About the site
I’ve been planning for sometime to set up some kind of blog to record thoughts and ideas as they come to me, and to act as a repository for some of the resources, materials and ideas I develop. This (hopefully) is it! I fully expect it to evolve in the coming months, but you’ll find the initial statement of intent above- thoughts, ideas and reflections on teaching, learning and technolog
The site is very much inspired by what Doug Belshaw is doing. Through him I have been expanding my online reading and keeping up to date with current trends and ideas across that bit of the internet that is interested in education and technology. The sidebar to the left pulls in a feed from my bloglines blog, where I’ll flag up ideas and thoughts that I want to record. Some of them may end up being blogged about in more detail, but I’m fully aware of how little time we get once term is in full swing, so this is a fall back!
Since starting teaching in 2005 I have tried several web based approaches, including the now mothballed coolhistory.co.uk Through that I became comfortable with the excellent WordPress, which powers this site. I’m using the Brightside theme, JD Sky theme, Clean [Bluehaze] theme and I’ll try and provide a list of plugins once I’m happy the set-up is stable.
In addition to this site, I’m running several sites for pupils which can be accessed from learning.mrstacey.co.uk. Most run on a personal installation of moodle, although I’m also experimenting with wiki software. I also have an installation of pmwiki for planning and ideas before they become fully fledged posts.
About Me
Having got my A Levels in 1996 I took a year off before going to Uni. A two week temporary job as the caretaker in my old school, Honiton Community College turned into a job for the year and gave me an alternative view of the education system I’m trying hard not to forget.
Three years at the Univeristy of Wales, Aberystwth followed, orginally to study for a degree in Information and Library Studies although that was fairly quickly changed for a joint honours in History. As well as giving me a chance to develop my love for the subject it also gave me a chance to experience some fantastic teachers and some that, well, weren’t so fantastic. I quickly became involved in both the student magazine ‘The Courier’ and the student radio station, ‘Bay Radio’. It was here I had experience of creating my first website, doing so armed with nothing more than a text editor, and James Hart. Before I graduated I managed to get elected as Deputy President of the Guild of Students. 12 months later I moved offices having managed to get elected as President.
The summer of 2002 saw me working on the West Wales Summer University and looking for a job. I managed to blag one with the University’s Widening Access office and spent a couple of years organising various projects that brought young people from disaffected backgrounds into University. It soon became clear that I enjoyed working with the students far more than the admin and paperwork so in 2004 I followed my good friend Nick Dennis to Swansea to do a PGCE.
Following placements at Olchfa and Penrehafod I managed to get a job at Olchfa school where I currently work, teaching ICT, Business Studies, Sociology and our year 7 skills program ‘SMART‘.
When I’m not teaching or messing around with computers I enjoy music, reading and movies. I live in Loughor with my wife, Sionedwyn and I am an award winning procrastinator, as can be seen from this tome that has been written while I’m supposed to be tidying the house! ;0)
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