A question: is Cognitive Load Theory another example of the emperor’s new clothes?Thoughts on the curriculum and assessment review
Apparently the Department for Education is working on a new writing framework. Let’s hope it will be voluntary, because if the usual substandard writing we often see emanating from the DfE is anything to go by, it will be the last thing anybody needs.
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A daunting prospect, so what’s your motivation? Photo by Terry Freedman
On this day: Encouraging other teachers to use education technology
Gretchen Rubin talks about four kinds of self-motivation. Might this provide a way of thinking about how to encourage colleagues to use education technology in their lessons?
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It won’t be as bad as you think! Picture: Terrified, by Terry Freedman
8 Tips for Newly-qualified teachers
Your first few weeks at school may seem terrifying, but hopefully it won’t be as bad as you think! Here are 8 tips you may find useful.
Read MoreOn this day: What is good practice in ICT and Computing?
I suppose this article will ruin for good my chances of a knighthood, but I am finding it harder and harder to keep quiet on this subject.
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Question marks, by Terry Freedman
Understanding exam grading
As the GCSE and ‘A’ Level results days are almost upon us, here are some useful guides as to what the gradings mean.
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Terry self-portrait, cartoonified, black & white, by Terry
Hubris in the world of education technology (Amended)
I believe that there's a fine line between letting people know you're an expert, and displaying too much self-regard. If keeping on the right side of that line proves a bit of a challenge, here are three "rules" that could help.
Read More50 Ways to contribute to a website (Revised)
This a revised version of a previously-published article.
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Old technology, by Terry Freedman
14 things to do with old IT equipment
Just because a laptop, tablet or printer isn't good for general or intensive use any more doesn't mean it cannot serve any purpose at all. Here are a few suggestions you may wish to consider.
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Graphic by Terry Freedman
Professional Development in Technology (Updated)
The key question to ask about anything in education is “So what?”. If you can’t answer that question truthfully and convincingly in terms of students learning outcomes, then why are you undertaking that activity?
Read MoreOn this day: An example of how technology changes things
Nine-year-old Martha Payne writes a daily blog in which she uploads a picture of her school lunch and reviews it. Argylle and Bute Council has some sort of nervous breakdown.
Read MoreOn this day: The (digital) revolution comes to the London Barbican
I remember this exhibtion: it was pretty good, and I’m not somebody who is easily impressed. I thought the ideas were very creative, and I liked the interactivity.
Read MoreAn invidious comparison
I can say without hesitation that the most costly students in terms of my time are the ones who do the work and hand something in each week.
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Be aware! By Terry Freedman
Robotics is STILL a waste of time
I’d rather teach pupils to program without going through the intermediary process of building a robot or anything else. Despite all the hype, I regard it as a massive waste of time.
Read MoreCollective nostalgia about computer programming
Almost nobody needs a gasp of computer programming, and even fewer need to know how computers actually work.
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Illustration of algorithmic objectivity, generated in ImageFX
Computing discussion topic
A topic to discuss with your students perhaps: the hidden bias in algorithms.
Read MoreOn this day: City Learning Centres: The end?
Some notes on failing in ICT and Computing
Failure seems to be the zeitgeist at the moment. How should schools deal with students’ mistakes?
Read MoreRules of Engagement Updated
Do we need gimmicks, new-fangled techniques to keep kids engaged in lessons?
Archival
I’ve created a special area of the Digital Educatioon Supplement, which is an online supplement to my newsletter, Digital Education.
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