Backyard

Only my second post for the year but as I am on holidays at Byron Bay for the Blues Festival which starts on Thursday I have a little time to reflect and thought I might write a little here. I’m actually writing this offline and will wander down to the Internet Shop shortly to load it up.

Having time and being offline is good for me, I think! A few thoughts ….

Les, 3 years old, was watching a movie on the laptop the other day when he got up to get a drink. From my perspective he seemed to “bump” something on the keyboard and concerned I jumped up lest there be some issue. He looked at me and said: “I just paused it Pop!” Pause/3yo/me not needed/must be 21st Century!!

Stephen Downes, whom I have read, with interest, for a number of years was in Sydney last week for a couple of things. I only found out at the last minute via Twitter (it is growing on me..)and although I couldn’t get to any of his formal presentations turned up for a meal with Stephen and others one night. Somewhat surreal feeling…I didn’t know anyone except Stephen and we had never met…we had quite an enjoyable time(at least I did!!) and I couldn’t help reflecting on what is possible. A subtext was, however, for all our connectedness – the right hand often doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. So much is possible but we can often stay within a pretty small pond – perhaps we  all need to consider how we can be truly open to the many, many ideas of others.

We have all been having fun with Elaine’s new iPhone this week as there is no other online here. I like to think that I am not a gadget guy but it is one cool tool! (Les likes the “Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round” App. – so do I!) However we were amazed at just how pathetic is the 3G coverage (Optus) along the North Coast. Calls are fine but the 3G is really weak and intermittent. Another reason we all live in Sydney!! Talk about the digital divide.

Final word .. last Tuesday Sydney CEO held a “Showcase” of projects around integrating ICT into learning. On show were teachers (dare I say ordinary ones) who from a variety of perspectives and subjects areas across K-12. It was great! It pointed out just how great the need is to “show” people what others have done. We seem to learn by connecting…… We are looking at ways to expand on this and really help teachers connect and share – not the easiest thing to do when you are an over-busy teacher.