The Educational Technology Site: ICT in Education -- Headlines

What makes a good list?

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 00:12:43 +0100

Every so often another "top X" list hits the blogosphere in general, or the edublogosphere in particular. But are these lists even worth bothering to read?

Shock Tactics

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:06:46 +0100

If you're in charge of teaching information and communications technology, what can you do in order to inject even more life into the subject? Here are 12X ideas to get you started.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription, and to download a sampler, and an index to the 40+ articles published over the last school year.

Past imperfect

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:21:43 +0100

Is the opposite of being online, being offline? I discovered today that, in a very practical sense, it isn't. Here are some thoughts on that, and the forthcoming issue of Practical ICT.

Self-respect and the big rip-off

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:42:13 +0100

Something that all small businesses need to be aware of is the propensity of bigger companies to try to rip them off. I know that sounds rather negative, not to say sweeping, but it's a fact. And yes, whilst it's true that sometimes the near rip-off is inadvertent, I can't help but notice that all such inadvertencies, without exception, favour the company that has made the "mistake".

I think there are several reasons for this, but first, let me clarify what I am referring to. Clearly, in this context I am regarding consultancies like mine as small companies, which is what they are. I am also including authors under that umbrella as well. I know that authors, especially casual ones, may not see themselves in that light, and more's the pity. If they did, if they acted as professionally in that sphere as they undoubtedly do in their day jobs, all of us who write, though not entirely for a living, would benefit.

Conventional non-wisdom

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:36:54 +0100

Should you have an ICT leaflet or prospectus to give to potential students or their parents? Conventional wisdom dictates that you should. Conventional wisdom is wrong.

Reflections on Samuel Pepys

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:02:53 +0100

Having spent the past week maintaining a diary, especially in terms of my writing activities, I have to say that I have a new regard for Samuel Pepys. I was so busy last week that I found it hard to find the time to write the diary at the end of the day -- which is why, incidentally, the dates for each entry do not always match the date of publication.

Consequently, it was difficult for me to recall what had happened, or upon which day it happened, or the sequence of events on a particular day. This despite having access to a plethora of means by which I could record my activities more or less as I was going along....

Briefing for 18 September 2008

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:50:01 +0100

In today's briefing we look at:

Sharing good practice
News about assessment information
Governmental YouTube channels
Suicide and the internet
An online conference in the UK

Three cheers for failure

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:48:38 +0100

Nobody is allowed to "fail" these days, because telling someone they are mistaken is either life-damaging, if they are young, or just not nice. But the result is that people are generally reluctant to offer any kind of criticism, or offer it in such a way as to render it useless.

Benchmarking

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:30:50 +0100

If part of the purpose of your job is to spread the use of information and communications technology, it's a good idea to start collecting statistics in order to benchmark your performance.

This article looks at a fairly simple approach to benchmarking which does not take long to implement, but which can be extremely useful.

The Myth of Efficiency

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:15:19 +0100

Can information technology ever really reduce workload? Of course not.

I don't claim any originality for this thought, but I was thinking today of my own workload, and how we do students a disservice by not addressing the disadvantages of technology on a personal level.

And why don't we? Because the curriculum does not explicitly require us to.

Maximising the success of your team

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:11:19 +0100

A couple of weeks ago I looked at the question of how to maximise the success of individual team members. That is certainly necessary for the success of the team as a whole, but is it sufficient?

In this article I consider 7 ways to maximise the success of the team itself.

Briefing for 12 September 2008

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:33:40 +0100

In today's briefing I look at Diplomas, Bullying, Conferences and Micro-blogging in the classroom.

Pictures Across the Curriculum: After the Tourists Are Gone

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:12:43 +0100

In this series I'm looking at ways in which digital photography might be used to enhance, or stimulate students' interest in, different areas of the curriculum.

In this article, English, Economics, culture, geography and tourism are highlighted.

Maintaining Standards

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:14:26 +0100

{Subscriber article} So, you're responsible for the use of educational technology in the school, but its use and principles are taught across the curriculum rather than as a discrete subject. In other words, by non-specialists in all likelihood. How can you maintain high standards in ICT and the use of educational technology in such a situation?

In this article I look at 14 suggestions.

Pictures Across the Curriculum: Missing Monks

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 23:24:45 +0100

In this series I'm looking at how well-chosen digital photos can be used in different areas of the curriculum.

Today I'm looking a some photos that might have sparked off an historical investigation if I'd had more time.

Making an event successful

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 08:28:42 +0100

{Subscriber article} Parents' evenings, ICT open days, local conferences, "away days". As a leader of educational ICT you are bound to have to organise such an event at some stage in your career. What can you do in order to ensure that it is successful? Here are 12 top tips.

Our current surveys

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 18:58:43 +0100

From time to time I run surveys and polls on this website. Here is some information about what surveys are open now.

Twenty One Ideas for an ICT or Technology Co-ordinators' Day

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 10:25:25 +0100

Does part of your job involve planning and running professional development days for the ICT Co-ordinators (known as Technology Co-ordinators in some parts of the world) in your area? If so, you may find these twenty activity suggestions useful.

This article is available only to subscribers. There are two subscription options.

Computers in Classrooms is a free newsletter, for teachers who teach or use educational technology. Click the link to find out more.

The Practical ICT eJournal is a paid subscription for leaders and managers of educational ICT, and which gives you access to all published articles on the site. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription, and to download a sampler, and an index to the 40+ articles published over the last school year.

not k12 online

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 20:07:57 +0100

The K12 Online Conference was a nice idea when it was first launched in 2006. It was, and still is, a great resource for teachers exploring the potential of educational technology, especially Web 2.0 applications. Now, its organisers are also organising a Not K12 Online Conference. Except that it's not an unconference but an anti-conference. Maybe. Confused? You're not the only one.

I've listened to a podcast about this twice, and this is -- how can I put it diplomatically? -- not the best idea I've ever heard.

Towards the end of the podcast Bud Hunt says:

"If you think this is the worst idea you've ever heard of or the best idea let us know, leave a comment, we wanna be transparent, we wanna have those critical friends".

So, as a self-appointed critical friend I'm taking up Bud's invitation. I don't like the idea at all, and here are my reasons why.

Formalising meetings

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 18:13:08 +0100

{Subscriber article} Meetings should be run in a professional manner. I've written quite a bit about how to make meetings more effective and purposeful, but mainly from the perspective of the whole team. There are, however, more personal reasons to make meetings more formalised.

What a great start to the new term!

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 21:35:10 +0100

There is nothing like a good rant to get the juices flowing after a long, languid, leisurely summer (if only!). So, I'm delighted to be able to report that I have had quite a few things to rant about recently. So much so, in fact, that I decided to create a rantometer, to illustrate the extent to which my mood was turning -- I was going to say "dangerous", but that connotes either visions of a homicidal maniac or Joe Cocker's "I'm in a dangerous mood". Well anyway, here it is.

I think it needs some work. When I get a bit of time, perhaps I will create several versions, showing different settings. I hope to use this as a sort of warning indicator -- so that you can read the rants and ignore any post that looks like it might be all sweetness and light.

Anyway, rather than dwell on all of the things that have got me "wound up" (which I will deal with gradually in my own time, after a bit more research/investigation) I just want to focus on the following:

Politicians ("Warm" setting)

Getting a meeting with colleagues on the first day of term

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 08:45:00 +0100

Here in the UK, the first day of term for teachers takes place a day earlier than that for students, and is spent in whole staff meetings, departmental or other smaller-group meetings, and some in-service training. If your remit is to ensure that ICT is taught either solely through other subjects, or by numerous people who teach just one lesson of ICT a week, getting colleagues to come to a meeting on that first day is virtually impossible.

And yet, if you're to ensure consistency of standards, and high ones at that, it is essential that they do attend. Or is it? Here are seven techniques that have been found effective.

Briefing for 1 September 2008

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 17:38:38 +0100

I've been doing a lot of reading and trawling, and in this briefing we cover historical conflict, parents, limited vocabulary strategies and addressing the problem of under-achieving pupil groups.

Getting off to a good start, part 2

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:33:23 +0100

So, you're about to start a new job as leader or manager of educational ICT. Just over a year ago we published a list of things you could do in order to make an effective start. This tied in with a series about making a good impression, by Alison Skymes.

Here's the second instalment of a new two-parter on the same theme, with 22 suggestions. There are 12 new suggestions today; the first 10 were published here.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Pictures across the curriculum: portrait of an artist

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:13:46 +0100

In this series I'm looking at how well-chosen digital photos can be used in different areas of the curriculum. In the first one, I looked at the problem of litter. This one, however, is about a much more pleasant subject: a local artist.

I visited a beach in Suffolk recently, and came across someone painting the landscape. It was a great occasion to have my camera with me!

So who was it? Read on to find out, and to consider some possible curriculum links.

Getting off to a good start

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:43:14 +0100

Here's a new two-parter on the same theme, with 21 suggestions. There are ten new suggestions today; the next eleven will follow in two days' time.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Chopping and changing

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:17:40 +0100

My apologies for some rapid changes in the appearance of this website. Here's a quick list of what I've been doing, and why.

Video Pathways

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:21:21 +0100

I was recently invited to an event at Nottingham University.

Known as "the sandpit", it was an opportunity to look at developments in Web 2.0 technology being undertaken by the Learning Science Research Institute.

I was quite taken with one application in particular, Video Pathways.

Here is a description and explanation of what it does, and how it might be used in schools.

Updated information about the work I've been doing, what people have said about it, the Practical ICT eJournal subscription and the design of this website

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:26:32 +0100

I've been spending part of the weekend updating parts of the website that are to do with my work, and what people think of my work, the Practical ICT subscription, and thinking about the design of the website.

I have also set up a survey to obtain feedback.

Special team meetings: 29 ideas

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:25:17 +0100

It's a very good idea to occasionally depart from the standard team meeting format and put on a "special". This helps to keep interest high, and enables various goals to be achieved, including staff professional development. They can also help the team to maintain its "edginess" and dynamism.

In this article we look at 29 suggestions which have been found to be very useful indeed.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Practical ICT August 2008 now out

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:23:18 +0100

I've just published the final issue of Practical ICT for this school year, together with an index for the whole year.

I started the publication for leaders and managers of educational ICT, and so far (touch wood) the feedback has been very positive from the people who have subscribed. They say it's saved them time, and given some some useful ideas.

I also feel quite pleased about the fact that, as we charge people for subscribing, we pay people who contribute. I worked with the UK's Society of Authors to ensure that the contract between us and the contributor was OK, and the result was a contract that the Society of Authors described as very author-friendly.

Anyway, here is a brief run-down of the articles that appear in this issue, and a link to the index I mentioned, which covers over 60 articles.

Pictures across the curriculum: Litter Britain

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:41:42 +0100

In this series I'm looking at how well-chosen digital photos can be used in different areas of the curriculum. In this article, the focus is on Environmental Studies, bringing in aspects of health and safety, Media Studies and others.

Looked at from a distance, or even close up, much of Britain's countryside is still as beautiful as it is green. But look even closer, and it soon becomes apparent that what the rambler needs is not just a waterproof, a thermos, and a box of sandwiches, but a broom, a bin liner and a pair of disposable gloves.....

Don't ban the spam

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:38:28 +0100

I've just read that an astonishing 29% of respondents to a survey said that they have bought products from spammers.

Doesn't this mean that schools need to rethink their antispam policies?

Maximising the success of individual team members: 10 key actions for success

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:02 +0100

The success of the individual is partly dependent on the environment. What can the ICT leader do to maximise the success of each member of the team?

This article looks at 10 actions that can help to ensure the success of each individual of the team, and therefore greatly enhance the prospects of success for the whole team.

After all, any team is only as good as its weakest member, ultimately.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Blog Day 2008

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:14:45 +0100

Information about an initiative intended to help you find new, and different, blogs to read.

What it is, how to get involved and whether it's worth bothering with.

The iPod Blazer

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:37:02 +0100

A major UK retail store has brought out an "ipod blazer" as part of its "Back to School" range. Amongst other things, the new jacket enables the earphone wires to be concealed under the lapels.

"An error of judgement", exclaims one of the teaching unions.

So what are the issues here?

Wish You Were Here

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:07:34 +0100

As you may have worked out, I decided to take a short break.

Here is a quick summary of what I did, and a preview of what's coming up.

Still around -- just! Reflections on my diploma work

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 11:47:33 +0100

At this time of year, my body, having spent decades (it feels like centuries sometimes!) being regulated by education timetables, tells me it's time to take a break.

Well, I haven't done so, as such, although I have been being kind to myself by not even attempting to update this website every day.

I regard this as a long-term investment (especially bearing in mind Keynes' dictum that in the long run we're all dead).

But I have not been idle. Apart from quite a bit of writing, I've been working for a Local Authority exploring resources that might be used for teaching the Diploma from the start of September.

Here are my thoughts and findings so far.

The bug force

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 23:46:25 +0100

It's quite obvious that there are forces at work which deny rational explanation -- at least in terms of the laws of nature as we commonly perceive them. This can be seen most readily where any kind of proofreading is required. Is there anything we can do about it?

All joking aside, should we always be encouraging students to produce perfect work? And if not, how many errors are acceptable?

The managerial approach to project management

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 09:43:59 +0100

Schools are increasingly being required to becoming involved in large-scale and complex projects.

Here are some tips which, hopefully, you will find useful should you ever find yourself engaged in a school rebuild or similar project.

In fact, these 10 tips, which are based on my own experience, will work for smaller-scale projects too.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

An Uncritical Mass

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:27:00 +0100

For many years I have secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) fumed at conference speakers whose main role seems to be entertainment rather than enlightenment. Don't get me wrong: I enjoy a good "show" as much as the next person, but there does come a point when I start to think, "Is there any substance in any of this?"

But having watched a few presentations recently via the web, I have to say that I think the fault lies not so much with the speakers, but with the uncritical audiences that indulge them.

Blogging and writing

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:46:40 +0100

I am interested in the differences, if any, between blogging and writing.

Obviously, in a purely mechanical sense it's an arbitrary distinction, from a blogger's point of view, because people who blog have to write.

But, and here's what interests me, people who call themselves writers do not have to blog. Yet some do. Why?

Leading & managing educational ICT Briefing 21 July 2008: Community Issues, and getting discussion going

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:20:41 +0100

This briefing looks at useful online resources for tackling issues of interest to local communities, including recently-published UK government guidance.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

The Transparency Initiative

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:46:51 +0100

I recently attended a Westminster eForum seminar about PR and journalism, where I met Dr Martin Moore, of the Media Standards Trust. In his 4 minute talk, Martin mentioned the Trust’s involvement in something called The Transparency Initiative. The Trust has teamed up with the Web Science Research Initiative for this grant-funded work. I caught up with Martin a few days ago and we discussed it.

Here’s the situation which, as either a citizen, a teacher or a blogger you will understand only too well. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between commercial and, for want of a better word, factual, content in the news.

This may sound rather odd. After all, news is news, right? Well actually, not necessarily. ...

Cavalier attitudes to data: a different mindset

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:43:42 +0100

I was inspired by a recent Westminster eForum event entitled Missing Discs and Mislaid Laptops to write the following article.

Why is it that disks, data and laptops appear to go missing with alarming frequency? Is it that there is a general lack of understanding about the nature of digital data, and how it is fundamentally different from the old paper-based approach?

You may find it useful to discuss the points made in this article with your students.

Michael Marland: a personal tribute

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:18:59 +0100

I was very saddened to learn today, from The Times, that Michael Marland has died. This is my own small tribute to him.

Two minute tips

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 10:51:48 +0100

I've been experimenting with Seesmic, as I said recently. Here are some ideas for using it by students, teachers and bloggers.

Increasing the conversation

Sun, 6 Jul 2008 00:52:53 +0100

Following the example of one or two people I know, I'm trying out two new ways of increasing the conversation and communication potential of this website.

There was a live chat widget, and some video ("Terry's Two Minute Tips"). Read on to find out more.

As if I didn't have enough to do, now I may have to learn Portuguese

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 15:49:43 +0100

I have discovered a vibrant community, full of passionate people. Unfortunately, they speak Portuguese -- although, having said that, several of them have taken pity on me and translated their comments into English. I joined the Interactic 2.0 community in response to an invitation from its founder, Jos� Paulo Santos, and am pleased I did. Read on for more information about why I joined, and the awkward questions I asked once I'd been accepted.

Integrity, journalism and PR

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 00:12:45 +0100

I attended a very interesting Westminster Media Forum seminar recently on the subject of journalism and public relations (PR). I will be reporting on that in due course, but in the meantime I wanted to write about these issues in relation to integrity in blogging. It's an article that has been developing in my mind for some weeks now, and the seminar has helped me to put a few of my thoughts in order.

The questions are: how does one maintain one's integrity, and how does one prove that one has done so?

Virtual personas, a chance to win some money, and a new unconference

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 06:58:14 +0100

The virtual personas idea caught my eye, and having investigated it I think it's worth looking at, despite some misgivings. And there's a possibility of winning some money too.

Computers in Classrooms June 2008

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:08:49 +0100

Here's the latest issue of Computers in Classrooms -- in Word rather than
PDF format because the latter didn't have hyperlinks. Hopefully I will
sort that out for next time!

The main article is about video on demand, plus details of Blippr and book
discounts, and other stuff.

Here is the full list of articles:

ICT in Education goes mobile
Editorial
Tweetmeet.eu by Doug Belshaw
Leadership survey
Competition
Blippr
Book discounts
Flip Video
Video on demand

Enjoy!

This newsletter is for subscribers only. Not a subscriber? It's free, and you can sign up here.

Review of the Flip Video

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:05:22 +0100

Here's a classic case of buying a solution in the hope of finding a problem for it! I have often toyed with the idea of purchasing a video camera and taking it with me on my travels, but the effort and cost have always seemed to me to exceed the likely benefits.

However, the Flip Video, which arrived on the shelves in Britain only very recently, changes all that. True, there have been other, similar, devices here for some time. But none of them, in my opinion, matches the sleek good looks of the Flip.

Elaine and I have been putting it through its paces, and would like to share the results, and our thoughts, with you.

Briefing for 26 June 2008

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:35:28 +0100

Today's briefing covers the following topics:

The Byron Review Action Plan for child e-safety.
Education for a technologically-advanced nation.
Data protection issues: findings of two of the official investigations into loss of confidential data.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Two questions about ICT capability

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:04:26 +0100

Here are two questions you might like to use in order to get a discussion going with your colleagues.

They are both concerned with assessing ICT capability.

I'd be very interested n your thoughts on these matters.

Trying times (3)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:07:29 +0100

In the final part of this mini-series, I'd like to look at two seemingly very different forms of assessing pupils' abilities: where they look, and how they write. But, perhaps surprisingly, they do have something in common....

The "new" digital divide

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:59:46 +0100

In an interesting article in The Guardian's "The Link", Stephen Heppell discusses what he calls the "new digital divide", by which he means access to technology being locked down.

The examples he cites are good ones, but the phenomenon is not new. As he says, an avoidable digital divide is unforgivable. But what can be done?

Writers' Block

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:23:37 +0100

I think "writers' block" is a condition invented by people who can't write, and need an excuse to cover their inadequacies. Real writers do not suffer from it. However, if you think you are suffering from it, here are some things you can do with technology to help you snap out of it.

Practical ICT June 2008

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:21:57 +0100

Here it is: the latest edition of Practical ICT. Here's what it contains:

Leading edge to leading school: taking your learning platform forward
The leadership dilemma: what sort of leader should you be?
Advanced motoring as a metaphor for advanced teaching and management
Learning from advertising
Learning from architects
Learning from bad role models
Learning from cafés
Over to you

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Filter Tip

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:41:47 +0100

I love spreadsheets. At the moment I am trawling through hundreds of websites trying to identify which course, if any, they may be suitable for. But rather than simply create a huge repository that would be all but useless to the end user, I have set up a series of filters to make it really easy to drill down to what you actually want.

In this post I explain how I have done it, using Excel.

Video resource 19 June 2008: Making field trips podtastic!

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:18:47 +0100

Here's an interesting video about getting high school students more engaged with museum exhibits -- by creating a multimedia, tablet-based resource that enables the students to interact with the exhibits.

An interesting idea, or simply a non-starter?

Review of Blippr

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:52:59 +0100

I've been trying out a new micro-blogging application called Blippr. It's a bit different from Twitter in that it is especially geared to writing reviews of books, films and music. Here's what I think about it.

Leadership Briefing 18 June 2008

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:38:50 +0100

In this edition we look at:

Online reporting.
Work-related learning.
The Shine celebration week.
Gender.
School improvement.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

What are the elements of good educational ICT leadership? Here's a poll to find out.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:33:30 +0100

Take our leadership poll

This is a light-hearted and quick way of trying to find out what people think are the key ingredients of successful leadership of educational ICT.

It will take you 10 seconds to respond. If you disagree with my choices then let me know.

I'll publish the results of the survey in due course -- and if there is not a huge response I'll publish that fact too.

Creativity and ICT

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:18:10 +0100

According to Sir Ken Robinson in this video, a prerequisite of being creative is to not mind being wrong. If he is right, then using information and communication technologies should help people to become more creative.

But does it?

Leadership briefing 16 June 2008

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:33:26 +0100

In this edition, we look at:

Secondary ICT
Play spaces: a game-like consultation
Consumer education in a technology context
Online interactive project templates

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Thoughts on educational technology leadership 1

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:38:55 +0100

What is it that makes a good educational ICT leader? Here are a few thoughts on the matter.

Progress report

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:59:32 +0100

I am currently reading two very different books, but one thing they have in common is some startling statistics about the rate of change in modern times in the context of people's use of new technology.

There's a special offer of 20% off of these two books and "What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Second Edition", for subscribers to Computers in Classrooms, our free newsletter. (Not applicable in the US or Canada I'm afraid.)

"Technology's Promise and Me", "MySpace and I, What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Second Edition: 20% off for subscribers to "Computers in Classrooms"

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:57:11 +0100

The publishers, Palgrave, have kindly offered to give subscribers to "Computers in Classrooms" a 20% discount off these books. At the moment, this offer applies all over the world except for the USA and Canada -- but we're hoping that that will be changed soon.

You'll see from the prices given in the Amazon UK boxes above that it's possible to buy two of those books at much lower prices. Apparently, those are ones sold by individual people rather than by Amazon itself, a bit like eBay. I went through the process of placing an order, and discovered that after postage was taken into account, there's very little difference in the total price if you buy two or three of the books including Technology's Promise, which is hardback.

Of course, if you live in a country that doesn't have an Amazon, you may find that the international postage costs charged by the Amazon resellers wipes out the price differential completely. Personally, I'd buy direct from Palgrave and be done with it, wherever you live. I do have a vested interest in saying that (and so do you, potentially) which is that if companies like Palgrave offer such generous discounts and people don't take advantage of the offer, they may stop making them! The offer lasts until 30th October 2008.

I'm in the process of reading these books, so full reviews will be available as soon as possible. However, I have drawn on Technology's Promise and Me, MySpace and I in this article. They're both very interesting and very readable.

If you subscribe to Computers in Classrooms, click the link in the title to find out how to obtain the 20% discount. Otherwise, why not subscribe? It's free, and a great read, which means it's excellent value for money!

You've got a (critical) friend: the need for formative assessment in international projects

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:09:51 +0100

I recently enjoyed the honour of being a "meta-judge" on the Horizon 2008 Project. But it strikes me that, really, that is not what the project, or its sister The Flat Classrooms Project, needs.

Review of Hyperwords

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:27:41 +0100

I've been messing around with a utility called Hyperwords, which turns any word on a web page into a link of some sort.

Here's what I think of it.

Trying Times (2): Ay, there's the rubric)

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 09:34:09 +0100

I was recently approached by Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis with an invitation to be a "meta-judge" on the Horizon 2008 Project. It was a great honour to be asked, and I hope my judgements are received in a positive way.

But, as usually the case with this sort of thing, it did raise doubts in my mind about the value of rubrics for this type of activity. They are useful, but they are also limited, and not nearly as objective as one might think.

The K12 Online 2008 Conference

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:58:25 +0100

I'm sure everyone else knows about this conference by now, but I have been totally caught up with work these last few weeks, and have not had a chance to write about it until now. So, here is some news about what I regard as a great opportunity for professional development, my thoughts about it, and how you can get involved.

Trying times (Part 1)

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:32:10 +0100

I've been involved in two very different forms of assessment this week, and only today I read about some new research going on. So over the next day or two I thought I would just talk about those things and, in particular:

The two key difficulties of assessment;
My difficulties with rubrics; and
My problem with some newly-research.

New Web 2.0 Publications

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 01:06:22 +0100

The first two publications from the University of Nottingham's research into Web 2.0 have appeared on Becta's website.

Here's a brief description of what they are and where you can find them.

Workaholism and the Asus EEE PC

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 00:19:33 +0100

A new study has just been reported on which, in a way, draws together the recent articles I wrote about workaholism and the Asus EEPC.

Computers in Classrooms April 2008

Sat, 31 May 2008 11:18:46 +0100

The April edition of Computers in Classrooms is now available online. Here's what it contains:

Reflections on BETT

My views on the recent BETT show, including my take on the new features of the show, such as the debates, and some of the new products available. This includes preliminary reviews of some 2Simple software and Softease's Honeycomb.

Meeting Michael Marland

Michael Marland is a well-respected educationalist and author in the UK, and I had the privilege of meeting him a few months ago.

Next Generation Learning

Becta recently launched a new website to grab the interest of parents and others to support the use of ICT in schools. I interviewed the TV presenter and broadcaster Johnny Ball about this new development. This is a transcript of the interview.

School Leadership

It's been established that the quality of school leadership is a key influence on the quality of the ICT provision in a school. I attended a conference on school leadership which had presentations from many interest groups, including the private schools sector and students. In this article I summarise what was said and attempt to apply the discussions to the leadership of ICT in schools today.

Computers In The Classroom. With Or Without Them, Russians Do Not Seem To Be Enthusiastic About Learning Foreign Languages

Russian reader Elena Nikolaenko discusses the use of computers to teach foreign languages in Russian schools.

The Russian Version

The same article, in its original Russian!

Book Review: Blogwild!

Can a business book on blogging be of any use to teachers. Read this review to find out.

Book Review: ICT: Inside The Black Box

This book goes through assessment for learning techniques that may be used in ICT. Is it any good?

If you already subscribe to Computers in Classrooms, and you cannot open this zipped file, you can download the cover of the April 08 edition from here, and the newsletter itself from here. If you don't subscribe, then what are you waiting for?! It's free, and you can download past issues from here. If you like what you see, then sign up here.

Dealing with a colleague's workaholism

Thu, 29 May 2008 23:13:11 +0100

There is only one thing worse than a workaholic boss, and that's a workaholic team member.

But whichever side of the big desk you are on, there are ways of dealing with the situation, thanks to the wonders of certain email options.

Inspections Briefing

Thu, 29 May 2008 07:29:30 +0100

This briefing will be of primary interest to ICT teachers in the UK.

Inspections:

What changes are really being proposed (as opposed to the ones that appeared in the headlines), and what are the implications for the ICT leader in school?

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Review of the Asus EEEPC

Wed, 28 May 2008 07:58:07 +0100

About three weeks ago I bought an Asus EEEPC, and have been putting it through its paces.

So, how does it stack up as a mobile device?

C? I tld u so, didn't I? txtN isn't so bad aftr ll, unl ur /:-)

Mon, 26 May 2008 23:55:25 +0100

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?

Teachmeet comes to north-west London

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:47:30 +0100

Read on for details.

Conduct unbecoming

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:51:01 +0100

I heard recently that an educational ICT consultant had offered a school a money-back guarantee if they gave him the contract they'd advertised.

I think that is both unprofessional and unnecessary.

But more to the point from the school's point of view, agreeing to such terms makes the prospect of getting poor value for money more likely rather than less.

A commercial approach to promoting educational technology

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:53:21 +0100

I do believe there is a lot we can learn from the commercial world when it comes to promoting the use of educational technology in schools. In this article I draw on the example of how one company's approach to getting repeat business may hold lessons for the ICT leader.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

The Education and Training Bill and forthcoming developments in the UK

Wed, 14 May 2008 23:50:01 +0100

Excellence, personalisation and training are all high on the agenda. There are key points of particular relevance to the ICT leader, but because this legislation will change the funding and regulatory landscape substantially I have reproduced many of the points here rather than just one or two. But I have omitted those which seem to have no likely bearing on ICT and those which are especially specialised, such as Young Offenders.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Educational technology in Russia

Fri, 9 May 2008 07:43:05 +0100

Computers in the Classroom. With or without them, Russians do not seem to be enthusiastic about learning foreign languages…

… according to Nikolaenko Elena.

Consulting with parents and children: a briefing

Thu, 8 May 2008 10:38:18 +0100

This briefing draws out the ICT-related findings of three recent consultations in England and Northern Ireland.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

The technology we take for granted

Thu, 8 May 2008 10:37:06 +0100

Like most people, there's a lot of technology I take for granted. But every so often I stop and think about how things were in the past, whether since I've been around, or in previous eras. When it comes to technology like the internet and mobile phones, as far as youngsters are concerned they have always been here. So how can we get kids to appreciate the effects of technology on society, a requirement in many general IT courses, when as far as they're concerned there is nothing special about the existence of the technology? Something happened to me yesterday which made me think about all this.

Leadership scenario: a staffing issue

Thu, 8 May 2008 00:15:46 +0100

In this scenario I look at quite an interesting, and unusual, staffing issue concerning the teaching of ICT.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

At the end of the day, in my own personal opinion , it's all about communication, yeah?

Wed, 7 May 2008 18:50:13 +0100

England's The Daily Telegraph recently reported on a study which found that 10% of the words we Brits use in conversation are so-called “filler” words. In other words, all the “ums” and “ahs” that do not add anything to the information being imparted.

So that got me thinking...

The art of execution

Tue, 6 May 2008 00:12:26 +0100

A big problem which faces all organisations is actually getting things done. So what can you do about it in your school or department? Here are 5 key actions to take.

This article is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal. Click the link to find out more about this high-value, low-cost, subscription.

Where have I been?

Mon, 5 May 2008 22:18:56 +0100

As you may have noticed, this website has been uncharacteristically dormant since a week last Friday, until today. Unfortunately, a malignant Fate decreed that I succumbed to some horrible cold virus that is doing the rounds. So here is a brief synopsis of what I did, and failed to do, and what's coming up.

Book Review: Information & Communication Technology: Inside the Black Box

Mon, 5 May 2008 21:36:45 +0100

If you have looked into assessment for learning then you will almost inevitably know about the seminal work, “Inside the Black Box”, by Black and Wiliam back in 1998.

This book, ICT: Inside the Black Box, takes the techniques discussed in that book, and apply them to ICT.

Computers in Classrooms April 2008

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:17:49 +0100

The April edition of Computers in Classrooms is now available. Follow the link to find out what's in it and how to get it.

Development of the Children's Workforce

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:27:42 +0100

... and what it means for the educational ICT professional in schools and Local Authorities.

A recent UK Government publication contains useful information for those involved in ICT in education in Britain.

This publication is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal.

My bionic briefcase

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:52:30 +0100

Or... what is the well-dressed consultant carrying these days?

OK, so the title is a bit of a misnomer because my briefcase is not bionic (I just happen to like the alliteration), and the well-dressed consultant referred to is me. Here's a list of stuff I never travel without on business.

Not a foregone conclusion Q7

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:27:06 +0100

In recent weeks I've been exploring some questions, mainly to clarify my own thinking in these areas. Regard these posts as my thinking out loud. Feel free to chip in with your own reflections.

My original list of questions was:

1. Is it always better to use a computer than pen and paper, in terms of productivity, creative output or better learning?

2. Do computers always enhance pupils' self-esteem?

3. Does government funding lead to better spending on educational technology in schools? Is it better or worse if caveats are attached to the spending?

4. Is it always better to use templates to guide pupils' work?

5. Do free resources supplied by governments enhance or diminish the quality of teaching (and therefore, subsequently, learning)?

6. Do the standards laid down by various national curricula or schemes of work really level the playing field, or do they merely mask inequalities of provision caused by other factors?

7. Does it matter if schools do not embed educational technology in the curriculum?

Today I'm looking at the last one.

Teachers and writers

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:51:54 +0100

Teachers and writers perhaps have more in common than people realise.

Yesterday I visited the London Book Fair, and that helped me to gather my thoughts on this matter....

Welcome back!

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:05:03 +0100

We decided to go away for a week and have a complete(ish) break for 10 days. I am now attempting to get through around 900 emails, so if one of them is yours, please be patient!

Being an ardent multitasker, even as I write this I am uploading pics I took whist away. They are taking ages to load because they are so big, so if you would like to see them you may wish to check the photo website out several times. That's here.

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Are acceptable use policies acceptable or of any use?

Wed, 2 Apr 2008 17:06:03 +0100

One of the things recommended by the recent Byron Review into keeping children safe in a digital world was for schools to have acceptable use policies. My own view is that this recommendation is one of the weaker ones in the report. Is anything gained by including it? No. Would anything be lost by excluding it? No.

Briefing for 2 April 2008

Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:42:16 +0100

This briefing covers the following:

Home Access Consultation

-- the consultation ends today.

Action points arising from Byron

-- several things to consider, plus an 11-point action plan to start implementing now

14-19 Qualifications Consultation

-- just a quick "heads up" about it.

This publication is available only to subscribers to the Practical ICT eJournal.

Byron, babies for laptops, and qualifications in the UK

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 08:04:15 +0100

I have a few items of news and opinion which I thought I'd put together in a mini news item. They concern the Byron Review, the Home Access for Technology initiative and qualifications in the UK.

It's not about the technology: keeping children safe online

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:50:35 +0100

At the recent Naace 2008 strategic conference, Jim Gamble of the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre gave a powerful talk about the reality of child abuse, and what the British police are doing to combat it.

During his talk, Jim showed two videos, one at the start and one at the end. Although I don't have access to the whole presentation, I've tracked down the videos, and have included them in this article in the order in which they appeared.

Not a foregone conclusion Q4

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:18:08 +0000

In recent weeks I've been exploring some questions, mainly to clarify my own thinking in these areas. Regard these posts as my thinking out loud. Feel free to chip in with your own reflections.

My original list of questions was:

1. Is it always better to use a computer than pen and paper, in terms of productivity, creative output or better learning?

2. Do computers always enhance pupils' self-esteem?

3. Does government funding lead to better spending on educational technology in schools? Is it better or worse if caveats are attached to the spending?

4. Is it always better to use templates to guide pupils' work?

5. Do free resources supplied by governments enhance or diminish the quality of teaching (and therefore, subsequently, learning)?

6. Do the standards laid down by various national curricula or schemes of work really level the playing field, or do they merely mask inequalities of provision caused by other factors?

7. Does it matter if schools do not embed educational technology in the curriculum?

Today I'm looking at the fourth one.

Keeping children safe in a digital world: The Byron Review

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:43:04 +0000

The Byron Review has been published today. I'll be looking at it in more detail, but so far I have to say I'm impressed by the fact that there is a separate report on brain development in childhood and a report on the impact of new technologies on children, amongst other reports, and a publication aimed at children themselves.

Read on for the full details of the publications referred to and where you can find them.

The brain, learning and the future

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:08:20 +0000

Professor John Stein, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, gave a fascinating talk at the recent Naace conference. I recorded it, and there are pictures of some of the slides he used.

Not a foregone conclusion Q3

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:40:03 +0000

In recent weeks I've been exploring some questions, mainly to clarify my own thinking in these areas. Regard these posts as my thinking out loud. Feel free to chip in with your own reflections.

My original list of questions was:

1. Is it always better to use a computer than pen and paper, in terms of productivity, creative output or better learning?

2. Do computers always enhance pupils' self-esteem?

3. Does government funding lead to better spending on educational technology in schools? Is it better or worse if caveats are attached to the spending?

4. Is it always better to use templates to guide pupils' work?

5. Do free resources supplied by governments enhance or diminish the quality of teaching (and therefore, subsequently, learning)?

6. Do the standards laid down by various national curricula or schemes of work really level the playing field, or do they merely mask inequalities of provision caused by other factors?

7. Does it matter if schools do not embed educational technology in the curriculum?

Today I'm looking at the third one.

The Educational Technology Site: ICT in Education -- Headlines

What makes a good list?

Shock Tactics

Past imperfect

Self-respect and the big rip-off

Conventional non-wisdom

Reflections on Samuel Pepys

Briefing for 18 September 2008

Three cheers for failure

Benchmarking

The Myth of Efficiency

Maximising the success of your team

Briefing for 12 September 2008

Pictures Across the Curriculum: After the Tourists Are Gone

Maintaining Standards

Pictures Across the Curriculum: Missing Monks

Making an event successful

Our current surveys

Twenty One Ideas for an ICT or Technology Co-ordinators' Day

not k12 online

Formalising meetings

What a great start to the new term!

Getting a meeting with colleagues on the first day of term

Briefing for 1 September 2008

Getting off to a good start, part 2

Pictures across the curriculum: portrait of an artist

Getting off to a good start

Chopping and changing

Video Pathways

Updated information about the work I've been doing, what people have said about it, the Practical ICT eJournal subscription and the design of this website

Special team meetings: 29 ideas

Practical ICT August 2008 now out

Pictures across the curriculum: Litter Britain

Don't ban the spam

Maximising the success of individual team members: 10 key actions for success

Blog Day 2008

The iPod Blazer

Wish You Were Here

Still around -- just! Reflections on my diploma work

The bug force

The managerial approach to project management

An Uncritical Mass

Blogging and writing

Leading & managing educational ICT Briefing 21 July 2008: Community Issues, and getting discussion going

The Transparency Initiative

Cavalier attitudes to data: a different mindset

Michael Marland: a personal tribute

Two minute tips

Increasing the conversation

As if I didn't have enough to do, now I may have to learn Portuguese

Integrity, journalism and PR

Virtual personas, a chance to win some money, and a new unconference

More on the Flip Video

Computers in Classrooms June 2008

Review of the Flip Video

Briefing for 26 June 2008

Two questions about ICT capability

Trying times (3)

The "new" digital divide

Writers' Block

Practical ICT June 2008

Filter Tip

Video resource 19 June 2008: Making field trips podtastic!

Review of Blippr

Leadership Briefing 18 June 2008

What are the elements of good educational ICT leadership? Here's a poll to find out.

Creativity and ICT

Leadership briefing 16 June 2008

Thoughts on educational technology leadership 1

Progress report

"Technology's Promise and Me", "MySpace and I, What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Second Edition: 20% off for subscribers to "Computers in Classrooms"

You've got a (critical) friend: the need for formative assessment in international projects

Review of Hyperwords

Trying Times (2): Ay, there's the rubric)

The K12 Online 2008 Conference

Trying times (Part 1)

New Web 2.0 Publications

Workaholism and the Asus EEE PC

Computers in Classrooms April 2008

Dealing with a colleague's workaholism