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Here are the Top 100 Tools for Learning 2011. This, the 5th Annual Survey of Learning Tools, was finalised on 13 November 2011. This year's list was compiled from the Top 10 Tools lists of 531 learning professionals worldwide - from education, training and workplace learning. 

The Department of Basic Education briefed Members on its Second Quarterly Performance Report from 1 July 2011 to 30 September 2011; on the progress on delivery of infrastructure development for technical schools; and on the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign.

Sometimes teachers and administrators need a kick in the pants to see what they perceive as problems re-framed in a different way. Adam S. Bellow, author of The Tech Commandments, and founder of eduTecher, spoke to a roomful of receptive teachers at the recent ISTE 2011 conference, and demonstrated some of the ironies and contradictions the education system is mired in. And he had some advice.

"Pinterest allows users to search for pins with a specific theme or subject. According to Pearson (2011), teachers can easily bookmark or "pin" lesson plans across the web for a later date, organize resources for the classroom, share unique ideas, and allow for collaboration with students, parents, and colleagues. "

A recent report (November 2011) from Symantec highlighted that 15% of teachers have experienced cyber-baiting, and 25% of teachers have formed friendships with students via social networks. There has been quite a bit of media attention around the issue, so I thought it would be a good time to highlight some work that NetSafe did last year with a group of educators around some guidelines for the use of blogs and other social media tools.

Twitter is still tops this year!!

It is important to realize the implications for our students of our own critical reflection. Students put great store by our actions and they learn a great deal from observing how we model intellectual inquiry and democratic process. Given that this is so, a critically reflective teacher activates her classroom by providing a model of passionate skepticism. As Osterman (1990) comments, "critically reflective teachers - teachers who make their own thinking public, and therefore subject to discussion - are more likely to have classes that are challenging, interesting, and stimulating for students" (p. 139). Stephen Brookfield

"The potential magic of the smart phone when it comes to learning lies in its ability to provide instant access to facts and the ability to collaborate with others, as well as provide a fun, mobile platform for educational games."

The study found that more than 90% of recruiters and hiring managers have visited a potential candidate's profile on a social network as part of the screening process. And a whopping 69% of recruiters have rejected a candidate based on content found on his or her social networking profiles - an almost equal proportion of recruiters (68%), though, have hired a candidate based on his or her presence on those networks.