Something to think about.....

Toolishness is Foolishness

I am contemplating the idea of gadgets.  One of the main purposes for technical gadgets is to make life easier (Or so the advertisements say).  The gadgets that come to mind are the iphone, PDA's, ipod touch, and laptops.  I wonder whether too many gadgets are a good thing or a bad thing.  

Me being the complete gadget king I would say that you can never have enough gadgets.  But reflecting on what I have purchased over the years I have probably been through about 4 MP3 players, 3 different laptops, 5 phones and numerous other toys which I thought would enhance my life in some way.  Unfortunately looking back, it kind of hasn't happened :)

So I am thinking from an educational perspective, what happens???? Is toolishness, foolishness? Do you need to try the tools before you know whether they are going to do the job or not?  Will kids make do with the tools that they already have?  Will the tools be nothing more than gadgets with no educational worth?  And will gadgets last the test of time?

Things in plain English

Have you ever wanted things to be explained in plain English.  Things like Wiki's, Blogs, Twitter and RSS. Well I have found a fantastic website which does that.  It's a bit like the online version of 'Microsoft Word for Dummies'.  

The site is called: http://www.commoncraft.com/

Blog about the Toshiba Laptop trial

http://toshibatabletsin6tb.blogspot.com/

Toshiba tablets

Well, some exciting news!!!! Southwell entered a competition to win 60 Toshiba laptops for two years to see whether they have any educational worth. We were lucky enough to win the competition and now we have the opportunity to work with Toshiba and The University of Waikato to do action research into what educational benefits a tablet laptop can provide. There are exciting times ahead.

When I went to the Toshiba training day there was an interesting presenter who made the comment about innovative practice. Leaders must "Back the runners to run" what an excellent concept. The presenter was from Frankston High School in Melbourne and he showed practical examples of how to use these machines effectively.

http://www.fhs.vic.edu.au/

What out soon for my Blog dedicated to my reflections on how these tablets will be used in the classroom.

Toshiba training

As the end of the year rushes to a close I have had the opportunity to take a day out of the classroom to attend some Toshiba laptop training.  With a huge mission up to Auckland last night it's nearly time to take the ferry from Half Moon Bay into the city.

What's a Toshiba tablet laptop you may ask?  Well I have had the opportunity to play with one for a while.  It has a rotating screen, it has handwriting recognition software which turns handwriting into typed text and it is incredibly light.  What else can it do?  I am not sure.  I will let you know though :o).

Last full week of school

Well I am now officially in my last week of school.  The children are still working really hard to finish off our Bloom's activities about 'Leadership'.  I am impressed with how focused they are and so keen to get things finished.  

We have currently been rehearsing for a play called 'Bugsy'  it's set in the 1920's and 30's.  We had our final rehearsal today.  It went okay.  We have organized the music so it runs from a laptop backstage.  The boy who is running it is doing a fantastic job.  Who knew that sound could be so easy!!!! NOT :o)

Well wish us luck tomorrow.  The first of two performances.  We will rock it for sure