Notes for Meeting to Plan the ICT and History Project ‘Egypt and Beyond’

 

Wednesday 7th May 2003

 

Present:          Pauline Hindle:  Head teacher – West Hill Primary

                        David Ellin:  ICT Consultant – Dartford Technology College

                        Jo Lakey:  Primary Excellence Project Head teacher

 

 

Aim of the Project:

 

To produce a Learning Resource for use Year 3 or Year 4 pupils when studying the QCA History Unit 10 – “What can we find out about Ancient Egypt from what has survived?”

 

David explained that it would be feasible to develop a CD ROM using authoring software, alternatively we could develop material for inclusion on our Dartford Partnership Web Site.  This seemed a preferable option, which could include a range of web-based learning resources, such as:-

 

  1. Video clips
  2. Images from museums
  3. Video Conferencing with an Egyptologist from British Museum
  4. Storyboard presentations

 

It was agreed that the children selected would need to undertake some research prior to the first session, so that they would have sufficient knowledge to begin to develop the resources for younger pupils to use.

 

It also seemed appropriate to expect these Year 5/6 pupils to undertake “homework tasks” between sessions.  There should be an expectation that the 2/3 pupils per school have been selected because they would be willing to give additional time and energy beyond the 2 hour session each week.

 

As Pauline described the project must offer a balance between open-ended and creative problem-solving and a structured project with a clearly defined end project.

 

David agreed that he wanted the ICE knowledge and techniques to enhance the development of resources for teaching history. 

 

It was agreed that we would identify the care knowledge/content to be addressed within that resource pack/website, whilst also offering come flexibility for the Year 5/6 pupils to pursue their own areas of interest.

 

David described an ICT resource, which would develop the children’s presentation skills and problem-solving strategies by drawing upon PowerPoint software.  This could be used to develop a modelling game with varying levels as the player passes through the Pyramid in search of the Pharaoh’s treasure.

 

To addition, we would be to link ICT and DT by using computer aided design, using a cutter-plotter to translate 3-D design into a 2-D layout, i.e – net for a box.

 

Pauline mentioned that Animated Club, organised by one of her teachers – Bob, which has successfully produced short animated films.  This was thought to be an excellent project in it’s own right, but probably too time consuming for the “Egypt and Beyond” project.  Nonetheless, Pauline would approach Bob to invite him to join the project as an adviser and possibly guest speaker for a session.

 

Some thought was given to matters of organisation and transport.  It was felt that each individual Primary School needed to be responsible for:

 

·        Arranging transport to and from the Ellite Centre

·        Gaining permission from parents and commitment from the pupils

 

With the number of pupils involved from each of the six Primary Schools (max 18), it was felt that the adults bringing the children need not stay – unless they wanted to be active participants.  David would be leading each session with assistance from his students.  Jo would be able to attend on the 20th May: 24th June and 1st July.

 

In discussion, Jo and Pauline outlined issues related to classroom management such as establishing expectations of behaviour, balancing teacher input and directed tasks with focus groups and independent, collaborative activities.  Initially, the children need time to get to know one another and could work on a quiz (computer generated)  linked to the background reading.  It might be appropriate for some independent tasks to be available in worksheet format, if children are waiting for help or have finished an ICT task.  These could include:

 

·        Developing a word search

·        Devising a crossword puzzle

·        Writing a coded message in hieroglyphics

 

There may be an opportunity to take the group to the British Museum or Hornimans Museum. 

 

Finally, it was felt that the project should be showcased through an open day at the Ellite Centre for that children, their teachers and head teachers, their parents and local VIP’s.

 

At our next meeting on:

 

Wednesday 14th May @ 1:30pm @ West Hill Primary School

 

We would finalise:

 

  1. Letters to head teachers and selected pupils
  2. Preparation pack for pupils
  3. The meaningful ICT skills to be taught that would complement the historical content and be recorded in a web based learning resource. 
  4. How

Meaningful ICE skills to complement the historical content:

 

A)    For Website

B)     For teacher’s pack

 

  1. Using Word or Publisher and create copiable/printable materials for Teacher’s Pack.
  2. Using Serif or Microsoft Front Page and create Web Pages and display text and images and links.
  3. Using PowerPoint and create a slide show of project and to create level games.
  4. Using video conferencing to link the British Museum using a Digital Camera/Video.
  5. Using Internet to scan for copyright free images and research different topics.
  6. Use Word for columns and create a comparison (E.g Royalty of Worker) 
  7. Using the Internet for searching on different topics. 
  8. Creating a secret message or word search using symbols.
  9. Digital camera work.