What is the most effective way of promoting both programming and critical thinking within ICT?

From September, as we’ve all heard, the ICT curriculum in England is to be replaced by a flexible curriculum in computer science and programming. The aim, according to the Secretary of State, is to “create young people able to work at the forefront of technological change”.

So, what to do?

Say the word “Roamer®” and quite possibly you will recall one of the most defining moments in the history of ICT. But the question is, can this iconic product meet today’s challenges?

The answer is undoubtedly yes. The new Roamer is one robot, and by changing the keypad you can make it age appropriate which gives you a scaffolded approach to programming.

Early Years start with a simple keypad capable of moving the robot. Gradually new programming features are added until your top juniors are writing procedures and controlling inputs and outputs.

As the world’s only talking educational robot, the speaking helps to support pupils throughout this process.

As their programming skills grow, pupils develop their problem solving capabilities, learning to think sequentially, logically and creatively. These skills are developed through activities linked to mathematics, science, English and other curriculum areas.

This highly innovative programmable teaching aid is supported by a library full of free activities, which combined with free online training, provides an economical and practical resource capable of use throughout the whole school.

To find out more about how Roamer can be used in your classroom as a way of embracing the concepts within the government’s new model of ICT teaching, please visit http://www.roamer-robot.com/public

For more information you can also call 020 8673 2233 or email us at info@valiant-technology.com

The two ways to get a university place

For as long as any of us can remember, universities have demanded certain A level grades as the entry ticket to a course.

But in recent years a second requirement has been added, a requirement that has had less attention but which can in many cases have as much impact on the success or failure of an application as the student’s grades.

In fact each year we are seeing an increasing number of highly able and talented students failing to get to the university of their choice because their application does not make the most of their potential, their personality, their drive, and their ability to give something back to the university as well as be a good student.

Students now need to be well informed and focused in order to make the right choices and to give themselves the best possible chance of getting a place on the course and at the university that best suits their future aspirations.

They also need to know why they want to go to this university, to study this course, and they need to be aware that being at university is a two way process. The university gives the student opportunities – the student needs to show that he/she will seize those opportunities and give something back in return.

”How to Successfully Apply to University” seeks to clarify the process of applying for university and contains information and insights that will be useful for all students as they face the university application process. It outlines each step from the first thought to the completion of the application, and looks at all aspects of the process of selecting and applying for a university place.

The approach within the book includes carrying out research to find the best suited course/university, understanding the UCAS system, delivering the best possible personal statement, the actual application and the post-application process, funding, and student accommodation, etc.

Sample pages can be viewed at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/careers/T1779.pdf

ISBN: 978 1 86083 810 1; Order code: T1779emn

The volume is available as…

Photocopiable report in a ring binder, £19.95 plus £3.95 delivery
CD with school-wide rights: £19.95 plus £3.95 delivery
Both the Ring Binder and the CD £26.94 plus £3.95 delivery
Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the book or CD…

By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
On the phone with a school order number at 01536 399 011
By fax to 01536 399 012
On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=47&products_id=753

Our very best price for an HP Core I3 laptop

Save £151 and get £150 worth of extras free

The HP 630 Intel Core I3 4gb 500gb HD (normally selling at £499) comes with:

Intel Core I3
500GB hard drive,
4GB RAM, and a…
15.6 inch anti-glare display, plus of course…
Windows 7 Premium Edition, with…
integrated webcam with microphone …

+ Extra Bonus worth £150 –
3 Years HP Warranty and 3 Years Norton Internet Security
We are currently able to offer this laptop to schools for the discounted price of £348.

What’s more, if you buy 10 or more that price comes down to £342 per machine.

You can also save up to £150 if you trade in your old computer. Click here for more details.

The full description of the machine is the HP 630 A6E89EA Intel Core I3 4GB 500GB DVDRW 15.6TFT HDMI BT CAM Win 7HP.

There are more details on our website at
http://www.technoworld.com/HP_630_A6E89EA_UK707A-NortonIS_3YR/62244/product.aspx

In order to receive this special discount for schools for any of the above products, all you need to do is call us on 08444 820 111 or email us at education@technoworld.com and quote “eshot offer 30”.

This offer for this computer is only available from Technoworld PLC which is an HP Gold Partner and established for 17 years. It comes with a 7 day no quibble money back guarantee.