room+4

March 1st - Room 4 is soon to get an active board so LT modeled how to do shared writing and develop ICT word skills through projector. Can be applied in 2 weeks when active baord comes.List of possible word skills given to T LT also modeled to class how to set up the lap top pod and turn on the laptops and type in password. T is going to try to book and use the laptops before I next come in. LT also modeled the coaching system with a powerpoint alphabet as an example program. T is going to continue the process and start work on the book. //We got half way through the class with the coaching system. Things fell down when a child with speech difficulties became the teacher and was not able to communicate to the other children effectively. Also problems arose when children were unsure of what they were supposed to be doing. I feel that I need to be spend more time with the children modelling this system.//

//The addition of the interactive whiteboard terrified me and I was reluctant to use it in the beginning. The course run by Clair Ross was extremely helpful and gave me the confidence to start using the board in my everyday programme. I was actually really excited about the prospects. I am using the primary programme which is bright and inviting to new entrant children.//

//I started with a roll (promethean planet) and this proved to have many benefits. The children had the opportunity to get used to using the pen, changing fonts, erasing, etc. I can also see at a glance who is absent. I would like to add photos to this so that the children can drag their photo when they arrive at school.//

//I used the statistics unit from promethean planet. This was a cool and very effective lesson. The children were engaged from the beginning of the lesson and each child participated in the lesson. They were then able to revisit the lessons independently. I am looking forward to finishing the statistics unit and using the board in numeracy lessons.//

//We were recently brainstorming icons around Gore and the children were not all familiar with some of them, the interactive whiteboard provided me with a way to show the whole class pictures of the icons and also incendently we looked at a map of Gore, South Island, New Zealand and the whole world. This turned out to be a really great lesson as the children were able to navigate around the world. I have used it on many occasions in an incidental manner - when a child is talking about something others cannot relate to (eg sky tower). They get to experience things that were previously unavailable to them. Oh and we were doing the macarena dance, I couldn't remember the moves - good old youtube!//

//I have not as yet used the laptops but will be timetabling in a time next week to have these in the classroom. At present I have a difficult child who dominates any computer time the class has (only one computer) and I find it easier to have the computer turned off most of the time as she is able to change things that I am unable to rectify (eg - class password?) I feel that this is unfair on the rest of the class but for management purposes a necessity at present. I shall be using the computer as a reward system for this child and shall be moving the class computer to a less conspicuous area of the classroom to enable other children access without this particular child dominating it.//

//I often use photographs as a prompt to writing as they provide children relevant memories of an experience to write about. They enjoy seeing photos of themselves and are more easily motivated to write (especially new entrants - after all it is all about them!) I am allowing other children to take photos of experiences in the classroom and they are proving to be very good photographers and manage to record experiences really well.//

//I am looking to the computer pod which will be located in the junior syndicate and will endeavour to use them on a regular basis in my class programme (eg independent reading/maths activities)//

22 April.LT showed class and t a variety of maths and reading CD games so the T can use them as part of her rotaions.

25 May and june 11 LT set up laptops with a reading group of 5. I modeled kidspiration to them. They seemed confident in how to make a brainstorm. They will be able to set up the pods independently but will need help with the log on details. they need to use this program agin soon if they are to rememebr it. Due to new circumstances room 4 will be having a new teacher for the rest of the year. The class has lost its year 1's to room 3 and so the class is fairly new anyway. we will start again with the new teacher learning about the active board and laptop pod and other ICT tools. Aug LT released teacher and one from another class so active board training could take place. Clas teacher now more familier with layout and what board can do. 2 teachers to keep talking about what has and can be done. class teacher planning to use more often with class. We discussed how to change the mode on the interactive white board. We also discussed how to capture a photo from the internet or from your pictures and place it on the interactive whiteboard. We discussed how to use simple tools on the home page and then how to find more complex tools. I have now added pictures to pages and made flip charts that we can use in class at writing and reading time. The children enjoy using the pages set up for writing on.

Aug LT took shared wrtitng intro to model use of activeboard as a means to teach basic keyboard skills like fingerspace, backspace... to give children more success when typing on own. Jill hammonds keyboard skills games shown to class teacher. Some children introduced and trained in how to use powerpoint story books. AIm to have a ICT book for kids to read own stories in reading rotation. Also for good mouse controll when making picture. I have found that the powerpoint story book isn't really working in my NE class as the children are always needing support with the drawing of their pictures and typing is still a challenge also for them. They enjoy the computer and are improving with their keyboard skills, but the backspace seems to be a big problem as they push it too hard and end up losing most of their work. This has happened to maybe, 70% of th e children on the computer, it's really hard to monitor them on the computer aswell as taking your guided writing group and overall class. If a parent help is in then it would work great.

Aug LT week7 and 8 trained ch in powerpoint writing books. We have been using the keyboards on cards with the children at shared writing time. They are really getting the hang of where the keys are and I have been making a focus on the backspace key. They know about the space bar and they are learning now how to do a capital by pushing the shift button with the letter. We have also used the easi speak to record our books that we are reading in class so we can then listen to them on the listening post. A great idea!! I am also using the interactive board for the children to sign in on in the morning. They really enjoy this and know where most of the tools are now too.

I still feel I need to integrate more ICT into my everyday programmes, espically with having the interactive board I could be doing more interactive maths and reading games, developing more flip charts that focus on different writing skills. One thing I have learnt is that most children pick up ICT skills much faster than us as they are prepared to take risks. It's great to see.

I want to use the pod computers, easi speak and get more interactive activities going in my everyday programmes.