Category Archives: News

Free Roald Dahl Party Pack

 

We are delighted to let you know that the FREE Roald Dahl Day party pack is now available!

The Roald Dahl Day party pack contains everything you need to host a marvellous party – whether it’s in your living room, bookshop, school or library. Remember, Roald Dahl Day takes place on
Wednesday 13th September so make sure you plan your party well in advance.

This year we’re introducing Roald Dahl’s newest hero, Billy, as his story Billy and the Minpins is illustrated by Quentin Blake for the first time. We’ll be celebrating Billy along with all of Roald Dahl’s incredible child heroes, including Matilda, Charlie, James and George.

So, download the pack and take the quiz to find out which hero you are most like and celebrate your favourite with a hero-themed
Roald Dahl Day party!

Click on the link below to download the Free Roald Dahl Party Pack,

Free Download

Staff Digital Leaders

Many thanks to those of you who have volunteered for the Staff Digital Leader Programme for Education.

We are now sitting at over 50 members of staff who are keen to support schools with using Technology to enhance Learning and Teaching. These people will liaise with the Learning through Technology Team to coordinate training sessions and pass on information re technology in the classroom and the National Digital Agenda.

We will be officially launching our programme on the 15th September in Committee Room 5, Woodhill House. This day will be a mixture of planning, discussions and hands on workshops.

We have a Glow Site with more information about the programme and a Yammer group for ongoing discussions.

Staff Digital Leader Glow Site

The session will be advertised via Aberdeenshire Events as soon as they move to the new Aldo system after July.

Please get in touch with the Learning through Technology Team if you would like to enroll in this new exciting programme.

james.mclean@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

susan.sey@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Aberdeenshire GamesCon 2017

Well done to all schools who participated in our first ever GamesCon event.

All teams who took part demonstrated outstanding, teamwork, creativity and computational thinking skills all required in this ever changing digitally connected world.

Please click on the link below to view some pictures from the Grand Final at Robert Gordon University.

Can’t wait for next year’s event 🙂

Aberdeenshire GamesCon 2017

iPad sets

Here at H2L2 we have renewed the sets of iPads we use for training with teachers and pupils.

We now have 3 x sets of 10 iPad Minis to give to schools, and it is very easy for your school to get one of these sets, just email me with a request.   STOP PRESS The iPad sets are now all gone.

The catch?

There isn’t one, but we would hope you would keep us informed on how the devices are being used, and maybe you would want to sign up for some of our iPad and iOS twilights that will shortly be available on our Online Technology Support Session Website

Identifiable Data Advice

More and more schools  use social media and add pictures to their school websites. Therefore, we would like to remind everyone the advice from our Child Protection Officer.

We should not be including name information which allows pupils to be identified.

If we have a photograph or video clip , depending on the situation and the permission you have obtained from the parent and pupil , it may be permissible to

Include the pupil’s first name.

If there is not photograph or video clip , it might be that there is an article or a section of text which talks about a pupil’s success, then the full use of the name may be permissible, with the relevant permissions having been obtained.

We should also consider the nature of the photographs we use. Swim teams in tracksuits will be more acceptable that pictures just after the swimmers have left the pool, for example.

Schools should not rely solely on permissions which were obtained earlier in the pupil’s school life, say at the start of P1 or in S1.  Parental and pupil views may have changed.

It is better to check before going ahead, particularly if it is for a production which might have a long shelf life. 

Please get in touch if you have any questions or queries about the above.

Glow Authentication and Portal Services Contract Awarded

Glow Announcement: Glow Authentication and Portal Services Contract Awarded

Following a competitive procurement exercise, RM Education Ltd has been selected by Education Scotland to continue to deliver Glow Authentication and Portal Services.

RM Education Ltd has successfully delivered the services via their RM Unify product since December 2013. The new contract will commence in January 2018 for 5.5 years with opportunities to extend up to a maximum of 10.5 years. The full cost (£1.3 million per annum) will be met by Education Scotland and Scottish Government.

This means Glow Users will be able to continue to use the services, free of charge and in full confidence of the stability and continuity of provision.

In addition to the current services, Glow Users can expect a number of developments during the new contract including age appropriate sign in for younger users, self-service identity matching and a feature to inform users of  new functionality. RM Education Ltd will also deliver a number of community benefits to support the ICT/Digital Technologies Skills Investment Plan, including work experience for young people and digital career talks.

To build on the success of Glow, Education Scotland, the Scottish Government and RM Education Ltd are committed to working closely with customers and partners to ensure the contract continues to deliver a flexible service which meets and adapts to users’ needs. Over the coming months this will include, engagement on the deployment of Google’s G Suite for Education.

Glow supports the Scottish Government’s Digital, Learning and Teaching strategy by helping education establishments and local authorities deliver education enhanced by digital technology and its popularity continues to grow with approximately 140,000 unique users and 2,000,000 logins per month.

Be alert – not alarmed: Aberdeenshire Council’s response to the increased threat level

The UK Government has now elevated the threat from international terrorism in the UK to ‘critical’ which means that we may face an attack. Find out more about how you can help to support security efforts at a local level.

Please click on the Arcadia Lite article below for the full report.

https://arcadia.ad.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/Pages/article.aspx?article=691&image=Align-right

National Digital Learning Week 2017

Deputy First Minister Set to Launch National Digital Learning Week

National Digital Learning Week is 15-19th May. This year the theme of the week is ‘Digital Difference’ and throughout the week you’re invited to share and celebrate the digital approaches which make a positive impact on your classroom practice.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney will be launching the week via a short video. Visit DigiLearnScot from Monday 15th May to hear Mr Swinney address teachers, pupils and parents about the benefits digital makes in education and officially launch the week.

Exclusive National Collaborative Story Telling Activity Launched

Share what’s happening in your school via the Aberdeenshire Learners’ Site.

Aberdeenshire Learners Site in Glow Link

 

World Book Day 2nd March 2017

Remember to share what’s happening in your school on the Aberdeenshire Learners’ Site.

Have your pupils dressed up as their favourite character, created a digital book report or do they want to tell us what their favourite book is?

Find out more via the link below and also claim your free school resources pack, participate in a book token competition or download the activity packs.

http://www.worldbookday.com

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