Lists - I'm liken' 'em!

Why are people attracted to "list posts"?

I don't look very often now at lists of new tech. tools, since I know I will not be using any more than I am using. I outlined this in my last post.

Recently, I have seen links posted on Twitter with some anti-list sentiment. Check this one by @mbteach

I still think that for those who seek some ideas or inspiration the reading of list posts provides a starting, point, incentive and impetus to explore and think further.

I am particularly keen to gather ideas on leadership, well-being and  innovations in learning.

Much of my twitter stream reflects this interest.

Some companies, like 12most even build their brand around this list concept.

My Daily Use of Online Tools and Various Techy Things

Your Daily Bread? : Darcy Moore's Blog

Darcy wrote: this post:
"What online and tech tools do you use daily in your personal and professional life? Have they changed in the last two years? What has failed to ‘work’ for you?"

Each day I use:

1. Twitter is still numero uno.
I check my stream many, many times each day. I post or share useful links on Twitter morning and night from my daily email alerts and various enewsletters.

2. I check my Facebook for family and friend updates morning and night. I like and comment often.

3. During school term, I keep maang as a TAB and check in regularly. I am more a lurker here. I like as often as I feel a connection.

4. I don't bookmark anymore.

5. I still like slideshare and still share useful shows.

6. I use my ipad each day to read the paper and novels.

That is all I can fit in.

"i" Time is Now: Looking way back to go forward.

I said in a previous post that I would look back to find my "alphabet" predictions.

I started this blog on 26 July 2007, I was doing a little web 2.0 research project.

On 9 November 2007, I made a presentation all about the rise of "alphabet" change - e, m. i

With the passing of Steve Jobs, it seems appropriate to remember this post.

Apple has been in my life since the late 80s.

Companion blog: More about me - retrovintagecollectables

I just noticed that the "About Me" information on this blog is the one I wrote for my hobby blog, retrovintagecollectables

This blog is as it sounds, about my collections, I call them "flash trash".

Visit and check out the "rest of me".

I am going to start a second hobby blog, soon.  This one will focus on my retro clothing collections.

Maybe a retirement activity ... who knows.

Are m and ilearning concepts whose time has finally arrived??

My last post was on 19 March 2011.  It has been a long time between motivation and inspiration to write anything.

Early adopters would argue yes, it's about time.

But where are the late majority?

Time for some reality therapy if the answer to this question is to be honest, I believe.

Bring your own - device, technology is becoming a bit of a theme.

I'm still pondering this and hope to return soon ...

I want to go back and check one of my first posts ever.  I recall I had some "alphabet-related" predictions or musings then.

COSN - AUP Guide

AUP Guide: "Acceptable Use Policies in Web 2.0 & Mobile Era

A Guide for School Districts
Information and communications technologies (ICT) policies in schools have two dimensions. One is to ensure that students are protected from pernicious materials on the Internet. The other is to enable student access to the extensive resources on the Internet for learning and teaching. While these two dimensions are not intrinsically in conflict, in actuality, such can become the case."

Read online or download.

USA Education - Rally against Education Budget Cuts

Developments in Wisconsin - mass teacher lay-offs

This release stated: Governor Walker creates state of chaos for schools.

"The state of chaos that has been created by Governor Walker in Wisconsin took yet another turn for the worse this week, as several school boards were panicked into issuing non-renewal notices to their entire teaching staff or large portions of them."

Thousands headed to Wisconsin for rally

Larry Ferlazzo's collection of resources to learn about - Attacks on teachers and other public sector workers in Wisconsin.

Laptop Learning Programs and Online Safety

This is my first compilation post since September. It has been in DRAFT since January. So, some of the "stuff" is a bit old.  The newspaper links can also disappear as they archive copy.

Yes, this type of post is the lazy person's approach to blogging.  Better put my mind to something than nothing, I say.

These references are related to the topics of laptop learning and responsible online behaviour.

Online behaviour:

Social networking sites new arena for bullying
UK kids online behaviour
Fighting bullying in schools and online


On laptops:

Six years of 1 to 1 learning in Floydada, Texas
When going 1 to 1 isn't exciting
Laptops open new doors to learning
Laptop programs are an important aid to learning

These topics remain pretty hot around the world.  I usually tweet them and that may mean I will not blog them anymore.

Revitalising anti racism programs and strategies.

With a renewed focus on the pros and cons of multiculturalism.  I was reminded of some of Martin Luther King, Jr's most powerful quotations.  Here are some I found during a search.  The first one is the best of all.

Morality cannot be legislated but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.
Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes American Baptist Minister and Civil-Rights Leader. 1929-1968

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Blogging in 2011. Sustaining My Interest.

After quite a long break, it is timely for me to consider some writing plans even resolutions for 2011.

I will not aim for anything too grand nor will I bail completely. Just let's say I will aim to write something about a topical issue in education at least weekly. This may be nothing more than a few comments about a set of links relating to my pet topics from Australia and around the world.  My previous posts make it pretty clear as to my favourite topics and issues. I can't see much on the horizon to shift those interests.

After the March State election, I may be inspired to write more or less ... have to wait and see.

I also want to comment on some some things that I won't do, at least I hope I can resist the temptation to:

• register for any "new"so called web 2.0 or social media service, no matter how fabulous it may seem
• promote to other educators any so called web 2.0 or social media service for student use

Over the last year, I have concluded that there is nothing much new out there, that will enhance teacher or student learning at this time.

For under 15s at least, student privacy concerns without parent permission outweigh any benefits.  Too many of these services fold with personal information that can make them money. They are businesses out to monetise their service after all...

I will wait and see how mobile, virtual and game-based learning initiatives develop.

On the other hand, I will take pleasure in widely and enthusiastically (engaging with) and promoting all current and newly created Department of Education (DET) resources and services.  Whether it be TaLE, CLIC, DER, Learning Tools or DET enterprise software or any other materials by other talented DET colleagues, this is the place for teachers to start their search for resources, enhance their professional knowledge and skills and drive improvements in student learning.

It is also vital to use the Quality Teaching Model as the framework for enhancing student learning.

These are my first thoughts on my will and won't dos for 2011.