Interactive Classroom.net – Page 18 – Blog and teaching resources brought to you by the Geeky Computing Teacher AKA @GeekyNicki

Downloading & Converting Videos

Nicki July 1, 2008 No Comments

Some of you will probably know this already but for those of you who don’t I am going to share with you a really simple method for downloading videos from websites like YouTube. This method not only allows you to download videos it also enables you to convert files to different types.

All you need to do is go to the website www.zamzar.com, it’s all self-explanatory when you go there being presented with different tabs, mainly, one for “Convert” and one for “Download” where you can enter the URL and select the file type.

Once you have completed details for the conversion/download the site will send you an email to let you know when your file is ready for download. It’s as easy as that!!

Lead Practitioner Conference

Nicki June 30, 2008 3 Comments

On Friday 20th June I attended the SSAT Lead Practitioner Conference where I learnt more about my new role as Lead Practitioner. I am an Option 1 Lead Practitioner which means among other things I will be running a seminar around November time at a cost of £69 per delegate.

I will post more information on the seminar at a later date but the general theme will be looking at the Control strand of the ICT curriculum in which I will explore (with practical activities) Lego Mindstorms NXT and Scratch games programming, finishing by giving out some useful teaching resources.

In addition to the seminar I will also be networking with other ICT teachers virtually through this blog, my website and a social network I have set up on ning.com. If you’d like more information post a response this this post.

Officially a Lead Practitioner!

Nicki May 28, 2008 No Comments

I had the great news last week that I am to become an SSAT Lead Practitioner in ICT. Recently I had to attend a selection day at Chelsea football ground where I had to give a presentation about my use of ICT in school. Now I have successfully made it through and will be going to Arsenal Emirates Stadium for a conference and induction on 20th June!

Wouldn’t it be great going to all these football stadiums if I was half-interested in football! Anyway as part of my new role I will be required to hold a seminar in my local area (East Kent) so I will keep you posted as to what that will be about nearer the time.

Colour of the Ink?

Nicki February 25, 2008 No Comments

I read somewhere, recently that a school had banned teachers from marking students work in red ink! Apparently they felt that this would traumatise the children in some way seeing red comments over their work! I have never heard anything so ludicrous, does it really matter what colour ink the comments are written in? Is this true? Have some schools actually adopted this policy? I would love to hear your comments on this one!

I’m just relieved I work in a secondary school where this doesn’t apply (I believe the rule was relating to primary schools)