Thank goodness I have Internet again!!!!

Its amazing how much you rely on the Internet and a school network to communicate with other staff members. The School has suffered from a virus which has infected the Network for the past week or so. This meant that no communication via email or access to the Internet.

I now understand why people were fitter 10-15 years ago. If you had a message for someone, you had to go and find them to deliver it to them. I must have wandered around the school more times in the past week than all last year, because I have to physically locate the person I needed. Was it a bad thing? I am not sure. But I am sure glad it is all back up and running!!!

Interactive Whiteboard GONE!!!!

As the beginning of the year is fast approaching I sat at my desk looking at my Interactive Whiteboard being carried out of the door of my classroom in preparation for the Toshiba tablets that will hopefully replace them. There were feelings of regret, the Interactive Whiteboard allowed me to teach in a very different way, not necessarily better, just different. I hope that these tablet will enhance this knowledge further. Have I done the right thing? I hope so........only time will tell

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.