BBB advice on avoiding tsunami scams

In the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake, the Better Business Bureau has warned people to be cautious when donating to charties following a rise in scams and fraudulent groups who try to solicit donations following major disasters.

The BBB have posted advice and tips. Full article via WGNTV.com.

Nicki, dbda

Top universities warn against ‘soft subjects’

A group of top UK universities has published guidance advising students to take traditional subjects at A-level.

The Russell Group warns students not to disadvantage themselves by picking the wrong subjects for their degree course.

It advises students to study at least two subjects from a list of “facilitating subjects” such as English and maths.

Otherwise courses at many competitive universities will not be open to them, it warns.

It is the first time the group of the UK’s 20 leading universities has published such all-embracing guidance on university entrance and course choice.

Back to Basics – curriculum review

The Government’s ‘back to basics’ review of the curriculum started last week to decide on the future status of the eight non-core subjects and develop study programmes in English, Maths, Science and PE (statutory). There are fears that citizenship could be a casualty of the review. The Government wants the new curriculum (to be taught from 2013) to give schools ‘greater freedom to construct their own programmes of study outside the National Curriculum and develop approaches to learning and study which complement it’.

Phase 1 Timings: Autumn 2011 – Ministers consider recommendations; Early 2012 – public consultation on core subjects for teaching from Sept 2013

Phase 2 Timings: non-core subjects reviewed by Autumn 2012; public consultation early 2013, teaching from Sept 2014

Source: TES 21st Jan (Nicki)

 

Clipbank (4 Learning and part of Espresso)

Clipbank (4 Learning and part of Espresso) www.channel4learning.com/clipbank

 • Cross-curricular digital video learning service for secondary schools

 • Subscription based and includes video clips to introduce concepts and reinforce learning, topical ‘News Bites’ to generate discussion, interactive activities to engage interest, teachers’ resources for planning and professional development. Includes activities and worksheets.

• Software installed in schools

• Welcome pack including Get Started guide

• INSET sessions to help teachers embed clips into lessons

• Weekly email newsletter and regular subject updates

• Blog and discussion forum to post and share ideas with others

• Technical and curriculum support

• Free home access for teachers and students

• Files (worksheets that can be tailored), teacher notes, transcripts and vocab text can be cut and pasted into Word for personalisation.

• Subject areas: Art & design, Business, D&T, English, French, Geography, German, History, ICT, Maths, Music, PE, PSHE & Citizenship, RE, Science, Spanish.

Source: BETT Show 2011

Jaguar ‘The Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion Challenge for Schools’

Jaguar ‘The Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion Challenge for Schools’
http://www.mathschallenge.co.uk/
• About: using PC-based simulation linked directly with practical mathematics, students work together in small teams, over a period of time, trying to win a series of aces against their classmates. They use basic mathematics and more.
• Challenge aim: to win races in school, get through the regional heats and reach the National final; to raise achievement levels and the perception of maths in schools.
• Who’s eligible: All UK primary and secondary schools for three ages: any primary age Years 7-9 and Years 10-11.
• Maths topics covered: percentages, multiplication, division, calculators, decimals, rounding, rations, chance, risk, measuring angles, measurement, scale, speed, distance, time, mean, modelling, graphs, stats, engine tuning, aerodynamics, suspension and gears.
• Subjects: Maths, Science, Technology, Engineering, D&T and English. Students are eligible to apply for bronze CREST award.
• How it works: work through practical maths, measuring and scaling real race tracks, determine characteristics of the circuit. This info entered into software and merged with decisions made about fuel carriage, tyre types, car set-up and driver temperament. All cars are then raced and if answers are wrong they will crash. Lead Centres and individual schools can purchase software package.
• Timeline: In-school Champions (Feb/March 11); LA (Local Authority boundary) winners announced (Mar 11); Semi Finals (May 11); Finalists announced (May 11); National Final (June 11).

Source: BETT Show 2011

The BETT Award winners 2011

• Early Years & Primary Digital Content: Q&D Multimedia – busythings.co.uk  
  an online subscription service hosting software dedicated to Early Years and SEN pupils.
• Secondary, FE & Skills Digital Content: Lightbox Education and Parliament’s Education Service – MP for a Week
  Parliament’s Education Service works with schools and Members of both Houses of Parliament to support young people in developing their understanding of Parliament and democracy.
  MP for a Week: Step into the shoes of an MP. Decide on laws, debate with other MPs, deal with the media, make a speech in the House of Commons Chamber and meet ministers and your constituents. Can you keep your party and your voters happy to survive the week?
• Tools for Learning and Teaching: EMAS UK
  EMAS UK is the National EMAS service that supports schools and teachers to deliver quality education to pupils that do not have English as their first language (EAL).
• Digital Collections and Resource Banks: English and Media Centre – The Poetry Station
  In 2009 the English & Media Centre was awarded a small grant from Arts Council of England to create a freely accessible web-based video channel and portal for poetry.
• Leadership and Management Solutions: South West Grid for Learning Trust – 360 degree safe
  The 360 degree safe online tool provides a user friendly and interactive means for schools to review their eSafety provision and to develop an action plan to bring about improvements. The tool is currently free of charge to schools on completion of a simple registration process.