Thought of the Week
Criticism is easy; achievment is more difficult.
Winston Churchill, House of Commons, 22 January 1941
June 30, 2009
June 24, 2009
PhotoFiltre
I had Photofiltre introduced to me today by a friend. And although I have not had much time to play with it, it appears to be able to do some funky things. With just a few clicks I was able to mess with avatar somewhat.
It just seems the whole Andy Warhol thing is possible with a few clicks.
Have fun.
Google Apps for your school?
A little while ago I blogged about the possibility of your school nolonger having their own server but working from a central server.
Well further to that conversation I have had a discussion about Google Apps , that for a fraction of the cost of hardware and tech support you schools system can be run through the Google cloud. It means that there is a huge saving in cost and the cost that is incurred is spread out evenly through the year. There is a Google reseller available for this system available in New Zealand. Have a watch of the video. I certainly will be recommending it to my school.
Certainly worth investigating further.
Reseller contact here . Just mention where you heard about it!
June 20, 2009
Referendum ‘09
A couple of items here about the referendum on smacking.
TVNZ and Stuff and The Yes Vote .
The discussion is around the wording of the referendum:
"Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"
I would happen to agree that the wording is somewhat misleading. It will beg a question in response: " How do you define ‘good parental correction’?"
However you define ‘good parental correction’ pound to a penny it’ll be different from mine.
I’m not sure a ‘yes’ answer is a sound choice, mainly due to the fact that what I mean by ‘good parental correction’ is left wide open to mis-interpretation.
To be honest I’m on the fence about where I am going to cast my vote. I just feel uncomfortable about feeling as if I’m being painted into a corner.
Kinda makes you smile, kinda confuses me completely
June 19, 2009
Mixed response to foreign teacher fast-track
A plan to fast-track foreign teachers into New Zealand classrooms has had a mixed reception as the early-childhood sector struggles to find staff.It appears that there is a huge shortfall in the number of ECE teachers and the article is pointing towards fast tracking foreign trained teachers.
When I came to NZ 6 years ago I submitted my docmentation to NZQA and they very helpfully said that my 4 year training in the UK was comparable to that of the similiar course here in NZ.
I have friend from the Philippines, here on work visas who can’t get ECE teaching jobs because the qualification valued over here. They are hard working people (she is currently doing 12 hour days in a pack house here is Hastings). I don’t think they would mind what length the course was, six weeks? Six months? I for one just want them to have the chance to join the profession they love so much.
I hope that this sort of fast tracking will help my friends with their prospectives for a better life in NZ, for them and their family.
Usefukl Link:
