You may have noticed that quite a few of the articles to appear here recently have been in the form of links headed “Found on the web”. Why?
Read MoreFound on the web: 08/22/2011 (a.m.)
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10 Science Fiction Books That Changed the Course of History
Very interesting article illustrating how science fiction became science fact in some cases. How? Real life scientists were influenced by novels. A bit self-referential, which is a worthy science fiction theme in itself.
Look out for an article about science fiction soon.
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“Reclaim Blogging”: Why I’m giving up Twitter and Facebook. | gapingvoid
Interesting idea: giving up Twitter and Facebook to concentrate on blogging -- though with some inconsistency, given that buttons for those are still on the website.
worth readingbthe comments too.
So what do YOU think?
Found on the web: 08/20/2011 (p.m.)
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The Social Media GuideA Guide to Facebook Security
Looks pretty good, accessible.
Back to school: 2 reading suggestions for ICT teachers
I know that to most folks in England, “back to school” seems a long way off. But pity our colleagues in Scotland, the USA and other parts of the world for whom this has already become a reality. Here are two resources you might find useful.
Relaxing with technology
I need a break. I’ve been working like crazy, weekends too. So, for the next few days I’m having a break. As I’m not able to go away, a “staycation” is called for. I can’t go away partly because of another looming deadline, and even more partly because of the two feline parasites who have recently taken over our household. (I could meet the deadline from anywhere in the world, but it's too soon to leave the cats in somebody else's hands.) As a techno-addict I’ll be using a computer of some description or other to provide some entertainment. Here’s what I have lined up
Found on the web: 08/18/2011 (a.m.)
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Thoughts on writing a social media policy « simfin
Comprehensive and thought-provoking post from Simon Finch on ideal beahvior online -- including by teachers and parents.
Found on the web: 08/16/2011 (p.m.)
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Back to School: 42 Digital Resources for Students & Parents
Another interesting-looking collection of websites, tools and resources. Plenty here to read or just dip into -- and a lot more than the 42 cited!
Found on the web: 08/16/2011 (a.m.)
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100+ Google Tricks for Teachers | TeachHUB
A really great resource. Not all are new, but it's always good to be reminded of stuff!
The importance of branding for ICT in schools
One of the things you have to acknowledge, whether you like it or not, is that to some extent people do judge by appearances. So, how does your ICT provision appear to others?
There is a potential paradox
Are you an insufferable bore?
When I walk into a shop and immediately get pounced on by a sales assistant, I usually beat a hasty retreat. If they’d have just left me alone, I might have bought something.
Read MoreBecoming an inspirational teacher
Here's just a quick heads-up. I discovered that one of the most popular articles on this website is one I wrote back in November 2009, so at the risk of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, I thought I'd let you know about it in case you weren't aware of it.
Read MoreCrossing the street
In 1993 the DJ Norman Jay told Sheryl Garratt, writing for The Face:
If you believe in what you’re doing, sooner or later those who rejected you will cross the street to see what you’re doing.
Crossing the street isn't always so easyI love that quote. I think it applies to any situation in which someone is trying to change the way things are done – or at least trying to make a few relatively minor changes – in an environment where most people feel they have no compelling reason to change anything. Many ICT leaders will certainly know that feeling!
So, what could that quote mean in your situation?
Synchronicity, mobile phones and a great upcoming conference
It’s strange, is it not, how certain linkages occur, what some would call coincidence , and others synchronicity ? Yesterday, the mobile phone was the common factor for me, and continued to play a part: I became so engrossed in responding to an email that I missed my station by two stops, and had to backtrack!
Found on the web: 08/03/2011 (a.m.)
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Really interesting collection of Web 2.0 tools
Tools for ICT Managers
Tomorrow morning (09:30 UK time) I will be giving a talk entitled 20+ tools in 40+ minutes. So what’s that all about?
I have used the word “tools” to encompass useful applications, websites, blogs and societies. They are all ones I have found to be useful, or think would be useful to others.
What don't people know?
Like many others, I suppose, I sometimes forget that just because I am familiar with something (a piece 
Hmm. Seems kinda obvious to me...of software, a workaround, a report -- whatever) doesn't mean that everyone else is. And they're not going to tell you that they don't know something for one very simple reason -- people don't know what they don't know!
About a year ago I explored this issue, and suggested ways to deal with it, in an article entitled The art of stating the obvious. Click the link to read the article now.
Why technology goes wrong: no presentational dissonance in sight (at first)
A few years ago I coined the term “presentational dissonance”. Derived, clearly, from the psychological concept of cognitive dissonance, the term is used to describe a situation in which the nature of a presentation, and its content, are at odds with each other.
For example:
Dates for your diary
Before you go offline for the summer, here are a few dates you might like to pencil into your diary. They are events which you are bound to find useful in your educational ICT work.
Read MoreWhy technology goes wrong
Join us for the final Vital Teachshare discussion of this school year, as Tony Sheppard, aka Grumbledook, talks to us about a topic that I am sure is dear to our hearts:
Why Technology Goes Wrong. The discussion begins at 7pm UK time Tuesday 26th July, and you can access it by clicking on the link just given. Use the timezone converter to find out what time it is where you are.
Tony is a key member of Edugeek, one of the most vibrant online forums I know of.
Please tweet about this event, using the hashtag #vitalcpd. Thanks!
See also:
Update on 2011-07-26 21:06 by Terry Freedman, Educational ICT Consultant
We had a great session: brilliant talk by @grumbledook that covered just about everything, and a great follow-up discussion.
To view the recording, click the link below:
Unsubscribing blues
I’ve recently decided to finally take the bull by the horns and unsubscribe myself from any newsletter or other mailing that I don’t at least skim on its arrival. It’s part of a drive to de-junk my life, starting with our home, and moving on to my inbox. You’d think that unsubscribing would be easy. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Read More