Student fights cyber-bullying record
A student who was suspended from high school for ranting against a teacher on Facebook is suing to have the blemish removed from her record, reports the New York Times.
Ocean explorer brings undersea science to life
Famed ocean explorer Robert Ballard says he’s just a few months from the culmination of a 28-year dream–and he’ll be taking students along with him virtually as he achieves it.
Key concepts: Robert Ballard, Internet2, TCEA, oceanography, the JASON Project
Five ways to attract investors to campus technology
Universities can support costly technology projects by teaming up with venture capitalists seeking sound investments, but higher-education officials should beware the potential for investor money to become bogged down in a bulky campus bureaucracy, according to a study released this month. Key concepts: university of southern california, venture capitalist, investment funds.
On Darwin’s 200th, a theory still in controversy
It’s well known that Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking theory of evolution made many people furious because it seemed to contradict the Biblical view of creation. But few know that it also created problems for Darwin at home with his deeply religious wife, Emma.
Key concepts: Charles Darwin, theory of evolution, On the Origin of Species, Ruth Padel
Patent fight shows perils of ‘tech transfer’
The University of Missouri is suing one of its professors in a case that points to the pitfalls of “technology transfer,” the growing enterprise in which university labs help incubate discoveries that can speed lifesaving drugs and modern conveniences to market. Key concepts: technology transfer, university of missouri, university research, indiana state university.
Web 2.0: What does the future hold for schools?
In Web 2.0 technologies, schools finally have the optimum tools for learning, said speakers at the 29th annual Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) conference in Austin Feb. 5–but educators must learn to change their approach to instruction to take full advantage of these tools.
Teacher hopes evolution education program will promote interest in science
Generations of plants will evolve and adapt to their environments in just moments as Reed and Mock Elementary School fourth-graders watch next year, reports The Monitor.
Margaret Spellings will stay close to education
President Bush has left town, but former Education secretary Margaret Spellings says she’ll remain until 2010, spending part of her time burnishing Bush’s No Child Left Behind law, which is due for reauthorization, USA Today reports.
Free lessons offer cyber-bullying prevention
As cyber bullying becomes more prevalent among students, educators are looking for help in teaching their students about appropriate online behavior. To meet this need, New Jersey-based CyberSmart! Education has released a free, research-based cyber bullying curriculum for K-12 schools.
Key concepts: CyberSmart, cyber bullying, free curriculum
Controversial student gossip site folds
The college gossip web site JuicyCampus shut down Feb. 4 because the site’s funding ran dry, about 18 months after riling college students and campus officials who supported banning the site because of its salacious and hurtful comments. Key concepts: tennessee state university, pepperdine university, juicy campus, social networking sites.