On Friday and Saturday, 13th & 14th February, the Computer Education Society of Ireland (CESI) held their annual conference and this time there were some changes. Due to the Department of Education’s crazy substitution cover ruling, CESI felt that they needed to work outside of school hours so for the first time, the event was held on a Friday night and all-day Saturday. Friday night was restricted to 70 people and was held in a conference room in the Malron Hotel, Tallaght.
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IWBFAQ: Why has eBeam not been promoted as much as Smart and Promethean?
Why has eBeam not been promoted as much as Smart and Promethean?
There’s both historic and capacity reasons for this. Promethean have a “relationship” with the IPPN which means they are promoted hugely by them. Also, both Smart and Promethean have huge teams behind them. EBeam is used around the world, probably just as much, but in Ireland, it’s smaller independent companies that are selling them. They don’t have fancy business cards or goodie bags and are genuinely selling on the merit of the goods as they see it. Their marketing budgets aren’t in the league of the big two.
CESI Conference
The CESI Conference is a brilliant event if you’re in any way interested in ICT in Education. There’s loads of great talks and workshops. This year there’ll be talks on all sorts of things like Interactive Whiteboards, Blogging, Games Programming, Video, Mobile Phones and loads loads more. There’ll also be a load of people exhibiting … Read more
Launching I.W.B.F.A.Q.
I’ve decided to start a new iniative on this web site called IWBFAQ, which stands for Interactive Whiteboards – Frequently Asked Questions. Like Kat with phonics, I’ve noticed that I answer a lot of the same questions about Interactive Whiteboards and I thought that I could archive any answer I give on a miling list or forum to save some time.
Promethean software won't be free but…
Ok, so it’s not going to be free, but Promethean’s new software, to be released in March can be summed up in one word – sexy. Daryl, their software guy, allowed me to have a sneak preview at it at IPPN and there are some excellent improvements. The other great news is that if you own a different IWB, you can download the software restriction-free for €99. For a piece of software that was up until now worth (in my estimation) about €400-500, this is a bargain.
Is Promethean Software about to be free?
Are my dreams about to come true? Last summer I met with two Promethean representatives and I spoke to them about SmartBoard’s Notebook software and advised them that they offered it for free. I suggested to them that ActivPrimary may do something similar never thinking it would happen as it is one of the best pieces of software for Interactive Whiteboards around. A collegue of mine emailled with the following statement from Ian Curtis, the head of Promethean in the UK and Ireland:
One week left to TouchIT
There’s only one week left before the Irish launch of the new TouchIT Interactive Whiteboard and frankly I’m very excited. This could be the best IWB yet! So far, there has only been one IWB that lets you interact with your finger and it costs over €5,000. This one costs half that and appears to be just as good or even better.
A new start to the year for me!
Happy New Year!
Yes, I know we are well into the New Year but it is never too late!
I started my new job last week, a new school, a new class and a new position! Started as a principal teacher of a 4 teacher school in Athy. Is it quite crazy to say that I feel settled in after 3 days? So much happened last week! I had to settle my own class in, 3rd and 4th Class.I introduced them to the Golden Time system and they are well impressed!I also teach Irish to the 5th and 6th class there while another teacher takes my class for maths..I miss maths, I never loved it as a child and struggled with it all the way but I think I am a really good Maths teacher! Is there a link there?
A school that saved thousands
I’m a member of a mailing list for principals and the topic of Interactive Whiteboards and value for money came up for discussion. One of the most heartening things for me was the amount of interest and knowledge that other principals had. One such principal gave some fantastic advice which would save a school thousands in costs. This principal works in Blanchardstown in Dublin and has installed 11 IWBs. He has given me permission to display his post, which I thank him for.
Christmas table quiz-suitable for 5th and 6th
Here is the table quiz i will be doing tomorrow with my class tomorrow, 5th Class…you will have to adapt the questions about yourself!
Enjoy!
R.