New iPod rules touch off heated debate
A new policy by the University of Missouri School of Journalism requiring incoming students to have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or similar device has touched off a heated debate about the limits and possibilities of technology — as well as corporate influence — in academia. Key words: University of Missouri School of Journalism, iPod, iPhone, Apple, iPod Touch, education, technology
Microsoft’s DigiGirlz Day helps girls tackle tech
During DigiGirlz Day at Microsoft’s New England Research and Development (NERD) site in Cambridge, Mass., 177 high school girls recently programmed miniature robots, made musical Play-Doh, learned about internet safety, and discovered how architects used math to gut two floors of the research center without compromising the building’s structural integrity. The day’s activities were part of 25 free one-day events happening around the world, designed to keep girls interested in science and math, reports Mass High Tech.
UI center provides software to help those with reading difficulties
Thanks to a free new software program, University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff who have difficulty reading online will now have help with BrowseAloud, reports Media-Newswire.com.
Researchers: Invest more in community colleges
For higher education in the United States to match the education levels of other countries, more federal funding should be spent on nurturing community colleges, said speakers at a May 20 webinar.
Key words: community colleges, attainment rates, bachelors degrees
Duncan outlines school reform agenda
Rewarding effective teaching, expanding the learning time, collecting meaningful data, and transforming underperforming high schools are the four key areas the U.S. Department of Education (ED) plans to target in the next year, Education Secretary Arne Duncan told school stakeholders at the Center for American Progress’s “Resource, Allocation, Reinvestment, and Education Reform” conference May 18.
Key words: Center for American Progress, Arne Duncan, effective teaching
L.A. Unified makes computer science accessible
With President Obama calling math and science education the key to good jobs in our future economy, Congress was told May 20 that a pilot program in Los Angeles schools has started to show promising results in computer science, reports the Los Angeles Times.
UN agency seeks protection for children online
The UN telecommunications agency is drawing up guidelines to protect children from sexual predators operating on the internet, cyber bullying, and the temptations of online commerce, AFP reports.
Sixth grader wins Google logo contest
Technology prizes for you and your school, worldwide exposure, and the Google empire at your beck and call, if only for 24 hours — not a bad day for a sixth grader, PC Magazine reports.
California considers open digital textbooks
In what could be a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative, California education leaders are working together to compile a list of free, open digital textbooks that meet state-approved standards and will be available to high school math and science classes this fall. Key words: open source, digital textbooks, California education
New device saves money on color printing
A new Xerox Corp. printer that uses solid-ink technology and a sliding price scale might be good news for schools and colleges that are trying to cut costs without taking away from administrative or classroom functions. Key words: school printers, Xerox ColorQube, solid-ink printer, school multi-function printers