May 23rd 2012 1.00 to 3.00

A videoconferencing opportunity in true ‘Euro Vision’ style for YHGfL member primary schools.

Schools will perform a short song, no longer than 3 minutes in a MFL. (French, German or Spanish)

Schools will watch other schools perform, then after a short break, vote for the best performance reporting back in true Euro Vision style – there will be no ‘0 points’

Performances will be judged along the lines of:

• Are the children joining in?
• Is it an enthusiastic performance?
• Are the children having fun?

The winning school will then perform their song again, and have the opportunity of the performance been featured on YHGfL’s video host eViews (subject to copyright).

Certificates will be awarded to all schools.

Time is dependent on the number of schools taking part, expected to run 1.00 to 3.00 approx

As usual YHGfL will be able to support any schools new to the technology and has an amount of loan equpment available.

See http://shareit.yhgfl.net/enews/?p=234 for a video of a previous year.

To register for this year’s event click HERE

This new set of workshops is an exciting collaboration between Bradford Council’s Curriculum ICT team, with its excellent track record in delivering leadership courses, and YHGfL with its strong expertise in technical issues in an educational setting.

The three workshops  will focus on the key role that Network Managers and Technicians play in responding to the needs of school stakeholders, providing cutting-edge IT in a flexible and cost-effective way. The course will prepare participants for their role as strategic thinkers and leaders of change and is suitable for Network Managers and Technicians in all phases.

To be  held at the Chesneys Centre, Featherstone, Wakefield

The full programme covers the following areas:

• Overview of national and regional trends in education
• Whole-school strategic leadership of IT
• The relationship of technology-enhanced learning to school leadership and pedagogy
• Empowering teachers to ‘Risk IT’
• Digital literacy and the safe and responsible use of IT
• IT supporting learning and teaching, assessment, home learning and parental engagement
• Developing communities of practice to spread school innovation

The three-workshop programme is focused on understanding the needs of users, strategic leadership,andlow-cost,high-impact learning technologies. As well as being a considerable networking opportunity for Network Managers and Technicians, each session will also feature hands-on workshops with the very latest technologies, pedagogies and practices from leading vendors. A Course Completion Certificate will be awarded for attendance at all three courses.

For further information about the programme and joining instructions click HERE

A couple of places still available: Act quickly

YHGfL are marking book week this year by giving schools the fantastic opportunity to take part in a video conference session with the author David Webb (see http://www.david-webb.info/). David will be running a range of sessions tailored to the group of children involved with plenty of opportunities to discuss his work, ask him questions about his books and what it’s like to be an author. Maybe your children  could read some of their work to him.  If you and your pupils would like the opportunity to meet David we now have a very limited number of slots available – book now to avoid disappointment!

To take part in this  video conference you will need as a minimum a web cam with microphone and a speaker set connected to a computer running windows on your broadband connection. With this we will be using the FREE video conferencing software Janet Desktop.  We can also connect to schools registered with JVCS on their usual video conferencing system or PVX software. YHGfL and some LAs also have systems that can be loaned out if necessary.

Click HERE for further and booking information.

The role of programming in ICT has been a key focus over the past few weeks with the Education Secretary Michael Gove firmly backing ‘coding’ in the ICT curriculum. This online session will introduce delegates to a number of freely available software programmes that can be used to create simple games. Delegates will learn the basics of Scratch and Microsoft Kodu and look at how they can be used within the curriculum.

Starting at 4:00 this session will last approximately 45 minutes and be conducted through Adobe Connect. All you will need is access to a PC and a set of headphones. If you aren’t sure what to do we will happily run a quick test session with you first.

click HERE to register for this event.

Video conferencing (VC) is a way of using technology to connect people whether between schools, between regions or between countries. Using a broadband connection, a web/video camera and a television you can see and hear each other.

Getting started with video conferencing doesn’t mean having to spending lots of money. As a minimum all you need is  a web cam with microphone and speakers connected to a computer running windows on your broadband connection. With this you can use the FREE video conferencing software Janet Desktop.

This session will look at the use of Video conferencing in the classroom, what you need, setting up for a session and example projects. We will also look at the various content providers you can book for your sessions as well as using it as a collaboration tool between schools.

The session is designed for those wanting to get started with the technology or just investigating its potential.

Starting at 16:00, the session will last approximately 45 minutes and be conducted through Adobe Connect. All you will need is access to a PC and a set of headphones. If you aren’t sure what to do just let us know and one of the team will happily contact you to run a quick test session with you first.

Click HERE to register , FREE to YHGfL member schools.

YHGfL have set the dates for a number of Video Conference sessions throught 2013

Below is a summary, see the YHGfL website for further information:

Yorkshire Vision VC

23^rd May 2013 – KS1 & KS2

 A videoconferencing opportunity in true ‘Euro Vision’ style for YHGfL member primary schools compared by our very own Pierre from Paris.

Schools will perform a short song, no longer than 3 minutes in a MFL. (French, German or Spanish)

The Schools will watch the other schools perform, then after a short break, vote for the best performance and report back in true Euro Vision style – there will be no ‘0 points’

http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD/CPD-programme/FREE-to-YHGfL-members-Yorkshire-Vision-VC2

Jolly Postman VC

9^th July 2013 –  Foundation & EY KS1

Due to the phenomenal success of our Lapland Video Conference we are delighted to announce that the Jolly Postman has agreed to make himself available to talk to schools in the Yorkshire & Humber region. Schools will have the opportunity to link up with the Jolly Postman live from his home in Story Land and take part in a number of activities depending on the Key Stage and focus required. Children will have the opportunity to write a short letter to their favourite story book character and read it to the Jolly Postman and ask and answer questions, all letters used will be posted to his special blog for all to see. A number of sorting and sequencing activities are planned for the older children. This is a fantastic way to get started with Video Conferencing.

http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD/CPD-programme/FREE-to-YHGfL-Members-Jolly-Postman-VC2

VC with Wes Magee

1^St & 2^nd October 2013 – All key Stages

YHGfL are marking Poetry Week this year by giving schools the fantastic opportunity to take part in a video conference session with award winning poet and author Wes Magee. Wes will run a range of sessions from Action Rhymes, to Poetry Shows – each tailored to the group of children involved. If you and your pupils would like the opportunity to meet Wes virtually this October we have a limited number of slots available – book now to avoid disappointment!

http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD/CPD-programme/FREE-to-YHGfL-Members-VC-with-Wes-Magee

Bring Lapland to Your Classroom

16^th – 19^th December 2013 – All Key  Stages

Father Christmas is so busy these days he really finds it difficult to visit schools in person. We’ve managed to arrange for him to talk to you once again via his new video conferencing system, using the power of the internet to visit you instead! If your pupils would like the opportunity to meet Santa virtually this December direct from Lapland we have a limited number of slots available.

http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD/CPD-programme/FREE-to-YHGfL-Members-Bring-Lapland-to-Your-Classroom

To take part in any of these  video conference you will need as a minimum a web cam with microphone and a speaker set connected to a computer running windows on your broadband connection. With this we will be using the FREE video conferencing software Janet Desktop.  We can also connect to schools registered with JVCS on their usual video conferencing system or PVX software. YHGfL and some LAs also have systems that can be loaned out if necessary.

Video Conference with David Webb

4^th March 2014 – KS1 +

YHGfL are marking book week this year by giving schools the fantastic opportunity to take part in a video conference session with the author David Webb (see http://www.david-webb.info/). David will be running a range of sessions tailored to the group of children involved with plenty of opportunities to discuss his work, ask him questions about his books and what it’s like to be an author. Maybe your children could read some of their work to him.  If you and your pupils would like the opportunity to meet David we have a limited number of slots available – book now to avoid disappointment!

http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD/

Mathsbuster Numeracy VC

May 1^st 2014

Based on the popular “Blockbuster” TV shows this video conference has classes competing against each other answering questions based on past numeracy SATs papers (but not the actual questions).

The 45 min approx. session is aimed at Y5 or Y6 pupils based around a wide range of numeracy questions, primarily focused at Level 4, in the style of those questions presented in SATs papers for KS2.

The format will link together two schools, hosted by our very own quizmaster Bob Bloggs, Professor of Very Difficult Mathematics from the University of Impossibly Hard Mathematical Problem Solving.

Each school will nominate a team to answer the questions, supported by the rest of the class. Both schools will need to work on the answer just in case it’s wrong and it gets passed over. A series of challenges and surprises will ensure a close contest. If we do get stuck Professor Bob will give expert advice.

http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD

YHGfL are able to support any school new or using to the technology and run a number of on-line and face to face workshops throughout the year. See our CPD section on the website : http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD

Our  next on-line Video Conferencing  CPD sessions is on  May 2nd at 4.00, extra ones can be arranged by request.

http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD/CPD-programme/Getting-started-with-video-conferencing-Online-sessions

For further information on the sessions or information in general about Video Conferencing email contact@yhgfl.net

Yorkshire & Humber Grid for Learning invite you to a FREE day of Mobile App Development using the Weejot Mobile App Publishing Network.

Mobile applications or ‘Apps’ are applications that run on smartphones and other mobile devices. Weejot is a cloud based mobile apps publishing service that allows users to publish mobile apps in real-time with no appstore required. This service provides FREE individual student accounts to all schools. Attendees will be shown how to use the Weejot App Studio which provides all the tools required to develop, manage and test mobile apps. Apps can also be developed in a favorite editor, uploaded to Weejot and previewed before been made live. You can even make changes in real time with the web-based code editor. The platform enables schools to teach programming techniques that enable students to develop mobile apps that can easily be deployed through HTML5, JavaScript and CSS technologies

The day itself will be a buzz of brainstorming, screen staring and intense focus. A number of developers from weejot will be available on the day to help staff and students develop their app.

Venue Wakefield Council, Chesneys Centre, Featherstone.

Friday 11th January 2012 – 10.00am to 3.00pm

To register

http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD/CPD-programme/Mobile-Hack-Day

6 December 2012

St Peters School, Stanley, Wakefield

4.30 to 6.30

TeachMeets are events for teachers for sharing good practice, practical innovations and personal insights in teaching using technology. This event is organised to coincide with the YHGfL/Microsoft Partners in learning Training camp http://www.yhgfl.net/CPD/CPD-programme/Microsoft-Partners-in-Learning-Teacher-Camp2.

Participants can volunteer/book (via the YHGfL website) to demonstrate good practice they’ve delivered over the past year, or discuss a product that enhances classroom practice.  You will be able to deliver a micro-presentation lasting no more than seven minutes or a two-minute nano presentation – or come along just to listen and be inspired.

Don’t let the length of the presentations put you off as they will be packed with interesting and exciting ideas that you can take back and try in the classroom.

This FREE TeachMeet event is open to all.  Please sign up for this event on the YHGfL website HERE.

Safer Internet Day (SID) 2013 will take place on Tuesday, 5^th February 2013.

A YHGfL on-line session December 12th , 4pm to 5 pm.

It is now an important day in the year where schools can support students, staff and other stakeholders with spreading the important message of being safe online. This on-line workshop will highlight different strategies and ideas based on the SID theme for 2013.

To book on the session and for further information click HERE

More information about Safer Internet Day 2013 can be found here on the ins@fe website:

http://www.saferinternetday.org/web/guest/sid-2013

New to programming?

Although there are not yet any requirements for the new ICT or IT curriculum, it’s clear that with all the talk of needing to ‘upskill’ pupils for the IT and video games industry that programming is fast becoming an essential skill but a skill that many ICT and IT teachers don’t necessarily have. The good news is that help is at hand…

Microsoft Partners in Learning have been delivering their extremely popular ‘Teacher Camps’ for some time but the YHGfL PiL Teacher Camp will have a focus firmly on programming using free software. It’s perfect for beginners in programming and you’ll become part of a like-minded community of support.

What will I be doing at Camp?

We will give you training in using free Microsoft software to create teaching and learning resources for the classroom. You will have time to design, create and evaluate those resources and collaborate with others. You will also get the chance to speak to experts at Microsoft about their technology. In addition you will also be learning how to deliver the same training to colleagues in your own schools. These resources will take the form of screen capture videos, which are call Innovids. You can see examples of these on the Partners in Learning eViews Channel -http://eviews.yhgfl.net/category/microsoft-p.i.l

This camp is free to YHGfL members click HERE for further and booking information.

More information about Microsoft PiL can be found HERE