RE and Web2.0 June 7, 2009
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a commentThere are some great tools out there for teachers to create challenging RE activities or learners to make responses.
Check out Wordle. This is a useful tool for creating word pictures. Text can be looked at and analysed in new ways. The frequency of words in the text increases the size. Instead of uploading to the public gallery, I take screen shots and then paste into a document. Here is a small screen shot of one “I created earlier”.
A word of caution if you are using with students, Wordle is open to anyone to post anything.
Animoto is a great tool for creating audio/visual presentations.
If you want to be able to see a full screen version, then click here.
Prezi is another very useful Web2.0 application for creating dynamic presentations.You can use a variety of media - sound files, animotos, text and make it really dynamic. Here is one on Learning Outside the Classroom in Sacred Space.
I’m forever talking about RE having the HOTS - Higher Order Thinking Skills! These applications would certainly lead to a huge variety of ways in which learners can understand, apply, analyse, evaluate and create. They can also be used for PLTS - personal learning and thinking skills - e.g. independent enquiry, creative learning, reflection, teamwork and effective participation.
BeFunky is a great little program where you can “cartoonise” images. Learners could upload images of themselves and cartoonise them. In this way, they can be one step removed from themselves. Their cartoon selves could be used to create a graphic novel/comic presentation of, for example a visit to a place of worship, with word or thought bubbles added for text of their thoughts, questions or ideas.
Books and covers April 20, 2009
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a commentAccording to some academic studies, it takes no more than 100 milliseconds (that’s a tenth of a second to you and me) to make up our minds about someone we have not met before. The judgements made are on the basis of visual appearance and can take no account of character or other personality traits.
Much of western society seems to be very concerned with image and conforming to expectations which are constantly thrust at us by the media. When confronted with something which does not meet the expected ideals, there is often surprise that such-a-person could possibly be capable of ….
I’m not a viewer of the many talent shows and competitions broadcast on television, but having heard a snippet on Radio 4 about the phenomenon that is Susan Boyle, I was intrigued. For the few of you who haven’t yet seen it, the YouTube video of Susan’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent is definitely worth watching. Why? Well, first, to hear Susan’s voice, but also to look at the smirks, scepticism and ridicule initially seen in the faces of judges and audience. It is good that this was caught on camera. Within five seconds - 5,000 milliseconds - of Susan beginning to sing, the audience were applauding and the expressions of disbelief as to how “someone so ordinary looking” could possibly have talent, had melted to be replaced with expressions of amazement at her talent.
Once can only hope that with all the media adulation surrounding her, Susan will manage to maintain her integrity, sincerity and genuineness and that the dream she dreamed is fulfilled.
How does this relate to wider society? As you will see if you have looked at other items on this blog, I am involved in education and have a passion for the value of the individual irrespective of creed or colour. In society, we often make judgements or sweeping generalisations about whole groups of people on the basis of a word or the actions of a small sector from within a group. It is so easy to lose the individual and forget that we are all unique with our own set of characteristics and talents. So perhaps, the fleeting 100 milliseconds should be replaced by giving a person a fair chance to reveal their true worth before making inaccurate judgements.
Why remember? January 27, 2009
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Did you know that the term genocide did not exist until 1943? It was created by a Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael (Rafal) Lemkin. It is described as any one of a number of acts intent on destroying in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.
To remember the 15th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, pupils at Hampton School have set up a project to collect 8,000 online responses to the question, “Why should we remember?” - one response for each 100 victims.
Last year the pupils joined with those from Hampton Community School to produce a short book which contains interviews with genocide survivors and witnesses as well as responses from forty well known figures including Tony Blair, David Cameron, George Carey, Stephen Fry and Boris Johnson.
To order a copy of the book, or add a “Why should we remember?” response, click here or on the book.
Building an online Holocaust Exhibition January 21, 2009
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a commentAndy Lawrence, along with 24 others including me, is a Fellow from the 2007-8 Holocaust Education programme run by the Imperial War Museum. He has developed a resource using digitised versions of authentic primary sources - including letters, postcards, lists, photographs. Students can use this to discover what happened to various members of the Blechner family during the Holocaust. Having done their research, they can then select resources to create their own online exhibition.
Click to download a pdf of Teachers’ Notes giving information on the Blechners and how to use the Exhibition builder.
To try this out, click here, and then use the user name ha1-sharona and password sharon. If you wish to use the resource with students and discuss setting up individual student accounts, then contact Andy directly.
Peace and Hope in the Middle East?
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a commentRead this amazing blog written by 2 friends. One lives in Sajaia refugee camp in Gaza and the other lives in Sderot, a small town near Gaza on the Israeli side. This blog is written by 2 real people living and communicating on both sides of the border.
Compare stories on both sides of the border through this website which has short videos of men, women and children in Gaza (Palestine) and Sderot (Israel): their lives and their survival on a daily basis. The videos were filmed from October – December 2008.
The Three Faiths Forum is a non-religious organisation whose objective is to build lasting relationships between people of different faiths and beliefs to achieve a society where religious and cultural differences can co-exist through empathy, respect and engagement. The website provides information and a range of resources
Light a Candle January 20, 2009
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In many faiths, the lighting candles is a symbolic representaton of ideas such as joy, remembrance. As part of supporting the theme to Stand Up to Hatred for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, you are invited to light a candle. “By lighting a candle you are showing your support at embracing diversity and dispelling the darkness that racism, oppression and ignorance can lead to.” Click on the candle and add your light.
Well done True Tube!
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Yet another award for True Tube - winner of the Secondary Digital Content category at the 11th annual BETT Awards. 11th annual BETT Awards, held at the London Hilton, Park Lane on the 15th January. Run by Emap, Becta and the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), the BETT Awards is considered by many to be the most prestigious awards in the education sector. Each year, ICT educational suppliers of all types and sizes enter the BETT Awards, which celebrates excellence in ICT in education. Richard Joslin, exhibition director, Emap commented: “TrueTube’s awareness of the educational and social needs of teenagers and young adults has resulted in a truly exceptional resource that helps to improve the learning standards across the UK.”
True Tube uses insightful short films to encourage young people to voice their opinions and share their experiences on a variety of sensitive issues, such as knife crime, teenage pregnancy and religion. TrueTube has enhanced thousands of RE, citizenship, English and science lessons around the globe, providing teachers with real life case studies and expert opinions to get their classes talking.
Glogster
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a commentGlogster is a tool to create online interactive posters. Click on the Glogster link to view the site, or on the poster to view this example.
Stand Up … October 24, 2008
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a comment… to Hatred.
This is the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2009. January 27th - the date of the liberation of Auschwitz is the date on which victims of the Holocaust and other genocides are remembered.
Education materials are available from the Holocaust Memorial Day website.
Learning Outside the Classroom October 4, 2008
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a commentA new resource has been created to give ideas for providing high quality experiences outside the classroom. This can be found on the Learning Outside the Classroom website.
In addition Sacred Space part of the new REonline website for RE practitioners, provides inspiring ideas for quality RE and spiritual development in sacred space.
There are a series of case studies together with some advice to prevent withdrawal from visits. There is also a booking form to hire banners and order bookmarks to raise the profile of LOtC in sacred space if holding a conference event.
Take a look at the impact LOtC can have on RE and spiritual development by clicking here.
There is additional information about Sacred Space on the official Sacred Space section of the LOtC website.
