Connected Learning

Ok, this may not be big news for any reader outside of Australia, but the fact that today iTunes announced that it was going to start selling TV shows locally is HUGE! The price is $2.99 per episode which is bearable, but with exchange rates what they are it doesn’t compare to the US1.99 that is paid in the US. I’ll let you figure that one out!

The really interesting thing to note is that a number of the programs have been available for download for FREE up untill now, whether they continue to be or not is another question, that I cannot yet answer! But certainly the ability to get shows such as Lost at good quality and ad free for 2.99, it might just be worth it, especially for the die-hard fan.

You can of course add a Tv-tuner card to your PC, schedule recordings and then use a program like MCE-buddy to go through and extract the ads, and convert it inot an ipod compatible format, but really that is for Geeks only and yourt average iPod owner wouldn’t want to go to the trouble! Not to mention that technically it is illegal (whether the law is right or not is another question!)

Anyway my friends…go and download your fav TV show for 2.99 right here in Oz (finally we are catching up with the rest of the world!!!)

Recently the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) released the draft Learning Spaces Framework. This Framework provides schools and education authorities with a guide to high-level strategic decision-making about learning spaces in schools.

The Learning spaces framework is designed to guide high-level strategic decision-making in jurisdictions and schools. It provides advice on key issues to consider when planning new schools, major redevelopment projects, and refurbishing or repurposing existing learning spaces in schools.

The Framework has a number of guiding principles:

• Supporting Flexibility
• Accomodating Inclusivity
• Enabling Collaboration
• Achieving Creativity
• Delivering Efficiency

interestingly (perhaps my own bias showing) these principles are listed as assisting in a number of aspects and “to maximise student performance”. Performance, not learning? Is this a not too subtle Federal emphasis on testing and definable performance (test) results rather than just learning? Food for thought…
I am interested to note however the close links between these guiding principles and the principles of Western Australia’s Curriculum Framework:

• An encompassing view of curriculum
• An explicit acknowledgement of core values
• Inclusivity
• Flexibility
• Integration, breadth and balance
• A developmental approach
• Collaboration and partnerships

There are a number of close alignments such as inclusivity, flexibility, collaboration which closely align.
The framework goes on to suggest 4 organisers which will raise key issues. they are:

• changing the culture of schooling
• creating ICT rich learning spaces
• designing spaces for learning
• planning and decision-making

as you can see these are highly challenging issues for schools and teachers and will no be changed lightly!

further considerations on this framework soon…

The One Laptop per Child project has released the OS which is really interesting as schools could use this on older computers etc to provide a different experience for thier students.

The Sugar OS is built on Linux and has a wide range of useful apps which are student friendly and with an education focus.

heck it out and let us know how you get on!