ECIS conference – before the event
Well in a couple of days I’m off to Hamburg to listen to many words of wisdom at the European Council of Internaional Schools (ECIS) conference. Welll I hope there will be words of wisdom spoken there. Having been to many conferences one sometimes does, but not always learn things that are actually useful (as opposed to “good idea but…” useful) at these types of events.
What I’m looking for are things that are practically possible at my particular school, both in the administrative and the teqching side of the school. Day to day one can get so involved with what is going on that great, simple, ideas can pass one by. Hopefully by spending time at such an event as this and focussing in on lots of areas that others have already experienced one can improve the learning experience at one’s own school.
Given I’ve configured a Moodle site as a test (both of my ability, but also to try an be inventive/creative with what is being taught), I and the colleague who is going with me can discuss both the actual content and layout of the site.
And if an internet connection is available then perhaps I’ll even practice my twitter skills!!
animation with Trumptonshire included
I just finished creating a series of lessons for Grade 6/Year 7 students using the free programme Pivot Stickfigure Animator.
Then, upon watching an episode of “Trumpton“, and subsequent interview with Gordon Murray, I realised that this would make an excellent introduction lesson starter to animation.
If students watched an episode and the interview as a starter they could then calculate how many frames where needed per episode (and then for the whole Trumptonshire trilogy).
Then, creating after creating a non-violent initial animation they will compare how many frames they had created to an episode of Trumpton, and therefore how many seconds of real film would be created.
So now I’ve written the lessons and uploaded them to the BIS edu2.0 VLE ready for use.
Which means I get to watch an episode in class, and re-live my dim and distant youth - ace!
Here is a wordle image of the text in this blog post.
ESA and edu2.0
Received two things to be thankful for today; one material, one a message.
The first was a large package from the European Space Agency Education department. In the package was their Primary and Secondary education kits, as well as a set of several DVDs. This will be brilliant to show students as the materials are professionally made and educationally appropriate, and free to European schools. Thanks.
The second was a message from Graham Glass about using his edu2.0 system to create a VLE for BIS in Belgrade. It is both unusual and nice to have the owner of such an organisation go out of his way and make a comment about something that you are trying to do. Thanks number 2.
Well here we go…
Given I’ve been thinking about how to teach next year and have been designing a VLE using edu2.0 for BIS which given the simplicity of the weblink (bis.edu20.org) I’m hoping users will remember; so I thought I’d better have a go at blogging too.
I had forgotten when creating something like lessons in a VLE how long it takes to transfer the material in, sort it out, put it back in again when you realise you’ve either deleted it or put it in the wrong place. This as well as create user guides for students on how to use the system. I’m creating video guides using Adobe Captivate 4 and Adobe Soundbooth CS4 as well as a traditional pdf version. With each actual student lesson that I am/will create I’ll put into the edu2.0 site an episode created using xtranormal which I think is excellent – and in the version I’ll get the students to use it’s free!
In the world of web2.0 I’ve also got around to transferring our family photographs onto flickr so far only done 1,200 but then that’s only six weeks worth. I like the fact that you can create sets and then use mapping to place them. This will be great when we look back on places that we were. With their privacy settings I have enabled access for friends and family only. I’ve also been using animoto to create videos from a batch of photographs – the results are great.
Well I’m sure that I’ll work out the ins and outs of WordPress as I use it.