ICT 2009 Exhibition and Conference - 2 July 2009

Once again the Ashford International Hotel played host to our 20th annual event. A crowded conference hall provided the stage for Collaborative Classrooms programme summed up by one delegate as providing “Lot’s of creative and inspirational ideas”

”John was brilliant” Our keynote address was given by John Davitt, inspirational speaker and journalist. John has run creative projects in schools developed software and delivered hundreds of training sessions. In his session entitled New Tools for Learning John explored the points of connection between what we know about learning and how we can make the most effective use of new technologies. In a light hearted but powerful series of contexts he talked about the challenge of the active/passive axis and the need for teachers to focus on their own learning curves and not be hoodwinked by any particular tool. Most importantly he allowed the large audience to find their own point of access and set their own future challenges. A digital copy of John's Book New Tools for Learning was supplied for all delegates along with other resources on CD-ROM. “Why did you have to be so inspirational" remarked one delegate with a smile  "now I'm going to have to go back to school and get stuck in."

John is currently running some Active Learning workshops in the USA and continues with more UK Active Learning Opportunities in the autumn he can be contacted through his website  www.newtools.org

Matt Evans from St James the Great Primary captivated the audience by showcasing the work the children have been doing to create their own stop frame animations. The children used Movie Maker and Audacity to bring to life their Digital Blue animations to excellent effect. Donna Moat took to the stage with children from Borough Green Primary to demonstrate how Movie Maker could be used to create an incredibly powerful media presentation - the May 2008 Burma Cyclone. The children’s understanding and empathy clearly came across in their choice of the REM song ‘Everyone Hurts’ together with their selection of photos to illustrate how the Burmese people were affected . This powerful message left many of the audience reaching for their tissues.  Tim Boundy – JA.NET presented examples of Videoconferencing Service available to schools and Ed Goddard from West Kent Learning Federation spoke of the increasing success the e-learning groups in the federation have been enjoying since adopting Kent Learning Zone in July 2008. This left Stuart Marsh the job of relaying how 2 schools, Norton Knatchbull & Westlands, have derived excellent benefits in using ASUS minibooks in their schools.   

As the programme drew to a close – Emerging from the Myst – appeared Tim Rylands, once again inspiring the audience as only he can - “Wow, loads of great stuff” “Great resources and ideas!”

Tim showcased some of the extraordinary work that has been bubbling away across Kent after his last visit. Teachers from three schools talked about the impact that Tim’s techniques have had on their teaching, and upon their pupils’ progress. Staff from The Downs school, Brunswick House Primary School, and others, were rightfully proud of their achievements. 

Sonja Weed, from Diocesan and Payne Smith School, also brought along three of her class to present their masterpieces.

As they were about to leave the stage, Tim set them the challenge of taking a virtual safari, using a Wii, to take photographs of some of the wildlife they encountered.

Bedecked with binoculars and pith helmets, they rose to the task, returning with a collection of astounding facts that they had hunted down in a short space of time. The power of big GAME hunting!

In a totally immersive presentation, Tim also introduced us to some new and innovative “Web 2.0” tools to motivate and inspire children of all ages and abilities.

Look out for Tim, and his colleague Sarah Neild, as they are set to venture in to the wilds of Kent again, many times, over the next year.

See Tim’s website www.timrylands.com and their write up and pictures of the conference at http://www.timrylands.com/blog/2009/07/02/kent-ict-conference-exhibition/

Whilst visitor numbers were lower than last year, possibly due to it being the hottest day of the year so far, the atmosphere in the exhibition was buzzing. IT & Network Managers, Co-ordinators/Technicians accounted for 50% of day visitors with a good balance of Headteachers/Deputies, Bursars, Governors, Teachers and Teaching Assistants. They came from far and wide: Ashford, Barming, Bromley, Canterbury, Chatham, Dartford, Deal, East Malling, Folkestone, Gravesend, Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Tonbridge & Whitstable and from their comments clearly enjoyed their visit "Very high quality of vendors" "It's like a mini version of BETT" "Useful visit with great range of exhibitors" and "Loved it!" 

Part of the attraction of being a day visitor was being given the opportunity to attend any of the 9 FREE Supplier Briefing sessions. This year Tim Rylands sessions drew record numbers of attendees. Tim ran 3 sessions Using ICT to Inspire aimed at raising levels of creativity in all children and of all abilities and left his attendees  wanting more - “rekindled tired spirits at the end of the summer term!”  His Get’em Talking was a particular favourite for Special Schools and Special Needs Teachers “So many superb ideas” “Think I’ll be spending the summer hols recapturing my youth, playing Myst!” and “Great creative ideas” and KS3 English Teachers certainly left their Extra, Extra, Extra – Read all about IT session saying “Wow loads of great stuff! “ ”Amazing to have so many new resources thrown at us all – but how useful and inspirational” and “Really useful for upper KS2 as well”

Gill Penrose from Education City gave an enthusiastic and lively presentation Learning – the joint venture which clearly hit the spot as delegates comments included “Great to see so many extras I didn’t know I had access to!” and “Looking forward to trying this out in school”.  Grateful attendees had this to say about Steve Butler from Becta who presented the relaunch of the FITS programme “Seems to be much less complex than previous version” and “Useful & concise information thanks!” Action speaks louder than words was the result for Interactive Resources who delivered a Setting Maths & Literacy alight session as an attendee commented after the session “We use an evaluation only – including supply teachers – it’s time to purchase”  

Upstairs from the main arena another wow experience awaited some 20 schools who took the opportunity to witness first hand what is like to gain a 3D visualisation experience. Andy Duckworth, CDEC had the audience on the edge of their seats a number of times as he demonstrated a selection of uses for leading edge technology. In 20 short minutes the audience were treated to a close up view of a bee landing on a leaf.  It was so close you felt you could reach out and touch it.  However, It’s hasty take off straight at the audience took a number by surprise. They experienced a space walk, jumped aboard a pirate ship and witnessed fully constructed tractors being deconstructed piece by piece – the 3D effect was amazing. And to cap it off they were treated to a roller coaster ride which, for anyone who has the stomach for it, proved exhilarating.

By 4.15pm the last of the delegates and exhibitors had left. EIS cleared the hall and once again closed the doors on Kent’s leading ICT educational event… well until next year anyway.

To all the schools, conference speakers and exhibitors who attended this year – many thanks for helping EIS make ICT2009 such a success and look forward to welcoming you back next year. 

If you were unable to join us this year and reading about ICT2009 has whetted your appetite why not pop this date in your diary now and join us at  

ICT2010 Thursday 1 July 2010  Ashford International Hotel

 Conference Prize:

At the end of the conference 5 prizes were drawn. Each school received an 8Gb Encrypted USB Flash Drive. We took our lead on conference prizes this year to assist schools in their quest to comply with the legal requirement of the Data Protection Act 1998 to protect and secure personal data.

One lucky school collected their prize in person. Other prize winners - St Francis Catholic School Maidstone, Pembury School, Canterbury Road Primary School and St Peter in Thanet CEJ ~School prizes

EIS Stand prize  ASUS Minibook – went to  Dover Road Primary