Arizona schools chief warns that ‘massive layoffs’ of teachers possible due to budget troubles:
The article begins with:
"PHOENIX — Arizona faces the prospect of large-scale layoffs of school teachers next year due to the state’s budget problems, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said.
He said the “massive layoffs” of teachers are possible even though school districts’ actual job cuts for the current school year fell short of reductions indicated by early layoff notices. The vast majority of those notices were rescinded, he said."
My comments:
This is the third article this week that I have seen about drastic measures that involve teachers in cuts and changes to working conditions as a result of budget cuts in the USA.
I will add links to articles about Hawaii and other states too.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Latest on Google Tools
Google SketchUp Teacher Guide full of fun activities.
Google Squared: a Complete Guide, a recent post on Tom Barrett's wonderful blog.
Google liberalises Google Docs
Google wrote: "A couple weeks ago, the Google Docs team launched a multi-file uploader to make it much easier for you to put files into the cloud. Today we’re launching a new feature to make it much easier to get your content out: “Convert, Zip and Download.”
More tips for Google use can be found at these sites:
100+ Google Tools that will Save you Time in Schools
http://thumannresources.com/2009/10/27/have-you-looked-at-google-docs-lately
This blog has a number of posts relating to Google tools.
Google Squared: a Complete Guide, a recent post on Tom Barrett's wonderful blog.
Google liberalises Google Docs
Google wrote: "A couple weeks ago, the Google Docs team launched a multi-file uploader to make it much easier for you to put files into the cloud. Today we’re launching a new feature to make it much easier to get your content out: “Convert, Zip and Download.”
More tips for Google use can be found at these sites:
100+ Google Tools that will Save you Time in Schools
http://thumannresources.com/2009/10/27/have-you-looked-at-google-docs-lately
This blog has a number of posts relating to Google tools.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Sites2Review - latest best from the Blog and Twittersphere
via@larryferlazzo on Twitter
Creative Kids Central is a very interesting music creation interactive.
Another wonderful NASA product, Planet Quest is a multimedia timeline of space exploration that begins at 500 B.C
The Fantastic Food Challenge is from Michigan State University and has four engaging online games designed to teach various aspects of food health and nutrition. This page has the link to play the online games.
If you aren't following Larry Ferlazzo's blog you are missing on a day to day basis, some of the best educational sites for students. He provides in his daily email a short review of each site.
Creative Kids Central is a very interesting music creation interactive.
Another wonderful NASA product, Planet Quest is a multimedia timeline of space exploration that begins at 500 B.C
The Fantastic Food Challenge is from Michigan State University and has four engaging online games designed to teach various aspects of food health and nutrition. This page has the link to play the online games.
If you aren't following Larry Ferlazzo's blog you are missing on a day to day basis, some of the best educational sites for students. He provides in his daily email a short review of each site.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Exploring UK Local Education Authority (LEA) Websites
Over the past years, about once every 6 months, I have done a quick tour of all UK LEA websites.
What the heck for ... you might wonder? Well, it is simple. The UK in general and some LEAs in particular have been developing fabulous learning resources for many years.
I really enjoy checking out new developments on the many Learning Grids across the country.
I was reminded again today of how many valuable and often interactive websites there are already and more being designed as I write.
ArtisanCam is one I saw tweeted today.
In the coming weeks, I will post about all the interesting websites I rediscover in my LEA tour.
I am up to R and have collected about ten of the best so far to write about.
What the heck for ... you might wonder? Well, it is simple. The UK in general and some LEAs in particular have been developing fabulous learning resources for many years.
I really enjoy checking out new developments on the many Learning Grids across the country.
I was reminded again today of how many valuable and often interactive websites there are already and more being designed as I write.
ArtisanCam is one I saw tweeted today.
In the coming weeks, I will post about all the interesting websites I rediscover in my LEA tour.
I am up to R and have collected about ten of the best so far to write about.
If I only had the time and inclination ...
I would love to write more about the links I share on Twitter.
I have just finished up a couple of draft blog posts that go back to August, so I know that TIME to write more is unlikely to materialise any time soon.
At the same time, I am aware that it may be more than just being time-poor. Maybe it is worse. Perhaps, I have finally reached the time in my career when I just don't have a great desire or motivation to do more.
In spite of this, I am still quite active and all the information, that I "pull" to me each day still makes it easy to be a little productive without a huge energy or time commitment.
Check out my tweets and join the chat of DET twitterati via #DERNSW and #DETNSW
I have just finished up a couple of draft blog posts that go back to August, so I know that TIME to write more is unlikely to materialise any time soon.
At the same time, I am aware that it may be more than just being time-poor. Maybe it is worse. Perhaps, I have finally reached the time in my career when I just don't have a great desire or motivation to do more.
In spite of this, I am still quite active and all the information, that I "pull" to me each day still makes it easy to be a little productive without a huge energy or time commitment.
Check out my tweets and join the chat of DET twitterati via #DERNSW and #DETNSW
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
How much should schools filter Internet content? | Edutopia
How much should schools filter Internet content? | Edutopia:
The article states:
"The vast majority of schools receive some form of government funding for their computers, which requires them to filter obscene Internet materials. But whether intentionally or due to confusion about the technology, schools frequently set their Internet filters so broadly that they block not just pornography but also mainstream sites like MySpace, as well as wikis and reproductive-health resources."
My comments:
The context is the USA. It is worth looking at the poll.
For the many issues and risks associated with using the internet during school hours, this poll is a little simplistic.
Still, the topic is keenly discussed at the moment and everyone has some view.
The article states:
"The vast majority of schools receive some form of government funding for their computers, which requires them to filter obscene Internet materials. But whether intentionally or due to confusion about the technology, schools frequently set their Internet filters so broadly that they block not just pornography but also mainstream sites like MySpace, as well as wikis and reproductive-health resources."
My comments:
The context is the USA. It is worth looking at the poll.
For the many issues and risks associated with using the internet during school hours, this poll is a little simplistic.
Still, the topic is keenly discussed at the moment and everyone has some view.
Monday, 12 October 2009
The Social Media Golden Triangle
The Social Media Golden Triangle
Dan Beldowicz @danbeldowicz wrote: "If you have been baffled and confused and just don't know where to start with social media, you must not have heard of the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle was lost thousands of years ago... Wait! That's a different story, this one was discovered within the past two years!
This is a must-follow and develop concept. Lately, I have also seen this notion explored in a triangle with broader concepts at each angle. I am still trying to relocate this diagram ...
Read Dan's post and think about the ways to explore the idea. For education, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as discrete sites won't fly in K-12 education. At the same time, the power and potential of connectivity and interactivity is what is significant.
Dan Beldowicz @danbeldowicz wrote: "If you have been baffled and confused and just don't know where to start with social media, you must not have heard of the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle was lost thousands of years ago... Wait! That's a different story, this one was discovered within the past two years!
This is a story of how the Social Media Golden Triangle can completely transform the way you communicate with your clients and customers and your business. We all know that economic times have changed. You have been hearing about Social Media, Social Networking, Viral Video and many other social media outlets that you wish you could leverage and turn into business.
What I'm about to discuss is nothing new, but it is a strong force that if used properly, will change the course of your business.
You have undoubtedly heard a lot of hype and hoopla around Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. These three sites make up "The Social Media Golden Triangle". Now is the time to put them to work for your business. Using the Golden Triangle can help you identify, attract, and interact with your target audience. This powerful combination of websites can take you from just barely surviving to thriving in the current economy."This is a must-follow and develop concept. Lately, I have also seen this notion explored in a triangle with broader concepts at each angle. I am still trying to relocate this diagram ...
Read Dan's post and think about the ways to explore the idea. For education, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as discrete sites won't fly in K-12 education. At the same time, the power and potential of connectivity and interactivity is what is significant.
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