edna sandpit is a free service for Australian educators to road-test new and emerging technologies for teaching and learning. New features include podcasting (iPodcast), personal learning space (elgg), and web conferencing (Live Classroom).  It can be found at http://sandpit.edna.edu.au/ have a go !!!

Over the past few weeks we have been looking at results and targets for the year in regards to student learning.  One thing which teachers often do not realise is that student results are not:

• A fluke
• Wholly resulting from a good or a bad cohort

I forget who once mentioned that we get “better on purpose”.  I think that we as educators work to teach and improve student learning and that it is a result of dedication and hard work by teachers, students and community that we get better.  Whether it is always apparent the teacher who goes the extra mile with students is usually remembered as a key figure in many students lives.  An article in the Age on the weekend about teachers in movies talks about how we all have a soft spot for movies surrounding schools and education.  http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/we-all-need-mr-chips/2007/03/24/1174597947867.html 

I am interested in hearing about peoples experiences with a teacher whom they remember to be inspirational or life changing.  I have a few people I can remember and look forward to sharing stories.

I have changed the name of my blog because I believe that blogs should evolve as the blogger evolves.  I no longer think my focus should be on ICT and learning but just on good practice whether it involves ICT or not.

I have been re reading quite a lot of Marc Prensky lately and as I have moved into the Middle Years of Schooling and I have to say it resonates a lot more with me  than ever before. 

From my discussions this year students in the middle years go home and dont stop learning.  However their learning changes when they get home.  It is no longer about books, teachers and writing, it is about videos, chatting, networking and instant answers.  Students jump on their computers at about 4.30pm and get off about 11pm.  They are using myspace, itunes, youtube, bebo and google.  These tools have all been designed with instant gratification in mind, and students are learning and loving it.

So the question I now want an answer to is…………..

 How are you embracing students needs???