Editorial: Morning in America
Default Lines for eSchool News, print edition, March 1, 2009–After a years-long slumber, it’s time to stretch, yawn, and notice a new day dawning all around us. In the dim morning light, it appears we’ve been transported to a place not quite like anywhere we’ve visited before.
New media-education program targets parents
Common Sense Media, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that aims to improve the impact of media and entertainment on kids and families, has introduced a free media-education curriculum aimed at parents. The program–which the organization calls the first of its kind–offers resources that address parents’ questions and concerns about television, movies, the internet, gaming, and more, giving schools the tools they need to run an effective media-education program for parents and faculty. “Kids today spend more time with media than they do in school or with their parents,” said CEO and founder Jim Steyer.
Industry makes pitch that smart phones belong in the classroom
The cell phone industry has a suggestion for improving the math skills of American students, reports the New York Times: spend more time on cell phones in the classroom.
In the internet age, librarians’ job gets an update
Even as more school librarians teach increasingly important digital literacy skills, they often become the first casualties of budget crunches, reports the New York Times.
Internships help prepare future online teachers
As virtual schooling continues to surge in popularity, there is a growing need for new K-12 teachers who understand how to teach in an online environment successfully. To help meet this need, the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is teaming up with area colleges to pair teachers-in-training with its online instructors in a first-of-its-kind internship program.
Key words: Florida Virtual School, online teaching, University of Central Florida
Win a Kurzwell 3000 site license for your school
The MWCC and Kurzweil Educational Systems, a division of Cambium Learning Technologies are teaming up to encourage teachers across the country to engage middle school students in writing about courage
The goal of this collaboration is to: encourage the integration of technology in student writing; increase students’ writing capabilities; foster teacher interest in The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum, a nationally recognized Boston-based year-long language arts program dedicated to strengthening the character development and literacy skills of students.
Up to $1,000 scholarship for high school students
Samsung is asking high school students to submit essays that are up to 500 words about what they think about technology advancements and how they will change the way people learn in the future.
Students must have a teacher sponsor and give permission to use their photo and essay in publicity if they win.
Up to $500,000 for up-to-date library materials
This program helps LEAs improve reading achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library material,; well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers, and professionally certified school library media specialists.
Multiple awards of $200 for AAIA teachers
The goal of this competitive grant program is to educate students about math, science, technology, and engineering. Requests are for funding to supplement learning programs. Please note that grants will not be considered for computer hardware, printers, cameras, equipment, and general math and science supplies that are not tied to a specific lesson plan.
Win funds to support classroom for mathematics teachers
Established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Mathematics Education Trust (MET) is invited math teachers so apply for a variety of grants, awards, honors, and other projects. MET provides funds to support classroom teachers in the areas of improving classroom practices and increasing teachers’ mathematical knowledge. MET also sponsors activities for prospective teachers and NCTM’s Affiliates, as well as recognizing the lifetime achievement of leaders in mathematics education.
Awards given include a prospective secondary teacher course work scholarship of up to $10,000, a prospective middle school mathematics teacher course work scholarship of up to $3,000, a program of mathematics study and active professionalism grant of up to $24,000, a K-8 preservice teacher action research grant of up to $3,000, and school in-service training grants for K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 teachers of up to $4,000 each.