Educating the Dragon

This is my first ‘Sales Meeting’ for Sitech . I don’t know why I put it in inverted commas. It really was a sales meeting. I just can’t believe I’m AT a sales meeting.
Having been there we have been discussing several different products a few that I think are worth a mention. Obviously if you are wanting to find out more email me .
But they are as follows.
DVC – This is a place to store all the digital files central for the school. It can be accessed across the school wide network. Staff can record from Sky, connect via a DVD or VHS to support existing resources. The is the system which will assist school to safely meet copyright issues and still dilver for staff and students as there is only ever one copy of a resource. Not only does it support video and audio but allows staff to create a meta data supported resource file.
Edukite – May well be an answer to the E-Portfolio question. It is easy to use and the interface for staff, students and parents. I’ll be blogging about this a little more in the months ahead as I will be developing the comprehensive professional development package for it.
RM- Have a number of different software products available that Sitech may or may not be supplying. But the do supply the Easiteach software for the Interactive whiteboard. RM Easiteach has been developed purely as a software programme for any different iwbs. As they are specific to software development the range of tools available is very extensive and some cool animation creation options for the iwb.

"You’re in the industry," is how it was described to me. It, being my job. Apparently, working in the classroom for one day a week no longer qualifies me to call myself a teacher.
I beg to differ. There is nothing that I love more that delivering a lesson in front of kids; especially when I’m able to use technology to the max to enhance student engagement.
Which reminds me next term is going to be a bit of a learning journey for me. I’ll be teaching new entrants for ½ a day a week. It may not sound much to some of you but its worrying me a little to say the least. I am blessed with the fact that I’m team teaching with a highly experienced practitioner and not let to my own devices. The other advantage is that at the beginning of the new term the class will relocate to the new teaching block on the site; a purpose built teaching space with an iwb and a teaching station as well as craft areas and cool furniture and fittings from Furnware. It’ll certainly be a great place to teach in with a wonderful colleague and great kids. I don’t know what I’m worrying about!

Btw: Any tips for teaching new entrants and Y1s greatfully recieved.  (Toileting stories will be unapproved !)

I’ve just had my third conversation in as many weeks on this subject. Presentations, which all too often have been generously shared with numous folk around the glode via, qik, slideshare, youtube, teachertube have been magically appearing in other presentations, in other places presented by other people. Which, I guess, is fine and dandy if it has been shared under a creative commons license. However, it was my understanding that the old creative commons thing still had two restrictions. Firstly that the material is not reproduced or remixed  for profit but shared once more under the same attribution. Secondly, that the material is attributed to the original creator somewhere vaguely close to, or better yet, on the same slide as that material being used.

Perhaps there is more to this than my limited perspective. Please Edudcate the Dragon.

I only mention this now as a friends material appeared in a presentation some time ago with no reference or thanks to my friend as the author and creator of the material. I think that is just good manners to nod toward such people. Most of those who share on the web are doing sdo out of the goodness of their hearts, no monetary reward required. Just a nod and a bit of appreciation never cost anyone anything.

I heard of another presentation being delivered that appeared to, in the very least, be based on a Breathe Technology Workshop (whose material is not even being made available as open source).

I suppose that imitation is the highest form of flattery.   – or however the saying goes.

I don’t know what Iwas thinking but for some reason I have been without my Clustrmap of muxh of the year. But today. with the assistance of Edublogs little hint bars it returns.

So once again, "Hello world!"

Came across this today. And having listened very carefully I’ve formally lowered my opinion of MACs. Andrea Bennett, at the end of this video sums up my initial reaction rather well.