| What is different about the eZeSchools personalised learning platform? We already have a VLE so why would we need eZeSchools? How do I persuade my colleagues? Is it compatible? What safeguards are there against cyber-bullying, predator grooming, etc? How do we introduce it into our school? What about home? What if our parents can’t afford computers? What new equipment would we need to buy? What if we don’t have computers in every classroom? How do we introduce it into our school? What about home? What if our parents can’t afford computers? What about the 'Care Suite'? Q. What is different about the eZeSchools personalised learning platform? A. Simplicity and ease of use. eZe PLP™ is truly a school community platform – ownership is shared. All teachers can have their own online ‘lessons’, individually or shared within a department, and can add and edit their own resources. Pupils too, as well as accessing documents, programs and web links provided by teachers, can participate in discussion forums, journals, quizzes and surveys which are all built into the platform. Our PLP is not used to host commercial content. Q. We already have a VLE so why would we need eZeSchools?A. The eZeSchools concept is a ‘single sign-on environment’ giving access to a collection of tools, applications and online services, from a single supplier. Interoperability is thereby guaranteed. The best VLE is the VLE that best suits your intended use, your need for flexibility and openness, your budget for fixed and variable costs. Does your existing VLE meet the demands you place on it!? eZe PLP’s didactic functions enable: cooperation, collaboration and cross institutional working, communication, extended learning and support, testing and assessments, management of competencies and skills and the ability to add your own lesson plans and content. Q. How do I persuade my colleagues?A. eZe PLP™ is essentially a mind tool. It allows teachers to develop resources for their students in whatever way they wish. It is extremely easy to use. There is a minimal learning curve and even a totally new user can be up and running with the software in no more than about half an hour. The gradual introduction to the use of our PLP complements the evolutionary approach to change, which reflects the ethos of the school. Q. Is it compatible?A. Yes. The system is both hardware and software agnostic. No special equipment or plug-ins are required. It can be accessed anywhere in the world on any computer with Internet access and a web browser (such as Internet Explorer). Q. What safeguards are there against cyber-bullying, predator grooming, etc?A. It takes a community to keep children’s online experiences safe and constructive. Why a whole community? Because of the way the Internet has changed. Parents and families will always be their children’s best backup, putting into action the good sense and critical thinking they are instilling into their children. But just as children need their parents' help, families need their community’s support. Increasingly, parents, schools, law enforcement, and eZeSchools are working together to support children's Internet safety. Safeguards are maintained by providing a secure private platform for students, teachers and parents coupled with the combined use of system monitoring and reporting, Internet filtering appliances, firewalls, staff guidelines and student acceptable use policy. Q. How do we introduce it into our school?A. Schools often find that a couple of champions will introduce – it across a year group/subject area. Use of survey system – gets every pupil logging on. [[[Richard Sparks to supply]]]. Q. What about home?A. Once it is in use in school we find that pupils ask their parents for access at home, parents, once they know about the opportunities available, ask to join in. Q. What if our parents can’t afford computers?A. This is where the thin client solution is ideal. Q. What new equipment would we need to buy?A. None. Q. What if we don’t have computers in every classroom?A. The system is totally generic. Lessons, once created, are available in every possible scenario: lessons; revision; reinforcement. Q. How do we introduce it into our school?A. Schools often find that a couple of champions will introduce - it across a year group/subject area. Use of the survey system gets every pupil logging on. Q. What about home?A. Once it is in use in school we find that pupils ask their parents for access at home. Parents, once they know about the opportunities available, ask to join in. Q. What if our parents can’t afford computers?A. This is where the thin client solution is ideal. eZeSchools provides a complete solution for schools and their communities through its non-profit joint venture with evolvedIT. Q. What about the 'Care Suite'?A. Schools report the following: ‘We are confident that this will be used as another opportunity for students to express their feelings and concerns alongside the support mechanisms we already have in place.’ |