Calling all MFL graduates - PGCE courses with bursaries at Bristol Uni!

A message from my friend Helen:

The University of Bristol still has places on its Modern Languages PGCE Programme! £6000 bursary available for linguists and excellent employment prospects. Contact helen.aberdeen@bristol.ac.uk for more details.

Thank you!

eSchoolNews: How current brain research can improve education

eSchoolNews just published this article summarizing findings from an interesting report:

In this report, you’ll discover how the brain reacts to:
■Visual learning and memory training
■Physical activity
■Arts and Language Arts
■Gaming
■New techniques for students with disabilities
■Early childhood education

You'll have to sign in (it's free!) to read it all.

Enjoy!

Learning by rote a very useful and needed skill in the digital age

I've just come across this interesting article on the BBC website: "Memory and Method: In praise of learning by rote" - check it out here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13333117 !

Character Education for the Digital Age (quote from Jason Ohler)

I just read the article that @NikPeachey tweeted about and I just love this paragraph:

If we want to pursue a future that celebrates success not only in terms of abundance but also in terms of humanity, we must help our digital kids balance the individual empowerment of digital technology use with a sense of personal, community, and global responsibility. School is an excellent place to help kids become capable digital citizens who use technology not only effectively and creatively, but also responsibly and wisely. But we can only do that if we help them live one life, not two.

from: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb11/vol68/num05/Character-Education-for-the-Digital-Age.aspx

#ililc Links into Languages ICT conference a huge success!

I've just come back from a truly inspiring conference in Southampton organised by @Joedale and the South East Links into Languages team.

I have uploaded my pics from the conference here on Picasa and will write about some of the things I learnt in the next few days.
Watch this space!

Vol

ker

Bing Maps for Teachers - a very interesting 3minute video

Bing Maps has really got a lot to offer for teaching and learning, especially the Map Apps section on the US version of the site - I know, why only there?
Anyway, I pointed out the Today's Front Pages Map App a few days ago but there's so much more! Just check out the video and then visit www.bing.com/maps to explore more for yourself - you won't regret spending that time playing around with it!

Skype now offers group video calling!

Now you can do video conferencing through Skype5.1!