Yesterday Microsoft released Photosynth as a free download.

If you haven't seen what it can do, go to the site and watch the video. Rather than rewrite the entire announcement, I'll just direct you to Brandon LeBlanc's Blogsite. He has done a great job in detailing all of the relevant information.

Now what I want to try for the 1st time is to run a competition for Northern Ireland Students. You must have a Live ID, so if you don't have one sign up now.

Then, create your own Photosynth and send me the link to it. The 3 best submissions will each receive a copy of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.

All entries must must be received by October 12th.

Please include your name, school and school year.

Email your Photosynth link to: ni-stic@microsoft.com 

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the project.

Microsoft announced yesterday that Live Mesh is now available in Ireland. It had previously been available in the UK. If you haven't looked at Live Mesh before now you really should.

"Live Mesh puts you at the centre of your digital world, seamlessly connecting you to the people, devices, programs, and information you care about—available wherever you happen to be."

You can see a terrific video on what Live Mesh is and what it does HERE

I've been playing with it for about 20 minutes and I've already been able to set up my work laptop with my Demo Workstation in the STIC. It was very easy to get up and running and the sync timing is incredibly fast. I've also been able to invite people to Share a folder so we can collaborate on a project we planning for the coming school year.

You can see more details and support information on Martha Rotter's Blog. If you haven't bookmarked her site, you really should.

I thought I'd give a shout out  for all of the hard work put in by the Northern Ireland A Level students. This is the article from the BBC website this morning:

NI students top of A-level class

Three Foyle and Londonderry College pupils celebrate straight As

Northern Ireland A-Level students have again outperformed those in England and Wales, with 35.4% gaining an A grade compared to the 25.9% overall figure.

Despite fears of declining interest in science subjects, Biology was the most popular A-Level with 10.9% studying it.

Girls again outperformed boys, but the gap between those achieving A grades this year narrowed from 3.9% to 2.5%.

Students disappointed by their results were advised by the Careers Service not to make any hasty decisions.

Careers advisor Margaret McGuigan said students should be careful if they did not get the grades they wanted.

"They feel they just need to take a course, for the sake of a course. We would utter a word of caution, just try not to make hasty decisions," she said.

Students who want to query a grade can ask for a remark. Last year, about 200 students got higher grades after paying for a remark, but applications must be made by 22 August.

Traditional subjects

Northern Ireland's awarding body, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CEA), said traditional subjects remained the most popular.

Biology was the most commonly taken subject, followed by English, Mathematics, History and Religious Studies.

There was a increase in Chemistry and Biology entries, while Physics remained constant, CEA said.

Languages also continue to do well, the examinations body said, with increased entries in French and German and a slight decrease in Irish and Spanish.

Overall, the gap between girls and boys achieving A to E grades was just 0.5%.

The number of students receiving A-Level grades was 30,020, a slight decrease for the third year running.

Students or parents with concerns over results should contact CCEA's Exams Helpline on 028 9026 1260, email helpline@ccea.org.uk, or visit the frequently asked questions section of the CCEA website

Well done to all of you !!!

Innovative Teachers Global Forum Awards

The Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum Awards is a global event that takes place annually with the worldwide event being held in Bangkok, Thailand from November 3rd thru the 6th.

In Northern Ireland the 2008 Innovative Teachers Forum Awards will be held in partnership with the Regional Training Unit (RTU), Classroom 2000 (C2k) and the Microsoft School Technology Innovation Centre (STIC)

Are you using ICT in an innovative way to enhance teaching and learning?

Are you using technology in a way that is new and exciting for your school?

Special consideration given for projects using Microsoft OneNote 2007

Innovative Teachers Prize

The 2 winning Teacher submissions will each win:

· Round trip flights from Belfast to Bangkok, Thailand

· 4 nights accommodation

· The opportunity to represent their school and Northern Ireland at the annual Innovative Teachers Forum Awards.

What is an innovation?

Teaching and learning is innovative if it is new and ground breaking in the context of the institution where it is being applied. What this means is that even if a school has only had computers for a short space of time, if teachers are doing something exciting with them, then they are being innovative. Other schools may have had technology for a long time, but their teachers are innovative if they continue to come up with new ways to enhance teaching and learning through the integration of ICT.

What is an innovative teacher?

•  An innovative teacher is someone who teaches in a way that is new or groundbreaking at the school, while integrating ICT to support that teaching.

•  An innovative teacher is someone who uses ICT in new or groundbreaking ways.

•  An innovative teacher can demonstrate that teaching and learning has improved as a result of the approaches used.

How can teachers nominate themselves?

Firstly, you must register on the Northern Ireland Innovative Teachers website (www.innovativeteachersni.com)

Only Northern Ireland Teachers are eligible !!!

All details and contact information are available once you're registered on the NI site.

Submit a written description of your innovation using the Virtual Classroom Tour (VCT) template provided on the Northern Ireland Innovative Teachers sharesite. This can be accessed after you’ve registered for the site here or on my STIC website SkyDrive

The judging panel will be from a select group of Microsoft, RTU and C2k panelists. The two finalists will be selected to attend the Worldwide Innovative Teachers Forum Awards in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2008 sponsored by Microsoft. Transportation and accommodation is included.

Northern Ireland winners will then be entered into the worldwide competition at the event with the overall winners receiving special rewards from Microsoft Corporation.

Deadlines

All entries must be received before midnight on 26^th of September, 2008.