Well, here we are at the end of two wonderful days! Everyone was in agreement that the conference was a resounding success and provided a huge amount of insight into the current state of play in ICT, both in terms of its application and of its implications for us all. As you reflect on the conference, please use the blog as a forum to share your own thoughts and ideas. I'll continue to update the blog with relevant and interesting links for a while yet, so please add it to your favourites!

If you need help to get blogging yourself, ask your friendly HOS consultant who will be only to happy to help to get you going!

Richard

Free cameras!

Free cameras!
Originally uploaded by rjfaragher.

In an act of unprecidented generosity, every school that attended was given a digital camera! Derek and Mike are already in negotiations with Apple for next years ipod/imac give-away.

Question Time

Question Time
Originally uploaded by rjfaragher.

The conference closed with a Q%A session with our distinguished guests and the distinguished-looking Graham, Tony and Richard!

Our final speaker was Becta's Niel McLean. Niel's excellent presentation reminded us that techniques need to be used in a relevant context in order to build capability and that we should look to provide authentic experiences for our pupils. Learners, he suggested, need to be engaged, supported and recognised. This tied in nicely with some of the points that Alan November was making yesterday.

Niel put forward the idea that Learning cannot be 'delivered' - it is something that 'grows' inside someone. He suggested that ICT breaks the traditional link between craft and product; it also extends our 'reach' and draws together two important human qualities - language and technology. ICT, he said, should not (only) be viewed as a 'conduit for contact' but as a powerful tool for thinking.

Niel McLean addresses the conference.

Niel McLean
Originally uploaded by rjfaragher.

Spend, spend, spend!

Spend, spend, spend!
Originally uploaded by rjfaragher.

Chris Yapp got the day off to great start with a presentation that revealed his thoughts on the need to change the way think about what we learn, how we learn and the way in which this learning can be assessed. He described the ways in which every area of society is constantly changing, and suggested that the increased demand for creativity, innovation, design and personal/interpersonal skills is, perhaps, ill-served by an education system which still has the 3R's as its foundation.

Chris suggested that the experience of education has changed more for teachers than it has for children. He went on to say that rather than asking 'what can you do?' we should be asking 'what can you think?'

The site that Chris mentioned is www.microsoft.com/enable

I've obviously just touched on some of Chris's ideas here... please add your own comments.

Chris Yapp addresses the conference.

Chris Yapp addresses the conference.
Originally uploaded by Faragher.

Thanks to all who have already blogged so enthusiastically! It's already proving to be a lively forum for you to express your thoughts and ideas. Now...will we get salad for lunch today?

Alan November returned for a much-anticipated second session. We were introduced to a number of the technologies that will impact on the way teaching and learning happens in the future. Alan demonstrated Skype, the VOIP (voice over internet protocol) software by calling his partner in Boston. The quality of the communication was crystal clear and, to re-iterate what Alan said, calls made on Skype are FREE! What are you waiting for? Can anyone remember Alan's Skype name? Please leave a comment if you can.

Alan also took us into the world of RSS feeds and blogs (weblogs). For the latter he suggested we sign up with Bloglines. This blog is obviously hosted by Blogger - it's pretty cool too and works seamlessly with Picasa and Flickr to allow you to upload pictures to your blog.

Alan introduced several alternatives to Google (which I will continue to use - how about you?) including the promising looking Teoma

I've no doubt missed out lots - please use the comments to fill in the missing details!

The afternoon started with a session from the National Whiteboard Network. This proved to be a useful source of tips and techniques that we can use in our classrooms. Don't forget that the NWBN site is updated regularly with new resources - why not add it to your favourites?

Lunch!!!

Lunch!
Originally uploaded by Faragher.

As always a great opportunity to share thoughts and ideas with colleagues.

We are always grateful to the schools that open their doors in order to share their good practice in ICT. Please let us know how your visit went by posting your comments here - thanks.

Alan November addressing the conference

Alan November
Originally uploaded by Faragher.

Wow! The conference has got off to a brilliant start. Alan November, our guest speaker from the USA, provided an inspirational and thought provoking first session. His talk provided us with valuable insights into both the potential of learning objects and the need for critical awareness when accessing online media. Mr November also highlighted the scope for integrating new technologies such as Skype in order to transform classrooms into global communication centres.

This years conference is going to be an exciting one for everyone involved. This blog will hopefully capture the highlights of the two days and serve as a useful resource for the future. Thanks for visiting and please do contribute.