Another barrier to entry — but one that can be easily resolved.
Read Morea busy station, by Terry Freedman
Useful concepts for the head of computing/edtech co-ordinator: keeping computer rooms locked, and having a time-consuming means of booking them
The computer rooms were kept locked at all times, but staff could access them any time they liked. All they had to do was get the keys….
Read More
A busy station, by Terry Freedman
Useful economic concepts for the edtech co-ordinator: barriers to entry
This concept is usually applied in the context of a company attempting to break in to a particular market. In the context of a school, we can apply the idea to the taste of encouraging teachers to use the computing facilities.
Read MoreIt's important to sweat the small stuff
7 questions for the edtech co-ordinator in a school.
Read More
Presentation on a mobile phone, by Terry Freedman
Revisited: Actually, it IS about the technology (partly)
“It’s not about the technology” sounds logical, but in my experience it is certainly not the whole story.
Read More
Click the here to see this book on Amazon (affiliate link)
Quick look: Reinventing Project-Based Learning
I can verify from first hand experience that PBL kept students highly engaged, and helped them to develop skills such as working with others and independent research.
Read MoreQuick look: Profits, Prophets, Coaches and Kings: (When) do leaders make a difference?
I have somewhat dichotomous views of this question of whether leaders make a difference, or much of a difference.
Read MoreA question of leadership
I have somewhat dichotomous views of this question of whether leaders make a difference, or much of a difference. I think my views can be classified as macro and micro.
Read MoreI miss the old website
When I first launched the ICT in Education website (since renamed to the ICT and Computing in Education website), it was hard going. Despite using Microsoft Front Page, and experimenting at various times with various HTML editors, it was hard work, in two respects.
Read More
robot, by Terry Freedman
AI Cynicism #3
Have you noticed that more and more companies seem to have outsourced their customer service to an AI bot?
Read MoreReview: Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote! In substantive terms there is little difference between the two, but you may find it interesting to see what the editor altered.
Read MoreAI Policy thoughts
I keep coming across articles and research about schools’ AI policies — or the lack of them. It seems to me that we’ve been here before, with policies about teachers’ and departments’ use of technology, and e-safety. There is a familiar pattern…
Read More
A not very informative information notice. Photo by Terry Freedman
If a report is inconclusive, then that's the conclusion
I went for a medical consultation recently — don’t worry, nothing terrible. As James Cagney so memorably put it in one of his films, I ain’t dead yet.
Read More
A history lesson in the Atari room
11 ways to encourage reluctant teachers to use education technology
If part of your job is to encourage other teachers to use technology in their lessons, this article, based on my own experiences, may help. Now updated again with additional points.
Read More
Photo by Terry Freedman
AI can increase workload
I came across an interesting article about AI increasing workload rather than reducing it.
Read More9 Good reasons to attend: the ones to put to senior leaders
All of the reasons to attend that I’ve suggested in 21 reasons to attend conferences are valid, but they are personal, in a sense. So here are 9 suggested arguments that may appeal to your senior leadership team.
Read More
Click to see this on Amazon (affiliate link)
Quick look: My boss is a moron
I borrowed this book from the library yesterday and have had to stop reading it.
Read MoreThe importance of branding for computing in schools
One of the things you have to acknowledge, whether you like it or not, is that to some extent people do judge by appearances. So, how does your computing provision appear to others?
Read More
Sadly not my typical committee meeting room! This was taken in a House of Lords Committee Room, by Terry Freedman
The pros and cons of having an e-learning committee in a school
In my past roles as ICT Co-ordinator or e-learning co-ordinator, I have formed and chaired an ICT or e-learning committee. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having such a body?
Read MoreMust-have features of computer rooms
While it's fashionable to decry the use of computer labs, still they continue to exist in many schools. If you have, or are thinking of having, a computer lab, what ought it to look like? What should it contain?
Read More