I’ve been exceptionally busy since we last met so have integrated
my digital leaders ideas into the new A levels that I’m teaching. The work I
had done at KS3 I presented previously I had closed for now, earmarked for
further development an integration into the KS3 SOW.
I’ve been further developing video screen casts and
resources on my website (www.mrbotfieldict.co.uk)
as well as maintaining my YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/mrbotfieldict
The discussion we had about teachers being good digital role
models, plus more recent media coverage lead me to look how I could integrate
being a good digital role model, directly with my classes.
From discussing social network use with learners across KS4
and 5 it appears that the channel they use less for personal use is Twitter –
thus making it the ideal platform for them to launch and maintain their own
professional profiles.
From speaking to some contacts who are recruitment consultants
I’ve established some criteria that will give learners the edge over other candidates
when they enter the labour market. One of these is establishing a digital
portfolio of work and evidence proving that they can do what their CV’s claim.
So my current year 12 whom are just preparing for year 13
have started keeping a learning log in the form of blogs. They have so far
written brief evaluations of what they have done and learnt in lessons (not a
great deal at the moment as I’m waiting for Access 2013 and MS Project 2013 to
be installed on the network and the new year 13 specification to be released –
September 15), but we have been setting up blogs, using twitter etc and
preparing as much as we can.
Additionally they will be using twitter to tweet about their
blogs and what they have been doing in lessons.
Although it is a course requirement for year 13 to keep a learning
log we are developing them more than being about ICT, so learners can include
evidence from other subjects, evidence and information on extra-curricular and other
achievements – all with a view to enhance University applications and ultimately
employability.
We are also setting up and maintaining professional profiles
using Twitter. So far learners have tweeted about their blogs and blog entries,
and have searched for and followed people and institutions of professional interest,
so far University’s that they may wish to apply to, or employers that they may
like to work for, with the view of possible making some professional contacts.
There is also the opportunity to develop this into the development and use of
LinkedIn, but for now one step at a time.
Using Twitter we have been tweeting using #BBAICT13 and I’ll
change the # to BBAICT12 – for year 12.
Although the learning log is not a course requirement for
Year 12 I will be implementing the same strategy to keep consistency across KS5
and to enable the learners to generate a bigger body of evidence and showcase a
wider cross section of their computing, ICT and digital skills.
We’ve also talked about online safety, and discussed how we
can promote ourselves publically, but in a safe and secure way.
My long term goal is to give leaners a professional platform
and online presence with a positive digital footprint which they can use to
launch academic and professional careers.
Some examples of these blogs are: -
As usual, you have been so busy promoting good practice and developing the effective use of ICT in the school. Are you having any issues with Twitter? We have had some unwanted Tweets posted by ex-pupils.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much! No issues, yet, but I expect it will happen at some point - we'll use it as a learning experience and can discuss how we think as a class that we should deal with it
DeleteI'd love to hear more about your digital portfolios. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lloyd - It's early days, has the potential to backfire, but nothing ventured, nothing gained!
DeleteNice post!! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletedermology hair removal cream