Summer Review

It has been an (academic) year of growth for me, and I’ve been really lucky to meet and learn with some great people and organisations.

A bit of Culture…

Like most people who work in education, I knew that there was a lot of great work being done for kids and teachers from places like museums, galleries and arts organisation. So, I was excited to be asked to guide research for Arts Council England to explore this area further.

http://www.show.me.uk/

It was only when I started looking at the digital offerings from the world of Arts and Culture for schools that I discovered how rich the pickings could be! Thanks to the hundreds of teachers who responded to our survey, and for the time that teachers shared to talk to me in interviews. Thanks to all the contributors to the #UKEdChat special that I hosted. Special thanks to Bill Lord for his extended interview, which can be seen here. Our final report was published on the Arts Council website and can be found here.

Chris Unitt, who brought considerable experience in the digital side of the arts and culture world to our research, invited me to join him presenting our findings to an event for education teams at museums and collections from around the country. You can see our presentation here.

Teachers, as a place to start, you’d be mad not to take a look at www.show.me.uk

All the new clients, contacts and friends I have developed as a result of this work are, in part thanks to the incredible Matt Locke, who runs storythings, and who gave me my introduction into this space. *deepbow*

In the Charts

In November, I was shocked and pleased to find myself in the Top 40!…. of TeacherToolkit/Ross McGill’s (AKA @TeacherToolkit) top 100 teachers to follow on Twitter. I have struggled a bit to keep up with the wealth of amazing tweeters – not least since I have gone through a bit of a review/reduction of my tweeting since reading The Circle by Dave Eggers – a book anyone who uses social media in their work really must read!

Finally, a special note to the #primaryrocks team for introducing the best new #discussion for education anywhere on twitter. Loads of fun and super useful chat, every Monday at 8pm!

College of Teachers

Towards the end of the year, I got increasingly involved with the College of Teachers, helping out behind the scenes and writing about my own views about the proposal. I still think it is the best chance teachers have had to take ownership of our profession, and to depoliticise some of our work. To get up to speed, sign up for info here.

Into Inanimate Alice

I was hugely surprised to get a return call after a conversation that started some four years ago, from the team behind the multi-award winning Inanimate Alice! Just about to release the next brilliant instalment of this unique resource, I was asked to support their strategy to answer new opportunities in connecting their international markets. Looking at business models, partnerships and development plans, it was a hugely satisfying piece of work, as Inanimate Alice is one of the best digital resources for educational purposes out there – built by a passionate team, who really understand how to inspire young people to create.

Project Based Learning

In January, I shared some of the findings of my experiments in using PBL in the primary classroom. Thanks to St Francis CE Primary in Oxford, for their support and the opportunity to try some new approaches.

A short article in UKEdMag led to a huge amount of interest so I followed it with a #5minplan for planning, based on @teachertookit’s series.

IntoFilm

This Spring, I was invited to provide education input on a very exciting new resource coming from IntoFilm, the charity that connects young people to the UK film industry. Though I cannot name the IP we are working on, I can say that one of the best loved characters from the world of picture books is about to make a splash into the digital world of resources for schools. Watch this space for more!

3D Printing

I have finally been able to catch up with some of the more exciting technologies that are coming into schools, thanks to the folk at Black Country Artelier, who bring 3DPrinting (and more) into schools.

Year 8s making bespoke cogs using a 3D printer

Not only have I been able to learn about 3dPrinting, Arduinos, and other new #digitalmaking tools, but I have been able to investigate the pedagogies and issues around assessing them. Huge thanks to the children and staff at Heyford Park Free School, as well as the BCA team for making this so exciting!

#CampEd

Attending #CampEd15 at the start of June was a wonderful start to the Summer (proper!) and a chance to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and to learn. Leisle Ezekiel and I shared our learning about Introverts and Extroverts, and my kids made a computer in less than 5mins!

Award for Yorkshireman of the Year goes to….

Tony Parkin

Finally,  it has not been the easiest of times for me over the past few years, and I have had a little struggle with depression. This year has seen me leave the worst of it behind, and I could not have done that without friends reaching out and supporting me to make both professional and personal steps forward. There are many who have helped, but special thanks are due to Tony Parkin: edtech guru and Yorkshireman without porfolio. Tony has been there at just the right times, to encourage, support and guide me – and who heard my coded call for help ( I was/am too proud and stupid to just say I was having a hard time) and knew how to do so without ever making me feel like a drag.

Thank you Tony.

That just leaves me to wish you (dear reader) a fantastic Summer, and a great 15/16. Be well.