Internet as Science Source

The Pew Internet & American Life Project, this time in collaboration with the Exploratorium, has conducted yet another national survey citing that fully 40 million Americans use the Internet as their primary source of news and information about science and 87% of online users have at one time used the Internet to carry out research on a scientific topic or concept. The good news is that, with careful consideration of the info available, teachers and students are getting timely updates. The cautionary news is that teachers and students also need to check the sources of the information they are getting as well as when it was put up online to make sure they are getting accurate information. For more on detecting misinformation see Misinformation – Truth or Spoof on this site.

A Learning Plan for Every Student?

Using a web-based system, schools in Kentucky (with the help of students and their parents) will develop individual learning plans for every student, Grade 6-12. The system will upload test scores and help students plan their future. It will let them and their parents explore college and career opportunities in addition to financial options, so that they can more effectively plan. Online students can create their own resumes. Parents can log on to leave notes for their children and/or for school guidance counselors. The system is designed to give students, especially those whose parents do not have the knowledge to help them plan for college and career opportunities, a push forward in preparing for their future.

Western Governors (Online) University Accredited

NCATE, which is the organization that accredits teacher education programs throughout the United States, has accredited the Western Governors University teacher education program. This is the first online university program that has been accredited by NCATE. WGU offers both teacher licensing programs and graduate programs in education. It also includes an Information Technology program, which is accredited by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities and the Distance Education and Training Council.

eRate Allows Wireless eMail & and VoIP

Does your school system use wireless email such as that provided by Blackberry and Palm Treo? If so, you'll now be able to apply for eRate discounts for this type of mail service. The discounts won't cover the costs of your personal digital devices, but they will help you cover the costs of using the devices. In addition, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has been approved for funding. Services of companies such as Skype and Vonage will be eligible for discounting. The ZD Net article, E-Rate includes funding for PDAs, VoIP, wireless services includes a concise list of items that are eligible and ineligible for eRate discounts. It's a handy list if you're involved in filling out all those eRate forms.

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Career Clustering: What's a Bioinformation Specialist?

Many students today have trouble understanding the importance of preparation for careers. That's probably because career choices are more complicated now. It's not just students saying they want to be a doctor, a lawyer, a fireman or a teacher. It's learning what careers are available and what they should be doing to prepare for them. Without a strong foundation in math and science, for example, students aren't likely to qualify for careers in the fields of engineering or information technology (IT). The site Career Clusters is a place where you can take your students to learn about careers in 16 different clusters (like Finance, Health Science, Information Technology, Hospitality & Tourism, etc.). There's also a Career Clusters Information Survey to use with your students to help them discover which careers might be of interest to them.

Risk-Taking Teens

If you think your teenaged students just don't get it about the risks they take online and offline, think again. They know the risks according to the Reyna and Farley Report, and in fact, they often believe they are at greater risk for their unwise actions than they actually are. The problem is, as Susan Reimer reports in the Baltimore Sun, "that the short-term benefit (pleasure and the esteem of peers) outweighs a possibility of a downside down the road...." So what are teachers and parents to do? Reyna advises working with young children to help them develop an "instinctive aversion to dangerous choices" because they'll usually have to make decisions quickly, maybe in a fraction of a second. She strongly suggests that young teens need close supervision and exposure to role-models who exemplify appropriate decision-making.

Do You Need a Field Trip Planner?

Planning a field trip takes lots of your time. It's not easy making all the arrangements, writing letters to parents, getting in the permission slips, checking out the buses, etc. Usually field trips go smoothly, but sometimes there are problems. What if whatever goes wrong on a field trip results in a nasty lawsuit? Considering these issues, the British government is supporting an online service to help teachers and schools plan safe field trips. Technology & Learning reports that the "software helps teachers plan an itinerary, draw up a budget, book transport, send letters to parents, obtain insurance and carryout the necessary risk assessment,". If you want to find out more about this school trip planner, check out SchoolTrip.com. It was developed by a school in England, and it's goal is to create the world's largest database of field trips. Most teachers won't be able to use it at this time, for it's only available now to schools in Reading and West Berkshire in the UK. How about some comments on the need for this service? Would you welcome this help with your field trips if it came at a price your school could afford? Do you think services like this will be emerging in the US?

Who's Likely to Be in Danger Online?

If you're thinking that most problems with Internet predators involve girls, you're right. But according to cyber lawyer Parry Aftab, one-third of the cases related to Internet predators involve boys. For a profile of children who are victims of sexual molestation, check Ask Parry! Special Reports.

Will Academies Help US Students?

Math, Science, and Technology Academies are popping up all over the United States in an effort to challenge America's top students and to encourage their interest in careers in these fields. According to an article in EdWeek, "Currently, at least 95 public high schools, serving about 37,000 students, have a special focus on math, science, and technology, and that enrollment is growing..." Some of these academies are state-supported and include both day and boarding school opportunities. Academies such as those supported by Cisco Systems are incorporated into high schools, technical schools, and colleges.  (Note: If you wish to read the EdWeek article, you'll need to sign up on the EdWeek site. After you sign up, you'll be able to read (without charge) two EdWeek articles a week. Those who have signed up previously do not need to do so again.)