EPICT Module A is marked apparantly and the mark is now going through a verification process - scarey really!

BIG PROBLEM though, my EPICT blog has disappeared.  I went to update it today to see a message telling me I don't have a blog - I beg to differ, I do, or rather I should say I did!!

Module B is progressing, I have made my interactive resources and now want to use them in a lesson but with productions for Years 3 and 4, lessons are being cancelled left, right and centre. It may be after Easter before that is possible, which doesn't keep to my original time plan, I suppose though if I can pass the remaining 2 ICDL modules on Wednesday (oh heck Access worries me!) I will have more time to devote to my EPICT studies. 

The initial feedback to Module A has been very encouraging so I hope that means I am on the right wave length for the other modules.

Struggling to get my head around Access!  Exam Wednesday week so I am really focussed at the moment.

Off to Ski Dubai to the Snow Park tomorrow with Year 4 as part of their topic "Keeping Warm."  Amazing a Ski Slope in Dubai!! AND I believe a second one planned.  I have to confess I enjoy the trip but had problems with the camera last time - the low temperatures made it stop operating.

EPICT - have emailed off Module A for feedback before uploading, I had sent a couple of files before and got the A OK but this time it is more or less the completed version.  Have started constructing Interactive resources for Module B.  Today I spoke to the Science coordinator and she curbed my enthusiasm for the Leaves topic she had asked me to make a resource for - Chlorophyll is not for Year 3 apparantly so I must get rid of that detail - and I thought I had kept it clear and simple!  So a bit of nipping and tucking necessary there!

"I" is off to Oman tomorrow for a couple of days. Our visitor of the last few days left this morning - and so it was 2!!

"M" has his final exams this week and seems really motivated, I really feel for him - I HATE exams myself.  Fingers crossed.

Well this week 3 more ICDL exams have been ticked off the list -" Access "and "Information and Communication" to go.  Access is the hardest of the whole collection of exams for me.

Village Fayre at school tomrrow and I will be in my usual position, selling behind the cake stall.  The event starts at 10am and finishes about 1pm.

EPICT Module A has been an intersteing mosule and I feel I have got a lot out of it.  Ithas made me think more! Learning styles, electronic resources, Credible resources, reliability, validity......................

Looking at Module B and planning an interactive activity on Leaves for Year 3 to kick off with.

went to a talk yesterday on Xooma the lady presenting was very convincing and I found myself thinking this sounds good - having gone with a bit of a skeptical mind I came away feeling this is something important.  Have since been looking online and have found diverse comments from - great to a big scan.  What do I believe? - I don't know!!  I really don't! Am I just a mug who falls hook, line and sinker for a tea bag of what?  Coral calcium is how it is presented.  Thats what it is, a small tea bag whose contents enhance water.   It doesn't even taste of anything and yet here I am thinking I should give it a go.......................................................

Am now working on the Evaluation part of Module A for my EPICT qualification, Preparation and Delivery nearly complete - then the doubts set in. 

Am I approaching this correctly? 

Do I need more theory included?

The first module in a new experience of study is always the same - it appears to take longer and I am not so certain where i am going, one minute I have confidence in myself the next I do not.  Anyway I have sent the parts I have nearly completed to "P" to get some feedback.  Would like to sew up this module and move on really. Out this morning but planing to complete Evaluation and move onto Reflection today.  My reflection will be a sort of stitching activity (thanks for the term Ultraversity) drawing together the sum of the parts and putting them into context.

3 ICDL exams this week, Word, PowerPoint and Excel - 2 on Tuesday 1 Wednesday.

Having sourced, evaluated and selected data on the Internet concerning Roman Mosaics I was pleased with the lesson today.  The first "Roman Mosaic" lesson I was supposed to deliver was cancelled as the class teacher decided to call a rehearsal for the school year 4 group production.  Fortunately the next Year 4 class went ahead (although the lesson was 45 mins instead of an hour.)  The introduction to mosaics and symmetry focussed on the School mosaic in the payground opened up the arena for ideas, rather a brain storming session actually, and being outside felt very friendly and informal.  The second part of the lesson in the ICT lab held the attention "grabbed" outside by the school mosaic and wove in with the theme of the Roman mosaics, purpose, position, design and age.  The children were excited atthe prospect of making their own mosaic online.  The PowerPoint worked well and the website links in each childs folder saved the time of problems often incurred inputting a URL. 

As the children finished their mosaic, they copied and pasted it into MS Word, added their name, saved and printed the document.  On the flipchart board were 2 questions:

1. Is my mosaic symmetrical?
2. Have I used Roman colours?

The children paired up as they finished on the carpet and discussed each others mosaics.  In the plenary children talked about features of mosaics and their partners efforts and shared these thoughts with the class.  The childe "every child matters" came to mind as I encouraged children to appraise their work with a partner.

The printed mosaics did not print exactly as was seen on the screen in some cases, there was some difference in colour and some mosaics gained a grey line.  All in all the experience was a positive one and printing problems were minimised while fantastic results celebrated. (Pending photo)

The mosaic site and the extension mosaic puzzle can now be accesssed through the school website, passworded area for the school community.  The children have homework from the class teacher, but I have asked them to draw a mosaic if they have time.  This idea was well received.  Hopefully we will have drawn and computer generated symettrical Roman Mosaics to put up for display.

I am now constructing a lesson evaluation on the school website using our survey tool and will ask the children to fill this on online.  The class teacher has been asked for her comments on the lesson.

First ICDL exams today, all rather stressful I felt, glued to the cumputer and then the tense moment of waiting for the result - anyway I took the first 2 parts and passed both, so 2 down 5 to go.

Have written my lesson plan for EPICT module A on Roman Mosaics and am now preparing my Preparation Webpage. I discussed my thoughts on delivery with Yr 4 YGL and all seems to be in order.  I feel the Delivery Webpage is the place to elaborate on Learning styles and learning differences and how I plan to accomodate everyone.  The phrase "Every child counts" comes to mind and I feel this has been my central thought.

What a roller coaster of emotions this last week or so have been.  "J" sadly lost her fight for life on Feb 8th, after a heart bypass op , at 89 years, followed by one crisis after another .  I was devastated, we all were. The funeral was a traumatic experience as I am not one who is able to hold back the tears when others around appear to be able to. 

Then today one of the proudest moments of my life when I heard I had achieved a First Class BA (Hons) in Learning Technology Research.  The three years of study culminatng in something I thought I could never achieve. Wow!    It has felt good letting friends and family know the result and made all the comments about me being boring at home well worthwhile. This sense of pride was tinged with sadness knowing that I could not share my news with "J" who had been an endless encouragement to my studies.

Module A, EPICT "Locating and Incorporating Electronic Resources" - have been reading through the module information and setting up a template for the format of a webpage presentation for this module to make things easier for me when I actually start.  Am negotiating with Year 4 to take responsibility for a lesson to incorporate the requirements of this module ?maybe Suerat, not 100% certain at this stage.  Timing is crucial.

I have a feeling this is going to be another study that I will immerse myself in - and enjoy.

Tomorrow is a 4 hour St John Ambulance Emergency First Aid Course, an in school training resulting in a 3 year First Aid qualification if I pass!

Starting ICDL on Monday this will be ongoing 3 days a week afterschool.

Spent the day at a one day conference "The Inclusion of Learning Differences in the Classroom."  by Dr Gavin Reid.  As ever a interesting speaker making LOADS of sense.  The event was well attended and worth the weekend day committed. Dyslexia and Gifted and Talented were the two primary considerations but other differences were considered.  The "Think Tank" speakers were good, giving an insight into:

• Samonas Auditory Intervention Programme
• Developing Menory Skills
• The Davis Method
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy

and local access.

Have received Modue A EPICT and started the slow warm  to another online study!

Arranging local ICDL tuition- my time management skills will be needed to juggle these commitments!