Alan Wake (part 3)
The script for Alan Wake is amazing. It is even more impressive when the sound effects and background audio adds depth to the experience. Playing on the Xbox just amplified the experience. What is more, I have learnt a little …
Wake-ing a thirst for literacy (part 2)
Having only assumed the role of English teacher fairly recently, I typically have to read for the very first time, the text I am about to teach, for the very first time, a few weeks before the term starts. Being …
Wake-ing a thirst for literacy (part 1)
I had been on the look out for a cinematic, highly narrative video-game title to re-purpose as a writing stimulus for some time now, inspired by Tim Ryland’s use of Myst and following on from the success of using US …
3D Gamelab
For a long time I have been interested in how game mechanics could inspire learning. Every now and then I check up on the progress of 3D GameLab – a learning platform that applies game thinking and game mechanics (quests, …
A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor
To paraphrase steal John Tomsett’s opening blog line – have been a VP for just 3 terms and, at the age of 39, what I know about school leadership… is less than I have to learn about school leadership. Every …
DEAR bookmarks
DEAR (drop everything and read) and “getting caught reading” (a reading journal) is really picking up, together with The Wellington Academy bookmarks, which have been very well received. The bookmark turns into a book rating and book review submission form and offers a …
Exercise book 2.0
Time to write and reflect has been almost non existent the past two weeks.Time? What time? Certainly time appears to be elusive, so here is a quick list of highlights from the past two weeks; Y11 ‘Drive to the finishline’ Assemblies, sitting with …
Rita Pearson
Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be. – Rita Pearson It’s worth spending 10 minutes watching …