Cloud computing: sky high expectations?

Cloud computing: sky high expectations?:

Jose Picardo wrote in his blog:

"I must, first of all, apologise for the contents of this post, as it is hardly researched and it is very much a gut feeling rather than a rational elucidation of my thoughts on this matter. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I am not sure to what extent I agree with myself on this one, but I thought I would don my black hat for the day, as it seems the right thing to do ...

There is no doubt that cloud computing has given us an enormous wealth of resources particularly in terms of Web 2.0 applications, such as social networking or video sharing sites, and software as a service applications such as Google Apps, Google Docs and Zoho, amongst many others.

My bad gut feeling is no so much concerned about the communication and social networking aspect of cloud computing, but rather with the storage side of things. Are my files secure? Is my work safe?"

My comments include: It is important to take a cautious approach to students' accessing online storage and social networking sites. Data access and loss is but one issue.
In addition, there are so many hidden and even unknown security and privacy concerns that have to be identified and then assessed for level of risk and risk management.
The importance of these issues for schools should not be underestimated.

Visit Jose's "Box Of Tricks" blog and read the full post, comment and take a look around.

Open Education Teaching Ideas : Concetta Gotlieb's blog

Open Education Teaching Ideas : Concetta Gotlieb's blog:

Open Education Teaching Ideas

"I attended the Open Education 2008 Conference at Macquarie University yesterday. It was great because of the people, everyone was excited about teaching, learning and sharing."

My thoughts, in this post, Concetta provides insights into a number of teaching ideas shared during the conference. The post is easy to read and offers a number of links to examples, why not go and read the whole post and take a look around her blog.

The National Strategies

The National Strategies:

Just visited the UK Department for Children, Schools and Family's newest web site. Seems to have a one stop-shop approach to TPL. There is so much to look at, the opportunities for learning are inspiring. The site blurb says:

"The National Strategies are professional development programmes for Early Years, Primary and Secondary school teachers, practitioners and managers. This new website supports those involved with education to improve the quality of learning and teaching to raise standards of attainment for children and young people in all phases and settings. Select content via the navigation or use the improved search. Communicate and share knowledge with colleagues by joining the online groups and discussions."

I will enjoy spending many hours exploring and then sharing my learning. The interactivity through networking in groups and discussions looks impressive.

Pecha Kucha Night : Presentation can be fun | Empower Your Point

Pecha Kucha Night : Presentation can be fun | Empower Your Point:

Empower Your Point authors wrote:

"Pecha Kucha Nights prove that presenting can be both trendy and fun. These social events where people gather to listen to presentations have been created in Tokyo in February 2003. They are now taking place all around the world in more than 140 locations."

I commented: I absolutely love the PK concept and the idea of PK nights. Concise in a thoughtful graphic setting is the key. I am pleased I took the SlideShare link to this blog.

Visit the blog and read the full post. Follow all the links to other posts, including:
"The Long Tail on Slideshare (and a second chance for iChart)
Latest research tends to demonstrate that Slideshare slideshows are creating a Long Tail."

This is a very interesting blog with many must-read posts for those who want to produce powerful presentations.

Learning Teams « Darcy’s Blog

Learning Teams « Darcy’s Blog:

Darcy's posts are a must-read for all and especially teachers in NSW public schools. This post is topical and thought-provoking. He wrote:

"Our school ran a Year 7 Learning Team Project with one class this year and the evaluations are extremely positive. The executive is currently working out how best to improve the learning outcomes of students, especially in the middle years of school. We really need to engage our 11-14 year olds much more effectively and to build on success in the immediate future. The whole staff are about to explore the ideas and structures discussed in this post."

My comments:

Student success in learning during Years 5 through 9 is vital for retention to HSC and best results for each student.
Apart from effective learning in preschool and early childhood there is no more vital time.
Effective TPL underpins everything.
IMO, it should be about consistent and shared language (QT) and strategies, focus on explicit teaching of literacy and numeracy skills and effective feedback on agreed, most effective teaching practice. All subject to regular review.
The latest web2.0 tools will assist if the learning purpose is made clear first.

Visit Darcy's blog, read he full post and add it to your must-read list. Follow him on Twitter too.

TechTalk4Teachers: tt4t_062 Time to cleanup some delicious bookmarks

TechTalk4Teachers: tt4t_062 Time to cleanup some delicious bookmarks

This is Tom Grissom's blog. His latest post with a recording on delicious and his planned cleanup will strike a chord with many web2.0 afficionados. I can very much identify with this, my book marks are mostly in order but my favourites and saves on Twitter and Google Reader are too regularly out of control.

I commented on his post:

Nice post.I have to find some time to go back through your posts to listen to all your recordings.
Like you, I love delicious. Even though, I like diigo too especially the groups I've joined, I am sticking with delicious for social bookmarking. The PrintWhatYouLike site looks very useful.

Tom's blog is worth a follow and you can keep up with his tweets and posts on Twitter too.

The journey so far. | My Journey with Digital Pedagogy.

The journey so far. | My Journey with Digital Pedagogy.:

Shane wrote in his new shanetechteach blog:

"Recently I was invited to share my journey to a range of practising and pre-service teachers. As the sole Advanced ICT Pedagogical License holder within my region, I was required to outline the difference of practice between Certificate, License and Advanced License. This is easier said than done, as Certificate and License holders presented before me and I did not want to portray that anything they were doing was less than worthwhile."

I asked him a few questions and Queensland education and commented about my beliefs:

Interesting post, especially regarding your role as holder of an "Advanced ICT Pedagogical License". Is this a state or private school credential in Qld?
Does Qld have its own ICT requirements or standards for teachers? I am interested in your use of UNESCO standards.
For me it is about using ICT tools as a means of engaging students and improving learning outcomes. Using web2.0 tools there is still the "wow" factor for many teachers in fact most teachers.
In influencing teachers' use of ICTs and the vast range of tools and techniques, it is about what the (subject) teacher wants the students to learn to ... (skills) and learn about ... (content).
Learning purpose first and then the most suitable tools and strategies.

Read Shane's full post by following the link in the title. You can refer to the list of UNESCO ICT Competency Standards for Teachers.

E-Learning Journeys: What have you signed up for this week?

E-Learning Journeys: What have you signed up for this week?:

Julie Lindsay wrote in her blog:
"A recent conversation with colleagues at school has prompted this post. They were concerned that there are just 'too many' things to sign into...how can one person cope with it all? ...what is the relevance to everyday classroom education and life as an educator? How can you remember all the passwords and login information?"

This is a topic dear to my heart, so I commented:
This is a very important topic. I can understand how teachers new to web2.0 tools feel. I have signed up to stacks of applications. I regularly use about 5 and I visit 2/3 occasionally.
The user name and password issue is also a big one from the security angle.
Recently, I signed up to edmodo also. I think this one has lot of potential. I also wasn't sure about how to invite people, but I have used the code with one person and plan to try more. I have shared the tool with others, who are also enthusiastic.
I also signed up to some utterli groups. Harder for me to sustain that activity.
I am very reluctant to sign up to new things now, since I know I can't manage any more connections.

Visit Julie's blog, read her tips and sign up for the feed. She is doing wonderful work in so many contexts.