Using these ideas for Digital Apps:

Software – Prezi / Paint.net / …
Email / Homeworks on Fronter / Resources on Fronter / Fronter page to explain how to do things in the subject / Fronter page to explain how to do ICT things
Fronter discussion forums / Edmodo / Autology / Youtube Videos on Fronter / Twitter
+?? Your ideas

Tasks for this week – VERY IMPORTANT
- All DLs to check email every Friday lunchtime or Friday after school.

MOST IMPORTANT – think of some ideas for your subject apps / be ready on both Wednesday lunchtimes – I will post appointments on the Y9 bulletin board.

- Presenting team (9 of you) to meet me Monday Tutor to show progress, ready for Weds Assembly.
- All DLs please use emailed code to join National Sec Dig Leaders group on Edmodo – use National Group from now on – check out Edmodo every day in the next week – more news going on all the time…
- Jess and Lauren to do draft AWOWs (Agreed Ways of Working) for using National Sec Dig Leaders group – pls include all students and teachers show which school they are at / teachers to show to their students when they join.
- Rosie/Toria – post Will (done), Matthew’s edmodo entries as two separate posts on blog – asap – and post on edmodo that they’re up.  Please add all current digital leaders to blog as users.
- New Planner Designers to meet next Weds (16th May) in IT2 to work with Mr Davis.
—————————————————————————–
Current Status of DL Projects:

New Planner Designers
Flash – Isaac and Jem / Digital Leaders – Training for all Year 9s- ongoing
Ideas for your subject apps and meetings with Link Teachers next two Wednesdays – very important
Assembly to Year 8s Weds 23rd May
AWOWs (Agreed Ways of Working) Edmodo
Planning for Students teach the teachers teachmeet – 5min talk
2 min screencast for Teeside CAS meeting June 27th
Evaluation of Evernote – TBC
Evaluation of Edmodo – social networking site – now the competition.  Done 11th May
Presentation to SLT – Weds 25th March – done
Paint.net – led by Daisy – done 19-22nd March - continue using.
Diary competition – presentations 1st March – Mrs Methley /
Blogging - developing the new LLS DLs blog – Rosie and Toria – Ongoing
Autology - Matthew – All DLs – continue using.
Electronic Diaries – Mr S – done – see competition – all DLs to keep updated from now on
Prezi Training – 6th-15th December – continue using.
Setting up DLs with forums on purpose and ways of working together

Tasks for this week – VERY IMPORTANT
- All DLs to check email every Friday lunchtime or Friday after school~
- All DLs please use emailed code to join National Sec Dig Leaders group on Edmodo – use National Group from now on – check out Edmodo every day in the next week – more news going on all the time…
- Jess and Lauren to do draft AWOWs (Agreed Ways of Working) for using National Sec Dig Leaders group – pls include all students and teachers show which school they are at / teachers to show to their students when they join.
- Rosie/Toria – post Will, Matthew’s edmodo entries as two separate posts on blog – asap – and post on edmodo that they’re up.
- All DLs Complete or update your team choices of subjects in the subjects forum on Fronter
- Presenting team (9 of you) to meet next Weds (16th May) in IT2 to plan Year 8 presentation.
- New Planner Designers to meet next Weds (16th May) in IT2 to work with Mr Davis.
- (Will, Matthew – to update their diaries – competition)
—————————————————————————–
Current Status of DL Projects:

Flash – Isaac and Jem / Digital Leaders – Training for all Year 9s- ongoing
Proposals on subject use of ICTs – very important
Assembly to Year 8s Weds 23rd May
AWOWs (Agreed Ways of Working) Edmodo
Planning for Students teach the teachers teachmeet – 7min and 2 min talks
2 min screencast for Teeside CAS meeting June 27th
Evaluation of Evernote – TBC
Evaluation of Edmodo – social networking site – now the competition.  Done 11th May
Presentation to SLT – Weds 25th March – done
Paint.net – led by Daisy – done 19-22nd March – continue using.
Diary competition – presentations 1st March – Mrs Methley /
Blogging - developing the new LLS DLs blog – Rosie and Toria – Ongoing
Autology - Matthew – All DLs - continue using.
Electronic Diaries – Mr S – done – see competition – all DLs to keep updated from now on
Prezi Training – 6th-15th December - continue using.
Setting up DLs with forums on purpose and ways of working together

Tasks for this week – VERY IMPORTANT
- Check email every Friday lunchtime or Friday after school~
IMPORTANT – Have an edmodo discussion (Someone will need to start it off…) for “What can Digital Leaders do for you (LLS Teachers)?”
- Complete your team choice of subjects in the subjects forum on Fronter
- Send Mr Sharples your ideas for Edmodo for the edmodo Competition (by Sunday) £5 tokens for prizes
- Plan for Flash teaching – see list below – and ALL RESOURCES are in Year folder 9_5 Flash Animation – I suggest you concentrate on the cricket ball tutorial.
- (presenters from last week to update their diaries)

Planned Dates for Lesson 3 on Flash
9X4 CJS / Monday 14th May / led by Matthew
9X1 KFL / Monday 14th May / led by Lauren W
9Y2 CJS / Monday 14th May / led by Isaac
9Y3 KFL / Tuesday 8th May / led by ? (Mr Lech)
9X2 CJS / Tuesday 8th May / led by Will and Ollie
9X3 KFL / Wednesday 9th May p.4 / led by Beth and Ali
9Y4 CJS / Thursday 10th May p.1 / led by Jem
9Y1 KFL / Thursday 10th p.3 / led by ?
—————————————————————————–
Current Status of DL Projects:

Flash – Isaac and Jem / Digital Leaders – Training for all Year 9s
Proposals on subject use of ICTs – very important
Assembly to Year 8s before halfterm
Evaluation of Edmodo – social networking site – now the competition A.
Rules of engagement for Edmodo
Planning for Students teach the teachers teachmeet – 7min and 2 min talks
2 min screencast for Teeside CAS meeting June 27th
Evaluation of Evernote – TBC
Presentation to SLT – Weds 25th March – done
Paint.net – led by Daisy – done 19-22nd March - continue using.
Diary competition – presentations 1st March – Mrs Methley /
Blogging - developing the new LLS DLs blog – Rosie and Toria – Ongoing
Autology - Matthew – All DLs – continue using.
Electronic Diaries – Mr S – done – see competition – all DLs to keep updated from now on
Prezi Training – 6th-15th December – continue using.
Setting up DLs with forums on purpose and ways of working together

To Do this week:
- Check email every Friday lunchtime or Friday after school
- Join edmodo www.edmodo.com if not done so already and add code ***** to join “Secondary Digital Leaders”.  Do NOT tell this code to anyone else. Add your own picture.
- enter the competition below
- presenters to update their diaries
- turn up next weds lunchtime for Flash Training from Isaac and Jem
- you could enter the national DL Design a logo competiton at www.digitalleadernetwork.co.uk/?p=420

Edmodo Competition – Week 1
2x £5 Amazon vouchers to be won by Bedale or LLS DLs…

I think Edmodo will be gr8 for Digital Leaders because…

Your task is to become an Edmodo expert and learn as many useful functions for Digital Leaders to use.
Create a new Word document, calling it I think Edmodo will be gr8 for Digital Leaders (by your name + LLS or Bedale)
For each Function, you need to explain how it might be useful for us to use it.
eg.  Start with these three:
Edmodo is on the web. This means DLs in each school can use it to network together
Edmodo has different Groups.  This means we can have a N Yorks DL group and a National DLs group, and by clicking on the tab on the left hand side we will see only the posts for each one.
Edmodo lets you reply to comments.  This means DLs can share our opinions easily.
Then add you own.  You might add a screenshot to show what you mean. You could mention our DL blog and how it could be used with Edmodo; sharing good ideas on the internet; teamwork in school; teamwork between schools… ?? You COULD use screencasting software and record a video…!!
Credit will be awarded for each example you come up with, but the winner will be the one who has the best ideas for us working together and sharing ideas and resources.

Email your competition entry to Mr Sharples (LLS) or Mr Barnes (Bedale)
Closing date for entries end of Sunday 6th May
As you are doing this assignment, be thinking about next week’s competition, which will be developing a protocol (set of rules) for us all DLs to use Edmodo safely and usefully.

—————————————————————————–
Current Status of DL Projects:

Flash - Isaac and Jem – Weds 25th March for trainers led by Mr Lech, then all DLs Weds 2nd March supervised by Mr Lech
Evaluation of Edmodo – social networking site – now the competition A and B.
Evaluation of Evernote – TBC
Proposals on subject use of ICTs – on hold
Presentation to SLT - Weds 25th March – done
Paint.net – led by Daisy – done 19-22nd March – continue using.
Diary competition – presentations 1st March – Mrs Methley /
Blogging - developing the new LLS DLs blog – Rosie and Toria – Ongoing
Autology - Matthew – All DLs - continue using.
Electronic Diaries – Mr S – done – see competition – all DLs to keep updated from now on
Prezi Training – 6th-15th December - continue using.
Setting up DLs with forums on purpose and ways of working together

Comment from Year 13s “We couldn’t have done that at their age (Year 9s) – Their presentation was better than ours.  How good will they be when they are our age??” – kind of sums up the impact that Digital leaders can have really…

Their prezi here.

Why Digital Leaders? (Ali and Hannah)
Brainstorm: Need to convince SLT you’re important…can make a difference – leadership AND ICTs (Internet/software and devices) / small teams working together / own learning and with others / spreading ideas / agents for change
———————————
What have LLS DLs done so far? (Jordan and Daisy)
Brainstorm – be brief – Explain benefits of what you’ve done – use photos from folder on fronter / show DLs fronter page and DL’s blog
———————————
What could LLS DLs do in the future? (Matthew and Will)
Brainstorm – Combination of leadership AND ICTs (Internet/software and devices)
1.  Work in LLS / work in small teams with teachers? teach the teachers that there are ICT ways of doing things / trial new ways of doing things / Autology / Twitter / using Fronter
2. Network with other DLs in other schools using Blog / Edmodo (Matthew to explore) / email

Please respect any copyright and ask permission before downloading any materials.

All the materials shown in the talk are available with read access and using the link in the square brackets.
Log on as above and choose the drop down box to see all the subject rooms available.
Some links do not have a square brackets as they are restricted areas eg. We have blocked off the staffroom as we are now using it for discussions and staff information that is not appropriate for public access.   Sorry…

Timeline of development:

1. The eLP (eLearning Pilot) where we tried out rooms for the first time.
2. HoD meetings and then manual Department Rooms for each year starting with Y11 revison.
3. Progress since then with developing Department – kept minutes on a forum
4. All ICT rooms used with front pages / resources links / unit information. [all ICT rooms]
5. Mistake of trying to put every subject resource into one room.  Keep resources in each year room.
6. eLearning with Year 7 – before and after resources with Whole School Curriculum Days* [ICT 07]
7. Staff Room
8. Discussion forums – used for feedback / collaborative learning whenever needed [Y11 ICT > Forums > Leeds Met Visit]
9. Hand-in folders – used Year 10,11,12 and 13 for all coursework
10. Bulletin boards across the school.
11. Entrance Halls for easy navigation
12. ICT skills – and forums for student FAQs [FAQs Paint.net]
13. New dept use – English [English Year 7]
14. New use – PSHCCE Y09
15. Digital Leaders
16. Youtube only through Fronter
17. Autology
18. Homeworks using the News Tool [ICT 07, 08,09]

Future developments
- wiki software – very soon
- red pen tool

Going to Teesside was something that helped me choose to do ICT as a fourth A-Level.

2. ICT will always be a helpful addition to any career as technologies are always changing and ICT is used in almost every job you apply for.

3. I am not considering taking ICT as a degree but the visit has helped me learn more about the university, what is it like and what facilities they have for the students to use.

4. I think that the talks given were useful as they did focus on the course in ICT but also some of the information could apply to all courses.

In addition, I think we all realise the importance of increasing your skills for job applications and taking advantage of opportunites, so there is an equal split between girls and boys.

…thank you Hannah for a thoughtful and considered response. – Mr S

Jess Y13:
1. Today really helped me, as before today I was unsure whether to go to Leeds met university or Cumbria. However after seeing how friendly everyone is and seeing the relaxed atmosphere etc I have decided to definitely go here for university in september.

2. I do think that ICT is useful in any career, even if what you are wanting to do will not be directly linked to ICT in some way. You

learn useful skills, for example our project management unit which the Y13 are just finishing I have learnt how to work successfully in a team with other people another useful skill is time management because you soon learn time plans are a nightmare to fill out if you don’t stick to your planned times.

3. Although I Am not planning on doing a degree in ICT after today and learning the sort of things you can work with like the 3D software sounded really exciting and a lot more creative than what I originally thought you would be doing in an ICT degree.

Thanks Jess… and what a positive result.  I thought it was very friendly too. Mr S

Debbie Yr12
I enjoyed the trip and found it very useful when looking to go to university and to see the diverse courses they offer. The ICT side of the trip was very good as well as i found how diverse the ICT course were and the difference and simularities between them. I really liked looking at the 3D animation, i found it very interesting. The trip also helped me to make my mind up that i do want to go to uni, it was very helpful, to see the uni. The visit did show me what an ICT degree would be like an dit looks very appealing but i dont think its right for me, but i do think that ICT is a useful addition to any career.

Jade year 12
I’m not thinking of going to uni but the trip did make me see how uni life could be and i think it was good that the year 11s came as well as it gave them a feel of the future.

I think ict is a good thing to do as it can help you with whatever you do and it will always be a good quality to have.

I thought teeside was better as it felt they knew a lot more and were more organsised.

Alistair Y12
Overall the trip was helpful as it gave me a good understanding on university life although im not currently thinking of going to uni. I thought the ICT courses were quite interesting and are always going to be useful in later life and in any career. The visit has helped me understand about more ICT courses and i found the ICT business related course quite interesting.

I think to improve the trip further I thought some of the talks were too long and we could have been shown around more and been given more of a perspective on uni life.

I agree… Mr S

George Y11
1. Yes, I do intend to go to university. I think the trip did help in that it gave me an insight into university life that I would otherwise have only been able to speculate at. I think that the timing was right as it allows students who aren’t taking ICT at Sixth Form to visit a university.

2. I think ICT is a subject that will help everything passively, but some things more than others. I don’t currently intend taking ICT at A-Level although I can see why some people would find it incredibly useful for their future plans.

3. I’m not planning on doing an ICT degree but the trip did inform me of a lot of things involved with them. For example I didn’t realise quite how many ICT degree courses were available (6 or 7 I think).

4. I think to improve the trip in the future, show students a wider variety of aspects of university; also some of the talks were quite (too) long.

Ollie & Mark
1. Are you thinking about going to university? Has the visit helped you? If so, how? Was the timing right for Y11s?

-Yes we are are both thinking about going to university, and the visit was definitely very helpful as it provided information that will be very helpful in the future with regard to choosing courses & student life. Speaking as Y11s, who knew comparatively little about what uni-life is like, it was very eye-opening and has given us a first hand experience.

2. Do you believe that ICT is a useful addition to any career? Y11s – are you thinking of ICT Alevel?

-Well as computers are becoming ever more prevalent in the world of work, e.g. security, databases & software development, there will surely be plenty of jobs available in this sector. I am (Mark) and I am unforutunately not (Ollie).

3. Are you considering an ict degree? Has this visit helped you learn more about this.

It will be an important part of a music degree (Mark), but not directly ICT.

The visit showed all of the different types of ICT worker that there are, e.g. Database Management, Sales, Security & Forensics, 3D animator etc. etc. There are an unbelievable amount of courses available…

4. Anything else… what else do you need…?

Mark – My favourite aspect of the trip was just how informative it was, I enjoyed visiting the recording studio and green screen rooms as it showed us the wider opportunities an ICT course would involve.

Ollie – My favourite bit was just seeing what a university is like, and all the various departments, particularly places like the motion capture room as it shows the amazing level of technology that perhaps would be unavailable elsewhere.

We don’t really feel that the trip could have been improved, we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Alex
1. Are you thinking about going to university? Has the visit helped you? If so, how? Was the timing right for Y11s? – Yes, yes, gave me an idea of uni life. yes i think so.

2. Do you believe that ICT is a useful addition to any career? Y11s – are you thinking of ICT Alevel? – maybe.

3. Are you considering an ict degree? Has this visit helped you learn more about this.- im contimplating it. and it has helped me learn about the course that are available.

Abbie yr12
I am thinkiing about going to university and the trip has helped me to realise what uni life may be like and the possible ICT courses there is and the differences in them. I think the trip was useful to yr 11′s and I wish I had the chance to go in yr 11 to see what it is like.

2. I think ICT can be a useful addition to a career as computers are used a lot in businesses now and people need to know how to use them.

3. WHilst on the trip I was considering whether to aply for an ICT degree, as it looked interesting and could be something different. The visit helped me learn more about the differnt types of courses and the vital differences between them.

SARAH Y12
1. I am not thinking about university. it has help me to decide whether I definetely wanted to go to university. I think the timing is right for Yr11s.

2. yes i think it is useful as everyone is going into modern age and going into computer stuff.

3. i am not considering an ict degree because i am not considering uni.

4. i think we could have been presented with a more of a tour of the living areas and spoken to more students about the courses but as well as university.

I agree and I had asked for talks from students… will feedback for next time.- Mr S

Dan Y12
1. Yes, I would love to go to university. I think the trip gave a decent insight into university life that, taking into account this was the second uni i have visited I think tee side unvenstity had a slight edge to it, as it just felt more welcoming and professional, than Leeds, however for the YR11′s i though it was a good starting point for them.

2. I think ICT is a subject that will help you in any job out there, as it has many transferable skills that can be used in any job.

3. I would like to do an ICT degree but i would also like to involve it around business as this is my strongest subject, and one that i am currently involved in, in and out of school.

4. I think to improve the trip in the future, more active like doing things would be better to keep us more motivated and also some of the talks were quite long.

All in all, another great trip from the ICT department [:)]

Charlotte Yr11

1/ I am thinking of going to university and it has helped me see what University was like and what courses you could do. And yes, it was the right time.

2/ yes it is useful because everyone uses computers nowadays.

3/ Yes I am and yes it did.

James Y11
1. Are you thinking about going to university? Has the visit helped you? If so, how? Was the timing right for Y11s?

Yes because I think it will help me improve my chances of getting a well-paid job and I think I will enjoy the experience. The visit has helped me because i now know a bit about some ICT courses at university and what facilities to expect there. I think the timing is right for year 11′s because it will help some people to choose which a-levels they will take.

2. Do you believe that ICT is a useful addition to any career? Y11s – are you thinking of ICT Alevel?

Yes i do because technology and computing is becoming more and more important and therefore ICT helps you understand and use this. I  am most likely taking ICT for A-levels.

3. Are you considering an ict degree? Has this visit helped you learn more about this.

I am thinking about it but am still not sure, and this visit has helped me learn more about this because I now know what kind of courses I can take and what facilities I will be using.

4. Anything else… what else do you need…?

I still think I need another visit to a different university as I still think I need more information about the ICT course, university life and other courses.

Tom & Tom’s Feedback
1. Are you thinking about going to university? Has the visit helped you? If so, how? Was the timing right for Y11s?

University is more of a possibility now that we have a better idea of what it is like.

2. Do you believe that ICT is a useful addition to any career? Y11s – are you thinking of ICT Alevel?

Yes, especially for the technology advanced future.

3. Are you considering an ict degree? Has this visit helped you learn more about this.

Yes, i think ict would be a interesting and fun degree to have.

4. Anything else… what else do you need…?

I would have liked too have seen the accomidation, and possibly a few other faculties.

Hannah and Annabel Year 11
1. Are you thinking about going to university? Has the visit helped you? If so, how? Was the timing right for Y11s?
After the vist it made me more aware of what university is like and we are certain want to go to universities in the future.

2. Do you believe that ICT is a useful addition to any career? Y11s – are you thinking of ICT Alevel?
Yes, because ICT has grown increasingly over the years and is used in most jobs. So to have a qualification in ICT is a very useful qualification to have because its what  future job employers will be searching for.

3. Are you considering an ict degree? Has this visit helped you learn more about this.

No, but I do think its made me think about uni

Beth Y11
I am thinking about going to university and this trip has helped me a lot as I now know what it is like inside a university and start to

get a feel for one. I think the timings are good for year 11′s  as knowing if you want to go to university helps you to decide your sixth form options. Also, if you are still unsure you can go again in year 12.

I do think that ICT is a useful addition to any career as technology is a major part of today’s world amd will continue to be. I am possibly thinking about taking ICT in sixth form.

I am not considering an ICT degree but I still found the trip useful as it talked about fees and work experience and I could also get a feel for the schedule.

Overall I think that the trip is very good. It is useful if you are considerig to take ICT further, but if not it is still useful to see around a university. A very good trip!

David Y11
1. Are you thinking about going to university? Has the visit helped you? If so, how? Was the timing right for Y11s?
I am almost certainly going to University. The visit has helped me as it developed my knowledge on Life at Uni, the possible IT courses and the many opportunities that are avaiable after leaving university. The timing would of been slightly better if we had the chance slightly earlier on in the year (before coursework deadlines and the run up to exams) although it has been a great opportunity and would go agian.

2. Do you believe that ICT is a useful addition to any career? Y11s – are you thinking of ICT Alevel?
ICT is a very useful addition to any career as it is a very diverse skill to have and it shows your ability to adapt to new technologies. I am deffinatley taking ICT for A level as I am hoping to study something along the lines of graphic design at university.

3. Are you considering an ict degree? Has this visit helped you learn more about this.
As I have said above I am wanting to study Graphic design at university. I found that the trip was very interesting however it didn’t help that muchin learning about graphic design or similar courses.

Ryan Y11
1. i am considering going to university and it has been a valuable experience both for universites and ICT courses. It has opened my perspective to university and ict as a whole, i believe the timinhg was perfect during year 11 as it gives you that little more
experience about universities and also what to do in future life.

2. i am positive bout doing ICT for A-level as i believe it is a useful addition to any career, seen as many jobs nowadays and also in the future will hold some aspect of computing.

3. i was hoping to continue and get a degree in computer science, the more technical and mathematical approach, however this trip has improved my options and encouraged me even furthur to go into computing as a career.

4. i have no further comments about the trip appart from the fact it has been an invaluable experience in both university aspects andcomputing aspects of my future career.

Ethan Y11
1. Are you thinking about going to university? Has the visit helped you? If so, how? Was the timing right for Y11s?

-Yes, I am definitely thinking about going to university, and the visit was indeed rather helpful as it provided useful information for the future regarding courses and student life etc.

2. Do you believe that ICT is a useful addition to any career? Y11s – are you thinking of ICT Alevel?

I believe a competency in IT has become almost a necessity in the modern world, and more and more jobs and professions have a fundamental basis in this, however I am afraid my A-Level choices will be geared towards the Sciences and Maths, and I unfortunately have no space for IT.

3. Are you considering an ict degree? Has this visit helped you learn more about this.

I am afraid I won’t be considering an IT degree, however it has given me an insight into university life in general.

4. Anything else… what else do you need…?

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the recording studio and green screen rooms as it showed us the kind of professional equipment that is available on a university course.

I don’t feel that the trip could have been improved to a significant extent, it was very focused on the IT aspect (which can be expected from an IT trip) which would prove very useful indeed for those thinking of studying IT in further education. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed gaining an insight into general university life etc.

Nathan Y11
1. I was thinking of going to university (to study transport design) before the trip and now I am more towards the idea of going to university as the trip did show some insight into university life, while also demonstrating the amount of time and effort required for a course. This trip has encouraged me to look at a career in game making or computer forensics. However I would have liked to have had more time to look around and talk to students to help with the decision of whether to go to university.

2. More and more jobs are requiring ict skills so for that reason I think it is important to learn some while in school however, unless you are wanting to go into a computer based career their is no point taking ict past gcse level. I am taking ict at alevel as I am now considering a career in game making or computer forensics.

3. Yes as I said before I am considering a degree in either game making or computer forensics and the trip took some of the pressure of deciding what to now as I learned that even in the first year of university I can still switch course as the first year is very similar for most it courses.

4. I really enjoyed the trip and it helped me alot as I have now decided to stay on to sixth form and then possibly go to university. I am looking forwards to the Teesside trip next year and hopefully that will persuade me to either go to or not to go to university.

Holly Y11
I am thinking of going to university and I think this trip has been useful in experiencing what the learning environment and facilities are like in such. I think that going in year 11 was a good idea as, although I had already begun to think about possible courses I would like to do in the future, I had never had a chance to visit a university before.

I think ICT is extremely important in the 21st century, and being competent with computers and technology is most likely going to become a necessity in our future lives and careers. Although I am not planning to take ICT at a-level, I think completing this course for my GCSE was very beneficial as I have learnt many skills, in particular project management skills.

Again, I am not considering a degree in ICT, but the trip has been very beneficial in helping me learn about all the possible courses available if I ever decided that I would like to do such. It has also made me appreciate the importance of the subject and in how many sectors it is used (police, game making etc.)

Overall I thought the trip was very useful, although it may have focused a little too much on ICT, as I was hoping to learn about other courses. Although I appreciate that it was an ICT trip.

As for the 50/50 split of girls, I think this was mainly because a growing number of girls are wanting to go to university and pursue careers in technology based sectors.

Ben Solly explains how his school has embraced and harnessed the expertise of their students as Digital Leaders. I particulary like his quote

This might be a frightening concept, but the reality is unless we harness the expertise that exists within the student body and embrace their technological capabilities, we as educators will always be playing catch up.
Ever since VLEs were first thought of, I have been saying that the majority of content will be generated by students. My Year 9s have proved to me already this year that they

Ben’s Prezi gives the details of their approach here. We’ve been doing such things during the last five years at LLS. Up until now it has been the project management of my Y13s that have done things like the Virtual Tour of the school (2010).

Overall, I like Ben’s belief in the devolvement of responsibility to his students. I’m proud that at Lady Lumley’s school we have more than double the Longfield size of team just in one year group (Year 9). I’m convinced that to make significant change, we need to build capacity across year groups.

I’m going to develop these ideas in my evaluation of progress so far, but a big thank you to Ben for sharing such good quality information. As he replied to my tweet of thanks “@gr8ict Thanks for the kind comments! Digital Leaders is a sustainable approach to developing ICT provision in schools.@LFDigiLeaders“