NEWS ALERT ...
Ed tech scores Senate victory
Advocates of educational technology received encouraging news July 18 as members of the influential Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee voted to level-fund the Enhancing Education Through Technology block-grant program, the largest single source of ed-tech funding in the federal budget, at $272 million. The move comes after House lawmakers followed President Bush's proposal in voting to kill the program in the coming fiscal year. Though the program's fate is by no means guaranteed, the move leaves open the door for EETT to return in 2007...
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GRANT ALERT ...
More than $3.5M for innovative use of technology
Teachers and schools successfully using interactive technology in the classroom may be selected to receive $2,500 gift cards from Best Buy. New applications are available July 1, 2006 and winners will be announced in February 2007...
Deadline: September 30, 2006
WEEK'S TOP NEWS ...
Schools in internet privacy battles
As the debate goes on over internet privacy, educators and privacy proponents are alarmed over two federal proposals likely to have an impact on schools. In one such case, critics contend an expansion of an 11-year-old wiretapping law could force IT administrators on college campuses to make costly technology modifications. In another instance, opponents question whether a federal plan to monitor student performance by tracking each learner through the system via his or her Social Security number would constitute a violation of personal privacy...
Teacher development key to tech success
In their efforts to meet federal requirements for improved student performance, the nation's teachers say effective use of classroom technology is essential to conduct important administrative tasks and reach a new generation of learners weaned on technology. And key to the effective use of classroom technology, educators report, is adequate professional development. The findings are part of a new national teacher survey released by technology provider CDW-G, which uses the results to call for continued support of federal ed-tech grant programs...
GOP floats voucher plan
With a fight over the reauthorization of the federal No Child Left Behind Act looming in Congress, Republican lawmakers have unveiled a $100 million voucher proposal. The program would provide parents of struggling students with thousands of dollars to send their children to private schools, opt for a better-performing public school outside of their jurisdiction, and seek up to $3,000 a year in extra tutoring to help their students improve. Critics of the proposal contend the vouchers would rob public schools of scarce resources--especially as Congress also considers the elimination of hundreds of millions of dollars in ed-tech funds...
Best Practice ...
Colleges go cellular to contact students
As colleges seek new ways to communicate with students, many are offering customized cell phone services that feature additional tools for instruction and security--such as optional GPS tracking systems and one-touch dialing systems in cases of emergency...
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Special
Online Offers for July!
1. Announcing a new online resource for educators with late breaking
news and up-to-the-minute program updates…
In conjunction with Funds For Learning LLC, we've extended our eRate coverage with a brand-new collaborative center, featuring breaking eRate news and up-to-the-minute program updates with content from both eSchool News and Funds For Learning.
We’ve created an invaluable resource for anyone who wants--or needs--to navigate the confusing politics, processes, and potential of the eRate. If you have any stake in the eRate process, this is the place for you.--The Editors
2. Learn how schools are using the new SIF framework to save money, time and improve integration of student software applications…
SIF: Software Streamliner
Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) brings speed, efficiency, economy to school software
http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/reports/sif/index.cfm
For years, since the Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) first was announced in 1999, school leaders have heard the promises: SIF will make school software programs interoperable, regardless of their manufacturer; it will eliminate the need for multiple data entry; and it will streamline and transform school administrative functions.
According to an independent study of three school systems willing to share their SIF experiences--SIF has led to measurable cost savings as a result of the easier integration of software applications, more effective use of staff time, and increases in government funding that come from better tracking and reporting of student data. We hope that this SIF Streamliner will help you understand the lessons SIF has to offer, and use it to help you achieve your goals.--The publishers of eSchool News
3. Get Your Free PDF edition of Classroom News from eSchool
News!
Classroom News
Technology News for Today’s Teacher https://www.eschoolnews.com/cn/index.cfm?go=re127
Let's face it; keeping pace with school technology is tough! With the current amount of professional reading you’ve got to do, it’s probably pretty difficult to keep up with today’s advances in technology. After all, who knew that being an educator meant you needed to be a student of technology.
Now you can stay on top of all the latest developments in teaching and technology with a FREE subscription to Classroom News. Each issue of Classroom News is written just for teachers and explores how technology is playing an effective role in improving learning. Each month, your PDF subscription provides you the news and trends to help you become a better teacher with coverage on the;
- new curriculum and assessment tools
- the latest professional development resources
- case studies on how school are using multimedia in the classroom
- the best new instructional resources on the internet
- research and management resources
- emerging technologies and best practices
- new products reviews
- grants and funding news,
and much, much more!
Sign up now for your free subscription today. Go to: https://www.eschoolnews.com/go.cfm?go=re150
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PARTNERS UPDATE ...
ISTE Selects Board Leadership at NECC 2006
Washington, D.C.--July 22--The International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE®) board of directors selected its officers at a July 2 board meeting. The meeting was held in conjunction with the 2006 National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in San Diego July 5 through 7.
Podcasting Propels PowerMediaPlus.com's New Feature Set
San Diego, CA--July 5--PowerMediaPlus.com, the next generation in educational media-on-demand from CLEARVUE & SVE, is unveiling a variety of innovative features and tools today, reinforcing its position at the forefront of new technologies in education. New podcasting, current events, and interactive quizzing features join the system's rich media collection to enhance the site's "Curriculum at Your Command" environment.
eMachines Desktop PC Line Helps Students Get Ready for School
Irvine, Calif.--June 22--Gateway is helping students and their families get ready for next school year with its new eMachines desktop PC line that provides the latest in advanced technology at exceptional values. In addition, the line is Microsoft Windows(R) Vista(TM) Capable, providing a solid foundation for upgrading to the next-generation operating system.
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July 24, 2006 Vol.9
No. 27
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RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
GIS and Geographic Inquiry
"Geospatial" technology—which includes geographic information system (GIS),
global positioning system (GPS), and remote sensing (RS) tools--is becoming
increasingly important in our everyday lives. The editors of eSchool
News have designed this collection of news and best practices to
help you integrate
GIS and other geospatial technology into your classrooms
and
district
offices.
Professional Enrichment
A major challenge for schools today is providing continued professional
development for their teachers. With time, money, and resources already
stretched to their limit, squeezing staff development alongside other priorities
can seem like a daunting task. eSchool
News has assembled this resource center to help you meet the challenges,
and take advantage of technology to facilitate professional
enrichment.
One to One Computing
For some educators, one-to-one computing is the ed-tech equivalent of nirvana: every child having access to his or her own computing device in the classroom. However, with its considerable rewards, this vision does have some risks. eSchool News has assembled this collection of news and features to help you strike the perfect balance with your one-to-one computing program.
Data-Informed Instruction
Today's technology fosters an environment where "data-informed instruction" is
helping teachers become more productive and effective educators, saving
them valuable time for instruction and enabling them to hone in more effectively
on individual students' needs. The eSchool News editorial team has pulled together this resource full of news, features, and advice to help you implement data-informed instruction in your own schools and districts.
Online Learning
The rise in virtual schooling over the past decade has had a profound effect that reverberates throughout K-12 and higher education. Rural students who are at a geographic disadvantage now can log on and take classes every bit as good--and as diverse--as their peers in urban schools. While the development of online education is a boon for students, it is rife with potential problems. The eSchool
News editors compiled this list of resources to help you navigate the growing landscape of online learning.
24-7 Learning Communities
"24-7 learning communities" are strengthening the home-school connection
and boosting parent involvement in their children's education--a proven
factor in school success. We've assembled this collection of stories and
articles from the recent eSN archives highlighting how schools around the
country are capitalizing on the 24-7
learning community movement.
Integrating
Digital Content into the Classroom
Despite the availability of the latest digital content resources and the promise
they hold for education, teachers and students still are not using them to their
full potential. A number of barriers exist that prevent the more widespread use
of digital
materials to supplement instruction. The good news is, eSchool News has
proposed some solutions to these challenges in this resource center.
Tech
Tutoring for Teachers & Students
At eSchool News, we understand that bringing
technology to the students in the classroom is a three-tiered process: first,
the educators themselves have to learn the technology. Then, this technology
has to be integrated in a seamless manner. Then finally, the technology has to
be brought to the classroom. We hope you will find this package a useful tool
as
you integrate technology into the classroom.
Electronic Records Management
At eSchool News, we cover all aspects of the ed-tech landscape,
including how new technologies are improving electronic
records management, from simplifying the data-entry process, refining
records search to protecting your databanks.
| eRate Resource Center
From the beginning, the eRate has weathered its share of controversy. Critics
in
Congress
have repeatedly tried to kill the program, and even its staunchest supporters
have
lamented the program's Byzantine maze of paperwork and inconvenient deadlines--elements
of bureaucracy no one enjoys.
Since eSchool News Online launched in late 1997--coincidently, around the same time the first eRate filing window opened--we've painstakingly covered all the news and issues surrounding this groundbreaking federal program. Now, in conjunction with Funds For Learning LLC, we've extended our eRate coverage with a brand-new collaborative center, featuring breaking eRate news and up-to-the-minute program updates with content from both eSchool News and Funds For Learning.
eRate Resource Center
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