Sir Ken Robinson

Love this video by Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution.

As usual he has a lot of really good thoughts mixed with humour. He suggests that schools make a shift from the traditional model to personalised learning where children's natural talents can florish.

It certainly makes me think about the way our schools are run at present.

YouPublisher

Another great Web 2 tool (free) that I like is Youblisher. You upload your pdf files and it makes the document 'flippable' so the pages turn - it makes it more like reading a 'real' book.

I have embedded a small pdf (2 pages) so you can see how it works. This is great for schools - children could make their own pdf files to add to classroom blogs or wikis.

Digital literacy across the curriculum

Digital literacy across the curriculum

What another great book for teachers to download (free). This book is aimed at primary and secondary teachers who are interested in critical and creative uses of technology in the classroom.

Schools are encouraged to embed the use of ICT in all curriculum areas across both the primary and secondary schools. Teachers need to consider how the digital literacy can support the subject knowledge can help ensure that using the technologies enhances teaching and learning as opposed to being simply an ‘add-on.’ As teachers we try to prepare young people to make sense of the world and to thrive socially, intellectually and economically, then we cannot afford to ignore the practices of digital literacy that enable people to make the most of their multiple interactions with digital technology and media.

Movemeon

A book for teachers, Movemeon, is available for a free download (or a hard copy may be bought) for teachers. This has been made from the Twitter community and consists of tip, suggestions and ideas. It has lots of interesting ideas about activities, behaviour, classroom management and feedback. It is well worth teachers downloading this book. Apparently another book is planned on school leadership.

Ning

A large number of educational communities have been created in Ning generally using a free account. From July these are now going to cost depending your plan. There are three plans: Ning mini, Ning Plus and Ning Pro. The cheapest is Ning Mini at @2.95 a month. They say that Ning Mini Networks will be available for K-12 educators and their students that a 'major educational company' is sponsoring this. Higher education appears excluded from Ning's educational plan.

I have been reading Steve Hargadon's blog about this as well as the information on Ning. Steve's blog is a balanced account of the changes.