Which Education Technologies Do Educators Think Can Have The Biggest Impact (Survey)? | Emerging Education Technology

Which Education Technologies Do Educators Think Can Have The Biggest Impact (Survey)? | Emerging Education Technology:

"A different approach to the question of whether or not technology makes a difference in student learning and outcomes.

We want to know what YOU think – if you are a teacher, or work closely with teachers in a supporting role, please take a few moments to answer these 6 brief questions about which technologies, or technologically-related actions or concepts (like Professional Development or ‘Flipping the Classroom’) you think can have the biggest impact on student learning. Then, please take a moment to provide some of your thoughts about why you think those specific technologies can matter the most."

Resources from My Presentation at Edscape 2011 « Thumann Resources

Resources from My Presentation at Edscape 2011 « Thumann Resources:

"Today, I had the pleasure of presenting at Edscape 2011. The title of my session was Spontaneous Professional Development. You most likely have heard this term before as it is used pretty frequently these days."

Becoming a 21st Century School or District: Use the 4Cs to Support Teachers | Edutopia

Becoming a 21st Century School or District: Use the 4Cs to Support Teachers | Edutopia:

"Welcome back to our series on becoming a 21st century school or district. For the earlier installments of this series, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

We have covered a lot of ground since we started this 7 step series. We have talked about embracing the 4Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) and embedding them in professional development (step 4), and curriculum and assessment (step 5). But, the goals of your initiative can't be accomplished if your teachers aren't supported in making them happen in the classroom for each and every student."

Getting all A's in school!

blog.LearnStream.info, Getting all A's in school!:

"Recently, I’ve been posting in The Orlando Blog to drum up support for educational innovation in central Florida, my new home of a little more than a year. I’ve been encouraged by the response so I’ll be resuming posting in this blog as I try to mobilize action on behalf of education in my new home!"

Questioning Our Mania for Education Technology | The Committed Sardine

Questioning Our Mania for Education Technology | The Committed Sardine:

"The solution to the nation’s education problems is as simple as binary code: a smartboard in every classroom, an iPad in every backpack, and wikis across the curriculum.
That seems to be how the logic works these days, as reformers in foundations, government, and school districts pour billions into educational technology projects."

Why do classrooms need teachers?

Why do classrooms need teachers?:

"Is it a silly question? How about this one; Why does the United States need a president? As structures are changing in education and society, perhaps we need to review our underlying assumptions about why we have individual leaders. If we don’t, society is soon going to ask it for us, look at the Occupy Wall Street campaign. In education, technology is increasingly able to provide the kinds of traditional instruction that teachers have been known to provide without the need for a physical teacher guiding learning. The presence of the ‘flipped classroom’ shows that the traditional ‘expert’ model of education is passing us by, if the last several years haven’t been warning enough about the change that is coming. We are not going to get by standing and delivering content much longer. But what does that mean to the classroom?"

Why Students Should Blog - My Top 10

Why Students Should Blog - My Top 10:

"I have written about it before, I will write about it again I am sure, so here is why students should blog:"

How Has Technology Affected Cheating And Plagiarism? - Edudemic

How Has Technology Affected Cheating And Plagiarism? - Edudemic:

"It’s easier than ever before to share information. Both inside and outside the classroom. So in terms of academic honesty, what role has technology played in affecting modern day cheating in the classroom? Many students can’t even distinguish between what constitutes plagiarism and what doesn’t. According to recent research, 71% do NOT believe copying from the Web is “serious cheating.”"

Using learning styles data to inform online learning design: A study comparing undergraduates, postgraduates and e-educators « Online Learning Update

Using learning styles data to inform online learning design: A study comparing undergraduates, postgraduates and e-educators « Online Learning Update:

"What are the differences in learning styles between students and educators who teach and/or design their e-learning environments? Are there variations in the learning styles of students at different levels of study? How may we use this learning styles data to inform the design in e-learning environments?"

Principal embraces power of Twitter - NorthJersey.com

Principal embraces power of Twitter - NorthJersey.com:

"Eric Sheninger, the principal of New Milford High School, has tapped out more than 12,000 tweets since he joined Twitter — or about 13 a day"

Parents Launch Campaign To Teach Kids How To Code - Forbes

Parents Launch Campaign To Teach Kids How To Code - Forbes:

"People of an older vintage tend to balk when they see seven-year-olds blithely reprogramming their TV sets, or changing the background on their smartphones. But a few among them believe kids have even more potential when it comes to software — they can actually create programs, if they’re only taught how."

Teaching Digital Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom | Edutopia

Teaching Digital Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom | Edutopia:

"As elementary level teachers, we are charged not just with teaching academics, but teaching social skills as well. "Ignore bullies and tell an adult if you feel threatened," "Don't talk to strangers," "Treat people the way you want to be treated." You're probably familiar with phrases similar to these if you teach the younger grades. Young children are still learning the norms of social behavior and how to handle strangers."

The rise of online learning « Online Learning Update

The rise of online learning « Online Learning Update:

"This year’s math classes for many students in the Los Altos School District in California look radically different from those in the past. Powered in part by the Khan Academy—a non-profit that offers free educational resources such as online lessons and online assessments—the school district is expanding the “blended-learning” pilot it ran last year. The district’s fifth, sixth and seventh graders learn online for a significant portion of their in-class math periods at the path and pace that fit their individual needs. Meanwhile, teachers will coach the students to keep up with their math goals and help them apply the math concepts in small-group and class-wide projects. Online learning isn’t just grabbing the imagination of educators in Silicon Valley. In the nation’s capital, D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson has expressed interest in bringing one of the more successful blended-learning school models, Rocketship Education, to the district. And in Florida, entering ninth graders will now have to complete at least one online course during high school in order to graduate."

How many times a day should I tweet? : Storage according to a dixie chick

How many times a day should I tweet? : Storage according to a dixie chick:

"Someone asked me yesterday in a meeting: how many times a day should my people be tweeting? He has been asked to provide his team’s plan for social media. He was having a hard time wrapping his head around what that meant as far as actual deliverables to expect from his reports, and what outcomes were actually expected of his team.

So he asked me: how many times a day should my reports tweet? How often should they blog?

He admitted that he didn’t get social media, but he knew he had to include an element of social media in his planning. In all fairness, he was looking out for his team. They are already oversubscribed on the content they need to produce – technical solutions marketing materials. In his mind, he’s trying to keep from adding another time consuming task to his team’s plate.

So we had a discussion, which I think was a little frustrating to someone who wanted to come out of the meeting with a simple checklist."

Ten Tips On How To Work With Your Board Of Directors | TechCrunch

Ten Tips On How To Work With Your Board Of Directors | TechCrunch:

"Whenever I invest in a new company, I send the CEO my customary email with advice on how to work with his or her new board. I’ve spent 24 years in the software industry—including holding operating roles at three early-stage software companies and board seats at 12 startups—so I thought my “Top 10″ list on the care and feeding of board members might be helpful to other CEOs and executive as well.

So, without further ado, here it is:"

A documentary about addiction to technology that could save us — Online Video News

A documentary about addiction to technology that could save us — Online Video News:

"Filmmaker and Webby Awards founder Tiffany Shlain opens her new documentary Connected with a personal confession: She once faked having to go to the bathroom during dinner so that she could check her email on her phone. For many web-addicted people, that might not be too shocking a reveal, but for her it was a wake-up call — one that comes close to capturing Connected in a nutshell."

Being Normal

Beach Living

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Quote of the day

I started out with nothing and still have most of it left.

Doug Adams Rules of technology acceptance

If this was not so true it would be funny.

A new ipad drawing...

A new ipad drawing... View or comment on Darren Cannell's post »

- Leadership ideas for education - from Boy Scout Leader Woodbadge Training

- Leadership ideas for education - from Boy Scout Leader Woodbadge Training:

"I am an Eagle Scout, member of the Order of the Arrow, and have been an assistant scoutmaster and merit badge counselor. I've learned a lot from Boy Scouts that I have been able to use in school, college, career, and life.

One of the training for leaders that the Boy Scouts do is called Woodbadge. I thoroughly enjoyed this training and learned things that helped me as an engineering manager and help me now as an educational leader. This is an excellent program that has even been used by corporations for managers. The basic ideas are good for any leader in any area, including education.

Here are the main topics from when I took the course:"

Sorry, but I Won’t Think for You | Connected Principals

Sorry, but I Won’t Think for You | Connected Principals:

"As a school administrator and former special education teacher, I have tremendous respect and high regard for teachers. Occasionally, the teaching field can be extremely-difficult, stressful, and full of delayed gratification. Teachers are the “front-line force” for implementing a school district and school building’s goals and objectives. It is teachers that face the numerous academic, behavioral, and social challenges of their students, all students. All teachers must know that I support you and your efforts, but I will not think for you."

More Than a Teacher Network: Educators Get the Professional Collaboration Site They’ve Been Waiting For | eSchool News

More Than a Teacher Network: Educators Get the Professional Collaboration Site They’ve Been Waiting For | eSchool News:

"All educators are invited to join Education World Community, a new professional networking site that uses the latest technology to help them interact in meaningful ways.

The site was created by Education World, a longtime provider of free educational resources. The Education World team worked closely with educators to develop a site that takes social media technology and educational resource sharing to a new level."

- Why teaching is like wrestling (the real kind, not WWE)

- Why teaching is like wrestling (the real kind, not WWE):

"I was just thinking about teaching and how tiring it is and how we work as teachers and had a thought: Teaching is a lot like wrestling (the real wrestling like in high school and college, not the scripted stuff on TV).

I was on the wrestling team in high school and my freshmen year of college. Wrestling is an individual team sport. This means you are part of a team, you practice and prepare as part of a team, your efforts are combined as a team, but when you get out on the mat, it's just you vs. your opponent."

Unconventional Thinking About Computers in Schools : Stager-to-Go

Unconventional Thinking About Computers in Schools : Stager-to-Go:

"While some people are excited about using computers to teach traditional subjects, perhaps with greater comprehension or efficiency, my work is driven by the exciting realization that computers make it possible for young people to learn and do new things in new ways unimaginable just a few years ago. Over nearly thirty years of helping schools around the world use computers to create more productive contexts for learning, I have observed many myths that derail progress."

Can Social Media in the Classroom Encourage Critical Thinking?

Can Social Media in the Classroom Encourage Critical Thinking?:

"When you hear the phrase, “social media,” what images come to mind? Teens posting a Facebook status about their latest break-up? Celebrities tweeting about their every move? Blogs containing everything from stupid pet photos to video game cheats to yet another person’s round-the-world trip??"

5 Cool Ways of Using Twitter In Classrooms | Twitter Tips And Updates From Buffer

5 Cool Ways of Using Twitter In Classrooms | Twitter Tips And Updates From Buffer:

"Teachers have been taking advantage of Twitter’s format to keep their classes engaged for years now.

Taking the time to learn how to use Twitter has proved worth the return for teachers throughout the world."

Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org: MyNotes - Pearson Debuts Free LMS with Google Apps Integration

Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org: MyNotes - Pearson Debuts Free LMS with Google Apps Integration:

"Today Pearson, the publishing and learning technology group, has joined the software giant Google to launch OpenClass, a free LMS that combines standard course-management tools with advanced social networking and community-building, and an open architecture that allows instructors to import whatever material they want, from e-books to YouTube videos. "

EdMediaShare | Engaging and motivating students

EdMediaShare | Engaging and motivating students:

"Engaging students in online learning is critical for success. In this episode, we speak with teachers and students about strategies for improving engagement and motivation in online learning environments. Effective facilitation, creating learning communities, strategies for motivating students, and encouraging and sustaining"

Cloud computing 'can help deliver e-learning'

Cloud computing 'can help deliver e-learning':

"The growing popularity of e-learning could see a rise in the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using cloud computing, it has been suggested.

David Patterson, director and consultant with e-learningcentre.co.uk, said that this market has been predicted to grow for decades and has been undergoing a quiet but rapid expansion in recent years.
"

How Do I Choose Between E-Learning and Instructor-Led Training? | Accelerated Business Results

How Do I Choose Between E-Learning and Instructor-Led Training? | Accelerated Business Results:

"What are some factors I need to consider for my business when I am deciding between e-learning training and in-person, instructor-led training?

Deconstructing “What Works” in Education Technology | MindShift

Deconstructing “What Works” in Education Technology | MindShift:

"Over the weekend, The New York Times published the second story in its series on “Grading the Digital School.” The first story in the series questioned the massive expenditures schools make on education technology, pointing to stagnant test scores as an indication that these investments might not be worth it. Last weekend’s story extends that skeptical eye to the outcomes from educational software, again questioning whether using these tools in the classroom makes much of a difference in terms of student achievement."

Technology Review: The Authority on the Future of Technology:

The Social-Network Chip

The growth of social media, search, and shopping could help chip startups get a foot in the data-center door.

"Looking at friends' pictures on Facebook or searching résumés on LinkedIn are relatively simple computing tasks in which information is called up, retrieved, and then shipped to a user's screen from a distant data center. Yet such tasks are handled mostly by powerful microprocessors designed for more complex jobs like number crunching and running operating systems.

That means a waste of electrical power, says Ihab Bishara, director of cloud computing products at Tilera, a chip startup in San Jose, California. Microprocessors serving the cloud are too powerful, he says; in the future, he believes, many tasks carried out in data centers will be handled by cheaper, low-power chips like those his company makes."

Microsoft's Acquisition of Skype Is Now Official

Microsoft's Acquisition of Skype Is Now Official:

"Microsoft has finalized the $8.5 billion acquisition of VoIP service Skype, initially announced in May 2011.

The deal had to pass regulatory approval in several markets, with Europe being the biggest hurdle for Microsoft. The EU Commission has previously fined Microsoft for antitrust behavior."

Does Good Content Matter Anymore? | Social Media Today

Does Good Content Matter Anymore? | Social Media Today:

"We’re content starved. The emergence of tablets and mobile devices has only enhanced our desire to consume digital content. There’s a problem though. When content producers cannot meet the demands of a ravenous public, things can get ugly and the public walks-digitally speaking."

B.C.’s plan for education transformation

B.C.’s plan for education transformation:

"VICTORIA – With the new school year well underway, contract talks between government and the teacher’s union have been at the heart of most discussions about education in this province. Like all British Columbians, I continue to hope for a swift resolution to these negotiations.

At the same time, I want you to know about another discussion that’s taking place. It’s a much broader conversation government has been having with students, parents, teachers, and other education partners about our plan to make our good education system a great one."

Grades 1969...2009

Quote of the day

My mother buried three husbands - and two of them were only napping.

Rita Rudner

Miss Universe

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Ask the Students: Their Wise Wishes for Improving Education| The Committed Sardine

Ask the Students: Their Wise Wishes for Improving Education| The Committed Sardine:

"In the debates about how to improve education, adults argue about what works and what doesn't, rarely asking students for their views. Of course, adults are responsible, but knowing the views of youth might -- just might -- enrich adults' decisions.

So it is admirable that NBC's Education Nation 2011 concluded its three day nationally broadcast "conversation" on improving education in America with a session called Voices of a Generation: Students Speak Out, brilliantly moderated by The Today Show's co-anchor Ann Curry. The students in this session were in high school, college as well as a high school dropout, now working on a GED.

Ann Curry opened by asking the students: "If you could change one thing about education that would help more American young people learn, what would it be?" As I listened to their responses, it struck me that the their wishes echo the findings from numerous studies on children and learning. In fact, it seemed almost prophetic! Below I share the parallels in their wishes and the research."

'

Stump The Teacher: Letter to First Year Teacher Me

Stump The Teacher: Letter to First Year Teacher Me:

"I am an eternal optimist and truly believe in my heart that time travel will be possible one day. It is with this belief I write this letter that I will one day travel back in time to deliver to “First Year Teacher Me”. Yes, I realize that if in fact future time travel is possible, I would have probably already delivered this but let’s not get caught up in the details of the space time continuum or the true role of a Flux Capacitor.
"

Is fun disappearing from learning? A warning.

Is fun disappearing from learning? A warning.:

"I’ve spent 20 years of my life in educational establishments as a learner and I’m currently on my 14th year as a teacher in them. During my learner years the most vivid learning experiences I recall centred around individual and group projects, themes, and fun. As a teacher in these establishments I can safely say my best teaching has occurred when I have not followed a curriculum, nor taught to achieve end of year targets but solely because the teaching was centred around the needs of the learners, project based and fun."

BBC News - How China is winning the school race

BBC News - How China is winning the school race:

"China's education performance - at least in cities such as Shanghai and Hong Kong - seems to be as spectacular as the country's breakneck economic expansion, outperforming many more advanced countries.

But what is behind this success?

Eyebrows were raised when the results of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's international maths, science and reading tests - the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) tests - were published."

School district eyes iPads to improve students' math scores | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

School district eyes iPads to improve students' math scores | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog:

"We've heard of secondary schools and universities swapping out books for iPads before, but now thanks to a pilot program in four middle schools in Las Vegas, we're beginning to see just how helpful iPads can be in an educational setting.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1,150 children at the four schools were given iPads preloaded with Fuse Algebra textbooks and software instead of regular math books, pencils, and paper. Now while working on their math assignments, the children can use the iPads to watch tutorials and get instant feedback on an equation they completed. If they got the math problem wrong, they can put on headphones and watch a tutorial on the spot teaching them how to solve it correctly."

New Study Reveals Student Perspective on Technology Use in Higher Education « Online Learning Update

New Study Reveals Student Perspective on Technology Use in Higher Education « Online Learning Update:

"College students believe that technology has a direct impact on their academic performance, according to findings from a new student-driven study out of the Lone Star College System. In “The National Lone Star Report on Aligning Technology with Student Success,” 78 percent of college students reported that their grades and learning experience are improved when technology is effectively and consistently implemented on their campus. The Report is a compilation of survey data collected from more than 6,000 students on 36 campuses across the country. Focused exclusively on two-year colleges, the study also included analysis of more than 1.5 million helpdesk inquiries from 55 institutions. The student-led initiative is the first of its kind, according to LSCS vice chancellor and CIO Shah Ardalan.
"

Education on the brink of an online learning revolution « Online Learning Update

Education on the brink of an online learning revolution « Online Learning Update:

"I’m coming around to the view that big, important, disruptive — and positive — changes are coming; and they’re coming faster than many might think. I’ve concluded that those who see online learning as a part of the solution to crumbling school budgets and lackluster student performance are right. I now believe that the education world is on the brink of a revolution that will come about not because of politics and policy, but despite them. The potential is so compelling that if the education establishment does not encourage the move to smart online learning, parents, students, teachers and innovative administrators will lead the charge. They will engineer the shift. And they’ll do it in a matter of years, not decades."

Putting Our Teachers Back to Work: Stephanie Harris Walter | The White House

Putting Our Teachers Back to Work: Stephanie Harris Walter | The White House:

"President Obama’s American Jobs Act would invest $30 billion to make sure that teachers like Stephanie and 400,000 educators would stay on the job, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more. Under the American Jobs Act, Ohio would immediately receive over $1 billion to put Stephanie and 14,200 Ohio educators back to work in the classroom."

What’s Behind the Culture of Academic Dishonesty | MindShift

What’s Behind the Culture of Academic Dishonesty | MindShift:

"Academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and cheating are hardly new. And as the history of the banking industry and baseball demonstrate, cheating scandals aren’t just limited to schools. With numerous incidents making headlines in recent months, however, questions are being raised about the validity and the pressures of standardized testing, as well as the security of testing practices. And some are asking if it’s time to scrutinize the underlying behaviors and motivation for all this cheating."

Steve Jobs’s Belief in School Choice

Steve Jobs’s Belief in School Choice:

"The death of Steve Jobs last week captured the attention of people not only around the nation but around the globe.
While Jobs and his products are known worldwide, less well known, as Lori Drummer of the Independent Women’s Forum writes, was this innovator’s “passion” for educational opportunity via school choice.
As Jobs noted in a 1995 interview with the Smithsonian Institution: “Equal opportunity to me more than anything means a great education.” He added that “the customers of education” are ultimately “the parents” and that “what we need to do in education is go to the full voucher system.”"

TechLearning: What I Miss from Paper and What I Want from Ebooks

TechLearning: What I Miss from Paper and What I Want from Ebooks:

"I’ve been reading entirely with ebooks for about nine months without touching paper. Ebooks are great . . . but there are things I miss from paper books, and things that I still want from ebooks that have yet to come to fruition."

Eye on you

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Quote of the day

Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.


Mark Twain

Online Learning Graduation Requirements « Virtual School Meanderings

Online Learning Graduation Requirements « Virtual School Meanderings:

"A few weeks ago I was asked about online learning graduation requirements by a jurisdiction that is considering implementing one (or at least exploring the idea). In the response that I sent back, I directed them to previous entries on this blog that outlined the ones that I was aware of:"

Teach our Daughters and Sons

What I say

Teachers fail primary school simple fraction test - Times LIVE

Teachers fail primary school simple fraction test - Times LIVE:

"Only 53%, on average, of Grade 4 maths teachers answered a simple fraction question based on the Grade 6 curriculum correctly three years ago, a study has found.

Only 72%, on average, of Grade 5 maths teachers got the same question - 1/4 + 3/5 - right in 2009.

The study was done by JET Education Services in 268 schools in eight provinces, excluding Gauteng. Researchers tracked 8383 children over three years from Grade 3 in 2007 to Grade 5 in 2009.

JET senior research fellow Dr Nick Taylor said the poor subject knowledge of teachers "must have a profound effect on children's learning".

"Teachers can't teach what they don't know," he said.
"

Does BYOD Solve or Worsen K-12 Tech Woes? | e-Literate

Does BYOD Solve or Worsen K-12 Tech Woes? | e-Literate:

"Over the weekend, educator and journalist Gary Stager penned a fiery blog post calling BYOD (“bring your own device”) the “worst idea of the 21st century.” Stager’s post is a response to the increasing popularity among K-12 schools to allow students to bring their own computers to schools, whether they’re laptops, netbooks, iPads, or cellphones."

Canadian universities must reform or perish - The Globe and Mail

Canadian universities must reform or perish - The Globe and Mail:

"Canada has made a big bet on undergraduate education as the path to prosperity. We've opened our campuses and our wallets to produce one of the most educated populations in the world.

But the best educated? Look into classrooms, and it's a troubling sight. Classes of 500 students or more taught by an emerging cohort of indentured PhDs who carry a growing share of the teaching “burden” but have little hope of long-term employment. Professors who get “relief” from teaching obligations to pursue research. Classes and courses of study that prize particular academic disciplines rather than make the connections among disciplines that are so crucial to learning.

For students, it's unacceptable; for taxpayers and families who spend tens of billions of dollars each year, it's unsustainable."

Apps in Education: 10 Animation Apps

Apps in Education: 10 Animation Apps:

"I have blogged previously about the power of apps that tell stories as an educational activity. It stimulates higher order thinking skills, it provides opportunities for reflection and it enriches the learning experience for our students. So here I have listed apps that allow your students to create animations. I love the simplicity with which animations allow difficult concepts to be easily explained. These apps provide you with another set of tools to enhance your students learning.
"

7 Ways to Increase Your Child's Success in School - Parenting on Shine

7 Ways to Increase Your Child's Success in School - Parenting on Shine:

"Academic success impacts our children for the rest of their lives: it influences their self-esteem, college selections, job attainment, financial success, and even their choice of spouses. It’s no wonder we go great lengths to give our kids an academic edge. But the good news is that parents can give their kids the edge they need without the help of elite preschools, expensive tutors, or pricey evaluations.
"

Can Google Challenge Over-Zealous Web Filtering at Schools? | Hack Education

Can Google Challenge Over-Zealous Web Filtering at Schools? | Hack Education:

"The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires that schools and libraries that receive funding from the federal E-rate program monitor minors’ online activities and block or filter content that is obscene, contains child pornography, or is “harmful to minors.” Restricting children’s access to obscene and pornographic content at school sounds perfectly reasonable in theory. But in practice many schools actually filter a lot more than that, blocking access to some of the most popular Web 2.0 sites — Dropbox, Skype, Twitter, Wikipedia, Facebook and YouTube, for example."

YouTube Lets Schools Opt for Educational Videos | MindShift

YouTube Lets Schools Opt for Educational Videos | MindShift:

"Teachers who have been frustrated over blocked access to YouTube educational videos in school can take heart. YouTube is rolling out a pilot a program with schools that will redirect all YouTube links to educational content on YouTube.com/education. In addition, comments will be disabled and related videos will only be educational, both of which are a source of anxiety around exposing kids to inappropriate content."

Virtual Collaboration for Students: What’s a Primary Teacher to Do? | Powerful Learning Practice

Virtual Collaboration for Students: What’s a Primary Teacher to Do? | Powerful Learning Practice:

"Are you are already convinced that your students need to learn how to connect, collaborate and learn with others online? Are you longing for your classroom to echo with the sounds of kids asking questions of others who live far away? Do your students have questions that only other children can answer?
When I talk to other teachers about the benefits of long-distance student collaboration, often their biggest question is: How do I find other classrooms to collaborate with? If you are already connected with other educators through social media, this part seems easy, but if you are just beginning your connected journey, it’s a very real problem.
If you’re still a little short on virtual teacher colleagues, I’d like to suggest three ways you can begin to connect."

How to Support Gifted Students in Your Classroom | Edutopia

How to Support Gifted Students in Your Classroom | Edutopia:

"Technically all students, according to developmental psychologists Abraham Maslow and Howard Gardener, are gifted at something. But within the realm of what happens in the classroom, a teacher can help those superstars shine even brighter by simply adding a few additional strategies to their teaching repertoire.

Super heroes see through walls, lift cars, jump high, and even fly. What amazing things can our students do? Are we helping them to see through the unimportant? Do we assist them in lifting their standards from the minimum to their maximum? Do we teach them how to jump over educational obstacles and hurdles? Do we show them how high their imaginations can fly?
"

Effectively Using Social Media in Education: A College Educator on the Advantages of the Web 2.0 Classroom | Suite101.com

Effectively Using Social Media in Education: A College Educator on the Advantages of the Web 2.0 Classroom | Suite101.com

: "College instructor Melanie McBride advocates for using social media in the college-level classroom. In this interview, she describes how Web 2.0 has worked for her.
Melanie McBride is a faculty member at the Centre for Creative Communications at Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario. She is also an educational new media content developer and consultant who advocates for the integrated use of social media technologies in education. Here she discusses her use of Web 2.0 in the classroom."

- Mix and Match: The Synergy of WordPress and Google Apps

- Mix and Match: The Synergy of WordPress and Google Apps:

"It's hard to believe that it's only been a year since we started using Google Apps for Education at YIS! Around this time last year we were still using FirstClass and just about to make the transition to Google, mainly for e-mail purposes, but in that time we've started to develop some great ideas for more efficiently communicating and collaborating with students, parents and teachers. "

The future of education is not in technology! Or is it?! « NovaNews

The future of education is not in technology! Or is it?! « NovaNews:

"« A sad day …..
The future of education is not in technology! Or is it?!
October 11, 2011 by NovaNews
Last week I had a long awaited ‘catch up’ with a very dear friend of mine.

She is passionate, well educated, opinionated, articulate and committed beyond belief to both her work as a secondary school teacher and her family, which includes two young children just on the cusp of their foray with formal education."

Online Learning Pedagogy: A Plea for “E” to Excite, Engage and Enrich the Student Learning Experience « Online Learning Update

Online Learning Pedagogy: A Plea for “E” to Excite, Engage and Enrich the Student Learning Experience « Online Learning Update:

"It is a challenge to ‘engage’ students of today if we live in the past ourselves using predominantly what students consider to be outdated modes of teaching. Part of the challenge in developing and providing an e-learning environment and learning experience which is designed to excite and engage students in learning is to address the silo-ed and hierarchical nature of higher education institutions. Too many institutional strategic plans still treat the learning and teaching strategy as a separate entity from e-learning, whereas e-learning should constitute an integral aspect of the overall learning and teaching strategy. There is insufficient communication between different stakeholders in the educational enterprise."

Creating a Supportive Culture for Online Teaching: A Case Study of a Faculty Learning Community

Creating a Supportive Culture for Online Teaching: A Case Study of a Faculty Learning Community:

"This case study describes the creation of a supportive culture for online teaching at a western university that was transitioning to a new learning management system. The case study highlighted the creation of a faculty learning community as one strategy to address the challenge of faculty working through a change process. The faculty learning community provided a space for the development of best practices in teaching, drawing from the pedagogical experiences of teachers from diverse disciplines. The learning community also provided a venue for expanding the technical knowledge level of faculty members with a range of comfort levels with varied technologies."

Mobile devices driving nearly 7 percent of Web traffic | Wireless - CNET News

Mobile devices driving nearly 7 percent of Web traffic | Wireless - CNET News:

"Mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular among U.S. consumers for accessing the Web, according to data released today by market researcher ComScore.
Some 6.8 percent of Web traffic originated from "non-computer" devices in August, compared with 6.2 percent at the end of the previous quarter, ComScore said. Mobile phones accounted for 4.4 percent of that traffic, while tablets made up 1.9 percent."

iPad has 97.2 percent of US tablet Internet traffic | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

iPad has 97.2 percent of US tablet Internet traffic | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog:

"comScore has determined that the iPad now accounts for more US internet traffic than the iPhone for the first time. 46.8 percent of iOS device traffic now comes from iPads, while 42.6 percent comes from iPhones.

Want a more impressive figure? How about this: the iPad accounts for 97.2 percent of US-based internet traffic via tablet devices. All of its competitors account for the remaining 2.8 percent. Either this means the iPad is outselling Android and other tablets by a wide margin (something we already know is true), or else owners of competing devices just aren't using them to browse the web all that much. Or both. Either way, it doesn't paint the rosy picture of "Android ascendant" that we keep hearing."

Google+ Photos Replaces Picasa Web in the Navigation Bar

Google+ Photos Replaces Picasa Web in the Navigation Bar:

"This is really weird. The "photos" link from Google's navigation bar no longer sends you to Picasa Web Albums if you're logged in. Google decided to send users to the Photos section from Google+ which shows photos from your circles, photos from your Android phone, photos you've been tagged in and your list of Picasa Web albums."

Google Wave, Reincarnated - Technology Review

Google Wave, Reincarnated - Technology Review:

"Wave is often considered one of Google's most embarrassing failures, but several startups are bringing the ideas it introduced back to life."

What If Social Media Never Changed? | Social Media Today

What If Social Media Never Changed? | Social Media Today:

"By now everyone has probably seen the new Facebook changes. I’ll admit that I’m not an avid Facebook user, so it feels like every time I log on to the site I’m bombarded by something new that makes me wish for the old days when you had to have an .edu email address to use the site.

Ah, simpler times.

But I understand why Facebook had to evolve. If not, it would get left behind. "

Authenticity on Facebook | The Wall Blog

Authenticity on Facebook | The Wall Blog:

"Facebook has created and launched a best practice guide for public figures and celebrities, with step-by-step advice on how to create, build and maintain a public presence on Facebook.

It shows how important Facebook has become for celebrities and public figures in managing their reputation with fans. There’s advice on how to develop a compelling identity online (unsurprisingly, Lady Gaga features heavily here), how to develop a posting plan, being authentic and building awareness. There’s even advice on using developers to create apps. (There’s a great summary of the guide on AllFacebook, here.)

What the guidelines don’t help with is how to deal with difficult fans – those who are underage, or obsessive, or bullying in their behaviour with other fans. Or those who will cause trouble. Or trolls and spammers. Facebook is notoriously ‘spammy’, and un-moderated pages of celebrities attract reams of the stuff.
"

5 Ways to Get More LinkedIn Company Followers | Social Media B2B

5 Ways to Get More LinkedIn Company Followers | Social Media B2B:

"B2B companies now have the ability to share updates with their followers on LinkedIn. This is the first company page functionality that LinkedIn added that would be more effective with additional followers. Based on executive remarks, more functions are coming to company pages. To make sure you are ready, here are five ways to increase the number of followers of your company on LinkedIn.
"

Google on the hunt for social analytics; acquires SocialGrapple – Simply Zesty - Simply Zesty

Google on the hunt for social analytics; acquires SocialGrapple – Simply Zesty - Simply Zesty:

"One thing is obvious at Google lately: they are all about analytics. Having first made their analytics offering real-time, then adding in SEO reports for everyone, they have now made a further move with the acquisition of social analytics startup SocialGrapple.
The young company is just a year old, one-man band and launched with the aim of offering users in-depth Twitter analytics, including social data about users as well as purely quantitative data. The tool is no longer available following the recent acquisition, but it provided a good solution for users, in the absence of any decent analytics offering by Twitter themselves."

Five videos about social media that you simply have to bookmark

Five videos about social media that you simply have to bookmark:

"Every once in a while, we share a series of thought provoking social media videos that we have found here on the blog for you to bookmark and enjoy. One video platform that always brings the best speakers together and will inspire you is the TED series of conferences.
They often have speakers who cover the topic of social media and we have curated the five best videos from the last year here for you to sit back and enjoy. You won’t get through all of these in one sitting but they are well worth bookmarking for you to enjoy at a later date.
"

Why Twitter Users Aren't Using Google Plus

Why Twitter Users Aren't Using Google Plus:

"Google Plus has been, by some accounts, the fastest growing social network in history. New numbers indicate, though, that traffic to the site is dropping fast after initial interest. Personally, I find myself more drawn to it every day, because I get so many responses when I post things there. (Disclosure: that could be in part because Google recommended me as a user there, meaning I have twice as many social connections there already as I have on Twitter.)"

Tech Moto

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Quote of the day

The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us.

Bill Watterson

Vegetarians

Life

Thankful

Classroom sign

Sarcasm

Rocket balloon

Pizza Box

Panda

Enemies

Download

Moses and Steve

The person you were meant to be.

Classroom Rules – rule for effective teaching | Learning Curve

Classroom Rules – rule for effective teaching | Learning Curve:

"A recent newspaper article identified that Inadequate training has left graduate teachers scrambling for advice from online education forums to help them run their classrooms. Queensland Association of State School Principals president stated that inadequate teacher training was a massive problem. The Sunday Mail, 1st February, 2009.

My own thoughts on this are: what is needed in teacher training programs is inclusion of effective classroom management strategies. This is the area that has the biggest impact on whether a teacher is effective or ineffective.
"

Change Begins with Me | Connected Principals

Change Begins with Me | Connected Principals:

"Lately, I have been struggling with the issue of change. Specifically, I am looking at one area of our school that I believe has become a vicious cycle of despair for both our staff and students — homework. Teachers assign it. Students don’t complete it. Grades drop. Frustration levels rise. It is a system that is not working. My purpose in writing this post is not to address ideas related to my “homework” quandary (although I would be appreciative of your suggestions). Instead, I would like to focus on reflection and change, and the role that a professional learning network plays in this process."

Spanish students decry education cuts - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Spanish students decry education cuts - Europe - Al Jazeera English:

"Thousands of high school students have rallied in the streets of Madrid to protest against education spending cuts by the Spanish capital's regional government.

The protesters marched through the city's centre on Thursday behind a banner that read "Defend public education, make cuts for bankers" until they reached the capital's Puerta del Sol square.

"Yes, there is money, but the bankers have it", and "Less vultures and more desks", were among the slogans chanted by the demonstrators.

At least 2,000 students took part in the protest. Many wore matching green T-shirts with slogans in defence of public education that have become a symbol of the growing protest against the education spending cuts by the Madrid region's conservative government.

"We have less teachers this year, they closed the library because there is no one to work at it," Alicia Fernandez, a 16-year-old high school student, said."

Chile Protests: Police And Student Protesters Clash In Santiago

Chile Protests: Police And Student Protesters Clash In Santiago:

"SANTIAGO, Chile -- Chilean police used water cannons and tear gas to break up a student march for free public education on Thursday, hours after protesters' talks with the government collapsed.

A huge deployment of riot police surrounded students in the Plaza Italia, Santiago's traditional gathering place, where student leader Camila Vallejo tried to lead the march while holding a sign saying "United and Stronger," only to be pummeled by water cannons and forced to retreat by tear gas."

Five Ways You Can #OccupyTheClassroom [It's About Time] | The Jose Vilson

Five Ways You Can #OccupyTheClassroom [It's About Time] | The Jose Vilson:

"For World’ Teachers’ Day, all the big edu-wigs broke out in song about saluting great teachers, trying to stretch their arms out their offices far enough to find a teacher they’d consider effective and Kumbaya them to death. The billows of hollow praise doesn’t whittle away the troubling issues with education.On that day, teachers all across this nation were given the day off, the week off, and the entire year off without pay, and possibly forever, for lack of investment into the neediest areas. Mayors and governors shook whole public institutions into test-prep mechanisms and called it 21st century learning with 19th century thinking with paper and computer apparatuses expert pedagogues wouldn’t recommend. Schools continue to suffer and close their doors under the premise that they cannot singlehandedly defeat abject poverty with the limited resources given."

'Flipped' classrooms take advantage of technology – USATODAY.com

'Flipped' classrooms take advantage of technology – USATODAY.com:

"POTOMAC, Md. – Step into Stacey Roshan's Advanced Placement calculus class some morning and two things become apparent: The students don't seem stressed-out, as AP students often do. And the teacher is barely teaching.
"

At Burlington High School, Steve Jobs' Legacy Lives On « CBS Boston

At Burlington High School, Steve Jobs' Legacy Lives On « CBS Boston:

"BURLINGTON (CBS) – At Burlington High School, Steve Jobs’ legacy is living on. The school bought more than a thousand iPads for its students and teachers this year. It was Principal Patrick Larkin’s idea, to help incorporate technology in the classroom, and improve the learning process.

He says it’s part of teaching citizenship. “If we’re not teaching digital citizenship we’re not teaching citizenship in the year 2011. So to put a mobile device in the hands of every student, what’s more real world than that?”"

Google Earth: 1 Billion Downloads and So Many Uses in the Classroom | edte.ch

Google Earth: 1 Billion Downloads and So Many Uses in the Classroom | edte.ch:

"Google Earth was one of the very first pieces of software that I began to create educational resources with. As I put it in one of my first ever blog posts 5 years ago: ”This app won me over straight away.” The engaging environment really struck a chord with me and I remember fondly my first forays into using it to support learning."

Becoming a 21st Century School or District: Embed the 4Cs in Curriculum and Assessment | Edutopia

Becoming a 21st Century School or District: Embed the 4Cs in Curriculum and Assessment | Edutopia:

"Welcome back to our series on becoming a 21st century school or district. For the earlier installments of this series, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

We often get asked to show folks what 21st century skills can look like in the classroom. Here is a video from the Pearson Foundation focused on High Tech High in San Diego.

Before the 4Cs can be embedded in the classroom, they need to be incorporated into curriculum and assessment. That is the goal of step 5."

How Steve Jobs Impacted Education - Edudemic

How Steve Jobs Impacted Education - Edudemic:

"The untimely death of Steve Jobs provides an opportunity to reflect on the passing of an American icon and take some lessons from his extraordinary life. Steve Jobs had a passion for education. And his passion for education extended far beyond his famous speech at Stanford University. Education was a high priority for Jobs, and I remember when the students at the rural high school where I taught entered their new Mac lab for the first time. That lab was a direct result of Jobs’ innovative spirit. Steve Jobs may be gone, but we still have an opportunity to harness his unique legacy of fearlessness and innovation."

Can Online Tutoring Work as Well as Face-to-Face? | MindShift

Can Online Tutoring Work as Well as Face-to-Face? | MindShift:

"There are some 40,000 tutoring companies in the U.S. While most of these are face-to-face operations, many offer online tutoring. The problem is that most of the online services don’t have a particularly good reputation — not among students, not among parents, and most damningly perhaps, not with the Better Business Bureau."

Using Technology to Personalize Learning and Assess Students in Real-Time - Brookings Institution

Using Technology to Personalize Learning and Assess Students in Real-Time - Brookings Institution:

"In 1915, famed educator John Dewey wrote a book entitled Schools of Tomorrow in which he complained that the conventional public school “is arranged to make things easy for the teacher who wishes quick and tangible results.”[i] Rather than fostering personal growth, he argued that “the ordinary school impressed the little one into a narrow area, into a melancholy silence, into a forced attitude of mind and body."

The Value of Design Education

The Value of Design Education:

"I’m all for determined do-it-yourself careers. There is something almost awe inspiring about strapping on your boots and thrusting yourself into a competitive career with only your experiences and the world as your teacher. It really takes courage to take a passion and simply say, “I am going to do this for a living.”"

TeachPaperless: Essential Anthology of 21st Century Education Blogs

TeachPaperless: Essential Anthology of 21st Century Education Blogs:

"A colleague recently asked me what I considered the most important writing from 21st century education blogs. I started to respond, but then cut myself off. I did so because I really don't think that question can be answered by a single person. So, I'm asking you to help.

Let's crowdsource our own anthology of the most essential writing of 21C education blogs."

for the love of learning: Paradoxes of the Finland Phenomenon

for the love of learning: Paradoxes of the Finland Phenomenon:

"Have you noticed there's a lot of hullabaloo about Finland's education system lately? I've been paying attention to what the Finns have been doing for a couple years now, but it is only recently that I've thought to pay attention to Finland's neighbour Norway.

Norway and Finland have some similarities. They are neighbouring countries that each take up about 350 000 square kilometres with populations around 5 million and about 10 percent foreign born. A notable difference, however, is that Norway has a significantly higher Gross Domestic Product.

Norway has oil. Finland has trees. "

Teacher Education in the Digital Age - playDUcation

Teacher Education in the Digital Age - playDUcation:

"Germany prides itself to be a land of poets and thinkers as well as a high-tech nation, but it’s not a country which boasts having high-tech classrooms. A 2010 report by InitiativeD21 shows that within the OECD it’s the country where computers are used least in the classroom. What does it take to turn this situation around? We think it’s not a question of buying more equipment, but rather one of teacher skills and mentality."

Harnessing the Power of Digital Technology for Education | Impatient Optimists

Harnessing the Power of Digital Technology for Education | Impatient Optimists:

"Famed educator John Dewey once said that “if we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” Given Dewey’s positive view of innovation’s role in education, he’d likely be in favor of modern-day calls for re-engineering the American classroom to harness the power of digital technologies towards the goal of radically improving student outcomes.

Advocates for applying technology to enable more personalized, mastery-based learning – of which the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation certainly counts itself – envision schools where students master vital skills and critical thinking in a collaborative setting, teachers assess pupils in real time and have a broader set of resources to differentiate instruction, and social media and interactive online content connect learners to a wide range of assets."

Quote of the day

I had a dream last night, I was eating a ten pound marshmallow. I woke up this morning and the pillow was gone.

Tommy Cooper

Bad Karma

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Steve Jobs quotes: the man in his own words | Technology | guardian.co.uk

Steve Jobs quotes: the man in his own words | Technology | guardian.co.uk:

"Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, has died. Here are his thoughts on everything from design to the internet and death itself"

iPad Studies at Abilene Christian U. Dig Deep into Learning Outcomes

iPad Studies at Abilene Christian U. Dig Deep into Learning Outcomes:

"While much of the research on iPads in education to date has focused on how students and faculty use the device, Abilene Christian University is shifting toward examining how the tablets affect student learning.

Through the ACU Connected initiative, the university has studied mobile devices in the classroom for the past three years. And now that the iPad has been out for more than a year, the university is studying how mobility can integrate with pedagogy, said Scott Hamm, instructional designer and director of mobile learning research for the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning at the university.

"Right now a lot of what I'm seeing out there as far as what's available data-wise for the iPad is kind of usage statistics, but fortunately because we've been doing this for three years with the mobile learning piece, we've been able to dive into the deeper end of the pool with our iPad research.""

Hats off to the Global Text Project! | College Open Textbooks Blog

Hats off to the Global Text Project! | College Open Textbooks Blog:

"Everyone knows how expensive textbooks are in the United States, but the cost of textbooks in developing countries is exorbitant for students and their families who make a few dollars or less per day. For many around the world, the cost of buying textbooks is unrealistic and limits students’ opportunities to learn.

The Global Text Project (globaltext.org) seeks to solve this problem by engaging academic communities to help build a library of free online textbooks. Co-directors, Doctors Richard Watson from the University of Georgia and Donald McCubbrey from University of Denver, established the non-profit organization in 2006."

The year of the iPad in Education: they’re being distributed in more schools every day. | Emerging Education Technology

The year of the iPad in Education: they’re being distributed in more schools every day. | Emerging Education Technology:

"From month to month, the number of articles discussing the distribution of iPads in schools is on the rise. The Apple tablets are becoming quite the rage in our educational institutions.

The video below provides some perspective on how 2011 may be “The Year of the iPad in Education”. Of course, if the trend picks up, perhaps 2012 will even more rightfully own that title. Only time will tell."

Education Week: Lectures Are Homework in Schools Following Khan Academy Lead

Education Week: Lectures Are Homework in Schools Following Khan Academy Lead:

"Susan Kramer watched her packed 10th grade biology class weave through rows of desks, pretending to be proteins and picking up plastic-bead “carbohydrates” and goofy “phosphate” hats as they navigated their “cell.” As they went, they explained how the cell’s interior system works."

Online Learning: In One Online Class, Twitter Brings Students Together « Online Learning Update

Online Learning: In One Online Class, Twitter Brings Students Together « Online Learning Update:

"Imagine making meaningful connections with your online students, using Twitter, that are as strong as your connections with your on-campus students. I fantasized about that possibility after completing my first semester teaching undergraduate marketing courses, both online and on campus. Despite engaging with my online students on discussion boards and over e-mail, I still felt a lack of true connection compared with my experiences with on-campus students. I felt unfulfilled as a professor, and I wondered how my online students felt about their connection with me. Finally, I decided to connect my online and on-campus students using Twitter."

Bullying Prevention: Tips for Teachers, Principals, and Parents | Edutopia

Bullying Prevention: Tips for Teachers, Principals, and Parents | Edutopia:

"Approximately 32 percent of students report being bullied at school. Bullied students are more likely to take a weapon to school, get involved in physical fights, and suffer from anxiety and depression, health problems, and mental health problems. They suffer academically (especially high-achieving black and Latino students). And research suggests that schools where students report a more severe bullying climate score worse on standardized assessments than schools with a better climate."

Why MBA Programs Don't Produce Leaders - Forbes

Why MBA Programs Don't Produce Leaders - Forbes:

"According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), over 150,000 students graduate with their MBA in the United States every year. That’s a whopping 25% of all Master’s recipients (compared to Computer & Information Science at only 3%).

Two years ago I contemplated joining their ranks. I remember sitting at a kitchen table editing drafts of my Harvard Business School essays. Despite the impending deadline, I couldn’t find the motivation to complete my application. In my head, I reviewed reasons why my Bain colleagues encouraged me to go to business school. “The network,” they said. “A two-year vacation,” I heard from some. But I wanted to learn, grow, and develop as a leader. Could business school offer that?"

International IT Schools That Shake Up Elitist Ideals - Modis

International IT Schools That Shake Up Elitist Ideals - Modis:

"The field of information technology is relatively new, yet already, institutes around the world are becoming renowned for their excellent programs. Did you instantly presume these institutes were inside of the United States? You won’t see names like Harvard or Yale on this list: these IT leaders are all abroad, and mostly free."

Can Banning Hand-Raising Promote a Calmer Classroom? - TIME NewsFeed

Can Banning Hand-Raising Promote a Calmer Classroom? - TIME NewsFeed:

"Another school in the U.K. is jumping on the 'banned'-wagon, eliminating a very basic classroom tradition: raising your hand.

Administrators at Burlington Junior School in Bridlington, East Yorkshire are modifying the way students ask a question, prohibiting their students from raising a hand and instead directing them to give a thumbs up."

Two-thirds of kids say they will always want to read books printed on paper

Two-thirds of kids say they will always want to read books printed on paper:

"When the Kindle Fire was unveiled last week, a lot of chatter followed on the Web about the death of printed books and libraries. One blog post stood out in particular: The Future Of Books: A Dystopian Timeline by John Biggs from TechCrunch plots out a series of “events,” starting in 2013, that would affect publishing, students, bookstore owners, readers…basically everyone. The “events” lead up to the year 2025, at which point Biggs calls out, “The book is, at best, an artifact and at worst a nuisance.” A flurry of opinions, some in agreement and some in disbelief, filled the comments’ section. The post was meant to shock and make people think about where the future of print books is headed."

Technology In Education - Why?

Technology In Education - Why?:

"There has been a lot of chatter lately about whether integrating technology into the classroom is having an impact on student learning. "Where is the data that justifies the millions of dollars spent on technology?" I urge you to read the September 3rd, 2011 NY Times article by Matt Richtel entitled; "In Classroom of Future, Stagnent Scores." A fantastic article which thoughtfully pokes at many of the uncertainties regarding technolgy that school districts face today.

Many say that students can learn content without technology in the classroom, and I don't disagree. We know this to be true because prior to technology in education students still learned and passed tests. If students can 'succeed in school' without technology, why are we spending so much time, energy, and money to get it into our classrooms? This is a valid question...but one that raises even more questions.

When students were succeeding in school with no technology, we were also living in a world with little technology, and preparing students for life in a world where technology wasn't a part of their daily lives. "

Afghan girls still facing barriers to education | Women's Views on News

Afghan girls still facing barriers to education | Women's Views on News:

"International aid organisation Oxfam is calling for the Afghan government and international donors to keep Afghan girls in school and to improve the quality of their education.
The number of Afghan girls enrolled in school has increased dramatically from just 5,000 in 2001 to 2.7 million in September 2011.
Despite this positive turn, girls still face many barriers to receiving an education."

What’s the Most Important Lesson You Learned from a Teacher? | NeuroTribes

What’s the Most Important Lesson You Learned from a Teacher? | NeuroTribes:

"Five mornings a week, Keith gets up before dawn, puts on one of his geekiest bow ties (think Space Invaders, DNA helices, and daVinci’s Vitruvian Man), and drives half an hour down the freeway to teach teenagers about the wonders of science and the rigors of the scientific method at a local high school."

MediaShift . Learning in a Digital Age: Teaching a Different Kind of Literacy | PBS

MediaShift . Learning in a Digital Age: Teaching a Different Kind of Literacy | PBS:

"Education," scholar and writer Ralph Ellison once said, "is a matter of building bridges." And perhaps, no bridge is more important than the bridge to the future. As educators, it's our responsibility to prepare students for the world of tomorrow. Yet tomorrow isn't what it used to be.

The timeline from the Gold Rush to Google spans just beyond 150 years, but if you look at the rate of change during this period it feels more like a geologic epoch. We've gone from transcontinental railroads to robotic rovers on Mars. Today an iPhone has more computing power than the entire North American Air Defense Command had in 1965."

How to Use Google+ Hangouts for Teaching - wikiHow

How to Use Google+ Hangouts for Teaching - wikiHow:

"Google+ is the latest social media platform which has caught the imagination of professionals in all walks of life. And fortunately for educators, features like Circles, Sparks, and Hangouts are of immense value – for an educator teaching at institutions located in different places, a lot of time is lost in travelling from one location to other, not to mention the strain involved in alternatively travelling and teaching."

Why I Don’t Like Differentiated Instruction « Education On The Plate

Why I Don’t Like Differentiated Instruction « Education On The Plate:

"I have read countless books, articles and blogs on the importance of differentiating instruction. I disagree with almost all of them because of the teacher-centered approach they take. Learning isn’t instruction; learning is acquisition.

Instruction focuses on what the teacher provides or what the teacher tells the student and differentiation merely postulates that teachers need to provide a variety of materials and tell in a variety of ways.

That is teaching.

Learning is something else."

Classroom in the Cloud: 5 Awesome Things You Can Do With an IPad and an LCD Projector

Classroom in the Cloud: 5 Awesome Things You Can Do With an IPad and an LCD Projector: "I've always wanted a document camera in my classroom, so yesterday I made my own - using my iPad. Here's a quick rundown of how to do this:

Purchase a VGA Adapter Cable. You can pick one up online for around 20 bucks.
Create your iPad stand. For mine, I borrowed a ring stand from the science department and clamped it to a clipboard. It was sturdy and could safely accommodate the weight of my iPad.
Use a VGA cable to connect the adapter to the projector. You now have a fully functioning document camera!
Why might someone want to do this, you ask? I've only been experimenting with mine for two days, and I've already stumbled on five mind-blowing uses."

Is Education Technology Doomed? - Edudemic

Is Education Technology Doomed? - Edudemic:

"The image of the one room school house is imprinted in many of our minds as the building block of our modern educational system.

It all started there, with one teacher, a crowded space filled with students of all age ranges – including some who may have been older than the teacher – one blackboard, and few, if any, materials for the class to work with. Jump ahead to today and the image has changed drastically.

We now have an elaborate and complex educational system that is constantly being challenged to absorb and reflect the bold new world of technology."

Quote of the day

If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.

Anonymous

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How to live before you die

Logic+Emotion: Klout, Kred and the Ugly Truth About Social Influence Measurement

Logic+Emotion: Klout, Kred and the Ugly Truth About Social Influence Measurement:

"I'll be the first to admit that I once called out social influence measurement to be, as they scientifically say, a bunch of hooey. After the deluge of self-proclaimed social media "gurus" in 2007-2008, I couldn't help but be skeptical. These influence measurement tools started as simple lists of users by network size and eventually grew to services like HubSpot's fun yet vapid TweetGrader. So, it's not surprising that when Klout was first introduced, I met it with the same eye-rolling skepticism that I gave to the others. "This is likely fun," I said to myself. "But probably not much more.""