Hi everyone
Anyone who is reading this, please now look at www.melancholyofman.co.uk, i have moved the blog.
Thanks
Monday 5 October 2015
Sunday 9 November 2014
The uselessness of today's technology
Today (I wrote this in 2013) I want to share with you my opinion of technology in its current form, today. As a technician I get to use and experience a multitude of products, software and hardware. As a life long learner I read and watch technology, full of excitement - yes I'm a full time geek, sue me!
I have come to a point where there are so many options than there has been in the past, look at operating systems. At one point in life the majority (over 90%) would use a windows (operating system) based machine and this would probably be the same version for many years. Step in to 2013, we have iOS, Windows (7 or 8), we have Linux operating in the background, Android in our phones and tablets, then we have new devices like he Raspberry Pi. In principal this is fantastic, it means choice, when before we had the might of Micrsoft and that's about it (Linux/OSx been in the background), but the power of this change has brought one serious problem - convoluted. Yes we have choice now, because now we can choose from a different type of device, whether its mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop, but also we have touch screen.
Again you wonder, this sounds everything you've always wanted - but hold on a minute, many options now are non-domain, so in the work environment this causes issues. How easy can you push out settings, software (or apps) to other people/users/computers if you have now central unit in control? It's difficult and impossible sometimes, because devices offer positives and negatives, options no less but can they do all that you need them too? Can you really say you can use your IPAD for everything, I know I cannot, yes its great to have "airplay", book reading is great, not a bad camera etc. But we run on a Windows network, with software designed for Windows, we have people that can't get broadband so this affects their ability offsite. Do touchscreen's offer the same level of ability for you to work, study or play without too many typo's or do they hamper your efficiency and wind you up?
Now look at cost, Android devices vary greatly in price from low cost to iPAD, I've played with a variety of these and look the fact so many useful apps are free. As a person in charge of managing devices they offer me ability to lock them down to restrict use of certain features too, but even one expensive piece of kit crashed and performed slow.
I'm starting to wonder which device offers the most features, since none do all, or the cost becomes an issue, I mean think about it, you can get a decent laptop with a fair bit of memory for the equivalent of an iPAD! Sure a laptop offer you the same experience as you have always had, but you cannot beat the ease of use and speed (boot up etc) of a tablet - for instance i have tried writing blog entries on one but to no avail, i am back on the PC for this. But laptops suffer with short life batteries compared to tablets, yes I realise the processor is very different but its a real issue dependant on your circumstance.
In the last year or so I have witnessed a rise in the hacker community or the maker shed people, which has been down to people using low level devices like Arduino and Raspberry pi's (there are many more). This is a really good thing, it gets us thinking again like back in the 80's, i'm especially excited about this movement and cannot wait to start experimenting. I talk about this because these devices they are still computers, sure they will not replace your standard device but they can be programmed to do more and that's their raison d'etre. They bring their own problems too, for instance the Raspberry Pi uses a Linux operating system that's been hacked to work on ARM processors. This is truly breathtaking, considering its all a voluntary world, people do their bits and adapt programs to work on it (they've done a great job with Apple Airplay), the Pi already can function as a media center out the box. The only issue is the learning curve, Linux takes time to master, you do have to research simple commands - that is not necessarily a bad thing, just drains your schedule if your busy!
So there we have it, I did not intend this to be a in depth look at individual devices, or recommend anything, I just want you to understand just because we have choice it does not mean any device is suitable.
I have come to a point where there are so many options than there has been in the past, look at operating systems. At one point in life the majority (over 90%) would use a windows (operating system) based machine and this would probably be the same version for many years. Step in to 2013, we have iOS, Windows (7 or 8), we have Linux operating in the background, Android in our phones and tablets, then we have new devices like he Raspberry Pi. In principal this is fantastic, it means choice, when before we had the might of Micrsoft and that's about it (Linux/OSx been in the background), but the power of this change has brought one serious problem - convoluted. Yes we have choice now, because now we can choose from a different type of device, whether its mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop, but also we have touch screen.
Again you wonder, this sounds everything you've always wanted - but hold on a minute, many options now are non-domain, so in the work environment this causes issues. How easy can you push out settings, software (or apps) to other people/users/computers if you have now central unit in control? It's difficult and impossible sometimes, because devices offer positives and negatives, options no less but can they do all that you need them too? Can you really say you can use your IPAD for everything, I know I cannot, yes its great to have "airplay", book reading is great, not a bad camera etc. But we run on a Windows network, with software designed for Windows, we have people that can't get broadband so this affects their ability offsite. Do touchscreen's offer the same level of ability for you to work, study or play without too many typo's or do they hamper your efficiency and wind you up?
Now look at cost, Android devices vary greatly in price from low cost to iPAD, I've played with a variety of these and look the fact so many useful apps are free. As a person in charge of managing devices they offer me ability to lock them down to restrict use of certain features too, but even one expensive piece of kit crashed and performed slow.
I'm starting to wonder which device offers the most features, since none do all, or the cost becomes an issue, I mean think about it, you can get a decent laptop with a fair bit of memory for the equivalent of an iPAD! Sure a laptop offer you the same experience as you have always had, but you cannot beat the ease of use and speed (boot up etc) of a tablet - for instance i have tried writing blog entries on one but to no avail, i am back on the PC for this. But laptops suffer with short life batteries compared to tablets, yes I realise the processor is very different but its a real issue dependant on your circumstance.
In the last year or so I have witnessed a rise in the hacker community or the maker shed people, which has been down to people using low level devices like Arduino and Raspberry pi's (there are many more). This is a really good thing, it gets us thinking again like back in the 80's, i'm especially excited about this movement and cannot wait to start experimenting. I talk about this because these devices they are still computers, sure they will not replace your standard device but they can be programmed to do more and that's their raison d'etre. They bring their own problems too, for instance the Raspberry Pi uses a Linux operating system that's been hacked to work on ARM processors. This is truly breathtaking, considering its all a voluntary world, people do their bits and adapt programs to work on it (they've done a great job with Apple Airplay), the Pi already can function as a media center out the box. The only issue is the learning curve, Linux takes time to master, you do have to research simple commands - that is not necessarily a bad thing, just drains your schedule if your busy!
So there we have it, I did not intend this to be a in depth look at individual devices, or recommend anything, I just want you to understand just because we have choice it does not mean any device is suitable.
Saturday 1 November 2014
Looking through window to the other side
For over 4 years now I have been an avid friend of the open source community, there are so many great packages out there. I am not here to argue about free software or open source, but more about the user perspective!
You see many people use Windows or have used because of one issue, education, those damn schools cannot get away from it so children have grown up around Office and Windows. Yes times are changing due to the onslaught of some great new devices like tablets and smart phones, which has given access to more choice with regards operating systems and programs (apps included) that we use.
Sounds great so far, now introduce yourself to the world of Linux and its deriatives, it's truly a remarkable thing, it does lots of jobs that Windows does, it even guards large companies from security threats, our internet provides use some forms of Linux to provide a service to our homes and business. One of the most frequent places Linux is found is the backbone of serving websites to us.
Despite this level of market share (still very modest) it cannot take over the Mr & Mrs Average home computer operating system, there are some good reasons for it, well 2 really, which we should look at. One is there is still not a fully fledged novice friendly Linux system (called distro's), yes there are so many different ones, many people will say there is puppy, elementary, mint, ubuntu, fedora, debian blah blah. Trust me I have seen many of these and tried them, but the problem is the language or layout used on many of these systems is too complex for a windows convert like Mr/Mrs Average. They really can't be bothered about problems, incompatibility or workarounds and probably wouldnt get through the installation stage without wiping their existing data, their windows partition.
I know many people will disagree, for me Mint has been my number one choice since around 2010 and loved it, never crashes, i can do everything i need too and worked out the box. So hell yes I just contradicted myself, but all is never rosy, after a recent purchase I have come across the dreaded wifi driver issue that seemed to plague older Linux installs. Of course this is not Linux Mint or the fault of any distro or their programmers, it's an inherent issue with Linux in general. Support is generally good across many peripherals and devices, but you have to research about compatibility and features available through Linux drivers.
Okay so complaint 2, the GUI, i'm moaning in general really, my main point is there is an apparent lack of user interface design among open source products. It's quite obvious in some because of small groups creating software for free, which is truly selfless compared to the paid rivals, but to really attract another generation of users or the common user so much more thought it needed. Recently I went with finally switching to Unity (Ubuntu), yes it's fine, probably stick with it but I hate the fact I can't easily remember how to browse the applications installed - it's ridicolously complicated for what reason?
Ubuntu is hated by many too, since it's actually backed by a large company. Even more recently I tried Edubuntu in the hope I could use this for my daughters when they are old enough. I was actually shocked to find the home screen/desktop is just like Ubuntu - why would you actually spend time labelling this product as educational but have no applications ready from the desktop? I was thinking this would be an aim, design for a different type of user and perspective. Now i just think i will have to spend time researching what apps are installed and how useful they are for the kids and alter the settings myself. Maybe I should look at the Ubuntu software center, but let's face it, it's a joke of an app store really, not enough information on packages, not enough reviews, search is not always relevant.
I could go on and on about other software, but it's just my opinion and I'm still a complete novice. I have tried all sorts of packages like remote desktop, video recording, file browsers, image editing, ide packages etc and seen many of these fail my patience for actually successful use. However, let's be clear, I still LOVE Linux, it's free, it does not claim to be anything, it's also far more secure than Windows, it's just damn complicated at times.
But just like life is hard, their are many things to learn, take your time and your patience is rewarded, you will never go back. I use Windows at work, I have no choice, every day I look forward to using Ubuntu when I'm home, despite it's issues. The best thing we can do is work with Mr & Mrs Average and spread the good word, after all education is the key - if schools used Linux would any child know what Windows is? Stuff of dreams?
You see many people use Windows or have used because of one issue, education, those damn schools cannot get away from it so children have grown up around Office and Windows. Yes times are changing due to the onslaught of some great new devices like tablets and smart phones, which has given access to more choice with regards operating systems and programs (apps included) that we use.
Sounds great so far, now introduce yourself to the world of Linux and its deriatives, it's truly a remarkable thing, it does lots of jobs that Windows does, it even guards large companies from security threats, our internet provides use some forms of Linux to provide a service to our homes and business. One of the most frequent places Linux is found is the backbone of serving websites to us.
Despite this level of market share (still very modest) it cannot take over the Mr & Mrs Average home computer operating system, there are some good reasons for it, well 2 really, which we should look at. One is there is still not a fully fledged novice friendly Linux system (called distro's), yes there are so many different ones, many people will say there is puppy, elementary, mint, ubuntu, fedora, debian blah blah. Trust me I have seen many of these and tried them, but the problem is the language or layout used on many of these systems is too complex for a windows convert like Mr/Mrs Average. They really can't be bothered about problems, incompatibility or workarounds and probably wouldnt get through the installation stage without wiping their existing data, their windows partition.
I know many people will disagree, for me Mint has been my number one choice since around 2010 and loved it, never crashes, i can do everything i need too and worked out the box. So hell yes I just contradicted myself, but all is never rosy, after a recent purchase I have come across the dreaded wifi driver issue that seemed to plague older Linux installs. Of course this is not Linux Mint or the fault of any distro or their programmers, it's an inherent issue with Linux in general. Support is generally good across many peripherals and devices, but you have to research about compatibility and features available through Linux drivers.
Okay so complaint 2, the GUI, i'm moaning in general really, my main point is there is an apparent lack of user interface design among open source products. It's quite obvious in some because of small groups creating software for free, which is truly selfless compared to the paid rivals, but to really attract another generation of users or the common user so much more thought it needed. Recently I went with finally switching to Unity (Ubuntu), yes it's fine, probably stick with it but I hate the fact I can't easily remember how to browse the applications installed - it's ridicolously complicated for what reason?
Ubuntu is hated by many too, since it's actually backed by a large company. Even more recently I tried Edubuntu in the hope I could use this for my daughters when they are old enough. I was actually shocked to find the home screen/desktop is just like Ubuntu - why would you actually spend time labelling this product as educational but have no applications ready from the desktop? I was thinking this would be an aim, design for a different type of user and perspective. Now i just think i will have to spend time researching what apps are installed and how useful they are for the kids and alter the settings myself. Maybe I should look at the Ubuntu software center, but let's face it, it's a joke of an app store really, not enough information on packages, not enough reviews, search is not always relevant.
I could go on and on about other software, but it's just my opinion and I'm still a complete novice. I have tried all sorts of packages like remote desktop, video recording, file browsers, image editing, ide packages etc and seen many of these fail my patience for actually successful use. However, let's be clear, I still LOVE Linux, it's free, it does not claim to be anything, it's also far more secure than Windows, it's just damn complicated at times.
But just like life is hard, their are many things to learn, take your time and your patience is rewarded, you will never go back. I use Windows at work, I have no choice, every day I look forward to using Ubuntu when I'm home, despite it's issues. The best thing we can do is work with Mr & Mrs Average and spread the good word, after all education is the key - if schools used Linux would any child know what Windows is? Stuff of dreams?
Tuesday 13 May 2014
repercussion of life
It's been too long my friend, my love of the written word has been compromised by duty. Duty i never entailed, never planned or thought about.
I refer to my recent experience in the world of educating secondary school children. Over the past 4 months I have become involved in the classroom for business studies due to my current knowledge and education. I now recall voluntary suggesting I would help, to become part of a team with a just and good cause - get students through their BTEC course. If there is ever one cause i fall for, it is education, I believe in it with my full sincerity. Education will help in life, with decision, with understanding and provide options - you have to pay back with hard work, something I've seen quickly disappear with our current youth.
During February my role started with learning what was needed to do, then learning what the head of the team wanted and then how to get the students to actually work. This was a massive contest, not one for the faint hearted, that's for sure. We are now in May and time certainly pays dividends. I have seen the interest levels dip to the point of not working and students becoming bored, stressed by workloads and unpredictable behaviour.
Oh wait i forgot now I'm helping with ICT, early on this was very laid back approach, where I was not required other than clarity on a few questions regarding the specification. Looking in to my world now - well, let's just say what defines a teacher, lets start with:
Let's think what I have done and compare:
You may notice a common theme, bar one - ASSESSMENT. I don't have to do this (at current date) but I have and I am doing the rest. It is 11.39pm and I have just finished marking. Today I've liaised with a parent, checked exam entries with our exam officer, provided feedback and instructed.
On the face of these words you would think i'm a teacher, i'm not, i'm a humble technician with aspirations and inspirations. I'm trying to inspire students to work hard and prepare for their ICT work, without doubt there grades have improved (i've marked their work before and after I got involved). My passion comes through in this field, the students have seen this, I am now spoken to around the school, I love the banter.
What have I learnt, children are damn lazy, they will push you to your limits, they do not care for deadlines, they don't recognise all authority and will try negotiating. They want their hands to be held, but they can act independently, they need some stimulus and inspiration.
I'm tired, mainly because of the lack of support, the attitude towards one of the fundamental skills you could acquire - ICT. How can you not take this subject seriously - their are millions of jobs in computing, money to be made whether you are a teenager or 50 year old. There are brilliant tools to use and interesting ways to teach. I hope we learn from this experience and can move forward, god knows with my computer club i'm trying. My skill is still basic and limited, but I aspire to be the best, to help these students coming through, provide them with understanding and opportunity and like the rest of my life I WILL DO IT ALL MYSELF.
I've always expected no-one to help, i assume the worst and get on, the can do people keep this world going, we are scarred with stigmata, our mission is to plod on and forget the repercussions of life.
I refer to my recent experience in the world of educating secondary school children. Over the past 4 months I have become involved in the classroom for business studies due to my current knowledge and education. I now recall voluntary suggesting I would help, to become part of a team with a just and good cause - get students through their BTEC course. If there is ever one cause i fall for, it is education, I believe in it with my full sincerity. Education will help in life, with decision, with understanding and provide options - you have to pay back with hard work, something I've seen quickly disappear with our current youth.
During February my role started with learning what was needed to do, then learning what the head of the team wanted and then how to get the students to actually work. This was a massive contest, not one for the faint hearted, that's for sure. We are now in May and time certainly pays dividends. I have seen the interest levels dip to the point of not working and students becoming bored, stressed by workloads and unpredictable behaviour.
Oh wait i forgot now I'm helping with ICT, early on this was very laid back approach, where I was not required other than clarity on a few questions regarding the specification. Looking in to my world now - well, let's just say what defines a teacher, lets start with:
- TEACH
- SET WORK
- PREPARE FOR EXAMS
- MARK
- REVIEW
- ORGANISE
- INTERVIEW
- EXAM ENTRY
- SPEAK TO PARENTS
- BEHAVIOUR
- ASSESSMENT
- PLAN + MEET
Let's think what I have done and compare:
- INSTRUCT
- SET WORK
- PREPARE FOR EXAMS
- MARK, REVIEW
- ORGANISE
- INTERVIEW,
- EXAM ENTRY
- SPEAK TO PARENTS
- BEHAVIOUR
- PLAN + MEET.
You may notice a common theme, bar one - ASSESSMENT. I don't have to do this (at current date) but I have and I am doing the rest. It is 11.39pm and I have just finished marking. Today I've liaised with a parent, checked exam entries with our exam officer, provided feedback and instructed.
On the face of these words you would think i'm a teacher, i'm not, i'm a humble technician with aspirations and inspirations. I'm trying to inspire students to work hard and prepare for their ICT work, without doubt there grades have improved (i've marked their work before and after I got involved). My passion comes through in this field, the students have seen this, I am now spoken to around the school, I love the banter.
What have I learnt, children are damn lazy, they will push you to your limits, they do not care for deadlines, they don't recognise all authority and will try negotiating. They want their hands to be held, but they can act independently, they need some stimulus and inspiration.
I'm tired, mainly because of the lack of support, the attitude towards one of the fundamental skills you could acquire - ICT. How can you not take this subject seriously - their are millions of jobs in computing, money to be made whether you are a teenager or 50 year old. There are brilliant tools to use and interesting ways to teach. I hope we learn from this experience and can move forward, god knows with my computer club i'm trying. My skill is still basic and limited, but I aspire to be the best, to help these students coming through, provide them with understanding and opportunity and like the rest of my life I WILL DO IT ALL MYSELF.
I've always expected no-one to help, i assume the worst and get on, the can do people keep this world going, we are scarred with stigmata, our mission is to plod on and forget the repercussions of life.
Wednesday 8 January 2014
Roll up roll up, more pay, better jobs
I suddenly felt compelled to write after reading such annoyance within today's media, the story read about Vice Chancellors in Universities and their pay increase. For some time I have read articles about pay increases and their flabbergasting rates they try and sell to us, stating why they are needed.
The Vice Chancellor (V.C.) is the top person in a university, a management role, who must spend an incredible amount of their time in meetings and keeping up to date with legislation and educational matters relevant to their field. Of course it's a important job, like any management role but do you consider these jobs more important than a lecturer/teacher/tutor? One tutor can have a profound affect on a high number of students who they teach in their life time, but could a V.C. be said in the same light? So surely to be fair these high earners should just take the same level of increase as their own staff, is it fair they want higher rewards? Surely you want the position for the rate given when you first applied and accept pay increases or bonus structures. Do you suddenly have the power to put forward your own thoughts to your pay, where did the democracy in your institutions go?
Remembering back a short time ago I read about MP's pay too, they wanted to increase these to try and bring in better people. There was a belief many people would not take a government position over a private opportunity, as they offer a better financially rewards. Well I'm afraid the cogito of this argument is invalid to me, people will always strive to earn more, that's who we are. But you cannot just pay people better money or equivalent, we are still in a financial predicament with our budgets, so the answer is about recruitment not pay. People should be hired who want the job, anyone joining the list of civil servants understands the merits and problems associated with employment. Positions like MP's should be given to people of honour and courage, yes I appreciate they need a level of education to understand what is required of representing the public, but history shows education does not mean success or the public vote. Another thing to note is there is no formal training, no certification, so they deal with important matters they are very unskilled people compared to lots of other jobs, so it would not be fair to pay them a high wage. Should they earn more than our fire brigade or soldiers on the front line, or a nurse???
We need people who want the work and will work hard for their money, honest, so they will not make fictitious financial claims, will not sit on the boards of dozens of other companies. MP's should work one job, they should have no other involvements in other businesses, not sit on a board of shareholders or committee's, defending the public is their sole business. All I see is people using the status to get themselves started on the ladder to affluence, luckily I have no greed or envy, I am proud of my humble life, I am a professional in my role, I put in extra to help future generations, I work as hard as the next person, but I only have one job, maybe I should try out for applying to be an M.P.?
The Vice Chancellor (V.C.) is the top person in a university, a management role, who must spend an incredible amount of their time in meetings and keeping up to date with legislation and educational matters relevant to their field. Of course it's a important job, like any management role but do you consider these jobs more important than a lecturer/teacher/tutor? One tutor can have a profound affect on a high number of students who they teach in their life time, but could a V.C. be said in the same light? So surely to be fair these high earners should just take the same level of increase as their own staff, is it fair they want higher rewards? Surely you want the position for the rate given when you first applied and accept pay increases or bonus structures. Do you suddenly have the power to put forward your own thoughts to your pay, where did the democracy in your institutions go?
Remembering back a short time ago I read about MP's pay too, they wanted to increase these to try and bring in better people. There was a belief many people would not take a government position over a private opportunity, as they offer a better financially rewards. Well I'm afraid the cogito of this argument is invalid to me, people will always strive to earn more, that's who we are. But you cannot just pay people better money or equivalent, we are still in a financial predicament with our budgets, so the answer is about recruitment not pay. People should be hired who want the job, anyone joining the list of civil servants understands the merits and problems associated with employment. Positions like MP's should be given to people of honour and courage, yes I appreciate they need a level of education to understand what is required of representing the public, but history shows education does not mean success or the public vote. Another thing to note is there is no formal training, no certification, so they deal with important matters they are very unskilled people compared to lots of other jobs, so it would not be fair to pay them a high wage. Should they earn more than our fire brigade or soldiers on the front line, or a nurse???
We need people who want the work and will work hard for their money, honest, so they will not make fictitious financial claims, will not sit on the boards of dozens of other companies. MP's should work one job, they should have no other involvements in other businesses, not sit on a board of shareholders or committee's, defending the public is their sole business. All I see is people using the status to get themselves started on the ladder to affluence, luckily I have no greed or envy, I am proud of my humble life, I am a professional in my role, I put in extra to help future generations, I work as hard as the next person, but I only have one job, maybe I should try out for applying to be an M.P.?
Friday 3 January 2014
2013 - a reflection
It's been sometime since my last post, once again the duties of fatherhood have prevailed over my ramblings.
I just wanted to look back over the year from a personal view and that of the world around me too. It's been a very quick year, pain; hard work; suffering; holidays; happiness and friendship. Probably no different from anyone really?
I am so thankful I fully engrossed myself in to my job, helps me stay current with the web and the world, keeping up to date is so relevant in our industry. Knowing what hardware is around and what software works well is useful when looking at purchasing for the school's needs.
Furthermore, being interested and committed has given me the confidence to set up and run a computer club, we may have not done much as yet, but I started off with a few simple lectures and demonstrations. This is starting to evolve in to curriculum changes for the school (hopefully), so computer science and computational thinking will be more prevalent in student learning, yay.
In the world around us we lost a hell of a man, iconic figure who will be mused over for many decades to come (Mandela). Like any year we lost lots of other figureheads too, people like Thatcher will not be forgotten either, whether admired, unloved or hated.
As far as I.T. i really stepped up my interest in all things raspberry pi/arduino related and try to incorporate some ideas for my computer club, but also practical uses within the school. Late last year, I had my first taste of media queries with responsive design and re-kindled my (summer) training with the Python language.
I watch in awe of change technology brings, I sit patiently waiting for the chance to try and learn, but I also bide my time for others to work through errors associated with early generations. The more I learn, the more I realise the less I know, this statement is so true. Being a beginner is crap, there is so much out there to take in, only through trying do you truly learn. Whether technology like the "Internet of things" really takes over, or Artificial Intelligence suddenly advances is another thing, but the change is coming. One day you will be hard pushed not to come across technology in your everyday life. See you later.....
I just wanted to look back over the year from a personal view and that of the world around me too. It's been a very quick year, pain; hard work; suffering; holidays; happiness and friendship. Probably no different from anyone really?
I am so thankful I fully engrossed myself in to my job, helps me stay current with the web and the world, keeping up to date is so relevant in our industry. Knowing what hardware is around and what software works well is useful when looking at purchasing for the school's needs.
Furthermore, being interested and committed has given me the confidence to set up and run a computer club, we may have not done much as yet, but I started off with a few simple lectures and demonstrations. This is starting to evolve in to curriculum changes for the school (hopefully), so computer science and computational thinking will be more prevalent in student learning, yay.
In the world around us we lost a hell of a man, iconic figure who will be mused over for many decades to come (Mandela). Like any year we lost lots of other figureheads too, people like Thatcher will not be forgotten either, whether admired, unloved or hated.
As far as I.T. i really stepped up my interest in all things raspberry pi/arduino related and try to incorporate some ideas for my computer club, but also practical uses within the school. Late last year, I had my first taste of media queries with responsive design and re-kindled my (summer) training with the Python language.
I watch in awe of change technology brings, I sit patiently waiting for the chance to try and learn, but I also bide my time for others to work through errors associated with early generations. The more I learn, the more I realise the less I know, this statement is so true. Being a beginner is crap, there is so much out there to take in, only through trying do you truly learn. Whether technology like the "Internet of things" really takes over, or Artificial Intelligence suddenly advances is another thing, but the change is coming. One day you will be hard pushed not to come across technology in your everyday life. See you later.....
Friday 8 November 2013
Mis-adventures in education
It has taken so long, but I return with words...
I started my adventure recently in to a new world, a chance to help educate others, to embrace a new world, not the final frontier but computing (or computer science if you prefer). After many months of promising I would set up a computer club, I got off my so called arse and got it up and running.
Not many people came, but the ones that have are a delight, they have the enthusiasm and passion for the subject. The feedback is positive from the students, they want to get the chance to learn, its just a shame they are in their last year at school. There levels have been so good we are even contemplating getting them through a GCSE!
I try injecting for the subject, I am trying to help them become more rounded students that leave with a multitude of knowledge and skills that may help them develop. Having control over the funding for the kit we want to use is helping me source equipment and look at equipment in an educational manner, rather than being a consumer like everyone else. Its been a great trip so far, though I appreciate it's not teaching as such, and I agree, it's more tutoring. I know what I am and what I am not, i only have a small group and don't have the demands or problems facing today's teachers (thank god).
My methods have gone down well so far, I'm trying to use a variety of mediums, from videos, to creating my website, to jokes, lying, role playing and amazingly enough NO PowerPoint's so far too. I'm a firm believer in the touch and the audio visual learning, because I'm like this myself. So I've took a computer apart and gone through the internals, quizzed students on what things are by providing clues even though they had no prior knowledge. Even those that already are quite gifted are learning, like all teenagers they know so much, but in reality have no experience so don't really know, they just read it somewhere.
I have lied and set their homework to discover what this was, I've explained specifics like cache memory using the allied forces during world war 2 as an analogy. After showing them a geek joke one day, there next session we acted out how both T.C.P. and U.D.P. work by using nothing more than a few sheets of paper as a letter and envelope. After 4 weeks I can already see the levels of the students, their interests and more importantly their characters, learning to adapt around these will keep me tested, that's for sure, the hardest thing will be keeping ahead of them. Listening to feedback from the students and through word of mouth I'm so delighted in the impact, just one mention of a great web resource to learn coding (codeacademy.com) and suddenly all of them are competing with each other. Some are especially gifted and already used Raspberry Pi's and even adapted them to create something useful and made real money! Because of my ethical code, I have explained that they should consider contributing to the authors of programs and the creators of the hardware they are selling, because they are either charities or volunteers working for free. Although I try to have a positive approach, I am also a realist, I remind them of what skills they will need and why (current state of the job market etc).
With computing hitting primary school level curriculum, there are lots of scared teachers, suddenly finding this new topic thrust upon them. It is a big step to expect these educators to learn something before they can help teach our children. It's a very exciting prospect for the children, they will get the chance to learn to code and hopefully change the current social epidemic, to something more aspiring, to become creators. Do I take this change as a positive step that may change the economics of the future? It's a bold statement, but if we can get kids learning like this it could help them develop their learning capacity, the web and computing allows unimaginable prospects for business, wealth, welfare, ideas and careers. Never before has it been easier to set up a business, schools are full of helpful people, kids have meaningful ideas that are usually for the greater good.
I for one write this in the hope I can look back in 10 years (this leaves ample time for anyone currently at primary to go through the school cycle) and see I helped predict a good future for all of us. God knows we all need it more than ever, the financial inequities of the past haunt my generation, we are forced with compromises in our future pensions; in our current pay; in our employment terms. Computing could be what engineering was in the past, Great Britain, proud of what our country once was, a land of hope, a land of respect, a prosperous nation. Viva la revolution.
I started my adventure recently in to a new world, a chance to help educate others, to embrace a new world, not the final frontier but computing (or computer science if you prefer). After many months of promising I would set up a computer club, I got off my so called arse and got it up and running.
Not many people came, but the ones that have are a delight, they have the enthusiasm and passion for the subject. The feedback is positive from the students, they want to get the chance to learn, its just a shame they are in their last year at school. There levels have been so good we are even contemplating getting them through a GCSE!
I try injecting for the subject, I am trying to help them become more rounded students that leave with a multitude of knowledge and skills that may help them develop. Having control over the funding for the kit we want to use is helping me source equipment and look at equipment in an educational manner, rather than being a consumer like everyone else. Its been a great trip so far, though I appreciate it's not teaching as such, and I agree, it's more tutoring. I know what I am and what I am not, i only have a small group and don't have the demands or problems facing today's teachers (thank god).
My methods have gone down well so far, I'm trying to use a variety of mediums, from videos, to creating my website, to jokes, lying, role playing and amazingly enough NO PowerPoint's so far too. I'm a firm believer in the touch and the audio visual learning, because I'm like this myself. So I've took a computer apart and gone through the internals, quizzed students on what things are by providing clues even though they had no prior knowledge. Even those that already are quite gifted are learning, like all teenagers they know so much, but in reality have no experience so don't really know, they just read it somewhere.
I have lied and set their homework to discover what this was, I've explained specifics like cache memory using the allied forces during world war 2 as an analogy. After showing them a geek joke one day, there next session we acted out how both T.C.P. and U.D.P. work by using nothing more than a few sheets of paper as a letter and envelope. After 4 weeks I can already see the levels of the students, their interests and more importantly their characters, learning to adapt around these will keep me tested, that's for sure, the hardest thing will be keeping ahead of them. Listening to feedback from the students and through word of mouth I'm so delighted in the impact, just one mention of a great web resource to learn coding (codeacademy.com) and suddenly all of them are competing with each other. Some are especially gifted and already used Raspberry Pi's and even adapted them to create something useful and made real money! Because of my ethical code, I have explained that they should consider contributing to the authors of programs and the creators of the hardware they are selling, because they are either charities or volunteers working for free. Although I try to have a positive approach, I am also a realist, I remind them of what skills they will need and why (current state of the job market etc).
With computing hitting primary school level curriculum, there are lots of scared teachers, suddenly finding this new topic thrust upon them. It is a big step to expect these educators to learn something before they can help teach our children. It's a very exciting prospect for the children, they will get the chance to learn to code and hopefully change the current social epidemic, to something more aspiring, to become creators. Do I take this change as a positive step that may change the economics of the future? It's a bold statement, but if we can get kids learning like this it could help them develop their learning capacity, the web and computing allows unimaginable prospects for business, wealth, welfare, ideas and careers. Never before has it been easier to set up a business, schools are full of helpful people, kids have meaningful ideas that are usually for the greater good.
I for one write this in the hope I can look back in 10 years (this leaves ample time for anyone currently at primary to go through the school cycle) and see I helped predict a good future for all of us. God knows we all need it more than ever, the financial inequities of the past haunt my generation, we are forced with compromises in our future pensions; in our current pay; in our employment terms. Computing could be what engineering was in the past, Great Britain, proud of what our country once was, a land of hope, a land of respect, a prosperous nation. Viva la revolution.
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