We’ve had a system upgrade and interface overhaul, plus some new features to aid ease of use. There are new sections with tongue-in-cheek names that only emerge when you swallow the Oxford English Dictionary (or, rather, your brother searches for ICT on the Oxford on CD-Rom - thanks, Hugh). So to read about classroom change created by thoughtful policy changes turn to Directions and for interesting new ICT services and practices see Indications. On the Gratification page you will find an excellent new off-the-wall column, System Failure, and an insider view in Offline.
The Big Picture delves into the world of research and asks if the beneficial effects of ICT can ever be accurately measured. The HandsOn section has the usual reviews and views (with Verdicts), and a cutting-edge new column on emerging technologies with potential for teachers (Circuit) from ex-teacher George Cole who now tours the globe looking at the very best in ICT in his role as freelance for almost every technology publication we have ever heard of. Like your books with or without CD-Roms? Just turn to Publications. This month Laurence Alster attests to the growing influence of PowerPoint.
To round things off, Yolanda Brooks trawls the world of Communications to let you know how the broadcasters are adding value on the web in her Virtual 625 column, and Dorothy Walker investigates what turns teachers on to ICT with Convictions.
We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
When the Government’s Curriculum Online project comes into being we hope it fulfils its promise and delights teachers and students with stimulating online materials for classroom use. But first there must be transparency. The fixers placing the BBC at the head of Curriculum Online finally ran into some feisty disagreement last month - in the House of Commons of all places (news p4-5).
The godfather of Northern Ireland’s much-envied Classroom 2000 project, Tom McMullen, was in Westminster to discuss his excellent Adam Smith report on ICT in UK schools (news p4-5). His description of the BBC’s mistakenly exalted role in Curriculum Online as “nationalisation by the back door” brought David Puttnam to his feet to ask whether the report had been commissioned by a technology company. He should have known better.
McMullen has an unstinting record of openness and fairness in Classroom 2000 (p8). And his fearsome negotiating skills probably played a part in the withdrawal of RM (probably the company Puttnam was referring to), some pound;2 million of investment poorer. Instead of questioning the report’s credentials, Puttnam could have talked to RM. Curriculum Online would benefit substantially from the experience and integrity of more people like Tom McMullen.
Merlin John, editor
