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January 2012

Welcome to this the first e-news bulletin for 2012. We hope you had a good festive break and are feeling refreshed and the batteries recharged ready to face the challenges of 2012. Please feel free to forward this e-news bulletin to colleagues that you think would be interested in any of the items below. If you have any comments or suggestions on this bulletin or indeed any special requests for special software offers, please email them to kim.conway3@btinternet.com

News

 

  • 3DMadeEasyhave introduced a new course, Measured Perspective and Tangency covering the requirements of both of these topics with discussion on appropriate content for the Higher GC course.
  • New Mathematics Apps from SUMS- SUMS Online have released four new iPad and iPhone Apps. They have a limited number of promo codes for each so if you would like a free copy please email David. The Apps are Rabbit Takeaway (subtraction), River Tables (times tables), Bedingo (brain training bingo), and Hidden Ships (grid coordinates). You can see all of SUMS Apps at www.numeracyapps.co.uk which also gives the links to the free online Flash mirror sites for each App.
  • SMART Vantage Technology Software- SMART Vantage allows access to data on how SMART Boards and projectors are being used in individual classrooms, throughout schools and across local authorities. This information provides valuable insight into their use which can reduce operating and maintenance costs, decrease hardware downtime. Features include Inventory, Profile configuration, Power management and scheduling, Projector bulb warning and customised reports.
  • Espresso- Watch out for new content on Robbie Burns, 'To a Mouse' on Espresso Primary this January. More specially commissioned content for Curriculum for Excellence will follow in 2012. For more information contact Gordon Herron
  • Languagenut- schools who have already signed up for the FREE Gaelic option will have FREE access to all other languages until 31st January 2012. Schools who have not signed up can do so here
  • Clicker 6 - latest version of Clicker now available from Crick Software
  • Sherston Publishing - you can now access the new release of Planet Sherston, complete with new graphics and teacher tools.

New to SS4E Website

Free Resources

New look for schoolscience.co.uk- ASE's resources website had been redesigned and enhanced to put greater emphasis on news and comments for the world of science education and to make the resources, most of which are free to download more accessible. The fresher design makes it easier to access hundreds of free resources including an enhanced Teacher Zone.

Special Offer

The new version of Penfriend XL, XL4.1, is available through Education Scotland. Penfriend XL 4.1 offers significant enhancements and new innovative features including:  a Homophone option in the prediction window to support literacy, type on hover to help mobility via Penfriend's flexible on-screen keyboard, speak on hover to support typing with the on- screen keyboard and a transparency option so you can see all your desktop Windows and icons when Penfriend is running. Penfriend have also produced a tutorial website, showing off all of the latest features. For the latest prices call Education Scotland on 0141 282 5000 or alternatively send an email.

Dates for your diary

Competitions

Win £5,000 worth of books for your school! - For those who are not attending BETT, you can still win £5,000 worth of books for your school. Simply take a short Accelerated Reader quiz on one of the top 10 most popular children's books, as voted for by UK pupils! The Book Challenge itself can be completed in less than a minute! For more information click here

Free Dockside EBook-Docksideis a brand new reading scheme which has been specifically developed to support the teaching of reading to older pupils who 'missed the reading train' first time around. With75 reading booksanda wide range of supporting teacher material, the scheme is systematic, clear and easy to implement in your school.Includes six structured stages to build confidence and ensure success;features characters, themes and language that older pupils can relate toand isIdeal for catch-up and intervention programmes.To receive a FREE sampleDocksideeBook to your inbox, simply email helennelson@risingstars-uk.com and the first 20 schools will receive a FREE eBook. Please note this offer closes 31stJanuary 2012.To find out more about the series visit here

 

If you require further information on the above please click on the appropriate web link. Please feel free to circulate this newsletter to any colleagues who may be interested. Feedback on this newsletter is welcome; please email kim.conway3@btinternet.com withyour comments. If you wish to stop receiving this newsletter, you can remove your address from the distribution list by sending a blank email with the subject 'unsubscribe' to kim.conway3@btinternet.com