NEWS

‘Magic mirror’ learning tool shines

A Middlesex University student has created an augmented reality learning tool to help teach primary children numeracy, literacy and role-playing games. “Guubes” turns computer screens or interactive whiteboards into a “magic mirror” by overlaying three-dimensional models, two-dimensional images, sounds and other information. Children can see themselves alongside graphics including animals, monsters and numbers. The tool is free to use at school or at home. Visit www.guubes.com

Pupils produce radio adverts

Children at Ashton on Mersey School in Cheshire have produced two radio adverts for a local station thanks to a partnership with web hosting provider UKFast. This project was the latest in an ongoing relationship with the company, which aims to encourage more young people to pursue a career in ICT. UKFast has been working with the school on its ICT diploma by running seminars and workshop days, assigning and judging projects and offering site visits and work experience to pupils.

‘Bored rigid’ by curriculum

ICT lessons are “boring pupils rigid” because teachers must follow an unchallenging curriculum, according to the latest Westminster eForum on skills for the digital economy. The forum heard calls for a radical overhaul of ICT teaching in response to a 14 per cent decline in applicants for A-level computing since last year, and a 60 per cent drop since 2003. Applications for computing-related higher education courses have dropped by 44 per cent since 2001, according to Karen Price, CEO of sector skills council e-skills UK.