wondering if anybody can help with some input for a uni project

[needsomehelpASAP]

so long story short I?ve just got my degree but progressing on to honours this year but have decided what I?m currently doing (web design) isn?t for me and I intend to apply for my pgde in primary teaching next year

Anyways what I?m looking for is to try and base my honours project on something I can build (web/programming related) that would benefit primary schools/primary teaching, so when I apply for my pgde I can show them I?m really interested in primary teaching

so is there anything you can think of that you think would be beneficial in a class room that children can do on a computer or indeed they could do at home that isn?t already out there. This could be absolutely anything as long as it doesn?t already exist. I?m also very keen and willing to do a lot of research on this so even if it?s for a child with learning difficulties is there something that can be built to help aid them in their learning (I had an idea of a social networking type site for use within school only, were children could talk to teachers if they were having any issues etc. and didn?t want to say it face to face but it?s not the best idea and tbh I don?t even think it would be allowed due to ages etc.) HELP ME lols

i know this is a bit of a long shot but worth a try and sorry if I?ve posted in wrong board wasn?t really sure were to put it

Thanks in advance to anybody even taking the time to read this hope you understand what it is I?m aiming to do

No idea if this fits with what you are thinking. But I've noticed a lot of schools (particularly primaries,) websites are not very good. Could you come up with some sort of template so that more schools could have something user friendly & easy to keep up to date? And then perhaps (more inline with your educational objective,) it could be extended so that the children themselves could have input, (probably the ks2s). I think itd be great if kids could learn a bit about creating/maintaining websites & given some ownership, to update information (adding newsletters or book reviews, reports on school plays or articles on what they've been doing etc).

No idea if it's been done or how doable it is, (not my area of expertise at all). But my kids school website (and some others I've looked at,) are pretty poor and I certainly think its missing a trick not to get the kids involved.

I think that idea is great - our school's website is terrible and needs a massive overhaul. Changes to Ofsted suggest it is a very good idea for them to have good websites in the future as they will provide plenty of info before the unscheduled visit ours doesn't even have accurate closure dates usually

i think this is quite hard as it would require in depth specialist knowledge of the issue? like for example if you developed a programme to help children with speech difficulties you would need a speech therapist to basically design it with you. you cant just randomly do it?

But there has been stuff in news about languages for 7 year olds lately, maybe you could do something around that? spanish games for english speaking children? or options in multiple languages? based on the syllabus that the ks2 will be following in languages?

What about a system incorporating electronic registers with text messages to parents/carers. So if a child is not in school by 9.00 (or whatever time they start) a text is sent to the parent.

If the child doesn't turn up in the next 10 mins then a message goes to the head to phone parent.

It could also SMS some standard messages such as:

We are closed because of snow
X needs PE kit for 2.00pm can you bring one in?4
Y has used his/her inhaler at (insert time) and add is fine / is wheezy / may need to go home / we have called an ambulance
X has had a fall, only bruising etc.

Have regular updates re end of term, dress up days, non uniform etc.

Now the bit that will make both teachers and parents happy (more linked to secondary though) - devise a system where before parents' evening parents rank the teachers they want to see from 1-10, they will get to see 1-5 and as many other teachers as possible. link this with buttons / computers on teacher's deske so when one parent has finished an SMS goes to the next parent - unlless that parent is still with another teacher, in that case you call the next doen the list.

Reading fluency (ie how quickly you can read, not just can you read) and precision teaching (how many X can you do in a minute - now can you beat it?) are areas that aren't well covered by existing program's.

PM me, I think you could do something excellent around precision teaching of reading if you have the time to put into it........

Hi needsomehelpASAP

In terms of maths - a website for YR/ Y1 ages 4 - 6 that explores all number bonds 2 - 20 (not just 10 and 20) would be a tremendous help.

Children need to see the full pattern and then have practice working out answers across a mixture of possible sums - so for example

1 + 16 = 17
2 + 15 = 17
3 + 14 = 17
4 + 13 = 17
5 + 12 = 17
6 + 11 = 17
7 + 10 = 17
8 + 9 = 17
9 + 8 = 17
10 + 7 = 17
11 + 6 = 17
12 + 5 = 17
13 + 4 = 17
14 + 3 = 17
15 + 2 = 17
16 + 1 = 17

I think there is a real shortage of accessible practice for number bonds/ number patterns.

if this could be incorporated with simple graphics of objects as well (so children can count up aloud at first and then gradually shift to numbers) all the better.

HTH

Sorry - forgot to say - it could progress from visualisation of number bonds with objects - to number bonds with numerals - and then to practice with sums (addition) and then inverse operation (subtraction - so 17 - 3 = ?). All could be reinforced with visual clues (17 strawberries and if you click three slide away - so you can count up 14 strawberries left).

HTH

yes... ooo yes...

also check out the new curiculum as there may be new things in there that are not currently catered for.

many thanks everybody for your kind replys i half expected to come back and have none lols so thank you all for taking the time to respond

my project has to take me pretty much a full year to build so needs to be quite complicated (code wise) and i also need to be able to write loads and loads of stuff about everything.

i like alot of the ideas i think i could combine most of them in to one system so it benefits both the children teachers and even the parents (i like the whole text messaging service part) will defo have a gd read over all of your replys first thing tomorow just about to go have dinner (at this time i know im sooooo hungry)

but again thank you so much for the reply and any more input is greatly appreciated

IndigoBell ive tried sending you a PM but it wont let me if you want to send me one
thank you :)

Yes to a template for school websites. Could be linked to the uniform suppliers for ordering, links to the different salary sacrifice providers, infomation on local childminders who will collect from the school or other after school providers, local pre schools etc etc

This could include some of the other suggestions

asking teachers a question

some of the on-line tests/learning stuff etc etc

thank you RandomMess, i was looking more for an educational programm not sure my supervisor will pass on the template website but im going to have a look over everything tonight and see what i can come up with

anymore suggestions welcome :)

Template for school website
template for school newsletter
template for class newsletter

template for children to take notes about the books they are reading at school (might already exist, I don't know)

there are lots of games for phonics, but I haven't found one that helps children blend sounds together for 'tricky words'

I have a son with a speech disorder and always thought that a game helping children to pronounce words properly, before they actually start learning phonics (so for children nursery age, 3-4 year old) where parents or teachers can input photos of their own schools, friends, teachers, activities, etc would be brilliant. And for the child to record their own voice.

I used to be involved a lot in e learning in a college, not sure if there is a big push on it in primary schools but a few things we used to do it making resources available online, linking to things that already exist that would help with the subject, lots of enphasis on not reinventing the wheel and then some self marking quizzes that can test the knowledge learned. Seem to remember a lovely bit of software called hot potatoe that could be used to make all sorts of different quizzes.

From a parents point of view it would be nice to see some of the school work.

I wouldn't choose a maths based prog. There are lots out there. Mangamaths is our fav.

There is a widely used text messaging service. Don't know the name but Bob Geldolf an investor

See this thread to eliminate ideas already out there www.mumsnet.com/Talk/gifted_and_talented/1346676-useful-websites