Useful ICT and Computing Conferences coming up
With the new Computing Programme of Study looming on the horizon, there are a number of conferences and other events coming up in the near future. Here’s a list of some of them. The Education Show isn’t specifically about ICT or Computing, but there are seminars in those areas so it’s definitely worth looking at.
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Preparing for the new Computing Curriculum
Another very useful-looking conference from the Westminster Forum people. Taking place on 26th February, it features a keynote by David Brown, HMI National Lead for ICT at Ofsted.
Education Innovation Conference
Two days of sessions covering mobile devices, the new Computing curriculum, and a range of other topics. Taking place in Manchester on 27th and 28th February, this conference is free to attend.
Education Innovation conference
This takes place in Manchester, England, 27th-28th Feb and has some very interesting sessions.
Link: http://educationinnovation.co.uk
Digital Festival
This takes place on 11th-12th March. It’s a JISC event, and so would suit those in Higher Education especially.
Link: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/events/jisc-digital-festival-2014-11-mar-2014/programme
The Hour of Code in UK Schools
UK Hour of Code by code.org plans to be the biggest ever national initiative to get students, teachers and parents learning to code in just one hour, over the week of 3 - 9 March 2014. The campaign intends to help teachers and students get ahead of curriculum changes which will require school children to cover computer science from September 2014.
Students will be able to learn the basic skills of computer programming in sixty minutes, through fun tutorials that feature well-known characters from apps and games. Suitable for all ages and abilities, neither students nor teachers need any prior experience to use the self-guided materials that are accessible for free on the UK Hour of Code website via computers, tablets, and smartphones.
UK Hour of Code is led by code.org and supported by e-skills UK, Tech City UK, founders4schools, and a wide range of supporters of computing in education. Further information can be found at uk.code.org, where interested parties can also register to participate.
Technology in Education
This takes place on 4th March. What it’s about:
- An opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the government’s role in making the UK a world leader in exploiting technology in education
- A chance to establish and reinforce partnerships between schools, colleges, universities, industry and volunteers
- Hear from institutions leading the way in adopting technology and gain knowledge crucial to making appropriate funding decisions
There’s an impressive list of speakers, with some from the recently-formed Education Technology Action Group (ETAG), and an interesting agenda that includes talks that address such topics as “Creating a risk-free culture: encouraging experimentation with technology”.
It’s free to attend if you are in a public sector organisation.
Behind the Screen event
There is a Behind The Screen day on 12th March in London. I hope to review the Behind the Screen materials soon.
In the meantime, here are the essential details:
Want real world, problem based projects to help deliver the new computing curriculum to your students?
Want the latest technology industry insights to share with your pupils?
This event is free. Limited number of places.
To register, go to www.behindthescreen.org.uk/marchevent
For more info, please contact Joanna Scott: joanna.scott@e-skills.com or 0207 963 8966
0207 963 8966
Implementing the new Computing Curriculum
Run by the Modern Government organisation, this takes place on 19th March. It features some excellent speakers, and a brilliant, wonderful and all-round amazing Chair. Erm, maybe I should mention that I am the Chair for the day, so I may be slightly biased!
Special offer!
If you like the look of this conference (and how could you not?), you can obtain a £50 discount on the price. For subscribers to Digital Education only!
The Education Show
Taking place from the 20th to 22nd March, the Education Show is not confined to Computing and educational technology. I was able to find only two seminars about Computing, though I daresay there will be a few exhibitors there offering tech products.
Much of the information in this article first appeared in Digital Education, our free newsletter.
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