Students from 8 local schools in Hull are undertaking the first Diploma teaching of the IT Diploma in the City Learning Centres in Hull.

On the day of the visit the 29 students at the CLC in East Hull were enjoying an exciting session with Jon Robson from the IT/Media company Café Society, Jon talked to the students about updating blogsites , adding photographs and enabling zooming in and out of the images demonstrating usability. He talked about being self employed and the importance of marketing yourself, using Youtube and his blog using WordPress as 24 hour marketing tools. On his site he showed the students the 200 videos he had sited there, which had been viewed some 375,000 times all together, and had gained feedback, comments and possible work from this.

He showed students how to pull video clips from YouTube into their own websites/blogs. In addition he looked at the integration of Google earth into their sites to demonstrate geographical locations, with interlinks to videoclips flagged up by the country. Jon said the students have the equipment and ability to record, upload to the web and edit as a filmmaker. He told the students “you are at an amazing time for the development of IT –there is plenty of money and many jobs within this exciting environment”.

Students were asked why they had chosen the diplomas over regular GCSEs and responses included “it is not all classroom work there is more practical work to it”, “you get more qualifications for a Diploma”, and it is a fun way to help you for the future”, “we get a laptop each”. When asked about what skills the Diploma helped students develop, such as communication, team working, creative thinking etc, one student added that the Diploma had improved her social skills as the group had students from other schools who she probably would not have engaged with had they not been part of that course together.

Students commented on the fact that many jobs for tomorrow involved IT and felt the IT Diploma would give them that solid platform in IT within business and equip them more fully for employment generally.

They found Jon’s session very exciting and interesting helping them to use their mobile phones as IT/media tools, next session would include taking audio from their mobiles using Bluetooth to update their websites using the free software Audacity.

Sally Hill, Training Manager Hull CLC and Hull IT Diploma Champion said “This is an interesting and exciting time for students and staff involved in the pilot IT Diploma in Hull, there is plenty of scope for students to shape their education and develop personal skills that will become key to them gaining employment and moving into Further Education. Involvement from local employers is a key part of the Diplomas, students will work and study alongside employers, training organisations and partners from other institutions to form a city wide collaboration”.

Last Tuesday we all met Jon. We went with Jon around Barmby with the cameras. He told us how to use them and respect them. He showed us how to use the touch screen, macro mode and panaramic mode.

My favourite picture was a picture of Guy and an old tractor. It was fun and I really liked doing it.

Here is another one of my photographs

Last week on the 12th ofr january Ks2 class learned how to use a camera. A man named Jon came in and tought us the potential of a camera.

We went out in to Barmby village and took photos of the village, chapel and in the cemetary. We were split in to groups i was in a group with Bryony, Natalie and Anna. One of our best pictures was of a wax flower thet Bryony smudged in to the snow to make it look nice.

Anna took the picture. After we’d been out we came back to school and looked at the pictures we’d taken. Over lunch Jon edited them when we came in from play we looked at the newly edited photos. I will keep the moments of the snow and also remember the gorgeous pictures we all took.

Last week Jon Robson came in to teach us about film and photography . We went into barmby and took pictures of things we found interesting . In Barmby snow fell on the ground . The best pictures I took was of the horses . from now on i will keep on taking phtos because that lesson inspired me.

Here is one of my photographs of a horse in the village.

On tuesday the 12th of January the KS2 class learnt how to use a camera to achieve its maximum reasults. We were introduced to the upcoming project. Jon came into school and showed us the basic technuiqes we’d be using. He aslo showed us some of the work other children and school had made.

We then met him again on the 12th of january,this was when he taught us how to use all the different settings to use in different situations.

Our best photo in my opinion was a wax rose from the church that has small flakes of snow on that just added to the effect. We did this when we took a small trip into Barmby to find interesting and unique pictures that represent what and where Barmby is!!!

Everyone in Barmby school went in to Barmby village with Jon. He taught us how to use a camera, a digital camera. He was a bit funny and Jon is really nice. I’m glad he is worcking with us all term,Im really exited.

Here is one of my first photographs

Last week on the 12th January KS2 of Barmby Primary school went on a walk around the village. We separated into groups with a camera each. Our target was to achieve many creative photos that are exclusive to Barmby, describing the neighbourhood.

It just happened that we went out after the snow had fallen, which captured a moment that was very different to many winter photos from past years. Barmby has never seen so much snow! Jon the photographer showed us the basics of a digital camera, macro, landscape and panorama mode.

The best photo I took was a wax rose from a grave in the locl church, frost had settled on it and close up it was beautiful! The trip inspired me and from now on, I will capture every great moment I take part in on camera!