'Sports Reports' is a one-day event for Year 9 Gifted and Talented students that integrates a wide range of ICT tools such as videoconferencing and digital video. This DfES and Becta supported programme supports the development generic learning skills such as thinking skills, speaking and listening, and styles of writing in a vocational context.
Context
'Sports Reports' requires pupils to apply generic learning skills such as problem solving, thinking skills, speaking and listening, independence and group work to overcome a series of barriers as they strive to generate professional ICT based solutions within a limited time frame.
Set within the context of a large sports event, 'Sports Reports' requires pupils to create a newspaper, website and digital video reports as results and news becomes available from 'Sports Reports Games'. Videoconferencing plays a major role within this one-day event: providing pupils with an insight as to how journalists work via live discussions with experts from this field; facilitating communication between teams in different schools; and in 'moving the goal posts' as the event occurs - posing problems for pupils to respond to within their teams, such as reorganising content as news of a drugs failure by an athlete becomes known.
Thanks to previous funding from the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) and now from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Wakefield schools and those of five partners Local Authorities are able to loan an extensive range of ICT tools to facilitate the one day event: videoconferencing, digital video, and audio recording equipment. This makes this event accessible for all. Video conferenceconnectivity across the regional broadband network is facilitated by the use of JVCS on the JANET network. In Yorkshire and Humberside all schools have the ability to video conferenceacross broadband thanks to the infrastructure put in place by the YHGfL and UKERNA.
Transforming Learning/Creativity
This programme supports the transformation of learning and creativity by offering opportunities for students to learn through the use of new media and contexts.
'Sports Reports' is not just a one day event for gifted and talented pupils but also a full programme of study for the Year 9 ICT curriculum. The six units of work have been written for delivery to the whole Year 9 cohort in ICT lessons. This brings new, exciting and engaging content - such as using videoconferencing, creating digital video and audio 'podcasts'.
'Sports Reports' has already proven itself as an excellent event where students apply life skills - skills that the DfES are looking to develop new curriculum opportunities to enhance, as pupils prepare for the world of employment. Although set within an ICT context, where pupils have to apply their capabilities developed throughout key stage 3, the skills supported and developed through this event are required by all subject areas.
Blended learning is a key feature of the one-day event. Broadband connectivity is used to transform learning through the use of videoconferencing and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to provide support and tasks for the teams.
Supporting Other Curriculum Areas
'Sports Reports' skills development also supports pupil transfer from key stage 3 to 4. Again, the skills developed throughout the units of work and one-day event are essential for success in accredited courses.
'Sports Reports' has embedded literacy and numeracy links, particularly in relation to speaking, listening and styles of writing, e.g. journalistic, factual.
This project also encourages the use of videoconferencing as a teaching and learning tool, not only by the provision within the programme but also by giving teachers hands-on experience of its potential, with their own pupils in their own classrooms, for bringing new curriculum based opportunities to their practice such as access to museums and galleries. The associated support and training cements this. Similar can be said for the use of digital video - a tool in its infancy within ICT classrooms. Few schools have this resource embedded in their ICT curriculum.
Finally, 'Sports Reports' aims to raise awareness and aspirations relating to large sporting events of the future. These students are potential athletes, employees and observers of such events.
Students and Teams
School will run this event with 20 gifted and talented students from Year 9. Before the day you will need to identify these students and allocate them to a team for the event:
Newspaper Team: 3 students
Website Team: 3 students
Video Team: 6 students
Editors: 3 students
Journalists: 5 students
During the day the students will work independently on tasks which they are allocated via their own area on the VLE. Their work is guided during the day by the 'Reporter at the Games' who talks to them at regularintervals via video conference, providing instructions, news updates and monitoring their progress as they work. Students are expected to managetheir own time and plan their work together in their teams. they are expected to work independentlythroughout the day, with all their activities supported by the VLE.
Running the Day
Just before the event you will be given a teacher username and password for the VLE. This will give you access to the resource sharing area that your students will be using within the VLE. These are safe and secure tools and access to these will allow you to monitor proceedings. 'The Reporter at the Games' also has access to these tools. Each student is provided with their own log in to the VLE on the day.
With the username and password you will also be able to access a small number of resources that will need to see before the event, such as a Powerpoint presentation for use with the students at the beginningof the day to introduce the tasks.
The school timetable for the day has to be shared with the 'Reporter at the Games' beforehand so that timings for the video conference calls can be agreed before hand. The timetable includes a structurefor the day.
During the day technical support should be available to ensure that technical issues do not hold up proceedings. Equipment
The Sports Reports event requires students to to use a wide range of ICT tools to produce a wide range of ICT outcomes - website, newspaper, digital video and podcasts. Your school is loaned all the equipment to run this day:
Digital video camera;
Tripod;
Laptop for digital video editing using Pinnacle Studio 9 (pre-installed);
Digital camera;
Digital dictaphone;
Webcam; and
Speakers.
Some of these devices need USB connection to a desktop PC that students can use: e.g.
Digital dictaphone; and
Digital camera.
If students do not generally have access to USB ports or are unable to install these devices a temporary solution may be needed.
This equipment will be delivered about a week before you run the event. However, there is some preparation work by your technician needed to connect to video conferencing.
Setting up for Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing is used during the event.
If you have your own equipment the event requires the equipment to be placed in the IT suite to be used on the day. If this is not possible as the equipment cannot be physically moved please follow the instructions as if you didn't have your own equipment.
If you don't have your own equipment it can be loaned to you for the event or you may purchase your own. A good webcam and the Polycom PVX software make a good videoconferencing package for beginners. You can purchase your own copy of Polycom PVX with a good Logitec QuickCam Pro 5000 webcam from companies for 115-150 Pounds if you prefer to own this out right.
Direct Visual can provide a good web camera and the polycom software.
The polycom PVX software needs to be installed on a good desk top PC or laptop which is connected to the YHGfL Broadband Curriculum Network (10. IP address) which is connected to a projector.
PVX_factsheet.pdf
Installing_Polycom_PVX.pdf
Polycom_PVX_settings_and_activation.pdf
Video calls in the UK via the National Education Network use an E164 number which is registered for your school. (This is the equivalent of your unique mobile phone number) The connection between two videoconferencing end points (web cameras) is established via an online booking service, JVCS, and the E164 number is used to identify the participants. Once your school has an E164 number you can follow the document below to add the Polycom PVX settings. To set up and register the E164 number you will need to contact David Fleming at ITCAS. David.fleming@kirklees.gov.uk (860) 5724
You will also need to complete a Quality Assurance Test to check your system works as well as it possibly can. Janet Videoconferencing Service (JVCS) will do this. This 10 minute test is done over video conferenceto check elements such as the ambience of the room. A guide to booking one of these is provided below:
JVCS
Booking_a_Quality_Assurance_Test_with_JVCS.pdf
Audacity is free software available on the Internet. This software allows students to edit audio files from the digital dictaphone and convert their files to an MP3 file. This needs to be installed on at least one PC. Follow the link below to download the software:
Audacity
A lame.dll also needs to be downloaded from the Audacity web siteto enable MP3 creation. The manufacturers of Audacity are now permitted to distribute this file but provide links to web sites that can provide it. Once downloaded the lame.dll file need adding to one of the installation files. The first time an MP3 file is exported (File>Export as MP3) you will be asked to locate this file.
Click on the link below to obtain the lame.dll file:
Lame.dll
How can we use videoconferencing after Sports Reports?
Once you are registered with Janet Videoconferencing Service (JVCS), you have an E164 number and your network has been configured properly you are set up to do video conference .SportsReports is only available in Local Authorities within the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Broadband Consortium that have actively developed videoconferencing connectivity. This has been developed in conjunction with the national UKERNA project in creating the National Education Network. Consult with your Local Authority and RBC if you plan to developing videoconferencing.
UKERNA
Yorkshire and Humberside Grid for Learning
There are many uses for videoconferencing. Videoconferencing is a great tool for engaging your students and in providing new experiences for them. Many museums and galleries offer access to their experts via video conference.Take at look at the links below:
Global-Leap
Centre for Interactive Learning
A guide to booking a video conference with Global-Leap is provided below. Email Mike Griffith at mikeg@global-leap.com for more information and support.
Booking_a_videoconference_with_Global-Leap_Version_3.pdf
You can also link to other classrooms around the world by booking a video conference witha partner school via JVCS. (Looking for a partner? Global-Leap may be able to support you).
Booking_a_videoconferencing_slot_on_JVCS_-_JANET.pdf
Looking for another event similar to Sports Reports? Take a look at the National Space Centre's e-Missions.
e-Missions
Contacts:
For further information about Sports Reports contact ITCAS 22 (860) 5724
For technical support on setting up video conferencing contact David Fleming at ITCAS
david.fleming@kirklees.gov.uk
eileen.torr@kirklees.gov.uk