James Clay

An old monochrome picture postcard showing a formal London square, with trees, pigeons and deckchairs. Behind the trees can be seen a row of solid Victorian town houses

Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of Russell Square

The houses visible behind the trees used, I think, to house the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, now part of @ucl.ac.uk @uclsseeslibrary.bsky.social

If you like this image, please repost it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm

Shelves of novels by Stephen King

Someone just asked for the Stephen King book about the scary clown but they couldn't remember the name of It.

How I arrived on Bluesky

Be clear about what problem the VLE is the solution for.

I think my three does vary over time.

If I was to say now, then it would be:

The West Wing
The Americans
Stranger Things

If it was more than three....

Secret Army
Friends
Big Bang Theory
Babylon 5

Things I liked back in the day, but probably wouldn't rewatch now.

Quantum Leap
The Wonder Years

...oh and Cheddar has to be Velvet Bottom

In that case Clevedon (North Somerset) would become The Zig Zag

I propose that York is renamed Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate.

I propose that York is renamed Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate.

"Friends" is a beloved American sitcom that aired from 1994 to 2004, following six young adults—Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe—living in New York City. The show explores their friendships, romances, careers, and personal growth over ten seasons.

"Friends" is a beloved American sitcom that aired from 1994 to 2004, following six young adults—Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe—living in New York City. The show explores their friendships, romances, careers, and personal growth over ten seasons.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops

An old colur picture postcard showing two pictures: on the top modern blocks providing student housing; the lower picture shows a Victorian brick built college building

Here's a #HigherEducationPostcard of Crewe and Alsager College, once an HEI in its own right; then merged with @manmetuni.bsky.social

I don't think either of these campuses are still in use by MMU

If you like this image, please repost it - remember, BlueSky has #NoAlgorithm

In 1987 I was once told off (flamed) by the Brunel University Administrator for sending the wrong kind of email. I was at York at the time and realised (using the VAX system) that I could send an email to a friend at Brunel. The admin read my email and sent a snotty reply back. Put me off internet.

I miss my Zip Drive.

Actually miss my Zip Disks even more, as when I threw them out forgot I had some early digital camera photographs on them, which I hadn't backed up onto another form of media.

Sunshine and blue skies this morning, now we have just had a massive hailstorm.

It is very windy out there.

Bridge Building - eLearning Stuff One question that sometimes comes up, is do we know how to collaborate? Though there has been ample talk about collaboration and sharing, it is one of those things that is probably easy to talk about ...

I recognised that when helping people to understand the differences between problems and solutions I would often use a bridge building analogy.

elearningstuff.net/2026/02/16/b...

NENA | 99 Luftballons [1983] [Offizielles HD Musikvideo] YouTube video by NENA

youtu.be/Fpu5a0Bl8eY

One of the challenges is reaching those for whom climate change is not on their radar or agenda.

Often you will find yourself in an echo chamber of like minded people and think you are winning...

A5 #LTHEChat

I refer you to this post which makes a really valid point. ;-)

bsky.app/profile/domp...

"Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it".

#LTHEchat

I am reminded of Terry Pratchett who once wrote.

Darkness is NOT the opposite of light, merely the absence of light.

The opposite of light is something else, anti-light.

Maybe we can always add authenticity to learning.

#LTHEchat

...but is side loading climate change into the curriculum the best way of making it a priority. Why not put it front and centre? Make everyone do a "proper" climate change module as part of their degree.

Or, even better make it part of mandatory learning... ;-)

I do think virtually all HE teaching is about authentic learning. In the past it may have been passive and non-relevant. But today, I think the sector has moved on.

I would have thought most of the sector is about engaging students, making it "real" and using relevant examples. #LTHEchat

I am not saying climate change isn't important, but is it the role of higher education to teach students about it?

#LTHEChat

One of the challenges that is often thrown at education is that we need to teach students everything.

Climate change is there, but that is just one thing on a list that goes on and on....

Throw in....

First Aid and CPR

Financial education

Drug awareness

Wellbeing

...and so on

A3 #LTHEChat

So what is "normal" learning if it isn't authentic? Surely that is useful and applicable.

Does learning have to be practical to be authentic?

#LTHEChat

Of course if it doesn't mean that, then what is the difference between learning and authentic learning?

#LTHEChat

Some would say that contrived situation was authentic learning.

But truly authentic learning means moving away from contrived situations. Putting students into real situations?

But is that safe?

Is that accessible?

Is that ethical?

#LTHEChat