“Sending text messages to parents of pupils who are absent from school has cut truancy rates in some Scottish schools by as much as 27%, according to figures released today.”
Month: December 2006
Global Warming Another Emerging Topic
“Global warming is a key subject that many educators and scientists say should be, but isn’t, taught in every school. And as with other emerging sciences, there remains a need, they say, for more materials available for teachers to incorporate into their lessons”
Annotating the Earth
“Thanks largely to Google Earth, released by Google in 2005, finding information linked to geographical locations is becoming far easier. Now, earlier this month, Google unveiled new layers for Google Earth: collections of practical and educational resources related to specific places on the planet.”
Google book-scanning efforts spark debate
“Already facing a legal challenge for alleged copyright infringement, Google Inc.’s crusade to build a digital library has triggered a philosophical debate with an alternative project promising better online access to the world’s books, art and historical documents.”
Education 2.0: The next evolution of school software has arrived
“Aiming to customize their solutions to meet the individual needs of teachers and students, a growing number of school systems are ushering in a new breed of school software that relies on open technologies–whether it’s open-source software on their servers and desktops, or so-called Web 2.0 services available free of charge online. Economics and advancements in technology are fueling this latest trend in school software, proponents of the movement say–but it’s also about customization, and the desire to employ a variety of solutions as users see fit.”
Did you hear? Schools are using Web to stifle rumors
“Like a growing number of districts and colleges, the Katy Independent School District has dedicated a page on its Web site to combating rumors. School leaders say such pages are a quick, easy, inexpensive way to reach parents and taxpayers, who, with electronic means, seem to be gossiping at record speed these days.”
School shuns tech, teaches fountain pen
” In this age of cell phones, text messages and computer keyboards, one Scottish school has returned to basics. It’s teaching youngsters the neglected art of writing with a fountain pen.”
Building a New Student in Michigan
“Throughout most of the 20th century, the stream of cars rolling off Michigan assembly lines created jobs with high wages and schools with low expectations. When even a kid who dropped out of school early could look forward to a cozy middle-class living, mastering chemistry, geometry or geography didn’t seem so important. But now, at the start of the 21st century, both the state’s leading industry and its school system are at a crossroads.”
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Wiki about Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge.
Open Source Course Management Systems
Here is a list of open source course management systems compiled by Scott Leslie.