Easiteach ushers in the next generation of whiteboard tools at BETT
Lightbox and partners will be unveiling its next-generation version of Easiteach at BETT 2010.
Easiteach is a complete whole class teaching and learning application which puts you in the driving seat for creating and delivering engaging lessons and resources. The tools are rich and powerful but also easy to use, removing barriers and allowing you to make the most of your classroom hardware tools such as interactive whiteboards, classpads, voting systems and even multi-touch tables.
The software has a new and improved design, providing intuitive navigation and bringing the tools you love most to the forefront of the application. Use Easiteach to tell stories in a fun and appealing way, motivate pupils and bring lessons to life.
Built-in content packs in a range of topic areas will help to fuel your ideas, and 'Help me create...' tutorials will guide you through using the vast array of toolsets in a fun and practical way.
You can see Easiteach Next-Generation around BETT, including at the Lightbox stand (E60) and Panasonic stand (D102) where product demonstrations can be requested or attended respectively on each day.
Lightbox's 'MP for a Week' heads for Parliament
MP for a Week - an online game produced by Lightbox for the Parliamentary Education Service - was unveiled this week to the press this week at a high-profile launch event held at the House of Commons. Giving young people a virtual taste of life as an MP, the game allows players to experience the daily life of a backbencher and are scored according to the judgements they make.
The following extract is taken from a recently published BBC News Online article about our latest creation:
The MPs interviewed, including Lib Dem Lembit Opik, Labour's Natascha Engel, and Conservative Adam Afriyie, will provide advice to players.
Those taking part can choose which parts of speeches to use in Commons debates, use the computer's mouse to get the Speaker's attention and "face a baying pack of journalists".
Players are scored according to the judgements they make and the likely effect on their party, reputation or constituency.
Mr Bercow (Common's Speaker) said: "It's vital that young people understand the role of Parliament and the work of MPs.
"Parliament has a duty, which should also be a pleasure, to connect with the public and MP for a Week is an innovative way for students to explore our democracy."
Tom O'Leary, head of Parliament's education service, said: "MP for a Week gives students an understanding of how Parliament works in a way that hasn't been attempted before - by letting players experience life on the back benches.
"By learning through play, we hope students will find the political process interesting and more meaningful to them."
i-nfer Plan - a marked improvement for assessing pupil progress
i-nfer Plan is now in over 100 schools in the UK. It has been well received and is being used as a strategic part of schools assessment, especially in the light of Assessing Pupil Progress (APP). Lightbox has now released a full complement of content modules, covering Maths, Reading and Science at KS1, Lower KS2 and Upper KS2.
At BETT 2010 we will be showing our latest report linking i-nfer to APP which builds on the APP information already available in the pupil profiles. Staff who are using i-nfer have been extremely positive about the product and how refreshing it is that they are spending time on analysing information and preparation rather than marking.
You can learn more about i-nfer Plan at both the Lightbox (E60) and nfer stands (S33) this year at BETT.
MYLO - the new way to learn languages
An exciting new way to learn languages through computer games and challenges is being unveiled this week at the BETT technology Show at London Olympia.
MYLO, a free online learning resource aimed at students aged from 14 to 16, is being launched in spring but visitors to BETT are being offered an exclusive preview. It's a great opportunity for teachers to sample some of the range of learning materials it'll offer.
MYLO will enable students to learn French, German, Spanish and Mandarin through computer activities which include producing a TV advert, working in a French fashion house and designing a football kit. With practice materials, online dictionaries, phrase books, background information and plenty of hints and tips, learners will have everything they need to complete tasks online.
MYLO has been piloted and developed with the input of a number of schools, educational bodies and teachers. They report that it gets young people excited about languages, and helps them develop skills in delegating, group work and project management. One year 8 student from Bradford described the activities as "fun and cool and something we are interested in", whilst another talked of how it is "very different to anything we do in language lessons."
MYLO also has a social networking element that allows students to become part of a MYLO community. Once their school is registered with MYLO, students can create their own online profile, comment on the work of their peers, get feedback from their teachers online and even compete against other schools. Teachers will also be able to create special playlists of activities for their pupils, to tie in with their own study requirements and personal interests.
MYLO will be featured on the DCSF stand and demonstrated at the conference by languages teaching adviser and ICT expert Joe Dale at 5pm on Friday January 15th. Joe says: "The success of MYLO rests on its capability to harness the potential of new technologies to create the sort of real, collaborative and personalised learning environment that young people will find truly engaging and empowering for their own individual needs and passions."
In the meantime, to sign up for MYLO, and get more information on how it will work, go to www.hellomylo.com.
Strictly come learning @ BETT
For interactive fun for the whole class, why not come visit Lightbox on Stand E60 at BETT to take a look at 'RM Dance to Advance', the new fun and easy to use dance mat activity software for use across the curriculum.
Using visual, kinaesthetic and auditory stimuli, it is an ideal way to challenge and test pupils' knowledge.
Create, edit and customise your own dance mat activities using single, dual (stepping on two answers at once) or sequential responses (A then B then C). Alternatively, use the sample activities included. Any subject or topic can be covered, as each stimulus and answer can contain text, sound or a picture.
RM Dance to Advance allows pupils to personalise their learning experience by selecting from a range of characters, music and background scenes. Even the most reluctant learner is bound to want to join in!
With RM Dance to Advance, you can:
Create - set up and create new dance mat activities from scratch
Edit - open and edit existing activities and tailor them to your needs
Play - play the activities on-screen or on a dance mat
For pricing information and to buy online, visit our store, email sales@lightbox-ed.com or call 01332 258384.
Podium brings video to its BETT award-winning podcasting tool
A BETT award winner in 2009, Podium is easy to use and allows students of any age to create, edit and publish podcasts all from the same simple interface. Podium is bringing podcasting within the reach of everyone, giving teachers and pupils the chance to create podcasts quickly and easily.
Podium's new video podcasting feature is now available allowing you more flexibility with your podcasts than ever before! Now your pupils can easily create audio podcasts, podcasts with multi-tracks and video podcasts, enabling podcasting to be flexibly incorporated throughout the curriculum. Click here to find out more.
An aid to improving speaking and listening skills, Podium can be used across a variety of subjects and gives pupils the opportunity to prepare and tailor their work to appeal to different audiences.
With Podium pupils can:
collaborate using the scripting tool
create across the curriculum
record directly or import sounds and video files to create their podcasts
edit bits our or add new chapters and episodes in
All you need is a PC, microphone and/or camera and Internet access!
