Traditional v Digital Workflow

Over the past few weeks, we have seen how digital technology is having a huge impact on many people's lives.

For example, during the recent measles vaccination clinic at Bishop Gore, there was a great deal of press attention. It was amazing to see just how reliant members of the press were on using technology. The reporter from the Guardian, (together with his MacBook) used our reception area as his mobile office for most of the day!

How far are we from being a paperless school? I think you could argue that no school will ever be completely 'paperless' but digital technology is certainly moving us in that direction. The following video highlights the impact moving away from reliance on paper could have in the classroom:

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

The world-wide power of iPads

Much has been written about the power of iPads in the learning process but there is nothing better than seeing them in action. In the following brilliant video, iPads can be seen making a real impact in schools in South Africa. Truly inspirational!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

16th April 2013

We all enjoy having holidays but when so much is going on in school it is also good to be back!

You should have received a text message regarding the measles vaccinations that we are offering in school on Wednesday and Thursday his week. If your son/daughter has brought a letter home, this means the ABMU trust has identified that they need to have the vaccination. I would urge you to return the letter in order to ensure all pupils have the best level of protection possible.

This term will see us continuing on our iPad journey as we aim to provide our pupils and staff with access to the best mobile digital learning tools there are. Here is an interesting graphic describing the route we could take over the next few months:

Source: Mike Elliott mikeondigital.com

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

15th April 2013

Here is my latest blog entry in video format. Let me know what you think!

Bishop Gore Head's Blog. 15th April 2013. from Ryan Davies on Vimeo.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Taking teaching to a new level

There are so many apps out there, the choice is often bewildering. Every now and then, you stumble across an app that really causes you to stop and think about the power that it has to change the way learning takes place in school (and at home). Nearpod is one such app.

I have spent the last few days investigating the amazing features of this app and have to say, it is incredible. The app allows teachers to create interactive presentations, which pupils access on their iPads in class. The presentation can be quite exciting but it is the interactive nature of this app that really does set it apart.

Consider the situation in our school at the moment. Lots of teachers will spend a great deal of time creating presentations and so on. These, whilst a huge improvement on the presentations of years ago, are still teacher centred, learners have to move at the pace of the presentation regardless of their learning needs. In addition to this, the teacher will have to rely on pupils responding to questions and will often not have the time to question everyone.

Nearpod allows pupils to move through presentations at their own pace. They can review parts of the presentation that they feel need more work. The teacher can set assessment tasks within the presentation and, as the pupils complete these, instant feedback is given to the teacher enabling a more personalised approach.

The future of learning is so exciting.

Twitterific!

We are increasingly using Twitter as a means of communication at Bishop Gore and we now have nearly 600 followers, with this number increasing on a weekly basis.

Twitter is used by us in a number of different ways:

One of the most interesting ways is the 'live Tweet' which is where we use Twitter to give regular updates on events. We used this recently to great effect in our Eisteddfod and our Talent Unleashed concert. We plan to use this this more and more - including in this week's Presentation Evening.

Pupils, parents and carers have also started to use Twitter to communicate with us. We often receive Tweets on Sunday asking 'what week are we on next week' and so on. It really is helping to improve our communication channels with members of our community.

It will be interesting to see how the use of Twitter as a teaching and learning tool develops. Pupils being able to ask questions before, during and after a lesson will hopefully become an important part of the pedagogy at Bishop Gore.

Meanwhile, if you haven't done so yet, please follow us on @bishopgore!

Pupils lead the way in being responsible digital citizens

We had a brilliant day last Friday. Our annual Eisteddfod took place and was a fantastic celebration of our Welsh culture and emphasised the importance we place on this at Bishop Gore. We also held the launch event for our latest year 7 development block entitled 'Footprints'. The school is always a special place to be, but even more so on Friday.

Sadly, some people who really have nothing to do with the school, decided to spread malicious and completely untrue rumours using Faecebook and Twitter. Apparently, we were not celebrating St David's Day.......... Of course, we thought this was hilarious until the comments became highly personal, targeting individuals and groups within the school.

As is always the way at Bishop Gore, we shrugged this off and carried on with what really matters - learning together as a community. It did upset us, we were angry but we never allowed it get the better of us.

If there ever was a time when our pupils could have used social media in a negative way, it was last Friday. When they read (as many of them did) the disgusting comments made about Bishop Gore, they could have joined in. This didn't happen, pupils that did contribute to the discussion responded in a mature and accurate manner - unlike those many years older than them that caused such upset.

Our pupils have proved that they are truly responsible digital citizens.