Here’s a thought. I like to think of myself as a glass half full type of person. So why all the doom and gloom about the apparent lack of Governmental support, in the UK, for technology in the classroom?
Time to grow up?
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25 ways to make yourself unpopular: #4 Provide too much information
Too much information is such a ubiquitous problem that it even has its own three letter abbreviation: TMI – although that is usually applied in the context of someone online telling you something that you really didn’t want to know. However, it’s also a problem experienced by anyone who runs a team, or who requires information in order to take a decision.
25 ways to make yourself unpopular: #3 Provide too little information
If you really want to make yourself unpopular, then not providing enough information is a sure-fire way of going about it. Whether you’re a teacher, say, advising your Principal, or a consultant advising your client, you need to provide sufficient information – whether you’ve been asked for it or not.
Read MoreMy blogging toolkit
People often regard me as something of a prolific writer (which I think is another way of saying I need to get a life!). Anyway, in case you’re wondering what I use to write my blogs, here is the lowdown.
Join the discussion!
This evening, for the last time this term, Drew Buddie and I will be discussing matters ICT, from 7pm till 8pm, UK time (though as always we will leave the room open until 9pm). We will see what comes up, but one thing we may be chatting about is why I’ve decided to exclude links to Wikipedia in my articles, as far as I can, for now. Also, why I think it’s a good idea to close down the ICT facilities for the last week or so of term.
Read More25 ways to make yourself unpopular: #2 Provide timely information
You would think that providing timely information would be just the thing to get you applauded. However, as the song from Porgy and Bess tells us, it ain’t necessarily so. It really all depends on what the information is, and to whom you’re making it available.
Is this the newspaper I’ve been looking for?
A short while ago I expressed the view that paper.li, the Twitter-based newspaper, was no longer for me. I don’t like the lack of control over what is published, and it started to look a lot like spam. I experimented with a couple of other similar services, and they did nothing much for me.
But Microsoft's Montage looks promising. Although you still don’t have control over what appears in particular streams, you do have a say in what types of stream are featured, and (to an extent), the layout.
The sledgehammer as a tool for innovation?
Can the sledgehammer, an instrument usually associated with destruction, be enlisted as a tool of innovation? Educational Technology consultant Doug Woods puts forward a case for this unlikely-sounding approach. His position is that a good use for the sledgehammer would be to break up all the ICT suites (computer labs) that can be found in schools.
Read More25 ways to make yourself unpopular: #1 Don’t do as you’re told
Would anyone want to make themselves unpopular? I doubt it. But there are times when one has to choose between what is going to give them a quiet life, and what they feel is right. Obviously, though, you have to choose your battles. In this series I thought I’d explore the sorts of thing which some educational technology leaders or school leaders might not like.
Read MoreSearch engines with a difference: Collecta
Digital storytelling resources
I was completely bowled over last night, by Steve Bunce’s talk on resources for Digital Storytelling. There were quite a few that I hadn’t come across before, but which I am now looking forward to exploring. Most of them are free.
Read MorePrize Draw
In the very near future (read on) I will be running prize draws for the following:
* MissionMaker.
* Xobni Plus.
* Global Conflicts subscription.
* Scholastic’s Child Education Resource Bank subscription (UK residents only).
* PIMS reporting software subscription.
Read MoreProgress report on the writing website
A little while ago I reported in Computers in Classrooms and here that I had started a new blog. Called “Writers’ Know-How”, its mission, if I may use so strong a word, is to make technology for writers more accessible. Clearly, the term “writers” includes bloggers of all descriptions, and the focus on technology will have relevance to teachers too.
Read MoreDigital Storytelling
With Christmas just around the corner, what could be more timely than a discussion on Digital Storytelling? Steve Bunce looks at some of the great (and free) resources available. Join us here, at 7pm UK time this evening, Tuesday 7th December 2010.
Read MoreWalls
Here’s a nice idea for students to use as a basis for writing a blog post, making a video or other form of presentation, or a series of digital photos.
Is it rude to comment?
A big plus factor in blogging is, of course, the facility to have people comment on what you say -- and the ability to comment on what other people say. But should you comment back?
Read MoreICT and the Built Environment
I’m looking forward to a half-day conference tomorrow (30th November 2010) on the theme of the built environment.
Read MorePlease! No More Mantras!
If there’s one thing that really bugs me it’s people coming out with stuff with no thought whatsoever, but which they assume is profound. I’ve been to some conferences where a couple of speakers recited such mantras as
Read MoreCreating a game – a positive impact on learning?
David Luke writes, I have had an interest in programming and creating games since I purchased a BBC Model A in the 80’s (the good old days!). However, it was only recently that I have actively promoted the introduction of games making into the ICT curriculum.
Read MoreGames-based learning: a personal view
by Amanda Wilson
Six months ago, writes Amanda Wilson, I would have said that games in the class were not a way for children to learn mainly because I never thought of them as educational tools. I never really connected education with entertainment.