Staff Meeting time…
Every so often at school, I’m able to run a staff meeting. I always enjoy these, as it’s a chance for me to share new ideas about ICT with other members of staff. Many of our ICT meetings are linked to new software or equipment that has arrived in school, but I wanted this one to be more general. Rather than focussing on one particular idea (which may not be appropriate to every year group), my aim was to share a number of different tools / tips / websites, which staff would then be able to choose from, to try within their teaching where appropriate.
As well as giving information verbally, I created a Smart Notebook file with further information, which is saved on our school’s network, so that staff can refer to it in the future. I’ve also uploaded the file here, in the hope that readers of this blog might be able to pick up a few tips as well.
Download Staff Meeting Notebook File
(Smart Notebook required)
If you don’t have Smart Notebook, here’s a brief outline of the things that I’ve mentioned in the file:
- Independent Maths Activities - using RM Maths and TutPup.
- Using Film in Literacy - with instructions showing how to download Youtube videos using KeepVid. I also added a link to the Film for Literacy wiki, which has examples of films that can be used in particular Literacy units.
- Travel the World - using sites like panoramas.dk and gigapan.org to develop Literacy, Geography and History skills.
- Smartboard Tricks - Children sometimes have difficulties dragging objects across the board, so you can use two fingers to make them jump from one place to another.
- Tools for making displays - Using 2Publish+ software to create banners, and blockposters.com to produce giant images.
- Typing Skills - helping children to type more quickly using 2Type, Dance Mat Typing or Sense Lang.
Which sites / applications / tools would you recommend if you were asked to run an ICT staff meeting?
Image: ‘three thirty‘
