This is just a quick update on something I posted about quite a while back. Lots more work has been done and it is now happening in the Southern Hemisphere.
Who would have thought of stringing a bunch of balloons along the edge of the stratosphere to provide internet to remote and rural areas? Just shows that sometimes crazy ideas have something going for them.
Steam Punk is not just a genre, it appears.
https://x.company/loon/journey/
Tuesday, 22 November 2016
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Words
Words, Words and more words.
I came across these while searching for something else - as you do, of course - and thought I'd share them with you. Something a little more lighthearted at this time of term - but maybe could still be regarded as topical. Year Twelves, anyone?
Utilitarianism: a philosophy which believes that the greatest number happy = greatest good. Also regarded as the Greatest Happiness Principle which says that an action is right if it promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Original version of 'majority rules' maybe?
Sophophobia: the fear of knowledge or of learning.
Ultracrepidarian: someone who gives an opinion on things that he/she knows nothing about.
Sesquipedalian: given to using long words with lots of syllables.
Try putting these in a sentence!
I came across these while searching for something else - as you do, of course - and thought I'd share them with you. Something a little more lighthearted at this time of term - but maybe could still be regarded as topical. Year Twelves, anyone?
Utilitarianism: a philosophy which believes that the greatest number happy = greatest good. Also regarded as the Greatest Happiness Principle which says that an action is right if it promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Original version of 'majority rules' maybe?
Sophophobia: the fear of knowledge or of learning.
Ultracrepidarian: someone who gives an opinion on things that he/she knows nothing about.
Sesquipedalian: given to using long words with lots of syllables.
Try putting these in a sentence!
Monday, 14 November 2016
Picture Book Month
November is my favourite Library month of the year!! It's Picture Book Month! For me, picture books are just magical. So many stories, with all the beautiful illustrations that make the whole thing come to life - and all the layers within the stories and pictures.
It really doesn't matter how old you get, you will always remember the picture books you grew up with. I always remember reading 'Pookie, the Magic Rabbit' and the beautiful 'Serendipity' series.
But now there are the gorgeous books written by Jeannie Baker - 'Window' and 'Where the forest meets the Sea' along with her latest one 'Circle' She uses mixed media to create collages which she then photographs for the illustrations for her books. She covers a range of subjects in her books including environment and sustainability.
Another beautiful gem is the book 'Desert Lake' which is about Lake Eyre, also known as Kati-Thanda. Filled with lovely detailed illustrations with lots of little hidden details, it is a pleasure to browse through and just enjoy - but can also be used to talk about ecosystems and habitats - or artwork styles and methods.
And SO many others all waiting to be found, enjoyed and shared.
Never underestimate the power of Picture Books - they are personal as well as universal. And they are very, very important - no matter how grown up you may think you are. You should never get so old that you don't read Picture books - that would just be too sad!
 |
| One of the 'Pookie' books |
It really doesn't matter how old you get, you will always remember the picture books you grew up with. I always remember reading 'Pookie, the Magic Rabbit' and the beautiful 'Serendipity' series.
 |
| 'Circle' - Jeannie Baker |
Another beautiful gem is the book 'Desert Lake' which is about Lake Eyre, also known as Kati-Thanda. Filled with lovely detailed illustrations with lots of little hidden details, it is a pleasure to browse through and just enjoy - but can also be used to talk about ecosystems and habitats - or artwork styles and methods.
And SO many others all waiting to be found, enjoyed and shared.
Never underestimate the power of Picture Books - they are personal as well as universal. And they are very, very important - no matter how grown up you may think you are. You should never get so old that you don't read Picture books - that would just be too sad!
Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Weblinks on Digital Citzenship.
Would you call your students Digital Citizens? Check out the weblink below and see what you think. It's a possibility that even though they are constantly connected to technology, they don't actually have what it takes to be a digital citizen!
http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/blogs/libraries-and-learning/12-03/are-your-students-digital-citizens
As well, just as food for thought, I'm sharing these links that I came across that talk about Digital Citizenship including the 5 fluencies, Digital Etiquette and Digital Health and Well-Being. Something to think about and maybe talk over with your students, especially the etiquette and the health and well-being ideas.
http://sbhera.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/the-five-fluencies-of-digital.html
http://sbhera.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/digital-etiquette.html
Have a wonderful day - and remember it''s Week 6 - only 4 more to go!
http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/blogs/libraries-and-learning/12-03/are-your-students-digital-citizens
As well, just as food for thought, I'm sharing these links that I came across that talk about Digital Citizenship including the 5 fluencies, Digital Etiquette and Digital Health and Well-Being. Something to think about and maybe talk over with your students, especially the etiquette and the health and well-being ideas.
http://sbhera.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/the-five-fluencies-of-digital.html
Have a wonderful day - and remember it''s Week 6 - only 4 more to go!
Friday, 4 November 2016
MindShift Weblinks - Teens and Technology
Below are a few weblinks taken from a blog site called MindShift, which deals with teaching and technology. These were ones that caught my interest so I decided to share them with you. I think that they are worth a read.
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/03/23/six-powerful-motivations-driving-social-learning-by-teens/
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/02/08/how-has-google-affected-the-way-students-learn/
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/03/06/turned-off-how-teens-respond-to-a-no-tech-challenge/
Have a great weekend.
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/03/23/six-powerful-motivations-driving-social-learning-by-teens/
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/02/08/how-has-google-affected-the-way-students-learn/
https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/03/06/turned-off-how-teens-respond-to-a-no-tech-challenge/
Have a great weekend.
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