The National Coal Mining Museum offers a new videoconference based on the dramatic inquest following the Hartley Colliery disaster in 1862.

Since the announcement in February 08 of the partnership with RM and Netmedia to deliver SWGfL Merlin, the SWGfL team have been hard at work with Local Authorities on the development of SWGfL Merlin.

February saw the construction of the infrastructure to deliver this unique service, and in March focus groups worked to develop the interfaces for the service in preparation for the pilots.

We're now in the pilot phase, working with LAs and schools across the region to explore the functionality of the service, and ensure effective processes are in place for MIS integration at a school level.

SWGfL are also working closely with local authorities to prepare for roll out of this exciting new service across the region, on track to go live from August 08. There'll be a host of materials to guide schools as they prepare to implement SWGfL Merlin. There'll be a focus on support for change management so that school staff feel prepared, as well as plenty of top tips for starting points, depending on your school's needs.

The latest timelines for SWGfL Merlin are as illustrated below.  

One of our sister RBcs, London Grid for Learning, partnering with Havering LA ,would like to invite you to take part in this National Competition. The theme for this years National Poetry Day is `Work`. In order to celebrate this we would like children to write poems about different jobs. We have lined up Alan Peat and Gervase Phinn to judge the finalists.

We would also like to invite you to take part in a videoconference for primary and secondary schools during National Poetry Day, on October 9^th 2008,  hosted from Engayne Primary School, starting at 8.50 am and ending at 3.30pm. 

Visit the National Poetry Day site find out about the rules, prizes, programme details and how you can take part  www.poetryday.lgfl.net

One of our sister RBCs, London Grid for Learning would like to promote an Opportunity for Primary Schools in the new school year.

Black History Month Primary School Video Conference – October 1^st 2008

The London Grid for Learning, working in partnership with Redbridge Ethnic Minority Advisory Team and the ICT team, would like to invite primary schools from across the UK to take part in a video conference during Black History Month showcasing `People of Achievement past and present` – on October 1^st   from 8.50 am - 12.45pm. We have DJ Spoony (Formally of Radio 1 now 5 Live) and Dr Funke Baffour from Big Brothers Little Brother taking part on the day. Visit the site http://www.blackhistory.lgfl.net  to find out more.

PLEASE BE SURE TO REGISTER BY FRIDAY 26th SEPTEMBER AT THE LATEST.

Roger Bloxham at Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea City Learning Centre will be hosting an event entitled Videoconference for Europe Day  aimed at allowing students from Year 11, 12 and 13 to videoconference with a group of MEPs. There are still places available for schools and colleges keen to take part, so please contact Roger as soon as possible if you are interested. Although the Members of European Parliament are all representing London constituencies, the agenda of the event will cover UK wide issues. Roger would therefore like to involve schools and colleges from across the UK.

The event aims to link six participating videoconference venues . There are still some of the six participating positions available. To register your interest contact Roger Bloxham on Roger.Bloxham@heartoflondon.org . More contact details and information about the opportunity are available by visiting the opportunity page.

http://www.janetcollaborate.ac.uk/opportunities/a-videoconference-for-europe-day

 

Take part in this fantastic new competition and you could see your work displayed at the world famous Kew Gardens in London.

In 1936 artist Edward Bawden designed a new poster to encourage people to visit Kew Gardens using London transport. Now ArtisanCam wants you to investigate Bawden's brilliant use of linocut, before producing your own design for a new poster using the same lino printing processes that he used.

Learners can submit their designs simply by clicking on the 'send to competition' button. The winner will receive an iPod nano and the winning entry will be displayed at Kew Gardens and seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors."

The competition is open to everyone of school age across the UK and you can enter as many times as you like. The competition closes on 18th July 2008, so get printing!

Visit the website now to get started: http://www.artisancam.org.uk/flashapps/explorelinoprinting/index.php .

Becta has published a booklet with some basic advice and useful tips to help schools to get their learning platform off to a good start by taking things in small, easy steps.

learning_platform_schools[2].pdf (596.07 kb)