Why do many people seem to be addicted to their smartphones? This book explains how we get drawn in to constantly checking for updates, and suggests what we might do about it.
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Books for the classroom, by Terry Freedman
How to get the most from school author visits
As well as having an ed tech library, why not look into inviting an author of a computing book to speak to your pupils?
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Computing and Related Qualifications
Computing and related qualifications ebook: why?
Here’s a brief note about why I wrote this mini-guide, and a couple of screenshots from its pages.
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If you’re looking for a course in computing or a related area, and you live in England, look no further! This ebook contains over 200 entries all in one place.
Computing and related qualifications: new e-directory
If you’re looking for a course in computing or a related area, and you live in England, look no further! This ebook contains over 200 entries all in one place.
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Harmonicas by Terry Freedman
7 Ways of Making the ICT and Computing facilities More attractive to use
How can you encourage other teachers to use the ed tech facilities? You may not know this, but there is not a lot of difference between a Lee Oskar diatonic harmonica (the type used by blues and folk musicians) and a Hohner Blues Band harmonica. The Lee Oskar is said to have been engineered to give a “sharper” edge to the tone, which suits the blues sound, whereas the Marine Band, being slightly “softer”, works well for folk music too. Unless you’re a purist, there is probably not much in it. As someone once said:
Read More“A difference is only a difference if it makes a difference.”
TPEA conference
Technology Pedagogy and Education Association Conference news
Good news if you’re thinking about going to the TPEA conference in July.
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Discussion before the discussion by Terry Freedman.jpg
Why outside help can be useful in educational ICT or Computing
This article summarises what I’ve learnt about the benefits of hiring outside help like an agency or a consultant, from my experience of doing so and also as (now) an ed tech consultant myself. I hope you find it useful.
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Assessment machine, by Terry Freedman
Artificial Intelligence and marking: pitfalls
I’m all in favour of making teachers’ lives easier, but automated essay marking is not the answer.
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Big Data, by Terry Freedman
Data for its own sake is pointless
Unless data can be turned into information, what’s the point of collecting it?
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Partners. This illustration is from www.pixabay.com and has a CC0 licence.
Can the International Society of Technology in Education's Standards in Computing be adapted for use in the UK?
This article details the steps that a few of us in ISTE, ITTE, TPEA and others have taken to investigate whether the ISTE Standards for Computer Science teachers, and their list of Computational Thinking Competencies, could be adapted for use in the UK. There’s also an opportunity for you to give us your opinions if you wish to.
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The ed tech strategy, by Terry Freedman
My summary of the new ed tech strategy
I’ve drawn a picture to illustrate my feelings about the DfE’s ed tech strategy.
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Robot reporter, by Terry Freedman
Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom
In my opinion, the potential benefits of artificial intelligence make it a very attractive proposition for use in education.
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Oh no! Photo by Terry Freedman
7 mistakes I made as an ed tech co-ordinator Index
We’ve all made mistakes, such as being a bit too excited about the thought of our colleagues using education technology more. I’ve written about seven of mine that I’m almost too embarrassed to think about. Here’s an index to all of the articles in this series.
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The scream by Terry Freedman
7 Mistakes I Made As An Ed Tech Co-Ordinator #7: Not inventing jargon
Want to get ahead, possibly get awards, and get away with not informing anyone of anything remotely useful? This post will tell you how!
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The scream by Terry Freedman
7 Mistakes I Made As An Ed Tech Co-Ordinator #6: Not making more use of the parents' association
If you need more computing equipment (and what school doesn’t?), why not ask the parents?
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The Scream, by Terry Freedman
7 Mistakes I Made As An Ed Tech Co-Ordinator #5: Being honest
Is honesty always the best policy? I like to think it is.
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The scream, by Terry Freedman
7 Mistakes I Made As An Ed Tech Co-Ordinator #4: Allowing unrestricted advance booking
When it comes to allowing staff to book computer rooms and other facilities, it doesn’t always pay to be accommodating.
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Is progress held up by policy?
Is progress held up by policy? That’s the question I asked several people a few years ago. This post provides a link to the article in which I reported my findings.
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How will you keep your recordings safe? Illustration: Edirol recorder by Terry Freedman
How to keep your school's videos, photos and data media safe
Over the course of a year, a school could amass hundreds of photos, videos and audio recordings. How can you store them?
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Forward to the past? Becta’s startegy challenges. Photo by Terry Freedman
The Department for Education's Ed Tech Strategy: better late than never?
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.
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