Mr P's ICT blog - Tech to raise standards!

So last week, I made this tongue in cheek video all about the struggles of dating a teacher using the app TextingStory : I have been thinking about how to use this FREE app in the classroom. Here are a few ideas I have: It is a great way to teach how to punctuate direct speech. Similar to this idea I blogged a while ago (click here.)  The app will help children visualise that the words spoken including the punctuation goes inside the speech bubble, so they must remember to put the words and punctuation in our inverted commas. You also see that we start a new line whenever a new character speaks.  The addition of emojis 😃 can also then help the development of adverbial phrases for the reporting clause. You can have a conversation between two characters to show shifts in formality.  The app can be used to have a simple conversation in another language such as French or Spanish to enhance your MFL lessons. As you can see from the example above, t...

I am a massive fan of the apps by TinyBop . I have previously blogged about some of their apps here. Their latest app is another fantastic addition to their range of high-quality education apps in the classroom. Mammals  allows children to immerse in the world of incredible animals to see how they play, eat, see, run, fly, grow, and feel. Every animal is interactive! Similar to their Human Body app, the app lets children explore each animal's anatomy — bones, fur, whiskers, and more. Designed for future zoologists to find out what makes mammals unique. My own children absolutely love playing, discovering and learning through play with this app. It would link perfectly with the upcoming KS1 Read Write Perform pack, but would also lend itself brilliantly to the Planet Earth pack too. This video shows you more of what the app contains: The wonderful team at TinyBop have very kindly given me 5 FREE codes to give away through my Facebook and Instagram account. To be i...

Another adventure with our hero, Mrs May! If you haven't already, please follow this link to read about signing your school up for the Superhero day . Make sure you subscribe to my channel on YouTube to see every #BeLikeMrsMay video.

Recently, I was interviewed for the fantastic Education On Fire podcast. In the interview, I was asked about my journey into the consultancy world, my views on technology in the classroom and the importance of teaching digital literacy. I want to thank Mark  for the opportunity. The interview was split into two parts (I must waffle) and the second part is now available. Please click the link below to listen. I would love to know your thoughts about the discussion we had. You can listen to part one of the interview here . Make sure you subscribe to the podcast as it has some amazing insights and conversations from some amazing classroom practitioners.

Recently, I was interviewed for the fantastic Education On Fire podcast. In the interview, I was asked about my journey into the consultancy world, my views on technology in the classroom and the importance of teaching digital literacy. I want to thank Mark  for the opportunity. The interview was split into two parts (I must waffle) and the first part is now available. Please click the link below to listen. I would love to know your thoughts about the discussion we had. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast as it has some amazing insights and conversations from some amazing classroom practitioners.

My latest VLOG, a teacher inspired music album featuring songs of all your favourite teacher catchphrases: Thank you to everyone who have also suggested songs to feature in Volume 2. If you have any please do tweet or facebook them to me.  Thank you so much to Emma who featured the video in an article for the Manchester Evening News. You can read it here -  http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/now-teaching-album-mrp-facebook-12911938

The next adventure with the renegade is here and we need your help! We have teamed up with Cash for Kids and When You Wish Upon a Star charities for their Superhero day on Friday 5th May. We want as many schools to sign up and get involved. I have a special challenge for teachers too, I want to see everyone embrace their teacher superhero and #BeLikeMrsMay. The staff who dress up as our teaching hero Mrs May will win a copy of all my books! For more information and to sign up visit: https://planetradio.co.uk/key/charity/events/superhero-day-key/ I hope you and your school can get involved and help this fantastic cause to raise as much money as possible to help those who need it!

Now when it comes to the curriculum, I would never consider myself an 'expert' in any area. I am passionate about many areas and feel I can be creative through computing to benefit most of the curriculum. But I want to let you into a little secret... I am terrible at Art. My drawing skills are woeful, I appreciate the subject and see the wonderful benefits and creativity it provides but I usually start every art lesson like: Even through technology, I have never been able to find an app or program that can take my dreadful efforts and turn them into something resembling what I had intended to draw.  UNTIL NOW! Yesterday, I came across this amazing web-based tool - AutoDraw.  Here is a short video explaining how it works: It is like an autocorrect for your doodles! Amazing! The website works on every device and is a great way to quickly create an image to be used in lots of other apps or programs for presentations, infographics, videos etc. An easy a...

Another VLOG on #lifeasateacher! Do you find yourself telling the children not to do something but then doing it yourself? If so, I'm sure you can relate to this:

How different teachers act during a singing assembly, the question is - which one are you?

If you follow and like my page on Facebook you will have seen the phenomenon of the #BeLikeMrsMay movement! Not only did we have teachers all over the country dress as the renegade: You've got to love it when so many other teachers embrace their inner renegade on #WorldBookDay A post shared by Lee Parkinson (@ict_mrp) on Mar 2, 2017 at 12:33pm PST I even received my own #BeLikeMrsMay coaster made by Vicky Hughes from St Andrews: Thank you Victoria for making this amazing #belikemrsmay coaster for me! A post shared by Lee Parkinson (@ict_mrp) on Mar 30, 2017 at 12:38pm PDT And as long as teachers enjoy the videos, I will continue to make them, so here are a couple of other adventures! If you know of a book featuring our hero, please drop me a message.