Good
IdeasNetworking
Like many of you we have networked our school this year. We have 33 computers networked using Windows 95 and router to allow all computers access to email (Eudora) and WWW (Netscape). We have also mapped a drive for all computers to our Library Server running Book Mark library automation system.
What's New
Learning Technologies Taskgroup
We created this key reference group to provide support and input into Learning Technologies at Horsham Primary School.
I believe that being a member of this group is a great benefit to members and the resultant work of major significance to Horsham 298.
First priorities
1 Computers - Code of Conduct
2 Learning Technologies Plan
3 Primary School Computers (A Computer Resource for Classrooms and Teachers)
Weekly Email Activities
We are attempting to have each class/year level develop an activity for the remainder of the school. Rules.
Expressions of Interest to Administrator by Wednesday
Activity emailed to school on Monday
Responses by Friday
Class Activities
Check out the following
CEGV
Computer Education Group of Victoria
Statewide Resources Centre
217 Church St.
RICHMOND 3121
Phone: (03) 9427 9189
Fax: (03) 9428 0313
SERCT
South East Region Computer Technology Centre
Parkmore Site
Jolimont Road
FOREST HILL 3143
Phone: (03) 894 3574
Fax: (03) 878 5297
WimmeraNet
Contact Jenny
Learning Technologies
Has your school you completed:
Good
IdeasDEET Microsoft Software
Check the Computelec Microsoft Software Site for availability and description of School Packs.
Note that many of the curriculum software packages are no longer displayed.
Report Wizard
Report Wizard V 2.0, as seen on Win TV in 1997, was released across Australia and New Zealand by Edsoft.
Report Wizard is designed for both primary and secondary schools and the new version provides you with a great deal of flexibility for customising school reports.
http://www.comcirc.com.au/reportwizard/
Book Mark - Computerised Library System
Being run by many schools throughout Australia. Probably the cheapest and simplest program to operate. Developed specifically for schools by SATCHEL in South Australia.
At Horsham 298 we have made a mirror site on our Library server of the Public Access searching facility. Via our school computer network every classroom computer can search the library from their own classroom.
http://www.nexus.edu.au/bookmark/
Create a Learning Technology Noticeboard. Include classroom ideas, CAPC Courses, CEGV Annual Conference and anything that appears new.
Learning Technologies
Recent Learning Technology Information to Schools
(i) Learning Technologies in Victorian Schools 1998 - 2000
Major aspect is a timeline for schools in developing a Learning Technology Plan
(ii) Learning Technologies - Teacher Capabilities
Incorporates a 5 part approach for teachers to using Learning Technologies and a 6 part Skills component for teachers. .
(iii) VicOne - Some of the installation phase has started but it is still probably several weeks off The DoE has recently circulated an Information Update and list of FAQs.
(iv) Departmental Electronic Mail Service
Details regarding the installation, training, access and timeline for connection of schools to EduMail and EduLibrary.
Use multimedia authoring software for curriculum projects, student presentations and web authoring.
Overlay Boards
A number of schools are using overly boards in the classroom. Some have one per class. They are use in small and large groups for mainstream kids as well as special needs kids. The overlay board is an update of the concept board and is used by the AFL for stats and KFC, MacDonalds and most shops on their cash registers. This looks a really promising Learning Technology to develop. I was impressed and went to two sessions.
Video Conferencing
A number of schools are investigating the use of low cost video conferencing in real time over VicOne. $200 - $500 per camera.
Learning Technologies Capabilities of Teachers
A number of findings.
Important points
Only 40% of staff valued Learning Technology
Most are limited only to word processing, CD ROMS and Internet
10 - 15% of staff only had undergone some form of extended Learning Technology Professional Development
Travel Buddies
A large number of schools participate in Travel Buddies. See the OzProjects brochure in schools for details. They're free.
Multimedia
The creation and use of multimedia with text, graphics and sound is the big and powerful push. That is the creation of multimedia activities and not just the playing of CD ROM activities. e.g. Kid Pix, Kid Works, MicroWorlds, HyperStudio,
An impressive speaker was Karen Felstead at Buninyong PS and her use of Kid Works 2/Deluxe to create talking books from photos and scanned images.
Weekly Host
At Horsham Primary School we are attempting to have each teacher/year level act as the host for the week. The idea being that you share ideas, information and an activity with the school. It's not really all that difficult. Ideas that you see, do or have thought of would be good for others to attempt, modify or collect.
Some Ideas
Network Down (Windows 95)
If your network goes down check the following.
Professional Development
I created some professional development activities for the Horsham staff using Graphics (Kid Pix), word processing, spreadsheets, databases and electronic communications (email and Netscape). It requires Kid Pix 2 MS Works or ClarisWorks. I can supply a disk or activities and an outline of the sessions if people are interested. $10
Computerised Reporting Format
Many of you are probably aware that several schools including Horsham 298 have been involved in creating a Computerised Report Format with Wayne Jackson from Kaniva Consolidated and Computer Circuit. It should be ready to go very soon.
Class Activities
Need some Help Still?
Organisation
Wimmera Area Learning Technology Conference
Thanks to all the participants that came and I sincerely hope that you gained a chance to catch up with colleagues to share and discuss things that you have found useful.
It appears that several people would be interested in having a more regular activity, say once a term, to share ideas and participate in a workshop.
I'm happy to pursue that and I have planned a visit to Horsham 298. You may have a look at our network setup, how we have planned our LT at 298, view the IntelliKeys, sample software and participate in a workshop focusing on Multimedia. e.g. HyperStudio just to kick it off in early Term 4. Proposed date Monday, November 2, 4.00 - 7.00 p.m. More information early next term.
Ballarat Books display
Ring them (5333 3222)to see if you can get a display of LT Books at your school. Particularly the Dummies series, Idiots series, Macs for Teachers, Multimedia for Macs (IDG Publications), Hawker Brownlow computer books, RIC publications, .. and VCTA have good manuals on ClarisWorks and MS Works
Educational Experience
Sue Innes for Lego Control Labs. (03) 9432 3594 or email sinnes@edex.com.au
Spectronics
Gerry Kennedy for the IntelliKeys touch panel and other items for special needs computing. (03) 9894 4826
Streetwise Software
Terry Bennett for anything you saw. (03) 98192891
The DoE has negotiated a different licence to the current VET program. The new software available free to all schools and staff is McAfee Anti virus. Download from
You must first uninstall VET and then unzip the McAfee program using WinZip It takes up about 4 Mg of hard disk space. Downloading the program to 4 floppy disks could take over 30 minutes.
Order the CD ROM version from ComTech for $20
Contact ITC Australia on (03) 9593 9955 about the recent modules available on CD ROM to schools on either Phase 1 free or Phase 2 site licence. A gentleman by the name of Carl Cowley should be able to help you with titles or availability.
A reminder to all those that wish to put in an expression of interest in the multimedia Notebooks for Teachers to do that as soon as possible. Closing Date is now September 14 with the Principal.
PCs for Parents
Has some good clipart in Week 1 and again in Week 4
World Book Encyclopedia
$99 less $50 rebate = $49
Software Rolling Fund
Claris Products
Contact SERCT or Edsoft for a reduced price on products such as:
Recent Learning Technology Information to Schools
(i) Learning Technologies Grants 1:3
(ii) Software Rolling Fund updates
(iii) Anti-Virus Software
(iv) Notebook Computers for Teachers Application Process
(v) Self Paced Learning Materials - ITC
(vi) EduNet - Information Sessions
(vii Surplus Computers to Schools Program
(viii) Future of WimmeraNet
Navigator School PD
WimmeraNet
Why not arrange a visit to WimmeraNet?
Some thoughts about the use of multimedia, particularly Kid Pix Studio and HyperStudio in the classroom.
It has oodles of links on a new Links for Kids page, a new Learning Technologies Ideas (now on the web from my many newsletters) and Teacher Links page which has many new links according to CSF areas. I will update these from time to time.
Education Network Australia (EDNA) is celebrating the anniversary of its launch on Friday 27 November with Online Australia Day. Features of EDNA include:
Check out their website at:
Visit Horsham 298. You may have a look at our network setup, how we have planned our LT at 298, view the IntelliKeys, sample software and participate in a workshop focusing on Multimedia. e.g. HyperStudio. Proposed date Monday November 9 4.00 - 7.00 p.m.
RSVP by Friday November 6 to Horsham 298
Ph: 5382 1534 or Fax: 5382 6544 or email: info@horshamps.vic.edu.au
http://www.sunshine.aust.com/aus/teachers/V2/Longterms/books/books.html
Educational Shareware Library
There is even software for Apple IIe machines as well as Macintosh
We have an extensive library of shareware/freeware/public domain software for the Macintosh, Apple II, MS DOS and Windows operating systems. We have something for every subject matter and grade level, (pre K-12) including wholesome games and home use software.
Susan Metalis, Software Librarian
Internet for Kids - Reed for Kids (Australian Edition)
PCs in Easy Steps - Computer Step
Learning with the Internet CD
Recent Learning Technology Information to Schools:
(i) Learning Technologies Grants 1:3
(ii) Learning Technologies Planning Guides
Jenny Goldsmith has organised a briefing about the First Families 2001 on Wednesday October 21st at Horsham 298 from 4.30
There is a revised Technology section on the WimmeraNet Links section including from now on my news to schools or go to the Horsham 298 page.
WWW Site
For Christmas around the world.
See Jenny's WimmeraNet Christmas activities page.
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Ideas to use for each year level |
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Horsham 298 Home Page |
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Good books and resources |
Reviews of software and sites |
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