I’ve started to compile a list of books and other kinds of reading matter you might wish to explore over the holidays. They’re not all to do with edtech — we all need a break!
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Reading, by Terry Freedman
Coming soon: my summer reading list
For my end-of-term newsletter I’ve compiled a short reading list, not all the items on which are concerned with edtech. After all, everyone deserves a break.
Read MoreSome thoughts on memory, and especially 'working memory'
My position is that I think the idea of ‘working memory’ is misapplied and, in any case, unnecessary.
Read MoreBlogging is alive and kicking, and a good thing to do
Every so often I read a blog post or a ‘commentary’ on Twitter by some self-appointed guru or other saying that blogging is passé.
Read MoreComing soon in Digital Education July 2022 (updated)
At some point soon I shall be sending out the latest issue of Digital Education. It contains a lot of useful links, analysis of recent reports and some very interesting reading. It should have gone out this weekend, but I’ve added more to it.
Read MoreComing soon in Digital Education July 2022
At some point this weekend I shall be sending out the latest issue of Digital Education. It contains a lot of useful links, analysis of recent reports and some very interesting reading.
Read MoreThe likely effects of the commercialisation of higher education were hiding in plain sight for decades
Some people think that if people want to study a subject that doesn’t benefit anyone else, why should everyone else pay for it? However…
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Terry: dreading the bombardment of ill-informed views!
Twitter toxicity: Beware the ultracrepidarians - revisited
It all started with Brexit. At least, that’s when I first became aware of the preponderance of people who are more than happy to pontificate about, and lecture the rest of us on, a subject of which they have no expertise.
Read More#Flashback Friday: Sexism in computer stores
In 1994 I set out with my wife to discover the best place to buy a computer system -- and discovered a lot of sexism along the way.
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Conference, by Terry Freedman
Upcoming events
The following events may be of interest to teachers.
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Photo by Honest Paws on Unsplash
Is honesty always the best policy?
Starting a new job as head of the Information Technology and Business Studies department in a school, I was filled with excitement, and a certain amount of anxiety — but not entirely for the usual reasons…
Read MoreThe state of Computing
Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education) has published its first report in ages into Computing as a subject. I've summarised the findings, and added some links and comments on my own in italics.
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Follow the signs to a couple of new newsletters. Photo: Signpost pointing right, by Terry Freedman
New publications alert: If it don't fit...
After a year of weighing up the pros and cons I decided to start a couple of publications on Substack. One is about literature and life in general, and the other one is focused on education more generally
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Handshake, by Terry Freedman
Breaking the social media contract (Updated)
Why I’m unfollowing people more and more.
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Assessment machine, by Terry Freedman
Artificial Intelligence and marking: pitfalls (2022 Update)
If AI generates an essay, and another AI grades it, has anything useful actually happened?
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“Erm, what?” Photo by Tadeusz Lakota on Unsplash
The "voluntary" national tutoring scheme
The Department for Education’s newly beefed-up National Tutoring Scheme enables schools to arrange tutoring for their students at discounted rate is purely voluntary, but…
Read MoreA 21st century skills paradox (Updated)
Every time I attend an educational ICT conference, at least one of the speakers talks about how little we know about the future. But their argument doesn’t make sense.
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Lights and alleyway, by Terry Freedman
21st century skills do not exist; here are 9 skills that do (Updated)
Has there ever been such a frenzy of thinking and activity over a concept which does not even exist? I am referring, of course, to the ridiculous notion of so-called '21st century skills'.
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Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash
Is objectivity in book reviews possible, or even desirable?
You want the review to be fair, but you also want it to be honest. Maybe being honest is neither objective nor neutral.
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Just because everyone says something is good, doesn't mean it is.
Making and programming
Is 'making' really an effective -- or cost-effective -- way of learning programming?
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