Covid-19: Fiddling while Rome Burns?

My writing on this blog dried up recently. Not because of writer’s block, but because of a bit of a dilemma. I didn’t want to write about applications that can help schools get online, or about other ways of responding to the current lockdown or self-isolation. There are enough people writing about that sort of thing without my adding to the noise. On the other hand, though, writing about anything else seemed irrelevant, mundane or even crass.

Claudius at work, by Terry Freedman

Claudius at work, by Terry Freedman

After a few days of mulling this over with no discernible effect, I spoke to E.

“I don’t know. Writing book reviews or better ways of using technology in education feels like fiddling while Rome burns.”

E answered without any hesitation at all. “If you stop fiddling, that won’t stop Rome burning.”

She was right, of course. Hence I have just published an article that provides both useful advice and a chuckle to everyone who is now having to conduct most or even all of their work online. I hope you enjoy it.

Always wear trousers on Skype