Contributing to this website

Contributors are welcomed with open arms! I have produced a list of ways in which you or your pupils or students may contribute the website or newsletter. If that's something that interests you, please do the following. Please note that all contributors are asked to agree to the terms and conditions set out below.

Some general information

  • The newsletter is read by teachers, local authority advisers and similar, consultants, headteachers, principals and government advisers
  • It was established in 2000 (as Computers in Classrooms)
  • It is held in very high esteem, as indicated by the comments quoted in the sample edition.
  • Contributors are asked to provide a short biography that includes their blog or website etc.
  • Contributors retain copyright ownership of their article and photos (if applicable).
  • Articles published in the newsletter are usually published subsequently on the ICT in Education website, thereby ensuring even wider coverage.

Frequently-asked questions

 

May I contribute to the newsletter or website?

Absolutely. Articles submitted to the newsletter will automatically be considered for the website, and vice-versa, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions (above). The best thing to do is send me your idea first, just in case it's not really what I'm after -- although I am very flexible.

My kids are pretty tech-savvy and opinionated. Could they contribute too?

Definitely, but we'd just need to make sure that everyone concerned is happy from an e-safety point of view. For example, it may be better to not use their surname in the credits.

What sort of articles are you looking for?

Ones that help teachers or others in education better lead, manage, teach or use ICT.

Do you accept fiction?

Yes. Please see 50 Ways to contribute to a website.

I'm no good at writing!

Well, I'm sure you're being too modest, but if you really believe that to be the case I would suggest looking at 50 Ways to contribute to a website for ideas, because not all contributions have to discursive writing. In fact, they don't even have to be writing.

Do you accept opinion pieces?

Yes, as long as (a) it's an opinion related to educational ICT or Computing in some way and (b) it's not libellous. Ideally, the opinion should be based on actual facts.

Do you accept factual pieces?

Definitely. Please check the article for accuracy before submitting it, and give references for sources and further information if possible.

What file format should the article be in?

Word, RTF or text are all fine. Please don't submit it as a PDF because although I can convert it to text, the formatting goes haywire sometimes.

Should I format the article?

Either leave it unformatted, but make it clear where the headings and sub-headings are, or format it using your word-processor's built-in paragraph styles, eg Heading 2 etc. Please don't format headings just by using different fonts or bold type.

What about pictures?

It's fine to include pictures in your article, but could you also send them send them separately in .jpg, .gif or .png format please, as saving them from the word-processed document takes ages if I have lots to do. Please save them using the filename format yourname-article-picturename.

How long should the article be?

I usually suggest 750 words or thereabouts, but longer is fine. If it looks like going above about 2,000 words, let me know, as I need to ensure that the newsletter doesn't get too long. In some cases, I would either defer publication of other articles, or split a really long article into two or more parts.

Is it OK to use slang expressions and colloquialisms?

Not really. The readership is an international one, and everyday expressions in one country can seem really arcane in another. For example, it was a while before I found out what a 'slam dunk' is.

Also, please don't include swear words, or terms which imply swearing.

How should I describe children's ages?

By using their age in years, rather than, or in addition too, the educational year. For example, write Year 8 (12-13 year olds) rather than just Year 8.

I run my own company and would like to write about how schools have used my product. Is that OK?

Yes and no. The newsletter and website are intended to be independent of government or commercial interests. The sort of article you're proposing would be categorised as an advertorial, or sponsored article, and would need to be labelled as such and the space paid for. You might like to email me to ask for our advertising and sponsorship pack.

Terms and conditions for contributors

By contributing to any of our publications you agree to the following conditions:

  • If you have not heard from us within 6 weeks of your submission, you may assume that we are unable to use the article. (To save time you may prefer to send us a proposal rather than a finished article.) Please indicate on your submission if the article is time-sensitive.
  • The material you submit is original to the best of your knowledge, not blasphemous or dangerous and not subject to any restriction of use. If we publish your work, you undertake to indemnify us against any liability arising from any breach of confidentiality, copyright or other intellectual property right resulting from articles or other materials submitted for publication by you. You further undertake to indemnify us against all damages, losses, claims and costs (including without limitation all expenses incurred in conducting or defending any proceedings) resulting from materials submitted for publication by you. Also, you must not make statements which could be libellous, blasphemous, obscene, seek to incite racial hatred or otherwise break any national or international laws.
  • If the article includes quotations or illustrations from other sources, it is your responsibility to clear permission (including permission to include people’s photos) and pay permission fees, if applicable.
  • If we accept your submission we will endeavour to publish it within 3 months. You retain the copyright in your article, but we would appreciate it if you would agree not to submit the article to another publication before 6 weeks after we have published it.
  • Wherever practicable, we will clear any changes to the contents of the article (beyond routine copy editing and technical changes needed to adapt the work for other media) and all changes of fact with you while there is still time to make changes. 
  • Once submitted to us we may wish to publish the material in our other publications or online. You will be credited wherever all or substantial parts of your material are reproduced. Again, we won’t change the substance of the article without clearing it with you first.
  • Article length: by negotiation, but usually 750 to 1500 words.
  • When submitting an article for the first time, please include a head and shoulders photo if you’re comfortable with having your picture published, and a short (50 word) biography. Also indicate if you’re happy for readers to email you directly in response to the article.

Thank you.

 

E and T Freedman