Educational Blogs

Thought I'd take a minute to record my thoughts on some of the educational blogs I am reading at the minute.


http://education.change.org/ is a US site written by a collaboration of educators looking to change the systems of education.

http://weblogg-ed.com/ is a very well written site concerning the impact of technology on learning across the world.

http://chrisyaktheteacher.blogspot.com/ takes the angle that technology is not having the impact that it could have in the classroom and we are wasting an opportunity to transform the way we educate.

http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/ is written by a Scottish director of education and encompasses teaching and learning plus leadership and cultural change.

http://creativetallis.blogspot.com/ is the site of a school in London and their student and teacher group focussed on promoting creative learning.

http://blog.ted.com/ is the blog of the TED 'ideas worth spreading' site. This was the site that I first saw Sir Ken Robinson's talk on creativity. It is about more than education - but is fantastic and inspirational.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/mortarboard UK education news and opinion from a liberal perspective.

http://teachingbattleground.wordpress.com/ a site that I almost totally disagree with evrything said, but 'could' be representative of views that others hold and therefore provides an interesting perspective.

http://olliebray.typepad.com/olliebraycom/ thoughts on school leadership, and teaching and learning with new technologies from a Scottish deputy Head Teacher.

http://heyjude.wordpress.com/ an unconventional view from an Australian librarian about learning in an online world.

Happy reading!

Good teaching means more time

What would happen if we used lesson observation data to decide how many non-contacts (over and above ppa) teachers got next year? For example if a teacher averaged 3s they would only get their PPA periods, if they averaged 2s they would gain an extra 'free', anyone averaging 1s would gain 2 extra frees. Too risky? Teachers would have to agree that for each extra free they got they would commit to one good practice session and to coach a colleague.

Twitter/Facebook

I must have too much time on my hands. I'm thinking of creating a twitter or Facebook account. Not reaaly sure why as i will no doubt only use it for a couple of days and then realise that life is too short, but then again its not exactly much of a risk is it!

In my extensive twitter research (basically going to the site, reading wikipedia and checking out what Barack had to say about it) i have discovered that you don't write much, some people get obsessed and there seems to be less pictures. mmm?
My facebook research is less comprehensive (my wife spends too long on it), so although i like looking at pictures, i rarely find a photo of me i'm happy with and don't want many photos of my kids on the web. mmm?

What to do? maybe i'll give up and do something contructive instead - like write a blog!

Chill-out

My 1st post! On holiday and chillin out. makes a nice change! The cricket on the telly, i've hardly moved from the sofa and been messing on igoogle (not like me to spend so long messing on setting something up - but then i don't normally have this much time).



The process of setting up igoogle and a blog is quite addictive. I have no idea how often i will blog or even if i'll ever do this again - a question of time and priorities I suppose.

I really like the Art of the Day gadget. More later... probably!