Shambles: What's New and exciting

Shambles Newsletter Nov 2009

2009-11-11T10:13:00.001+07:00

http://www.shambles.net/newsletter/november2009/

Shambles newsletter: Database Migration

2009-10-05T11:51:00.007+07:00

The online company I used (in Hong Kong) to manage the Shambles newsletter subscriber database is 'no more' ...

.... so I'm in the process of moving that database to a new host ... and have decided to use "Google Groups"

If you were in the subscriber list then you should receive an email in the next few weeks asking for you to confirm membership ... or/and ... you add your email to this form.

Apologies for any inconveniences ....

Subscribe
to the Shambles Newsletter

Email:

Visit
this group

Shambles "Home Page" Redesign

2009-10-04T13:43:00.002+07:00

After seven years it's time to revamp the Home page on the Shambles website .... the rest of the site will remain the same ... just the front door getting a new coat of paint.

I started off with the idea of going in a complete Web2.0 direction ... very minimalistic, simple, little more than a search box .... but that hasn't happened.

The page took control of itself and there is more on it than I'd hoped for.

One new element is to replace the scrolling school/country names at the top with worldwide times ... this acknowledges that there is a global readership ... and knowing the time zones helps appreciate how others are affected.

Feedback is welcomed .... I've have several suggestions already that I've acted upon ... one suggestion I have yet to implement is a 'text magnifier' as much of the text is small if using high screen resolutions.

So please use the comments below this post for feedback.

Original page is at www.shambles.net
New page is temporarily parked at www.shambles.net/indexnew.htm

I'll be moving the new page to the front in the next couple of days .... the old page will continue and there is a link to the orginal on the new. (wow that sounded complicated)

Mini Tours of the Shambles Website

2009-08-27T00:13:00.003+07:00

I've just done the first ... of what I plan to be a ongoing series of screencasts ... of mini-tours around the Shambles Website ... this first one is about the "Mobile Phones in Education" section.
I'm using a web-based screencasting application to make these ... http://screenr.com/user/shamblesguru
I need to work a little more on the audio volume and the best dimensions for these screencasts ... they are really quick and easy to do, a brilliant application for students.

Shambles Newsletter: May 2009

2009-05-04T23:52:00.002+07:00

Shambles Termly Newsletter: May 2009 ... only 3 a year ... for (international) educators http://tr.im/kpvx

PLN => PDF

2009-04-29T13:44:00.001+07:00

Personal Learning Network (PLN) => Personal Digital Footprint (PDF)

Just before Christmas I locked myself away for a day to quantify and visualise my own Personal learning Network ... it was a day WELL spent ... and has saved me considerable time finding places I knew I'd been before .. but forgotten.

This week I caught on to the idea of a Personal Digital Footprint (PDF) ... and so (yet again) locked myself away and quantified and visualised my PDF.

Now I have this feeling that both of these have the potential to save me time ... but there is a small part of me that thinks I may just have repeated what I did before even though the visualisation is different.

What do you think? ... the page with PLN and PDF is at http://tr.im/jTL3

ummm "pdf" a very confusing acronym.

Shambles Termly Newsletter : Feb 2009

2009-02-05T01:30:00.002+07:00

This is to confirm that the 20th termly "Shambles" Newsletter from The Education Project Asia is now available online.

- designed for International School Communities across S.E.Asia.(now with a worldwide readership)

It can be viewed online at www.shambles.net/newsletter/february2009

Topics this term include:

- New on Shambles : YouTube, TeachersTV, Obama, Periodic Table

- International Schools Island in Second Life

- Second Life Teen Grid (age 13-17)

- International Baccalaureate

- Curriculum

- Plagiarism and Copyright

- Internet Safety

- Conferences / Courses / Workshops

- Librarians and Media Staff

- Mixed Bag

- Media Studies

- Special Needs and Technology

- STOP PRESS Items

==========================

One of the items lists workshops I am running in Singapore 16th 17th and 18th March .... public sessions

Six half day workshops

(W1) Internet Survival Skills for Teachers (inc. RSS, Social Networks, Web 2.0 Start Pages)

(W2) Google Extended (inc. search skills and Google Apps)

(W3) Blogging

(W4) Podcasting

(W5) Beyond PowerPoint (If students are bored with ppt then these options will stimulate)

(W6) Social Networking and Virtual Worlds (inc. Second Life)

Each workshop is a mixture of Web 2.0 tools, pedagogy and classroom management ... using whole group work and also hands-on.

details at http://singaporeworkshops.blogspot.com

Short sessions to enable you to easily get up to speed on these Web 2.0 topics.

==========================

Use of Second Life (or other Virtual Worlds) by Schools Across Asia ...

request for help ...

If you know of a school in Asia that is already using Second Life then I would appreciate it if you could drop me a line.

There is minimal use at the moment (afaik) and I'd like to raise awareness of any ground breaking work so that experiences can be shared more easily.

==========================

Newsletters are archived at http://www.shambles.net/newsletter

where readers can also subscribe to be included in the distribution list (or take themselves off) or use the RSS feed.

I'd be grateful if you would help by forwarding this information to colleagues ... many thanks.

If you have any items that you think would be of interest to schools across the region or you wish to share an event or project then please feel free to send them to me at csmith@csmith.info

The next newsletter will be published 5th May 2009

I hope you continue to find this useful and of practical help working with your students, school, organisation or colleagues.

February 2009 newsletter is available at www.shambles.net/newsletter/february2009

Shambles: Top 10 on the Web - Secondary ICT

2009-01-09T19:42:00.001+07:00

Shambles voted in the Top 10 on the Web - Secondary ICT ... (UK) Teachers TV listing ... see the programme (video) online at
www.teachers.tv/video/4946

Shambles Newsletter : November 2008

2008-11-05T14:07:00.002+07:00

This is to confirm that the 19th termly "Shambles" Newsletter from The Education Project Asia is now available online

- designed for International School Communities across S.E.Asia.
(but now with a worldwide readership)

It can be viewed online at
www.shambles.net/newsletter/november2008

Topics this term include:
- New on Shambles : Statistics / Carbon Footprints / Species Extinction
- International Schools Island in Second Life (3D online virtual world) .. new residents
- International Schools "Live" in S.L. (Speakers Series)
- International Baccalaureate
- Curriculum

- Personal Learning Network .. Visualisation
- Managing RSS Feeds ... easily
- Conferences / Courses / Workshops ... LOTS
- Librarians and Media Staff
- Mixed Bag ... LOTS

- School Visits .. including Virtual Forbidden City
- Atomic Learning ... special video tutorials opportunity
- Recruitment ... preparing for next terms challenges
- STOP PRESS Items ... LOTS

Please note that one of the items describes workshops I am running in Singapore 17th and 18th November .... public sessions are about "Web 2.0"
including Blogging, podcasting, social networking and virtual worlds details at http://singaporeworkshops.blogspot.com/
Very easy, short sessions to enable you to get up to speed on these Web 2.0 topics.

==========================
Use of Second Life (or other Virtual Worlds) by Schools Across Asia ... request for help ...
If you know of a school in Asia that is already using Second Life then I would appreciate it if you could drop me a line.
There is minimal use at the moment (afaik) and I'd like to raise awareness of any ground breaking work so that experiences can be shared more easily.

==========================
Newsletters are archived at www.shambles.net/newsletter
where readers can also subscribe to be included in the distribution list (or take themselves off) or join the RSS feed.

I should be most grateful if you would forward this email to colleagues ...

If you have any items that you think would be of interest to schools across the region or you wish to share an event or project then please feel free to send them to me at csmith@csmith.info

The next newsletter will be published 3rd February 2009 ....

I hope you continue to find this useful and of practical help working with your students, school, organisation or colleagues.

Personal Learning Network PLN

2008-10-18T14:47:00.005+07:00

With growth of the internet, technology and especially with web 2.0 tools it is now easier for each of us to build a unique online Personal Learning Network (PLN).

These networks often grow organically as we ourselves evolve both needs and skills ... with the increase in available information worldwide and easier access there comes a time when it's advisable to pause and reflect.

Not only is this an exercise in time management but also one related
to keeping sane under the rapid growth of information available.

With this all in mind I created a webpage

to identify and visualise my own PLN.

www.shambles.net/csmith/pln

It is critical for us to take control of our own learning ... lifelong learning ... we owe it to ourselves not only as a survival strategy but one that contributes to the quality of our own life and also those whose lives we touch and who, in turn, touch us.

Building this page is also an interesting exercise to reflect on .... it's a web1.0 page with lots of web 2.0 hanging from it.

Nursery Rhyme Videos

2008-02-26T10:02:00.006+07:00

In 2007 I set up a "Nursery Rhyme" Blog in the "Forest of Theme Blogs" series ... but was disappointed that I could not find any simple videos of someone just playing the music of well known nursery rhymes.
I approached a music teacher colleague and asked if he could help with this .... and as a result the series "Nursery Rhymes with Howard" was born ... designed and performed in the hope of providing a useful resource for the parents and for teachers of young children.
I've now posted the resulting videos on the Blog .... http://nurseryrhymevideos.blogspot.com
By the way .... Howard is the bear, who is assisted by John Barham on keyboards, x-Hong Kong (international school) teacher.

5th Feb 2008

2008-02-05T20:49:00.001+07:00

OMG ... what a day .... the February 2008 Shambles newsletter published and the official opening of the International Schools Island. in the 3D virtual world 'Second Life'
Check out the links to find further details ... now ... time to sleep

Shambles Termly Newsletter Nov 2007

2007-11-02T13:21:00.000+07:00

Putting a newsletter together can be time consuming ... what am I talking about ... it is time consuming ... and thank goodness Shambles it is only three times a year.
But the feedback I get always makes the effort worthwhile and I survive by starting the next one as soon as the last has been published ... I guess the secret is (as in life, for me) ... slowly slowly.
This term's newsletter went live yesterday at
www.shambles.net/newsletter/november200 7

There is a Word version at
www.shambles.net/newsletter/november2007/shamblesnovember2007.doc

The big item for me at the moment ... not just in the newsletter but everwhere is building the International Schoools Island in Second Life which is being documented at
http://internationalschoolsisland.blogspot.com

.. and if you want to listen to my mini 3 minute (Podcasts) intro
to the newsletter then play here
this player might take up to one minute to warm up

powered by ODEO

Have fun !

International Schools Island in Second Life

2007-09-29T15:46:00.000+07:00

REALLY exciting news .... what I did in the summer holidays .... took deliver of an island in Second Life (3D online virtual world).
The Island, called "International Schools Island" was delivered by Linden Labs on the 9th September 2007 (or the 10th depending on your time zone)
The mission, concept, purpose, functionality and the layout of the Island had been planned over the previous two months by the two owners .... Shamblesguru Voom (a.k.a. Chris) and Takeme Homewood (a.k.a. Jenny).
The Island is designed to support international schools in the 17 countries in S.E.Asia but we suspect that it will also be of specific help to public schools and those worldwide .... in fact all educators are most welcome to take advantage of what will be offered here.
We are keeping a Blog which is designed to document the whole process of setting up the island and community ... in the hope that it will become a case study for future developers. http://internationalschoolsisland.blogspot.com
There is also now a page on Shambles purely about Second Life .. with resources and links relevant to teaching and learning www.shambles.net/secondlife

Snapshots

2007-06-24T15:45:00.000+07:00

I've been having a play with a web application called Snapshots.

What this does is ... when you put your pointer over a weblink on a web page then a small window pops up and shows you an image of that page you would go to.

I've set this up on three of the pages on Shambles:
1. List of All International Schools www.shambles.net/allschools
2. List of Singapore International Schools www.shambles.net/singapore
3. The main Science page www.shambles.net/science

This seems a good idea initially but I'm not sure if this is something I should be implementing throughtout the Shambles website ... something is holding me back and I'm not sure what.

I do have a button on the pages which allows visitors to switch this function on and off.

What I would really appreciate is if you could visit one of the 3 pages above
... and try it out and let me have some feedback.

The free application itself is is called 'snapshot' from Snap at www.snap.com and just requires you to put some code onto your page.

Brilliant idea .... or over the top?

A Forest of Theme Blogs (Videos and PPoints)

2007-06-23T11:35:00.000+07:00

I'm supposed to be a switched on ICT Educator but if you look at the date between these postings you'd think I was switched off or my time management skills were minimal ... so apologies of course.

The only subject in this posting is to let you know about a project I started in March 2007 ... building a "Forest of Theme Blogs" around Shambles in much the same way as a forest might grow around a township.
These Blogs showcase online (free) videos and PowerPoints that support a particular theme.
So why use Blogs rather than the regular webpages on Shambles for this particular growth?

mainly because of the social aspect of Blogs which allows visitors to leave comments and suggestions on any or all postings
also for the ability to subscribe to individual Blog pages using RSS in order to be automatically informed of new additions ... and eventually save you time

I both hate and love this project .... love because it's fun and I know it's going to be relevant and useful to teachers and will save them time ..... hate because although it is technically easy to grow (build?) it is both addictive and very time consuming. I suspect that online video addiction will be a topic appearing in the future for students and teachers even more so than the time wasted through poor search engine skills.

If you would like to see all of the Theme Blogs then go to the full list at http://www.shambles.net/blogforest

Mixed Bag for the New Year 2007

2007-02-05T11:16:00.000+07:00

I just cannot believe that it is a couple of months since my last posting ... is anyone else in the world worried about how quickly time goes ... or is it just me? .... but a lot has happened so one of the problems is certainly NOT boredom.

Shambles Podcast Series www.shambles.net/podcasting
I'm having great fun producing Podcasts but strangely enough the series with ICT Technology co-ordinators is the one that is growing the slowest .. I thought it would be the fastest.
Just posted an interview with the Technology Director at NIST in Bangkok who talks about the 1 to 1 tablet scheme they have implemented ... they seem to have jumped past interactive whiteboards.
Have a number of Headteacher/Principal conversations where they include their favourite teacher interview questions .... so if you are going for a new job this year then this is a MUST listen-to.
In the librarians series I'll soon be posting a session I had with Doug Johnson (USA) who is running a one day pre-course (at EARCOS) for library staff in March .. the wicked side of me did try to get him to give out some homework .... I failed.
If you would like a quick fix on the growth of international schools worldwide then listen to my talk with Nick Brummitt ... one of the few people with their finger on this particular pulse.

Shambles Newsletter Feb. 2007
Have just published this terms newsletter ... www.shambles.net/newsletter
With each publication I feel it cannot beat the quality or richness of the last ... fortunately I'm proven wrong each time ... many thanks to the contributions and suggestions from those reading it.
I now also do a Podcast summary of the newsletter ... in just 3 minutes (OK .. maybe it did run to 4) ... listen at http://odeo.com/channel/143349/view

Workshops in Singapore http://singaporeworkshops.blogspot.com
Late in March I'm running some workshops in Singapore, two of the public ones are on "Web 2.0 in Teaching and Learning" and the other is "Technology for Primary English Teachers" .. visit the blog I've set up to support these if you would like more details.
These visits to Singapore are being organised by a local (Sg) company who you should contact if you would like to attend any or negotiate a private workshop in your own school on many topics related to Technology and ICT. email: Cheng Fun at Synergyst chengfun@synergyst.com

Finally .... best wishes for Chinese New Year
... the year of the pig (my birth year) ... please refrain from commenting on this ;-)

Shambles Newsletter November 2006

2006-11-02T10:14:00.000+07:00

Shambles in S.E.Asia : Newsletter November 2006

This is to confirm that the thirteenth termly "Shambles" newsletter from The Education Project Asia is now available online - designed for International School Communities across S.E.Asia (but now with a large worldwide readership)

It is best viewed online at www.shambles.net/newsletter/november2006/

There is also a "summary" copy that can be downloaded
and printed out as a Word Document (180KB):
www.shambles.net/newsletter/november2006/shamblesnovember2006.doc

Topics this term include:

- Shambles Newsletter Spring-clean ... and translations
- Shambles Podcast series (four series in fact)
- International Baccalaureate
- Mandarin Teaching and Learning
- Emergency Planning and Disaster Toolkits

- Teacher Professional Development : Opportunities Online
- Web 2.0
- Mixed Bag .. conferences and events
- SEAMC : S.E.Asia Mathematics Competition
- Google

- TED Talks
- Online Conferences for Students and Teachers
- ECIS International Teacher Certificate (ITC)
- Microsoft To Release 'Open Source' VLE'

Newsletters are archived at www.shambles.net/newsletter
where readers can also subscribe to be included in the distribution list
(or take themselves off) or join the RSS feed.

For the first time there is also an audio summary version of the newsletter which can be heard at
http://odeo.com/audio/2308395/view

I should be most grateful if you would forward this information to colleagues ... or print out the summary 'Word' version for the staffroom noticeboard.

If you have any items that you think would be of interest to schools across the region or you wish to share an event or project then please feel
free to send them to me at csmith@csmith.info

The next termly newsletter will be published 6th February 2007

Shambles Podcasts

2006-10-01T17:53:00.000+07:00

In October 2006 several "Shambles Podcasts" were launched ... available at www.shambles.net/podcasting/

"Shambles HEADcasts" : www.shamblesHEADcast.info
Conversations with International Schools Headteachers and Principals
This series asks those who are now Headteachers or who have been headteachers in an International School about the pros and cons of working overseas. What advice would they pass on to a new Headteacher coming to an International School in S.E.Asia. What advice would they also give to teachers applying for jobs in the region. Finally we ask about the benefits of ICT to teaching and learning and what is their vision of ICT in teaching and learning in the future.

"Shambles TECHcasts" : www.shamblesTECHcast.info
Conversations with International Schools ICT Coordinators, Managers and Directors
ICT= Information and Communication Technology
This series asks those with an ICT (technology) management responsibility about the use of ICT in teaching and learning, about how they might change things if they could travel back. We also speculate how ICT might be being used in schools in five years time and also suggest recommendations for new ICT coordinators moving to work in an international schools overseas.

"Shambles ASIAcasts" : www.shamblesASIAcast.info
Conversations with educators in S.E.Asia
This series is a mixed bag of conversations with educators from both the private and public sectors in S.E.Asia and from those who have experience working with schools in the region.

The majority of the Shambles Podcasts are 20 to 30 minutes long and are 'audio' only. In all the broadcasts the view expressed are of the individuals only and do not necessary duplicate school policy.

Copyright :
all podcasts are provided under a Creative Commons
Attribution Non Commercial licence
You are free to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work and to make derivative works under the following conditions .... you must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor.
You may not use this work for commercial purposes.

These series open up a whole new set of windows into education in S.E.Asia and especially into International Schools ... the plan is to have the series continuing for a long time with new programmes being posted every three weeks during term time.

Packers/Shippers, Hotels and Flights

2006-08-13T13:50:00.000+07:00

Over the last four years I've worked with a number of affiliates, obviously as part of the "Shambles" business plan to generate income but also to be able to offer relevant, easy to use, affordable and trustworthy services to Shambles (www.shambles.net) visitors.
Over the last few months some new partnerships have been formed which fit these criteria.

Packers and Shippers
On the Shambles China, Hong Kong and Singapore pages you will now find forms which allow you to get immediate (free) quotations for packing and shipping goods and household/office items. This is with "Links Relocations"
"Links Relocations specializes in international, Hong Kong, China (Shanghai/Beijing), Singapore and domestic household goods moving, office moving, office and companies moving project management, origin packing and storage. If you are planning on moving from or to Hong Kong or China in anywhere of the world, Links Relocations offers all the relevant relocation services."
So try the forms on the Shambles China, Hong Kong and Singapore international schools pages .... they are free to use and are especially useful as they do also highlight the questions that you should be asking if or when making a move.

Finding and Booking Hotel Rooms in Asia
(discounted rates)
www.shambles.net/hotels
Shambles now offers easy online access to a searchable database of hotels in individual cities in countries across S.E.Asia ... with excellent discounts.

We have partnered with "Wired Destinations" to offer this service, they were established in 1996 and now have over 70 employees with the main offices in Hong Kong and Bangkok.
The team has researched and negotiated some of the best hotel discount packages available which you can book immediately online.
Full details of individual hotels are available (free) and detailed location maps can be seen (free).
Wired Destinations is a recognized PATA member joining in 2004 (number: 558742)
The online enquiry form can be found at www.shambles.net/hotels

Airlines and Flights
I am still working on this to be able to offer access to an easy and trustworthy database of sources which can be trusted. There is a list of Asia budget airlines at www.shambles.net/pages/Countries/airlines but no one searchable location so it is time consuming for you to go through these.
BUT watch this space for a one-stop solution .... it will appear eventually providing it can satisfy the above criteria.

Shambles Moves to a New Server

2006-07-18T23:39:00.000+07:00

On the 10th July 2006 Shambles made the migration from its original server (hosted on a dedicated machine in iAdvantage, Hong Kong) to a managed shared hosting system.

The migration was done in order that I do no longer have to look after the technical aspects of Shambles .... and waste no more time fighting the spammers and hackers ... that's now in the hands of the professionals.

Up until this migration Shambles had been running on its own IBM server for 4 years .. running Windows 2000 Server software (IIS) .... both hardware and software were more than capable of providing brilliant reliability.

First impressions are that the new host is actually serving up pages faster than ever .... but if you come across any problems or noticeable slow down then PLEASE let me know.

Now I can concentrate even more on the 'teaching and learning' content and support ..... which is much more enjoyable.

Time and Clocks

2006-05-31T19:06:00.000+07:00

There is a comprehensive list of links, advice and materials to help teach about time to young students that has recently been updated on Shambles.
The materials may also be of help when working with English as a Second Language (ESL) students.
The resources can be found at ...

www.shambles.net/pages/learning/primary/Time

An additional resource I built last year was a website collection of live "Flash" clocks that work online in a browser. These can be used for teaching or learning or for any timing needs in e.g. Sport, Science, Exam supervision ....
These can be found at ...

www.csmith.info/clocks

Teachers of young students are probably familiar with the (old) traditional 'Judy Clocks' where the minute hand could be physically pushed around the clock face and the hour hand would move as it should.
There are some good virtual equivalents of 'Judy Clocks' online.
These can be found at ...

www.csmith.info/clocks/teachingtime

Shambles Newsletter: May 2006

2006-05-02T11:32:00.000+07:00

This is to confirm that the twelfth termly "Shambles" newsletter is now available - designed for International School Communities across S.E.Asia. (but now with a worldwide readership)

It is best viewed online at www.shambles.net/newsletter/may2006/
There is also a "summary" copy that can be downloaded and printed out as a Word Document (180KB) www.shambles.net/newsletter/may2006/shamblesmay2006.doc

Topics this term include:

- Shambles "What's New" Blog
- Academic Calendar 2006-2007 A3 template(s) (Word)
- Int. Schools Websites (Blogs) I.B Theatre Arts
- ICT at Woodstock School (India)
- Teaching and Learning Chinese: more free Audio Lessons

- School Inspections: free video & self assessment template
- Pandemic: School Policies & Guidelines
- Help for School Website webmasters
- School Libraries: two reports on effectiveness
- Open University: free education resources

- Bangkok Conference 17 May: Helping Students
- The Hipster PDA for less than $10
- Google Analytics
- TES Special Supplements (free)
- Fund Raising

- Web 2.0: more exciting stuff and examples
- Flickr as an Art History Tool
- S.E.Asia Mathematics Competition 2007
- International Baccalaureate Website and Newsletter
- International School Library Day

- Cameos (examples of best practice in teaching)
- "Coming of Age: An introduction to the NEW worldwide web"
- Help for old teachers
- Paper Folding

Newsletters are archived at www.shambles.net/newsletter where readers can also subscribe to be included in the distribution list (or take themselves off) or join the RSS feed.

The next termly newsletter will be published 2nd November 2006

www.shambles.net/newsletter

School Calendars 2006-2007

2006-04-27T12:16:00.000+07:00

I have produced the annual school calendar templates for 2006-2007 (August to August)

They are A3 size and in MS Word (.doc) format so they are easily editable, they are best printed in colour but black & white also works.

There are several versions ... one plain template and others with public holidays included for Hong Kong, Thailand, England, USA

Hope these can save you some time when planning for next year.

All free and downloadable from .....

www.shambles.net/calendar

Google Analytics

2006-04-14T12:24:00.000+07:00

This posting is really just for those staff who are in charge of the school website.

During April 2006 I added 'Google Analytics' to the Shambles website in order to better monitor the site traffic.

"Google Analytics tells you everything you want to know about how your visitors found you and how they interact with your site."

I'm often asked how many visitors Shambles gets ... I can now say that there are over 8,000 visitors per day looking at over 14,000 pages a day .... which is brilliant.

At the time of this posting 'Google Analytics' is available by invitation only but you can request to be included on a waiting list ... the wait will be worth while ... and it is free!

Yet again .. another 'Thank You' to the guys at Google.