Music streaming service launched

A new online music service is offering instant access to more than 5 million tracks. Rdio has been launched by the makers of Skype, where users can make voice calls over the internet. Rdio utilises social networking features similar to Twitter and Facebook so music can be shared. Rdio has no adverts, making it easy to use in the classroom, and aims to compete with established rivals, including Napster and Spotify. It is initially available only in the US, but is expected to be released in the UK soon, with subscription anticipated to be about #163;3-#163;4 a month.

Naace course for primaries

Naace, the ICT association, has designed a one-day course to develop ICT capability in primary schools. It aims to improve delivery and planning of ICT through the use of newly available materials for assessing pupil progress, and to demonstrate how to tailor them to meet pupils’ individual needs. The course is designed for local authority advisers and consultants, who could then run their own version in schools, and takes place in Nottingham on September 23. For details, go to www.naace.co.uk.

Teachers see benefit in gaming

A survey by the British Educational Suppliers Association has found that three-quarters of primary teachers think pupils’ home access to games consoles has an educational benefit. The survey also found that teachers believe laptops and desktop PCs will be replaced by a move towards netbooks over the next five years. The survey of 406 primary schools found that while just under half of teachers said their pupils preferred desktops, and a third opted for laptops, seven out of 10 said they expected this to have shifted to netbooks by 2015.