@Ideas_Factory The blog of Julian S. Wood

Very quick post about this brilliant, very editable and inspiring Lego Generator for those kids (and adults) who love Lego.

It’s called the minimizer and you create yourself or numerous characters in Lego form.

Loads of extra features, like changing clothes, colour,adding text  and even adding your own background image.

I can see this being a great stimulus for writing character descriptions for the students own Lego video game.

Now where’s that Lego Video Game Generator when you needed it!

More on Generators to inspire writing here and here.

Ever tried copy and pasting images from PDFs, Word,Powerpoint or the internet into Google docs,Gmail or WordPress? It’s nigh on impossible without going through a series of time-consuming conversion tasks.

This may be the solution-it’s called PicturePaste and it’s a free downloadable program that sits on your desktop. Whenever you want to convert an image to a web tool friendly one-just open up PicturePaste and copy. The image appears in the programs window and then all you do is press Control+V to paste. All the images in this blog post were done this way, no time-draining uploading of images, just a very simple 2 step process.

What a time-saver and it’s free! Watch their Youtube video explanation and prepare to download PicturePaste !

If, like me, you have a Google+ account but don’t seem to have the time to post on it, this new tool will be of great benefit.

Twitter is my Social Media tool of choice and I don’t really have time to post on other Social Media outlets like Google+ and Facebook.

I have now found an easy way to join my social media accounts without causing me extra work. It’s called TwooglePlus. It will automatically post any tweets directly to your Google+ account. Simple and it’s free!

Twitter and Facebook already have autopost options on their ‘Settings’ page of your account. Here are the step by step instructions to do this for Twitter and Facebook.

Interested in using Twitter in Education? I have loads of links here.

This is a continuation of part 1-in this post I’ll show some more free online generators that will also inspire learning in your classroom.

As with every piece of new technology or Web 2.0 tool, the learning runs alongside the stimulus. I interweave the generators within a learning process, often using them at a time when I feel the students need a little creative push to help them produce more interesting work. It’s essential to use generators like this, too often educators use them as a ‘starter’,the students quickly lose their enthusiasm and the very reason that the web tool was used in the first place becomes a reason not to use them!

Anyway back to the inspiring generators!

We’re doing Monsters! as our topic in Y2 this term so here are some fabulous generators that I will use to inspire some learning!

Monster Name Generator

The great thing about generators is their ability to infuse kids imagination with a few clicks. I have found that this benefits students that struggle with creating an initial idea-even an adult finds creating original concepts hugely challenging. I used this generator as a project kickstarter-kids generated a name-drew pictures, used adjectives, made Top Trump cards etc,etc –several lessons worth, just from a name!

Monster name acrostic generator

This flash-game is a great way of generating a monster themed acrostic poem-just enter your name. Again, this led to several pupil ‘tries’ and using the generator opened the eyes of pupils to the creative possibilities of acrostics.

The TV channel Nick Jr has a great monster generator, with the added bonus of having categories to write some information about. I find this is great for students to make notes on and then use as a stimulus to create a longer piece of writing.

It’s a site where students don’t need to have an account to use-but beware of the print facility, it will only print out the monster picture and not the text! My students  used the ‘PRTSC’ (Print Screen) button and pasted into Microsoft Powerpoint.

Next is my favourite- Giant Battle Monsters! Used in conjunction with the Monster name generator it provides the students with a ready-made scenario for a battle between two student-generated monsters.

The fantastic aspect of this generator is that it not only produces a fabulous description for the students to use in their writing but creates statistics like ‘Top Trumps’ cards. I have used it in Maths lesson, with pupils in a playing an imaginary Monster Tournament.

For younger children there are a number of ‘build a monster’ sites that are fantastic for instructional writing.

The first one is from the excellent British Council Learn English kids website ‘Make your Monster’.

It has a brilliant ‘listen’ button which when pressed, says aloud in a monster voice,an instruction to find ‘Green ears’ or a ‘Red Nose’. A great way to get students to write instructions.

There’s this great ‘Create a monster’ game where you can flip, bring to front, change colour and enlarge body parts. Very good for descriptive writing or just creating characters for a story about Mythical beasts.

You could write a set of instructions for the students to follow or print a picture and ask them to produce an exact copy, then write instructions about how they made their monster. Students could play a barrier game and work in pairs to instruct what to do next.

Finally I’ll save the best till last- The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh has an excellent ‘Build a Monster’ game which has a narrative back story of helping a monster find his body, arms and legs.

All his parts are hidden around the museum, students have to use clues and search different rooms around the building. There’s some great games to play along the way and a great surprise when you find all his body parts.

Well that’s the end of Part 2. I hope I’ve inspired you to use these websites to stimulate writing in your classroom. I was only going to do 2 parts but it looks like I’m adding to my ‘Generators collection all the time! In part 3 I’ll write about Pokémon and how you can inspire more great writing in the classroom with free web tools.

As always comments welcome-be great to hear if anyone has actually used any of the stuff I write about!

I don’t see very many School Twitter accounts and I think it’s because of one thing-we think that parents are not on Twitter!

But I see Twitter as a valuable communication tool, vital in engaging parents and establishing the school’s online identity.

So how do we use Twitter and connect with parents that haven’t yet got a twitter account?

Tell them that you can link the schools twitter account with their mobile phones!

Here are the instructions-

How to sign up to twitter by mobile phone

• Sign up to Twitter by SMS text (3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile only)

• Send a text message to 86444 with the word ‘START’

• Twitter will send you a reply and ask you to reply with the word ‘SIGNUP’ to create a new account. Send the reply ‘SIGNUP’.

• Next, Twitter will ask you to pick a username. Your username must be unique and less than 15 characters. Reply with the username you want (see below for advice on picking a

• username).

• You will get a confirmation message when you pick a unique username (Twitter will tell you to pick a new name if someone else has the username you wanted).

• Choose a password.

• Send a message and it will post as your first tweet.

• To follow an account’s tweets, text the word ‘FOLLOW’ with the twitter name to 86444. For example if you wanted to receive my tweets by SMS you’d have to send ‘FOLLOW Ideas_factory’ 

• Now all that account’s tweets will be sent to your number by text.

Twitter by SMS questions and answers here

It is a FREE service but some mobile providers may charge-best to ask your provider before setting up. More details about this here

You can also link Twitter to Facebook and vice-versa.

Maybe my next post should be how to set up a school facebook account!

Interested in using Twitter in Education? Go here for 100′s of links

For the price of a 4GB memory stick you can turn most old netbooks and laptops into a Google Chromebook!

That’s all it takes to download Vanilla a portable Google Chrome operating system called Chromium OS.

Most schools I know have many old laptops and netbooks that are not used because they are too slow or clogged up with old programs.

This fantastic program will revitalise that old hardware and upcycle them into Google Chromebooks.

What’s a Chromebook? Simply put, a Chromebook is a mobile computer that features the Google web browser. All your applications and files are stored on the web, where they can be accessed even if you’re away from your computer.

The great thing about Chromebooks is that children (especially younger ones) don’t get access to other programs or files that are stored on the computer and therefore cannot delete or change anything important.

Also if your school has ‘Google Apps for Education’ then this is a very easy way to establish Google Apps as a learning tool with your pupils and staff.

I have seen it in action on some very old and very slow netbooks, I was amazed at the speed of the browsing and how I could still access all my Google Docs online.

It’s a very cost effective way of adding new hardware, epsecially in these austere times and when the most fantastic free learning tools are all available online!

So how about an even more amazing cost-saving idea for school?

Why not buy a Raspberry Pi for £22 and then put Vanilla on it-a Chromebook for school for £30!! Now if only schools could actually get a Raspberry Pi……

Any problems-Please see these more detailed instructions on how to set-up Vanilla here

Although sounds like it’s a lot of trial and error depending on the model of netbook/laptop you are intending to use-luckily Liam McLoughlin the guy behind Hexxeh has kindly agreed to answer any questions you may have-if you give him a tweet-please be patient though as he’s a busy man!

Fantastic free ebook about using ‘Google Apps for Education’ here

Thanks to Andy Bush who gave me this tip and showed me how easy it is to use.

This is a blog post about using free online generators to inspire learning.

Online generators have been on the web for donkeys years-often infringing copyright rules but always giving the ordinary online mortal a chance to imagine.

To pretend that their name is up in lights on a movie billboard, that their own band is playing on their iPod or that they can have a snazzy animated logo without a sniff of programming knowledge.

Having explored and used them in the classroom, I can definitely say that generators are an under-used web resource and are great for independent learning.

You often just click the mouse for a drop down menu or type whatever you want and then click ‘Generate’-it’s as easy as that!

Generators for stimulating story writing.

The beauty with Generators is that they will produce a piece of text from nothing! Very useful for reluctant writers-especially boys. I use them as starters for a longer piece of writing or just to stimulate ideas within a topic or theme.

It’s all about ownership, if those reluctant writers can enter a few words or choose a few objects, they can generate their own text. I have found this to really empowering, as often these reluctant writers are only ‘reluctant’ because they find it difficult to actually start writing. I find that  ironic, because even the greatest authors in the world have tricks to help stimulate their writing when approaching a blank page.

This is the fabulous Ambleweb story machine (From Ambleside C of E Primary school in Cumbria)-enter one word on each of the prompts and create pieces like this-

One day while I was scratching in the Cellar and a crazy computer fell through the roof. It immediately jumped on the stool and knocked over the mobile phone. Then it ran out the door into the kitchen and slipped on the TV stand. It then knocked a glass of slime off the coffee table. After twenty eight minutes of chasing the computer through the house I finally caught it and put it outside. It quickly climbed the nearest tree.

The Proppian Fairy Tale generator is similar but no words are needed just ticks! Based on Vladimir Propp who used this method to decipher Russian folklore and fairy tales.

Really very easy and produces text like this-

One of them who came forward looked nothing like the others. She was dressed in white fluff and smelled clean. Her eyes were like a child’s. “I’m in need of assistance,” she said softly. “I need some help and I think you can help me.”

The silver fish leapt from the water from his gurgling mouth came a bubble that solidified and dropped into my lap. Just as quickly as he had emerged, the fish plopped back into the water, leaving me to puzzle over this mysterious orb.

But since I had been given my gift I did not fear what stood in front of me. As his body touched mine if fell to the floor covered in a carpet of needles.

(Although unfortunately it looks like the website has been shutdown-will post link when it re-appears)

Next is the British Council Story Maker-

You can choose between generating a Fairy Story, a Horror Story or a Sci-Fi Story. It also gives you loads of options to choose from before generating your story.

This produces text which looks like it is written in a book.

There’s the brilliant Scholastic (US website) Story Starter which is really about generating ideas to start a piece of writing. What is different is that it also packages them up with some jazzy presentation.

It gives you options on the end product you want the writing to appear, especially useful if teaching different writing genres.

Then pupils have the chance to type on lovely letter-headed notepaper.Looks brilliant when printed and stimulates the pupils to produce some excellent work.

Finally there’s the awesome My Story Maker-you move characters like an animation and it writes the story for you!

Take a look at this screen shot-very inspiring especially as you can print it out.

Well hopefully you’ve seen enough to try these in your class.

They definitely will inspire your students to write and create their own stories.

Part 2 coming soon….

I was asked to present a 5 year vision to school Governors last week by my headteacher. I have reproduced my report at the bottom of this post and I have also posted some links to information I used.

As a quick summary (if you can’t be bothered to read the whole report) I have mentioned these aspects-

•New hardware-ipad/pods, tablet, consoles, net books

•BYOD-Bring your own device.

•Using Social media to communicate with parents.

•Blogging/Publishing.

•Game Based Learning.

•Free Web tools.

•Collaboration/Social Learning.

•Free ‘open’ WiFi

Apologies to those tech aficionados who will be annoyed by my, probably wrong, interpretations of the new technology I have mentioned. I can only go on what I think is right.

As always would love to hear what people think-please post a comment-feedback ALWAYS welcome!

A Vision for implementing new technology and ICT at Wybourn Community Primary School

New Learners are…

•more self-directed

•better equipped to capture information

•more reliant on feedback from peers

•more inclined to collaborate

•more oriented toward being their own “nodes of production”.

Education Trends | Featured News
John K. Waters—13 December 2011

Now

Blogging

• Pupils work ‘published’.
• Parents have quick access to pupil work.
• Showcase for pupil writing-pupils have an ‘audience’ and are writing for a purpose.
• Easy Peer-feedback to edit and re-draft work via comments.
• Encouragement for those pupils with low self-esteem.
• Proven to raise writing standards.

Free Web 2.0 tools

• Free
• Web based-trouble if internet ‘down’.
• More and more new products-always a better alternative-just have to know where to look!
• Stimulating for pupils-especially for those who find ‘traditional learning’ difficult to access.

Laptops and Computer suite-used by all very regularly.

• Old, slow, unreliable and not good value for money.
• Cluttered with programs that are out of date and rarely used.
• Mainly used to do ‘research’ for topic subjects or old style ‘Word-processing’ using Microsoft Office tools.

The internet-used mainly for research and games.

• Many pupils and adults don’t understand e-safety and are too over-reliant on YGFL filtering.
• Pupils mainly play games in own time at school-surprisingly high amount playing ‘educational’ games!
• Most pupils and adults don’t understand basics of ‘Search’.

VLE(virtual learning environment) and website-

• signed up to excellent Purple Mash.
• Pupils love it and use a great deal ‘out of school’.
• Website up and running. Regularly updated and getting 700 ‘hits’ a month.

Recommendations

• Staff and pupils encouraged to blog more regularly.
• Staff and pupil training on e-safety and safe-search.
• Regular use of Purple Mash.
• Staff signposted free web tools.

In 1-2 years

Games Based Learning-pupils and staff using games in lessons to stimulate learning and to access curriculum areas that are impossible to achieve. (Visit to moon for Space topic etc)

Mobile learning-ipods/Ipads in classroom-Class sets of ipads/ipods that can be used for collaborative learning-cost saving because of availability of free ‘Apps’. Ipods/Ipads offers freedom, accessibility, value-for-money.

‘Mobile technologies are finally being accepted as educational tools. The wealth of apps that exist for these devices makes the banning of them completely absurd. Schools have to accept that mobile learning is here, in the learners pockets and is going to make a difference to education.’

Kevin Mclaughlin (@kvnmcl)

Online Collaboration projects (Social Learning)-already done a few of these but opportunities for schools working together because of new close ties to cluster schools. We should look internationally and establish links from around the globe-encouraging diversity.

Raising School’s online profile-Using Social Media to communicate to parents-makes sense to have a school Facebook page-most parents on FB. We need to embrace this side of the internet-we should not worry about negatives. Your Facebook page becomes what you put into it. I feel it should be an extension of the school website.

Technical help- serious consideration needs to be given to establishing a full-time tech role in school-employed by the school. Especially as this side of the curriculum will dramatically expand over the next few years-it’s essential that school stays ‘in-touch’. It doesn’t have to be a teacher, person would have responsibility for Technical problems, training, creating resources and maintaining online profiles.

Free WiFi for the community-The greatest move to banish Digital inclusion would be creating free WiFi. Would have no affect on current school system as separate line. But would immediately benefit those families who cannot afford to access internet through fast broadband. Most of these families have devices that can access the internet but rely on expensive phone tariffs.

In 3-5 Years

BYOD (Bring your own device)-pupils own devices allowed in the classroom and actively allowed to take part in lessons-teachers using them as part of learning-linking to schools network and accessing homework.

Learning everywhere and anywhere-Classrooms would be anywhere as pupils would be using mobile devices-which would be as thin as paper and projected onto any surface.

Web 3.0 and Learning analytics-Loosely joins a variety of data gathering tools and analytical technology to study pupil engagement, practice, performance and progress. Teachers and school would tailor educational opportunities to each individual student’s level of need and be able to adapt in ‘real-time’. Using ‘smart’ devices pupils learning, attendance and achievement would be monitored by computer programs that would automatically change to suit the ‘level’ of the child’s ability and practice. Even be able to monitor health, tiredness, diet etc

Gesture-based computing,touch screen and voice recognition- Keyboards would not be needed as devices controlled by human gestures and voice (already in use-Kinnect,ipad,Siri)

Social Learning

• Most of what we learn, we learn from other people – from conversing with others – and networks promote those conversations
• Social Learning can create more powerful and enduring learning experiences through the use of online communities and networks, where learners are encouraged to co-create, collaborate and share knowledge and fully participate in their learning.

‘Social media tools are powerful building blocks for enabling learning and development, while also documenting the learning journey and leaving a path for others to follow. Put emerging social technologies to work for your organisation, and you’ll open the door to greater knowledge, a richer learning experience, and an enhanced culture where ‘Brain Share’ is a way of life.’

The New Social Learning:A Guide to Transforming Organizations Through Social Media by Tony Bingham and Marcia Conner.

Value for Money

It’s up to us to use money wisely especially in times of changing budgets and getting value for money is very important. Staying up to date with rapid technological change and taking advantage of new innovations and developments can be a challenge.

For example, ‘the most powerful computer (or other digital device) that you can afford today will cost half as much in two years time; second, in two years time for the same money you will be able to buy something twice as powerful.

The compound effect over decades is somewhat more dramatic:

•a digital device bought today [2008] for £1000 will cost less than £31.50 in 2018, and less than £1 by 2028;

•the same £1000 will, in ten years time, buy a device 32 times more powerful in 2018;

•by 2028 a device more than more than a thousand times as powerful as the 2008 version will be available for that same £1000’.

Cliff et al, 2008,

Future Issues in Socio-Technical Change for UK Education

This document shamelessly *borrowed* from Camborne Science and Community College brilliant ICT Vision Poster.

A Warning!

‘It is clear that technology needs to be thought of more as an enabler than as a driver. Investing in it and assuming that the wonders of the digital world will carry the day is not wise.

The essential idea is to get the right learning embedded in the technology and that technology will be a dramatic accelerator if we can put instruction, skilled and motivated teachers and students in the lead.’

Michael Fullan

With this in mind (& thanks to gr8ict for the nudge) introducing a Digital Leaders programme is a must.

Digital Leaders

Places I visited for research and inspiration

Professor Steve Wheeler (@timbuckteeth) Slideshare account is fabulous-some of his slides are brilliant, especially this Digital Futures one.

The Horizon 2012 report is essential basically a bunch of futurists in US who predict what new tech will be used in Education. Although about Higher Education obvious parallels can be made for all key stages- a great youtube video condensing whole report also worth watching.

Future of Technology in Education website

Twitter ;^)

Struggling to get your students, class or educational establishment into blogging?

Have no fear-let’s blog the leap year!

Feb29th.net is the brain-child of blogging behemoth David Mitchell  (@deputymitchell) with the help of Peter Ford and John Sutton.

What better way to explain Blog the Leap Year than use the words from the website itself-

“Feb29th.net is a global blogging project that will cross all age groups and continents. As soon as Feb 29th 2012 begins in Tonga, the Feb29th.net will open up for posts for one day only. This blog will capture posts from all over our planet on this rare day until midnight in the Western Pacific. The result will not only be a celebration of technology, but a celebration of audience and purpose.

The aim is to allow any visitor on 29th Feb to post; these will be moderated on the day, as this will also be open to pupils in educational establishments across the globe.

Together, we will prove that blogging is safe and there really is POWER in the audience!“

I’m encouraging all educators from around the globe, whatever age-group, to take up this challenge.You don’t need a blogging platform, a website or an account.

All you need is a keyboard and a connection to the internet.

Feb29th.net is a reason to write a blog, a willing audience to write for and a subject to write about.

This is a perfect opportunity to showcase why blogging is the future of writing in education.

This is a recording I made with @stevebunce in November 2010.

It was for Vital in one of their TeachShare sessions-I thought more people would like to view it as I explain what different free web tools you can use to stimulate writing in the classroom-this excerpt is about animation tools.

If you’re interested in the Teachshare series-please see this link There are some great sessions.