This morning I came across a tweet from the Spotlight on Digital Media and Learning website entitled, Books You Can Play With and Games You Can Read: The New Market in Young Children’s Book Apps, and it got me thinking on the implications these new devices might have on children’s literacy levels now and in
Thinking about books in a new light Read More »
Goanimate is a free online cartoon tool. You can sign up for a free personal version which has restricted features and functions or you can sign up for a schools version which gives you access to lots of features for free.GoAnimate4schools allows you to create accounts for pupils and teachers. For the schools version you
GoAnimate – free cartoon creation online Read More »
I’ve just started a project with some 5th and 6th class pupils using Scratch. For the uninitiated, Scratch is a visual programming language that is similar to building virtual Lego. I’ll try and explain a little better. When you open Scratch, you are faced with a cartoon cat and the user’s job is to get
Scratching the Surface Read More »
Edchat is a Twitter conversation about educational matters both general and specific. The brainchild of Americans Shelley Terrell, Tom Whitby and Steven Anderson, Edchat widely used by educators within Twitter to tag their tweets, allowing them to develop discussions. Some discussion are ongoing, some take place at agreed times among local groups who address an
Fáilte #edchatIE – Irish debut for #edchat Read More »
Freemake Video Converter is a very handy piece of “free” software allowing you to convert videos to AVI, MP4, WMV, MKV, SWF, 3GP, DVD, MPEG, MP3, iPod, iPhone, PSP, Android, rip & burn DVDs, convert online videos directly from 40+ sites, burn Blu-ray, and upload to YouTube. This piece of software is built using Microsoft’s
Freemake Video Converter Read More »
Smart Technologies, the world’s leading interactive whiteboard manufacturer recently released Smart Notebook Express – http://express.smarttech.com a web application that is a lightweight version of their Smart Notebook software that is bundled with their interactive whiteboard equipment for creating interactive lesson resources. In addition they have also released a downloadable version of the Smart Notebook Express
Smart Notebook Express Read More »
While surfing through Microsoft’s website in the US I came across some interesting tutorials and information for using Microsoft tools and programs in the classroom. Fostered by Microsoft under its Innovative Educator Program, the Microsoft Teacher Development Community has lots of resources and ready-to-use training materials from US based workshops. To view these materials you
Microsoft Education Resources Read More »
Critics often accuse video games of making players lazy, inept and socially awkward. Contrary to popular belief, though, a growing body of research is now showing that many build, not burn brain cells by requiring extensive problem solving, teamwork and dynamic decision-making skills. Also capable of building players’ confidence and helping them see the world
How video games can make you smarter Read More »
Over the past few days, we have been looking out to see what the politicians are promising in regard to ICT in education and how they see (or don’t see) technology and e-learning enhancing the teaching and learning that’s taking place in our schools. Fianna Fáil’s Manifesto makes no mention of education or ICT. However,
ICT in Education: What are the Political Parties Promising? Read More »
I recently had the opportunity to attend the ‘Learning Without Frontiers conference in London and found some really good ideas were discussed. This is a summary of what some of the guest presenters had to say. Karen Cator, Director of Educational Technology, US Department of Education – The National Education Technology Plan in the United
Learning Without Frontiers – London 2011 Read More »