Suitcases stacked to the ceiling

Credit - GenBug on Flickr CC

The 19th March is my final day as the Training Officer at Sheffield East City Learning Centre. I’ve been here for nearly 5 years and have pretty much loved every minute so I’m leaving with regret.

My next role will be with Netskills, a JISC supported group working out of Newcastle Uni helping HE, FE and other types of organisation use web-based technology in their teaching, learning, administration and research.

I more than a little nervous about a change of sector but it was a conscious decision based on  a number of factors too boring and personal to mention here.

I thought now would be a good time to take stock of a few thoughts about the move.

I will miss:

  • working with young people. The potential for fun, frustration, surprises and discovery is massive. I’m sure working with a different set of people will be enjoyable too but I predict a little less knockabout fun. Working with young people is extremely energising (and curiously draining all at the same time).
  • working with this team. In all the jobs I’ve done it’s been the relationships with the people around me that have made the good times brilliant and the bad times bearable. This bunch of reprobates have been great to spend time and work with.

I will not miss:

  • running any more sessions on using Revelation Sight & Sound (great software but enough’s enough)
  • the drive to work – 250 miles a week is a drain on time, momey and energy.
  • some really rubbish devices and badly designed software.

And finally…

  • I am extremely hopeful for the future of school education because of the level of passionate dedication from many of the teachers I’ve worked with and on my Twitter network.
  • I’m also nervous about the future so long as there is this lack of political vision and willingness to take risk without fear of being pilloried.
  • The iPod Touch. The Canon EOS450D SLR. The Sony V1E HD camcorder. My ultra-reliable Dell laptop. My two monitor setup on my desk. At 5pm, these are the devices that they will have to prize from my cold, dead hands!

I will be continuing this blog but the focus will change somewhat. Exactly how, I’m not sure yet.

Thanks to all the fantastic CLC staff, teachers and students I’ve worked with in Sheffield!