News Archive
ICT Test Bed Evaluation Report (Online)10/04/2006The evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness of the project in relation to five key themes. It incorporates external and internal strands which are inter-related to maximise formative impact on the project. The online report is available via the 'About the Project' link on the front page. |
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| The external evaluation is assessing whether, to what extent and how the objectives of the ICT Test Bed policy have been met. It identifies challenges encountered and lessons learnt. There is an emphasis on measuring change against benchmarks (using quantitative methods) and developing explanatory theories about the development and implementation of good practice (using qualitative methods).
The internal evaluation, in partnership with teachers, school and college leaders, is using an action research approach to support the development of good practice and its dissemination. The evaluation team provides guidance and mentoring for teachers and school/FE leaders in carrying out research, including support materials for carrying out data collection, analysis and publication. |
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Art teachers at Valence House Museum24/03/2006Valence House hosted a Private View of the i-guide lesson material in January 2006. Art teachers from Barking and Dagenham LA previewed trails for KS3 and A Level Art students prior to these being used by the students themselves as part of their coursework. |
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| They were amazed at the huge potential that the interactive trails could have on learning and were surprised at how simple the handheld devices were to operate. One teacher commented it would be great to use this as a springboard for projects accessing local paintings. The use of the portable devices enabled Art teachers to use ICT in a meaningful and personalised way in their teaching.
Interactive trails are currently being written for History, Geography, Science & Art in both the Secondary and Primary phase. |
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Computers & Learning Conference 0505/05/2005Ellie Burkett Head of Art at Warren Comprehensive School was one of two Barking & Dagenham teachers who won a bursary to attend CAL the biennial international CAL conference in Bristol on virtual learning in April. Teachers were invited to submit a poster and this winning entry explains the innovative work students have been doing at the Dulwich Picture Gallery using interactive wireless trails or lessons on handheld computers. |
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| The poster describes the project and poses the important question of what is it about using the handheld computers that increases confidence, motivation & involvement.
Ellie is evaluating the impact new teaching styles have on learning and teaching through teacher action research. Her study on ICT and Critical and Contextual Studies: Can 21st Century Technology be used to learn about 17th Century Art? is available on the Becta website and gives full background to the project. |
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Mobilising the Museum Experience05/05/2005Warren Comprehensive School Art Department were given a platform at a recent workshop involving museum practitioners, curators, academics and designers looking into the use of mobile, digital technology. Ellie Burkett, Head of Art spoke about the use of interactive trails at The Dulwich Picture Gallery and the impact this has had on student learning and motivation. |
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| There is a growing interest in developing mobile, digital technologies to enhance the experience of visitors in museums and Warren School using PDAs and Street Access Software are at the forefront of these developments. The workshop organised by King's College London on 27th April 2005 addressed a broad range of issues and brought together museum educationalists, curators and designers including contributions from The National Gallery, Tate Britain, Royal Institution, Wallace Collection, and Science Museum. Warren school are at the forefront of developments that use portable interactive technology in a gallery setting. |
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Visualiser Input - Primary Strategy21/03/20053 teachers and the LEA ICT Team set off around the country in March to support the Primary Strategy by disseminating the impact of the visualiser on teaching and learning. |
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| The half an hour input focussed on the main features of the technology through to the exciting possibilities of digital capture and annotation. The audience of LEA consultants for numeracy and Literacy were soon elaborating on how they could see the technology supporting their subject area. For more information please click on the technology section and then the visualiser link from the home page. |
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Ripple Junior Website LIVE11/01/2005Take a look at the new Ripple Junior website via the Institution information area. |
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| The website is a great resource informing the community of what is happneing at Ripple Junior. The school regularly sends out newsletters, informing parents of school events and other important information. You can now receive all the school newsletters by e-mail. Look in the Home section for the newsletter link. |
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Stephen Twigg MP visits Warren Junior School10/01/2005The former Minister of State for School Standards was impressed with the impact the Samsung digital presenter has had on the pupils at Warren Junior school commenting, "It's amazing to see how focussed the pupils are - hats off to the school and Council for their brilliant work". |
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| [Extract from Barking & Dagenham Post 24/11/2004]
Stephen Twigg (former Minister of State for School Standards) praised schools across the Borough for their recent achievements during a visit to Warren Junior School. Mr Twigg's comments followed a tour around the Junior school in Gordon Road, Chadwell Heath where he saw pupils and teachers using Samsung visualisers.
As part of the ICT Test Bed project children as young as seven were seen using the projection equipment with confidence.
The equipment allows teachers to demonstrate activities to the whole class and in much more detail - for example results of dissections and experiments can be magnified and displayed. Stephen Twigg told the POST: "It's vitally important that we have this sort of equipment in our primary schools, as well as our secondary schools. It's amazing to see how focussed the pupils are - hats off to the school and Council for their brilliant work. Schools in this area have improved significantly in recent years, which is a tribute to the teachers, their leadership and of course the pupils themselves."
The school has been involved in the ICT Test Bed project for about 2 years and the impact it has made on teaching and learning is clear to see.
When Mr Twigg asked pupils what they thought of the equipment, he was told - "I think it's great" and "It's much better than before."
Teacher Tina Royal-Clark said; "The equipment gets pupils interacting more because, in this age of computer games, it's what they're used to and so we are working on their level."
Head teacher Gary Wilder believed pupils have reacted positively to the technology and that teachers were also benefiting from the time saved through the facilities. He said; "It gives children access to the whole range of resources which is impacting on the achievement of all our pupils."
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Grandparents Online week 200407/01/2005Manor Infants hosted a week of events for Year 1 and Year 2 grandparents.The children taught their grandparents how to use graphics and word processing packages and explored educational websites. Roll on 2005! |
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| Please contact the school if you are interested in finding out what exciting community developments are going on this academic year. |
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