January 15, 2009
- Taking control of learning through collaboration, cooperation and peer review
Doug Dickinson, Independent ICT Consultant, is doing a seminar at BETT today called ‘Taking control of learning through collaboration, cooperation and peer review. He will discuss how, through the use of a variety or Web 2.0 applications such as blogs, wikis and podcasts, teachers can use the power of collaboration and peer-to-peer review to effectively [...]
September 12, 2008
- The gap closes…
An interesting article has appeared on the BBC news website today claiming that 68 percent of parents would be interested in receiving updates about their child’s education through new technologies such as text or email. Dr Tanya Byron comments, “Using a variety of digital platforms, such as the internet and text, will enable schools and parents to [...]
July 31, 2008
- McKinsey on Web 2.0
I’ve read an interesting McKinsey article in the last couple of days regarding the growing adoption of Web 2.0 technologies in the business world.
What’s that got to do with schools I hear some of you cry? Well, there are some interesting parallels between those businesses successfully adopting and gaining benefits from Web 2.0 and how [...]
May 8, 2008
- Extra! Extra! Read all about us!
The new Softease e-newsletter is now available straight into your inbox and contains monthly news on all of our latest developments, special offers, Top Tips and competitions. If you’re interested in signing up, email customercare@softease.com and your email address will be added to our list.
April 2, 2008
- Ofcom research into Social Networking
Hot on the heels of last week’s Byron review comes Ofcom’s research into Social Networking. The report notes just how quickly social networks have become part of life in the UK, especially amongst the young. It also notes how sites such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace are stretching the definition of friends to include those [...]
March 27, 2008
- The Byron Report
We at Softease have eagerly anticipated the publishing of The Byron Report which has been commissioned to look at the risks to children from potentially harmful content in computer games and on the internet.
Ewan McIntosh, as usual has made some excellent points in his blog and highlights the positive thrust of the report whilst [...]
November 8, 2007
- Web 3.0 and beyond.
Future predictions for the web are already being made. The word from Silicon Valley is ‘Web 3.0′.
According to the people building the internet of tomorrow the web in 2020 and beyond will be able to connect every aspect of our digital lives, the web is becoming smarter!
Those of us still trying to get to grips [...]
November 2, 2007
- E-Newsletter.
In response to customer feedback on how best to get in touch with busy teachers we’ve started our e-newsletter. The newsletter will be sent monthly and contains exclusive offers, top tips, competitions and the latest on all our existing software as well as news and previews of new exciting developments. So far it has been really [...]
October 29, 2007
- R U ICT o pus?
For those of you that have not yet come across ‘Ictopus‘, I suggest you take a look. Ictopus is a free support service for primary education launched in September earlier this year. Ictopus builds on the highly successful Becta Direct2U service and also the legacy of MAPE. Each week registered members of the service have [...]
October 18, 2007
- Don’t forget to spend those eLCs before it’s too late!
Following a recent announcement by Curriculum Online, schools are being reminded of the service’s scheduled closure in August 2008. Further to this, all e-Learning Credits must be used before the 31st August 2008 in order to gain maximum benefit from the allocation.
To read the announcement in full click on the following link:
http://www.curriculumonline.gov.uk/News/Curriculum+Online+-+news+update.htm
September 27, 2007
- e Safety and Web 2.0
From parents to Local Authorities the constant worry about using web 2.0 applications is one of security and who will have access to what. In this litiginous society everyone wants to be safe and secure. A quick type into Google shows numerous conferences and articles seeking to clear or even muddy the water.
The State of [...]
September 24, 2007
- Softease at the Learning 2.0 Conference in Shanghai
Eugenie and Danielle recently returned from Shanghai where they attended the Learning2 Conference at the Concordia International School in Pudong, Shanghai.
The conference was centred around a Web 2.0 Tool called Ning, a social Networking Tool. It acted as a conference scheduler and management tool and generally brought everything and everyone together to allow Communication, Collaboration and [...]
September 13, 2007
- New Secondary Curriculum
The new secondary curriculum, which becomes statutory from September 2008, is designed to inspire and challenge all learners and prepare them for the future. Reduced prescription in the curriculum aims to allow for greater flexibility to personalise learning.
QCA has now launched a new secondary curriculum website which provides a range of support and guidance to help [...]
September 12, 2007
- BLOG OFF
BLOG OFF is the name of a workshop being run at Futurelab’s autumn conference, Why Don’t You…? Supporting Innovative Approaches to Education, being held in London on the 30th – 31st October 07. The workshop run by Andy Black, Learning and Skills Support Manager, Becta, involves a rapid tour of some Web 2.0 tools that [...]
September 6, 2007
- Extend your ICT with extended schools funding
In support of the target that all schools will offer full-time, year round childcare by 2010, the DCSF has announced a massive investment of more than £1 billion in the extended schools programme over the next three years.
Schools can provide extended services themselves, or deliver them in partnership with other schools or voluntary and community [...]
August 14, 2007
- Web 2.0 in schools – a tough nut to crack?
According to a recent article from the BBC, the general secretary of NASUWT believes that social networking websites ‘served no useful purpose and should be closed’ as they are a breeding ground for bullying. From an educational point of view, most readers on here are probably more inclined to agree with Beatbullying chief executive Emma [...]
July 31, 2007
- $100 laptops – help or hindrance?
Mass production of the first batch of $100 laptops for schools in developing countries is reported to have begun, sparking debate over the importance of pushing technology upon developing countries that have ‘more pressing needs such as sanitation, water and health care.’ Kofi Annan, however, is a supporter of the scheme, developed by the organisation, [...]
