This article was originally published in 2008. Apart from a few obvious points, such as the references to CDs, large monitors and, in some schools these days, computer rules, very little requires changing in terms of the advice. But the interesting aspect of the article is, I think, what is implicit. Having two computers out of commission would have been an issue in those days. Bring Your Own Technology had yet to be a possibility for most pupils. Laptops were still expensive enough to make class sets of them something to dream about. There were tablet computers, but the iPad was still two years in the future. The reference to planning to use the internet: nowadays it's virtually unavoidable because so much is online. When you think about all that, it is hard to remember that the article was written less than a decade ago!
Read More3 education technology blog posts you should check out
A few useful articles that you may not have come across before. They cover:
- project-based learning
- teen depression and cyberbullying and
- how to reduce the possibility of having your training stolen.
Thumbnail sketch of the Raspberry Pi User Guide
I always dread having to open any kind of manual. For a start, it’s against the natural order of things. (I don’t ask for directions either, even when I’m hopelessly lost.) Secondly, they usually seem to be written for people for whom they are superfluous.
Imagine, then, what a pleasant surprise it was to open this book and discover that it is not only well-structured, but an enjoyable read.
I wouldn’t say it is bedtime reading exactly (mind you, I used to read books on Excel functions and VBA before retiring for the night). However, it is very comprehensive.
For example, if you are interested in setting up your Pi to take time-lapse video, this book takes you step by step through the process.
If you’re serious about pushing your Raspberry Pi to its limits, and even if you’re already pretty familiar with what it can do, this book is a must-have for your bookshelf or workbench.
Raspberry PI User Guide (Amazon affiliate link)
This review was first published in Digital Education, our free newsletter. To find out more, and to sign up, please visit the newsletter page. We use a double opt-in system, and you won't be spammed.
Coming soon in Digital Education
I'm in the process of planning a few themed issues of my newsletter, Digital Education. Read on for the low-down.
Read MoreA cornucopia of comic-making applications
If you like to use comics and cartoons in your teaching, and encourage students to do so too, you'll like this collection of comic-making utilities.
Read MoreRobots, artificial intelligence and all that
Call me a dreamer, but I think AI and robots are developments to be welcomed in education, not to worry about.
Read MorePresentation: 10 stimulating ideas for the Computing curriculum
Here is some information about the EduTech conference in general, and my session in particular.
Read MoreDrones in the Computing curriculum
If you're considering using drones in your Computing curriculum, where do you start? This article has a few ideas.
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: Weapons of Math Destruction
What's worse than being governed by algorithms? Not even knowing what the algorithm is doing. This very timely and readable book lifts the lid of what goes on in many walks of life.
Read MoreThe latest Digital Education newsletter
Exclusive article about the forthcoming changes in the EU's data protection laws, pseudoscience (?), biological determinism, back to school resources and more are in the current issue of the Digital Education newsletter.
Read on for the full list of contents of this free newsletter.
Read MoreFake news, bad algorithms and drones -- in the latest issue of Digital Education
Algorithms are based on maths, and maths is objective, right? You might change your mind about that when you've read Weapons of Math Destruction, which I've been reading.
You can read my review in the latest issue of Digital Education, plus information about drones, fake news, and going back to school after the summer break, plus a good money-saving offer on an online graphics application, plus a bunch of other stuff. Read on for more details and for a sign-up form.
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: The Art of People
One of the most fundamental of so-called '21st century skills' is surely knowing how to interact with other people. This book contains some interesting strategies, though I am not sure all of them will work in the UK!
Read MoreDroning on: Review of Drones in Education
What a fascinating idea: using drones as part of the curriculum. This book tells you much of what you need to know.
Read MoreMaking the Computing curriculum interesting
The Computing curriculum doesn't have to sound boring and nothing but coding.
Read More8 conferences in the latest issue of Digital Education -- and a 50% discount!
8 conferences, and a whopping half price offer. What's not to like?
Read MoreThe importance of reading in education technology: 3 books to read and recommend
Why background reading and reading around the subject are good things to do, plus three books I recommend for students (and teachers).
Read MoreOur lives in data: London transport
How is your travel data used, and what the trade-offs in terms of private costs and benefits? This is the second post in a series about data and privacy, and artificial intelligence.
Read MoreOur lives in data: privacy
How much data are you prepared to give away, and what are you prepared to allow organisations to do with it? The answers in my case surprised me.
Read MoreClassroom research for the Computing and ICT teacher
It's a great idea to do classroom-based research, but here are 7 caveats to bear in mind.
Read More21 points to consider when evaluating a resource
Here are 21 points to think about when evaluating a resource, plus suggestions of how to use the list in a team exercise.
Read More