something found or shared

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Social Media and Choosing a High School #etmooc

Social Media Cafe (Photo credit: Cristiano Betta)

As a number of Australian teachers are taking part in the #etmooc I am hoping to hear some comments from teachers if things are changing in this area.

My youngest is entering High School next year and we have a fair number of schools in the area so we have been doing the visits. Making sure we ask questions and listening patiently as the principal or vice principal and students talk to us about why we should pick their school and what makes it great.

Being somewhat into social media (lol). As one person who I follow on twitter Blogged today the wealth of sharing is wonderful thanks Ellen. I agree with Ellen's short message entirely but what really disappoints me is to find that NSW education still thinks blocking social network sites is fine. Wait my partner just reminded me this is a federal thing shame on Australia then!

"Social media sites are at present blocked, but with its internet filtering contract due to expire, the department is surveying schools to ensure the next version of the software meets their needs".

But wait our school visit last night had the Principal proudly mentioning that they have brought in a writer in residence who is working with the students to improve their writing skills. This writer is renowned for their work in doing mash ups of twitter and other social media and is a published author. HUH!!

The principal admitted that blocking social media was stupid and what should be taught is how to use these tools in an ethical way YEAH! Our child has a high school to attend next year.

As the principal said last night "We will remain optimistic".

Even if you look at the NSW public schools web site their seems to be a lot of chatter

At a glanceMost of our kids are using multiple kinds of social media.Social media is just another way of receiving news – whether it's from friends and family or strangers we've never met.The best way to learn about social media is simply to visit the sites and see for yourself.

Related articles
From Steve Wheeler:
"One of the greatest barriers to innovative practice in schools arises from the ban many place on the use of mobile phones in their classrooms. Place this in the context of local education authorities concertedly blocking social media services due to 'safety' concerns, and there is little wonder that schools struggle to capitalise on the technological benefits being enjoyed by the rest of society. It is an abysmal situation."
http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/stuck-in-past.html

What skills do you need to be a good Journalist?

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Is it the end for the Zig Zag Railway?

1072 passing Bottom Points Signal Box on the Lithgow Zig Zag railway line. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A historical view of the Zig Zag Railway line with top road on number 1 viaduct in the foreground and viaducts numbers 2 and 3 of middle road halfway down the valley. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Zig Zag Railway, a photo by markfchristopher on Flickr.

Another sad day.

Why is it so hard to care about our heritage in Australia?

This picture was taken a number of years ago at the Zig Zag Railway at Lithgow and we had a great adventure on the Wizard Express on Platform 3 3/4. So many volunteer hours to keep what is one of the big historical railway wonders of the world that is part of our history being shut down and ignored as usual.