Consequently, the Principal, Deborah O’Hare, decided to offer a complementary Conference for interested school leaders in Northern Ireland. Mrs O’Hare took up the position of President of “The Association of School and College Leaders” in Northern Ireland on 1 January 2012 which she will hold for one year in tandem with her role as Principal.

It was through this Association that the conference was advertised and some 90 school leaders, mostly from grammar schools and Education and Library Boards, attended.

The conference included a strategic overview of the school’s ICT infrastructure, Wallace’s use of ICT to support the pastoral system and an explanation of the need to equip and inform young people and their parents about the immense capacity for learning within this ever evolving medium.

The assembled delegates listened in stunned silence to the impressive, humorous and highly technical presentations by Years 8, 9 and 10 students talking about how technology informs their learning.

The students involved were: Ryan Simpson, Beth Stephenson, Jonathan Warke and Ali Wallace from Year 8. Stacey Burns from Year 9, and Rachel Roberts, Erin Whiteside Year 10.

Deborah O’Hare commented: “It was with immense pride that I listened to our young people present in such an accomplished way to the assembled delegates.”

A Parent Solution
At home we have always stuck to the advice that computers should be situated in an open area of a home such as a family room or kitchen area. This is great advice for desktop computers but what about child owned mobile devices such as iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad? Welcome OpenDNS.

OpenDNS is a free service for home use that works as a sophisticated content filter at source. I won’t go into the technical aspects of domain name addressing as if you are reading this article your focus is more likely to be family protection rather than learning about networks. Firstly it has to be said that no internet filter is perfect, but OpenDNS is a superb solution offering a multilevel filtering service with full account logging that is particularly hard to beat.

1. Setting up your OpenDNS account

First head over to www.opendns.com and create your free account. All you need is an email address and you create your own password during the setup process.

2. Changing the DNS Settings on your Network

This might trigger a little anxiety but the process is really simple. The best solution is to change the DNS settings on your home router. OpenDNS have created detailed and easy to follow instructions for a full range of routers as well as a set of generic instructions if your router isn’t listed.

If you are a BT customer and are using the BTHomehub or simply can’t find where to change the DNS settings on your router then you will have to change the DNS server settings on your home devices manually. Fear not though this is very simple, see step 3. If your router was listed and you were able to make the changes on the device then you can move directly to step 4.

3. Manually Changing DNS

If you are unable to update the DNS settings on your router it is simply a matter of making the changes on each device in your home that can browse the internet (remember that a devices such as PS3, WII all offer internet access).

For laptops and desktop computers check out the OpenDNS instructions for both PC and Mac. Click this link if you are already logged into the OpenDNS System.

Manually changing the DNS server on iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad is also very simple. On the device click on the “Settings” then go to “Wireless”. You will see your home wireless network on the list, tap the little blue arrow to the right of the network name.

A list of the network settings will appear. Although this may look terrifying all you need to do is delete the series of numbers in the DNS line and add 208.67.222.222 I have added a X at the line that needs to changed.

If you want to test to ensure a device is using OpenDNS simply visit http://opendns.com/welcome and a “tick” should appear in the browser window.

You can watch how I made these changes in the screencast below. Remember if your child connects to more than one wifi network then the dns needs to be changed for each network and that network must be listed in the OpenDNS account (see step 4).

4. Setting up your Network on the OpenDNS System

Now return to the OpenDNS website to add your network. Click on settings and OpenDNS will grab the IP address for the network you are on at the minute thus it is important you set this service up at home rather than work.

Most home internet services use a system called dynamic DNS. You don’t need to worry about what this is but it is wise to install the little OpenDNS app on to as many of your desktop computers as possible. This application will tell OpenDNS if your dynamic address has changed.

This is essential for the logging aspects of the service. I tend to never turn off my home computer so the OpenDNS application runs in the background.

5. Setting up Content Filtering and Logging

The next step is to decide on the levels of filtering you want to apply to your network. Remember this covers the entire network so if you have adults who use social networking they could be effected by your decision.

I have gone for “Moderate” and you can customise filtering later if necessary even down to individual website.

You can customise the “blocked” messages and even change the image displayed but you can set this up once you are confident. The next step is to activate logging, (see the menu option on the left of the page). Once you have turned on logging you can review you account in a few days to see spikes in blocked content etc.

As mentioned before there is no perfect filtering service but OpenDNS is as good as it gets with DNS level filtering that goes beyond the desktop computer.

This film by one of our talented AS students Adele Atchison is a stunning example of what can be achieved.

1. Film your Scene

It is important to remember that an animation still needs a good narrative. The animation still needs to be planned, storyboarded and executed well if the animation is to work. The film is shot and then edited into a story using Apple’s Final Cut software.

2. Exporting your film as Images

Film and animation is fundamentally a series of still images. In Final Cut we export the film as a series of still image files. Everyday film and television programmes are 24 still images for every one second we watch. The good news is that in animation we can reduce this number down to around 12 frames per second. This means every other frame can be deleted from our export. Final Cut makes this easy as it numbers each frame in the file name so it is a matter of simply removing the even numbered images from the folder.

Alternatively you can chose to export the original at 12 frames per second but in our experience exporting at 24 frames makes the drawing process easier.

3. The Drawing Challenge

Using a Wacom Bamboo graphics tablet we load our images into Photoshop Elements (this software shipped with the tablet). In Photoshop we open each single frame and apply a new layer on which we trace the footage underneath. Once the drawing is complete we hide the original layer so only the drawing is visible. The more effort invested in each frame the better the final rotoscope will look but remember a 1 minute film = 60 seconds, each second is 12 images which results in a total of 720 photoshop drawings. Once a frame is complete is saved to a new folder with the same file name.

4. Importing to QuickTime

Once all the frames have been drawn we import the still images into Quicktime and then export them out as a moving image film film (.mov or .mp4).

I think when you look at the final outcome the film was worth the time and effort. The biggest challenge is time management as it is impossible to create over 1000 drawings in a day so many students give themselves a weekly challenge of total frames to draw.

Mrs Latham, Head of Department and along with Miss Tannahill, ICT coordinator presented a comprehensive rationale for the use of the iPad within the primary sector.

Mrs Latham explained the background and research base within Wallace. She outlined the connections made with schools in other parts of the world who already had one-to-one deployment in their Preparatory Departments.

Mrs Latham stated “Based on their recommendations and building on the success of the iPad at Key Stage Three in Wallace, the Board of Governors felt that the children in the Preparatory Department would benefit academically from a similar programme”.

The move towards one-to-one deployment was reinforced by parental demand and rooted in the School Development Plan. The evening allowed parents to see how the iPad could be used in all six learning areas.

The Primary Seven children assisted Mrs Latham in describing a number of iWork apps that would be used in the classroom by video link. Mrs Latham gave each parent a list of recommended apps to enhance learning both at home and in the classroom. The list was compiled in consultation with staff and pupils.

Miss Tannahill, took parents through the ICT accreditation scheme. Examples of how the five E’s (Explore, Express, Exhibit, Evaluate and Exchange) could be covered were given. Miss Tannahill, explained that the use of the iPad will prepare both teachers and pupils for the introduction of statutory assessment in 2013.

Mrs Latham concluded the evening focusing on the area of E- safety. She explained how E- safety is an integral part of the Using ICT in the Preparatory Department. She advised parents to talk to their children about keeping safe online at home using the CEOP Think You Know Website.

Further Parent iPad workshops are planned for February and March to allow parents to reinforce learning at home.

The Wallace High School has embraced the use of technology in learning and teaching in progressive and creative ways for example the school’s virtual learning environment is well established and integrated into every day teaching. Significant planning and preparation has taken place in relation to infrastructure, staff development and school development planning.

The formation of staff working groups led by Mr Cleland, Vice – Principal and Dr McMath ICT Coordinator help shape and influence our ICT policy has been pivotal in reaching this decision. Interestingly the single most influential factor, however, has been the student voice.

Wallace has a very innovative ICT team made up of teaching and support staff who regularly field parental and student enquiries about which laptop, portable device to purchase, how to access internet at home, how to fix problems with devices, etc. However, the nature and frequency of student requests about the use of portable devices in home and in school has grown significantly. It was becoming clear that students, in increasing numbers, were asking the following question of the school:

“What can you, as a school, do to streamline our use of technology to support and extend student learning?”

When we thought about it as a school it seemed that we were putting up barriers rather than supporting the use of technology. So progressively more and more students were supported in bringing their own portable devices in the classroom…

It became evident that the use of a single device, used by teachers, understood by parents and students would allow all learners to make progress supported by portable, digital technology. Sharing resources, interacting, the creation of a seamless transition between the school day and work at home suddenly seemed possible.

Given the changes in the approach to learning and teaching at Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14) with an increased emphasis on thinking skills, independent research, interactivity and cross curricular projects the iPad provides a useful platform from which to stretch, challenge, support the learning of individual pupils further and support self assessment.

Indepth research into the range and quality of educational, productive and creative apps has led us to the conclusion that the iPad allows for greater independent learning on a cost effective, resource rich platform.

Our young people arrive in Year 8 increasingly, although not equally, well equipped with basic ICT skills but have an appetite to use this medium to enhance the core and invaluable work a teacher does. The iPad, whilst promoting independent learning, can be used to build relationships in collaborative approaches to and measuring achievement.

With the increasing use of interactive and computer based assessments, including GCSEs and A’Levels, equipping 530 young people in these 3 year groups prepares them for a ever changing, advancing technological world.

“The Preparatory Department”: The iPad2 and Montessori Principles. Maria Montessori famously said “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” Our small Prep Department family, led by Mrs Corinne Latham, works on this premise; each child’s learning is tracked individually, given the level of support he/she needs and set clear, achievable but stretching targets.

From September 2011 the iPad2 is one ingredient in our “Montessori Prepared Environment” for our Pre-Prep. Our Pre-Prep leader, Mrs Anne Mulholland, a degree qualified specialist in Early Years Education demonstrates in our Pre-Prep provision respect and understanding of the “absorbent mind” so valued in Montessori education. The iPad2 allows for fluid, individualised learning, exploration based on the interests of the child and the Montessori Apps are one of a myriad of resources available.

A school in which the ages of our young people range from 2 years and 10 months to 18 years we are aware of the fear among parents of what technology is doing to the mental health, social development and physical wellbeing of this generation bombards us from the media.

If you type the word “Dangers…” into Google UK the list offered includes the following : smoking, alcohol, electricity, static electricity, the internet, Facebook. Add the word ‘children’ to the search “dangers children” the first category is “dangers children face online”.

Some parents may not fully appreciate the wonderful opportunities for learning afforded by technology. It is our wish that none of our parents, willing to learn more, should be left behind, fearful of the dangers of the online environment yet pressurised into buying the latest portable device. On our recent Parents’ Evenings at which our iPad2 project was explained, outlined how the school will support parents.

Questions like “what if some learners don’t like the iPad2, they can’t learn on it” may resonate for some time. However, it is our contention as a school that one to one digital technology affords a multiplicity of styles of learning in a single classroom environment. Technology can be interactive, visual learners can exploit the devices as can kinaesthetic, auditory learners, all the time encouraging originality and creativity.

The school will facilitate a research project to measure improvement, flexibility in learning, and the impact of a one to one deployment.

The focus on a centralised, uniform ICT structure has served our education system well. Teachers now have core skills, an appetite for using technology in the classroom we as a school community are ready to take this next step to individualise the technology provision for our pupils. If we as a school are able to be creative, to plan, prioritise based on the needs of our pupils, our parents, our communities might the education we offer promote more entrepreneurship and creativity such as Sir Ken Robinson defines it?

“The process of having original ideas that have value.”

Last December I have it a little refresh to cover Comic Life 2 although it is still patchy around the corners. The unit covers the idea of visual story telling and communicating a narrative with only 6 photos. You can obviously adjust the rules according to age group, for example you might allow some text direction in the comic frames.

Comic Life is a digital story telling application with a difference. The simple graphical user interface and intuitive drag and drop workflow makes it a perfect tool for classrooms both at primary and secondary level. The Comic Life Application is intuitive and fun to use, it simply removes any ICT barrier and allows pupils to focus on creative communication.

Comic Life is particularly affordable but if you are unsure of its benefits in the classroom situation a trial version is available via the www.plasq.com website.

I first devised this short unit for use with the original version of Comic Life and keystage 3 level students.

To build in a slightly deeper ICT dimension I only allowed photos to be taken with a mobile device that offered bluetooth file transfer (sadly not an iPhone). The students would take the photos, bluetooth them across to the Mac, create the comic and bluetooth the final document to their friends.

The workflow from mobile phone photos to Comic Life and then back to the phone demonstrates just how possible a paperless classroom could be and how much students enjoy capturing and processing images from mobile devices. Zero paper, maximum fun.

TASK

In small groups pupils will write and communicate a story using only eight photos and the Comic Life Application. For older students you may want to limit the number of photos to six and if you really want to challenge the students then you could forbid them using any text in their story.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• On successful completion of this task pupils will be able to use bluetooth to transfer files to and from am computer.
• On successful completion of the task pupils will be able use photos taken with a mobile phone in their own documents / coursework etc.
• On successful completion of the task pupils will be able to manipulate / resize and filter their photographs.
• On successful completion of the task pupils will be able to use suitable software applications to communicate in a range of different ways.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The transferable skills covered in the unit include : Working with others, Organising oneself, Communication, Critical and discriminating skills, Reflection and decision making skills.

The zip file contains a PDF of the document as well an ePub version ready for your favourite ebook reader. The ePub version has been tested in iBooks and works pretty well.

CONDITIONS

Please do not redistribute the ebook or link to the file directly. Do though, feel free to link to this page and spread the word. Any comments? please post them below.

Wallace High School’s ICT coordinator is one of only ninety people in Europe to be awarded this title in 2011 in recognition of his commitment to using educational technology to improve teaching and learning. As an Apple Distinguished Educator, David will work closely with Apple to lead innovation in education.

David explained, “I am delighted to have been named as one of Apple’s Distinguished Educators. I will be working with educators and policy makers from across the world, exploring ways in which new technology can help engage students as well as advising Apple on the realities of integrating technology into learning environments.

We are at a very exciting time in education, with ICT offering so many prospects in develop learning experiences. Here in Wallace we have a well established Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and our pupils have opportunities to explore innovative ways of learning through technology such as flip cameras and interactive whiteboards.

Our pupils make effective use of Apple technology, with a prime example of this being two sixth years recently developing an iPhone and iPad app. Our staff and pupils are keen to embrace all that technology can offer to enhance learning.”

He went on, “Being named as an Apple Distinguished Educator is a real honour and adds to what has been a very exciting month. I’m happy to say that I’ve just been appointed Vice Principal here in Wallace and am looking forward to the challenges which my new post will bring in September. Little did I think when I was a pupil twenty years ago here at Wallace using BBC micro computers that I’d be appointed as Vice Principal in such a technologically exciting time.”

Principal of Wallace, Mrs Deborah O’Hare, concluded, “It is wonderful to see David’s expertise being recognised on a worldwide scale. We are fortunate to have him as part of our leadership team here in Wallace and we look forward to an exciting future of technological developments.”

Ashley Hunter and Mark Thompson have developed an animated game called Penguin Slider for the iPad and the adventures of their little Antarctic friends is now available to buy as an App.

Ashley, and his classmate Mark both from Lisburn in Northern Ireland, are studying ICT and Moving Image Arts at A-Level, but this little piece of homework has catapulted them onto a much bigger stage.

And there is the promise of much more to come for the duo, who have formed a company called ‘Velox Studios’ to market this idea and the many more they have.

Penguin Slider follows the tried and trusted platform game model where you have to use your skill and logic to guide your penguin across the ice to his final destination at the end of each level.

It sounds simple but it isn’t and of course it’s totally addictive and the pair have promised that there’s much more to come.

With more games in development for both the iPad and iPhone, and over 100 sales already of Penguin Slider, the profits will be pumped into the boys’ funds for university.

Ashley, who wants to be an ICT teacher, commented: “We are already about to release an iPhone version of Penguin Slider and we have a few other exciting ideas.”

Mark hopes to be an architect but for the moment he is balancing designing more games with his A-Level studies, and the pair have paid tribute to David Cleland, their proud teacher, for his help and guidance.

Principal Deborah O’Hare is delighted that their game has been approved for sale by Apple. “We are very proud of Mark and Ashley’s success; a key aim of Wallace is to foster and encourage innovation and creativity,” she explained. “Young people are being bombarded with negative messages about the economy, their employment opportunities and the prohibitive costs of higher education.” “It is refreshing and inspirational to see two of our students produce an app in a competitive and lucrative market.”

So there you have it, pick up Penguin Slider for yourself and see what all the fuss is about and why it promises to be an ‘ice’ little earner for these two cool operators.