What can teachers learn from PISA?
International assessments do much more than rank nations; they provide valuable information about what teachers can do in their classrooms to improve student achievement, as Sue Thomson explains. - See more at:
http://rd.acer.edu.au/article/what-can-teachers-learn-from-pisa

Code Combat HTML Game

Learn programming with a multiplayer live coding strategy game. You're a wizard, and your spells are JavaScript. Free HTML5 game!  Check it out at this web address:  http://codecombat.com/play

iPads in the Classroom - Kathy Schrock's Guide

iPads in the Classroom -- Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything. Check out her website for some ideas on using iPads in the classroom. This site contains her own presentations about iPad use for teaching and learning and also includes links to other iPad information pages.
http://www.schrockguide.net/ipads-in-the-classroom.html

Microsoft Partners in Learning

Check out the Microsoft Partners in Learning website to see some examples of schools working on their program.
"To help you visualise what a learning activity that builds 21st century skills looks and feels like, check out these great learning activities that have high codes on these 21st century skills. Use these examples to spark ideas for your own learning activities".
http://www.pil-network.com/PD/21CLD/Examples/

Allstate Announce 650 new jobs

Robinson and McGuinness announce the creation of up to 650 new jobs at Allstate

First Minister Rt. Hon. Peter D Robinson MLA and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA, have announced that technology company Allstate Northern Ireland is to create up to 650 high quality jobs in Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane.

Read more:

http://www.allstate.com/about/northern-ireland/News/robinson-and-mcginness-creation-of-jobs.aspx

OCR - GCSE Computing

Tuesday 21 May 2013

At OCR, we’re leading the way with our exciting, modern Computing qualifications – we’re the only awarding body to offer Entry Level, GCSE and A Level qualifications in this area.  Find out more. 

Our qualifications are also backed up by the kind of resources and training that make teaching them more enjoyable.

Here’s a brief overview of the support we offer:

Support Material
Our support material is designed to save you time while you prepare for and teach our specifications. Our essential FREE support includes all this and more:

·         Specimen assessment materials and mark schemes

·         Past papers and mark schemes

·         Exemplar candidate work

·         Teacher’s Handbook

·         Sample schemes of work and lesson plans

Access all our support here by selecting the qualification you require.

New! GCSE Computing Unofficial Teacher’s Guide
Check out this guide to OCR GCSE Computing from a practising teacher who’s also a member of Computing At School (CAS). He shares some highly practical thoughts on how to deliver the content, approach the teaching, and engage students. There are ideas for some useful and fun activities, and tips about tackling more challenging topics. Download it here

Sign up to teach
Please let us know that you’ll be teaching our Computing qualifications. Sign up to teach  in order to receive the latest information on support materials and resources to help you plan and teach these qualifications: Simply complete the online form here .

'Earn as you Learn' scheme. Belfast based Kainos a thriving Technology company are offering high performing A Level students an opportunity to earn a living and develop real-world expertise and experience, as trainee software engineers, while simultaneously studying part-time for a degree which Kainos will also fund.
Find out more on the Kainos News & Events page

Review of the ICT curriculum in England & Wales

On the 7th January 2013 the DfE published the draft National Curriculum for England & Wales.  A useful draft grid PoS for computing has been produced by eLIM (Somerset County Council) and is worth a look for an indication of where ICT/Computer Science might be heading in the N. Ireland curriculum.  Use this for reference if you are planning to review your descrete ICT programme at KS3.

eLIM Draft Grid

Check out Peter T's bliki at the URL below for full details:

http://edfutures.net/PeterT%27s_bliki#12-Feb-2013_Digital_literacy_does_not_compute

TeachMeet

Check out this video from the last TeachMeet conference held in Stranmillis College, Belfast. TeachMeet is an informal gathering of teachers including student teachers, who are prepared to share their good practice and ideas.  Check out the conference video at the site below:

http://tmbelfast.wikispaces.com/

Check out some recommendations from our friend Damian Watson.

At 1min and 10 seconds approximately    Daithi Murray on a Flipped Classroom

At 15min  and 22 seconds approximately Damian Watson on Using Data Effectively in the Classroom

At 22min and 17 Seconds approx            Barry Corrigan – Life of Pi

At 27min and 40 seconds                       Damien McHugh – Using Voice Thread

At 37min and 12 seconds                       Tim Manson – 3 Characteristics of an effective teacher

At 45 min and 8 seconds                        Simon McLean – Digital Storytelling.