I’ve just finished the latest addition of Grapevine, Riverside School’s newsletter.
Category Archives: ICT Coordinating Woes
SITPLUS Project
I recently downloaded SITPLUS – created by the Cerebral Palsy Centre APPC of Tarragona, Spain.
It converts movement detected from a webcam into sounds – as well as creating animations on screen. It works beautifully, and I can see loads of applications for the software – both in therapeutic and educational settings. I can see a particular use in cause and effect work with learners in the early P levels, who find switches difficult to access.
The software is free (downloadable from here). We already have pc’s in classrooms and webcams are cheap – so the price is right.
I can’t wait to try it with some of my PMLD learners.
Switch progression
I have been using switches extensively for the first time this year, and have been thrashing around trying to find a decent model to follow with my PMLD students. I came across Ian Bean‘s Switch Progression Roadmap on the Inclusive Technology website. I’ve found it a really good model to follow with the students. It contains lots of practical examples, and has been a really helpful resource. I have been using switches in the dark room with the sensory equipment, the OmiBeam, with fans and other electronic equipment as well as with computers.
To help with assessment, I have created these recording sheets, with the progression taken from Ian’s work.
No point reinventing the wheel! 
Website
Following the new DoE guidance we have overhauled the school website. The key requirements are:
The key requirements for publication are:
- details of the school’s pupil premium allocation and plans to spend it in the current year; and, for the previous year, a statement of how the money was spent and the impact that it had on educational attainment of those pupils at the school in respect of whom grant funding was allocated;
- details of the school’s curriculum, content and approach, by academic year and by subject (including details of GCSE options and other qualifications offered at Key Stage 4 (for secondary schools), and approach to phonic and reading schemes (for primary schools));
- where applicable, details or links to the school’s admission arrangements, including its selection and oversubscription criteria, published admission number and the school’s process for applications through the local authority ;
- details of the school’s policies on behaviour, charging and SEN and disability provision;
- a statement of the school’s ethos and values.
The September 2012 OFSTED framework also suggests that inspectors will scrutinise school websites prior to inspections so we needed to ensure that the website was up to date and features the information required.
Our website is through Green Schools Online, and their support is fantastic, so the process wasn’t too painful.
ICT Policy
Have just finished writing the school ICT Policy, along with the ICT Vision and Aims.
Searching for files in Windows 7
Unbelievably, there doesn’t appear to be any way of searching for files on network drives in Windows 7. As all our data is saved to the network, for security and ease of backup, Windows 7 is unable to search for files.
I’ve downloaded the freeware FileSearchEx, which was recommened on Life Hacker. It looks very similar to the XP search facility, is very portable and can search any drive from a context menu. Simple and very, very useful!
Compressing photos using MS Picture Manager
Like most SEN schools, we use a lot of digital photos. Cameras are becoming very high resolution, and are filling up our network storage quickly.
We use Office 2010 now. The bundled Picture Manager includes a tool to bulk compress photos. I created this guide for staff.
e-Safety Guidance for Students
I’ve been working on e-Safety guidance for students.
e-Safety
I have recently overhauled the e-Safety policies within the school. Click here to take a look.
Acceptable ICT Usage for Staff
Have just written up ICT guidance for staff.
