mikes web log

One of the interesting aspects of the VIP discussion in the previous input was a discussion on ‘forcing’ individuals, families etc. down a particular route. We are doing that in Aston. The families are being ‘forced’ to accept ICT and its consequences within their homes through a type of blackmail.

There was a measurable proportion of the families who were ’scared’ of the ICT. “We do not want our children to be able to access it at home.” “It is unsafe?” “They will be able to see things we do not want them to see.” We had to do a lot of ’selling’ to get these families to accept that the ICT was as safe as we could provide. “It is the same as they would get in schools.” Was our persuasive reply. We also persuaded them on the basis of homework. “Teachers would like to give your children homework where they will need to use the Internet”

So are we doing the right thing? Are we moving them in a dangerous direction? We are taking risks. We have little idea of the real outcome. I do believe they are -justifiable -sorry that’s to strong. They are  – acceptable. Children and parents can, within the framework of the project, reject the ICT intrusion. On reflection I reject that suggestion. They do not have a choice at the moment as we are forcing them down this route in the belief that the community will gain tremendously from embracing ICT. Schools have a great potential to influence parents – really have no escape.

We have to prepare ourselves for the result of this intrusion into their lives. How will an Asian ICT skilled community within this country interact with the highly skilled community in their home countries? How will we further enhance the strength of the community when they find that they can develop such stronger communication links with their own, far away, home communities? How will it develop their renowned entrepreneurial capabilities? What happens when the communities really take on the ICT revolution.

We will have to wait and see. I am very optimistic.

Here we are – Christmas and at last a planned 5 week task has just been finished….in 12 weeks. The updating of the 90 computers linked to Prince Albert has been completed. Quite a costly exercise, however I have met all the parents, grandparents, babies, cousins etc that are linked to the Computers in the Home project. Now for the next 100 in the other two primary schools. But it is Christmas so let us not go any further down that route.

Yesterday I was invited to a meeting with some very important people. Birmingham with Shropshire is competing to become the UK’s digital city. There are ten finalist and the decision will be made sometime in February 2007. Seven VIP’s from the judging panel visited Aston yesterday afternoon to examine the Computers in the Home and other projects. The programme was informal chatting linked to a buffet, a short formal input and then more formal questioning. The VIP’s had arrived in a special coach.

The session begins. Onwards to the informal chat. Everyone mingles. Our job is to engage in discussion with panel members. They don’t have name tags. I pick out out one interesting member of the group and begin the process of engaging him. I quickly move onto the trial phase and the number of users (ten per computer). I lead him through the potential employment opportunities of the programme and then into the fun bit of the Barnaby Bear episode (www.barnaby.edublogs.org). Just getting into my stride when Nikki, one of the organisers on our side, comes along side and whispers in my ear………….”He is the coach driver”.

It’s the annual Royal Variety Show on telly this evening. Is it only a year since we saw C Tate saying ‘ I’m not bovvered’ to the Queen? Worth noting that she is not in tonights line-up.

Today I was having a brief workout with one of the year 3 classes involved in the project. I asked them if the computer was behaving itself. Mohhamed was one of five children who raised his hand. ‘What is wrong?’ ‘Internet is not working’ was the reply.

I had ten minutes available so I phoned Mohhamed’s house ‘ Can I visit the computer to see whether it is working OK ?’ ‘No problem’ said the mother ‘ I thought it was working’ she added. ‘See you in two minutes’ was my reply.

I arrived at the house. The computer was working perfectly. Good internet access. As I left the mother said, in a quiet voice, ‘ I think it was me – I wanted him to finish his homework so I said the Internet was not working’. ‘He is always playing this racing game!’

At last I have bitten the bullet and have purchased some of my own web space. This was mainly due to the vodcasting saga and the limit on uploading to n the virtual learning environment web space that I had somehow inherited. And I have my own domain name www.mikefarmer.me.uk. Wow. Don’t bother to go there as I  have yet to work out how to use it. I didn’t realise how easy it was to join the club.

While I was investigating the medical implications of diving to 25 metres in the Red Sea (barnaby.edudublogs.org) using a reorganised organ structure my favourite school received an Ofsted inspection looking at it’s ICT provision. The result was that the quality of the curriculum was recognised as being outstanding, the leadership and management was outstanding and the provision for inclusion was outstanding. Overall the effectiveness of ICT was judged to be outstanding.

 A pretty good result that will be published in the new year. It also said the “Pupils and their families benefit greatly from the expertise of a governor who is instrumental in promoting the use of ICT to affect improvement both in the school and the wider community” .

Here we are at the beginning of December and still not a full install of computers in the home. Why?

• There are a few parents who are objecting. Very small.
• There are some who have computers with Internet access – brilliant.
• There are those who are outside the wireless cloud and therefore need ADSL via BT. Just hitting these.
• There are those who live outside the wireless cloud and have cable. This we are still trying to sort.
• There are those outside the wireless cloud without a fixed line telephone.
• There are those we cannot contact.

And so it goes on. As I have already indicated we are into the law of diminishing returns. More effort for fewer installations. Never mind there is a positive outcome. We have had a fixation with the Internet access. The decision now, is to get the remaining computers with the software into the homes and then try to negotiate the Internet access. The teachers will then be able to realise and address the first stage of the digital divide.

Here we are again. How do you vodcast? Notice I have changed from vidcast….I have learn’t the new vocabulary, there is the odd occasion when I listen. I look back at my podcasting problems and lo and behold the same things seem to be happening with vodcasting. Here I am with a delightful set of photographs and some children talking about there visit to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and I cannot vodcast it.

I’ve had the best brains in the book looking at it. He spent two hours last week, came to a solution and ……. it didn’t work. Downs have done it why can’t I? Here I am with an mp4 file, an m4v file (same as Downs), an .mov file and nothing seems to work. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Why does ITunes pick up Down’s m4v file but not mine? Why does ITunes pick up my .mov file but not play it? Why?. Why?. Is it because Down’s uses Mac technology while I am still tied to the PC environment?

This is a real life drama. You have to beat the bugger. There must be a way around the problem.