Good Intentions...

I'm betting that on the first day of term, our principal will remind us that our students arrive with good intentions. This prediction does not require any great prophetic insight on my part, it simply reflects the fact that said principal tells us the same thing (in pretty much the same way) at the start of every year.

Over-reaction?

One of my students was justifiably disappointed with her external results. She inspired this cartoon which is very loosely based on her initial reaction to the news.

Post Holiday Conversation

My principal has a number of 'stock' phrases that he consistently recycles (year in, year out). This cartoon features one of them...

Holiday Adventures

One of the down sides of being the only one on campus teaching IT is that colleagues just don't 'get' a lot of what I do - especially when it comes to upskilling in the holidays. This time around the focus for me has been on 'complex web' which involves using php (a programming language) and a bunch of other fun stuff to create a 'complex' website.

iPads and Education

I have a hate / hate relationship with iPads in the classroom mostly because my experience has been that they are severely limited. Not only are the screens easily broken by some of our more exuberant students, most of the apps are a 'cut down' version of what is freely available on a laptop / 'real computer'. On top of this, planning lessons where iPads will be used usually takes me at least three times as long as it should. Sadly, in spite of being aware of the above limitations, my school has thus far refused to recommend that parents not buy iPads for use at school. This is hard to understand given that in addition to the limited functionality, iPads are often more expensive than a basic, fully functional laptop.

Too Soon?

I have a hate-hate relationship with 'back to school' fliers. Especially when they appear in the mailbox half way through the summer holidays.

Resolution Reaction

Apparently quite a few New Zealanders are unhappy about our government co-sponsoring UN Resolution 2334. I'm glad it's not just me. The original article in the background of this cartoon is courtesy of the NZ herald and can be accessed via the preceding link.

Banks and Politicians

Let's just say this one has been brewing for a while...