Education

Blogging using HTML in pen.io (Full Project)
pen.io

pen.io

By Mike Britland

Click here for the project

In the interest of pushing the ICT curriculum into the 21st Century, I have developed a SoW that aims to incorporate two facets of digital literacy and computer science; blogging & coding.

The unit of works asks students to produce a blog on a subject of their choice, they are required to research the topic and log all research in the correct manner. Logging and commenting on the validity of the information that is found is an essential area for assessment. This can be adapted so students need to comment at greater length on copyright issues.

Students present their blog using the free blogging site pen.io. This site is fairly unique, as students need an understanding of basic HTML and CSS in order to present work in an interesting manner. For instance, students will need a basic understanding on HTML in order to change the font size/type/colour/style. The site also tests students ability to organise work as they need to develop a navigation system for the their blogs.

The unit was originally taught in year 8 but the nature of the skills tested make the SoW scalable. Therefore, the more advanced use of HTML/CSS taught or used allows the unit to be taught to higher year groups.

This unit fits perfectly into the proposed draft programme of study for KS3 as it covers creative use of ICT and coding.

Follow Mike on Twitter:  @mikematthewsCDN

Using the iPad in Music Lessons (FLStudio App)

Jason, a music teacher at my school has started using our iPads in his music lessons.

I popped in to have a look and I have to say it looked excellent. I wish I could have done this when I was at school. The kids really enjoyed it and could really see the value in using iPads in Music lessons.

When I spoke to a couple of students they told me that the iPad helped to develop their understanding of a rhythm.

Jason’s objectives for the lesson were:

  • To understand how a step sequencer works – to understand how the screen is arranged in beats and how those beats are divided up
  • To understand rhythm written in traditional notation – to prove understanding by reproducing that rhythm on the step sequencer
  • To create own rhythm from scratch and to write it using traditional music notation

ICT/Computing Projects 2012-2013 – Initial Thoughts Pt 1

Keyboard

It is only January and I am already thinking about next year.  The job of a Head of ICT is never done! 😉

However, before I think about new projects for next year I want to release version 1.1 of Mr Britland’s ICT Curriculum. I am aim to have this done by February. The plan is to add the following:

  • Curriculum Strands

Digital Literacy
Digital Citizenship
Digital Creativity
Computer (Digital) Science

  • Aims

Keep an eye on my blog for the new update.

So? What about next year? Well…at the moment as an initial thought I would like to add a new project. This will be on Computer Networks.

At the moment I teach my year 8 students about computer hardware, key British Computer Scientists and touch upon the four generations of computers. Next year I would like to deliver this to Year 7 and teach Computer Networks to Year 8.

Next blog post coming soon with some more ideas for next year.

iPad – A Tour of the Hardware

Annoyingly, I forgot to mention the volume buttons or the mute/orientation lock.

They are the buttons/switch on the side.

The lock button can be managed in the settings.

The video found on my YouTube channel has been annotated accordingly.

My contribution to: Club Penguin’s Guide to the Wonderful World of the Web
Disney's Club Penguin

Disney’s Club Penguin

Back in June (I think) I had an exciting phone call from Disney, asking if I would like to contribute to a new guide for parents they were creating.

I obviously said yes and my section has now been published.

If you would like to have a read, click on the link below.

Club Penguin’s Guide to the Wonderful World of the Web

Why Performance Related Pay for Teachers is a Bad Idea (UPDATE)
Ministers Attend Cabinet Meeting At Downing Street

Gove!

UPDATE: Please see the bottom of the post for Union reactions.

The DfE have posted this news item today:

All schools to get freedom to pay good teachers more

This post is my initial reaction as not all of the details are available as yet.

Does Gove really think that performance related pay will work in education? Insurance sales – yes, education – no.

Here is why:

How does one rate performance? Yes, results are important (and measurable), but being a teacher is about far more than letters. What about the positive influence teachers have on young peoples lives? You cannot measure that. What about the teachers who go the extra mile everyday? You can’t measure that.

I am sure many HoDs will not do this, but certainly a point that should be raised. If your salary is dependent on performance, will some HoDs allocate the ‘best’ students in order to get the best results? Teachers have kids and families to support. Could you blame them for wanting more money?

Value added could be a way of judging performance. However, if you have a class of students who are predicted A*, there is only so much value you can add. If many of your students are predicted C’s and D’s, you have more opportunity to add value.

This tweet from Sam is worth thinking about:

This is spot on and a great point.

Some schools have more outside donors or sponsors, these can provide funds to all sorts of things. This could free up extra money to pay more for staff.

Its common sense that teacher pay should be consistent. Imagine a situation when two teachers in the same department, doing the same job, find that one of them gets paid more. It will not be a good.

Schools are already under pressure about results and some are accused of helping students more than they should. Do you really think performance related pay is going to help this situation?

Think of the financial uncertainty for our future teachers.

Finally, it is a horrible to think of our students being treated like commodities.

I am sorry this may seem like a rant and possibly not brilliantly put together, I just wanted to get it out there.

Update:

Teachers’ performance pay ‘does not raise standards’ – Interesting article from the BBC.

Update 2:

NUT Reaction

NASUWT Reaction

ATL Reaction

My Skype Interview with Game to Learn

Check out out the Game to Learn Facebook group and YouTube Channel for more interviews and other good stuff.

Being an outstanding teacher relies on more than passing harder QTS tests

This blog was originally published by The Guardian on 12th November 2012.

The government recently announced its latest change to the teacher training programme: in order to make entry into teaching more challenging they will make the QTS skills tests more difficult by raising the pass grade over the next three years.

In order to pass, candidates will need to score the equivalent of a B at GCSE to pass. The government is also hoping to attract high achieving computer scientists into teaching by offering £20,000 scholarships. Yes we need high flying graduates if they have the correct skills to teach. However, a degree from a Russell Group university or an outstanding academic record isn’t simply a passport to good teaching.

When I took my GCSEs (nearly 20 years ago) I ‘only’ achieved a C in English and maths. Does this mean someone who achieved an A* or an A would be a better teacher? Of course not. Raising the minimum requirement to pass the QTS skills test to the equivalent of a B will not improve the quality of teaching, but only prevents potentially outstanding teachers from entering the profession.

It seems like another misguided step from Michael Gove, the education secretary, and shows he understands little about what is required to teach. It is also very shortsighted to think that the standard of teaching will improve because these tests are harder to pass.

In all honesty, why do we have a system that includes skills tests in the first place? If the prerequisite for entry onto a PGCE course includes GCSEs in both English and maths (and science if in primary training) then surely that is a better indication of your ability? Why the need for both?

During my career I have worked and trained with people who, on paper, are far more qualified than me, including the academically gifted and experienced industry professionals. Many of these people have entered the profession under the impression that qualifications, and being considered a ‘high flyer’ in their industry, will mean they will be a great teacher. Inevitably it’s a shock when they start training.

I have also seen many people who, according to their qualifications, should be outstanding, but have dropped out during their training year, failed to complete their NQT year or struggled to get teaching jobs. Why? Because it turns out, there is more to teaching than having a list of qualifications as long as your arm or how successful you are in a chosen industry. More should be made of the other qualities teachers require, that dare I say, are more important.

What qualities make an outstanding teacher?

I tweeted the following question to my followers on Twitter: “What are the most important things to look for in those wanting to train as teachers?”
I really wanted to know what other teachers around the country thought. Was I being naive in thinking that Gove was taking the wrong approach, that raising standards is as easy as raising the minimum qualifications required to train?

Below are some of the qualities I took from the Twitter response:

• The ability to build relationships, passion, a desire for learning, flexibility and being able to adapt.

• The need to enjoy working with young people and have an idea of what a career in teaching entails.

• A sense of humour in trainee teachers and the ability to see past labels.

• The ability to inspire, treat learners like equals and see the potential in all students. Teachers need to be positive, optimistic and confident.

One person tweeted that adaptability was more important than qualifications, which I thought was a great point. Not one person mentioned that trainee teachers need to be highly qualified.

The hypocrisy of Gove’s mission to improve the standard of new teachers is that academies can employ people who do not even have a formal teaching qualification to teach. On one hand Gove is saying how important it is that we only allow people to teach who have the best qualifications, and on the other hand that actually, it doesn’t matter, employ who you like.

Raising the standards of teaching is very important and I am all for it. However, we cannot lose sight of the other qualities required to teach, over and above just teachers’ qualifications.