Photo by Alexandru-Bogdan Ghita on Unsplash

Not another national strategy (thank goodness)

May 3, 2021

For years it’s been the case, or at least seems to be the case, that satisfying Ofsted inspectors who may not know anything about ICT or Computing is a safer bet than trying to be innovative.

Obtaining customer feedback: Why do it, how to do it, and how to use it

April 8, 2021

Why feedback matters.

Judge not, etc

April 3, 2021

A lot of inspectors judged how good the subject was being taught by how nicely formatted the kids' work was.

In the next issue of Digital Education

March 28, 2021

Here’s what’s in the next issue of my free newsletter, Digital Education.

Remembering Mr X

March 28, 2021

I like to think that had there been anti-plagiarism software around when I was at school, and had my English teacher used it, I’d have been saved years of wasting time looking for ways to make money. I’d have enjoyed more sleep too.

Parental pressure over exam grades? Shurely not...

March 24, 2021

How will schools deal with parental pressure over exam grades?

4 ways to enhance your free offer to schools

March 20, 2021

Unfortunately, having a plethora of free services and products can cause a few headaches for schools in the longer term.

The dysfunctional departments for education

March 19, 2021

Sometimes, it's easy to start to wonder if, as those in high places seem to be losing their grip on sanity, or at least reality, whether the fault really lies with yourself.

Working with schools during lockdown: 7 activities that work

March 19, 2021

A lot of edtech businesses and other organisations provide resources, and some provide lesson plans. Unfortunately, the resources on their own can become just one more free resource, and the lesson plans are often useless.

Conventional non-wisdom (Updated)

March 18, 2021

Should you have a Computing leaflet or prospectus to give to potential students or their parents?

The 4 key elements of word of mouth

March 17, 2021

It’s a challenge to think of what to do in order to stand out, but from the examples given in the book, it doesn’t have to be anything fiendishly difficult.

7 insights from Nudge theory

March 16, 2021

If there is an option to send a text or email message to parents with the information, obviously there needs to be a box to be ticked for that, but all the business of copying information from one place (the database) to another (text message), formatting the message and then digging out and inserting the parent’s contact details should all be automated.

Think outside the box, by Terry Freedman

The Tyranny Of Relevance (Updated)

March 10, 2021

In his exposition of his views in favour of liberal education, he used the term 'the tyranny of relevance'. Although he wasn’t talking about Information and Communications Technology (ICT), this phrase did strike a chord with me. Is there perhaps too much store set by 'relevance'?

In ICT, the past is not what it was (Updated)

March 10, 2021

From 1997 there was an almost palpable – some would say relentless – commitment to educational technology in the UK. Although not always strategic, it was both consistent and persistent. It was a qualitative as well as quantitative break with the past. Yet, whilst I would never disparage these efforts, I don’t believe they were necessarily as wonderful as people remember them to be.