Blog Profile / learning.now
| URL : | http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/ | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed Under: | Education / Education Tech | |
| Posts on Regator: | 57 | This blog is retired. |
| Archived Since: | March 4, 2008 | |
Blog Post Archive
Education Reform and the Freedom to Mod
Last month, I asked readers to give me their thoughts on what school reform truly looks like, so I could begin a conversation on the topic that was to take place at the Educon 2.1 conference in Philadelphia. Both online and in person, I heard a range of thoughtful perspectives - and students were always at the center of it.
What Does School Reform Look Like?
This weekend, I’ll be moderating a discussion at the second annual EduCon conference in which we tackle the question, “What does school reform look like?” It’s such a big topic that no discussion panel could ever capture the full scope of it. So in the spirit of the conversational nature of the EduCon conference, let’s start talking about it now.
Students Use Social Media to Cover the Inauguration
A group of students from Massachusetts will make the journey to DC to take part in President-elect Obama’s inauguration ceremony. And they’ll be more than mere spectators, as they’re going to use Web 2.0 tools to teach students back home about the experience.
What Role Should Teachers Play in Policing the Net?
A drama unfolded on the messaging service last week after a bipolar woman posted a note that she intended as a joke, but was perceived by some people as a threat against her child. Soon, police were at her doorstep. The incident raises...Show More Summary
Boosting Public Broadband, One Library At A Time
This week, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced a $7 million grant to invest in the expansion in broadband access in libraries across seven states. While $7 million may sound like chump change from a foundation that routinely...Show More Summary
Lori Drew Convicted in Megan Meier Case
Last week, a jury in California convicted Lori Drew on misdemeanor charges related to the Megan Meier suicide case. Though public sentiment wanted to see her convicted specifically on Drew cyberbullying Meier into committing suicide, in the end she was found guilty of violating MySpace’s terms of service. Was justice served?
Case Closed for Julie Amero
Julie Amero, the substitute teacher subjected to a judicial roller coaster ride over whether she intentionally exposed a group of students to inappropriate computer images, ended her legal limbo by agreeing to a plea deal this Friday. It’s the end of a long road for Amero, but was justice served?
The Live Piracy Map: A Treasure Trove for Student Discussion
It seems you can barely turn on the TV without hearing stories about the rash of piracy incidents that’s been taking place off the coast of Somalia. While it’s tempting to crack wise with references to parrots and peg legs, modern-day piracy is no laughing matter. Show More Summary
What's Your Memo to President-Elect Obama?
The longest presidential campaign in history is over. We now know Barack Obama will become president, but what will he accomplish in the realm of education technology policy? What do you want him to accomplish?
Crowdsourcing to Capture Voting Problems
The longest presidential election in history is almost over, and now it’s time to vote. As well all know, sometimes things go wrong at the polling stations. And now the Web 2.0 community is pulling together so we can all document it...
Campus Technology and the Expectations Game
A new survey explores the question of whether U.S. universities are truly becoming 21st century campuses, such as utilizing distance learning or addressing the digital divide. Most interestingly, though, it sheds light on the high expectations students have about universities even before they apply to college. Can K-12 schools learn any lessons from it?
Congress Passes Bill Mandating Online Safety Education
Education technology organizations are hailing the passage of legislation in the House and Senate addressing online safety education in schools. The legislation will require schools receiving federal Internet subsidies to educate their students about appropriate online behavior and cyberbullying.
Judge: School was Right to Suspend Student over Fake MySpace Profile
A court has ruled that a school was within its rights for suspending a student who created an offensive fake MySpace page for the school principal. The ruling brings together a number of legal precedents regarding the difficult question of what happens when students’ actions take place beyond the schoolhouse gate, but reverberate back through it.
How Are You Celebrating OneWebDay?
It’s that time of year again - and no, I’m not talking about Talk Like a Pirate Day. (Arrgh!) I’m talking about OneWebDay, an annual virtual gathering of volunteers around the world who believe the Internet can be used to make a positive difference around the planet.
It's All About the Tags
I’ve gotten a number of questions from people over the last week about how I pulled together all of the content that’s on display at my website, Hurricanes08.org. It’s easier than it looks - and it’s all about the tags....
Collaboration in a Crucible
I’ve talked a lot on this blog about the ways various social media tools can be used for student collaboration and knowledge production, most of the time as a neutral observer. This week, though, I found myself thrown into the middle of the action as a group of volunteers scrambled to prepare online tools and resources for Hurricane Gustav. Show More Summary
CA Legislation Criminalizes Campus Cyberbullying
The California state legislature has just passed one of the first laws in the country to deal directly with cyberbullying. It gives school administrators the authority to discipline studies for bullying others offline or online. But will legislation translate into enforcement?
Coming Soon: A National Center for Edtech Research
This past week, President Bush signed into law a bill that will establish a new national research center for studying digital technology and learning. The center aspires be to edtech what the National Institutes of Health have been for medical research.
A Blueprint for 21st Century Engagement
This week, PBS Teachers rolled out its curricular guide for the 2008 election. It offers teachers a range of online tools created by the public broadcasting community to encourage civic engagement, embracing social media with each lesson plan.
Internet Orgs Weigh in on Lori Drew Prosecution
In an interesting legal twist to the Megan Meier saga, a group of high-powered Internet law advocates have published a brief in relation to the case against Lori Drew, the woman being prosecuted in the wake of Meier’s suicide. In this brief, they argue that the government has overstepped its authority by charging Drew with a crime.