your digital life. Using the Mac to collect, organize and edit the various elements. Transform them into mouth-watering masterpieces with Apple-designed templates. Then share the magic moments in beautiful books, colorful calendars, dazzling DVDs, perfect podcasts, and attractive online journals. All starring the users.

What's your experience of using this digital resource with pupils?

BETT Awards shortlist for Creative and Constructive Tools,2Connect,2Simple Software

2Connect is a concept mapping and planning tool which will help children organise their thoughts individually or collaboratively on a network. It's a simple way to put ideas on a page!



How have you used this mapping tool in the classroom?

Post us your views to help other teachers wanting to use this or similar resources.

Tuesday, 19 December 2006

BETT Awards shortlist for Creative and Constructive Tools

The following resources have been shortlisted for the Creative and Constructive Tools award

2Connect, 2Simple Software
iLife 06, Apple
BuzzWebz, Indigo Learning Ltd
LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT, LEGO EDUCATION/DACTA Ltd
Gridmagic,Q4 Technologies Ltd

BETT Awards shortlist for E-Assessment

The following resources have been shortlisted for the E-Assessment award

InCAS (Interactive Computerised Assessment System) , CEM Centre
Digivey Suite , Research House UK

Activote, Promethean
MAPS eQUALIFICATIONS, TAG Learning
Turning Point vPad 2006, Turning Technologies/Steljes Ltd

BETT Awards shortlist for Supporting Institutional Leadership and Management

The following resources have been shortlisted for the Supporting Institutional Leadership and Management award

Live Register, Cyclone Industries Limited
SAM Learning Plus, SAM Learning Ltd
Viglen Learning Environment from it’s learning, Viglen Limited

BETT Awards shortlist for Primary and Secondary Hardware, mimio Interactive with mimio Wireless, Sanford Brands – mimio


With mimio Wireless you no longer need to worry about tripping over cables or whether the USB cable is long enough to reach your computer. mimio Wireless is one solution for presenting engaging interactive content to the classroom.


Have you got a mimio system in your class? if so tell us your experiences of using it with pupils.




BETT Awards shortlist for Primary and Secondary Hardware,TurningPoint 2006, Turning Technologies/Steljes Ltd

TurningPoint is an Assessment for Learning tool that allows every child to be heard, so that his or her individual learning needs can be assessed and addressed, loud and clear. TurningPoint lightens the load of assessment by providing real-time, ready-to-use reports which can be used on the spot to amend lessons as you go. It enables teachers to practice personalised learning and potentially improves learning outcomes for every individual pupil in the class.

Are you a user of TurningPoint? What makes it impressive in your view?

Post your comments and share your experience of this classroom resource?

BETT Awards shortlist for Primary and Secondary Hardware,Pro-Bot,TTS Group Ltd

TTS Group Ltd have developed a floor robot which could be used for teaching more advanced control techniques.
They have listened to and incorporated teachers' ideas to make Pro-Bot, an advanced floor robot with the following key features

Bright attractive car design, with child appeal
Robust and durable to withstand everyday use
Can operate independently or alongside your PC with our software
Can be used simply by programming arrows or accepts more complex commands
Voice activated functions
and a host of other functions.


Do you use the Pro-bot in teaching control techniques and if so what's your impression of this device?

BETT Awards shortlist for Primary and Secondary Hardware, SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboard with SMART software 9.5, SMART Technologies In

Use the standard SMART Board software to capture your work as a screen shot that can be edited, or save your notes directly into several software applications, including Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel, or into AutoCAD software. You'll have access to thousands of free images and templates, interactive and educational content and advanced drawing tools.

Pre-load your lesson plan to the SMART Board interactive whiteboard and make writing on a chalk board during class time a thing of the past.

Does the sales pitch match your experience in the classroom? What resources have you created with the technology to improve teaching and learning?

Add your comments to let everybody know your feelings.

Monday, 18 December 2006

BETT Awards shortlist for Primary and Secondary Hardware, Genee Vision 6100, Interactive Education

This is a powerful new Digital Process Visual presentation and teaching tool. The Genee Vision Visualiser is the perfect solution for classroom teaching, presentations, recording lessons, and evaluation. Genee Vision's powerful zoom allows you to view text documents and 3D objects in the minutest detail. The powerful functions will enhance the way you conduct your lessons, saves time and money with the image and video capture facilities.

Have you used the Genee Vision with your class? If so please let us know how you used it and how successful it was in supporting the teaching and learning process.

BETT Awards shortlist for Primary and Secondary Hardware, DataVision, DCP Microdevelopments Ltd

DataVision has been designed as a comprehensive instrument for the modern science lab, combining the following primary functions:
• Meter - displays live readings from any standard LogIT Microsense® sensor.
• DataLogger - logs data from up to 6 sensors & displays in graphical or numerical format.
• Sensor Interface - View and record data from sensors on a connected computer.
• Analysis and storage of results.


DataVision has been designed to be naturally
intuitive and easy to use with single press start and stop logging and no setting up required.
What has been your experience of using this hardware in the classroom?
Post your views and join in the discussions that follow.

BETT Awards shortlist for Primary and Secondary Hardware

The following resources have been shortlisted for the Primary and Secondary Hardware award.

DataVision, DCP Microdevelopments Ltd
Genee Vision 6100, Interactive Education
SMART Board 600 series interactive whiteboard with SMART software 9.5, SMART Technologies Inc

Pro-Bot, TTS Group Ltd
TurningPoint 2006, Turning Technologies/Steljes Ltd

mimio Interactive with mimio Wireless, Sanford Brands – mimio

BETT Awards shortlist for Post 16

The following resources have been shortlisted for the Post 16 award.


Sure Skills Literacy Entry Level 3 & Sure Skills Numeracy Entry Level 3, Harcourt
Autolab, LJ Group

BETT Awards shortlist for Post 16, Autolab, LJ Group

AutoLAB provides a comprehensive series of instructional modules that cover the electrical/electronic and mechanical systems found in today’s vehicles. One of the unique features of AutoLAB is the comprehensive range of computer-based multimedia instruction that accompanies the modules.

What is your experience of this resource? Does it help students and if so how?

Post your views and thoughts as part of the discussion.

BETT Awards shortlist for Post 16, Sure Skills Literacy Entry Level 3 and Sure Skills Numeracy Entry Level 3Harcourt

Sure Skills is a suite of fully interactive e-courses that match the National Curricula in Literacy and Numeracy, and have been designed especially to motivate adult learners.

Gives tutors the flexibility to work closely with each adult learner and tailor individual lesson plans to focus on their skills needs.

The content is designed to motivate adults by providing the learning in a variety of contexts that they are familiar with.
Do you use this resource with adult learners and if so how successful have you and they found it?
Post a comment to let other know.

Sunday, 17 December 2006

BETT Awards shortlist for SEN Solutions, Think About! 1,SEMERC

Think About! 1 is designed for all learners, including those with specific learning difficulties associated with dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorders, language disorders, and concentration and memory lapses. The engaging and motivating presentation of animations also make it appealing for older and more reluctant readers.


What's is your opinion of this title? And what areas of the SEN spectrum was it able to support?

BETT Awards shortlist for SEN Solutions, Communicate: In Print 2,Widgit Software

Communicate: In Print 2 offers a complete set of coloured Widgit Rebus Symbols in addition to the black and white symbols and other pictures supplied with the program. In Print is a flexible symbol-supported desktop publishing package for creating books, worksheets, newsletters and posters; so it is literally making the headlines. With all the functions of a symbol processor wrapped up in a DTP and full symbol functionality alongside freedom of layout, In Print is an exciting product for the Inclusion and SEN market.


If you use this software what strategies have you employed in the classroom to maximise its potential?

BETT Awards shortlist for SEN Solutions, Rapid Reading Assistant Software, Harcourt

Rapid - a unique Special Needs reading resource which really supports and motivates your pupils. Providing you with your very own virtual reading assistant through exciting speech recognition software, it offers you an invaluable ‘extra pair of hands’ for your classroom.Rapid has been developed to help your struggling readers fast forward to reading success and provides that all important support to each pupil making sure every moment spent reading really counts.


Do the above comments match with your own experience of using the resource? Why don't you let us know what you think.


BETT Awards shortlist for SEN Solutions, Clicker Vision,Crick Software/Espresso Education

ClickerVision is an exciting series of media-rich, video-based curriculum materials for early learners of all abilities.

A combined initiative from Crick Software and Espresso Education, this unique series of Clicker-powered materials offers a new approach to teaching and learning, perfect for use on an individual computer or an interactive whiteboard.

Why don't you give everybody else your impression of this tool if you have used it with your pupils?

BETT Awards shortlist for SEN Solutions, Trackers for Clicker,Crick Software and Oxford University Press

Trackers For Clicker is a joint Crick Software and Oxford University Press publication for children aged 7+ who have a reading age of 5+. The series is based on the fiction books from Oxford's new Trackers structured reading series. It is particularly suitable for struggling or reluctant readers, and for English Language Learners.


Have you used this title with your pupils? If so let us know how you found working with it in the classroom?

BETT Awards shortlist for SEN Solutions,Clicker 5, Crick Software

Clicker 5 is a writing support and multimedia tool - it enables you to write with whole words, phrases or pictures! It is a very powerful tool and is incredibly easy to use, and supports every area of the curriculum.


How have you used this resource in the classroom and what benefits has it given your pupils?
Post a comment and share your knowledge with the wider educational community.

BETT Awards shortlist for Early Years Solutions, Early Years ICT Series (Disc 1),Smart Learning Ltd

The Smart Learning Early Years ICT series delivers the ICT curriculum for Nursery and Reception through fun, familiar topics, ensuring year-on-year progression across your early years. The topics are:- All About Me, Traditional Stories, Journeys and Holidays.


How successful did you find them in your own setting?

BETT Awards shortlist for Early Years Solutions, Number Run,Q&D Multimedia Limited

Number Run addresses the early learning goals for counting and calculating and helps prepare children for maths at Key Stage 1. The activities are packed with fun animations and rewards. Number Run is very simple to use and offers endless opportunities for educational discussion.

Simple and fun. Was that how you found the materials when you used it with children? If you have used the resources let us know about it by posting a comment.

BETT Awards shortlist for Early Years Solutions,Garage Topic Pack - Early Vision,Early Vision Ltd

The Garage Topic Pack lets children see working people in their environment including the mechanic speaking, listening and writing, salesman on the computer completing forms and the motorist singining some paperwork.



Is this a pack that you have used in the early years setting and if so what was your own impression?

BETT Awards shortlist for Early Years Solutions, Simple City, 2Simple Software

According to 2Simple Software, Simple City helps stimulate listening, language, independence, collaboration and creative play in the Foundation Stage and Year 1. Adult experts and children guide children through 10 locations based on common curriculum topics while engaging on-screen activities promote children’s role play both on the computer and afterwards.

If you have used this title with your children how successful was it in developing their early skills?

BETT Awards shortlist for Digital Content (Secondary Other), Auralia 3,Rising Software Pty Ltd (distributed by Sibelius Software Ltd)

Auralia's interactive tuition makes ear training easy and fun. It guides students through hundreds of graded exercises, and gives instant feedback. Teachers can even play or sing answers using a MIDI keyboard or microphone. Auralia automatically marks the exercises so students can use it on their own, freeing up hours of teaching time. It even records student results so you can monitor their progress over time.


Is this a resource you have successfully deployed in your teaching strategy?
If so let us know the outcomes you and your students achieved.

BETT Awards shortlist for Digital Content (Secondary Other), O-Generator,O-Music Ltd (distributed by Sibelius Software Ltd)

O-Generator is the simplest way for students to understand the fundamentals of music and composition. The design engages students on a visual and aural level and most importantly stimulates them into trying and creating composition styles of their own.

That's the developers telling us how easy it is to use but what is your own personal experience? Did it engage students in the way it is intended?

BETT Awards shortlist for Digital Content (Secondary Other), PSHE & Citizenship Service,Espresso Education

The Espresso PSHE & Citizenship Service is a comprehensive, easy-to-use, and constantly growing digital library of high quality, innovative, video-rich, cross-curricular resources, all tailored to the National Curriculum and cross-referenced to QCA Schemes of Work.

How have your students responded to the interactive nature of the resources provided and did it help raise attainment in the subject?

BETT Awards shortlist for Digital Content (Secondary Other),Cambridge Latin Course Book,Cambridge University Press/Cambridge School Classics Project

This e-Learning resource is designed for use by students, non-specialist teachers and specialist teachers alike. Five courses through the activities allow students and teachers to follow built in lesson plans if desired and detailed help and explanation is provided in Notes for non-specialist teachers and for students learning independently.


What made this resource so special in the eyes of the judging panel?

If you have used it in the classroom let us know by posting your comments.


BETT Awards shortlist for Digital Content (Secondary Other),SoundJunction, Association Board of the Royal Schools of Music

The SoundJunction website’s all about music. You can take music apart and find out how it works, create music yourself, find out how other people make music and how they perform it, you can find out about musical instruments, and look at the backgrounds to different musical styles.


So what makes it a candidate for this award? If you have used the website to enhance your teaching post your comment and help other teachers decide whether they could use this too.

BETT Awards shortlist for Digital Content (Primary Other), BBC Magic Grandad: The Great Fire of London, Sherston Publishing Group

Including captivating interactive Click and Explore tasks and nine exciting activities, this program allows children to work independently, at their own pace while they enjoy bringing this fascinating period of British history to life.


When teaching this aspect of the curriculum, did you use this title and if so how successfully did the pupils engage with it?

BETT Awards shortlist for Digital Content (Primary Other),Espresso Primary Service, featuring Toy Design and French, Espresso Education

Toy design is Espresso’s first tailor-made module supporting the D&T curriculum for KS2. This unique video-rich resource features school children following a design process and the work of professional designers to make a remote controlled car. French is a series of modules which introduces pupils to French vocabulary in a number of settings.

If you have used either the French modules or the D&T curriculum resource, how were you able to incorporate it into the classroom?

BETT Awards shortlist for Digital Content (Primary Other), ArtisanCam, Artists@work in partnership with CLEO

ArtisanCam is an interactive website that gives an insight into the lives of contemporary visual artists. It features one artist per term and is aimed primarily at Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils and their teachers. You can watch artists live from their studios or working on location as they go about their business. Once live watching is finished, their work is captured in a timelapse video which summarises their activities. ArtisanCam aims to be simple and easy to use.

Have you used this resource in the classroom? If so how useful did you are your pupils find it.

BETT Awards Shortlist - Secondary Core, TI-SmartView, Texas Instruments

The TI-SmartView™ emulator is an easy-to-use, demonstration tool for leading the classroom instruction of math and science concepts. Based on the popular TI-84 Plus family of graphing calculators (compatible with the TI-83 Plus family), the TI-SmartView emulator complements classroom calculator use by displaying an interactive representation of the calculator, plus offers many unique instructional capabilities.


What are your views as to its usefulness in the classroom?

BETT Awards Shortlist - Secondary Core, Sunflower for Anywhere, Sunflower Learning

Sunflower Multimedia for Science is a suite of curriculum-focused programmes designed to help teachers tackle tricky topics in secondary biology, chemistry and physics. e.g.
Atoms & Ions

Bonding
Diffusion
Cells
Circulation
Digestion
Colour
Forces and Motion
Motors and Generators


No doubt tricky subjects for students to master so how does this resource help them?

BETT Awards Shortlist - Secondary Core, GCSE Science Whiteboard, Collins Education

The GCSE Science Whiteboard Resources CD-Rom provides highly stimulating digital material for your classroom. It uses state-of-the-art digital technology and design, and is so simple, anyone can use it!


Is this a stimulating resource and is it as simple to use as Collins Education claim? Post your views on this if you have experience of using the tool in school.

BETT Awards Shortlist - Secondary Core, ClipBank Science,Channel 4 Learning

Channel4 Learning tell us that video clips can enhance lessons in a way that no other teaching resource can. If you want to use television in the classroom but don't have the time for sourcing, cueing and viewing videos, then use ClipBank – all the hard work is done for you and this ClipBank library is packed with around 250 high-quality television clips.

What enhancements in the classroom did you find when using the resource?

BETT Awards Shortlist - Secondary Core, Cabri 3D,Cabrilog/Chartwell-Yorke

Cabrilog/Chartwell-Yorke tells us that Cabri 3D is interactive solid geometry software. Using Cabri 3D, in a few clicks, you can construct and manipulate the following solid geometry objects:- · points· lines, line segments, rays · vectors· circles and conic sections· planes, triangles, polygons· spheres, cylinders, cones· polyhedrons

What do you think? If you have used this in the classroom let us know what you and your pupils thought.

BETT Awards Shortlist - Secondary Core, The Write Kit Key Stage 3, 186Media

The Write Kit Key Stage 3 contains 17 video-based exercises which require pupils to meet a variety of challenges in writing stories, poems, dramas, letters and adverts. Students learn to observe, listen and empathize. Using the exercises will develop an understanding of structure and form, character development, dialogue, motivation, genres, imagery and 'special effects'.

Tell us your experience of using this resource in the classroom and how it helped pupils.

BETT Awards Shortlist - Primary Core, The Interactive Literacy CD-Roms, Smart Learning Ltd

Smart Learning Ltd describe The Interactive Literacy CD-ROMs as providing a selection of texts which can be manipulated on-screen, plus 3 interactive screens for every text included.
The Interactive Literacy Teacher's Books also provide a step-by-step guide through the entire CD-ROM, comprehension questions, whole-class activities, independent work suggestions, extension activities and planning grids. These books are packed full of brilliant ideas to inject energy into your Literacy lessons.


We want to know successful the resource has proved in your classroom.

BETT Awards Shortlist - Primary Core, Revelation Sight & Sound, Logotron

Logotron claim that Revelation Sight & Sound provides an incredibly versatile tool with which you will be able to create radio programmes, slideshows, rostrum camera documentaries, and even high quality video feature films. The software comes with a wealth of resources and many activities can be completed just with access to an ordinary digital camera.

That's what it says on the tin, so what's your experience in the classroom? Post a comment to let everyone else know.

BETT Awards Shortlist - Primary Core, Maths Games 1, 2Simple Software

According to 2Simple Software's website, Maths Games 1 is a suite of six fast paced games designed to make learning mathematics fun, effective and meaningful. In traditional arcade style, these games are set to engage children from their first click whilst the high pace of learning will keep them striving to improve.



Post your own thoughts and let us know how you use this resource in the classroom?