Tim Rylands

Hello, Today I had a good look through Tim Rylands website in which he encourages the use of video games to improve children's literacy skills. I think this is a particularly neglected way in which teachers can approach and engage pupils in descriptive writing. During ASP1, the children of my class were instructed on writing a sci-fi story and they had great difficulty in coming up with ideas, plots, characters and scenery. During the lessons I took, I tried to engage with the children by using Star Wars (a personal favourite of mine) to illustrate the points that the class teacher was trying to get at. In a way, the use of a common game, or clips of video games can give the children wonder, they can perceive another world and be absorbed by it. One could go on to tell them that a good story is the very essence of almost all non-simulating video games. It can help give pupils an aspiration to become a video game writer / creator and develop their thinking and communication skills. It was refreshing to see a teacher taking on this approach, and you could see the positive results of it as well. As a bit of a geek, I would like to bring into the classroom as much of what I'm enthused by as possible. This will, in turn be communicated to the children, and if common ground can be found for your inspiration (even though video games are generally seen as negative in learning and development), then why not bring it into the classroom.

What does effective integration of ICT within schools mean to me?

The integration of ICT, to me, involves a seamless, organic and absorbing of digital technologies into the very fabric of a schools ethos. It encourages wonder, excitement, expression and synergy for pupils and staff.

A really useful compendium for ICT resources

Below is a link which will take to a website full of useful ICT ideas and innovations you could use in the classroom. I particularely liked the online debate generator. Check it out.

http://deangroom.wordpress.com/game-tools/

An interesting development

Now, in one of our lectures, I think it was Alun, spoke about the use of 3d projectors for interaction between ICT and pupils in the classroom. Now, it appears that some companies have developed software that will enable classrooms to use such capabilities as 3d using a single projector. Have a read, could be a good use of the little budgets that schools have.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/classroom-innovation/3d-lessons-in-schools

Morgan Test Test

Hello,

Please head the advise above when looking at and using open source and free software.