Planning a digital strategy without a planned budget

July 8, 2021

In my experience, few headteachers feel comfortable about a rolling commitment to spending money in a particular area, and even if they do sign up to the idea, circumstances can change.

Conference: The future of education technology UPDATED

February 15, 2021

* UPDATED * The folks at Westminster Forum are running a very timely conference on 11 March 2020, about the future of edtech.

Not So Fast (Updated)

October 29, 2019

I once worked out, around 10 years ago, that there was a new education initiative on average every two weeks.

The new DfE education technology strategy: a textual analysis

May 2, 2019

The recent ed tech strategy from the Department for Education leaves much to be desired, not least because it’s so boring to read. I ran it through a word cloud and a textual analysis application. Here are my findings, along with recommendations and the introduction of my new SnoreMaster Awards.

My summary of the new ed tech strategy

April 29, 2019

I’ve drawn a picture to illustrate my feelings about the DfE’s ed tech strategy.

Forward to the past? Becta’s startegy challenges. Photo by Terry Freedman

The Department for Education's Ed Tech Strategy: better late than never?

April 3, 2019

My initial reflections on the Department for Education’s education technology strategy which was launched today. A bit like the curate’s egg, parts of it are excellent.

Recent book reviews

For your Eng Lit colleagues? The Penguin Book of the International Short Story -- two reviews in one!

I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote!

Two reviews in one: Turner and Constable: Rivals and Originals -- art and history

One for your colleagues, perhaps: art, art history, ploitics with a small ‘p’.

Two reviews in one: State of Ridicule: A History of Satire in English Literature -- politics, history, English

One for your colleagues, perhaps. Sperrin has provided a wealth of information that can be used to provide a rich experience for students of politics, history and English literature.

Two reviews in one: A Little History of Mathematics

I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below 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.

The Learning Rainforest Great Teaching in Real Classrooms Great Teaching in Real Classrooms.jpg

Review: The Learning Rainforest: Great Teaching in Real Classrooms

This is a great book for dipping into in order to read about different teaching and assessment strategies, backed up by research.

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Review: Outstanding Formative Assessment: Culture and Practice

This book contains numerous assessment for learning techniques.

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Review: New Media in the Classroom: Rethinking Primary Literacy

This provides a great deal of information about the different aspects of "literacy” and how digital tools can be brought into the service of literacy in the primary school.