Educating the Dragon

Came across this today. And having listened very carefully I’ve formally lowered my opinion of MACs. Andrea Bennett, at the end of this video sums up my initial reaction rather well.

Yet another call for action. Are the messages, are the call outs, are the pleas from our students getting through are do we, as NZ Educators, merely think that all the fuss is coming from the US. With us all the way over here, our students are not in the same frame of mind even if they are using the same technology.

My gut tells me it’s wrong. I’m looking forward to getting some 11-18 year old perspective on this, from our students, in our country.

I spotted this video from Principal’s blog at Puketapu school . There school is begining a learning journey into effective use of technologies (Hardware, software, Web2.0).

Is being a man so bad? All too often I feel like I have to apologise for my male-ness. Like there is something wrong with being male. Like there is something defected about me for just being a man. And as for being a male teacher. Well that’s just a woman’s profession. Isn’t it? Woman are more suited to teaching, with their natural maternal instincts, multi-tasking ability, and they are far safer than males to be around so many young children .
Aren’t they?

The jokes are rife about the inadequacies of men:
So what has this dark and evil perception of males led us to? I am of the opinion that many males, boys and men, are battling within themselves, trying to define what it means to be a man.
Perhaps it could be argued that we have weakened in men’s own minds what truly defines being male. Instead of being self assured and strong in their own identity they are left with doubts and fears about whether they are ‘being men in the right-way’.
The ‘right-way’ being defined for them by the feminist/liberal point of view.
I’m not suggesting physical violence towards others is acceptable, nor am I advocating for women to get back to the kitchen. But there are qualities that define men that are good and right and honourable and it is these qualities, demonstrated through productive, positive action that will help our boys to be able to define themselves and their manhood rather than resorting to what is fast becoming their modus operandi

Criticism is easy; achievment is more difficult.

Winston Churchill, House of Commons, 22 January 1941

I had Photofiltre introduced to me today by a friend. And although I have not had much time to play with it, it appears to be able to do some funky things. With just a few clicks I was able to mess with avatar somewhat.

It just seems the whole Andy Warhol thing is possible with a few clicks.

Have fun.