SCHOOL ICT NEWS BULLETIN No 156 - 15/01/2010 Published by Children’s Services Blocking of websites: Sparklebox and Sparklebox2 Statement It is understood that a person who is on the record as an owner and director of Sparklebox Teacher Resources Limited (which appears to claim ownership of the SparkleBox web site and children’s learning materials) is a registered sex offender who has recently admitted a second offence, is currently on remand in prison and is awaiting sentence in January. The police are to be congratulated on what they have achieved. South West Grid for Learning Trust has been unable to disclose anything about this before now because to do so could have prejudiced police work. In the circumstances Norfolk County Council will block sparklebox.co.uk from the 5^th January 2010 unless and until satisfied that suitable safeguarding arrangements have been made. The block will affect all schools using the Norfolk school broadband service. In the meantime please go to the ‘my classes’ part of your VLE, where the advisory service have placed alternative resources. Author: Stewart Parvin Request for Assistance Reminder With both the School and Pupil and School Workforce censuses due to be undertaken on January 21^st, the ICT Solutions service desk will now see a significant increase in calls. If telephone lines are busy, please don’t forget that you can raise a Request for Assistance via our website at http://www.eficts.norfolk.gov.uk or e–mail ictsolutions@norfolk.gov.uk. We thank you for your patience during this time. Author: Richard Cornelius This term’s ICT Roadshow Please put one of these dates in your diary! This term’s ICT Roadshow for Primary ICT subject leaders is devoted to looking at what E2BN has to offer. Barbara Robinson, E2BN e–Learning Consultant, will be joining us at both venues to give an overview of some of the great sites and activities available from our own East of England Broadband provider. Book now and join us at the West Norfolk PDC on 27^th January or the Norwich PDC on 28^th January starting at 4.30pm. Author: Sheila Denny Funding available to produce innovative resources through the Norfolk Learning Content Networks Schools can apply for funding of up to £20, 000 (for a maximum of 3 terms) to work in a collaborative network with other schools to produce innovative learning resources to support the implementation of new curriculum initiatives. The key aim of this initiative is to raise achievement using the Learning Platforms and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This funding comes from the commissioned element of the Norfolk Harnessing Technology Grant. Successful networks could also use their funding to sponsor participating teachers to get involved in the Teacher Learning Academy (Stages 1 – 3, please visit www.teacherlearningacademy.org.uk for further details.) Some projects, submitted in a previous round, have already been approved. These include: Using the VLE to Support Y6–7 Transfer Home/School Links through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Embedding Using and Applying at KS3 Mathematics Multicultural VLE in Primary Product Design and Manufacturing Diploma Resources Video Conferencing to enhance Language Skills in Primary KS2 Science Scheme of Work and Resources KS2/3 Literacy and Numeracy This initiative is designed to deliver innovation in teaching and learning, raise achievement and provide motivational learning resources for Norfolk schools of all types and phases. It will also help develop a sustainable approach to the use of online learning resources and tools based on a sound pedagogical approach. Children in all Norfolk schools are entitled to high quality learning activities as part of the new primary curriculum, the new 14–19 learning arrangements, and extended schools provision. There is a good deal of evidence that ICT can be a motivational and potentially transformational tool within the learning process. This initiative provides the basis for innovation and development of new forms of learning that help to overcome barriers to learning. For more details about the Norfolk Learning Content Network and to download an application form, please visit our website or contact Johannes Ahrenfelt. Deadlines: Summer submission: 1^st June 2010 (Phase 4) Autumn submission: 28^th September (Phase 5 – last opportunity) Author: Johannes Ahrenfelt ICT Solutions Training Services Places still available... e¹ New Secretary training session 2 & 3 at the West Norfolk PDC on 2^nd February – 09:30 – 16:30, lunch and refreshments included. e¹ New Secretary training is free training for all new secretaries and administration staff. For further information or to book a place please visit our website www.eficts.norfolk.gov.uk and select training services from the left hand side bar and select ‘book a training course’ alternatively please telephone ICT Solutions Training Services on 0845 303 3003 and a member of the team will assist you. Author: Rachel Hudson Network Manager’s Workshop – 4^th February 2010 Invitations to the Network Managers’ Workshop due to be held on Thursday 4^th February 2010 from 12.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m at the Barnham Broom Hotel have been distributed to Headteachers and Network Managers week commencing 11^th January 2010. For full details and a fax back form please see the Network Managers’ Forum. Alternatively the form can be downloaded here: Network Managers’ Workshop Invite. Author: Shirley Fuller

SCHOOL ICT NEWS BULLETIN No 156 - 15/01/2010

Published by Children’s Services

Blocking of websites: Sparklebox and Sparklebox2

Statement

It is understood that a person who is on the record as an owner and director of Sparklebox Teacher Resources Limited (which appears to claim ownership of the SparkleBox web site and children’s learning materials) is a registered sex offender who has recently admitted a second offence, is currently on remand in prison and is awaiting sentence in January.

The police are to be congratulated on what they have achieved. South West Grid for Learning Trust has been unable to disclose anything about this before now because to do so could have prejudiced police work.

In the circumstances Norfolk County Council will block sparklebox.co.uk from the 5^th January 2010 unless and until satisfied that suitable safeguarding arrangements have been made. The block will affect all schools using the Norfolk school broadband service.

In the meantime please go to the ‘my classes’ part of your VLE, where the advisory service have placed alternative resources.

Author: Stewart Parvin

Request for Assistance Reminder

With both the School and Pupil and School Workforce censuses due to be undertaken on January 21^st, the ICT Solutions service desk will now see a significant increase in calls. If telephone lines are busy, please don’t forget that you can raise a Request for Assistance via our website at http://www.eficts.norfolk.gov.uk or e–mail ictsolutions@norfolk.gov.uk. We thank you for your patience during this time.

Author: Richard Cornelius

This term’s ICT Roadshow

Please put one of these dates in your diary! This term’s ICT Roadshow for Primary ICT subject leaders is devoted to looking at what E2BN has to offer. Barbara Robinson, E2BN e–Learning Consultant, will be joining us at both venues to give an overview of some of the great sites and activities available from our own East of England Broadband provider. Book now and join us at the West Norfolk PDC on 27^th January or the Norwich PDC on 28^th January starting at 4.30pm.

Author: Sheila Denny

Funding available to produce innovative resources through the Norfolk Learning Content Networks

Schools can apply for funding of up to £20, 000 (for a maximum of 3 terms) to work in a collaborative network with other schools to produce innovative learning resources to support the implementation of new curriculum initiatives. The key aim of this initiative is to raise achievement using the Learning Platforms and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This funding comes from the commissioned element of the Norfolk Harnessing Technology Grant.

Successful networks could also use their funding to sponsor participating teachers to get involved in the Teacher Learning Academy (Stages 1 – 3, please visit www.teacherlearningacademy.org.uk for further details.)

Some projects, submitted in a previous round, have already been approved. These include:

Using the VLE to Support Y6–7 Transfer
Home/School Links through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
Embedding Using and Applying at KS3 Mathematics
Multicultural VLE in Primary
Product Design and Manufacturing Diploma Resources
Video Conferencing to enhance Language Skills in Primary
KS2 Science Scheme of Work and Resources
KS2/3 Literacy and Numeracy

This initiative is designed to deliver innovation in teaching and learning, raise achievement and provide motivational learning resources for Norfolk schools of all types and phases. It will also help develop a sustainable approach to the use of online learning resources and tools based on a sound pedagogical approach. Children in all Norfolk schools are entitled to high quality learning activities as part of the new primary curriculum, the new 14–19 learning arrangements, and extended schools provision. There is a good deal of evidence that ICT can be a motivational and potentially transformational tool within the learning process. This initiative provides the basis for innovation and development of new forms of learning that help to overcome barriers to learning.

For more details about the Norfolk Learning Content Network and to download an application form, please visit our website or contact Johannes Ahrenfelt.

Deadlines:

Summer submission: 1^st June 2010 (Phase 4)
Autumn submission: 28^th September (Phase 5 – last opportunity)

Author: Johannes Ahrenfelt

ICT Solutions Training Services

Places still available...

e¹ New Secretary training session 2 & 3 at the West Norfolk PDC on 2^nd February – 09:30 – 16:30, lunch and refreshments included.

e¹ New Secretary training is free training for all new secretaries and administration staff.

For further information or to book a place please visit our website www.eficts.norfolk.gov.uk and select training services from the left hand side bar and select ‘book a training course’ alternatively please telephone ICT Solutions Training Services on 0845 303 3003 and a member of the team will assist you.

Author: Rachel Hudson

Network Manager’s Workshop – 4^th February 2010

Invitations to the Network Managers’ Workshop due to be held on Thursday 4^th February 2010 from 12.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m at the Barnham Broom Hotel have been distributed to Headteachers and Network Managers week commencing 11^th January 2010.

For full details and a fax back form please see the Network Managers’ Forum. Alternatively the form can be downloaded here: Network Managers’ Workshop Invite.

Author: Shirley Fuller