Comments for Modern Governor http://www.moderngovernor.com School Governor Training and Induction Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:19:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Comment on What is Twitter? by #AskGove and Social Media and Schools | Modern Governor http://www.moderngovernor.com/what-is-twitter/comment-page-1/#comment-780 #AskGove and Social Media and Schools | Modern Governor Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:19:51 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2322#comment-780 [...] Watch our short videos “What is Social Media?” and ”What is Twitter?“ [...] [...] Watch our short videos “What is Social Media?” and ”What is Twitter?“ [...]

]]> Comment on Contact by Statutory policies for schools | Modern Governor http://www.moderngovernor.com/contact/comment-page-1/#comment-779 Statutory policies for schools | Modern Governor Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:19:34 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?page_id=8#comment-779 [...] Contact [...] [...] Contact [...]

]]> Comment on News! Modern Governor E-Learning Modules by Modern Governor Pricing - Simple, Clear, Open | Modern Governor http://www.moderngovernor.com/news-modern-governor-e-learning-modules/comment-page-1/#comment-778 Modern Governor Pricing - Simple, Clear, Open | Modern Governor Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:18:58 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2692#comment-778 [...] Take a look at our module catalogue – currently 21 e-learning modules, available 24/7, for your Governors.  New modules are released regularly throughout the year – read more about our plans for 2012. [...] [...] Take a look at our module catalogue – currently 21 e-learning modules, available 24/7, for your Governors.  New modules are released regularly throughout the year – read more about our plans for 2012. [...]

]]> Comment on A new e-learning module, and a new look by News! Modern Governor E-Learning Modules | Modern Governor http://www.moderngovernor.com/a-new-elearning-module-and-a-new-look/comment-page-1/#comment-777 News! Modern Governor E-Learning Modules | Modern Governor Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:18:43 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2552#comment-777 [...] Back in July we unveiled a new look to our modules. [...] [...] Back in July we unveiled a new look to our modules. [...]

]]> Comment on Modern Governor Tips – #1 First Things First by Modern Governor Tips - #2 Registration and Logging In | Modern Governor http://www.moderngovernor.com/modern-governor-tips-1-first-things-first/comment-page-1/#comment-776 Modern Governor Tips - #2 Registration and Logging In | Modern Governor Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:18:07 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2657#comment-776 [...] ← Modern Governor Tips – #1 First Things First Modern Governor Top Tips – #3 Learn Together [...] [...] ← Modern Governor Tips – #1 First Things First Modern Governor Top Tips – #3 Learn Together [...]

]]> Comment on Education Committee – #AskGove by edward melville http://www.moderngovernor.com/askgove/comment-page-1/#comment-762 edward melville Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:17:21 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2863#comment-762 did I hear Mr gove right, he thinks there should be lesser governors on a governing body and they should do a tighter job.....all governors are none paid...so the few have to do more work for no pay.? or have I got it wrong did I hear Mr gove right, he thinks there should be lesser governors on a governing body and they should do a tighter job…..all governors are none paid…so the few have to do more work for no pay.? or have I got it wrong

]]> Comment on Governor Services Innovation – Monmouthshire Council by Mrs M Hatcher http://www.moderngovernor.com/governor-services-innovation-monmouthshire-council/comment-page-1/#comment-747 Mrs M Hatcher Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:53:05 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2737#comment-747 When are the Planning Committee meetings going to be filmed? The general public can't always attend these meetings due to work and other commitments. If the meetings were on line then as you've stated in this article about tackling issues that matter to the MCC for people to do their jobs, well people with planning applications going before committees matter also, and as you already have the resources inhouse, why isn't there transparency and openess in sharing this information? When are the Planning Committee meetings going to be filmed? The general public can’t always attend these meetings due to work and other commitments. If the meetings were on line then as you’ve stated in this article about tackling issues that matter to the MCC for people to do their jobs, well people with planning applications going before committees matter also, and as you already have the resources inhouse, why isn’t there transparency and openess in sharing this information?

]]> Comment on ICT, Computer Science, Schools and Governors by Ariana Yakas http://www.moderngovernor.com/ict-computer-science-schools-and-governors/comment-page-1/#comment-737 Ariana Yakas Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:49:54 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2743#comment-737 In this day and age I feel it is important for all governors to be online. IMO it sends a message to the school as to the importance of ICT in our lives and also the importance of good and effective ICT in the chidren's education. Having said that I don't necessarily think it is vital that everyone on the GB uses all the latest gadgetry etc but it is increbibly useful if there are a couple of champions, so to speak. Just like it is useful to have an accountant or other financial porfessional on the GB it is useful to have a governor with IT knowledge so as to help advise the school when it comes to developments. I have recently been using Twitter as a means of obtaining upto date information on governors issues and also finding out what other GB are doing in relation to 'best practice'. I think, used appropriately, it is an excellent resource for GBs. I have currently come across the online group facility called Wiggio which some GBs are using to store all their documents and arrange meetings etc. On the surface it looks excellent and something worth exploring further. In this day and age I feel it is important for all governors to be online. IMO it sends a message to the school as to the importance of ICT in our lives and also the importance of good and effective ICT in the chidren’s education. Having said that I don’t necessarily think it is vital that everyone on the GB uses all the latest gadgetry etc but it is increbibly useful if there are a couple of champions, so to speak. Just like it is useful to have an accountant or other financial porfessional on the GB it is useful to have a governor with IT knowledge so as to help advise the school when it comes to developments.
I have recently been using Twitter as a means of obtaining upto date information on governors issues and also finding out what other GB are doing in relation to ‘best practice’. I think, used appropriately, it is an excellent resource for GBs. I have currently come across the online group facility called Wiggio which some GBs are using to store all their documents and arrange meetings etc. On the surface it looks excellent and something worth exploring further.

]]> Comment on ICT, Computer Science, Schools and Governors by Elaine Walton http://www.moderngovernor.com/ict-computer-science-schools-and-governors/comment-page-1/#comment-733 Elaine Walton Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:19:13 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2743#comment-733 Thanks everyone for your comments so far. @Dave I haven't heard of this before (but that's not to say it isn't common). I can see how difficult this would make it for you because there's a gap between how the sub-committees are working and how the main GB is functioning. A quick Google shows that there are many schools that post their GB minutes online publicly. @Jane - that's great to hear! So many schools are using VLEs now that I can see the benefits of the GB using (the same?) VLE - maybe having a "Governors' Corner" on there for them to collaborate/communicate. @Steve I've heard of local authorities setting up email addresses for all their governors, so that they don't have to divulge/use their personal email address. According to an ONS survey in 2011, 77% of UK residents have access to the internet in their own home. I've seen a few isolated cases where schools have purchased an IPad for every Governor, but think this will be the exception rather than the rule. Personally I think that any decision to work electronically should be driven by the individual GB, so that measures can be taken if there are individual Governors who can't access the internet at home/work/the school/other location. There are also tons of free courses to help people learn how to do the basics - and if there is a strong desire to become paperless, then maybe a session could be arranged in the school ICT suite to help Governors get on online. It's not just about Governors using the internet to access information outside of a GB meeting - maybe use the interactive whiteboard during meetings to display the agenda and other documents, instead of printing multiple copies for distribution during the meeting. Keep your comments coming in! Thanks all. Elaine (PS Got any other tips for Governing Bodies that want to go online? Pop them in the comments box below and I'll run a special feature.) Thanks everyone for your comments so far. @Dave I haven’t heard of this before (but that’s not to say it isn’t common). I can see how difficult this would make it for you because there’s a gap between how the sub-committees are working and how the main GB is functioning. A quick Google shows that there are many schools that post their GB minutes online publicly.

@Jane – that’s great to hear! So many schools are using VLEs now that I can see the benefits of the GB using (the same?) VLE – maybe having a “Governors’ Corner” on there for them to collaborate/communicate.

@Steve I’ve heard of local authorities setting up email addresses for all their governors, so that they don’t have to divulge/use their personal email address. According to an ONS survey in 2011, 77% of UK residents have access to the internet in their own home. I’ve seen a few isolated cases where schools have purchased an IPad for every Governor, but think this will be the exception rather than the rule.

Personally I think that any decision to work electronically should be driven by the individual GB, so that measures can be taken if there are individual Governors who can’t access the internet at home/work/the school/other location. There are also tons of free courses to help people learn how to do the basics – and if there is a strong desire to become paperless, then maybe a session could be arranged in the school ICT suite to help Governors get on online. It’s not just about Governors using the internet to access information outside of a GB meeting – maybe use the interactive whiteboard during meetings to display the agenda and other documents, instead of printing multiple copies for distribution during the meeting.

Keep your comments coming in! Thanks all.
Elaine

(PS Got any other tips for Governing Bodies that want to go online? Pop them in the comments box below and I’ll run a special feature.)

]]> Comment on ICT, Computer Science, Schools and Governors by Steve Lee http://www.moderngovernor.com/ict-computer-science-schools-and-governors/comment-page-1/#comment-728 Steve Lee Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:51:05 +0000 http://www.moderngovernor.com/?p=2743#comment-728 Fortunately, I haven't experienced a clerk being anything other than helpful. Unfortunately the 'digital divide' still exists. We encourage people from all walks of life to be school governors, but this means that we ask people to be governors who don't have the training or the money to have the access to IT that would be needed for the governing body to be fully electronic. To what extent do you think the school or the local authority should support IT access for school governors? I'd really like to be able to ensure that all our governors have the support they need to be effective. Fortunately, I haven’t experienced a clerk being anything other than helpful. Unfortunately the ‘digital divide’ still exists. We encourage people from all walks of life to be school governors, but this means that we ask people to be governors who don’t have the training or the money to have the access to IT that would be needed for the governing body to be fully electronic. To what extent do you think the school or the local authority should support IT access for school governors? I’d really like to be able to ensure that all our governors have the support they need to be effective.

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