New Stylus for iPad

I had the pleasure of working on the TTS Group Stand at the acclaimed Education ICT Bett Show this year (Jan 30 - Feb 1 2013).

TTS have just released a new set of affordable resources for the iPad in schools.

Poppy drawn with iCrayon in Brushes app

Something I almost overlooked, but now Im convinced I could not work without in a classroom, are the new range of styluses. Check out the iCrayon at just £5.99 or the Paint brush stylus for something even more sophisticated with an interchangeable head.

Once you pick up the iCrayon you will be reluctant to put it down again. Not only do I use it for drawing and painting but also find myself using it across a whole range of apps including Explain Everything, Showbie and Bee-bot.

This is my first attempt at painting a flower using the Brushes App, so much easier to do with an iCrayon than your finger! - have to say Im quite pleased with the result......

Just one last thing I need to do - get my class set of iCrayons ordered! 

New Beebot Pyramid App released

Beebot Pyramid

Im pleased to be able to announce that TTS (@TTS_group) have now released their new Beebot Pyramid App - available from the App store.  At just 0.69p this brings you some fab problem solving opportunities.  
Whilst the original free Beebot App is suitable for Early Years and Key Stage 1 children, the Pyramid App will challenge many of your more able pupils at Key Stage 2.

Use a set of commands to control Bee-Bot through 12 levels of an ancient Egyptian pyramid.  You will need to collect keys to unlock doors, collect treasure along the way and avoid the terrifying Mummies which are intent on blocking your progress - not to mention beating the clock too!

This App encourages directional language, sequencing and problem solving and is ideal for supporting aspects of  Maths and continued learning at home. 

Have fun!

For more information contact me: barbaraainscough@mac.com
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New Bee-Bot App

via @TTS_group  Now available….the new Bee-Bot app! - Find it on itunes here 

The new Bee-Bot App is developed from the award-winning Bee-Bot floor robot. The app makes use of Bee-Bot's keypad functionality and enables children to improve their skills in directional language and programming through sequences of forwards, backwards, left and right 90 degree turns.

The app has been developed with 12 levels encouraging progression. Each level is timed and the faster it is completed the more stars you get! The levels are set in an engaging garden scenario and will appeal from age 4 upwards.

The app is for iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch®. To download the app free of charge click here.


For more information contact me: barbaraainscough@mac.com

Follow @boobelle

Easi-Speak Microphone

Easi-Speak Microphone


The Easi-Speak is a USB microphone that allows you to record your voice (singing or speaking) and is suitable for students of all ages -they are guaranteed to bring your lessons alive!


Easily affordable, Easi-Speak can be purchased either as a single item or as a pack of five. Highly practical, made from robust plastic they are available in either black or yellow, you really don’t need to worry about even the youngest children handling these.


The great thing about the microphone is that no batteries are ever required, you simply charge it directly from your computer via the USB port. And if its time you’re short of and always want to make sure the microphones are fully charged and ready to use you can also purchase the Easi-speak charging hub for around £14.00. Easi-Speak really is very easy to use and is great for inclusion - students of all abilities can use them with little or no support from an adult. Once you have made a recording you can choose to download it as an MP3 or WAV file and use the sound recordings in third party software such as Garageband Podcasting, iMovie, Audacity and Moviemaker to make your own radio shows, interviews, adverts and news broadcasts.


The microphone does have a rewind and fast forward button on it but it can be a bit tricky trying to find the correct recording to use in the space of a lesson. It is far easier to download all recordings direct to your computer, play-back and listen, select the correct one to save and use, and at the same time delete the ones you don’t want.
A more expensive model is also available - the Easi-Speak Pro. Designed in a metallic silver casing, with a professional look, it probably has a greater appeal to an older audience. This offers additional features such as:

• Single touch record and simple playback (WAV or MP3)
  
• Integrated USB and rechargeable lithium battery
  
• LCD screen with integrated menu system, showing the
  track number playing, battery life, memory status and
  recording format
  
• Dual headphone sockets
  

Ive recommended the use of Easi-Speak in many curriculum areas, for example you could use them in PSHE, Literacy or Citizenship for various ‘Think and discuss issues’ such as ‘Smoking’, ‘Should we ban bull- fighting?’ or ‘Is it cruel to have animals in a Circus?’.
After a whole class discussion ask your students to break out into smaller groups and discuss the issue further. You could use the microphones for a ‘for and against’ debate. After a degree of planning some students could record their key questions and concerns on the microphone and then play them back to have their questions answered by the class. If you have more time, why not follow this up with a series of individual student reports based on the group discus- sions and questions that have been raised. Students could go on to use the Easi-Speak to record their opinion on the matter. These could then be downloaded and used in a school radio broadcast or podcast.

• In Geography you could be looking at the theme of Natural Disasters around the world - ask the students to write a script and create a news report as if they were actually there at the time the event took place.
  
• In English why not bring some life into persuasive writing with the use of the Easi-Speak. Ask the students to create a radio advert linked to ‘Healthy Eating’, the benefits of exercise and promote a ‘Walking to School campaign’ or a ‘Campaign against dropping litter’ or ‘Dog fouling’.
  
• In History you could set a challenge to describe an historical artefact in under 75 words from the Viking or Roman era and see if other students can guess what the artefact is based on its description.
  
• Use Easi-Speak in Art to talk about the techniques used by a particular artist or in Spanish to practice conversational language. 
  

For more information contact me: barbaraainscough@mac.com

Follow @boobelle