Education on the Internet
Number 116: 14th April, 2004
Introduction
Introduction
Education on the Internet is published by Spartacus Educational every week. The newsletter includes news, reviews of websites and articles on using ICT in the classroom. Members of the mailing list are invited to submit information for inclusion in future newsletters. In this way we hope to create a community of people involved in using the Internet in education. Currently there are 48,440 subscribers to the newsletter.
All reviews are added to our web directory. There are sections on Internet Services, Online Seminars, Primary Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Languages, History, Geography, Design & Technology, Business Studies, Special Needs, Media Studies, ICT, Sociology, Music, Politics, Economics, Photography, Art & Design, Theatre Studies, Physical Education and Religious Studies.
John Simkin
News and Articles
ICT and Student Motivation: Research conducted by Lancaster University shows that, while ICT motivates both boys and girls, it probably has a greater effect on boys, helping them to stay more focused on their work for longer. The study also reports that secondary teachers involved in the research said they felt ICT helped pupils take pride in their work, that it was helpful for coursework, and that it supported research work. They also said that it was more likely that a task would be completed on time when ICT is used. The research had praise for interactive whiteboards, finding that they increase the pace and effectiveness of lessons. Both the research brief and the report are available to download from DfES Programme of Research.
ICT Survey: The Fischer Family Trust carries out surveys into ICT use in schools. Surveys conducted between 2000 and 2003 generated responses from over 3,500 departments in secondary schools. The report summarises details of the ICT resources used in each subject and indicates how teachers rated the impact of their use upon pupils' learning. This section of the website includes the each page of the report which can be viewed or downloaded. There are also links to brief descriptions of each resource and to the maker's website.
Digital Video: If you would like to spark your pupils' imaginations and improve their creativity and communication skills, Becta's free information sheet on how to get started using digital video should give you some ideas. It includes ideas on choosing equipment, planning, filming and editing. To receive a copy, send an email to dvawards@becta.org.uk. You can also get a free copy of a report based on an analysis of current research about the use of digital video (DV) in teaching and learning. It summarises the key findings and suggests resources for further reading.
English
The Standards Site: The Standards Site is managed by the Department for Education and Employment's Standards and Effectiveness Unit (SEU). The main objective of the site is to supply teachers with "guidance and tools to help schools improve effectiveness, raise standards and reduce workload". This includes providing literacy materials and schemes of work. There is also a detailed section on 'The National Literacy Strategy' which contains material under headings such as 'What is Literacy?', 'About the Framework for Teaching', 'Resource Area', 'What is the Literacy Hour' and 'What should literate children be able to do.'
Ted Hughes: The British Library is one of the best resources in the world for studying the work of the English poet and children's writer Ted Hughes (1930-1998). Within Modern British Collections these include first and later editions of his poetry and prose, as well as critical studies, biographies, and literary journals in which his work is discussed. The Library also holds manuscripts and sound recordings by or about Hughes. The Library also holds a number of manuscript poems, plays, and other works by Hughes, as well as manuscripts by his first wife, the poet Sylvia Plath.
Science
Brightsparks: In July 2003, Planet Science, the extension of the Science Year initiative, came to an end. Many thousands of teachers, pupils and members of the public have benefited from its innovative and exciting projects and resources throughout the last two years. So, while the actual initiative may have finished, its work will continue through a legacy programme, with a range of new projects being rolled out from the next academic year. Brightsparks offers a whole set of science revision quizzes suitable for both primary and secondary school pupils. Hundreds of questions have been put together, and each one involves a picture and four answers to choose from.
Skeptics Dictionary: This website has been created by Robert Carroll, a professor of philosophy and author of the book, 'Becoming a Critical Thinker'. The main objective of this website is to explain mysteries such as UFOs, crop circles and telepathy. We all like mysteries and I suspect that a large number of the 114,000 people who have visited the site would have been disappointed by Carroll's scientific and rational explanations. However, this is an impressive attempt to encourage rational thinking.
Media Studies
Film Classification: The Children's British Board of Film Classification (CBBFC) website has been designed to give older primary school children a clearer understanding of film classification in the UK. This site should enable them to find out how and why films,videos and DVDs are classified in a fun and informative manner. The includes the 'Viewing Room', where you can rate four current trailers and be an examiner for the day. The site also offers activities such as competitions, information on film ratings, and news.
Digital Videos Awards: The winners of the Digital Video Awards were announced on Thursday, 11 March 2004 at The Education Show, NEC, Birmingham. The scheme is for all students aged between 5 and 18 across the UK. The Awards aim to celebrate excellence in creative use of digital video and to inspire students and teachers to exploit the full potential of this exciting technology. On this Becta website you can watch a selection of these films online.
Geography
Guardian Environment: This section of the Guardian's website provides a collection of recent articles on the environment. This includes an article by Jonathan Porritt, the prime minister's senior adviser on sustainable development. He says it is hard to exaggerate the damage done to the planet by George Bush's drive for a "new world order". Porritt argues that on a whole series of issues including climate change, international aid, family planning, nuclear proliferation, trade and corporate responsibility, Bush's "discredited model of extreme economic liberalism has set the world back a decade or more".
Map Machine: There are several websites on the Internet that provides maps. Probably the best of these is provided by the National Geographic Magazine. Developed in association with GeoSystems Global Corporation the 'Map Machine Atlas' enables the viewer to select any country in the world. The map is displayed with national flag and other factual information such as: population, capital, main religions, languages, literacy rate and life expectancy. There are also sections on the country's history and economy. The Web Machine also has collections of 'Political' and 'Physical' maps. A recent addition is 'View From Above' that shows maps of countries based on satellite photographs.
Internet Services
Easynet offers the Public Sector a unique and comprehensive range of broadband and network service options, ranging from the single user to the provision of regional or national broadband aggregated networks. Easynet offers a range of standard packages which offer a wide range of Internet connectivity options; the ability to gain ad-hoc remote access to community networks and the ability to add voice services if required. Easynet is at the forefront of driving broadband competition forward. It has unbundled more local loops than any other company.
Gmail: Last week I reported on plans by Google to offer free email. However, politicians in America are considering ways of forcing the company to drop the idea. Liz Figuero believes Google's plans to pay for the service by scanning customers' emails in order to send them tailored advertisements, is a breach of privacy. Figuero is now considering legislation to stop Google from launching its Gmail service in its present form.
Book Section
The Insomniac's Best Friend: Insomnia is a modern epidemic: people are working harder and sleeping less. This book shows you how to devise your own master plan, instead of thrashing around trying anything out of desperation. Very often, unsettling life issues are at the root of insomnia. This book points the way to a journey of self-exploration that may help you. We all need to learn how to sleep well. This book gives you the tools you need. (Lynda Brown, Thorsons, ISBN 0 00 716385 1, £9.99)
