iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Agreed. But there needs to be acknowledgment that one size fits all (whatever that is) does not work for all pupils. Hopefully there is much more differentiation now than there was 15 years ago.

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I have not read that evidence (would be interested to do so). I can only go by my experience as a dyslexic and that of my relatives who read by recognising the shape of whole words not by sounding them out and also have difficulty decoding sounds into meaning - seeing a word better than hearing it.

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I know two dyslexic students who struggled in primary because of phonics and times tables. Both left primary struggling in numeracy and literacy but (coming from middle class families) found other ways to learn. One is now an aeronautical engineer and one is studying for a PhD in Mathematics.

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Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Requiring primary schools to teach phonics and times tables can both improve overall results and fail a significant minority of pupils. For instance dyslexic children are taught they are stupid and failing as they cannot learn phonics or memorise times tables. Taught other ways they can excel.

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The planning process in NL allows greater democratic control. 1. Local authorities decide where new housing should be built. 2. They buy the land at agricultural price. 3. They organise architecture competitions to design new neighbourhoods. 4. Developers are brought in to build them.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Huevos rancheros (fried corn tortilla with a fried egg on top covered in salsa) with some cheese crumbled on top and guacamole alongside.

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Reposted by Rob Aitken

sianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

This is almost unbearable to read. How can this scale of civilian suffering be happening? Life and death in ‘Fortress Donbas’, the epicentre of the Ukraine war www.thetimes.com/article/4674...

thetimes.com

Life and death in ‘Fortress Donbas’, the epicentre of the Ukraine war

With drones overhead and mines underfoot, Times journalists are granted rare access to the embattled city of Druzhkivka — the new heart of Kyivs defence of the east

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Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

To rebuild trust in politicians it is really important that the Government does not retrospectively change the terms that people acted on. This principle applies to student loans but also people who have come legally on Health and Care (and other) visas on the expectation of ILR in 5 years.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Racism is often worst not in areas with high migration but ethnically homogeneous areas adjacent to more diverse areas. Enclaves are the worst option. So perhaps relatively homogeneous rural communities and small towns facing cities and towns (Lincoln, Norwich etc) that are becoming more diverse.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Donors should have to demonstrate that funds are from UK profits / income on which UK tax has been paid. Cut out all donations and influence from those not tax resident and put a cap on amounts of donations.

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Of course in most countries with PR case work is not part of an MPs role. MPs are legislators not case workers (or ministers). In NL you would go to local council and councillors who take the issue up (many central govt services are delivered through local councils anyway).

Employing MPs’ staff on a central contract would also give them the possibility of TU membership and representation.

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At the very least mandatory training on their responsibilities as a line manager.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Wouldn’t it be possible to reform the system so state-funded employees of MPs (at least those based in Westminster) are employed by Parliament although selected and reporting to the MP. Parliament could provide an HR service and support for both MPs and their staff.

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Can we not make it the law that individual or company donations can only be made from UK income on which UK tax has been paid. Ensure only those contributing to UK society can try to influence its politics.

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The key is to have 1. Good advice before making a choice - Dutch system has advice in primary plus a ‘bridging’ first year of secondary where changes can be made and 2. Routes back if they change their mind - Dutch system allows students to study an extra year to change path.

If provided in early teens might help them decide on GCSEs or technical path. Of course ideally you need a route back. Dutch secondary system has different paths from 12 or 13 but with the option of taking an additional year later to move across if they change their mind.

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Yes, absolutely! A starting point would be more investment in youth clubs/activities where young people can socialise and learn about their goals in life. Ideally with mentors/careers advisers to help them plan a route. Reduced rents to allow more young people to live independently would also help.

The University learning experience for 18-21 year olds is a far broader learning experience than just a degree and its stated learning outcomes. Much of the most important learning takes place outside of formal teaching settings.

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Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

This was the same at Universities. You could deliver the content over zoom effectively but lost the social interactions - the coffees and chats after a seminar. You also lost many extracurricular activities which impacted on mental health as well as limiting learning about their values & goals.

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The intergalactic battle for transparency and justice - Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social versus the billionaire’s lackey Frogface.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The intergalactic struggle for transparency and justice - Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social versus the billionaire’s lackey Frogface.

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Carol Vorderman should run on an anti-corruption platform.

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Perhaps Carol Vorderman could run on an anti-corruption platform.

Better that the anti-reform option is a high profile independent opposed to large political donations and the corrupting of the political system to serve the interests of billionaires.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

It would be more interesting if a high profile independent candidate ran on a platform opposing political donations. Keep the focus on the role of billionaires in our political system and how Farage serves their interests.

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This is true. Our youngest suffered from asthma. After we moved into our Passivhaus he has not needed inhalers. A home without damp or cold brings enormous gains in quality of life and health.

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Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

What about King Charles - King of England, Scotland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as Head of the Commonwealth which includes Ghana and South Africa.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

It also suggests that some of what is presented as people claiming to be working class ‘heroes’ may be a measure of social mobility. Perhaps a more positive way to spin it.

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Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Rather than defining this as objective versus subjective it may be people define themselves in terms of cultural class, ie the community of their upbringing or parental occupation, rather than occupational class.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Equally anything that anyone pays to promote (adverts plus blue tick etc) is advertising and must abide by advertising laws.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Apply publishing laws. Information people follow or search for themselves is not published. But if anything is promoted by an algorithm then the site has to ensure it abides by publishing laws that apply to newspapers or books.

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Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

York 2019 to 2023 had a Lib Dem / Green council but with Lib Dem’s as the larger party.

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Reposted by Rob Aitken

Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

The Prime Minister described yesterday's migration stats as "great news". In fact, the government's current immigration strategy is both economically damaging and politicallly self-defeating. But there is a better way. Me in @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/pol...

prospectmagazine.co.uk

Whoever is in charge, Labour needs a new immigration strategy

New figures published today reveal that net migration has almost halved—but this alone won’t help the government regain trust

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Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

In my experience the benefit of these bureaucratic exercises is that, if done properly (ie log days you take off as time off in lieu for days worked at the weekend etc), it demonstrates academics have too many remaining holidays to roll over at the end of the year and can’t take enough holiday.

Rob Aitken @robaitken.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Easiest solution in short term is to follow Scotland. Pair existing constituencies to half number of constituency MPs (can elect By FPTP or AV). Then elect other half of Commons from the regions used for Euro elections (can elect from party lists or by STV). Not certain it is best but easy to do.

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Reposted by Rob Aitken

Simon Parker @sparkerworld.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

If Ben Habib can prove his allegations then the consequences for British democracy are very grave indeed and overshadow everything that has been happening in the Westminster Village in the past 48 hours. Unsurprisingly, none of the morning news bulletins have even mentioned this story.

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Reposted by Rob Aitken

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Reform mobilising non-voters looks to be a big story from this year’s locals. As so often, non-voters are the “dark matter” of politics - rarely discussed but so numerous they even mobilising a small slice can have big effects. Particularly in low turnout local elections.

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The most impressive feat of mediation was in Rotterdam in 2022 where a mediator negotiated a coalition that included both a far right anti-immigrant party (Leefbaar Rotterdam) and a predominantly Turkish multicultural party (DENK).

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It will be interesting to see what happens in Birmingham. Can Labour, Greens, Lib Dem’s and Independents work together or do they let Reform take office as the largest party? Part of the problem is we do not have a system of mediators “formateurs” to help negotiate these pacts as they do in NL.

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If we want to keep small constituencies that probably leaves us with three options (none perfectly proportional): 1. AMS like Scotland 2. Lists in multi member constituencies like Wales, or 3. STV in multi member constituencies like NI The latter gives voters more power compared to lists in 1 & 2

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