No Glow April 23, 2007
Posted by Brian in : GLOW, ICT, Uncategorized , add a comment
Since returning from holiday, I have been trying in vain to take part in the phase 2 of the Glow trial.
I can get logged on but am unable to install the necessary software needed to take part in the video conferencing aspect of Glow.
I understand that some of the laptops provided to Glow mentors in East Lothian have the software preloaded whilst others (like mine) will need to have it installed by one of our IT officers.
Our excellent IT officers are always busy and I think by the time I log a call and get someone out to install the software it will be too late to take part in this phase of the trial so I am feeling a bit left out merely watching from the sidelines.
Hopefully by the time the third part of the trial takes place, information will be relayed by the Glow team to the mentors so that the necessary software needed for the other tools within Glow can be preloaded and ready to go.
Technorati Tags: glow, glowscotland, elcouncil, IT
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Sagrada Familia April 13, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Uncategorized, barcelona , 5comments
Today I took a bus tour of Barcelona and stopped off at a few city attractions on its route. One of the places was the Sagrada Familia, massive unfinished cathedral, still being built after the project started nearly 120yrs ago.
The work has stopped and started since the first stone was laid but it must rate as one of the most amazing pieces of architecture I have ever seen.
They say it may well take another 100 years to finish as the scale of the project is massive, but when the last stone is eventually laid it will be an everlasting memorial to the designer and architect Antoni Gaudi.
Gaudi worked for over 40 years on the project, devoting the last 15 years of his life to it, now thats what I call commitment.
It really is a truly remarkable building and should be on everyones “must see” list in Barcelona.
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Barcelona April 12, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Uncategorized, barcelona , 1 comment so far
I am on holiday in Barcelona for a few days. This is the first time I have visited here and although I only arrived a few hours ago, my first impression is that it seems a great place.
Yesterday evening I took a stroll down Les Rambles, which runs for a couple of kilometers from one of the main squares down to the harbour.
It was very busy and you could buy anything from the usual tourist tat to live cockerels, guinea fowl and parakeets.
For me, the most interesting part of Las Ramblas was the plethora of small side streets branching off the main thoroughfare.
It reminded me of the closes that run off the high street in Edinburgh. Nosing around down these side streets I found some amazing little shops and bars, full of books, bric a bac and bucket loads of charm.
Like life itself, I find the most interesting bits of a city usually lie off the beaten track and round corners that generally aren’t visited by the tourist hoards.
Glow Chat and Videoconferencing April 2, 2007
Posted by Brian in : GLOW, Uncategorized , add a comment
I managed to get logged on to Glow a couple of times this weekend. It’s beginning to make a bit more sense to me but until a few points are cleared up at authority level the Glow mentors in East Lothian will not be able to make full use of all its components.
For example to get chat to work properly, computers need to have the latest version of Java on them and for the videoconferencing to be used, users have to download and install a programme from marratech. Downloads are only carried out by ICT officers so I’ll have to wait until one can come out and install the necessary software on my laptop before I can explore any more.
Its all very frustrating but I guess the pilot phase of any project is to flag up any problems so that they can be fixed now rather than later.
Edinburgh Glowing March 27, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Edinburgh, GLOW, Uncategorized, digital imaging , 1 comment so far
I didnt manage to log on to the Glow portal last night.
I had quite a bit on my mind so went for a walk in Holyrood park which is close to where I stay.
Turning the corner I was confronted by a glorious sunset.
I happened to have a digital camera on me so I whipped it out and took a few pictures. It looked to me as if Edinburgh was Glowing.
How appropriate
Click on either of the pics for a larger image
The Portal Opens March 26, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Uncategorized , 3comments
I received my log on and password for the 2nd trial of the GLOW portal today.
I logged on and, as asked, changed my password. It was easier this time to come up with a password that conformed to the guidelines than the previous trial.
I am interested how the social network tools will work so decided to check out Glow chat which will enable Glow users to chat to one another.
In order to use the chat tool I first had to create a Glow group. It only took a couple of clicks to do but I had trouble adding other Glow mentors to the Glow group, an error message saying the action had “timed out” kept popping up.
Following the quick start guide, contained within Glow, I tried to enable chat by adding the chat element from the “add web parts” function in the menu. Alas this came up with the same “timed out” message.
I guess that these problems will be ironed out in the fullness of time, but I found it quite frustrating.
I don’t know if its the speed of our connection here but it seems to take a while to get anything done on the portal. In this part of the trail the portal can be accessed remotely so i’ll be having another go a bit later on today and see if its any faster outwith the school.
So far the only thing I have managed to get working for me 100% is the ability to change the theme, which at least has made it a bit easier on the eye.
There’s still an awful long way to go before Glow is ready to be rolled out. I am sure that with continued hard work from the mentors, and all the others involved in the project, the evolution of one of the most ambitious initiatives worldwide will continue and at the end of it all Scotland will have yet another first to present to the world.
The Chalkwell Mystery - MGS Science Transition March 23, 2007
Posted by Brian in : Uncategorized, digital imaging, edubuzz, social media , 3comments
The Chalkwell mystery is the name of the science transition project produced by Musselburgh Grammar science department.
The project entails P7’s from our feeder primaries getting to solve a mystery through forensic science.
Before visiting school pupils watch a short film starring 1st year pupils who themselves solved the mystery last year.
On their visit to the science department the pupils carry out various scientific experiments to determine who carried out the ghastly deed.
Previously, the film had been placed on to a DVD and a copy sent to each of the feeder primaries. This year I suggested it may be an idea to use social media and place the clip on google video so that each of the primaries could view it that way. This was somehow interpreted as “yes I will film it, edit it and upload it to google video”. Not that i minded, it was great fun.
The excellent script and direction were provided by Ms Moore of our English department and the whole project was overseen by Mrs Goodbrand our head of science.
After filming yesterday, I edited and added the titles last night then uploaded it onto google this morning. You can see a couple of the screenshots on this page.
As its East Lothian policy to have parents/guardians permission before posting images on the internet, until all the slips have been returned the Chalkwell mystery will remain private and unlisted by google.
The permissions forms for East Lothian are available from the edubuzz website by clicking HERE
Many thanks to all who took part especially the actors who played their parts splendidly.
As soon as its ready for release I’ll post a link so that you too can have the opportunity to see what happens in the Chalkwell mystery.
Glowing again March 21, 2007
Posted by Brian in : GLOW, Uncategorized , add a comment
Yesterday the East Lothian Glow mentors met for the morning at Prestonpans education centre.
There was an update of the project from Karen Robertson and then after discovering I was a Crane we got a sneak preview of the Glow portal in its new guise.
My first impression was that it looked exactly the same as it had in phase one which, for me, was a bit of a disappointment as I had previously had difficulty navigating my way through the different levels.
Tess managed delve a little deeper into the portal later on that day and came up with some impressive screenshots.When the theme is changed it does give the site a much better look and feel, but we shall have to see if the tools such as video streaming, glow chat and secure file transfer will be available when the portal is accessible to mentors at the beginning of next week.
One Door Closes……. March 20, 2007
Posted by Brian in : JMH, Uncategorized , 1 comment so far
Yesterday I managed to attend my first, and what subsequently turned out to be, my last, Exc.el meeting. There had been two previous meetings of this open forum but I hadn’t managed to get down to John Muir house in time.
Basically Exc.el represents a long term commitment by East Lothian Council to develop and promote excellent teaching and learning. One of the most innovative and exciting aspects of Exc-el is that its success depends on every member of the education community, from parents and teachers, to support staff and administrators being able to contribute to the web site. Without the input of the vast variety of education professionals present within East Lothian it quite probably may have sunk without trace.
In fact the opposite is true. Due to its success it will very shortly evolve into edubuzz.org a necessary step because of its near exponential growth from a standing start to hosting over 660 blogs and registering around 4000 hits a day on the website in 18 months or so.
With interest from other local authorities in Scotland, the rest of UK and a multinational audience waiting to see what we do next, there really couldn’t be a more exciting place to be involved in education today.
Edubuzz.org will continue to develop and evolve but it can only do so with the continued input and support of those interested in developing the learning and teaching process.
If you want to get involved visit the edubuzz website, find out what its all about and you too can have a say in the future development of the teaching and learning experience in East Lothian.
If you work outwith East Lothian and like what you see then contact the edubuzz team HERE to see how Edubuzz could help change the evolution of your local authorities education service.
So its goodbye exc.el and hello edubuzz.
I cant wait !!
Scottish Technicians Advisory Group March 15, 2007
Posted by Brian in : SSERC, STAG, Uncategorized , add a comment
On Wednesday I jumped on the train and headed over to SSERC for the quarterly meeting of the Scottish Technicians Advisory Group.
As usual there was a lot on the agenda to get through all of which was tackled with the usual aplomb.
During the meeting Brian Richmond (CPD project manager) gave an update on the Scottish Executive funded report into CPD and related activities for technical support staff. Brian informed us that the project is now coming to a close after two years of intense activity and it will be up to the Scottish executive whether to grant further funding after the publication of report.
Brian, Phil Muggins (CPD project officer) and the rest of their team have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of such an important initiative. Members of the advisory group have also been involved and its due to everyones hard work that there are now two fully SQA rated courses :-
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Safe use of fixed workshop machinery - rated level 5 with 2 credit points.
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Safety in microbiology for schools - rated level 6 with 3 credit points.
A further course in Electrical safety and portable appliance testing has been submitted and is awaiting credit rating.
Other courses are still in the process of being developed :-
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Chemical handling course - has been trialled and is being prepared for submission to the SQA.
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Management of health and safety (for senior and aspiring technicians) - material has been developed and is about to be trialled prior to submission to the SQA.
Further courses at the early development stage include:-
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Chemistry for non chemists.
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Biology for non biologists.
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Physics for non physicists.
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Basic electronic repairs.
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Basic ICT troubleshooting.
A total of 476 training days have been provided and Technicians have attended from all over Scotland from Shetland in the North, Dumfries & Galloway in the south and all parts in between.
In Brian’s words “the closure of the project should be seen as the end of a beginning - much work remains to be done”.
All involved in this project deserve a hearty pat on the back not only for their hard work but for raising expectations throughout technical support staff in Scotland.
It would be a crying shame if no further funding was forthcoming to continue such a worthwhile and aspirational project
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