NMC Releases 2009 Horizon Report | nmc

http://www.nmc.org/news/nmc/2009-horizon-report-released

Always worth a read suprise mobile & social media are in there.

openeducationdisc

Thanks to Kate of  http://onceateacher.wordpress.com
for this link to the open education disc great resources all in one place worth a look http://www.theopendisc.com/education/

Gill Clough Geocacheing wonderwoman

Thats got you embarrassed Gill ;-). Gill Clough of the OU on the world service talikng about geocacheing worth a listen  on digtal planet of course

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/digital_planet.shtml

Fancy looking at things in a bigger way

I like to think I see the bigger picture but this piece really made me think . So just what are the skills required by learners entering secondary school today or even more challenging primary. This excellent piece on the NCSL future is worth a read . Interesting that the IT firms involved are Microsoft, Intel and Cisco the times they are a changing .

Andreas Schleicher head of indicators and analysis at the organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). I suspect knows what he is talking about (no actually does Know).

Have a read and if you feel like it join the debate . article Link

Also have a look at http://getideas.org/ and get involved

A interesting article to read in the midst of a global downturn.

Mac user easy to use what do if your mac wont start

Great little guide http://creativetechs.com/tipsblog/my-mac-wont-start-a-tiny-guide now I know mac like PC's are very reliable but just in case you need this low tech but right tech aide memoir.

what do moles watch on the web or there phone well watch moletv of course !

Joking aside this is a great example of using technology and sharing !!!

As part of the Molenet project managed by LSN and funded by the LSC
on of the project has developed into http://moletv.org.uk this site allows you upload your own educational video content and allows users to download the material in the most common mobile device friendly formats .The clever think is the content is converted to the various mobile friendly formats directly on the site .

So on have a look and nice thing is no advertising on the site either .

New phone feature baffle users

Interesting report from mobile firm Mfromation featured on the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7833944.stm

Main points:


85% of users reporting they were frustrated by the difficulty of getting a
new phone up and working.
In the big sample of the 4,000 people questioned, 95% said they would try more new services if
phones were easier to set up.
Nice quote here "If an application does not work once or twice, they just will not use it or
try again," he said. even more scary some 61% of those questioned said they stopped using an application if they could not get it working straight away.

This mirrors my feeling on websites.

So come on mobile developers get real and get some proper user interfaces and users involved in design and testing. Whats cool for developers isnt always cool for user !!!

This could be a major barrier to Mlearning and one we must overcome !!

Pico projector from Toshiba

Just back from Bett where pico projectors are appearing . Saw a 3M which was exciting but not jaw dropping. Then blagged a look at pre release tosh model not on publc display the ony one in the country ??

flickr pictures below. Its looks like some really cool uses could be found in the education environment .

teachmeet the legend continues

In the APex room at BETT and 250 people are pouring in !! The tweets are flowing as well as the beer. It with the help of twitter flashmeeting be the biggest keynote @ Bett09 .

watch for the camel video on youtube !!

Down for everyone or just me?

http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com

Thanks to ian usher for tie useful site.

great programme from South Africa Khanya

Great teacher training type project from SA http://www.khanya.co.za/projectinfo/?catid=32

have a look anybody done the programme if so let me know.

request for help R U using twitter with Deaf learners

Hi request for help anybody using or interested in using twitter with deaf learners if leave us a comment

Sign Language translator

This is truly amazing the first sign language dictionary thats searchable by gesture. Thanks to Dan from Future Lab for this story. You can search video or real footage for gestures with just web cam and pc. I predict mobile version will be with us not that far in the future.

I have as regular readers know an interest in sign language but this story blew me away http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/21944/?nlid=1644&a=f truly amazing

Great week bring it On LATWF,BETT09,TMBETT09

Well a whole load of acronyms what are they :-

Learning and Technology World Forum
High profile event involving Government from around the world and a veritable who's who in promoting technology in learning. Link here
I am trying to report on twitter using tag #latwf

British Educational Training and Technology
The largest Edtech show in Europe and some plaudits say the world (anybody want to say different). Its a Olympia in London 14 through till 17th January. From lady bird mice to learning platforms to policy advice its all there . Worth a visit though if you hate it dont blame me . Link here.
twitter reports #bett09

Teachmeet @ BETT09
Simply the best register on the wikki http://teachmeet.pbwiki.com/TeachMeet09Bett to attend in person or virtually teachmeet are simply the best show and tell anywhere of what real teachers are doing "Right Here right Now!".
twitter reports using #tmbett09

Byt the way follow me on twitter on www.twitter.com/andyjb

Teachmeet the legend continues

Well if your in london next Friday come along to teachmeetbett09 to see some really interesting practice in supporting learning with technology . If your not able to come you can participate remotely .

Go one join those giants  (humble ones) that make teachmeet so special !!

Microsoft,Apple Now Palm

Palm that US heavyweight of the mobile market (in years gone by) in the US has updated its operating systems further signs that US mobile market is growing in importance even in the recession racked US.

http://ulearning.edublogs.org/2009/01/08/palm-finally-strikes-back/

Microsoft,Apple Now Palm

Palm that US heavyweight of the mobile market (in years gone by)  in the US has updated its operating systems further signs that US mobile market is growing in importance even in the recession racked US.

http://ulearning.edublogs.org/2009/01/08/palm-finally-strikes-back/

News coverage of Molenet funded project at Ludlow College

Little story shame the grant funded by the Learning and Skills Council and dispensed by the Learning and Skills Network didnt get a name check

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/business-news/uk-coventry-business-news/2009/01/06/campus-turned-into-wi-fi-hotspot-92746-22616432/

Top 50 educational apps for the iphone

One persons view I love google earth and twitterfon but what others have you found let me konw??


http://oedb.org/library/features/top_50_iphones_for_educators

Random 7 neme

Well Steve Wheeler suckered me with this http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com/

I have to follow these rules

• Link your original tagger(s), and list these rules on your blog.


• Share seven facts about yourself in the post - some random, some weird.


• Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.


• Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs and/or Twitter.

Here are 7 things about me you probably didn't know (or were too scared to ask):

1) Nearly drowned at 4 my elder brother grabbed my arm as I went under for the last time

2) I didn't learn to ride a bike till 23 inspired by failing my driving test I am now a biking zealot, I proposed to my wife on a bike

3) I personally hired a Soviet built MI8 helicopter to visit Karakoram palace of Ghengis Khan in 1991 from the


capital Ulan Bator. In the days when things like this werent easy

4) Hitched across Australia north to South

5) Have camped in minus 18 Celsius for over 10 days in one trip

6) arrived in Russia on the trans Mongolian the day the 1991 August coup happened from Outer Mongolia and got off the train in Moscow the day it was defeated

7) Interested in Neolithic period well ok obsessed !!

8) spent more time in Ladakh in india Himalaya then anywhere else but England.

ok is eight but I got into confessing !

I tag Geoff Stead , Leon Cynch, Derek Robertson, Rob Englebright ,Steve Beard, Tom Barret, Claire McCallum to follow the challenge.

see Joe Wilson got collared to by Laurie

An anthropological introduction to YouTube

A while ago I posted on the pew story on the internet replacing newspapers for adult and even surpassing TV for young people. Original post I made is here
I as a post script posed the question what is television any more which Terry Freedman commented he liked the question . The video below goes some way to answer the question .

This link came from regular Blog contributor Bob Harrison and links nicely with earlier post .Watch video of the presentation by Mike Wesch University of Kansas to Library of Congress. Great piece of work worth a look. Youtube is a insight into one future of broadcast media.




Mike Also produced the machine is watching us video which Ive blogged before.


I want to be one of his students

Homework is fun on an iPod touch

Nice to see this Australian work using the Ipod touch my mobile
favourite at the moment (subject to change )
link here

storage storage and backup

The historians I know are concerned the amount of digtal artefacts (photos) stored on standalone home computers.
I put photo's on Flickr and store them on a extra portable hard drives. but if your storage of photos on facebook got chopped how much would you lose or future historian lose.


Great blog post on this subject from Gina Minks http://gminks.edublogs.org/2009/01/01/how-important-will-storage-education-be-in-2009/ linking to Brian Hendersons blog http://powerwindows.wordpress.com/2008/12/31/you-dont-know-what-you-got-til-its-gone-cinderell/

I came across the EMC Academic Alliance read there white papers on Digital Universe
and »Managing Storage »

only on UK institution is a mmeber Glasgow Caledonian University but I will look into it. There comment on developing a generic storage currciculm might be of increasing importance to us all.

D2L Launches Mobile Learning Environment -- Campus Technology

A sign of maturing mlearning launch of application that works with
a learning platform.

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2008/07/d2l-launches-mobile-learning-environment.aspx

one must remember how succesful blackberry in US education market . A
development to watch.

Happy New Year prediction

Mobile is already here (last years prediction) this years one is location,location . The integration of GPS is the utility thats time has come.

• context
• location

Data cost threaten social networking sites

Telegraph (uk) article on falling ad revenue threatening viability of
sites in New Year. Blogged from my nokia so just search the link
yourself.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Andy Black

"Where Technology and Pragmatism Meet"
blog http://andysblackhole.blogspot.com

"One can resist the invasion of an army but one cannot resist the
invasion of ideas" Victor Hugo.

Christmas present

No not really but a "gadgetdom" would make interesting present.
Merry Christmas . Photo by Steve (official photographer) at Mlearn2008.

OLPC Nicholas Negroponte visit to Colombia

The OLPC programme has caused much debate you might be interested in seeing Nicholas Negroponte on a visit deploying the OLPC in Columbia. No comment you decided

There are some games where cheering for the other side feels better than winning.

Great story the power of email the cloud and the crowd good on you sport fans thanks @theheroworkshop and digital maverick for putting this on twitter


http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

cheer the other side this Christmas!

Internet Overtakes Newspapers as News Source Item from Pew research

Item from Pew research no surprise here but another sign of changing times. my only question is how do you define television any more


link at http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1066/internet-overtakes-newspapers-as-news-source

some key graphs below.



this great table from Pew shows for the young the internet outstrips TV

US SMS growth suggest wider growth of mobile globally

Thanks to Liam Lowe for this

Portio Research have a new research report out which states: link here


 The mobile messaging market is expected rake in $130 billion in revenues by the end of the year, and is on pace to climb to $224 billion by 2013.
At that level, mobile messaging will make up 60 percent of all non-voice service revenues.

At least some of those increased revenues might be due to the higher price of a text message and operators' push to encourage more bundled services at the point of sale.

Interestingly enough, although the U.S. is considered late to the SMS party, Americans now send double the number of messages that Europeans average each month.

Now its seems this data is quite robust and interestingly other data suggests qwerty keyboards on mobiles are more common in the US.

Has the American consumer between the network confusion (caused  US telecoms) and got the mobile bug .

From studying google alerts for mobile over 18 months its seems from UK and European domination the most often picked up mobile learning leads are the US and India.

Predictions for 2009 the world is mobile not. The UN report earlier this year suggesting the next billion internet users will be mobile internet users back this up.

You have to go through it to understand

I blogged Alan Johnstone release back in July

http://andysblackhole.blogspot.com/2007/07/bbc-news-world-middle-east-bbcs.html

I woke up this morning to here this amazing interview of Alan Johnston interviewing  Ingrid Betancourt who was held for five years Columbian Farc rebels . Made particularity poignant by Alan himself having been held captive for four months in the Gaze early this year .
 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2008/12/081218_betancourt.shtml

Listen and be humbled by insight into the role of hope despair an the power of family and friends and strangers. Plus the praise for the humble radio.

Now I don't send Christmas cards Medicine an frontiere, Oxfam and Amnesty get my cash I would have spent instead . But if you want a Christmas piece to make your reflect on what you have rather than what you lack just listen .

Merry Christmas

Digital Literacy The Next Generation User Skills Report

Thanks to Joe for giving me a prod on this I had seen only partly read and forgot to post so top reminder Joe read the blog and get to link to download report at
 http://www.joecar.demon.co.uk/2008/12/digital-literacy-next-generation-user.html

Have a read and join the debate. If its half as good as the assesment 2.0 report by SQA it will be worth your time

Mobiles in schools on BBC world service

Huge heads up to those interested in things mobile in education Elizabeth (on person communications team) Hartnell Young along with others has been featured with her work on use of mobile phones in Education on the world service . Goon on yer !!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/digital_planet.shtml

Mobile phones in school
Many schools have banned the use of mobile phones, saying that they distract students from working in class.
But over the past year, 300 pupils in the UK have been involved in an experiment to use mobile phones in lessons to record movies, take photos or set homework reminders.
Reporter Anna Lacey visits Park House school in Newbury to find out whether the project has been a success.

Related links

Becta UK - Mobiles in schools

Nottingham University, UK - Elizabeth Hartnell-Young

cut and paste for ipod touch and Iphone

its a bit of work round but its a start . will install it later and let you know how it goes.

http://pastebud.com/

Educational Jargon Generator

Made me laugh ! Sad isn't it !
>

> http://www.sciencegeek.net/lingo.html

Live Mesh : Expanded Live Mesh for Mobile CTP

Windows mobile 6 works livemesh. Not my OS but worth a look. Thanks
islayian for this

http://blogs.msdn.com/livemesh/archive/2008/12/09/expanded-live-mesh-for-mobile-ctp.aspx

Thanks to Steve Wheeler : timbuckteeth

Steve Wheeler that thinker and doer of Plymouth University who I met for the first time this year has listed me in his friends retro review on his blog very nice words thanks Steve. Also commend you to subscribe to his blog  http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com/2008/12/2008-friends-retro.html

Steve also co organises a great e-learning conference to whom I have submitted a workshop proposal http://www2.plymouth.ac.uk/e-learning/

get it in your diary now !!!!

PICO projectors are here

http://www.personalprojectors.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/32

I've talked about them often enough now you can nearly buy one in the UK .

Wireless USB

Now I get this but using PCMCIA card odd but watch the next version .
Ratoc introduces Wireless USB kit for your PCMCIA-equipped laptop

Looks very odfd but the principla is sound .

http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/ratoc-introduces-wireless-usb-kit-for-your-pcmcia-equipped-lapto/

Request to participate in survey on Children's Games

Please help a young graduate in some research they are doing its for parents indicate somewhere if you are UK based or not



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I am part of a Graduate Project team, and we have been carrying out research into educational toys in the home market.

We have created a survey for parents to assess their views on educational toys.

If you are a parent, then please click the link below to fill in the survey, it will be very helpful for us to get your views on the matter.
It shouldn't take too long to fill in, its mainly drop-down menus and checkboxes, and all personal questions are optional.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gF8A4FrMGdIEi9BnUQItlA_3d_3d

A new UN e-Learning initiative

Interesting development


Berlin, 6 December 2008 " A new UN e-Learning initiative, launched in Berlin last week, offering developing countries opportunities to draw upon a rich array of training and capacity-building resources.

Sixteen UN agencies, meeting at a forum organized by UNEP during the 14th International Conference on Technology Supported Learning and Training in Berlin, agreed to establish UNeLearn - a UN-wide network on technology supported learning to share information and expertise, and to collaborate on the sustained deployment of e-Learning.

http://yubanet.com/world/UN-Launches-E-Learning-Initiative-in-over-160-Developing-Countries.php

Teddies in space make the international and national media

Greetings from Berlin at Online Educa. Geoff Stead sent me this and its great because the learners are the hero's and there bears.

I am using the story to open my presentation on next generation learning very apt in the home of the teddy bear "the stieff bear"  .

Looks at Geoffs posting this is so cool and hopefully my audience will love it

http://moblearn.blogspot.com/2008/12/teddies-and-telephones-in-space.html

John Traxler Interviewed at Online Educa

Mobile learned expert (guru)John Traxler interviewed at Online Educa

download youtube as mp4 files

just found this the button you can drag into firefox is so easy !! great

http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2008/04/download-youtube-videos-as-mp4-files.html

portable mobile projector review

People might like to look at this review of a ultra portable projector .

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/technology/personaltech/05pogue.html?_r=1&em

Everything you always wanted to know about Google…

Now if your a google head or just interested from historical
perspective worth a view.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/02/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-google/

BBC NEWS | Health | Surgeon saves boy's life by text

Who say text isn't for anything serious.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7761994.stm

Three Reasons Why Netbooks Just Aren’t Good Enough

Techcrunch it appears doesnt like netbooks now they arent in my opinion for power users a primary device. But stuff my opnion read the article
 
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/29/three-reasons-why-netbooks-just-arent-good-enough/


I also urge you to look at Alan Patricks great comment at his blog

http://broadstuff.com/archives/1411-Netbook-a-small-laptop-or-a-big-smartphone.html

 

I used one of these historic amstrad 386sx20 heavy it was but what revalation was that really 20 plus years ago !!

Nominations for Edublogawards get them in now !!!

Go on nominate someone for the edublogawards

http://edublogawards.com/nominations-almost-closed/

Special interest Group lunch I've been selected. To discuss :Learning 2.0 – Helpful Term or Not ?

Hi all
Well as some of you know I am speaking at Online educa in Berlin this Friday as part of a session on Engaging Learners Using Technology timing 14.30 till 16.00. Its Gen73 in the programme and in the Lincke room.

Well after a email requesting title for a SIG lunch table mines been selected so if your  at education and fancy discussing the supposition below sign up and come along . It start 13,30 and end 14.30 nearly causing me to be in two places at once but not quite

Learning 2.0 – Helpful Term or Not ?
with the following description:
The phrase web 2.0 has been highly contested as a step on the journey but not an evolution of the web itself. Learning 2.0 I suggest is also a non descript term that doesnt help us build a paradigm for making use of advances in technologies to help promote learning.

BCS event free on Geospatial images,GIS and Navigation Applications

I cant go in Berlin but this event on November the 3rd in London looks great.

http://geospatial.bcs.org/web/?q=geotagging

its free but you've got to register

Unsung FE hero gets National Recognition

Another one of those humble giants is getting some recognition Geoff Rebbeck Thanet College !!!!!

The Becta QIA STAR Award For Innovation was awarded to Geoff Rebbeck.
The category was judged by Kevin Donovan on behalf of Becta and presented by Jane Williams, at last nights ceremony.




Congratulations Geoff Richly deserved and those who made the short list well done

Official Google Blog: Now you can speak to Google Mobile App on your iPhone

Voice google search on the iPhone WOW WOW !

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/now-you-can-speak-to-google-mobile-app.html

Future Lab report on Promoting transformative innovation in schools

great report on "Promoting transformative innovation in schools" by Future Lab. No comment but urge you to read http://www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/handbooks/innovation_handbook.pdf

youtube video via edublogs tv

Huge thanks to Steve beard for this link. This for many situations is a way of using youtube as a teaching resource in places youtube is blocked. Steve and I are gigging together later in the year.

http://www.educationblog.org.uk/wordpress/2008/11/14/how-to-show-youtube-videos-in-school/#comments

Thanks Steve you teachmmet and Shropshire Giant !!

Working on iPod

Well is blog writer lite the ipod touch blogging tool I have sought.

Display link 7" inch usb monitors

Thanks to Adrian for this (good one) these devices that plug into a device via usb (potentially mini usb) for both display in and power. It brings the idea of small device (mobile) that one can easily plug into a larger screen much closer . Seems a really good development
http://www.itpro.co.uk/608223/mini-7in-displaylink-usb-monitors-introduced?CMP=NLC-Newsletters

stick a key board on it and we are getting near the one device model for many users. How long before the bring out a cable connection for the Iphone ?

JISC Legal web 2.0 toolkit

For those using web 2.0 tools and approach in the institutions this may be useful worth a read  JISC Legal Service has published some useful information in the form of a toolkit.

http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/Web2/index.htm

The following are included:

Web 2.0 and the Law for FE Policy Makers
Web 2.0 and the Law for HE Policy Makers
Web 2.0 and the Law for Information Services
Web 2.0 and the Law for IT Support Staff
Web 2.0 and the Law for Learning Resource Staff
Web 2.0 and the Law FAQs
Web 2.0 Policy Checklist

Different view on recent Independent piece. on Mobile Learning : Electric Chalk

A view in may or may not be mine ?http://www.electricchalk.com/independent-on-mobile-learning/

TALC anyone

Teaching aids at low cost had a fund raising slot on radio 4 this morning . Teaching Aids at Low Cost have been around since 1965 and started of with distributing book transparencies in the health teaching area. They now run e-talc that create e media (cds) as well as sending out a lot paper based texts.

What does an e-TALC CD-ROM include?

from the the website http://www.talcuk.org/e-talc.htm

A variety of electronic resources are included on the e-TALC CD-ROM
including journals, books, newsletters and interactive educational
content. These resources are donated by a variety of NGOs, publishers
and individuals involved in health and development in developing
countries. The resources are sorted and chosen for inclusion on
future issues of e-TALC by our expert editorial board who make their
selection based on the relevance of the resource to health care
workers in resource-poor settings.

Some of the organisations who regularly contribute material to e-TALC include:

• World Health Organisation
• The British Medical Journal
• The Lancet
• The Wellcome Trust
• World Anaesthesia
• International Centre for Child Health

You can don ate to Talc at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/religion/radio4appeal.shtml
Could do with linking up with the  http://www.freedomtoaster.org/
project John Davitt told me of a year ago or so.

Rememberance Sunday

Well those great people at radiowaves are doing some more  interesting stuff around remembrance Sunday
http://www.radiowaves.co.uk/story/32029 worth following. as is the bbc rememberance website link here

Personally I had an interesting day today a local service at 9.30 then off to Duxford Imperial war museum
for another service and a great visit .One young 9 year old was very taken by the day in reflective way including a long conversation with an actor playing the role of a first world war padre.  The IWM at Duxford is free on remeberance Sunday and as one of the homes for part of USA  8th air force in WWII and now home to American Air Museum click on photo for link

really thought provoking day out images below is called the counting the cost wall this shot shows part of it. Each Icon represent a lost air and it goes on for a 100 metres





even more shocking was  this the first photo shows one of wall panels the second shot shows names of lost crew in details and the third plaque explains it all. A day of relection.









 

Education2020 UNCONFERENCE 2020 Vision: What should education look like in the year 2020?

Well youve got loads of warning 12th June of amazing Islay arranged by mad Ian Stewart (thats a complement Ian ;-)))and others . Going to be great yes we will stream it somehow (Ian Doesnt know yet) .

http://education2020.wikispaces.com/Unconference+2009

Just get yourself there OK !!

poster

 

Becta launches its new Next Generation Learning website

Now I seldom do my corporate bit but just for once see below.


Becta launches its new Next Generation Learning website


Becta has unveiled the new Next Generation Learning campaign website, as part of its drive to parents, learners and employers to get the most out of technology in education.

The website is a key resource to find out more about the innovative and exciting ways that technology is already being used by some schools and organisations to improve engagement, motivation and results. Exemplar schools include John Cabot Academy in Bristol, where students are using their PSPs (PlayStation Portables) in PE lessons to see how their long jump techniques compare to the professionals, and where sixth formers teach software designers some tricks of the trade.

New on the Next Generation Learning website is a postcode search facility for parents to find out which schools in their area are using technology effectively. These are the schools that are already using technology to a high standard and have received the prestigious ICT Mark.  Research indicates that ICT Mark accredited schools are four times more likely to be rated as outstanding in the overall effectiveness category of Ofsted inspection reports. Pupils at ICT Mark schools are also more likely to achieve better results.

The campaign demonstrates how greater engagement with parents or carers can increase a learner's potential link here , how effective use of technology can improve schools link here  and colleges, and how to ensure children are safe online link here .

To find out more about how to implement Next Generation Learning click on the links above, or have a look at the campaign website http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk .


Stephen Crowne, Chief Executive of Becta said,


"We know that technology significantly improves results, yet despite this, only one in five of schools and colleges are making the most of its potential. Our children, and all other learners, deserve a truly outstanding education and in the modern world this means we need all schools and learning providers to become effective and innovative users of technology.

"We don't want anyone to miss out so we are encouraging everyone to go on to the website and see just some of the differences that technology can make."

The Next Generation Learning website is a key part of the national campaign that aims to encourage schools, colleges and learning providers to consider how they can use technology to support teaching.

how do you find your news !

Well my morning started with Ipod touch cruise to twitter, then the bbc online then google news.

Might be retro and watch telly and buy a paper latter. Twitter it strikes me is like the old fashioned newswire but in a my humble opinion its like a wildfire phenomena described by Yrjo Engestrom at his recent prsentation at mlearn008 but with more pervasive and mychorrhizae like properties . His book from knots to teams is interesting .

twitter bbc news us election twitter ultimate news feed

Well where else would you get up to date breaking news . Is twitter
the modern equivalent of ticker Tape news
http://twitter.com/BBC/status/990985113 the BBC on twitter ;-).

Unsung hero of mobile learning gets recognition from his peers

One of the podcasting and sms guru of the FE (tertiary or Community College sector for non UK readers) recieve recognition form his peers at recent Mlearn conference.

Mick Mullane the man that made go and get a Mac and then a Ipod touch but also rages about about projects not workng with learners own devices has finally got some reward.

http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/Award-for-college39selearning-pioneer.4651473.jp

Mick is a great presenter that mixes technolgy with a healthy dose of pragmatism to showcase his work at his college combining SMS and pod and vodcasting . He is one of the rare few to mix classroom teaching and learning examples of mobile learning but importantly the use of the technology in day to day running of a college as a business.

Well done Mick well deserved.

independent article on mobile learning

Not expressing a view but article appears to miss the trends in the FE & HE and sooner or later schools for supporting learners own device but nice to see couple of sound trail blazing projects placed centre stage. But of course you decide.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/is-it-time-to-get-personal-the-technology-about-to-transform-classroom-learning-977900.html

Great twitter tools two sources

Thanks to Leon Cynch for sending this link to me from http://www.deontee.com/about/

47 great twitter tools
http://www.deontee.com/47-top-twitter-sites-services-software-and-tips/

I also love the playmobile figure browsing twitter.


Also you might like to look at http://everythingtwitter.com/ great stuff on both sites.

Twitter stealth technology ?

Is Twitter a technology that is emerging by stealth. In recent months I've seen:-

• Teachers asking for ideas for teaching classes
• Travellers asking for restaurant and things to do ideas
• Conference attendees broadcasting thoughts ideas
• Conference presenters asking questions of the audience in the room and in the wider world via Twitter
  
• Bloggers getting ideas from twitter
  
• Facebook users using it to update status and Twitter at the same time
  

Google is still the search engine of the masses but for specialist questions amongst a circle of friends (followers in Twitter terms) Twitter is a very powerful tool that is creeping up in its use.

You may only have 160 characters but it encourages short targeted questions

See you on Twitter ;-)

Official Google Blog: Introducing Google Earth for iPhone

Credit to Ollie Bray http://olliebray.typepad.com/ for putting this out via twitter. It's works on
the touch to.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/introducing-google-earth-for-iphone.HTML

Great news if your interested in using the tool for:

• geography
• ecology/biology
• outdoor pursuits
  

Teachmeet be inspired

Great post by Tom Barrett  who attended a Scottish teachmeet last month and its seems hasnt been the same since. I attended my first the year before at the Scottish learning Festival like Tom I was inspired I've done four since . Toms post puts it so much better than I could
http://tbarrett.edublogs.org/2008/10/25/teachmeet-be-inspired/

I pushed them at Mlearn on my papers on the fly session Ive blogged them Ive bluddgendon people to help support them. So on just go and have a look http://teachmeet.pbwiki.com/

Think underground the teaching equivalent of guerrilla gardening with some people that ive met once and kept in touch with via Twitter my twitter

In fact teachmeet isn't precious about the idea the whole thing could work in your college your area or even your class people have all got things there passionate  about and want to share.

My email signature has a strap line "One can resist the invasion of an army but one cannot resist the invasion of ideas" Victor Hugo.

Teachmeet be inspired but be at one virtually or in person !!

Russel Stannard of University of Westminster we salute your willingness to share

Russel  has just won an award from Jisc for his work on video in  the use of producing learning materials www.teachertrainingvideos.com he used camtasia very effectivelly as a recording software

you will find loads of stuff from using blogger, producing podcasts, second life, RSS feeds how to use itunes to get podcasts.

Well deserved and a train resource he has made free to all

Should I close my blog

According to Robin Hamman of Headshift I should dont all shout yes at once !!! From Radio four link to programme page below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7685000/7685597.stm


Read interesting comment from Rory Cellan-Jones at

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2008/10/is_blogging_dead.html

The Sky's the Limit: Kids' Top Tools for the Classroom

Ok its from the George Lucas Educational Foundation website the man that brought you stars (for wish myself and my two boys are VERY grateful!)

the answers from young people they asked as to classroom technology is enlightening worth a read.

http://www.edutopia.org/student-opinions-classroom-technology

Google gmail mobile 2.0 marks a further march into the mobile space

No prizes for me telling you doesnt run on windows mobile but this version of gmail for you smart phone users must be worth a look.

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2008/10/introducing-gmail-for-mobile-20.html

 the fact it works offline is the keypoint

Cotton knickers for africa

No its not spam its Lisa Velentines blog that is always worth a look http://lisavalentine.wordpress.com/

Lisa is one of those great people work to promtoe learninh  note I didnt add the "e" working for the JISC RSC's.

She described my networking at a recent event handheld learning as furious Ooh!! maybe I better calm down a bit !!


Great blog worth a look loved the Coast to Coast video as a keen cyclist myself

Happy Birthday IPOD 7 years old !!

Well a point to ponder on how little time they've been around to so dominate the market !

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/10/dayintech_1023

Mobile Learning @ BTC a blog worth following

This US based project might be worth some of the UK colleges Universities looking a mobile learning.

This is a relatively new project funded under Best Practice innovation grant with some interesting aims outcomes :-

http://wordpress.btc.ctc.edu/mlearning/

Objectives and Outcomes:http://wordpress.btc.ctc.edu/mlearning/about

1.        Improve access to
course materials by providing instructors and students with a handheld
device, such as an iPod Touch, which can be used to access content
anywhere there is a wireless Internet connection.

2.        Reduce production of
printed materials to develop a more sustainable instructional delivery
model.

3.        Provide tools to
generate increased instructor/student and student/student interaction
using more learner-centered pedagogy.

4.        Develop and publish
replicable implementation model to be promoted internally and within
the SBCTC system.

5.        Promote creation and
distribution of Open Educational Resources by modeling the process for
other institutions.

6.        Discover and document
how students are using these devices personally, so we are better able
to address future learning needs and interests.

News Centre : Department for Children, Schools and Families

Subject: News Centre : Department for Children, Schools and Families

A interesting time to live in Suffolk and Oldham http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0234

MUVEnation launch teaching and learning with MUVE's

Thanks to Steven Warburton for sending this my way

The European funded MUVEnation project has just
launched ‘Teaching and learning with MUVEs’. This is a one
year postgraduate programme, delivered online, for future and
in-service teachers who want to use innovative methods and tools to
address learners motivation and participation issues in compulsory
education. What impact can 3D virtual worlds, such as Second Life,
really have on our learning and teaching settings?
http://muvenation.org/about/programme-description/

The
course is free, but there are only 80 places. Participants will receive
a formal letter or certificate of completion from their assigned
institution For a full overview of the programme description and
objectives please visit. We have four levels of participation - from
the full course to those who are more experienced and would like simply
to observe and participate in discussions
http://muvenation.org/about/programme-description/

The
programme will be taking place in Italy, United Kingdom, Germany,
Spain, Belgium and France. If you are interested in participating then
please see the registration details here on the site, the closing days
for applications is the last week in October.
http://muvenation.org/participate/

We look forward to hearing from you,
The MUVEnation team

Programme description

Source: muvenation.org

Just Another Mobile Monday

Well just look at this ipod touched docked into a docking station
concept at moment but intersting.
http://justanothermobilemonday.com/Wordpress/2008/10/18/olo-computers-redfly-for-the-iphone-concept/

screen shots from a iphone Ipod touch

Simple trick hold down home button and quickly depress the power button and it neatly takes a screen shot of the screen and puts it into photo. A short post but a neat one .

IGoogle gets a makeover

Well the google blog says its launched in the US well I've got news ts launched hear as well as my igoogle homepage captured as a screen shots shows.

http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-igoogle-publicly-launched.html




The telling quote is"We're very excited about these changes because it makes iGoogle a more
useful homepage and a better platform for developers. And this is just
the beginning: expect to see more canvas gadgets created by developers
and more new features on iGoogle soon.

so is it linked to chrome and other recent developments.

4IP got any big or not so big ideas

Read the text below I have idea for British Sign Language resources on mobile devices anybody fancy chipping in with ideas to make it happen..read about it below text is from the website


4iP is keen to get proposals from as wide a range of people and companies as possible. Nobody is too small, nobody too big.




In short, 4iP is looking to support great ideas for websites, games and
mobile services which will help people improve their lives. If you want
to learn more about the kind of ideas 4iP is seeking you can read our guidelines.




If you have a proposal ready to go, please set up your account and get cracking.



We aim to get back to you within twenty eight days with our initial thoughts - you can always log in here to check the status of your proposal(s).

Thomas Cochrane views on Mlearn

Not the same as mine but still valid he like the SMS stuff well done Steve !!!!

http://thomcochrane.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/mlearn-2008/

Thomas Cochranes blogs

Thanks for you comment and even more for giving a blog link interested yes very so if you interested a real mobile learning with real people in a tertiary work based learning context you got to follow Toms work!!

http://tcblogtest.blogspot.com/

plus hes got another he didnt tell me about so have that to will add them to my blog roll later.

http://thomcochrane.wordpress.com/

100 facebook friends

Well Ewan Micintosh was my 50th facebook friend and interestingly he has a link to my 100th Carole Fetcher of intutitive media . Carole Ewan and Marc Prensky and Stphen Heppel and Keri Facer of MMU were on a panel at handheld Learning 2008 . I asked a question of them about the elephant in the room holding up progressing the education system via the Txttools sms system used very effectivelly at the conference . I will post there responese later . Whats really scary I looked up Carole earler on facebook today and nearly did a friends request but was halted by dodgy connectivity so Carole you got there first .


All in all top event handheld learning top event and meal out last night was great !!

Mlearn2008 Exceeds wildest expectations and rfid first

Excuse the lack of long post but just got say Mlearn2008 was the best conference I've attended in a while . why well here's my feedback

1) Quality of papers without doubt high quality throughout
2) Keynotes not on duff one amongst them and interesting mix of commercial, policy focused and awesomely academic.
3) Exhibitors only a few but quality people
4) Social activity two great evening socials
5) Attendees really great mix those awesome South Africans, New Zealanders (Selena Chan and Thomas Cochrane blew my head off !!) those Awesome Aussie and a real great mix of other people from around the world.
6) Dr Chris Dennett and his working like devils with rfid and bluetooth stuff. The first education conference in the world to use rfid to inform its audience throughout . example of one clip sent to my phone
I will blog it loads but just to tired now


well done organising committee anyone fancy Florida next year !!!

PBwiki plus dash of google gadgets

Just been wikkiing around using
http://pbwiki.com/ Pbwiki and have discovered you can add Google gadgets to it. This makes it a really powerful collaborative tools

James May big idea series on the BBC

If you havent seen this series yet please  have look at the related website at
http://open2.net/jamesmay/

watch the one on robotics on BBC iplayer . Robotics is one the fields I would love to work in.

Becta pulishesesearch on Web 2.0 technologies for learning at KS3 and KS4 - Project overview

Not passing cooment on this for obvious reasons but I do encourage you read it .


http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02_a&rid=14543

The mobile fest has started !!

Molenet
Went to the Molenet dissemination conference on the 18th September get a very bland report here Iam assurred video and more etailed reports will follow. Keypoint apart from great stuff done by colleges is that more money is up for grabs next year details here

Mlearn2008 starts next week well worth a look details here some really interesting slots a distinctly international flavour .

Then week after next at the brewery in London Handheld Learning 2008 including a great FREE day on the Monday . Nicely titled a Handheld Learning Festival day

Its going to be great but exhausting !!!

twitter leads me to nice OLPC story on BBC

under my alter ego on twitter Anyjb I discovered this story from digital maverick.

 I have had a loan of a OLPC thanks Seb and have had some fun with it. But I wasnt convinced but maybe I have been to hard and tainted by my long expereice of suing PC's Mac and some of the more ecent UMPC's .

So maybe I am wrong
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7647114.stm

have a read off to eat humble pie ;-)))

Jisc online conference Learning in a Digital Age - Are we prepared?

Well those of you that know me are well aware I love face to face events but I also love online conferences .

This conference coming up in early november looks just the best. Ive got to give a huge plug to this one administered on behalf of JISC by Geoff Minshull and Judith Mole of Directlearn the best online conference team this side of Ursa Minor .

The line is pretty excellent yet another chance to see John (Giant) Davitt sickinlgy I suspect he has good online as he is live. The rest of the programme is great view it here  .

Added the conference link in my sidebar . Sadly nobody asks me to do online events anymore ;-)

Nintendo DSi

yet another move from nintendo using phenomenally succesful DS platfrom. theyve added a .3 megapxel camera a sd card reader and mp3 player  Its all getting interesting again.

http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/nintendo_introduces_dsi_9691.html

Phone friend in exams

Now you will either get outraged at this or says its part of an evolution in assesment. Thanks to Elizabeth Hartnell Young for the link
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/phone-a-friend-in-exams/2008/08/19/1218911717490.html

read the article and reflect on it !! interesting piece of work .  Thanks Elizabeth !

In the company of giants but ever so modest ones !!

a Post written 24 hours ago but only had chance to post a day later


The ninth teachmeet

has been and gone and what a night too many great educator stand ups (because that's what it is !) to comment on now but I will over the coming weeks .


Reflecting while on my surprise road trip back to work . A journey consisting of the last train from Glasgow connecting with Edinburgh Sleeper arriving in in Crewe at 5.15 (in seat class rather than sleeper). The final leg of this morning travels 5.45 to Birmingham International(arrive 7.15) from Crewe .

Reflection speakers were stunning as ever but the conversation on table the back channel stuff the twitter the flash meeting and the texting in questions was just stunning .

John Dabro powerful video presentation
Chance conversation with Stephen Heppell and the first ever teachmeet presentation by John Davitt http://newtools.org/
.Ewan Mcintoshs departure from the teachmeet halfway through (but surely not forever). Forgets the names but just thing about collective creativity of the learners that people show cased .

I felt the whole room was a company of giants but ever so modest ones!!

Teachmeet 10 in the borders looking for a sponsor anybody got any spare cash to sponsor what Ollie Bray described previously as best staff development ever.

Prestonlodge website made of multiple blogs

the idea of using mutiple blogs instead of static website http://prestonlodge.net/ great presentation !!