ELECTRICCHALK

…because everybody learns from everybody else.

Education Blog:

How do you train web2.0?

June 28, 2009 - Comment, Professional Development, Whole School Issues - By: Chris

Pic: Training RoomThe quick answer is I don’t think you can. Or should. The key is to cultivate an organisation that embraces change, novelty and risk across the board, not just in ICT. Something a fair few schools feel discouraged from doing.

Here’s the long answer…

Reasons to be Scottish…

June 19, 2009 - Comment, Whole School Issues - By: Chris

Pic: SaltireAs part of the Scottish Diaspora I usually look back at the country of my birth with my head in my hands. But it seems that they’re doing a lot right when it comes to learning with technology. Am I being seduced by good PR?

Film Ed’s CP3 Conference – last bookings

June 16, 2009 - Professional Development - By: Chris

Pic: CP3 2008 - BrightonIf you are interested in using digital video as a teaching and learning tool then this conference by Film Education comes highly recommended. It’s in Liverpool this year.
I’ve blogged about it before and have been to 3 of them although I haven’t quite got over the shame of weeping over Ian Wall on the final day in Leicester (I [...]

Cute wee jigsaw puzzle site

June 15, 2009 - Site of the Week, Web Tools, resources - By: Chris

Pic: 3120977127_fe44d151d1 - online jigsaw puzzle - 24 piecesHere’s a nice wee jigsaw puzzle creator which would be nice for whiteboard activities. Jigsaws are saved as a URL so can be put on blogs, VLE’s etc.
Have a go at my nice but pointless example.
3120977127_fe44d151d1
That is all. You may go.

Getting grumpy about the news…

June 12, 2009 - Comment, Whole School Issues - By: Chris

Pic: Image - fotdmike on Flickr2 rather discouraging Guardian links to look at…
Tougher School Inspections form OFSTED  – Great! Just brilliant news for schools in disadvantaged areas. I have to admit to being confused. Some messages coming out of government are about freeing up the curriculum and taking a broader approach to assessing schools. Does this now mean that no [...]

Immersive technologies and education

June 11, 2009 - Professional Development, software - By: Chris

Pic: Image - Adi Setiawan on FlickrHad an interesting day out on Monday at Nottingham Uni. Nick Mount and Gary Priestnall in the school of geography were hosting a workshop on the uses of immersive technologies in education. It was all a bit out of my remit as we don’t do higher ed in CLC’s but a fascinating day nonetheless.
It was [...]

Blog appearance

June 9, 2009 - Uncategorized - By: Chris

Hi all,
the blog is still not updated properly so this isn’t anything like the finished redesign. Aaron has a tummy bug (bless him), hence the delay.

Blog going offline

May 28, 2009 - Uncategorized - By: Chris

Aaron’s updating the site with our new theme and widgets which is why it all looks a bit tatty.
Keep checking back.

Twitter – Resistance is futile

- Professional Development, resources - By: Chris

Pic: Image - mfilej on Flickr
I did a wee post a while ago getting all snotty about Twitter but I think the time has come to re-engage with it. I started following a few of my favourite bloggers (Doug Belsahw, Martin Weller) and I’ve linked the blog to my tweets.
The main reason for the change of heart is that next [...]

BBC Poetry Season -

May 27, 2009 - Site of the Week, resources - By: Chris

Pic: Image - surrealmuse on Flickr 
Have a look at the BBC’s poetry season mini-site. Loads of media and bits and pieces about making poetry accessible. If you’re an English teacher you’ve probably already seen it but I thought I’d post it anyway.
Check out the bits with Caroline Bird in the Discover section.
I watched Simon Schama’s programme on John Donne last [...]