Here are some more photos from today in my workshop.

I even make a cameo in one of them.

You can see the assembly stage of the Bird Table projects here with countersinking, drilling and building all taking place.

Great things happening in my Tec classroom and workshop this week.

In Graphics, all my S2 classes are focusing on learning the age old art of Orthographic Projection using traditional Technical Drawing boards. You can see the sort of stuff we are doing on my YouTube channel. Just search for teachmetekkie and watch Podcast 10.

In the workshop, things are finally starting to take shape on the Bird Table projects. Here you can see pupils painting the tables with exterior wood paint whilst the G-Clamps hold their freshly glued tables in place.

Notice the paper on the floor to ensure we don’t spoil our nice blue Lino!

A big thanks to our Technician Mr Black for all his support and advice.
(I have a photo of him somewhere but I promised not to post it)

Here’s another perspective on today’s numbers that should knock your socks off:

Apple’s iPhone sales surpass the world’s birth rate.

Not only has Apple become the top smartphone manufacturer in the world, but there are now more iPhones sold than babies born each day.

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Click the image above to download the app.

Backing up rumors that have been dropping over the past couple weeks regarding Apple’s media event on Thursday, ArsTechnica brings more wood to the fire saying Apple will announce a “GarageBand for E-books” on Thursday.

Apple has already dropped a few hints like ‘Join us for an education announcement’ when it sent out invites last week.

The Wall Street Journal also said this evening that Apple has reportedly been working with publisher McGraw-Hill since June.

A textbook announcement of some kind is definitely coming Thursday, but it’s a matter of what exactly. A creation tool of some sort definitely sounds like a possibility and leaves Apple out of having to act like a publisher.

At any rate, Eddy Cue will be on stage Thursday morning in New York City to make the announcement. Stay tuned!

Bloomberg briefly reports that Apple’s manufacturing partners have indeed begun on production of the iPad 3, with a ramp-up to full capacity taking place by February ahead of a March launch for the device.

The report corroborates circulating rumors that the iPad will offer a quad-core processor and sport a high-resolution “Retina” display. The iPad 3 is also said to offer 4G LTE support for faster data connectivity on the go.

Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s next iPad tablet, due in March, will sport a high-definition screen, run a faster processor and work with long-term evolution wireless networks, according to three people familiar with the product. [...]

The tablet will use a quad-core chip, an enhancement that lets users more quickly jump between applications, two of the people said.

Rumors have been split on whether the iPad 3 will be slightly thicker, thinner, or the same form factor as the iPad 2, with those rumors apparently depending on whether Apple has been able to adopt Sharp’s IGZO technology that would allow for a thinner display.

While some sources have indicated that Sharp’s displays are making the cut for the iPad 3, others have claimed that Sharp failed to win approval from Apple and that a slightly thicker form factor may be required to accommodate a dual light bar design to support the high-resolution IPS display from Samsung and LG.

Thanks to 9 to 5 mac for the information. Looks as if it’s gonna be more of an iPad 2S rather than a full update to an iPad 3. I have also heard a second iPad is due out later this year.

I’ll still be getting one though!

Well, I have just finished watching the most outstanding TV ever in the form of BBC 1′s ‘Sherlock’.

Amazing stuff, exciting, funny, modern with enough of a nod to the Doyle books to keep it real.

I have never applauded my TV in my life – that was a first.

Leave your comments and let me know..

Just how did Sherlock pull it off?

(So not the best way to go!)

Sometimes in life ‘One Direction‘ isn’t the best way to travel.  I have been thinking about this blog and the purpose it serves, the content and the posts that get the best read rates and traffic.

While its is safe to say that I can back up the fact that this blog DOES support learners and help raise attainment in my subjects (last years Graphics and Craft and Design pupils achieved a massive combined 60% increase in attainment at Credit level ) there is also an audience for technology related information and advice and information not just for our learners in my classes, but for the thousands of visitors worldwide who regularly visit TeachMeTekkie.

What does this mean for the blog?  Well some changes over the next week.  I propose the following…

What Stays the Same…?

1.  TmT continues to host study support materials and information for my classes but the Wikis will not be updated this year do to our new Curriculum developments and the imminent launch of assessment materials and final course descriptors.  TmT will become fully ACfE in 2013 although much of what is provided is cross-compatible and is suitable for the 2012 exams!

2.  TmT will still reflect what happens in my classroom.  Celebrating success and taking a funny look at daily life in a Tec class.

The Changes…!

1.  TmT will now start to reflect more my promoted post of ‘Principal Teacher of Technology Across the Curriculum‘.  This means I will be posting more resources for teachers/pupils to use to enhance their learning  This includes apps and programs that can help support or enhance your learning experience as a pupil or content delivery as a teacher.

2.  TmT will develop its delivery of information (where appropriate) on educational developments in ICT.

3.  As a complete and utter devotee of everything that Apple does – I will develop the information provided on Apple products, developments and Apps/Games including articles from leading Apple blogs.  This is in direct response to the incredible number of learners in my classroom who got an Apple device of some sort over the holidays.

4.  If you want to know about Android or any other platform apps/support then click here.

So thats my plan for 2012 everybody.  It is super exciting and I am looking forward to sharing more of what I know with you guys – like I have always said,

“Knowledge only becomes truly powerful when it is shared”.

Laters…..

Mr B

Note: I have included reference on my Legal/Disclaimer page with regard to the new changes.