Reading Writing Responding

creative commons licensed (BY) flickr photo by mrkrndvs: http://flickr.com/photos/aaron_davis/14476927585 Someone recently asked me which educational podcasts I listen to. It got me thinking about the different podcasts and what makes them each unique. Although they all focus on education and so often incorporate some element of technology and pedagogy. What makes them each unique in my view is the voice in which they provide. By 'voice' I not only mean the perspective grasped, but also the means in which it is presented. I feel that the best way to represent these differences is through different forms of refreshments and the context created through each one. RU Connected I am not sure if it is my habit of listening to the podcast at school early in the morning or it is the style of conversation, but I always feel as if I am sitting at a cafe with +Jenny Ashby  and  +Lois Smethurst  drinking a coffee and having a chat. Wandering from one subject to the ...

creative commons licensed (BY-NC-SA) flickr photo by DennisCallahan: http://flickr.com/photos/denniscallahan/9321465398 My school is currently developing a long term plan in regards to our goals in 21st century learning, as well as investment in devices and infrastructure. Some of the questions of concern that were raised were: what 'packages' do schools offer their students, especially when they are further along the line in regards to BYO. What is the change over time in regards to devices, particularly in schools which dictate the device parents must purchase. Where are devices stored, especially during breaks. In an effort to gage a wider perspective, I created a Google Form and sent it out to my PLN. It was pleasing to open up the survey and find 35 different responses . The survey was made up of five multiple choice questions including:  What year levels do you have 1 to 1 devices and what are they? How are your devices funded? What is the time fra...

A few weeks ago, I had the great opportunity to be a part of Google Hangout for +Ed Tech Crew Episode 238 . The big question being addressed was: If you were only able to give one piece of advice to a new ICT Co-ordinator in a school, what advice would you give them. Although I have had a go at outlining my thoughts elsewhere , here are the gems offered by the wider team ... +Ashley Proud - Be relentless with whatever you do. +Mick Prest - Make sure that you are connected to a wider community. +Mel Cashen - Have both short and long term goals, don't just think about right here, right now. +Lois Smethurst - Narrow your field of focus to something that you believe is going to make a difference with. +Darren Murphy - Go and listen to people, get teachers and leadership on board +Aaron Davis  - Create a team and develop a collaborative plan. +Roland Gesthuizen - Coach the kind of learning that you want to be happening and be disruptive, facilitate t...

The other day I received an invite from +Darrel Branson  to participate in an episode of the +Ed Tech Crew  . The question up for discussion is: what advice would you give a new teacher just appointed as an ICT coordinator? I know that the medium is more about the meeting of the minds, I decided to clarify my own thoughts on the matter. I am sure that there are things that I may have missed, but here is my start to the discussion ... There is No 'I' in Team . The first thing that any co-ordinator in any position should do is to build a team. I am of the belief that one person has the power to bring about change, swapping one thing for another, it is through the power of a team that evolution occurs. Develop your team by engaging with those people who have some skills and expertise, find out who has some passion that you can utilise. This may not be a formal group that say meets at 8:00am every Thursday morning, rather it needs to be thought of as a group of people who you...