IPACA - Chromebooks 1:1

We had a great day out! Greeted at the Osprey Quay Campus by "Where's Wally & Harry Potter" (World Book Day)

We then proceeded to the first classroom and took off our shoes :)

Flexible spaces is key at the Osprey Quay Campus. The large rooms allow for groups to be completely separated from each other to work in smaller groups on specific topics. I really like the whiteboard desks allowing students to work together on ideas without wasting lots of paper.

Technology is very widely used. It is embedded yet subtle. Digital Signage linked to Apple TVs with class Flickr feeds showing all the latest student work, was a feature which I loved. The students were free to choose technology which they liked to use be it iPad, Chromebook or others.

We then got in the car and moved onto the Royal Manor Campus to get down to proper Chromebook business.

We had a chance to speak to all different people from helpful IT Technical staff, teachers, SLT, students and even a governor. It is very clear that everyone is very happy with the choice of technology to have gone for in the 1:1 trial.

The biggest benefit that kept coming back from students was how much of an impact is achieved by having the device at home for homework. Some even said they feel less need for Facebook type pressures as they can all communicate using school email so easily.

Homework was even being done during school lunch in the canteen!

Chromebooks were not being used for the sake of using them. Some lessons were using them some weren't. Some students were using them some weren't. Google Forms, Shared Presentations, Photographing Technology projects and online research were just a handful of things that we saw in a few classrooms.

I look forward to our future with introducing more Chromebooks. Thanks Gary Spracklen (@Nelkcarps) and everyone at IPACA for showing us around your school! Keep up the good work! #IPACALearn!!

http://www.ipaca.uk.com/

Broadclyst Primary School - NFER Focus Group

Broadclyst Community Primary School welcomed us with refreshments in their marquee, due to new buildings being done they currently have no canteen. 

Auditorium IT Suite (Year 6 Classroom, 72 computers)

It was great to finally see the auditorium computer suite that I have seen in so many youtube videos over the years at conferences. I didn't realise until today that it isn't a computer suite it is actually the year 6 classroom. This makes it an even more exciting concept! It's not just a gimmicky room that makes youtube videos look good this is actually a classroom that give students the opportunity to access technology whenever required. The use of so many displays in the room was also something which I really liked. Teachers have the ability to project onto 3 projectors at the front of the room and also to show different things on the 6 other displays around the room plus the bonus 3 ceiling mounted round screens. Every detail in the room had been thought about and no expense spared!

Diana Bannister - Living Schools Lab

Diana talked about a great project which sounds like it is having a lot of success and making a big impact in the schools involved. 

The project is all about focusing on observing and documenting innovative practice of ICT use. Through Personalised Learning and Integration of ICT in across the curriculum. 

Kirsty Tonks - Shirelands Academy

Kirsty gave a very insightful presentation into the impact technology has in their school. They have an expectation that all lessons should have an element of flipped learning. 

I also liked the sounds of Flipped staff CPD and every class has their own Class sites which contain resources, calendars, homework and discussion areas.

I am afraid I lost the photos of Kirsty's presentation (damn iPad!) I will try and add more to this later.

@KirstyTonksSCA 

Steve Beswick - Microsoft

Steve talked a lot about the future of technology, cloud computing and also the new UI stuff that Microsoft will be revealing in the coming months. He also mentioned the computing curriculum that they have been working on with Rising Stars that will be launched at BETT for free (primary). 

Steve talked about coming from the Industrial Age and how we moved to the automation age. 

He says we are now at the access age and looks forward to what will happen from here. 

It was a really good day. It was great to get the chance to walk around a school where ICT is truly embedded and talk to the students and see how excited and engaged they were using the technology. Thanks to Jonathon Bishop for hosting the day and showing us around his school.