Welcome to the October 2012 e-news bulletin from Software Services for Education (SS4E).  If you have any comments or suggestions on this bulletin or indeed any special requests for special software offers, please email them to SS4E mailto:kim.conway3@btinternet.com  

NEWS

• Apple is bringing together educators from UK standout schools for a series of live webcasts.  They will give you the opportunity to learn from and speak with your peers as they describe best practices in their implementations from a leadership, IT and curriculum perspective.  The first, Breaking Down Learning Barriers with Apple Technology, Essa Academy, will take place on Thursday 15th November at 5.00 pm followed by Boosting Learning with the iPad, Cedars School of Excellence on Tuesday 27th November. To register please click here http://edu.apple.kuluvalley.com/standoutschools
• Apple have introduced The Apple Volume Purchase Programme http://www.apple.com/uk/education/volume-purchase-program   which allows educational institutions to purchase iOS app in volume and distribute them to student, teachers administrators and employees.
• Adobe Generation http://www.adobegeneration.com/courses  is a series of free online creative courses, including Animation, Games Design and Photo Imaging.
• Steljes are holding a Steljes get SMART in Scotland event on 25th October at Dunblane Hilton demonstrating how SMART technologies can enhance teaching, learning and assessment.  The education seminars will be delivered by teachers from a variety of schools and colleges across Scotland.  These seminars are designed to address issues that may be faced in today’s learning spaces such as motivating students and raising attainment.
• Steljes in conjunction with Dundee University are running a certified SMART Course for Notebook 11 for beginners. As this is the first course preferential rates are being offered.  Details available from Anne Forrest mailto:anne.forrest@steljes.co.uk
• Steljes are running a Notebook 11 class on Saturday 17th November for teachers who are unable to get released. Contact Anne Forrest mailto:anne.forrest@steljes.co.uk  and SCIS teachers can attend a two hour update for Notebook 11 on 15th November.  For further details contact SCIS
• Doodle http://www.doddlelearn.co.uk/whatisdoddle from Boardworks – Doodle in an online service providing lessons, homework and revision resources covering 20 subjects.  It contains activities that can be done independently or as a group, keeps track of results, awards badges for effort and achievement to motivate students and lots more.
• Maths on Track is looking to work with children and adults on alleviation strategies for dyscalculia.  For more information please contact Tom Renwick mailto:tom@mathsontrack.com  You must be prepared to be filmed and certain criteria has to be met.
• Espresso http://www.espresso.co.uk/  have released a new module focused on Scottish history.  Allows users to explore the lives of significant people from Scottish history.   Contact Gordon Herron mailto:gherron@espresso.co.uk for more information.
• Elmo has launched the latest Elmo visualiser http://www.steljes.com/education which is smaller than a business envelope and can be folded flat. The Elmo MO-1 also has the ability to record motion video and sound.

FREE RESOURCES

• Three FREE Maths Apps for iPad or iPhone from SUMS – SUMS are offering Scottish schools and advisers a free copy of their latest two App releases, plus one more SUMS App of your choice.  To get you’re the App contact email David mailto:sumsonline@gmail.com with the subject SS4E apps and let him know your school or organisation and the name of the third App.  You will then receive the Apps gifted by email.
• Tally Game http://www.tallygame.co.uk/ which lets students tally passing cars.
• Short Mult http://www.shortmult.co.uk   – teaches short multiplication.
• UK Secondary Schools are able to get access to Autodesk   Design Academy 2013 completely free of charge. Over half of Scottish secondary schools have already taken up this offer.  http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=10915447  For more information please contact Matthew Bell mailto:matthew.bell@autodesk.com at Autodesk.
• RM are launching their new e-books solution RM Books http://www.rmbookshelf.com  RM Books is designed to work within existing school budgets and requires no upfront investment.  It is free to use, provides access to curriculum textbook titles from leading education publishers and free use of hundreds of classic literature ebooks.  Textbooks can be rented for flexible time periods.  The ebooks can be viewed on, or downloaded to, virtually any internet enabled device (iOS, Windows, Android). Register http://www.rmbookshelf.com  for a free account.

COMPETITIONS

Beyond the Book is a new writing competition formed of tow parts: for primary schools Words and Pictures whilst Stranger than Fiction is for secondary schools. http://www.readforpleasure.co.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Monday 22nd October – Introduction to Inventor http://www.3dmadeeasy.com/content/training/1265-22_October_2012_Introduction_to_Autodesk_Inventor.pdf , Newton Mearns.