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2013-05-09 19:36:51 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Thanks to this front cover I have a Year 11 girl reading Thomas Hardy... THANK YOU PUBLISHERS! And before anyone starts bemoaning the youth of today, we ALL judge books by their covers. Keeping up with visual trends is the way to hook kids in. Go back and look at your bookshelves, how many books do you find unappealing sitting on them? I would love to see more classics brought out in this vein!

2013-05-09 19:24:50 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

UK teachers - could this make a difference? I would love to see this happen. The reality at the chalkboard would hit Gove like a brick! I'm sure he couldn't do it.  

2013-05-08 06:22:47 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Syria has gone Dark

It looks like Internet in Syria has gone down. Fear not, the agents of Telecomix have set up dial up lines for #OpSyria so those on the ground can communicate. 

#opSYRIA Dialup access
+46850009990
+492317299993
+4953160941030
user:telecomix  password:telecomix

OR +33172890150
login/pw:toto

EDIT:

@Speak2tweet is still up and running  
902123391447
302111982716
390662207294
16504194196.

2013-04-30 17:44:44 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

+Will Robinson - I don't know much about developing games, but I thought this was an interesting idea. What do you think?

2013-04-27 11:22:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

This is a brilliant site - raise money for a charity of your choice by doing the online shopping you'd be doing anyway. I found it much easier to remember once I'd installed the plug-in for my browser. 

2013-04-26 23:46:12 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

http://scalingthechalkface.wordpress.com/

2013-04-20 10:26:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

To go with the gorgeous singing that accompanied the final vote and acceptance of the gay marriage bill in New Zealand, this is one National Party (conservative party equivalent) member's response to the bill.

2013-04-14 15:52:50 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

My first pass on an MOOC :) 89.9% - not too shabby I feel. It was a fascinating course too. 

2013-04-12 17:47:36 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

The BBC's reaction to this is going to get this song to number one! I can't believe that my peers will accept being patronised like this lightly. My sister's generation might not have lived though her reign (and I only had a few years) but that doesn't make us ignorant of her impact or effect. 

On another side of the coin, the ranking of this song is a form of political engagement that our government constantly bemoans the general populous lacks. In a country where it is possible to get arrested for looking like you might attend a protest (http://tinyurl.com/3s4gzqb) this is how people are choosing to protest.

With this form of protest there is no risk of physical harm, no one's livelihood is compromised and there is no major disruption, though there may be offence due to differing opinion, but this is a protest that seems to tick all the boxes that are leveled... more »

2013-04-02 14:45:02 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Day 1
He watched me once
A moment by
He could not hold the way
He saw me teeter on the brink

He pushed me once

Good bye. 
#NaPoWrMo   #poetry  

2013-04-02 14:44:27 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Day 2
Those that hold to simple forms
Forget the wayward's path;
They seek the forest
through the trees 
but not the wonderer's deed. 

In blackness forged, 
In mighty breath, 
A silver drop
to fall
The seeker finds 
When seekers look
But rarely finding forms. 

Complexing weave
A waft foretold
In ancient marks do make
Held ridged in the hands of time
He spake
She spoke
They fall. 
Mark the form. And loose the line. 
Death marked by lawful hand. 

#NaPoWrMo   #napowrimo2013  

2013-04-02 14:43:54 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 0 +1s)

Day 2
Those that hold to simple forms
Forget the wayward's path;
They seek the forest
through the trees 
but not the wonderer's deed. 

In blackness forged, 
In mighty breath, 
A silver drop
to fall
The seeker finds 
When seekers look
But rarely finding forms. 

Complexing weave
A waft foretold
In ancient marks do make
Held ridged in the hands of time
He spake
She spoke
They fall. 
Mark the form. And loose the line. 
Death marked by lawful hand. 

#NaPoWrMo   #napowrimo2013  

2013-04-01 11:02:54 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

Day 1
He watched me once
A moment by
He could not hold the way
He saw me teeter on the brink

He pushed me once

Good bye. 
#NaPoWrMo   #poetry  

2013-03-30 10:56:48 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

I post this here for the sole purpose of giving any of the editors who frequent this category a collective aneurysm.

The comic is from the consistently funny Sheldon written and illustrated by Dave Kellet. You can read his extensive archive here: http://sheldoncomics.com/

2013-03-24 09:58:43 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

A Muslim cleric has condemned to death Amina Tyler, a young 19 year old Tunisian who published a picture of herself topless, Amina posted on her Facebook account a picture with the phrase: “My body belongs to me, and is not the source of anyone’s honor.” She is a member of the group Femen, a feminist movement emerged in Ukraine in 2008 performing their topless protests to draw attention. The unusual protest sparked rejected her own family, which is considered a “insulting the modesty of a woman” and Islam.
“This young woman according to Islamic law deserves to between 80 and 100 lashes, but she did much more than that so she deserves to be stoned to death,” the religious Tunisian daily said “Assabah News” .

Sign the petition here: http://www.change.org/petitions/petitioning-tunisian-government-amina-must-be-safe
We the undersigned unequivocally defend Amina, anddemand that her li... more »

2013-03-23 18:23:06 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

The snow has taken out our back hedge. The dog seems fairly unfazed. 

2013-03-05 19:29:06 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 0 +1s)

2013-01-19 13:06:31 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

This is making the rounds on facebook and I thought it was a brilliant story and one worth sharing here too: 

Is winning all that counts? Are you absolutely sure about that?

Very little has been said about this…..On December 2, Basque athlete Iván Fernández Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre. He was running second, some distance behind race leader Abel Mutai - bronze medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the London Olympics. As they entered the finishing straight, he saw the Kenyan runner - the certain winner of the race - mistakenly pull up about 10 meters before the finish, thinking he had already crossed the line.

Fernández Anaya quickly caught up with him, but instead of exploiting Mutai's mistake to speed past and claim an unlikely victory, he stayed behind and, using gestures, guided the Kenyan to the line and let himcross... more »

2013-01-12 12:41:47 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

The US Government was asked to answer why they aren't building a DeathStar on the open petition site. The response is ALL KINDS OF AWESOME.

I'd suggest you read it. May the Force be with you.

2013-01-05 16:03:18 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

این بابا خیلی باحاله
اینم سایتشه:
http://www.employadam.com

2012-12-27 18:13:54 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Hi, I'm an English secondary school teacher in the UK. I teach 11-16 year olds and last term I did Young Writers project - NaNoWriMo with about 20 kids in school - 10 completed it! A number of them want to continue their writing into the New Year, so as well as editing their novels we're going to be doing lots of little writing tasks in lots of different genres.

If anyone has any advice/ help on guiding these young writers I'd greatly appreciate it. 

Thanks

2012-12-27 12:17:37 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

A Chemistree. That is all.

#SCIENCE!!

2012-12-25 12:43:40 (4 comments, 13 reshares, 8 +1s)

A letter to tug at your heart. 

#Christmas   #Christmas2012   #newtown   #newtownshooting  

2012-12-24 21:41:44 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Do not read unless you want your Christmas eve spoilt

Mine was. 

I thought the guy in North Wales who used the ambulance service as a lift home was a git. But the emergency services in this country don't have to face this possibility day in, day out. 

How is this acceptable in a "civilized"  society? 

2012-12-22 14:40:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Demand A Plan

Nothing more to be said.

Comments disabled.

2012-12-16 21:12:46 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 0 +1s)

+Laura Gibbs - I just found this and though it might be of interest to you. Design and run your own MOOCs for free, but also develop free online courses for smaller groups. 

2012-12-14 20:13:42 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

In a country "at peace", that is supposedly civilised, how and why has this happened? So many questions left, so much anguish. Now may not be the time for the debate, that time was yesterday, today there can only be grief. 

2012-12-12 17:14:14 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Feminism: Finding a way in?

I have a number of friends who are feminist activists. They are brilliant women and men of thought and understanding who abhor sexism,  the rape culture and all facets of misogyny. And, on most topics I wholeheartedly agree with them. However, a recent PR stunt by  FORCE - a group of Baltimore Feminists - has divided opinion. A number of my friends have argued that sexualising consent is problematic. It should be a case of "if you don't get consent you're a rapist". I feel that this misses the purpose and audience of the ad campaign. 

If you're a dyed in the wool feminist, there is nothing here that is going to surprise you or get you thinking. But, I could take that ad into a school tomorrow and get a class of 15 year olds debating issues they would normally feel uncomfortable discussing in a mixed gender setting andget some ... more »

2012-12-08 14:24:50 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

What a great way to learn how to code! Simple, flexible and very easy to follow. It's the kind of thing I could see being used in schools. 

2012-12-04 21:53:45 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

If you had to write around a theme for a month, what would choose? 

I'm thinking of linking my school's writers group (mostly KS3, so 11-14 year olds) to significant events/themes, for example in April it's National Poetry Month so we'll be writing poems, in February it's LGBT history month so we'll look at some inspirational LGBT authors and writing etc. But I'm struggling to find themes for all the months. 

Any ideas? You don't need to pick a particular month unless it's got a specific link.

2012-12-01 20:36:55 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

+Gemma Matherne  - Saw this and thought of you. Some brilliant and beautiful calligraphy designs with a twist! 

2012-11-28 20:37:18 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

The Movember story - a dare gone global. 

2012-11-25 18:58:32 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 2 +1s)

This was fun, and it's for a really interesting linguistic study. Please help out, it only take a few minuets of your time. 
#linguistics   #linguisticsfriday   #science   #sciencesunday  

2012-11-15 18:14:37 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

2012-11-15 07:39:39 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

What brilliant Christmas present ideas! Absolutely beautiful.  

2012-11-10 11:36:35 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 3 +1s)

This is lovely.

2012-10-29 14:54:11 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Writing Tip: Passive Voice
via: http://blog.grammarly.com/post/34095768680/writeworld-mightymur-the-final-brilliant

“She was killed [by zombies.]” <—- passive

“Zombies killed [by zombies] her.” <—- active

I dunno 'bout you, but this will help me immensely!

2012-10-27 09:59:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

~READ MORE~ Tough dude says so :D

2012-10-24 21:04:58 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Thanks to the response to the recent BBC news (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20066885) article on the proto-Elamite the Oxford academics have decided to get the public's help.   

Crowd-Source code-breaking!

I love technology! 

2012-10-23 18:59:51 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

A friend posed an image with this quote:

 "Christian leaders, stand on out soil, and claim: “gay marriage” has never occurred here. Over 130 tribes in every region of North America performed millions of same-sex marriages for hundreds of years. Their statements are both hateful and ignorant. Your “homosexual,” was out “Two-spirit” people... and we considered them sacred."

It's such a wonderful ideology and philosophy. 

2012-10-21 19:07:11 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Too many books?    Help me pick! 

Can there be too many books? I currently have 103 books on my goodreads to-read list and I probably have double that on the bookshelves in my library, and easily quadruple that on my kindle.Trying to pick just one to read next seems to just get harder and harder. 

One of my biggest issues is that I am not a fast reader. If I devour an average novel (+40,000 words) - as in can't put it down sort of devour - it will still take me two days to get through minimum. And that's if I'm not working. If I am working I can't afford to get sucked into a book like that. So it can take me weeks to read something. 

So when I'm trying to find something new to read during term time it has to be enjoyable enough to hold my interest for some time, yet at the same time not consume me. It's a tough one. 
How... more »

2012-10-15 21:20:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Some amazingly really beautiful songs with classical references, and best of all they are completely free to download. 

2012-10-14 07:19:45 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Wow! This is amazing. It's such an intricate design and beautifully crafted. I wish I had this kind of skill. £120.00 for a unique piece of art - I better get saving! 

2012-10-09 11:04:44 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Now this is interesting...
How Do Obama & Romney Supporters Differ in Reading Tastes?

#BarackObama   #MittRomney  

2012-10-08 14:02:05 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Artwork by Marius Markowski

2012-10-08 12:29:03 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 1 +1s)

I love The West Wing, and it's great to see the team back together fighting for something they believe in. 
#WestWing   #2012election   #campaign2012  

2012-09-28 19:49:21 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I thought this was an interesting idea for websites. Thought you might know more about it +Michelle Palmer ?

2012-09-23 18:49:29 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Inspiration from +Patrik Järvelöv for #punday  

2012-09-22 22:50:33 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Asking why
This is appalling. A young girl, whose only wish was to celebrate her 16th Birthday, is run out of her own home because the internet took over and the trolls descended.

Yet there is something I find eerily familiar in this story. The mentality of these revealers is the same mentality the UK saw in the 2011 riots. A message or idea of discord spread through social media and picked up by thousands of young people who feel they have nothing better to do than cause mayhem. Some presumably had selfish reasons - perhaps using such a disturbance for robbery or pick-pocketing - some probably just wanted to be involved in something.

So why, across supposedly "civilised" countries such as the Netherlands and the UK, do we have a proportion of a generation who feel this way? Who think these actions are in some way valid? What has affected this section... more »

2012-09-20 22:40:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

i would love to do this in my retirement. It's such a simple, elegant idea.