| Digital - teacher | Education in a technological world

Just who do they represent?

Back in 2008 I worked at a school in Nottingham City. It was a nice school. A caring school. A Victorian school. A school with character. It sat in the middle of the city, in a densely populated area, that had for several years before slowly become more and more student oriented.

ICT. A new beginning?

Let's be honest. I don't like Gove. I never have done in all the time he has been secretary of state for education. He doesn't listen to advice from those who know what they are talking about, and seems intent on pushing through his own version of a flawed educational approach.

Why I will NOT be striking with my union

I'll be honest. Today isn't a good day. Today is a sad day. I am disappointed. Disappointed because my teaching union - the ATL - has sent me an email.

"ATL’s ballot for action returns an overwhelming YES vote"

Frustration

I'm feeling frustrated with my blog hosts at the moment - the same company that host the school website  and all of the pupil blogs / learning spaces too. It's not that the blogs don't work, it's because I'm seeing innovation on other platforms that I'm missing out on.

And a new age begins

During the half term week something happened in Nottinghamshire. Something BIG. Something momentus. Something exciting. The county, after lots of planning and preparation, ditched its corporate network that libraries, care homes and County Hall are connected too, and ditched its education network (run by EMBC), and merged both networks into a new, more cost-effecient system called 1C1N (1 County, 1 Network).

The meek shall be forced to pay more

I've spent most of today on the phone to digital TV providers, as part of the process to upgrade the digital TV box in the house from the standard box, to an all singing, all dancing HD ready, recordable one.

Kitchen frustations continue on and on and...

I'm starting to believe that we are never going to complete the kitchen with the plans we had for it. The reason for this is simple, we foolishly - nay, stupidly - decided to go to Currys to get some items for it.

To misquote the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons; Worst. Decision. Ever.

Technology Manacled, not Harnessed

Do you remember that catch phrase for educational ICT not long ago that was "Harnessing Technology"? It was used by Becta frequently, it was quoted by politicians regularly. There was even a budget allocation named after it!

The Cult of Tech

Over the past few years, I've slowly acquired more products created by Apple. The reason for this - I wanted a product that worked, out of the box, instantly, without running into set up and usage issues.

Access Denied

Imagine being out and about in a town centre. You see a shop that you use all the time back home, and decide to take a look in it. As you approach the door, a security guard suddenly blocks your entrance, and pulls the shutters down. No reason given. Just no access to it. The guard claims it's for your own good.

Muller-ed

That's it everyone. Nothing to see here. Move along now. The World Cup is over.

A letter to B&Q

I've written a letter to B&Q. It's not a nice letter, but it's a necessary letter. This is what the letter to a national DIY chainstore says.