ICT to Inspire Conference Day 2: Ynysowen Primary

Following yesterday’s training at the ESIS Conference Centre, Ty Dysgu, Cefn Coed, near Cardiff, we are today at Ynysowen Community Primary School, Aberfan.

First lesson in the hall, (the same hall the Queen and Prince Philip were sat in just two weeks ago!), with more that 60 Year 3 and Year 4 pupils with 30 plus visiting teachers, for an exlporation of the one of the landscapes in Myst IV:Revelation, a place that could be described as ‘a village clinging to the side of a mountain’.

Next, two classes of  Year 1 and Year 2 pupils, and their teachers and the visiting teachers, explored a landscape from Myst III: Exile, journey along a path and up a structure to discover a …..

The afternoon we were joined by the rest of Key Stage 2 and visitors for further exploration of Myst VI, this time to a land that could be ‘on the edge of time itself’.

Lovely to get some observation, feedback and thoughts from folk here over the last couple of days:

Excellent use of the coffee cup, really does help the pupils to explore their thoughts and talk more. Loved the way pupils had the confidence to speak and showcase their work without beig asked. Seeing year 3 and 4 reading their work out aloud listening patiently to the person reading and following in with their input afterwards was excellent. Kirsty Davies

After the course yesterday, we couldn’t switch off. We were just dying to get home and try everything out – practicing on our own children. So many valuable things that would work from Nursery right through to Year 6 and beyond. Definitely will think about slowing things down a bit during “talking time” and “standing still” a bit more. Some of the simpler ideas like the “sorting hat” and the “timer” I’ll use daily in my Reception class, so I’ll definitely be following the blog. Today, at the school, one of the things I will take with me is how proud the children were of their writing. Rachel English

The wow moment in observing the lessons for us was when the year 3s and 4s were asked to read out their work by just ‘jumping in’ and reading out all or some of their work whenever they felt like it for us to hear. The children were chomping at the bit to have the opportunity to read their work to their peers. The idea of ‘silence’ and body language to encourage extended speaking and writing from the children was incredibly effective, and the children immediately took this forward into their own work. The role playing from the children demonstrated how much they were involved in the scenario, and how much better they are at using their imaginations than we are! The websites shared with us were brilliant and wide ranging. We loved the way a simple snazzy idea was used to fit neatly into the curriculum. A few of the ideas (such as the PowerPoint shows) were great, but are perhaps a little inaccessible for some staff that are less IT savvy. But we’ll give it a go! Jennie, Melissa and Mandy.

I have spent this morning watching Tim teaching two very different classes and using somewhat similar strategies that worked well for both age groups. What I will take from this day and use within my own tracking will be a few of the strategies that Tim used such as; reading out a child’s worn pretending it is mine, after modelling an idea such as ” the air smells…” follow up with it doesn’t really but I’m not fraud to say it! The sitting ovation and the way in which the children were given ownership of reading put their work at the end and being brave to do so was excellent. The quality of writing that came out of the first lesson was remarkable and I think that should be celebrated! Thank you for a fantastic 2 days which I think all of us have benefitted from and so will the children that are in our classes in the future when we implement your ideas into our own teaching practise! Elise Evans Heolycelyn Primary

There are many ideas from the 2 days to be taken back to school. Some of the most inspiring:-many,many, many websites to encourage creativity, language, talk and writing;giving pupils simple gestures and using facial expressions to demonstrate listening;letting pupils read their own work out in their own time, without putting their hands up to take turns. So many ideas to take forward. Tracey

We have valued the opportunity to learn so many fantastic strategies over the course of the two days. We have admired the energy that is invaluable to engaging the children in language. The boys were engaged at every point, especially when the children were given the opportunity to act out the verb/abverb. I will also be using acting and voice to embed specific vocabulary, for example, simile. The children with hearing problems lost interest often but we believe this was due to the class size. We all will trying to use the empty mug strategy to encourage the children to extend their answers. Something that we will find difficult is staying still but the benefits of doing so are obvious. Alison Watters, Ysgol Cynwyd Sant, Hayley Davies, High Street Barry, Andrea Rees, Brecon Road Infants and Sarah Lucas, Tendu Primary.

After yesterday we found it so useful and inspiring! When we went home we tried different websites. The websites we liked we’re Spicy Nodes! I do dog tricks! Visuword, Tag Galaxy, pyskopaint etc? Yesterday went so quickly and we were all focused and interested in the activities. There were a wide range of activities for all age ranges.

Today one child had told another child he couldn’t write. When the children went back after their discussions the boy who said he couldn’t write was able to write about the scene. He felt so proud of his achievements.

We thought the debate was very good and every child opinions were valued. We enjoyed how keen and excited the children were when they were reading their writing out to the whole class.

Mrs Vicky Nicholls, Mrs Sue Davies, Mrs Rachel English, Mr Mike Hurford – Coety Primary

Making pupils believe that they are actually in the scene and not watching the scene was very effective in engaging the pupils in their writing. A wealth of resources shown that can be used in the classroom to capture the imagination of the children. Leanne Hunt, Jo Rivers from St Gabriel and Raphael RC Primary

Myst – no longer a mystery! It has been great to see the children actually interact with the resources – something which is rarely offered on courses.
Children were all fully engaged with the tasks the game, and were listening carefully to each other’s comments and responses.
Pupils were given plenty of time to think, an important skill that is sometimes overlooked because of time constraints.
The talk produced during the sessions was high level and influenced the pupils’ writing. Sharon Smith and AnnaDavies from Abercynon Community Primary

ICT to Inspire Conference, Ty Dysgu, Cefn Coed, Wales

Great to return again, to the ESIS Conference Centre, Ty Dysgu, Cefn Coed, near Cardiff, for another romp through digital and analogue worlds in Wales. We were joined by fifty colleagues from across the South Wales region, quite a few of whom we had worked with before., and who were back for more.

We had a practical exploration of some of the virtual worlds and visual literacy elements that can have a huge impact on raising children’s confidence across the creative curriculum.

We need to inspire young people and fire their imaginations; enhance their creativity and confidence so they can pick ideas up and start to juggle with them; encourage resourcefulness through challenge, but also the ability to reflect, change and benefit from the experience of others; to motivate a love of learning for life.

Fascination is a tool that can be easily neglected. This digital world, when mixed with the analogue, brings such potential for communication.

Technology is not the only answer… but, it does open up some remarkable opportunities, extending teaching & learning styles.

Thank you to Graham Evans, and colleagues, for organising another joyous day. The next steps in the ICT journey in our time with schools across this region. “There’s more!”

Well done & thank you to all of the folk here today, for your laughter, & the willingness to go for it & give things a go!

We took apart the powerful effect of using games, many (mostly free) Web tools, hand-held devices and more, – investigating a way of teaching, where quality learning is the focus rather than the latest gadget; ‘what is said, rather than what is used to say it’.

Virtual worlds, with their stunning landscapes, peaceful characters and realistic challenges, can be used across subject areas, abilities and age ranges, with remarkable effects: developing speaking and listening, and creativity in children of all ages, and abilities.

Brislington Enterprise College, Bristol

Thank you to Andy Cooper, Assistant Head at Brislington Enterprise College (BECAUSE) for inviting us back to the school to work with his students, and colleagues, for a day of exploring the digital and analogue mix of learning.

This is our second visit to BECAUSE. Our first day  was reflected upon by Chris Fryer here.

Our day today started with one group of sixty plus Y7 students, some Y8′s and their teachers.

A quick turnaround and a further sixty plus Y7 and Y8 students with their teachers.

Carol Powell,  SEN teacher, reflected on a few key aspects:

Positive praise to a pupil who displayed challenging behaviour previously. I’m going to come back to you for more of your ideas… is that OK”? (It’s a promise, not a warning).

“Shall we go for a walk”? But, for a long time, we don’t go for a walk- just a tiny movement, keeps pupil’s attention.

Quite a long input at start of session, but children needed this time to generate ideas and become familiar with the scene

As the pupil’s started writing, Tim broke in, as if he had forgotten some key points.

No right or wrong idea…. Don’t worry about spellings… (Some pupil’s relieved at this) The interruption seemed to motivate the pupil’s  to get on with their writing.

Read out A’s writing, – excellent results, challenged himself. Lots of praise. This gave others examples and they seemed keen to get back to writing some more.

When looking around the room, ALL of the pupils were engaged in their writing and clearly enjoying the task.

The afternoon and a different set of Y7 students

The end of the day we were joined by the staff to share the plethora of digital resources, that is available to engage learners, and most of it free.

On 29th May 2012 BECAUSE will be running BITES, Bristol’s first I.T. Education show, hosted by Brislington Enterprise College. Register for BITES at Because here, and see the schedule here.

The Show will boast exhibits by world leaders in emerging technologies with a focus on education. BITES is open to all leaders & innovators within education, as well as all primary & secondary school teachers across Bristol and beyond.

There is also a Teachmeet happening on the same day, which you can find out more about here.

A TeachMeet is an informal and gathering for those of us who are enthusiastic about teaching and who are keen to share ideas.