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. 

Valuing Education Campaign

The Minister of Education for N. Ireland has launched the Departments new three year campaign aimed at raising standards.  The campaign is designed to support the raising standards agenda (and particularly the efforts to tackle underachievement) by securing public understanding, engagement and support for the work of schools. It aims to raise awareness of and promote the value of a good education whilst encouraging parents to aspire to a better education and future for their children. The key theme of the campaign is "Get Involved Because Education Works".
The Department has developed a website which provided parents with useful tips on how to play, talk, read and count with their children.  Check out the website at the address below:
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/education-works

10 top tools for teaching ICT in Primary School

Whether you want to make music, edit photos or create a game, ICT guru and author Ian Addison recommends his favourite online tools for getting creative in class.

Guardian Teacher Network