Free eBook about Web 2.0
Topic: Emerging Technologies
While doing doing some intense Googling this afternoon, I stumbled across a new, free eBook edited by Terry Freedman. Available in pdf format, Coming of Age: An introduction to the new worldwide web is a collaboration of 14 authors from the US and the UK. I just had time for a quick skim today, but will definitely take a closer look tomorrow.

Discussion about MySpace
Topic: Leadership Issues
Thanks to Will Richardson for pointing out this link.

I've been thinking for some time that one of the real issues with students' online behavior and social media is the fact that they are using MySpace and similar sites like we used notes, diaries, etc.

Today Will posted a link to an email discussion between Danah Boyd and Henry Jenkins entitled MySpace and Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA). I plan to use this information to spark discussions in workshops.

New E-Newsletters Worth Noting
Topic: E-Communication
Subscribe to GLEF's e-newsletters

Edutopia recently announced two new free weekly e-newsletters. In addition to Edutopia News, educators may now also subscribe to Project-Based Learning and Technology Integration. The Project-Based Learning e-newsletter will offer articles on student-initiated projects along with related news and resources. Technology Integration will feature articles focused on effective use of technology as an instructional tool. News items and recommended resources will also be included.

Although it's probably a sign of my digital accent, I've been a fan of e-newsletters for quite a while. They arrive in my email box on a regular basis, are easy to skim, and can be very helpful in staying on top of trends. Subscribing to these e-newsletters provides administrators opportunities to model technology use and share important information with teaching staff.

Technology Counts 2006
Topic: Leadership Issues
Education Week released the 2006 Technology Counts report late last week. The title of this year's report is The Information Edge: Using Data to Accelerate Achievement. There are a couple of new features I found intriguing. An interactive map enables you to view state tech use grades in several categories, and it's now possible to construct a report that compares the states you select.

A bit after the fact...
Topic: Leadership Issues
Well, it's probably anticlimatic at this point, but I still want to post my two cents worth about the Oprah interview of Bill and Melinda Gates that was broadcast last month. I'm sure her heart is in the right place, but it was disappointing.

I was hoping for some serious discussion about the Silent Epidemic report funded by the Gates Foundation. It was mentioned, but there was no examination of the ramifications, not just for urban students, but for all U.S. students. Mostly the program was another expose on the disparities between urban and suburban schools.

Yes, addressing these inequities is important, but if all we do is clean up the physical environment and don't make systemic changes along with it, then urban kids won't be a whole lot better of, instructionally speaking.

I also wondered (again) why it is that program hosts and/or reporters think that quizzing people on the street about answers to a list of facts that have no context or meaning is a good measure of whether or not U.S. public schools are successful. This time the question was, "Name the first 5 presidents of the United States." Of course, only a student in China was shown being able to rattle off the names.

My question is, so what? Granted, I was a little taken aback that at least two interviewees thought that Abraham Lincoln was on the list, but aside from that, I repeat...so what? I sincerely hope that parroting back some memorized facts is NOT a good measure of what students know.

I think we need to ask better questions such as:

1. If (for some unimaginable reason) you needed to name the first 5 presidents of the U.S., and you didn't know, how would you find the information?
2. Identify the defining act or decision for each of the first five U.S. administrations. How do these continue to impact our nation today?

Okay...I'm over it.

The Silent Epidemic
Topic: Leadership Issues
I seldom watch daytime television, but I'm thinking about tuning into Oprah tomorrow afternoon. Bill and Melinda Gates are her guests, and they're going to be discussing the recent report, "The Silent Epidemic." This includes the poll of young adults who dropped out of high school. I think it may be worth checking out.

Podcasting Site
Topic: Emerging Technologies
Pete Resco sent out this link today. It leads you to a Web site created by teacher Shaun Else, who created it for a course. Loads of info here about education applications of podcasting and links to many examples as well.

I did listen to segments 2 and 3 of Denis Doyle's podcast series (link provided in an earlier post this week) on the ferry yesterday. The third segment was particularly interesting to me as the discussion focused on why public education needs to change.

Will get to the last segment, but probably not until tomorrow's ferry trip.

Are Kids Too Plugged In?
Topic: Leadership Issues
CNN provides a summary of the cover story of the latests issue of Time magazine which asks, Are kids too plugged in? The main question seems to be what impact is electronic multi-tasking having on our kids--how they learn, how they think, and how they interact with one another? An interesting read!

Podcast Series on National Education Technology Plan
Topic: Leadership Issues
Denis Doyle, Chief Academic Officer of SchoolNet is hosting a series of podcasts in which national experts are asked to share their ideas about how the National Education Technology Plan can be used to bring about much needed school reform. I've just downloaded them and know what I'll be listening to on the ferry later this week!

Audio File Experiment
Topic: Emerging Technologies
I'm playing around with a site I just found called Odeo. I was able to easily record a short audio clip and am now trying to figure out how to post something that provides access to that clip.

Here goes...