Welcome to the June 2006 Learning Platform eNewsletter

New LP Advice sheets available

LP and IWBs - LP and Course Shells - Using the Virtual Locker - Classroom Assistants and LP - LP Entry and Basic Navigation - Preparation Advice (newly extended) -

Go to the Documents area of the Help Web site

New product demonstrations
Now available is a product demonstration for the new SIMS Curriculum & Lesson Planner solution. This product demonstration gives you a ‘show me’ tour of the main functionality. This, along with other product demonstrations are available here.
Also available now is SIMS Learning Gateway - a web based application offering teachers, parents and students access to basic SIMS .net data and routines (including direct access to Learning Platform) from any web connected computer in the world. It also allows a single log-in for ALL functionality, including the VLE. Find out more here.
Improvements to your VLE
Granada have released Learnwise 2.5 which offers improvements and new features. We will be rolling out LW2.5 before the summer holidays and will be in touch via eamil with more detail soon. In the meantime you can find information about the changes and a new Click Trails document here.   There is a new Learnwise 2-5 Help Web Site which reflects the new version.

Have you used your LP Day 4 visit?

Schools typically buy a 4-day support package for LP. Many of you have not yet used up the 4th day. You can use this day for LP work; OR you can use it for a site visit for general SIMS .net support in any area you like.

To make a booking for either purpose, call 01234 838080 and ask to speak to the Professional Services Team.

The LP Share Site

Many of you will have already enrolled on the LP Share site - it 'died' recently and I'm afraid that all users will have to register here before they can  enter here.

For those who haven't been yet, it offers dedicated Forum discussion spaces for all curriculum areas, demonstration courses showing advanced quiz design techniques, a pdf version of the main teacher training manual and a wide range of courses from schools using LP. Any course you see there can be loaded to your VLE for you to use and edit as you see fit - just email Mike Lydiat with the request giving the exact course name and your own school name.

If you have forgotten your log-in details just register again - you may find you need to vary your login name slightly.

Learning Platforms – DfES Guidance

The term learning platform describes a broad range of ICT systems used to deliver and support learning.  The government’s target is that all pupils will be able to access a personalised online workspace, capable of supporting an e-portfolio, by 2007-08. 

DfES 2005

The DfES has published booklets for primary and secondary schools providing clear policy and funding guidelines to support the use of learning platforms in schools. Titled ‘Learning Platforms – Making IT Personal’ - Secondary version available here; and Primary version available here.

Look out for funding updates and information on learning platforms in the monthly SIMS eNewsletters

SIMS .net Assessment Manager 

An increasing number of schools are using the SIMS .net Assessment Manager module and more classroom teachers than ever are appreciating its reporting and analysis capabilities. There is a routine within LP which allows you to export a Learning Log xml file for your course which Assessment Manager can import for manipulation. More details are given here.

Contact Us

We welcome any feedback from you about the content of the eNewsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for content, please email the editor, Mike Lydiat.

Remember that the central Helpline number for all Learning Platform issues is 0845 600 2785 or you can contact them via email.