Once A Month

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

So we are managing a post once a month almost, things are still very busy and a little crazy at the moment, but in the best of possible ways. Long term readers of the blog will know that I have been a Dawson’s Creek fan for many years, so it is appropriate to note the passing of James Van Der Beek, while matters of life and death and entirely settled for me in faith, it is still significant to see the passing of someone I was asked to believe was the same age as me. Much has been said by many but in addition to his performance as Dawson, I thought his performance as Raphael was very good.

I will return in March.

A Belated New Year and Project Updates

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Happy New Year! A bit belated, I know—the end of last year became incredibly hectic as I balanced a new job alongside my other projects. Things have been so busy that I had to hit pause on the blog for a moment.

However, I’m pleased to share that the annual TPEX Remarks project was successfully completed. You can find the entries throughout the year here: tpex.co.uk/remarks/

There is a lot moving forward right now: our discussion-based Bible studies are currently underway, and I have also been preparing a series of instrument interface programming lectures. Between those and an upcoming presentation this Saturday, it is “busy, busy” indeed!

Merry Christmas

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Merry Christmas to you and yours, may the reason for the season be present for you.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased! Luke 2:14

Full Steam NFC

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Teaching is in full swing, which means my brain is a delightful blend of lesson plans, notes, and the eternal question of where is the project propsal!

And the commuting! My trusty train tickets are piling up fast, all advance booked and about as flexible as a plank of wood. It does make you wonder, doesn’t it? What’s the grand economic impact of all these non-refundable, use-it-or-lose-it travel arrangements? Are we collectively propping up the rail industry, one missed connection at a time?

On a brighter note, I’ve finally upgraded to a new Android phone. And honestly, the setup was so seamless it felt almost un-British. No wrestling with obscure settings, no cryptic error messages – just smooth sailing straight into the land of NFC payments! Tapping my phone like a digital wizard at the checkout? Pure bliss. Who needs cash when you’ve got the power of the contactless universe in your pocket? Of course this works because I have a finger print reader!

The Case of the Missing Feature

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Well, it’s been a week of upgrading, though you might not know it looking at the results.

First, the new umbrella. Gone is the battered, inside-out contraption that saw me through almost a summer of unpredictable British weather. I tell you, a good umbrella is a life-saver in this country, but is it secure? Does it have a fingerprint reader? No, no it does not.

That brings me to the second upgrade: the new phone. It’s ordered, it’s paid for, and it is not here. It’s apparently stuck somewhere between the factory floor and my patiently waiting hand. I know that the moment it arrives, I’ll be able to unlock it with the simple, satisfying press of my thumb–a genuine feat of pocket-sized technology.

So, here I am. I have a new umbrella that I can operate without any biometric data whatsoever, and an empty, tech-free hand waiting for a tiny, smart rectangle. My umbrella could get nicked and its contents opened by literally anyone. The new phone? Practically Fort Knox.

The umbrella keeps the rain off my head. The phone will allow me to track the delivery of the next umbrella I’ll inevitably lose. It seems our priorities are in order!

And teaching also restarted as well.

Summer Done

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Well summer is done. Teaching materials prepared, bible studies arranged and now a final weekend before back to delivery. Let us see what fall 2025 brings.

August Ending

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

As I sit here at the tail end of August, I can’t help but reflect on what’s been a truly brilliant summer. With September lurking just around the corner and the inevitable return to the weekly schedule, it feels like the perfect moment to capture a few thoughts about the past few months.

This week I finally getting round to watching the Barbie film. I was absolutely charmed by it. What particularly struck me were the voice over elements throughout the film.

Google Gemini wrote me some php which was a drop in ready for a website which saved a lot of time and also wrote me some lisp for use in emacs as well. In the past I would have relearned this things, but instead I got the solutions in few minutes I am not sure what this means!

This week there is a new Bryan Adams album, number 16 I believe. I have also been enjoying To The Wind by Manran as well recently.

Here’s to making the most of these final summer days, and to carrying a bit of that summer spirit into the structured months ahead.

Summer Slow Down Choices

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Summer slow down is in full effect, but I have decided to continues my attention on the Good News series in John, Haggai for minor books main things (for summer 2026) and Matthew 9 for the DBS series.

TPEX writing also continues but I am unsure what a third year of that looks like at the moment.

Project E is also no further progressed.

Boxes are almost unpacked though today I was back at the old house getting boxes out of the loft so still got things to do, including defrosting a freezer!

AI Win

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Last week Gemini completed a multistage task perfectly multiple times for a multi hour time saving, impressive.

My dad visited this week which was great but hence a delayed and very short post this week.

Not a tour of Keswick

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

We’ve just wrapped up recording the final episode of this season’s Edge of Education podcast, and there’s always a bittersweet quality to these moments. After months of engaging conversations, pressing that final ‘stop recording’ button feels like closing the cover on a good book. The podcast has been such a rewarding journey this year, exploring the ever-evolving landscape of education.

One of the genuine perks of academic life is having the summer to properly reflect and refine. I’ve been making the most of this quieter period to revisit my teaching notes, polishing content and rethinking approaches for the year ahead. There’s something deeply satisfying about this process, without the pressure of immediate deadlines, you can actually think deeply about pedagogy and consider how to make complex concepts accessible for students.

The timing couldn’t have been better for two of my favourite annual traditions. The Tour de France has been good so far this year. Meanwhile, the Keswick Convention has provided its usual dose of thoughtful reflection and inspiring speakers. It’s remarkable how these two very different events can both offer such rich material for contemplation, albeit in entirely different ways.

On a more practical note, we’ve finally had the decking replaced at the house. Now to get the heat pump reconnected.

Settling In: Tour de France, Takeaways, and Reflections

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Moving house is exhausting and exciting at the same time. As I write this, surrounded by boxes and watching the Tour de France, I’m thinking about how these past few weeks have come together.

Having the Tour de France on whilst setting up my new office has been perfect. The steady rhythm of the cycling coverage makes good background noise for the slow work of organising furniture and sorting through boxes. There’s something calming about the commentators’ voices as you’re trying to decide where the printer should go.

The cyclists’ endurance reminds me that big tasks take time and persistence. Just like the riders tackle each stage methodically, I’ve been approaching the office setup one task at a time. Some days are sprint finishes where everything clicks into place, other days are long mountain stages where progress feels slow but steady.

Watching the teamwork in the peloton has made me appreciate all the people who’ve helped with the move. Moving house really isn’t a solo effort, much like winning the Tour isn’t either.

One of the best parts of moving somewhere new is discovering local places. I’ve found an excellent Chinese takeaway just ten minutes’ walk away, which has been nice.

There’s something about finding your local spots that makes a new place start to feel like home.

In the quiet moments between unpacking, I’ve been reading John’s Gospel again. There’s something about the pace and themes that feels right for this period of transition.

The recurring themes of light, way, and truth take on fresh meaning when you’re literally finding your way around new streets and learning how the light falls in different rooms. John’s emphasis on relationship over location speaks to what really makes a place feel like home.

These three things - the Tour de France, the Chinese takeaway, and John’s Gospel - have unexpectedly complemented each other during this settling-in period. The Tour speaks to endurance and taking things one stage at a time. The takeaway represents the simple pleasure of finding your local spots. John’s Gospel provides a deeper framework for thinking about home and belonging.

Each has taught me something about the process of settling in. The cyclists show that progress takes patience and persistence. The local takeaway demonstrates that community happens through small, regular connections. John’s Gospel suggests that the deepest sense of home comes from something beyond just our physical circumstances.

As I sit here with the office finally taking shape, tomorrow’s stage ready to watch, and a reliable dinner option sorted, I’m reminded that settling in happens gradually. It’s not just about unpacking boxes but about finding rhythm, discovering community, and being open to how meaning emerges from ordinary daily life.

The Tour will end, the boxes will all be unpacked eventually, and I’ll probably cook more at home once the kitchen is properly sorted. But the sense of being properly settled - that happens slowly, in the spaces between the obvious milestones.

The Great Fridge Acquisition and House Move

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This week I presented at the Unlocking Potential Conference as another collabration with Ben Hennessy-Garside on the title, Two colleagues, one Podcast: Reflecting on the Edges of Education using AI. I had the opportunity to speak about the intersection of artificial intelligence, podcasting, and teacher development—three areas that are increasingly intertwined in fascinating ways. The audience was brilliant, full of educators who are genuinely excited about how AI might transform professional development and classroom practice.

In what can only be described as spectacular timing, I decided this was also the perfect week to buy a new fridge and move house. Because clearly, presenting at a conference wasn’t quite enough chaos for one week.

Presentation, Podcast, Packing

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This week it was a delight to once again collaborate with Ben Hennessey-Garside on a presentation entitled, Scott and Ben started an Education Podcast as part of the Luminate HE Research Festival 2025 in Leeds UK.

It was an interesting conference with other highlights including, Jo Griffiths How Can I Encourage Students to Respond to Feedback? And Seán Ryan Mother of the Revolution; Evaluating Accessibility in Cross-Disciplinary Work.

It’s real privilege of my professional work that I get the opportunity to attend conferences like this and I look forward to attending another next week.

In over activities, I am two episodes away from finishing Dawson’s Creek again and I am still yet to buy a fridge freezer. Additionally, one of the buses I used has been on a detour this past week and I have decided I prefer the detour route.

Glasto, Goodbyes, and Getting Things Done

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500

First things first, it’s that time of year again! The legendary Glastonbury festival is all over the telly, which means a good chunk of my weekend is officially committed to some sofa-based festival-going. It’s brilliant to be able to soak up the atmosphere and catch so many amazing acts, all with the luxury of a kettle nearby and wellies remaining firmly optional.

On a slightly more reflective note, we’ve just wrapped up the GOI bible studies for the summer. They won’t be starting up again until October, so it feels like the end of a little era for now. It has been an absolute delight to host them over the past few years.

Meanwhile, in what feels like a never-ending saga, the preparations for the house move are still ticking along. The latest challenge? Buying a fridge. Blimey. Who knew that purchasing a simple white good could be such hard work? The endless measurements, checking specs, and reading reviews – it’s surprisingly draining!

On the project front, things are moving forward nicely. Planning for ‘Project GG’ continues, and it’s been fantastic to have more ideas and input coming in from others. We also managed to get a few more episodes of the EoE podcast recorded and in the can, so keep an ear out for those coming soon.

Right, that’s about it for now. I’m off back to the sofa to catch the next set from Worthy Farm.

Hope you all have a brilliant weekend!

More June

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The marking season has finally wrapped up, and my focus has fully shifted back to Project GG. We’re diving deep into content development and some intriguing naming experiments – exciting times ahead!

On the professional front, I’m busy prepping a series of presentations for the coming weeks. I’ll be exploring topics like teaching methodologies, strategies for personal development, and the latest advancements in AI tools.

In personal news, the house move is officially in full swing! I’ve even locked in the internet installation date, which feels like a big win.

However, it’s not all positive. The world feels a little heavier this week with the renewed conflict in the Middle East. It is strange getting to watch it live on YouTube.

And for a much-needed escape, I’m halfway through Season 6 of Dawson’s Creek. It’s surprisingly much better than I remember!