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Curriculum Review

Implications for Primary ICT

Very few practitioners and employers would diasgree that there is a requirement to update our approach to the teaching of ICT in schools. However, whilst welcome, the proposal to allow schools to dissaply the current programmes of study is likely to cause consistency issues as pupils move through key stages, particularly as they progress into key stage 3.

It is true that ICT is a dominant and pervasive element of all of our lives and the ability to interact and control ICT as we progress into work is often a vital skillset. However we must recognise that ICT also enhances our curriculum and can bring it to life through rich interactivity. Programming skills and more in depth knowledge of computing are to be welcomed but we must not lose sight of ICT as a creative force or a complete channel for another subject (such as art) and a medium through which many subjects can be delivered with high impact.

At Computeam we are passionate about ICT as a discrete and integrated component of a rich, engaging curriculum. We see it every day in our client schools and are always looking for ways to enhance ICT provision and delivery.

If you would like to discuss how Computeam can work with your school to enhance your use of ICT across the curriculum please get in touch. Call 0845 052 1066 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

iPads in Education: Part 2

iPad 2 The publication of Steve Jobs' biography after his death last year included some discussion on the textbook industry. Jobs saw the industry as ripe for "digital destruction" and was worth $8 billion dollars a year. Believing the iPad was a way to lighten pupils rucksack loads whilst providing a more engaging, interactive textbook, Jobs began discussions with major education publishers.

iPads in Education: Part 1

When the iPad was first announced at the beginning of 2010, teachers, educators and others who work in the education sector have been talking about its potential to enhance or change learning in the classroom. Two years later we still haven't seen a massive shift in learning due to the iPad, but recent announcements from Apple and the introduction of increasingly useful apps have contributed to an increased momentum for iPads in the classroom.

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Are you paying too much for your broadband connection?

In recent years most primary schools have taken broadband services from their local authority, but with many services being withdrawn or increasing in price this year, the time has come to review whether your school is getting best-value from your connection to the internet.

There's no question that the web is an essential teaching resource and demand will only increase as time goes by. For this reason it's important that schools pay for a good-quality broadband connection that can deliver a fast, reliable service. But speed isn't everything. Primary schools in particular need to be mindful of e-safety and therefore a strong filtering policy is a must. For these reasons, the types of cheap deal that home users can access are not appropriate for schools.

Inspyro Inspyro produces innovative, creative and exciting primary school projects. These are designed to engage your pupils through a cross-curricular enquiry based approach. In each project pupils are tasked with problems to solve and challenges to meet. Inspyro provides detailed planning and assessment guidance matched closely to the national curriculum, encouraging both collaborative and individual learning.