This book by Nik Peachey is an excellent resource book for teachers of media and digital literacy.
Read MoreWhat I'm reading: Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security
My first impressions of a new book about computers, networks and data.
Read MoreWhat did you see at Bett 2017?
If you went to Bett this year, what struck you as good, useless, interesting, quirky etc etc? I'm going to compile a round-up of impressions, so please complete a really brief survey to share your views. Thanks!
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: So you've been publicly shamed
A harrowing, but very readable, account of how public shaming affects the victims.
Read MoreThoughts on Bett 2017
Updated. Some reflections on Bett, plus links to other articles about Bett.
Read MoreExclusive: Review of Bett 2017
An exclusive review of Bett 2017, even before it's taken place!
Read Morereview of the PA-BESA conference 2016
The annual conference of the Publishers' Associationand the British Educational Suppliers Association took place on November 25th in London, and had the theme of "Shifting Landscapes". Here's an overview of it, and how it related to education technology.
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: Digital Literacy Skills for FE Teachers
Although this book is aimed squarely at teachers in Further Education, I think it would be a useful resource for school teachers too, and even university lecturers.
Read MoreArticles on Ed Tech: Retrospective #5
Here are some articles you may have missed in the past week or so. Topics featured include inspection, book reviews and Word macros.
Read MoreReview of the Thule Gauntlet Laptop Bag
An expensive mishap concerning my laptop led to my buying a Thule laptop bag. Here's what I think of it.
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: Academic writing and grammar for students
A well-structured book that will prove a handy reference in the secondary classroom and beyond.
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: How to read journal articles in the social sciences
While not specifically concerned with Computing or education technology, this is a very useful book for students undertaking research in journals.
Read MoreEducation hashtags
Here's a link to a post containing a comprehensive list of Twitter educational chats, compiled by Simon Johnson.
Read More5 types of review for computing and ICT books
When it comes to writing reviews of computing and ICT books for education, I've found that a one-size fits all approach not to be very useful. Here are the 5 types of review I write, ranging from the full length, everything but the kitchen sink version, to zero words except to say "This book exists"!
Read More7 books for teachers of computing and ICT
Micro reviews of 7 books. Inspired by a particular branch of "flash fiction", these reviews are just 6 words long! Ideal if you don't have much time to read a full length review, but would like a heads-up on what's out there. However, longer reviews are available if you prefer. Details are in the article.
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: What's yours is mine
This book provides an interesting -- and disturbing -- perspective on the so-called sharing economy.
Read MoreReview of Amazon Prime
I thought I'd review Amazon Prime today because there are quite a few substantial discounts for members for today only. For example, something I've been cogitating on for a while has nearly 20% off today. I've only talked about the UK site in this article.
Read MoreTeaching computing, assessing computing, and a lot more
I'm on the final proof-reading stages of the latest issue of Digital Education. It's a free newsletter for people with a professional interest in ICT and Computing in education, ed tech, digital skills etc. This issue includes an article by William Lau on the 5 mistakes he made when teaching Computing, and an article by Sam Hunter on the ladders approach to assessing Computing.
For more information on what the new issue contains, read on.
Read MoreWhat I'm reading: Bounce
What does it take to become an expert? And what can the Computing teacher do about it?
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: Computers, they drive us crazy!
I don't need any excuse to leap into the nearestsecond-hand bookshop when I'm out and about, but if I were forced to provide one, it would be this. You occasionally come across some real gems.
My latest find is “Computers: they drive us crazy!”, by Helen Exley and Bill Stott. Having been published in 2007, this now officially counts as an ancient document. You can try purchasing a new copy from Amazon, if you're prepared to wait until the book is in stock, which could be never. Alternatively, you could pay anything from a penny to almost £800 to receive it very soon if your idea of deferred gratification is having to wait for the tea to brew.
Because of the difficulty of acquiring this book I thought more than twice about writing a review of it. So regard this as an exhortation to visit used book stores and a plea to give cartoon books like this a second glance.
It's a slim volume, consisting solely of wry comments on technology in the form of cartoons. It's thin enough to get through in a single sitting, and while the jokes won't have you visiting hospital with cracked ribs, they will probably bring a smile to your face.
These comments pertain to this particular book, of course, but I think they probably apply to many if not all such books.
Are they good value for money, these books? Strictly speaking, not really. At least, I tend not to buy such things for myself. On the other hand, as a small gift for the geek in your life, or a little extra on top of their main present from you, a book like this can be a nice touch.
Here's the link to this particular book on Amazon, just in case you can find a decently-priced used copy: Computers: They drive us crazy!