The very, very, very nice man from the council delivered us a big package on Friday afternoon. In the two boxes were a PS2, 8 controllers and a single disc – Buzz!: The Schools Quiz! We are very excited. Already we’ve begun to think about how to use it:
Any other ideas/suggestions/questions welcome!
The band – or collection of multi-instrumentalists were corking also. They were also ideal for a game of celebrity lookalike.
We had John Malkovich – complete with serial killer baseball cap – on drums.
Czech and Ex-Liverpool footballer Patrick Berger on bass, sax, flute and anything else he could find.
The baldie guy from BBC3s The Real Hustle on anything you could stand next to.
Added something to the entertainment!
Went to see the lovely Feist, at Oran Mor, with Big Scott. Last time I was there, it was for Sufjan, again with Big Scott.
The venue was busy. Very busy. A sell out, or almost. Didn’t quite get bob wiseman, the support, although playing along to silent black and white films on an accordion could have its fan base I guess!
Feist was great. She has such a huge stage presence, for a wee lassie. The Glasgow crowd warmed to her and took her into their hearts as she blended some friendly banter, some raw openness and a great deal of musical talent.
She has such a voice. It truly is an instrument. She uses it so well, and with great variety. She even did the record loops type thingy that other folk do with geeetars. Even a couple of technical hitches – such as not being able to hear herself in her monitors – didn’t stop the fun, a willing audience member jumping up stage to somewhat ably sing along to mushaboom.
We still suffered at the hands of the let’s talk through all the songs since we love this band so much and are great fans but we’ll show no respect crowd. Why not go to a pub and put money in the jukebox?
I feel it all – and she truly does. Every note, chord, beat was echoed by Feist, deep within. I hope success with commercials brings commercial success (see what I did, clever), and that her music reaches a greater audience. She played a little Broken Social Scene and informed me (well not just me, but I didn’t know so…) that they were coming to town soon… Hurrah!
A nice song parody. I really like the Star Wars American Pie Weird Al Yankovic one (what a bad sentence). Not sure if this is Weird Al, but I like it.
continue investigating what resources could be used for the writing group – for those who really don’t want to lift a pencil. What can I do, what can be used to motivate and inspire? Because it is Broadband writing, they only come to visit, so finding a context which is just for them is tricky…
AlphaSmart for a start.
Record on Mp3 then type?
Make use of Myst III when it arrives. Samorost for Imaginative. Personal is slightly tougher… but maybe once they are amazingly inspired and writing imaginative, confidence will bring them on in all other areas?
Check out all the resources signed up for at SLF!
What to do with P5-P7s who are in the less able set, who find it difficult to write, struggle with language, have limited vocabulary…
Hope for comments…
We’ve started using scratch – originally to showcase at an event in October, but now it’ll be April – which gives us, luckily, breathing space, to enjoy learning and creating some exciting presentations.
The initial reaction from the class was fantastic. They have really taken to the challenge of learning how to use the resource – mostly by experimenting. We started with the Getting Started guide and we have copies of the Scratch Cards available for use.
Now that we don’t really need to rush, I’m going to allow a lot of freedom in the initial stages. I’ll plan some more specific tasks later on in term, when they are more confident in the use of the application.
Some of, well THE, best seminars I attended were all linked to the work of the consolarium. Derek has probably the best job in Scottish Education. He blogs to, as does the consolarium! Innovative use of technology, especially gaming technology, to give currency in learning and teaching. Currency – a key word of my festival, kept being mentioned!
The work done with Guitar Hero looks superb. It is easy to see how it can be used across many areas, folks say like we used to do with projects way back when! Yes, I guess so, but with a different entity at the hub, it’s a play station game rather than a post office in the corner!
Some of the ideas seemed so simple, which left the question, well why haven’t you done it before then? I guess we can get really swamped in what we are doing here and now. I think we also want to have all the answers before we begin things, when sometimes you have to start the journey before you really know where you may end up?
Fortunate enough to have had a day at the Scottish Learning Festival. You could easily spend a week at that place… and also spend quite a few weeks digesting and chewing over things you have learnt, contacts you have made, ideas and resources you want to try.
Speakers, seminars, networking, market place. In a way, a showcase of some of what is going on. We don’t show off enough up here. There is so much good stuff going on, but it’s mostly the negative that hits the press. There is so much innovative, inspiring, exciting learning happening, mostly using culturally relevant ICT.
This has really challenged me to get a move on with this here blog! I also have my non-work blog,I don’t know why I keep them separate, something about work/life balance? But perhaps I should bring more of my cultural/social activities/resources in work…
Been working like a beast, start of term and all that, hence the quietness…
But, I have to mention the sport! Been watching some of the egg chasing from France, Samoa South Africa could have had an 18 certificate. Some great aggression!
But, Football. Lovely. The latest set of qualifiers had mixed fortunes for the home nations. Ingerland seemed to do enough against Russia, who although looked pretty at times had no cutting edge up front and defended like the local under 9s… Norn Iron have had their bubble burst. Much in the same way as Wales post Sparkey, post Sanchez they just don’t seem to have it anymore. The other Ireland have found their level, just below the top, should make for a good game in Cardiff.
Scotland, well. Wow. Great stuff, backs to the wall, nick a goal. All 3 home nations that won, seemed to have done so playing basic stuff. Ingerland – long ball to the big man, pick up 2nd ball, score. Scotland, shut up shop, nick something on a break or from a set piece. Wales… keep it tight, use the fast boy up front. It worked!
Slovakia 2 Wales 5. Fantastic. Amazing. We don’t seem to be able to put out our full strength team, but this may prove a blessing, we had team players out rather than talented individuals. We had a very young and inexperienced team out which hopefully will progress, together. If we can try and get 7 more points from our last 4 games then we could be a decent seeding for the 2010 qualifiers. That would give us a chance. If we stay a low seeding, then no matter how well we have done, there will be better teams ahead of us.
The captain seems to have settled down and taken on the role of talisman. He seems to be playing better without any of our other big stars, perhaps loving the limelight?
Some of the fans of Ingerland appear to be so fickle. Months ago they were calling for McLaren’s head, now he is the hero. For a nation with such a large league with so many players, they cannot seem to see beyond about 13, playing semi-fit players rather than give new players a chance. How is anyone going to progress without the opportunity? Toshack on the other hand has thrown whoever he can into the fire. Yes, they may have been very well toasted, but down the track the experience will hopefully benefit the team. Brother Phil, part of the famous five of Under 21s diehards is raving about the future. The 16 and 17 year olds that are coming through as part of the Under 21s are amazing. Lets hope they can keep it together and not lose the plot with big money from a big club…
Currently listening to Armchair Apocrypha by Andrew Bird. Whilst driving around Ontario, heard Scythian Empires on Syrius, often!
This album offers a greater variety of songs than the usual Singer songwriter style. There are a number of catchy rifts here, coupled with excellent insightful lyrics… including one of being a boy throwing away all his action toys as he became obsessed with Operation!
Also, the much anticipated Under the Blacklight by Rilo Kiley. Self proclaimed music gurus on cult culture websites have given this mixed reviews – the kind of folk who while having no musical talent of their own like to slate others who have…
To me, who cannot review, it is fantastic. Many asked the question how can you follow a quality song such as Portion for Foxes? They have, but not with more of the same, in the style of some bands whose career is basically one long album. There is a greater use of and variety in Jenny’s voice, more creative use of the guitar, the songs becoming a collective rather than a clone.
Glow Blogs uses cookies to enhance your experience on our service. By using this service or closing this message you consent to our use of those cookies. Please read our Cookie Policy.