Readability is a simple tool that ‘makes reading on the Web more enjoyable by removing the clutter around’ what you’re reading. Check out how it works: [vodpod id=Video.3214367&w=425&h=350&fv=] Great, definitely a useful tool but what interests me is the opportunity it offers English teachers to explore how ‘Readability’ (and similar technologies) change the nature of the meaning of the text. I […]
“Diane Ravitch is the rarest of scholars—one who reports her findings and conclusions, even when they go against conventional wisdom and even when they counter her earlier, publicly espoused positions.” Howard Gardner The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education is Diane Ravitch‘s new tome. It is […]
to have a job like Brian Skerry’s…
As I was unable to attend the Education Future Forum, held in Sydney earlier this year, Dr Phil Lambert kindly emailed me his presentation, 2010-2020: Ten Propositions for the Decade. Phil’s paper is lengthy and it is not my purpose here to cast a cold eye over it but to take one issue of interest and seek your input, dear readers. […]
Tim Kastelle posted this video talk by Jeremy Rifkin which I repost here and am sure you will enjoy. [vodpod id=Video.3625992&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] more about “RSA Animate – The Empathic Civilisation“, posted with vodpod I like the point Tim’s emphasises, that when, “you develop…deep connections with the people you serve, the ideas that you give them […]
Sir Ken Robinson’s books and talks, quite simply, inspire! His sense of humour and rejection of neo-factory models of education are a beacon of light for those who wish to reform the educational hand children are dealt. His passion for moving towards a ‘personalised curriculum’ is the most important educational idea of our, or any […]
OneSocialWeb is a ‘free open decentralized social networking platform’ in development and will, undoubtedly, try and capitalise on the widespread dissatisfaction with Facebook’s privacy policies. [vodpod id=Video.3604307&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] more about “YouTube – Why OneSocialWeb?“, posted with vodpod
Augmented reality apps from the iTunes App store have not really excited me in the way I originally expected but the potential is fantastic. Here’s the Common Craft video explanation for those new to the concept.
[vodpod id=Video.3560170&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] more about “Social Media Revolution 2 (Refresh)“, posted with vodpod
Kenneth Clark‘s television series Civilisation was written and filmed in the year of my birth, 1968. It is not funky, fashionable, contemporary, postmodern or politically correct but I recommend you view or read the book for a stimulating ‘personal view’ of ‘civilisation’. Of course, when you view it now there are passages that make one cringe and would not be broadcast today. It is […]
I have been tweeting for two years. I know many of you have been on twitter for much longer but it is amazing to think how fundamental to my day social media, especially twitter, has become in this relatively short period of time. The first person I followed was @mpesce who presented an interesting talk at […]
Things You Learn is a new online magazine that draws together stories exploring how learning influences our lives, how we strive for change and the outcomes it can bring about. I really like this idea/rationale. Metacognitive skills, like reflection, are such an important part of learning. Hearing stories on others’ reflections is important for students but […]
I really enjoyed this post from Read Write Web, the ‘Internet of Things’, highlighting Tim O’Reilly’s recent keynote. Some viewing. The first video is 5 minutes long and the second is 36 minute but worth your time. After my viewing, I had the following in my mind: Q: What does it all mean for our students, communities and […]
@LiteraryMinded asked about ‘our spines’ today and I have obliged below. However, it is my Kindle that has the most titles, especially chapter samples to read.
At great risk of appearing unneccesarily sycophantic, I need to say that Mark Pesce‘s post, Whatever Happened to the Book, is clever, unusually clever, even for Mark. Everything that currently intellectually interests (read obsesses me) about literature and our hyperconnected age is explored. Please read it closely and tell your friends, especially if they are teachers still learning. […]
A post by James Bradley, at his City of Tongues blog, led me to buy and read Miscellaneous Voices: Australian Blog Writing, edited by Karen Andrews. I would not usually buy an anthology of ‘online’ writing as it just seems too silly, losing all the hyperlinks and hyperconnectivity, but felt happy to invest in this project when I read: “This […]
“The cycles of other species can be destroyed, and the biosphere corrupted. But for each careless step we take, our species will ultimately pay an unwelcome price – always” I have just finished Anthill, set mostly in Alabama and occasionally underground, by two times Pultizer Prize winner and first time novelist, aged 81, E.O. Wilson. Pre-ordered ages ago, it arrived […]
[vodpod id=Video.3376887&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] more about “Tomorrow When The War Began – First O…“, posted with vodpod Hopefully, John Marsden’s much loved novel will be a quality, Australian film.
Thanks to Monika Hardy for posting this video. [vodpod id=Video.3359367&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] more about “Stick in the Sand“, posted with vodpod
A 12 year old with some formidable public speaking skills, indeed! What have you learnt from ‘a kid’ recently?
@achurches tweeted this great visual explanation of social media video today [vodpod id=Video.3353602&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] more about “Social Media Explained Visually“, posted with vodpod
[slideshare id=515731&doc=what-teachers-make-1216241373036327-8] Thanks to Bethany Smith for posting this slideshare link at my blog.
Seth Godin reminded me of this video in his recent post. It always makes me feel slightly uncomfortable, for a wide-range of reasons. You? [vodpod id=Video.1181504&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] more about ““What Teachers Make,” by TAYLOR MALI“, posted with vodpod Here’s another post about teaching, education, learning and passion worth reflecting on by Seth Godin.
Now, having finished David Shenk’s, The Genius in All of Us, I’d like to continue my reflection on the importance of this work to educators, students and parents. The notes I made while reading, using that function on my Kindle, highlight that our quintessential thinkers, in Western civilisation, have always suspected that giftedness’ was a […]