Sir Bob Geldof at Bett 2017. Photo (c) 2017 Terry Freedman.

An interview with Sir Bob Geldof, and other articles

February 10, 2017

Here's some information about what's in the latest edition of our newsletter, Digital Education.

Bett Bulletin #7: two stands to visit at Bett

January 27, 2017

Two pretty good products to see at Bett 2017.

Bett 2017 Bulletin #3

January 20, 2017

I know from past experience what next week at Bett will entail, so I've written a program to summarise it....

Computers, life and work: some interesting 'background' reading

January 13, 2017

Here's a selection of very interesting and articles -- and one book -- about artificial intelligence, and how it does, or may, affect us. It includes a sobering list of jobs which no longer exist, and a debate.

Digital Education Holiday Reading

December 19, 2016

Nudge theory, coding, crosswords, artificial intelligence and more are all in the latest issue of the free ezine, Digital Education. Read on to find out more.

The rule of opposites

October 11, 2016

In ICT and Computing, the simplest programs are often the most elegant and efficient.This is just one example of a "rule" of opposites that seems to pervade everything.

5 mistakes I made when teaching Computing, by William Lau

October 7, 2016

In this very incisive article, teacher William Lau discusses 5 mistakes he has made when teaching Computing, in the light of experience, research and reading.

Computing and magic

June 16, 2016

What can we learn from magicians when it comes to designing computer software and equipment? In this article, Professor Paul Curzon explains all.

7 reasons to teach coding through problem-solving

June 6, 2016

Should you start with the raw components when teaching coding, or get the kids problem-solving immediately? This article argues in favour of the latter.

Computing discussion topic 2016-05-23

May 23, 2016

A topic to discuss with your students perhaps: the hidden bias in algorithms.

New! Updated ICT and Qualifications List now available

May 12, 2016

The new, updated list of approved ICT and Computing qualifications is now available -- in return for just a few minutes of your time!

Crosswords and coding

April 25, 2016

If you like coding, you should enjoy doing cryptic crosswords too. If it was good enough for Alan Turing...

Robot editor up against a deadline -- by Terry Freedman

AI: Could a bot write your next book?

April 13, 2016

What's the role of artificial intelligence in the writing of books, games and apps?

Erm, which way now? The contradictions in the Educational Excellence Everywhere policy are somewhat disconcerting. Picture from Pixabay.com CC0

Educational Excellence Everywhere, and the Computing curriculum

March 17, 2016

A new Department for Education policy document has been published. What does it have to say about Computing?

David Brown gets to the heart of the matter

Ofsted's views of the Computing curriculum

March 14, 2016

David Brown, Ofsted's National Lead for Computing, answers some common questions.

For those not in Britain, Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, aka the inspectorate.

New publications from ICT & Computing in Education

January 19, 2016

Two new free publications are now available for subscribers to Digital Education.

Who's trackin' ya, baby?

January 13, 2016

What happens when you visit a website? Information about those pesky cookies.

We need more teachers, and not just master teachers. Picture from www.pixabay.com CC0

5 reasons there is a shortage of Computing at School Master Teachers, and what we can do about it

January 12, 2016

Over three years since the new Computing curriculum in England was mooted, and more than a year since it came into being, there are still not enough teachers who feel competent and confident to teach it. This is not least in part due an insistence on an elitist approach to training them. In this article I suggest a few possibly more fruitful approaches.

*From The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage (c) S. Padua*

Win a copy of The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage

January 6, 2016

Enter for a really easy competition to win one of three copies of The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage. Entries close on 10th January 2016.

25 useful resources for teachers

January 3, 2016

This article contains details of 20 websites for creating free cartoons and comics, plus Scratch, educational blogging, creating games, old sounds, and the international space station.

Recent book reviews

Quick looks: Listen in: How radio changed the home

Back in the 1930s, radio was the cutting edge technology in the home.

Backlist: The Written World

Writing was invented ‘only’ a few thousand years ago. It’s a fascinating story.

Backlist: What I'm reading: Bounce

What does it take to become an expert? And what can the Computing teacher do about it?

Backlist: The Fourth Education Revolution

The title of this book invites curiosity: what were the other three ‘revolutions?

A book review for your English department colleagues perhaps

Some of these stories are so richly told, it can almost seem as though you’re right there with him.

Review: Pen Names

OK, so this has nothing to do with education technology, but we all read (I hope!). A very interesting examination of the pen names some authors have adopted, and why.

Review: The Library of Ancient Wisdom: Mesopotamia and the Making of History

There's a really interesting section in this book about how ceramic storage of data and information is probably the most likely medium to stand the test of time.