Kristianstill

Who am I kidding…. I know that I dont have a lot of traffic, but should you want to follow/share my middle managament journey, then I am back at http://kristianstill.wordpress.com/

My thanks to edublogs…. I am not gone forever, just browsing and writing around.

We have made a new appointment, to support in the implementation of our Learning Platform and to improve the College’s effective use of Sims.

The reason for this post is that we recognised that we were missing the expertise to appoint objectively and on the day we were supported by Simon Walker, CTS Moodle ‘expert.’ His objective viewpoint aided the interview process and although it took an additional three contested discussions before we finally appointed, his input was crucial. This investment in the day was crucial as I truly believe that appointing the right staff is a key factor to future success.

Well there is not too much to share. The meeting was simple. The head was pleased with the progress academically and understandably squeezing for every extra percentage point for ICT pass grades. Conversation quickly moved onto the IT focus which I was able to share with him via quotes and a prepared calendar.

In order;

1. VLE appointment

2. VLE install

3. IT security and back ups (this really is a priority)

4. Meet with the E-Learning Foundation and development of the Netbook project

5. Development of Sims within College.

Finances were discussed and agreed. In part, we can procure certain items until the new financial year arrives but that should not deter us from moving from one stepping stone to the next. I raised the issue of time, creating time to do the administration of the projects but this drew a blank. It will be revised in next years timetable, however the new post with take some of the strain.

Identification of the ‘cultural architects’ – this is the next and very important job. Which staff are going to bring about shift in educational practice? Organic growth or forced growth?

I meant to ask our head about recruitment. I think that VLE skills should be an important factor in our employment thinking. I hope that we can ask new staff to complete an ICT skills audit as part of their application process.

I have now been at Hamble College for nearly 12 months and its my performance review this week. How do these meetings mould our progress as middle leaders. What can I glean from this experience to make me a better middle leader? Foremost in my thinking is the accountability that is acheived and agreed. Second, what questions do I need to ask to aid my professional development?

Time is an elusive resource. Is this due to poor time management, or is the ‘job scope’ too broad? I need to clearly identify what teaching hours are typical at this level. What management allowances are applied and whether this permits sufficient time to fulfil the job description. Currently I am leading Key Stage 4, the IT manager and strategic deployment of IT resources, the website, the VLE and whole school netbook scheme. I am also line managing the Key Stage 3 ICT leader and staff. At present, I consider this to be a little over-bearing.

How Do I Raise my Concerns?

I am finding it difficult to complete all college policies in time, such as performance reviews and departmental plans. The aim is to get the Departmental plans completed over Christmas. How do I communicate those concerns professionally?

Areas for professional focus:

Financial management and budgeting are constant endeavours for this current role. I believe that this may prove to be an area in which incorrect decisions could be costly. For future development, it may prudent to seek professional training here.

I need to continue to address and get myself involved in wholeschool strategies; netbooks / VLE and to challenge and implement strategies that will impact across College, yet also ensure that curriculum results improve year on year, starting with this years cohort. Also being involved, or at least involved in the discussions regarding the new building have been insightful.

I need to ensure that I spend time away from work to recharge.

Topic or Tool: Smallworlds

What does it cost? FREE. SmallWorlds is a 3D virtual world (similar to Second Life and Lively) but it runs inside your web browser – no software to install. Targeted at anyone aged 13 years and above, Smallworld creators Outsmart believe that,

‘the combination of social interaction, self expression, media consumption and casual gaming features of SmallWorlds means there’s something in there for everyone, and the ease of use and general accessibility of the product means that even novice users can have a satisfying experience.’

Once you have designed your avatar, you are dropped into your virtual home with or without your virtual pet, you teleport into a multilingual international virtual world. Importantly for educators, Smallworlds is Moderated. Moderators and helpers are real easy to spot, they all have a saintly (some might say unearthly?) glow as they travel about in-world. They also wear a snappy looking blue cape with an “M” or “H” on the back just in case you miss the glow.

Whats more Smallworlds a mash-up or is mashable! ‘Mashable’ means you are able to mash together different web applications. A more professional definition can be found in the Horizon Report 2008

‘A mashup is a web application that combines data from more than one source via a single, unified tool.’

Same difference. For example you can play selected radio stations through your ghetto blaster, you can hang your pictures/artwork stored on photo sharing site flickr on your walls. You can take part in game tournaments such as chess and pool and much more. Smallworlds is a real interactive experience.

How it could be used for teaching?

At this moment in time, I have used Smallworldsto introduce students to social media. Once logged in, there is an enormous amount for them to do, people to meet and etiquette to learn. The importance of personal safety, security and 21st Century safety awareness are easily reinforced through Smallworlds. Features such as room design (Design Technology) and Chat (MFL), can be easily applied in Smallworlds as students complete ‘Missions’ to help them earn credits. These credits can then be used to make purchases, an instant reward, often used to ‘pimp’ their home space.

How it could be used for learning?

More recently, I have been corresponding with the Outsmart team, discussing ways to use the many features available in Smallworld to create learning experiences. In particularly we have been looking at how Outsmart can offer staff and headstart or ‘teacher package’ and ways to use the missions to develop learning opportunities for students. For example, heading to a Maths room full of equations, with supplying the correct answers earning you credits. Or by creating rooms or great characters in history, again with questions to answer but also rooms to display photo and artwork, then entered into international competitions….. More ideas please.