Thursday, 25 February 2010

Saturday, 6 February 2010

The Visualiser Forum at Naace Annual Strategic Conference 2010














http://teachmeet.pbworks.com/TeachMeet+-+Naace+2010+-+Tuesday+session

Dave Smith - Chair of the Visualiser Forum will address Naace delegates at the TeachMeet event in a seven minute Micro presentation with the title:- 'Think Impact - Think Visualisers!'

If you have yet to sign-up to the Naace Annual Strategic Conference do so now by visiting http://www.naace.co.uk/conference2010

Sunday, 17 January 2010

BETT 2010 - Think Impact... Think Visualisers!


Looking back on BETT 2010, the interest in visualisers was stronger than ever. With all six manufacturer members out in force, ably supported by local authority representatives with presentations by schools and pupils and innovative new product ranges on offer, BETT 2010 was a real success. The Forum also hosted a Drinks Reception on the Thursday evening to celebrate the successes of the Forum and the plans for 2010 and beyond.

Dr Diane Mavers of the Institute of Education, who has undertaken extensive research on visualisers was formally welcomed as the latest Honorary Member of the Visualiser Forum. Dave Smith, Chair of The Visualiser Forum commented, "We are delighted to welcome Diane to the Visualiser Forum, we hope that her insights will help further strengthen academic perspectives on the pedagogy of visualiser use.

Dave Smith was awarded a Fellowship of MirandaNet at BETT for work promoting visualisers in education. This is a reflection on all of the work undertaken by members of The Visualiser Forum.

So, the debate is on for. Funds are going to be tight in 2010. Therefore, what piece of ICT kit will give best return on investment? That piece of kit is a visualiser. With Futuresource Consulting reporting that 1 in 30 classes have a visualiser currently, but by the end of 2010 they predict that 1 in 10 classes will benefit from the addition of a visualiser. This at a time of concern over budgets...

Therefore, in 2010 "Think Impact... Think Visualisers!"

Notable Visualiser Forum achievements in 2009 included

· being recognised by Becta’s Next Generation Learning as a transformational technology

· presenting at the Naace Autumn Conference

· developing a blog with over 8500 hits (as at January 2010)

· bringing together six of the major international manufacturers of visualiser technologies with the intention to promote best practice

· increasing the number of local authority members

· developing international research links with other countries including Japan and the USA

· The 2010 BETT Awards - Avermedia - shortlisted for Company of the Year and GeneeWorld shortlisted for ICT Exporter of the Year.

The Visualiser Forum has an ambitious action plan for 2010 and beyond that includes the development of

· a new website to with more case-studies of curriculum -linked lesson ideas and videos of effective practice

· regular newsletters demonstrating the development of visualiser technology

· ‘Visualiser Advocates’ – a focus group aimed at providing feedback on visualiser development and sharing best practice.

· International links – to share practice from abroad to teachers in the UK and vice-versa

Saturday, 9 January 2010

Visualiser Forum out in force at BETT 2010









Visiting the BETT Show this week and thinking of choosing a visualiser? Well, here are EVEN MORE reasons why...

The Visualiser Forum's friend in the USA Ken Royal comes-up with another 160 uses - http://www.educatorsroyaltreatment.com/2010/01/my-original-160-ways-to-use-a-document-camera-list.html

http://www.umesd.k12.or.us/techlinks_100ideas

http://www.pre-kpages.com/elmo.html

Look out for Visualiser Forum manufacture members around the BETT Show:-

Avermedia - Stand D65
Elmo - Stand H19
GeneeWorld - Stand D99
Lumens - Stand A99
Samsung - Stand K28

For information on the other manufacturer member Wolfvision see the right-hand side of this blog.

Visualiser Forum Chair Dave Smith, from the London Borough of Havering will be around on manufacturer stands providing demonstrations - with pupils from Havering schools demonstrating the power of visualisers on manufacturer members' stands on Friday. Amy Blackmore from Somerset Local Authority will be at the show too - presenting demonstrations and a visualiser seminar.

We would all be delighted to meet you and talk to you about visualisers.

Visit www.bettshow.com to find out more.


BETT is open:-
Wed 13th January 10.00-18.00
Thurs 14th January 10.00-18.00
Fri 15th January 10.00-18.00
Sat 16th January 10.00-16.00

Thursday, 7 January 2010

Great use of a visualiser in Literacy from Archbishop Sumner C of E School


Lesson objective:
WALT - To write the opening of an adventure story using interesting language.

"The visualiser is an incredibly useful piece of equipment within the classroom and has been used on a daily basis for a number of different activities..."
To read the complete article click here:

Thursday, 10 December 2009

Ken Royal finds many uses for a visualiser

Ideas for Basic Visualisers

1. Comparing book images with live materials
2. Sharing a picture book
3. Dictionary work
4. Flash cards
5. Digital word wall - change the words easily
6. Map skills
7. Timeline work
8. Puppet shows
9. Sharing live animals difficult to pass around the class (mealworms and insects)
10. Document daily classroom activities for Web posting
11. Guidance counseling instruction and presentations
12. Demonstrate Poetry styles, construction, and write as a class
13. Demonstrate proper letters formation
14. Share lesson rubrics and expectations
15. Assemble a puzzle as a class
16. Choose parts for a classroom play, or group students for projects
17. Readers’ theatre – from playbooks, magazines, or student plays
18. Investigate fossils - zoom in for all to see
19. Demonstrate Sign Language and finger spelling
20. Count money/coins together as a class
21. Examine the parts of a camera, or other mechanical or technical equipment
22. Litmus tests—acid/base
23. Take a snapshot of a document to put online instead of scanning
24. Cook/prepare favorite recipe in cooking class
25. Sharing dioramas
26. Art color wheel demonstration
27. Owl pellet dissection
28. Writing prompt starters
29. Teaching organizational skills
30. Checking homework

If your document camera has video capabilities try these:

1. Podcasting
2. As a video camera - turn to face the action
3. For video conferencing - turn to face you - Skype away!
4. Use for stop-motion animation - see Ken's video below
5. Create and archive lessons and post online
6. Lessons for homebound students—no lessons missed
7. Fish tank, ant farm, bird feeder, or other animals observations
8. Document capillary action
9. Record your own narrated digital stories
10. Create lessons ahead of time for learning centers
11. Claymation slideshows - See my video example
12. Record class participation -great anytime, as well as open house presentations
13. Record Teacher Best Practices
14. Help classroom aides, and paraprofessionals with lessons and training.
15. Music to introduce new music/songs/composers, and learn notes

Find the original article at...
http://www.educatorsroyaltreatment.com/document-cameras/

Monday, 7 December 2009

Amy Blackmore of Somerset LA joins The Visualiser Forum

Amy Blackmore, eLearning Curriculum Adviser for Somerset Local Authority has recently joined The Visualiser Forum. Amy brings a good level of experience in developing visualiser use in schools and her input is very useful.

Dave Smith, Chair of The Visualiser Forum comments, "Amy's passion for visualisers and excellent insights into using the technology will be really positive for the Visualiser Forum and schools across the country. It is great to have her onboard."


Visualiser on Teachers TV Resource Review




http://www.teachers.tv/video/37801

From 9'30" - Part of the series Resource Review (Primary)

Resource Review gives you valuable information about teaching resources, this time looking at resources for creating displays and presentations for primary pupils.

Year 1 teacher Vikki Sinclair demonstrates the power of the visualiser.

Lumens becomes the sixth manufacturer to join The Visualiser Forum

Lumens logo

At the tenth meeting of the Visualiser Forum on December 3rd 2009, Lumens Europe were admitted as a member of the Forum.

Herman Nevens, Managing Director of Lumens Europe commented,
"Lumens is happy to co-operate in a unique concept where visualiser manufacturers work together with educators and have open discussions how we can make things happen in the amazing visualiser world. Being a member of this Forum will help us to accomplish our motivation to provide teachers with classroom tools that allow more innovative teaching techniques."

Dave Smith, Chair of The Visualiser Forum commented, "The addition of Lumens to the Visualiser Forum family is further evidence that the Forum is becoming the home of advice for visualisers on the web. The Visualiser Forum is about to embark on some exciting new initiatives in 2010 to support teachers, teaching assistants and pupils in the classroom. It is great to have Lumens onboard."

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Two visualiser companies shortlisted for BETT Awards 2010



Two visualiser manufacturers have been shortlisted for The 2010 BETT Awards. Being shortlisted for the prestigious BETT Awards is further evidence of the impact of visualisers in education. The Visualiser Forum would like to congratulate the following companies and wish them well in the Awards.

Category: ICT Company of the Year 2010 - Avermedia

Category: ICT Exporter of the Year 2010 - Genee World

www.bettawards.com

Genee World join the Visualiser Forum

Genee World has become the latest visualiser manufacturer to join the Visualiser Forum...

Paul Humphrey of Genee World explains what this means to the company...

Why Genee World are happy to become members of the Forum?
Genee World are delighted to be invited to become members of the Visualiser Forum and assist in the ground breaking work the Forum undertakes in transforming
teaching and learning in the classroom using visualiser technology to advance the attainment of pupils and students.

What it means to Genee World?

Becoming members of the Forum means we can join with like minded organisations to share ideas and examples of best practice, and fully explain the huge potential visualisers have in advancing the enjoyment and outcomes that both teacher and student can obtain with their effective use.

Dave Smith, Chair of the Visualiser Forum commented, "Genee World's membership of the Visualiser Forum demonstrates the Forum's growing position as the representative body for sharing effective practice with visualisers."

Genee World are to join the Visualiser Forum from the next meeting on 3rd December 2009.

Monday, 2 November 2009

Saturday, 17 October 2009

The Visualiser Forum's presentation at the Naace Autumn Conference on 10th October 2009.

Visualiser Forum Naace AMAC 101009

Sunday, 4 October 2009

Visualiser Forum presenting at Naace Autumn Conference

Dave Smith and Chris Brittan of The Visualiser Forum will be presenting a seminar on 'Why visualisers are creating a revolution in schools' at the Naace All Members Autumn Conference on October 10th 2009 at Hellidon Lakes, Northamptonshire The Conference theme is 'Building the Future' Find out more - http://www.naace.co.uk/854

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Visualisers on TV


Don't forget to mark the 7th December in your diary and watch visualisers in action at South Farnham School, Surrey on Teachers TV in their Primary Resources Programme.

Tuesday, 22 September 2009

Visualiser sales boom - why now?


Click on the link above to read the article about the boom in visualiser growth from the September 2009 edition of AV News www.avnews.co.uk

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Visualisers make Science real again...

Article in TeachPrimary! Magazine - October 2009

GET MESSY - CURRICULUM ADVISOR DAVE SMITH WANTS TO MAKE SCIENCE REAL AGAIN...

There are many excellent ICT simulations available to support
science teaching. They often purport to take the ‘mess and
fuss’ out of practical experiments, but where’s the fun in that? If you want an easy way to display science in action to the whole class – mess included – why not use a visualiser?
Add vinegar to bicarbonate of soda and let children see bubbles of gas explode on the visualiser lens. As the experiment unfolds, children can discuss the changes they see taking place, which will improve their use of scientific language.

You could also let pupils get hands-on by asking them to construct electrical circuits under the visualiser. As they use real wires, bulbs and batteries to light a circuit, their classmates can get a clear view of what’s taking place and offer support and challenges. Working in this way makes it
easier for teachers to clear up any misconceptions too.

To subscribe to TeachPrimary! visit http://www.teachprimary.com/

Thursday, 10 September 2009

Focus on use of Visualisers in SEN




A visualiser is a digital presentation and teaching tool that connects directly to a large screen such an Interactive White Board (IWB). When an item is placed onto the visualiser viewing plate it is enlarged onto the IWB for everyone to see. It allows all types of content to be shown, from a pupil's work or a 3D artefact, to the various different steps of a science experiment.

Monday, 7 September 2009

Becta Visualiser Case Study

Researchers from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) carried out case studies with six schools that had been involved in the Test Bed project. Five of these were in Barking and Dagenham and one in Durham. Each case study involved interviews with a key member of staff at the school. Where possible, researchers interviewed a senior manager and a group of pupils who have used the Test Bed technology. This paper focuses on the use of visualisers in two case study schools, exploring how visualisers assist teaching and learning and how they might be taken up by other schools for whole-class teaching.

Summary

· The benefits for teachers in using visualisers include the ability to demonstrate intricate skills to an entire class - all at once. Visualisers can be used intuitively within a lesson, so they naturally complement existing teaching practice. They also assist teachers with pacing a lesson and ensure appropriate levels of pupil engagement.

· The advantages for pupils include having the ability to share their work with the rest of the class. Visualisers also let a whole class view the tiniest artefact or a scarce resource, such as a single copy of a book.

· Teachers make opportunities to share good practice both formally and informally. Efforts are also made to tailor professional development according to individual staff needs.

· Visualisers can bring a topic to life for pupils by displaying to the whole class objects such as books, pictures, and photographs. The use of a large screen helps concentrate pupils’ attention on the teacher. Consequently, the teacher is able to gauge pupils’ engagement and manage behaviour more effectively.

Read the document here...

http://partners.becta.org.uk/upload-dir/downloads/page_documents/research/visualisers.doc

Thursday, 3 September 2009

Become a Facebook Fan of The Visualiser Forum


Sign-up as a fan of the Visualiser Forum on Facebook and receive additional updates, video clips, case-studies etc. Invite a friend to join too...