Just how cool an idea is this? I know Ian is talking about architecture, but imagine using this idea for any other educational issue?

Wow.

Tweet This Post Delicious

Photo from elmbridgemuseum.org.uk

Today I was handed a fascinating book – ‘Education in Argyll 1872 – 1972’ by Donald MacKechnie, M.A. and James H. Tyre, D.A.

I love reading about how things used to be. It’s fascinating to compare it with now. On pg 115 there is a section entitled ‘AIDS’:

“The blackboard, the oldest and best teaching aid, is still in use but good teachers have always used pictures, models, charts and actual objects. In 1905 at Oban, Rector Beattie was hanging pictures of scenes from Scott’s novels. In 1895 at Cladich School, Rev. Mr Dunsford of St James’s Episcopal Church at Loch Awe, was giving a magic lantern show for pupils. In 1906 at Oban, Mr Galt, Science Master, gave a limelight show on Ice Action to the senior pupils. “One in the eye is worth two in the ear” and Dunoon had a film projector in 1937 and was using radio in 1935. Tarbert School bought a 16 m,m, sound projector in 1948 and borrowed films from the Scottish Educational Film Association (founded in 1930). About the same time, Flora Mackay, Tarbert, founded a branch of the S.E.F.A. in Mid-Argyll. In 1972 some eight schools borrow films from the S.E.F.A. After World War II, the film strip projector became a valuable aid and in 1958 a library of film strips was established at the Education Offices.
The Schools Broadcasting Council was set up in 1930 and nowadays almost every school uses its programmes. In 1958 TV was being used experimentally in Dunoon Grammar School. In 1972 TV is used in 45 schools.
There are no language laboratories in Argyll. The tape recorder in conjunction with film strips is commonly used in language teaching. Duplicators are possessed by most schools and a photocopier service is provided by the Education Offices.”

I’d have loved to be a fly on the wall at the first ‘magic lantern’ show for the pupils in 1895 – imagine the looks on their faces – I bet they thought it truly was magic!

I wonder what a book would say if written in 2072 to recount the last 200 years of education in Argyll. Let’s put this in perspective – we are only 66 years away from this. I wonder if it would still start with the same opening words? It does make me stop and wonder how the last 34 years in education since the publication of this first book have changed the way we teach. “The microcomputer was introduced to all schools in Argyll in the 1980’s”. What about in 2072 – will it say “The interactive whiteboard, the best teaching aid, is still in use…”? How would the advent of the SSDN be recorded? Will there be a day before 2072 when every student has their own portable electronic device? Interesting stuff, eh?

One thing I do hope though – I hope it would still say “…but good teachers have always used pictures, models, charts and actual objects.”

Tweet This Post Delicious

This is a subject close to my heart, as I am fascinated by the recent form factor developments. Technology in school has to be affordable, but it also has to be practical. I am convinced that we have seen the last of laptops as the ‘device of choice’, as the advances in smaller devices such as UMPCs and 3G phones makes me constantly ask the question of ‘what exactly do I use a device for’ .

I’ve been using a Samsung Q1 for a while now, and I must say that I think it is brilliant. The only problems seem to be the cost and the battery life.

How pleased I was to read on Miguel Guhlin blog about the development Dell etc have been involved in. He has also podcast about it, but I haven’t listened yet. To find out more, click here.

Tweet This Post Delicious

I seem to spend half my like online trying to find good tutorials for applications. Great to see someone finally putting web2.0 technology to good work on this front – check out http://tutorialism.com/ for more info.

Tweet This Post Delicious

My good friend and colleague Ian Stuart never ceases to amaze me with his antics in education, ICT and design. At the moment, he and his wife Caroline are in Helsinki attending a design conference.

I have had many discussions with Ian about the worth or merit of blogs, and he always proclaims to have far more interest in wikis than blogs, unless blogs are for a specific purpose. So what better purpose than a trip to Helsinki? Find out what he has to say here.

Tweet This Post Delicious

I’ve treated myself to a new phone which lets you post directly to your blog – just how cool is that? Alan November could be right: perhaps I have bought my last ever laptop…?

Tweet This Post Delicious

Guess I’ve got a few things to catch up on since I’ve been away! And to think that’s only a week and a half – I’m maybe going to have to re-think this aggregator business…

Tweet This Post Delicious

(today’s image originally uploaded by PhotoBlogster)

I’m now on holiday until the 19th July, so making a blog post will be highly unlikely. Please don’t kick me out of your aggregator in the meantime! – normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Tweet This Post Delicious

Tweet This Post Delicious

It’s not often I blog about something that I find on digg, but this one got the better of me, as it is just so brilliant! (I know I really should have ‘dugg’ it, but I’m only learning!)

This seems a really powerful tool – I like the idea of finding this info within my browser at the click of a button – imagine discussing what this information means with your class of kids – any thoughts?

Tweet This Post Delicious