An ICT resource for teaching mental maths

Focus: ICT Coordinator

In this jam-packed issue, the lead article looks at the use of Windows Movie maker to develop ICT and geography skills and on page 3 Jackie Lester offers advice on preparing for an Ofsted inspection. On page 4 Rhona Dick introduces two pieces of software for exploring moral dilemmas and finally we have a Top Tip for maths teaching.
For comment or contributions please contact me at h.govier@btopenworld.com

As more studies emerge into the potential application of computer games in both industry and education I'm interested in whether computer games can hone cognitive skills in the same way that a recent US study claims that they can improve fine control skills for surgeons. 'Wii warm-up good for surgeons' BBC News Online 17 January 2008.

Naace have been successful in securing a TDA bid won by Steven Coombes based at Bath Spa University and being delivered as a 'Visual Learning Course' by Christina Preston and John Cuthell at MirandaNet (based at The Institute of Education, London).

The authors describe the adventure game, Zoombinis Logical Journeys, and explain how this software can help to develop critical thinking skills of the kind that are useful across the curriculum and in many areas of life.

As part of a longer article to published in the next edition of Primary Focus, Jim Fanning provides his blog of a two-day flexible learning course. Is this the way of the future?

A teacher in an English schol abroad describes two activities which use ICT to make cross-curricular links.

Julie Cooper is the Chair of Governors at Gloucester Road Primary School in Cheltenham. Her role was primarily a mother and parent governor until the school went into Special Measures when she decided that rather than take her children out of school she would take action to help get the school out of trouble.

Dan Buckley is a principal consultant with Cambridge Education, Mott MacDonald's education Business. More homework please is a new initiative in which school children take control of how and what they learn is exciting interest and winning support from staff and pupils alike.

MirandaNet hosted a two-day conference on 7 - 8 February 2008 where academics and practitioners met to share their work on interactive whiteboards and visulaisers.The course focused on a balance between academics and practitioners sharing their work linked to IWs and visualisers and was led by Christina Preston (who founded MirandaNet based at the Institute of Education) and Dr John Cuthell.