A Level Students are protesting about their Biology Unit 4 paper from AQA. Wading through the issues about the ’shrew’ and the sweary rants, there are some cleverly put and well-reasoned arguments about the content and quality of the paper.

The BBC have picked this up and it’s extended to the OCR examination which isn’t looking too clever either.

What is really interesting is that no one is complaining about how hard it was and most of the students seem to have revised more than was asked of them. Its just that the examination appears poorly put together and limited in the range of topics it covered. I think its fantastic that students are that engaged in their learning and are pushing the exam boards to improve.

Teachers and Heads are being balloted on a strike of the National Tests at Key Stage 2. Kind of an old world protest next to our facebook friends but exercising people power all the same. As a parent and a publisher, I kind of like testing at the end of Primary school! However, it is great to see challenges being made to the status quo and the centralised approach to education that prevails today. And those challenges made by people who really know what’s going on (teachers and heads).

I mentioned in my last post that I had heard Stephen Heppell speak about the ‘new curriculum’ at BETT. What I didn’t mention was that I was a bit sceptical about the ‘vested interests’ especially exam boards wanting to hold onto a centrally driven testing and examination system. Stephen’s response was to describe how employability and ‘global standards’ rather than neat exam boxes were already opening up and that this was the way forward.

Appropriate testing (and really when ready – why 16 and 18?) is the future. Business, academia and an increasingly impatient younger generation are taking action and taking control of education which is a brilliant change from politicians doing it. Psychometric tests, Pre-U qualifications and student protests all working to put learning back into the hands of the people that it matters to.

2010 was the first time for about 10 years that I had been to BETT as an ‘independent’ with no axe to grind, product or company to promote (last time was after finally escaping Granada Learning). It kind of suits me; time to talk, actually look at what is happening on stands and connect some dots.

Most of the interesting products and ideas I saw, heard about or participated in came about from teachers, thinkers and smaller companies rather than the big conglomerates, official bodies or government.

TeachmeetTakeover created a real stir at BETT and you were as likely to meet a teacher demonstrating what actually works in their classroom (using free tools), as a sales person in a polo shirt demonstrating a product using powerpoint to an audience of similarly attired ‘customers’.

@tombarrett has blogged more comprehensively about this phenomenon at www.edte.ch and it is useful also to read a ‘vendors’ side to the experience – perhaps a new relationship is developing that can make big changes.

Upstairs and around the sides of BETT was where you could see real innovation going on, generally from enthusiasts (yes BrainPop, I mean you!) and ex-teachers taking their classroom (evidence-based) practice and producing products that really took your breath away. See Picture the Music and Smart Assess for newer companies doing great things that work.

My hope is that these organisations will continue to flourish as teachers become more confident at accepting ideas that aren’t simply originated at PearsonWorld or RMCity where I find complexity is a necessity to keep people employed. That may sound a bit harsh but it’s something I have experienced from both sides and I know it happens.

It was also clear in the seminars that ideas from teachers and schools were most popular. Miles Berry’s session on Open Source and Scratch was heaving with standing room only. And this was REALLY about computing, not technology. You had to know a bit of maths!

I accidentally came across Stephen Heppell talking the Playful Learning area about a new vision for education, driven by children who are growing up so much faster than their teachers (on average 4 years quicker each generation – physically too!).

He said some great things about digital music (live music is what people REALLY value), a vision about real personalised learning – you start and finish when you are ready, not when you are told to and gave us a brief vision of the school he is working on in Cornwall.

So, BETT as an independent was wonderful! It renewed my faith in the wider education world and sets us all up, I think for a new year.

The Keystone Education guide of the week’s press releases from Government sources.

Includes 1-2-1 tuition and extra support for G+T and personal tutors for ALL secondary pupils.

Well today, if you are going, why not check out a slice of what really goes on in classrooms at:

This isn’t boring stale sales stuff, this is teachers showing what they do best and supported by companies who really care about teaching and learning and not just about the bottom line. The ideas presented will give you something to do on Monday morning and who knows(?), on Tuesday too!

BETT 2010 Day 1 A long day which started in snow and travel via Guildford and Reading to get to the show. It was the first time that I have been there as a truly independent educationalist and as such it was a fantastic intake of breath. Aside from happening upon Stephen Heppell http://www.heppell.net/ talking at Playful Learning. His vision for learning 2016 is fantastic and had a 7 month old observing so he was on his best behaviour. Some stars for me were: BSquared

http://www.bettshow.com/page.cfm/Action=Exhib/ExhibID=295 and of course, the wonderful … BETT_banner

Also attended TEDxOrenda in the evening which sent me flying back down Kensington High Street! Back for a small slice today but ready for 2010 now!!

So this decade has got off to a fast start – electioneering in the UK began on the 4^th of January, despite there being #140 odd days until the election. There were a flurry of web-updates promising the future from various technology companies, a new smart phone from Google and even the DCSF went straight to press release 002 (perhaps we’ll only have even numbered press releases from the DCSF this year?).

Other than the single email that I had to send, I feel like 2010 has already happened and I am significantly behind the curve – unusual I know, but true.

So as I make my way slowly down to BETT (www.bettshow.com) this year, I am not so much looking for more or faster or bigger but quality, enthusiasm and deeper knowledge. Hope I’ll see you there!

The Keystone Education guide of the week’s press releases from Government sources.

New advice on the PSHE Curriculum from 2011 including Financial Education from www.moneysavingExpert.com

Re-announcements of money for tuition and Primary Languages curriculum (from September 2010)

Youth Taskforce Survey results showing 90% think it should be hard for children to buy booze!

School surpluses have fallen but need to fall further if government aren’t going to ‘clawback’ next year.

new one

and another

Ordered by Post Title (Ascending)

2010 begins at a canter

2010 begins at a canter. Time to slow down?
So this decade has got off to a fast start – electioneering in the UK began on the 4th of January, despite there being #140 odd days until the election. There were a flurry of web-updates promising the future from various technology companies, a new smart phone [...]

BETT 2010

2010 BETT Show Experience
2010 was the first time for about 10 years that I had been to BETT as an ‘independent’ with no axe to grind, product or company to promote (last time was after finally escaping Granada Learning). It kind of suits me; time to talk, actually look at what is happening on stands [...]

BETT 2010 – Day 1

BETT 2010 Day 1 A long day which started in snow and travel via Guildford and Reading to get to the show. It was the first time that I have been there as a truly independent educationalist and as such it was a fantastic intake of breath. Aside from happening upon Stephen Heppell http://www.heppell.net/ [...]

BETT Day 3 – Reality Bites BETT

Its been interesting to read blogs and tweets about #BETT2010 this morning. Some great innovation but also lots of large companies punting out ‘old’ technology and driving sales very hard. Yes, that is you INTEL and SMART!
Well today, if you are going, why not check out a slice of what really goes on in classrooms [...]

KEG Week 1

KEG – Week 1, 2010
The Keystone Education guide of the week’s press releases from Government sources.
DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families)
** New Finance Education for children from September 2011
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2010_0005
New advice on the PSHE Curriculum from 2011 including Financial Education from www.moneysavingExpert.com
*** Money for 1-2-1 tuition, languages teaching and Masters for Teachers
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2010_0002
Re-announcements of money for [...]

KEG Week 2

KEG – Week 2, 2010
The Keystone Education guide of the week’s press releases from Government sources.
DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families)
*** Home Access to computers and broadband rolled out
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2010_0011
Parents of children on FSM can claim by calling 0333 200 1004 or visit: http://www.becta.org.uk/homeaccess
*** Consultation on Pupil/Parent Guarantees
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2010_0013
Includes 1-2-1 tuition and extra support for [...]

Tests and Examinations … and people power!

People Power 1
A Level Students are protesting about their Biology Unit 4 paper from AQA. Wading through the issues about the ’shrew’ and the sweary rants, there are some cleverly put and well-reasoned arguments about the content and quality of the paper.
The BBC have picked this up and it’s extended to the OCR examination which [...]

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Tests and Examinations … and people power!

BETT 2010

KEG Week 2

BETT Day 3 – Reality Bites BETT

BETT 2010 – Day 1

2010 begins at a canter

KEG Week 1

new one

and another

Ordered by Post Title (Ascending)

2010 begins at a canter

BETT 2010

BETT 2010 – Day 1

BETT Day 3 – Reality Bites BETT

KEG Week 1

KEG Week 2

Tests and Examinations … and people power!

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