At the moment we have a very unfortunate situation in the UK: at the very time people need to be getting as much professional development as they can, because of the need to keep up with all the changes taking place, it’s becoming harder for them to do so because of budget tightening. Nevertheless, do try to get to at least one professional development training event a term, if possible. As a public service, I’ve listed some of the ones which have come to my attention
Read MoreTeachshare session this evening
Following on from my post about great professional development, this is just a quick heads-up with the login details.
Read MoreDates For Your Diary
A Safer Internet
As I wrote recently, I attended a conference on Taming the Wild Web, which was followed by the launch of a new certificated course in safe social networking, called, appropriately enough, Safe.
Read MoreFutureLab Publications Available
Futurelab, the forward-looking and innovative think tank, is moving from Bristol to London, and one of the consequences of this is that it will have less space.
Read MoreAdvertising and Internet Literacy
Now that web advertising has matured to a certain extent, is it time to revisit what is meant by “internet literacy”?
Read MoreC? I tld u so, didn't I? txtN isn't so bad aftr ll, unl ur /:-)
When, a few years ago, a 13 year-old girl wrote her entire English essay in texting language, people were predicting the end of civilisation as we know it. Now it turns out that research seems to suggest that texting can actually aid literacy. So where does the truth lie?
Computers in Classrooms out now!
This issue covers a couple of important e-safety initiatives, conferences (including details of my BETT seminar) and more articles on games-based learning
Read MoreInternet Safety Issues
Why is there only one Monopolies Commission?
This was the plaintive cry of would-be politician Screaming Lord Sutch, and I usually find myself asking the converse of this when it comes to internet safety: why are there so many agencies?
Read MoreTechnology for Writers Made Easy
Being a masochistic sort of person, I recently started a new website. I think you may find much of it relevant to your work even though it’s not an educational website as such.
Innovation and Learning
If everything is working OK, is there even any point in innovating? What’s wrong in simply taking the view, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”?
Read MoreNewsletter: Games-Based Learning #1
The latest issue of Computers in Classrooms is now available, with the following games-related articles
Read MoreComputers in Classrooms Almost Ready
I’m just putting the finishing touches to the latest issue of Computers in Classrooms. As well as eligibility for a stupendous prize draw which takes place tonight, subscribers will enjoy news, views and the following articles related to games-based learning
Read MoreRelated Articles?
Here’s a great example of the danger of using code to suggest related articles without having someone check the results. In an article in the UK’s Daily Telegraph entitled “Education secretary Michael Gove admits he was beaten at school”, there is a panel headed “Related Articles”. This is what it lists:
Read MorePrize Draws
In the very near future (read on) I will be running prize draws for the following:
New Update on the Amazing Web 2.0 Projects Book
Web 2.0 case studies, from classrooms around the world. Great examples of innovative practice, and an insight into hurdles encountered and how they were surmounted. And it's all free!
Two Cheers For Academies
When the idea of Academies was first mooted, my first thought was that we’ve been here before. Twenty years ago we had the Grant-Maintained Schools, which had control over their own lives to a large extent. The same sort of issues will be faced by Academies as was faced by GM schools (whether they realised it or not). However, it seems to me that
Read MoreRules of Engagement
Do we need gimmicks, new-fangled techniques to keep kids engaged in lessons?
Computers in Classrooms September Issue Out Now!
Conference concessions, book bargains ... where will it end?
Read MoreIs Net Neutrality a Good Thing?
In essence, the term “net neutrality” refers to the idea of everyone having equal and unfettered access to the services provided by internet service providers (ISPs), but in recent years it has often come to refer more specifically to tiered services and pricing. Basically, some people and companies advocate reserving fast internet traffic to those who are willing to pay, whilst everyone else enjoys a free, but slower, service.
Read More