The Virtual Staffroom

Be Very Afraid is the brainchild of Professor Stephen Heppell, a gathering that brings together students from all over the UK to showcase some incredible ICT related projects. In this episode we hear some Stephen's personal insights about BVA. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here In this episode I have the great pleasure of having a chat with the enigmatic Professor Stephen Heppell.  With a story for just about every occasion, Stephen is a absolute mine of great insights and perspectives about the future of education. Be Very Afraid is one of Stephen’s many educational projects.  It brings together students from all over the UK to showcase some incredible ICT related projects. There is some truly amazing learning taking place here.  In this episode we get to hear some of the backstory to BVA as well as a few of Stephen’s personal insights about it. We finish with a chat about education in general and some really wonderful insights into getting the best from our students. Heppell.net - Stephen’s main websiteBe Very Afraid - BVA Project websiteA special thank you to Stephen for his time, and to Lys for helping me set this up.

Pamela Livingston, Leslie Wison and Ben Jones know an awful lot about implementing successful 1-1 computing rollouts.  In this episode we dig into the core ideas behind a successful 1-1 implementation. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Pamela Livingston, Leslie Wison and Ben Jones know an awful lot about implementing successful 1-1 computing rollouts. They have all had extensive experience with some huge state-wide rollouts of laptop devices to students.  In this episode we dig into the core ideas behind a successful 1-1 implementation. Pamela Livingston - New Jersey Pamela’s blog http://1to1learning.blogspot.comShared blog (Scott McLeod and others) http://1to1schools.netAbout book http://www.iste.org/lapto2 and Amazon http://www.amazon.com/1-1-Learning-Second-Programs/dp/1564842541/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262954186&sr=8-1ISTE podcast interview about book http://iste.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=484113EdTech talk podcast interview http://edtechtalk.com/21st_Century_Learning_16Article in Digital Directions http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2008/01/23/3laptop.h01.htmlHot Chalk columns http://www.hotchalk.com/mydesk/index.php/one-to-one-that-works# Ben Jones - Sydney http://twitter.com/benpaddlejonesInter.Connect.Ed, Ben’s Blog - http://benpaddlejones.edublogs.org/The Digital Education Revolution in NSW -http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/highschool/dernsw/transforming.phpDER Media Release -http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_090826_113050.aspx Leslie Wilson - Michigan www.one-to-oneinstitute.orgwww.projectred.orghttp://tiny.cc/YZ7dXhttp://newbay.ebookhost.net/k12/projectred/1/ebook/1/index.php?e=42&user_id=36838&flash=10.42

In this episode as we speak with Rob Newberry, James Hollis, Danny Nicholson, Martin Levins and Stuart Walsh, five experienced and opinionated IWB users and try to explore some of the bigger, deeper questions behind the use of IWB technology. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Love them or hate them, interactive whiteboards seem to have become a part of today’s modern classroom.  There are many teachers who see them as a wonderful ‘window to the world’, able to open their classrooms up to a plethora of digital experiences, make learning richer and more engaging in the process.  Then there are others who see IWBs as the devil incarnate, a scourge on the educational landscape that sets our classrooms back by thirty years. They claim them to be setting the sage back on the stage and ruining the student focused nature of the classroom. The truth is that interactive technologies are whatever you make of them. Join us in this episode as we speak with five experienced and opinionated IWB users and try to dig into the deeper questions behind the use of this technology. James HollisDanny NicholsonMartin LevinsRob NewberryStuart WalshAs always, we encourage you to continue the conversation in the comments below. Or if you want to engage in this conversation a little more deeply, take a look at www.iwbrevolution.com

This episode is a roundup of thoughts, ideas and impressions from delegates at the recent IWBNet Leading a Digital School Conference on Australia's Gold Coast. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here I wandered around on the last day with my iPhone voice recorder and asked a few people for their thoughts on the event and how they might put some of their ideas into practice.  It was a terrific conference with a basic message about the need for change as we lead our schools forward into the 21st century. Be sure to check out the links below (including the Twitter stream…) Leading a Digital School - http://www.iwb.net.au/conferences/digital09/default.htmConference Ning -  http://leadingadigitalschool.ning.com/Twitter Search on #iwbnet09 - http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23iwbnet09Marc Prensky’s blog - http://www.marcprensky.com/blog/Tom March’s blog - http://www.tommarch.com/ozblog/2009/09/04/iwbnet/Greg Gebhart’s blog - http://www.itvision.net.au/CyberSmart website - http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/NetAlert - http://www.netalert.gov.au/Megan Waygood’s new blog - http://mwaygood.wordpress.com (go on, send her some blog love!)And of course, your comments are always welcome below!

Bill Kerr and Peter Ruwoldt  teach in South Australia and have been using Scratch extensively with their students for quite a while. Peter was very involved in Scratch Day, an annual event to promote Scratch, and he shares some of his insights about this. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Scratch is an easy to learn programming tool developed by MIT and is finding enthusiastic users all over the world.  In this episode we have a chat to two experienced Scratchers, Bill Kerr and Peter Ruwoldt. Peter and Bill both teach in South Australia and have been using Scratch extensively with their students for quite a while, so they were the ideal people to chat to in order to find out more. Peter was also very involved in Scratch Day, an annual event to promote Scratch, and he shares some of his insights about this. Links from this episode: The official Scratch website - http://scratch.mit.eduThe Scratch Day website - http://day.scratch.mit.eduBill’s Blog - http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/Bill’s website - http://www.users.on.net/~billkerr/Peter’s Stuff - http://www.watiwara.org/mdl3/mod/resource/view.php?id=54Peter’s Scratch Day story - http://day.scratch.mit.edu/event/56Scratch cards - http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Support/Scratch_CardsChallenges - http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2009/02/scratch-challenges-update.htmlIntroductory projects - http://nebomusic.net/scratch.htmEnjoy your Scratchin’!

Jarrod Robinson, Ben Jones and Shane Roberts are not ones for sticking with the status quo. Our conversation explores some very cool tools being used for integrating technology with PE, such as Bluetooth broadcasting, QR codes and the Wii Remote. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Raising the Bar is an expression that comes from athletics, where high jumpers will keep pushing themselves just that little bit further… it also describes well the sorts of thinking you’ll find coming from these amazing Physical Education teachers; Jarrod Robinson, Ben Jones and Shane Roberts.  Not ones for sticking with the status quo, our conversation with these guys explores some very cool tools being used for integrating technology with PE, such as Bluetooth broadcasting, QR codes and the Wii Remote.  Beyond the fun tools though are some very deep ideas about some genuinely powerful pedagogy. This episode is a little longer than most, since Shane joined us late in the conversation and raised some interesting conversation about the use of non-synchronous discussion tools. Overall though, these guys created a great podcast that is a must-listen. Links mentioned in this episode: Ben Blog - http://bloglearningrhhs.blogspot.com Jarrod Blog - http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com Twitter - @mrrobbo Shane Blog - http://shanetechteach.edublogs.org/ Twitter - @shanetechteach Blue Magnet Bluetooth server  - http://www.bluemagnet.com/ QR Code Generator - http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ WiiMote Project - http://www.wiimoteproject.com/

In a bit of a departure from the usual format for the show, in this episode we play a recording of a Skype call between our three Year 5 classrooms at PLC Sydney and Anthony Powell, a communications technician at McMurdo base in Antarctica. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here The Year 5 students were doing an integrated unit of work on Antarctica and we managed to arrange this call for the kids to have a chat to Anthony about life in Antarctica and to ask him a few questions.  The three classrooms were connected to the call individually in a group conference call. It’s a nice example of how Skype can be used to break through the walls of a traditional classroom and bring kids into contact with real people in faraway places.  The next step will be that the students take this raw recording and chop it up to use in their own podcasts about Antarctica. Anthony’s website - http://www.antarcticimages.com/

In this episode we chat to two teachers with a great deal of experience with cellphones for education - Liz Kolb from Ann Arbor, USA and Toni Twiss from Hamilton, New Zealand. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Learning with cellphones is a hot topic in many schools at the moment.  Phones are usually banned, but a few brave schools are looking for ways to leverage this powerful mobile technology.  Liz and Toni have been doing research into this area and have some great insights to share. This episode was also the first where we used a live audio stream to the web and had a live backchannel going as we recorded the podcast. Thanks to those people who joined us in this live feed, and we will definitely be doing it again. There are lots of links for this episode!  Take some time and check them out… you’ll be amazed! tonitwiss.com/mobile - Toni’s Blog www.efellows.org.nzwww.cellphonesinlearning.com - Liz’s Blogwww.mobilestudy.orgwww.gabcast.comwww.gcast.comwww.chacha.comwww.kwiry.comwww.mymiamia.comwww.polleverywhere.comwww.smspoll.netwww.wiffiti.comwww.qipit.comwww.opera.com/products/mobilewww.qik.comwww.shozu.comreader.kaywa.comqrcode.kaywa.comwww.twitpic.comwww.utterli.comwww.lexy.comWhew!  That ought to keep you busy for a while!  Don’t forget to leave a comment and mention how you are using mobile technology in your classroom.

This episode is a compilation of live interviews from the Second Leading a Digital School conference in Sydney, Australia.  This conference focuses on providing school leaders with the skills and mindsets needed to lead our schools into the 21st century. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here The conference has a broad focus across a number of areas, but the sensible integration of technology is a strong theme.  For this podcast, I wandered around the conference and spoke with delegates, presenters and vendors for a snapshot of some of the ideas and thoughts they took away from the event. Some links for this episode: IWBNet WebsiteLeading a Digital School websitePeter Kent’s book, Interactive WhiteboardsWacom AustraliaBendigo Senior Secondary CollegeNSW Computer Education GroupJohn Pearce’s blogComments and questions welcome!

Pia Waugh is the president of Linux Australia, so-owner of Waugh Partners, and a leader of the OLPC project in Australia. She is passionate and knowledgeable about the use of Open Source technologies in schools and business. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here In this episode Pia shares some insights into Open Source software, how it can be leveraged for use in education and talks about the One Laptop Per Child project. If you believe that software should be free, not just free as in beer, but free as in speech, you’ll enjoy this episode… Pia’s Links http://pipka.org/http://olpc.org.auhttp://wiki.laptop.orghttp://census.waughpartners.com.auhttp://linux.org.au/linuxhttp://softwarefreedomday.org/http://ask-oss.mq.edu.au/http://www.osv.org.au/educationAs Pia mentions in the podcast, she wants to spread the word about Open Source. If you’d like her to speak to your organisation about the use of Open Source software, drop her an email. Details in the podcast.

In this episode we are joined by three highly experiences Moodle users who share some insights with us. Talia Carbin, Darrel Branson and Julian Ridden each work intensively with Moodle in three different settings and in different ways. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Moodle is an amazingly competent and powerful open source learning management system used by schools, colleges and universities all over the world. It is based on the theory of social constructivism, which essentially means that people learn better in groups than they do on their own. Moodle has a powerful set of tools to support this mode of learning, and as more teachers come into contact with Moodle it becomes increasingly important to understand how to use these tools well to engage and direct student learning. Links for this episode… Julian’s Blog - http://moodleman.edublogs.orgTalia’s Blog - http://teachingtalia.comDarrel’s Blog - http://www.smsn.vic.edu.au/ictguyThe Official Moodle Website - http://www.moodle.orgFree Moodle Trial - http://ninehub.comJulian’s Moodle sandpit site - http://playpen.riverview.nsw.edu.auRiverview Moodle: http://quantum.riverview.nsw.edu.auSunraysia Mallee Schools Network - http://need2learn.netDarrel and Tony’s podcast - http://edtechcrew.netComments welcome!

Kim Cofino and Susan Sedro work to assist teachers to successfully integrate technology in authentic and meaningful ways. In this podcast we get to hear some of the wise advice that Kim and Susan have learned as they fulfill this demanding role. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here As more and more teachers start to understand the role that technology plays as a core component of a 21st century curriculum, the need grows for teachers to learn about how to best integrate the use of new technologies in their classrooms. Recognising this, many schools are now employing ICT savvy teachers as technology integration specialists whose role is to work with classroom teachers and show them what’s available, teach them how to use it, and help them make it work effectively with their students. Kim Cofino from Thailand and Susan Sedro from Singapore are two such teachers. In their jobs they get to work with other teachers at their schools and assist them to successfully integrate technology in authentic and meaningful ways. Both American educators, they work at large international schools in Asia where technology integration is taken seriously and done well, and in this podcast we get to hear some of the success stories and wise advice that Kim and Susan have learned as they fulfill their demanding roles. Links for this episode… About CST10 - Mandatory technology skills from the NSW Board of StudiesPossible Interview Questions for Teachers - from Jeff Utecht’s blogWork with the Willing - Post from Kim’s blogThe Perfect Match - Another post from Kim’s blogProjects at ISB - And you thought YOU were busy!Always Learning - Kim’s BlogAdventures in Education - Susan’s Blog

Jane Nicholls, Chrissy Hellier, Allanah King and Simon Evans are leading educators from New Zealand who live and breathe collaborative technologies. In this episode they chat about topics as diverse as podcasting, Skype, Twitter and Second Life. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Simon had a bit of trouble with Skype and only managed to make a couple of cameo appearances, but the rest of us had a great chat as we flitted from topic to topic. Although these Kiwis know how to have a laugh, there is still plenty of educational wisdom in this podcast. Appleby Podcasts - Allanah’s class podcastingSkype - For internet telephony, if you can make it workTwitter - For building community, once you finally “get it”Second Life - A place to do the caramel dance and land naked in firesAlso, you might like to check out the blogs of Allanah, Chrissy, Jane and Simon.

In this episode Chris Betcher gets interviewed by Texan librarian Carolyn Foote. They discuss a range of issues from dealing with the restrictions of policies and filters, the use of Skype for cross-cultural learning, and anything else that came to mind! If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Carolyn asked if we could record this chat for a librarian’s research project she was working on about the use of Skype for educational purposes, and we agreed to have the chat and release it on the Virtual Staffroom as well. Skype - Free VOIP Internet telephonyAudacity - Free and Open Source multitrack audio recorderGarageBand - Apple’s amazing multitrack audio and podcast editorLevelator - Make your recordings sound their very bestOperator11 - Multi camera video shootsWomen of Web 2.0 - An excellent educational webcasting projectiSight - Apple’s built-in webcam toolThe Plague of Plagiarism - Chris’s blog post about plagiarismThe Economist - Article about debating mentioned by CarolynThanks to Carolyn for suggesting this chat and helping us to have such a fun (and hopefully useful) conversation.

Anne Wade is research project manager at Montreal's Concordia University, and her focus is on a project known as ePearl, a web based tool that enables students to gather, present and reflect upon their work and leave a learning trail as they go. If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here Anne Wade is research project manager at Montreal’s Concordia University, and her focus is on a project known as ePearl - the Electronic Portfolio Encouraging Active Reflective Learning. ePearl is a web-based tool that enables students to gather, present and reflect upon their class work, creating a trail of digital assets that follows them through their school life. In this episode Anne presents an overview of the system and gives some insight into the background of this project. Links from this episode: ePearl Overview - for an explanation of what the system doesePortfolio Information - More background on ePortfoliosCSLP/CEAP - the homepage for the projectDemo site - Go have a look for yourselfLogin details for the demo site as follows: Student environment: Early elementary - Level 1 : Usernames: student1a, student1b, student1c Late elementary - Level 2: Usernames: student2a, student2b, student2c Secondary - Level 3: Usernames: student3a, student3b, student3c Teacher environment: Level1: Usernames: teacher1a, teacher1b, teacher1c Level 2: Usernames:teacher2a, teacher2b, teacher2c Level3: Usernames:teacher3a, teacher3b, teacher3c Password is always - 123 Enjoy.