The ICT Strategy Review

The review and rewrite of the ICT Strategy continues apace, with the aim of a final draft being in schools on return after the Easter break.

Schools will have received information this week on how to access the draft copy of the new strategy and the review commentary (go to http://ictinfo.waltham-forest.gov.uk and click the link on the front page labelled NEW STRATEGY, which should download a zip file with the draft copy, the old strategy and the review document ).

If you would like online access to view the document remotely, drop me an email and access can be granted to the document within 24 hours

There will be several online discussions and forums available from the site for colleagues to make comments known virtually linked to that document including the ability to reply to this thread in the blog..

Schools leaders and ICT colleagues are invited to join us at the CLC on Weds 21^st March (10-2), Fri 23^rd March (12-2) and on Thurs 29^th March (12-5) to make feedback and comments for the final version in person.

Are you ready for the new office?

You can only have been under a rock if you hadn't noticed that Microsoft had launched Vista and a new version of Office lately...
However, how many of you have it in schools? Particularly Office?

What about the kids? How many of them have the software at home?

Particularly this office version, this is a key question as the new Office default file extension is the .docX xml file type

MS have released a 27mb compatibility pack for older versions of office to let users of those versions of office view the new xml file types.

I really would recomnmend downloading and running the pack from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=941B3470-3AE9-4AEE-8F43-C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en

Before students come to you unable to open coursework on your machines...

MLE Procurement Update

As you will be aware we are in the process of evaluating two MLE providers (Fronter and Ramesys) to provide a MLE for Waltham Forest schools. The evaluation process continues throughout March with a hoped for decision of preferred supplier early in the new financial year.

The evaluation group will be meeting before half term to spend a day with each supplier and test the learning platforms for suitability and usability within the range of schools and pupils in Waltham Forest and should have spoken to Christian directly about the evaluation criteria.

Can we again extend our thanks to the head teachers who have made staff available to be part of this evaluation team and details of the final evaluation will be made public after the event has concluded.