Motivate long projects

Have a look
Long projects 2007-08
Long projects 2008-09

In 2008-09, we plan to run three long projects for secondary schools in the UK (international schools are also welcome, but we will need to charge an amount equivalent to that charged to UK schools this year):

• Experiments in Astronomy (Y7/Y8 students)
• "It's not that I'm smart" (Y7/8 students)
• Reading Between the Lines: Communicating in Code (Y8 students)

Our long projects start in September or early October and run through to the summer. We start with a teacher briefing by videoconference. For students, we provide two VCs per term, plus follow-up project work after each. At the start of each VC, we give the students an opportunity to tell us about the work they have done since we last met, then provide new content to motivate further follow-up work. The topics are cross-curricular, and we actively encourage schools to work on these projects in as many curriculum areas as possible. This has the advantage of reducing the pressure on any one curriculum area, while enabling students to see links between different subject areas and to appreciate how different disciplines can contribute to a better overall understanding.

We provide a virtual learning environment for each long project, with information about the project, a variety of resources for students to explore, additional notes as required, forums for teachers and for students, work and ideas posted by schools, and a calendar of major dates. Anyone involved in the project is welcome to contribute.

The images below link to moodle websites for the 2007-08 long videoconferencing projects, but access is limited to participating schools. However, 'Have a look!' is for anyone interested in seeing some of the materials we are using in these projects. There is a forum there for you to comment or ask questions which we will reply to as soon as possible.

2007-08

To access a site, click on the graphic for your long project. On your first visit you will be asked to set up a user account. You will need this userid and password every time you log into the site. On your first visit only, you will also be asked for an enrolment key which will be emailed to participating schools. If you are at a participating school and don't have it, please email Jenny Gage.

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