How to make a secondhand MacBook work for you

Reality hit me like a ton of bricks when I quit my teaching job and started flying solo. I didn’t think teachers had many perks but when I lost my laptop, iPad, fibre internet, MS Office, Acrobat Pro and a printer I was feeling a little like Job (the guy from the Bible who lost […]

My Plans

If you’ve been following me for the last few months you’ll know that I am changing career. I’ve spent the last 11 years as a secondary school music teacher. I have really enjoyed being a part of young peoples’ lives, and I’ve had good relationships with my colleagues – but there’s something I like more: […]

Do I buy my child an iPad for school?

Lots of people ask me this question. This is what I tell them and why: No.  Pros: Great battery life – believe it or not, this is the most important thing when a student is taking a ‘device’ to school Form – people love using the iPad. There’s no point in buying something they’ll hate. […]

Calling for a bipartisan agreement for education

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3Z30CXVAjw&feature=youtu.be

This nifty video (featuring out-of-tune guitar) demonstrates the need for some equilibrium in education.
I suggest you watch the vid before you read on…

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My take: education has been too much of a political issue in New Zealand. I’m glad that the PPTA has made some bold statements in recent months indicating that are not aligning themselves with a particular party.
I think that what they’re suggesting is unlikely to come about, though. Politians love to blame everything on education and also suggest it as the cure for everything.
Also: the recent minister of education has probably been the worst we’ve had for at least 15 years. She’s been profoundly unpopular and I really hope she doesn’t come in again in the new parliament.

Countdown to change

13 lessons left to teach 1 iPad to return 1 laptop to return Goodbyes Change is in the air. No, I don’t have a new job yet, but I’m still very confident.  

Countdown to change

13 lessons left to teach 1 iPad to return 1 laptop to return Goodbyes Change is in the air. No, I don’t have a new job yet, but I’m still very confident.  

Countdown to change

13 lessons left to teach 1 iPad to return 1 laptop to return Goodbyes Change is in the air. No, I don’t have a new job yet, but I still very confident.  

Expertise

I’m pretty good at the following: elearning (moodle) apple network and client administration -and i know that schools are struggling with managing the devices that their students are bringing. social networking (twitter, facebook, blogs) media (video, audio, images) writing music I’m seriously thinking of consulting in these areas. What do you think?

They Learn More When I Stop Teaching Them

The most important app that every teacher should master

Not many teachers that I know use it. But I think it’s probably the best program that microsoft have ever released. It’s far from perfect – very far, but it’s ubiqutious, functional and extremely powerful. Excel. How do  use it? I use it as a database. Maybe I should learn to use a proper database, […]