At a time when we seem to be increasingly called upon to make ‘research-based’ decisions, it’s worthwhile to reflect on exactly what types of research we really value. As educators we are expected to have a natural affinity with research, even though that of course isn’t always the case. For me, I am passionate about […]
What Research do You Find Most Useful? Read More »
Two recent news articles from different parts of the world should have us thinking hard about the future of the teaching profession. First, from Australia, a report that there has been a 12% fall in applications to study teaching at that country’s universities this year. Greg Craven, the vice-chancellor at Australian Catholic University says, not
Urgent Memo: We’re Losing Teachers Read More »
In the midst of the ongoing dialogue around modern learners and modern learning, I was wondering how far the conversations within your school community have reached. To what extent have you been able to engage parents and your wider community in the dialogue, and what has been their response? I think it would be fair
Who Knows About Modern Learning? Read More »
One of my oft repeated lines in my presentations to teachers and leaders goes something like this: “This modern world of technology is not what you signed up for when you went into education.” By that I mean that most people who go into the profession have a very clear picture of what they’re getting themselves into.
Leading Through the Transition Read More »
When you think about the amount of time, energy and passion that has underpinned the move to ubiquitous computing access over the past 25 years, it still comes as a bit of a shock to many that we have so little to show for it. Not that there aren’t exemplars, and it was pleasing to
The Mystery of Pedagogy Read More »
This week I bring you news from “My Best Teachers Who I’ve Never Met Department,” one that’s filled with dozens if not hundreds of faculty members who I’ve connected with over the past 15 years online. One from fairly early on in my learning about social media and learning, Mark Pesce, popped back up on my
“The Classroom is Not a Place…” Read More »
“Having no destination, I am never lost”. Ikkyu a 15th Century Zen monk Reading Audrey Watters column in last week’s EML brought back memories of the intensity of those first days, 25 years ago, when the hundred or so 10 and 11 year old girls at MLC school in Kew were the first in world
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.” ~Ambrose Redmoon The other day, a school leader I was talking to said that she “encourages” her teachers to use technology in the classroom. Now while I’ve heard that word tens of thousands of times in
As I was blissfully wandering through yet another educational technology exhibition recently, albeit BETT in London, the largest in the world, I was wondering if we are really aware of who or what has the most influence on our edtech buying decisions. In the midst of the millions of dollars spent displaying technology ‘kit’ at
Putting the EdTech Cart Before the Horse Read More »
Bruce and I had the great fun of spending the day at Educon in Philly on Saturday, and we sat in on a great session led by David Jakes and Kristen Swanson on “Rethinking the Purpose, Process, and Promise of Professional Learning.” (You can watch some of the stream from the session on YouTube.) At
Learner First, Modern Second Read More »
How do feel about giving your students an unfair advantage? I’m intrigued by the idea because while on the one hand it undermines the moral imperative of an education for all, on the other it strikes at the very heart of what underpins so much of our lives, competition. While most of us would hold
How Do You Feel About an Unfair Advantage? Read More »
Let’s start here: my “baby” will be graduating high school in about six months. It’s absolutely flown by, and here I am, like most parents, awestruck at how quickly it went. Good news: she’s a pretty awesome human, and there’s a lot to love. Also good news but in some ways unsettling news: her path
No Engagement? No Education. Read More »
Hopefully by now, the excesses of the New Year are well behind, and while Southern Hemisphere leaders may be basking in their vacation sun, Northern colleagues are back at work and focused on the year ahead. I wonder if you managed to pass the first day of the New Year without the mandatory discussion of
Resolutions that will make a Difference in 2015 Read More »
As 2014 draws to a close, it’s become increasingly apparent that the current system of schooling isn’t really working for our kids, especially when taking into account the changes that we’re experiencing in the way we learn, the way we get educated, and the way we work. Harvard professor and author Richard Ellmore recently described
Rethinking “Success” in 2015 Read More »
As the end of the year approaches, it seems worthwhile to look back on some of the achievements of the past twelve months and reflect on what we have learnt. It would be somewhat of an understatement to say that the edtech sector has seen unprecedented levels of investment over the past 12 to 18
Lazy Thinking and Commercial Opportunism Read More »
