In ruling on iPhones, Apple loses a bit of its grip
Apple likes to maintain tight control over what programs can appear on the iPhone--a task that just became a little bit harder, reports the New York Times: The…
Policy
Lawmaker to push for open online textbooks
While college professors and book publishers must abide by new rules aimed at reducing the cost of textbooks, the law's sponsor says he will push for another bill…
Civil rights groups skewer Obama education policy
It is most politely written, but a 17-page framework for education reform being released July 26 by a coalition of civil rights groups amounts to a thrashing of…
U.S. looks to improve disabled access to internet
The Obama administration on July 23 offered a series of proposals aimed at enhancing access to web sites for people with disabilities, Reuters reports.
Are computers for every student a wise investment?
Daily technology use in core subject-area classes, frequent technology use in intervention courses, and a low student-to-computer ratio can play a critical role in reducing dropout rates, new…
Broadband grants mean millions more for higher education
Colleges and universities will be among the anchor institutions in an ultra high-speed nationwide internet network after President Obama earlier this month announced more than $760 million in…
China seeks to reduce internet users’ anonymity
A leading Chinese internet regulator has vowed to reduce anonymity in China's portion of cyberspace, calling for new rules to require people to use their real names when…
Louisiana governor signs cyber-bullying law
Cyber bullying is now officially a crime in Louisiana, reports the Advocate of Baton Rouge. Gov. Bobby Jindal announced July 7 that he signed House Bill 1259 into…
New rules bring online piracy fight to U.S. campuses
Starting this month, colleges and universities that don't do enough to combat the illegal sharing of digital movies or music over their computer networks put themselves at risk…
Teachers’ union shuns Obama aides at convention
In a sign of the Obama administration’s strained relations with two of its most powerful political allies, no federal official was scheduled to speak at either convention this…
Lawmakers trade broadband grants, school reforms for education jobs
Schools would get $10 billion to help them avoid teacher layoffs under a bill passed by the House. But the funding would come at a price for other…
How to avoid accidental data breaches
While most CIOs spend their days worrying about the external hacking threats, a university’s greatest vulnerability comes from its own students, faculty, and administrative staff.
Feds: Make eReaders accessible to all students
The federal government will help schools and colleges using eReaders such as the Amazon Kindle to comply with laws giving students with disabilities equal access to emerging education…
Court hearing on Texas minimum grade ban
Eleven districts have sued Education Commissioner Robert Scott over his interpretation of a new law barring minimum grading policies, reports the Associated Press
ED looks to stop misleading college recruiting
Some of the nation’s largest online colleges could be barred from tying recruiters’ pay to the number of students they enroll if the Obama administration’s new list of…
Connecticut heads up 30-state Google Wi-Fi probe
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal plans to head up a 30-state investigation into Google's Wi-Fi data gathering scandal, CNET reports.
Ten ways to combat illegal file sharing
As colleges and universities prepare to meet a new federal directive to curb illegal file sharing, one expert has a list of 10 suggestions for higher-education technology officials.
FCC votes to reconsider broadband regulations
Federal regulators are reconsidering the rules that govern high-speed internet connections, wading into a bitter policy dispute that has important implications for schools and colleges.
Supremes: Stop (texting) in the name of love
The U.S. Supreme Court had a message June 17 for workers with cell phones and other devices provided by their employers: Use your own cell phone if you’ve…
Senators to FCC: Get that white space thing going…now
Two prominent United States Senators have told the Federal Communications Commission that it's time to fast track "white space" devices for sending and receiving broadband, Ars Technica reports.
Wisconsin agency aims to transform education’s core
With support from all of its 45 superintendents, a Wisconsin regional service agency is determined to reinvent the very nature of public education so that all students are…
U.S. court weighs school discipline for lewd web posts
A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia heard arguments June 3 over whether school officials can discipline students for making lewd, harassing, or juvenile internet postings from off-campus computers…
Canadian government gives businesses greater powers over copyright
The conservative Canadian government is giving consumers permission to copy content for personal use, while expanding the ability of businesses to digitally lock their products to prevent anyone…
House passes major science, technology bill
The U.S. House of Representatives gave its assent on May 28 to $84 billion in federal funding to help keep the country competitive in the fields of scientific…
Editorial: Media illiteracy
President Obama caused quite a stir among the technorati with his commencement address at Hampton University last month.
Several states walk away from ‘Race to the Top’ millions
About two dozen states are going back to Washington for another shot at billions in education grants under the federal "Race to the Top" program, but at least…
Apple is said to face inquiry about online music
The Justice Department is examining Apple’s tactics in the market for digital music, and its staff members have talked to major music labels and Internet music companies, according…
FCC aims to simplify e-Rate, expand funding
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed new e-Rate rules designed to simplify the program and bring discounts on networking services to more schools and libraries.
ACLU helping keep Twitter users’ IDs secret in Pa.
The Associated Press reports that an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer said May 20 his organization is helping two anonymous Twitter users fight an effort by prosecutors to…
House GOP stops major science, technology bill
It was strike two for a major science funding bill on May 19 as House Republicans again united to derail legislation they said was too expensive.
Feds: Virginia Tech violated notification law in 2007 massacre
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) found that Virginia Tech broke federal campus security laws by waiting too long to notify students during the deadliest shooting rampage in…
Librarians weigh in on national ed-tech plan
School libraries are an important resource that should be leveraged as state and local leaders implement the recommendations in the National Education Technology Plan, the American Library Association…
Videos highlight successful school reform
To help local leaders with their own school-reform efforts, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has produced a new series of online videos highlighting successful school improvements from…
Education groups rally support for EETT
Alarmed at what they see as a potential setback in federal support for education technology, several dozen state and national ... Read more
National Education Technology Plan in line for an update
The Education Department is being urged to revise its draft version of the National Education Technology Plan to include measures on adult education and on accessibility for people…
Report highlights ed-tech lessons from abroad
Scotland and the Netherlands both invest significantly more federal money per student in information and communications technologies (ICT) than the United States, and they both view ICT as…
eBook restrictions vex users
As more and more eReading devices flood the market, users are beginning to feel the restrictions imposed by copyright and digital rights management (DRM)—restrictions that some fear could…
Kagan’s nomination could bode well for education
Elena Kagan, President Barack Obama’s pick to fill Justice John Paul Stevens's seat on the Supreme Court, could become a voice for education rights, thanks to her background…
Feds turn to ‘crowdsourcing’ for educational innovation
Education technology advocates hope that a new national online community will inspire entrepreneurs and educators to team up in developing and funding innovative solutions to some of education's…
Houston ISD strikes deal with feds on e-Rate investigation
Houston school board members no longer can accept unlimited contributions from technology vendors after federal regulators alleged the district violated the competitive bidding and gift-giving rules for the…