Thursday 29th January 2015 Microsoft have taken a leaf from Apple’s book and will offer Windows 10 as a free upgrade from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, in an effort to encourage adoption of the new OS. Can Windows remain relevant in the new mobile-driven consumer market? Read more (and watch the video) at CNET >>>
SAMR – ICT in your classroom
Wednesday 28th January 2015 As we commence the new school year (in Australia) there will be much discussion about the use of new tech devices by students in the classroom. Is technology redefining learning opportunities in your school? Or just dishing up more of the same with a new interface? Learn more about SAMR (incl a video in a Google Apps context) … Read More
Google signs student data privacy pledge
Friday 23rd January 2015 Google has joined Apple, Microsoft, and 90 other education-technology companies to sign the Student Data Privacy Pledge, according to an announcement on Monday from the Future of Privacy Forum, a non-profit group which created the pledge last year. Read more about this story at WSJ >>> Visit the Student Data Privacy Pledge site >>> More info about … Read More
Google Apps v Office 365 – For your school
The expectation by teachers and students of ‘anytime, anywhere, any device’ access to online services has resulted a rethink of software and file-server provisioning in schools. Many schools are now enabling student and teacher access to collaborative cloud apps and file storage services, which are accessible from school and home, on shared school computers and personal laptops and tablet devices. Which cloud service is … Read More
Google Classroom v Moodle
For many years schools have explored various options for providing an online component to regular classes. This need for an online environment has recently become more focussed with the move to BYO technologies in schools. Over the years Moodle has become a popular, though clunky option as an LMS (Learning Management System) platform in schools. Now Google has entered the market with the release of … Read More
Behind the famous Windows XP wallpaper
Tuesday 20th January 2015 Charles O’Rear, now 73, says he wishes he had negotiated a better deal with Microsoft when he licensed his photo of the green hills and blue sky (taken north of San Francisco) to accompany the launch of the XP operating system more than 13 years ago. Read more info about the famous photo at SMH >>>
Back to School – 2015
Tuesday 20th January 2015 As we begin to organise ourselves for the new school year (here in Australia), what should we be thinking about from an ICT perspective?… Where is your school on the ICT Continuum? As schools move away from centralised technology ‘labs’ to the use of personal devices to support learning, the school technology model has changed. Big time! Is … Read More
Google Classroom – Mobile App
Thursday 15th January 2015 Google has released native Classroom mobile apps for both Android and iOS to support it’s new Classroom platform. Also announced are two new Classroom features: a teacher assignments page and the ability to archive classes. Check out the intro video below….. Read more at the Google Education Blog >>>
Browser Stats – Dec 2014
Thursday 15th January 2015 With such a large portion of our screen time involving the use of a web browser, the stats for the share of the browser market provide a quick insight into how our preferences have changed over the years. Netscape anyone? View the latest browser stats >>>
The case of eBooks v paper books
Wednesday 14th January 2015 Did you purchase a new e-reader over the holidays? Is it as good as (or better than) a regular hard copy book? Naomi Baron has some thoughts >>>
Which NBN Provider – 2015 update
Monday 12th January Will the National Broadband Network (NBN) soon be available in your street? Once the network is available you will need to choose a service provider – and there is a huge range of options available. What are the options that are important? Upload speed? Download speed? Cost? Monthly data limits? My thoughts on the options >>>