bMobLe 2011

Yesterday was the third bMobLe conference in Bradford. bMobLe stands for Bradford Mobile Learning and focuses on “the effective use of new and existing mobile technologies to engage learners, accelerate achievement and stimulate creativity.” This theme this year was “Creating Creativity” and although at one or two times speakers seemed to be focussing on creativity for creativity’s sake most of what was talked about would engage most learners and accelerate achievement.

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The bMobLe conference is well worth going to, not just for the inspirational real life examples of how to use mobile technology in the classroom but also for the networking with other educationalists, the chance to chat with pupils who are using this technology, the exhibition and workshops. I know that there are a lot of other events happening at this time of year but if you are interested in the use of mobile technology in education, make sure you book a place for next year! In the next few blogs I’ll write about some of the things that impressed me.

bMobLe is at www.bmoble.co.uk

Christmas celebrations

It looks as if Christmas is getting closer! And here are two very Christmassy events:

11 December 2010 – Handel’s Messiah

  • Venue: Leeds Town Hall
  • Orchestra: Manchester Camerata
  • Choir: Leeds Philharmonic Chorus
  • Conductor: Mark Hindley
  • Soloists: Sarah Power (Soprano); Julliane Young (Alto); Philip Smith (Baritone); James Greer (Tenor)

16 December 2010 – Lord Mayor’s Carols

  • Venue: Leeds Town Hall
  • Orchestra: Rothwell Temperance Brass Band
  • Choir: Leeds Philharmonic Chorus
  • Conductor: Simon Lindley
  • Organist: Alan HorseyCelebrate Christmas with Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and the Rothwell Temperance Brass Band at the annual family carol concerts – come prepared to sing!

I have to declare my interest here – if my wife gets over her cold she will be singing with the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus

A big thank you

A big thank you to all of you who have responded to the launch of Red Kite Computers and sent me their best wishes. Doesn’t it feel good when someone gives you some encouragement! It reminds me of not long after I first started teaching. The first year was pretty aweful and I nearly jacked it all in (bottom set classes in out of the way classrooms teaching subjects I wasn’t trained to teach) but at the beginning of my second year we had new departmental heads and suddenly the people around me were interested in me succeeding as a teacher. Their best wishes and practical help gave me such a boost and so much more confidence I decided to stick it out. And I’m so glad I did.

I also discovered that if I wanted my pupils to succeed, if I encouraged them rather than threatened them (I didn’t hold a gun to their head but sometimes there was the threat of a smoking exam paper!) they responded with a more positive attitude and greater success.

I sometimes hear what sounds like encouragement for teachers coming from the politicians, but when I listen closer I find that what they are saying is mixed with negative comments.

So thank you to all who have wished me well, and may I just say what an amazing job I see teachers are doing with our young people despite the continual changes, chaos and broken promises that come their way. Well done! And if there are ways in which I can help to encourage you or give you more confidence in your work please let me know.

Launch of Red Kite Computers

Well, it has finally happened. After years of trying to avoid working for myself I now find that I am my own boss. Today I launched the Red Kite Computers website and announced to the world that I am here. The grand aim of “enabling schools to deliver effective ICT”, and make a living as well. Time will tell. 

I had an interesting conversation with a neighbour (ex-education consultant himself) who was saying that young people seem to be so much more able to sell themselves than us older folks (not that I am that old yet!) I think there is something in that. Lots of teachers I know who are about my age get on with their jobs doing the most amazing things but can you get them to blow their own trumpet? Lights hidden under bushels come to mind. Could it be that all the work we have done with young people in helping them to produce records of achievement has rubbed off on them but not on us? I know that I do a good job, that I am conscientious, that I have a lot to offer, that I work hard and get things done. Other people tell me this. Now I will have to learn to play my trumpet better.

So, if you have visited my website and find anything of interest, want to know more, have work for me to do, or would just like to give me positive feedback, do please contact me!