Shifting Expectations

It's been a while since I last blogged and it's also been a while since I last played cricket.  These items are not linked.  Cricket season started, for me, on Saturday.  We lost, and it was a fairly miserable experience on a ropey ground with even ropier weather.  Sign of things to come?  Let's hope not.  More blogging in the offing? Who knows?

"I don't understand why I have to do all these tests. I mean, it's not as if I'm learning anything." These were the words of my son, a few days ago. My son is in P7, his final year of primary school, and so far his year has been blighted. Blighted by tests, dozens and dozens of them. Blighted by the incessant, soul destroying grind that is the transfer test, formerly known as the 11 plus. Since Easter, the entire focus of his schooling has been working towards the transfer test in November. The intensity is building up. First practice tests completed in April, May, June. Then, the summer revision pack, "just to keep his eye in". And now he's in P7, all systems are go: 2 practice tests a week, another to do at home at weekends. When he's not doing a practice test, he's reviewing a completed practice test or practising for the next practice test. The tests he does are either numeracy or literacy or both and that is all he does; day in, day o...

Alastair Darling spoke on Eddie Mair's show on Radio 4 this evening. He was talking about the steps George Osborne is taking to address the banking system and its perceived problems. In relation to these steps, Mr Darling said that "no banking system can ever be safe" but that any steps being taken should be intended to "make the system safer". Clearly this makes no sense. If the system cannot be safe, then surely it cannot therefore be SAFER ie more safe. Call me a pedant Mr Darling, but I think you meant that the steps would make the system less unsafe. I just hope I haven't made any spelling or grammatical errors in this post! That is all...

Been away from here for a very long time, so here's something beautiful to start again. Thanks to Alec Couros ( @courosa ) for bringing it to my attention. Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo .

I found myself perusing Microsoft's Innovative Education Forum website earlier today to see what was what and I thought I'd have a quick look at the FAQs. And then I came across Question 12... Now, I'm not making a major point here, but it just jarred somewhat to see these restrictions placed on a conference aimed at celebrating innovation. Not even a sneaky wee photo of a key note speaker to pop onto Flickr or a handy flip video of a top demonstration to share on YouTube??? Wouldn't that create a bit of buzz and excitement? Guess we'll never know! Hmmm....

Way way behind in commenting on the goings on in eci831, but it's been another busy week. This past week I have listened to MP3s of George Siemens ' session on Connectivism, and Richard Schwier 's session on Learning Communities. I also watched the Elluminate recording of Sue Waters ' session on Educational Blogging where she posed the question " what are your thoughts on educational blogging? ". There has been lots of food for thought from all 3 sessions and it's very difficult to summarise where I am with it all. A few key points would be: - I'm a lurker, but hopefully not a loafer - I DO feel engaged, with the learning if not so much with my fellow learners - I'm a 'not for credit' student - what I'm involved in is definitely non-formal learning with the odd informal moment along the way. - I feel connected to the course and the social element is something I am conscious of and engaged with on the periphery. I wish I was more engage...