Terry Freedman's ICT & Computing in Education blog — ICT & Computing in Education

5 mistakes I made when teaching Computing, by William Lau

October 7, 2016

In this very incisive article, teacher William Lau discusses 5 mistakes he has made when teaching Computing, in the light of experience, research and reading.

12 things I've learnt about assessing Computing and ICT

September 30, 2016

I've been thinking about, doing, and running courses in the art and science of assessing what kids know, understand and can do when it comes to Computing and ICT for a long time. Here are 12 things I've learnt.

What I've been reading: Digital Literacy Skills for FE Teachers

September 27, 2016

Although this book is aimed squarely at teachers in Further Education, I think it would be a useful resource for school teachers too, and even university lecturers.

Articles on Ed Tech: Retrospective #5

September 23, 2016

Here are some articles you may have missed in the past week or so. Topics featured include inspection, book reviews and Word macros.

Big data infographic

September 22, 2016

Here is a big data infographic I produced in 2014.

Review of the Thule Gauntlet Laptop Bag

September 21, 2016

An expensive mishap concerning my laptop led to my buying a Thule laptop bag. Here's what I think of it.

11 attributes of the ideal ICT and Computing inspector

September 20, 2016

If ICT or Computing is inspected in your school, what attributes would you like the inspector to have?

A useful book for your education technology library

What I've been reading: Academic writing and grammar for students

September 19, 2016

A well-structured book that will prove a handy reference in the secondary classroom and beyond.

To put it Bluntly: Ofsted jargon

September 16, 2016

Derek Blunt takes issue with inspectors' jargon.

Articles on Ed Tech: Retrospective #4

September 15, 2016

Here's a collection of articles you may have missed, on a variety of subjects including Brexit, Master teachers and ebooks.

What I've been reading: How to read journal articles in the social sciences

September 14, 2016

While not specifically concerned with Computing or education technology, this is a very useful book for students undertaking research in journals.

Computing discussion topics 2016-09-14: Brexit and biometrics

September 14, 2016

It's very important to cover the Computing curriculum in a way that relates it to what is actually going on in the real world. Here are two more discussion topics to help you to do that.

Project-based learning in Computing: micro and mini projects

September 11, 2016

You can't just give kids half a term to solve a problem and expect them to be able to just get on with it. This article suggests a simple approach that will help them get used to working on projects.

EducationTechnology News: 4 forthcoming events

September 9, 2016

News of 4 forthcoming events, including one that takes place tomorrow.

9 uses for checklists in education technology

August 23, 2016

A checklist is one of the handiest tools at your disposal, and won't cost you a penny. How might you use checklists in your Computing or ed tech lessons?

7 articles about ebooks

August 17, 2016

Here is a short selection of articles I've written about ebooks, self-publishing and related matters.

Education hashtags

August 16, 2016

Here's a link to a post containing a comprehensive list of Twitter educational chats, compiled by Simon Johnson.

Articles on Ed Tech: Retrospective #3

August 15, 2016

Here are 5 articles from last week that you may find interesting, covering writing, blogging and education technology.

Hubris in the world of education technology

August 12, 2016

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.

Articles on ed tech: Retrospective 02

August 8, 2016

A selection of articles on education technology you may have missed, from last week, last year, and the Digital Education newsletter.

Recent book reviews

On this day in 2010: Review of the Dell Latitude 2110

“Oooh!” “Ah!” “Oh my!”. Such were the collective gasps emanating from the Freedman household when I unpacked the Dell Latitude 2110 Netbook I’d been sent to review. Slim, striking and silent (but enough about me), the Latitude certainly makes the grade as far as aesthetics are concerned. But how does it actually perform?

Quick looks: Listen in: How radio changed the home

Back in the 1930s, radio was the cutting edge technology in the home.

Backlist: The Written World

Writing was invented ‘only’ a few thousand years ago. It’s a fascinating story.

Backlist: What I'm reading: Bounce

What does it take to become an expert? And what can the Computing teacher do about it?

Backlist: The Fourth Education Revolution

The title of this book invites curiosity: what were the other three ‘revolutions?

A book review for your English department colleagues perhaps

Some of these stories are so richly told, it can almost seem as though you’re right there with him.

Review: Pen Names

OK, so this has nothing to do with education technology, but we all read (I hope!). A very interesting examination of the pen names some authors have adopted, and why.

Review: The Library of Ancient Wisdom: Mesopotamia and the Making of History

There's a really interesting section in this book about how ceramic storage of data and information is probably the most likely medium to stand the test of time.

A book review for your biology colleagues perhaps

The subject under discussion here is how human physiology has developed in different ways, in response to different conditions around the world.

Review: Social Media for Academics

This book is very readable, and if I sound surprised that is because it’s not always true of academics!