Sir Bob Geldof at Bett 2017. Photo (c) 2017 Terry Freedman.

An interview with Sir Bob Geldof, and other articles

February 10, 2017

Here's some information about what's in the latest edition of our newsletter, Digital Education.

The Heavy Mob: Terry Freedman, Steve Wheeler, Simon Finch. Photo taken by Simon, and modified by Amy Burvall.

Bett 2017 Photos

February 9, 2017

Bett 2017 photos. Happy memories!

Bett 2017: Themes, Strategy and Economics

February 8, 2017

What were the main themes of this year's Bett show? And if you attended, how can you think about strategic decisions based on what you saw?

Bett Radio 2017, with Russell Prue

January 31, 2017

Relive the Bett 2017 experience with Russell Prue's Bett Radio. Four days'-worth of chat, interviews and observations. And it's free!

Thoughts on Bett 2017

January 30, 2017

Updated. Some reflections on Bett, plus links to other articles about Bett.

Bett Bulletin #7: two stands to visit at Bett

January 27, 2017

Two pretty good products to see at Bett 2017.

Bett 2017 Bulletin #6: What I've seen, what to see

January 26, 2017

Here's a summary of what I saw on the first day of Bett 2017, and the products and seminars I think worth looking at.

Bett 2017: Wednesday's seminars

January 25, 2017

A selection of seminars going on at Bett 2017 on Wednesday, the first day.

Bett 2017 Bulletin #5

January 24, 2017

More information about #Bett2017, including a seminar I'm chairing, links to previous Bett Bulletins, and information on how you can get more, erm, information.

Bett 2017 Bulletin #4

January 23, 2017

The forthcoming issue of Digital Education is a Bett special, with loads of useful information if you're planning to go to Bett -- and even if you're not. (The section on new products being launched at the show may be quite useful.)

Bett 2017 Bulletin #3

January 20, 2017

I know from past experience what next week at Bett will entail, so I've written a program to summarise it....

Click the pic to be taken to book's Amazon page for your country!

Bett 2017 Bulletin #2

January 20, 2017

Read on for an opportunity to purchase this seminal work for a mere 99 cents or 99 pence.

Bett 2017 Bulletin #1

January 19, 2017

Information about an interesting-looking discussion panel at Bett 2017.

Recent book reviews

Review: How I review books on edtech

My views on what constitutes a book on edtech are fairly catholic. Indeed, it would me more accurate to denote the books I review as books for teachers of ICT, Computing, digital literacy etc etc,, rather than books on edtech. The latter tend to have titles like “How to teach Computing”, or “How to use Excel in the classroom”.

Review: Nuts and Bolts: How Tiny Inventions Make Our World Work

It's rather disconcerting when one considers that buildings like The Shard are essentially held together by nuts, bolts and washers.

Review: Love Triangle: The Life-changing Magic of Trigonometry

Like, I suspect, many people, I have never knowingly come across an isosceles triangle in my life, and wouldn’t know what to do with it if I did. However...

Review: Making Sense Of Chaos – A Better Economics for a Better World

Before you rush off on the grounds that this book has nothing to do with Computing, let me reassure you that it does.

Bjork & Bjork’s Desirable Difficulties in Action

The original work on which this volume is based has perhaps been honoured more in the breach than in the observance.

Review: Coderspeak – The language of computer programmers

This book won’t necessarily help a student pass a computing exam, but it will almost certainly make them a more aware, and thus better, programmer.

Review: Quiet Power, by Susan Cain

Introverts thrive by being allowed to be quiet, having time for reflection and not being required to 'perform' all the time.

Quick look: Desirable difficulties in action

The idea of desirable difficulties has always appealed to me. In my teaching I’m partticularly in favour of applying Vygotsky’s concept of the zone of proximal development.

Review: The Collaboration Book – 41 Ideas for Working Better

Most people would agree that collaboration is a good thing – so how can we collaborate more effectively in school settings?

Review: Listen: On Music, Sound and Us

This book might not directly address obvious aspects of the music curriculum, but it can certainly give teachers access to a rich seam of facts and anecdotes with which to embellish their lessons.