IT ideas needed

[creese]

In 14 week it will be the start of summer... for me.

 

I will be starting a 3 week stay in South Africa. I have worked with a Primary phase school there since 2004. My first trip was to set up a hodge podge of PCs flown over by the RAAF (Australian Air Force). It was a challenge just carrying them around at 6500 ft.

 

To get to my point of posting. I'm looking for IT related ideas and project in an area were pupils made have non to little power access, frequent power cuts... etc.

 

My project will be based around photography, baking (using wheat free and flour and dairy free ingredients), Modern Jive Dancing and possibly Wordpress (depending on the current IT situation).

 

I'm not a technician but have a more than decent grasp on IT and would like some project ideas, offers of small bits of equipment and anything really.

 

Thanks in anticipation.

[BassTech]

What about a twitter feed? You could use it to show pictures of your photography, baking and dancing projects and maybe use it as a fund-raising page for the school?

[creese]

What about a twitter feed? You could use it to show pictures of your photography, baking and dancing projects and maybe use it as a fund-raising page for the school?

 

Yes, great idea. I will be posting on a Blog so could feed that to Twitter & Facebook. I could get the kids involved in that too.

[Novalee]

This sounds incredible - how did you get involved with it?

[creese]

This sounds incredible - how did you get involved with it?

 

A friend who is a Head at a Primary school, in a different authority asked me to go in October 2004. Then I met someone from a secondary who asked me to go back in the February. I have been back twice more self funded and self organised. I now sponsor a 12 year old girl in the school.

[Novalee]

That is a wonderful thing to do - good for you. I would love to get involved in something like that.

 

As for ideas, I think the photography will fit in well with all of those topics, as you can take photo's of them - how about short films of them baking and dancing etc. and creating a movie in movie maker or something? If power would allow of course?

[plexer]

Raspberry pi's and solar panels.

 

Ben

[ICTLady]

Is there anyone in a UK school here who might like to set up a kind of online penpal relationship~? Kids in SA could take photos and blog about their lives/schoolday/current projects, kids in UK could do the same and they could comment on each others' blogs.

[creese]

That is a wonderful thing to do - good for you. I would love to get involved in something like that.

 

As for ideas, I think the photography will fit in well with all of those topics, as you can take photo's of them - how about short films of them baking and dancing etc. and creating a movie in movie maker or something? If power would allow of course?

 

Yes, I was hoping to combine all the elements as much as possible. The school often does cake sales and I produce some quite elaborate and decorative cakes that I could get the kids doing after I'm gone.

[creese]

Raspberry pi's and solar panels.

 

Ben

 

I had thought about the Pi, as we have someone in the office who uses them. I have never worked with one, which could be a problem. Solar panels was something I looked at years ago... I should take another look.

[Bompalompalomp]

First off, this is such a wonderful thing you're doing. Kudos!

 

Is there anyone in a UK school here who might like to set up a kind of online penpal relationship~? Kids in SA could take photos and blog about their lives/schoolday/current projects, kids in UK could do the same and they could comment on each others' blogs.

@creese, I've been asked to start an ICT club for September, and I'd love to get the kids involved in something like this if you would. Even if the internet access is unreliable or non-existent, there could be work-arounds.

I'm planning on involving a lot of photography, basic (stop motion) animation, the basics of systems and components and whatnot.

Depending on the kids and their ages/skill levels, maybe simple arduino projects would be more suitable for your situation than Raspberry Pis?

[creese]

First off, this is such a wonderful thing you're doing. Kudos!

 

 

@creese, I've been asked to start an ICT club for September, and I'd love to get the kids involved in something like this if you would. Even if the internet access is unreliable or non-existent, there could be work-arounds.

I'm planning on involving a lot of photography, basic (stop motion) animation, the basics of systems and components and whatnot.

Depending on the kids and their ages/skill levels, maybe simple arduino projects would be more suitable for your situation than Raspberry Pis?

 

I would be interested. It is near impossible to know what the situation is in regards to IT currently in the school. I do have contact with other schools there, including a Secondary.

I'll take a look at Arduino and see what I can do.

PM me your email and we can keep in touch. I think the S African kids could teach our's a lot about the value of education, so it's definitely a 2 way thing.