Sue



I have been enjoying the exploration of the different visual tools. I can see real application in so many ways in so many different subjects in secondary schools. I have been using Inspiration to make concept and mind maps, but I think the ability to add clear and labelled relationships in the seeing reason tool is fantastic. Also the Showing Evidence tool is a great way to keep kids on top of their referencing and sifting of information.

Day 2

I found these unit plans and they will be really helpful for various aspects of my current plan and others I will be working on in the next 6 months.

http://educate.intel.com/en/ThinkingTools/SeeingReason/ProjectExamples/UnitPlans/CommunicationTech/SR_UnitPlans7.htm

http://educate.intel.com/en/ThinkingTools/ShowingEvidence/ProjectExamples/ProjectIdeas/SE_ProjectIdeas2.htm

http://educate.intel.com/en/ThinkingTools/ShowingEvidence/ProjectExamples/ProjectIdeas/SE_ProjectIdeas6.htm

http://educate.intel.com/en/ThinkingTools/VisualRanking/ProjectExamples/UnitPlans/CommunityDecisions/VR_UnitPlans2.htm

Day 2 - 3.47pm Page Flakes is my new best friend........................... thanks to all the flag quiz players.........................................

Day 3 - 2.55pm I think I am getting on towards the overwhelmed stage, and am looking forward to having the break on the weekend. I think it is a great idea to have the course separated over the two weeks.

I think the seeing reason tool is very valuable, and also not something you would take on lightly. It needs to be worded so carefully and really needs a high level of thought. Writing it in kid friendly langauge is going to be the real challenge, as I feel it is a pretty heavy concept, and needs to be explained verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry carefully. I suppose I could just imagine I have to explain it to a maths teacher......................... better yet, a PE teacher..................................... less verbs............................................

Day 4 I think it has been great to have the weekend break, not only because I am now refreshed, but it has also given Anne the opportunity to give us all feedback on our unit plans. Helps to refocus us to do the last two 'hard-yards' days.

The day After............................ Thinking back on how much I have learned in the past 5 days, I am sooooooooo greatful that I was able to take the course. But I have already hit technical probs back at school, in that some of the pages I want to use are blocked at a local level. My year 11s all have a delicious page now, but we cannot add the buttons....................... oh well.............