What's on the horizon for education technology in 2018? And what are the challenges that schools are likely to face? I invited 43 organisations to share their views. Read on for more information, and a link to the free resource that resulted from this exercise.
Read MoreNew Education Secretary: some thoughts
No. 10 Downing Street, where it all happened. Photo is copyright of www.gov.uk.
Just as I was going to take a bit of a break from updating this website several times a week, in order to focus on a Bett guide, Bett preview and a couple of books, the Prime Minister decided to hold a cabinet reshuffle. So inconsiderate. Anyway, as part of that reshuffle, Justine Greening, the Education Secretary, resigned. She has been replaced by Damian Hinds.
I liked Justine Greening for two reasons. First, she struck me as someone who actually listened to teachers and other educationalists. Secondly, since she took over the reins at Sanctuary Buildings education technology and associated matters were back on the agenda. After several years of 'coding, coding, coding' there was suddenly a real possibility that issues such as digital literacy might be promoted -- really, not just as lip service.
Ms Greening was due to open the Bett show, which was also a good sign methinks, and I had been hoping to meet her.
So, I don't know where ed tech will stand on Mr Hinds' watch. I do know that he faces a few other challenges, such as teacher recruitment, school funding and, I should think, change fatigue. I was somewhat alarmed when I read somewhere that he is a reformist, because what I think we need for a while is a consolidationist, if such a word exists. On the other hand, he did tweet:
Delighted to be appointed Education Secretary – looking forward to working with the great teachers & lecturers in our schools, colleges & universities giving people the opportunities to make the most of their lives.
I note the use of the word 'with' as opposed to 'on' -- always a good sign!
If reform is back/still on the agenda, one especially welcome change would be the reintroduction of a wider variety of IT-related qualifications at GCSE and 'A' Level. As well as providing variety, it would probably go some way to encouraging more girls to take the subject to higher levels. (See the pretty grim statistics I cited in my article about the Royal Society report, After the Reboot.)
This website wishes Mr Hinds all the best in his new role. And if he needs any suggestions of names of educators who have been around for a few years and who also know about education technology I'd be happy to supply them.
Computing in the UK
The Royal Society recently produced its report into Computing, After the Reboot. Here are my notes and comments on that report.
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Bett2018 and other ed tech conferences: Preparing for a full-on week
UPDATED. The biggest ed tech event in the UK -- Bett -- is nearly upon us. But it's not the only conference going on that week.
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Waspish behaviour. Picture from Pixabay. Licence: CCO
Intimidation in public life, and education technology
Should social media platforms be regarded as mere repositories of content, which by implication is thus not their responsibility, or publishers, subject to the same laws and restrictions as other publishing media, such as newspapers? This is one of the discussion points arising in this interesting report about the intimidation on social media of members of Parliament and other public figures. It's especially interesting given the fact that this week the German government brought into effect a new law regarding social media companies.
Read MoreThe final issue of my newsletter, Digital Education
A quick look at what's in the latest issue of my newsletter, Digital Education, out later today (with any luck!).
Read More3 education technology blog posts you should check out
A few useful articles that you may not have come across before. They cover:
- project-based learning
- teen depression and cyberbullying and
- how to reduce the possibility of having your training stolen.
Reading list! by Terry Freedman
Spreadsheet special, analysis and a prize draw
Read on for a heads-up about what's coming up in the next issue of Digital Education, our free newsletter.
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Picture from Geralt on Pixabay. Licence: CC0
Two cheers for the internet of things
What an amazing age we live in: app-controlled devices, connected homes. So why aren't I wildly enthusiastic even though I am not by any means a Luddite?
Read MoreComing soon in Digital Education
I'm in the process of planning a few themed issues of my newsletter, Digital Education. Read on for the low-down.
Read MoreQualitative data is important too
I'm a great believer in using different kinds of data to measure how well pupils are doing, not all of which are quantifiable in the usual sense.
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I know how he feels. Photo from Stencil. Licence: CC0
Technology: take nothing for granted
As I always tell people I'm training, never assume anything, never take anything for granted. Here are a few examples that illustrate why not.
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Learn something new, and have a good laugh, with Digital Education! Photo from Stencil. Licence: CC0
What's in the next issue of Digital Education?
The forthcoming issue of the Digital Education ezine features 9 interesting articles. This article gives you the lowdown on three of the topics covered, and how to sign up to it.
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Technology-Authorised Madness
A blast from the past -- with the emphasis on 'blast'. What I thought of self-service checkouts when they first appeared.
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Robot, by Terry. OK, so I'm useless at drawing. Get over it!
Robots, artificial intelligence and all that
Call me a dreamer, but I think AI and robots are developments to be welcomed in education, not to worry about.
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Presentation: 10 stimulating ideas for the Computing curriculum
Here is some information about the EduTech conference in general, and my session in particular.
Read MoreInspecting Computing in schools: 6 research questions
The schools inspectorate in England (Ofsted) aspires to become a research hub. How might or should this affect Computing?
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Photo from Stencil. CC0 Licence
Forthcoming education conferences in London, England
Here are a few interesting-looking conferences coming up in London, England, up to January 2018.
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Picture from Stencil CC0
In the next issue of Digital Education
Algorithms, book reviews and review copies of my book. All in the latest issue of Digital Education.
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Photo from Stencil. Licence: CC0
Women and girls and technology: a matter of biology?
Are girls and women biologically predetermined to not be natural programmers? No, I don't think so either. This article contains some interesting points based on recent discussions, and links to (hopefully) useful articles.
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