Game Maker

Do you want to develop computer games without spending countless hours learning how to become a programmer? Game Maker allows you to make exciting computer games, without the need to write a single line of code.
Using easy to learn drag-and-drop actions, you can create professional looking games within very little time. There is a built-in programming language, for more experienced users, which gives you the full flexibility of creating games with Game Maker. Game Maker is available free of charge. Making games with Game Maker is a lot of fun.

Bubbl.Us - Free Mindmapping Software

Bubbl.us
Excellent and free mindmapping software. Mindmaps can be created, shared and printed from this online web application.

Stone UMPC

Stone UMPC
Originally uploaded by landhere

I saw this device for the first time at BETT 08. The Stone UMPC is a small laptop with a design that mirrors the Asus Eee PC and RM miniBook, and adds the killer feature of Bluetooth connectivity. It is a little more expensive than the Eee PC but has more functionality.
Stone Computers

Hand-held Keyboard with SMS Text Translation and Predictive text software

Introducing cre8txt keyboard from cre8txt limited. This keyboard is suitable for people who have already learnt to enter text on their mobile phones and want the same speed and experience when writing on a computer.
This is an excellent device for typing fast onto a computer, utilising SMS abbreviations and the advanced word prediction tool you can really achieve remarkable speeds with the cre8txt keyboard.
To find out more about it Click Here

ICT BETT Show, Olympia 2008

Another BETT show has been and gone at Kensington Olympia. Have a look at what has caught my eye this year at the show. My video features clips of new mobile technology such as the iPod Touch, Asus Minibook and Interactive Whiteboard Hardware. I also have clips of new robotic technology, a wide range of visualisers and electronic voting systems. To compare it with last year's show have a look at my BETT Show 2007 on YouTube post.

If you have never been to BETT then I hope this gives you a flavour of what it is like and what you are likely to find there. Visit the Bett Show website to find out more about the event and register for 2009!

TeacherTube

An excellent resource for educators. The site contains a wide variety of educational videos. Brilliant idea!

Here is a sample e-safety clip:
(All videos can be embedded into web pages)

Internet Safety Websites

A few useful links for schools wanting to develop their Acceptable Use Policy(AUP) and source information about Internet Safety:
http://www.gridclub.com/teachers/t_internet_safety.html
http://www.ceop.gov.uk/
http://www.thinkyouknow.co.uk/
http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk/
http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/course/jargon/a.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/help/safesurfing/
http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=is&catcode=ss_to_es_tl_rs_03&rid=12546
Online Bullying
http://www.bbc.co.uk/chatguide/
Be Safe Online
http://www.chatdanger.com/
http://www.childnet-int.org/kia/
Cyberbullying for Educators
Recently added advice on the use of ICT in schools from theLondon Grid For Learning:
http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/sections/safety/

What exactly is Web 2.0?

A recent Youtube video from Michael Wesch(Ass.Prof.of Cutural Anthropology, Kansas State Univ.)that sets out to explain Web 2.0 in just under five minutes:

NASA's World Wind 1.3

A fascinating teaching and learning tool that exploits the large amount of satellite imagery available to NASA. World Wind lets you zoom from satellite altitude into any place on Earth. It lets you experience Earth terrain in visually rich 3D, just as if you were really there. Virtually visit any place in the world. Look across the Andes, into the Grand Canyon, over the Alps, or along the African Sahara.
Download it here

BETT Show 2007 on YouTube

The BETT show in Olympia is the showcase for ICT Education in UK. A chance to find out what is new and emerging in the world of ICT Education. This year I took my video camera to capture some of the event and have shared it with you on YouTube. If you have never been to the show then this video might give you inspiration to go next year!



To find out more visit the BETT show website: BETT Show
BETT is the world's leading educational information & communications technologies (ICT) event, attracting 600 educational suppliers and over 28000 visitors, and bringing together the global teaching and learning community for four days of innovations and inspirations