Plans to move exams online receives positive feedback
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10880715&ref=rss
Online lessons and exams are the future, but what to do about the easy access to information? How to avoid cheating? Suggestions:
1) Have exams at monitored sites with computers, community centers that allow colleges, universities, and other organizations to rent time, allowing the community to keep it up and use it for other projects during off times.
2) Video connection to observe students with a movable camera to look around the student for other monitors as well as an audio connection and a program that dominates (full screen) the computer while testing.
Regardless, start your children using these resources ASAP.
State Ed should pay attention to concerns about tests
http://www.buffalonews.com/20130429/State_Ed_should_pay_attention_to_concerns_about_tests.html
There are a lot of ways that administration and teachers min-max the testing process to give themselves the best scores. When you see such abuses, it is the ethical thing to do to report it, if only for the sake of your child in that school. If they are doing that, they are cutting ethical corners elsewhere. You decide what kind of school you have by what you tolerate.
New Methods to Explore Astrocyte Effects On Brain Function
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130429164917.htm
Calcium - it's not just to "do a body good".
Your brain does depend on it.
Pop culture quiz: Educators use media trends in the classroom as teaching tools
http://www.lohud.com/viewart/BK/20130429/ENT/304290009/Pop-culture-quiz-Educators-use-media-trends-classroom-teaching-tools
All intelligence is based on connections. Memory is based on strong connections with past events. Creativity is the ability to connect two or more things normally not connected. Using cultural references is an effective way to connect concepts for your students. The more connections, the more powerful your child's mind works.
VolsTeach: A 'new direction for teaching math and science'
http://www.oakridger.com/article/20130429/NEWS/130429936/1001/NEWS?rssfeed=true
The future of education will focus on students learning to: "observe, experience, record, compare and evaluate,", while trimming unnecessary memorization. Our children have access to huge amounts of data at the touch of their fingertips. There is one concern I have.
As our memorization skills drop due to lack of use, how do we effectively connect concepts we aren't able to hold in our heads? What about when or if we lose all that electronically stored data? Do not sacrifice memorization as a skill - make it an essential, even as the topic for memorization changes.
Englewood teacher surprised with Golden Apple Award
http://cltv.com/2013/04/29/englewood-teacher-surprised-with-golden-apple-award/#axzz2RyuIz0pq
Just a thought: In the four decades as a classroom educator I never saw the huge list of educational techniques and ideas of "teachers of the year" individuals from my school, my district, my county, my state, my country.
Why not? Why aren't we collecting all of these into a single location for teachers to use?
Add your own thoughts.
Keep the dialogue on education going.
Spiral-Matrix Academic Resources & Tutoring (S.M.A.R.T.)
New Post Titled: News Stories #2
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiral-Matrix-Academic-Resources-and-Tutoring/325670834147480
http://spiralmatrixeducation.blogspot.com/
http://spiralmatrixeducation.wikidot.com/start
and Twitter
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
News Stories #1
To keep you informed and otherwise continue to transform education, I'll be doing a weekly addition to our sites about news stories and our take on them. In the spirit S.M.A.R.T. is founded on, our comments will be brief and practical.
Environmentalists find lead in schoolbags sold in Divisoria, Sta. Cruz
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/399589/environmentalists-find-lead-in-schoolbags-sold-in-divisoria-sta-cruz#ixzz2Rt6vudHK
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
As our societies become more internationally accessible, be aware that there are reasons to buy from other cultures for your child. A toy bought from the U.S.A. may have different standards of safety than those from another country, and some stores may be more careful than others to insure your child's safety (some nations are more careful in some areas than the U.S. is). You can't spend all your time checking such things, but be aware that bargain stores and sidewalk vendors may not be the best place to pick up toys for your child, no matter how attractive or fun-looking.
Five Year-Old Boy Genius Destined for Mensa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcUwfXEYUEs&hd=0
The parents credit the various electronic learning devices. There are hundreds of things you can do to help your child advance without pressure.
However, what is most surprising is the utter disdain, contempt, and other nonsense aimed at parents who suggest that their child is advanced. We'll do an article on it at some point and what to do about it if you face it. Our society is terrified of intelligence. The infighting amongst even scientists historically is a rather stunning study. Tell your neighbor that your child can throw a football correctly at age five or lift his own weight and people smile. Tell them your child can read three grades above their own grade and people feel mildly uncomfortable and change the subject.
Support intelligence, and all other aspects of development whenever you can.
Lower tuition for immigrants becomes law in Colo.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lower-tuition-for-immigrants-becomes-law-in-Colo-4471358.php#ixzz2RtAJoxSB
This is not a commentary on whether it is right or wrong nor is the place of S.M.A.R.T to suggest either way.
However, be conscious that where resources are limited, one must decide what level of competition for those resources you are willing to tolerate for your ideals.
At the same time, by supporting international education, you create a stronger base for building our society and theirs.
And even that much is terribly simplistic. Just be aware of the political reasons your education system is changed and decide what stance is best for YOUR ethics, because two different sets of ethics can be equally valid, yet at odds, depending on culture and circumstances. Our society works because people do stand up for their values and ethics, and yours are important, regardless of what they are.
Black and white students finally dance together at Georgia high school's first ever racially mixed prom - SIXTY years after school segregation officially ended
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316303/Wilcox-County-High-School-integrated-prom-students-demand-end-segregation.html#ixzz2RtBrXfbY
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
This is NOT that unusual, in one respect. There are many traditions and ideas still in the public schools that are just as primitive, just as out-of-date as this prom. Watch your schools and consider: Is it really modern?
The old, red brick schoolhouse still lives, and many an innovation has been lost, tossed out because it doesn't fit in the red brick wall no matter how much research show it works in isolation.
Broad school bully?
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130429_Broad_school_bully_.html
There is a constant battle of ideologies in our education system.
Be conscious of the general trends, because they DO affect your child, including those battles that occur in other states, because your state will look at those changes and may adopt them, and will discuss and argue them. The battles throughout the country for ideological control of education are constant, and filled with emotional and ethically-challenging obstacles.
Our solution? Always go with ethics, even if ideology is not a perfect match. Ethically-challenged individuals (a nice way to say, "unethical", will cut corners, and otherwise may waver without good reason. Choose the most ethical candidate/representative/educator/administrator when possible. Other things? Those can be learned.
Hearing examiner: Pennsbury wrongfully expelled student for putting needle in Valentine's Day candy
http://buckslocalnews.com/articles/2013/04/28/yardley_news/news/doc516533ccc8a37797226406.txt
What is a disability? How many are there? Are they really disabilities? Is that an excuse for any sort of behavior or unavoidable conditions that we have to make allowances for even at the risk of the other children? How much is too much protection for the group?
Just keeping you informed. There are a lot of considerations, but never become complacent about what experts tell you is so. Question and demand causes, not just diagnosis.
http://spiralmatrixeducation.wikidot.com/start
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiral-Matrix-Academic-Resources-and-Tutoring/325670834147480
http://spiralmatrixeducation.blogspot.com/
Twitter as well
Environmentalists find lead in schoolbags sold in Divisoria, Sta. Cruz
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/399589/environmentalists-find-lead-in-schoolbags-sold-in-divisoria-sta-cruz#ixzz2Rt6vudHK
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
As our societies become more internationally accessible, be aware that there are reasons to buy from other cultures for your child. A toy bought from the U.S.A. may have different standards of safety than those from another country, and some stores may be more careful than others to insure your child's safety (some nations are more careful in some areas than the U.S. is). You can't spend all your time checking such things, but be aware that bargain stores and sidewalk vendors may not be the best place to pick up toys for your child, no matter how attractive or fun-looking.
Five Year-Old Boy Genius Destined for Mensa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcUwfXEYUEs&hd=0
The parents credit the various electronic learning devices. There are hundreds of things you can do to help your child advance without pressure.
However, what is most surprising is the utter disdain, contempt, and other nonsense aimed at parents who suggest that their child is advanced. We'll do an article on it at some point and what to do about it if you face it. Our society is terrified of intelligence. The infighting amongst even scientists historically is a rather stunning study. Tell your neighbor that your child can throw a football correctly at age five or lift his own weight and people smile. Tell them your child can read three grades above their own grade and people feel mildly uncomfortable and change the subject.
Support intelligence, and all other aspects of development whenever you can.
Lower tuition for immigrants becomes law in Colo.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lower-tuition-for-immigrants-becomes-law-in-Colo-4471358.php#ixzz2RtAJoxSB
This is not a commentary on whether it is right or wrong nor is the place of S.M.A.R.T to suggest either way.
However, be conscious that where resources are limited, one must decide what level of competition for those resources you are willing to tolerate for your ideals.
At the same time, by supporting international education, you create a stronger base for building our society and theirs.
And even that much is terribly simplistic. Just be aware of the political reasons your education system is changed and decide what stance is best for YOUR ethics, because two different sets of ethics can be equally valid, yet at odds, depending on culture and circumstances. Our society works because people do stand up for their values and ethics, and yours are important, regardless of what they are.
Black and white students finally dance together at Georgia high school's first ever racially mixed prom - SIXTY years after school segregation officially ended
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316303/Wilcox-County-High-School-integrated-prom-students-demand-end-segregation.html#ixzz2RtBrXfbY
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
This is NOT that unusual, in one respect. There are many traditions and ideas still in the public schools that are just as primitive, just as out-of-date as this prom. Watch your schools and consider: Is it really modern?
The old, red brick schoolhouse still lives, and many an innovation has been lost, tossed out because it doesn't fit in the red brick wall no matter how much research show it works in isolation.
Broad school bully?
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130429_Broad_school_bully_.html
There is a constant battle of ideologies in our education system.
Be conscious of the general trends, because they DO affect your child, including those battles that occur in other states, because your state will look at those changes and may adopt them, and will discuss and argue them. The battles throughout the country for ideological control of education are constant, and filled with emotional and ethically-challenging obstacles.
Our solution? Always go with ethics, even if ideology is not a perfect match. Ethically-challenged individuals (a nice way to say, "unethical", will cut corners, and otherwise may waver without good reason. Choose the most ethical candidate/representative/educator/administrator when possible. Other things? Those can be learned.
Hearing examiner: Pennsbury wrongfully expelled student for putting needle in Valentine's Day candy
http://buckslocalnews.com/articles/2013/04/28/yardley_news/news/doc516533ccc8a37797226406.txt
What is a disability? How many are there? Are they really disabilities? Is that an excuse for any sort of behavior or unavoidable conditions that we have to make allowances for even at the risk of the other children? How much is too much protection for the group?
Just keeping you informed. There are a lot of considerations, but never become complacent about what experts tell you is so. Question and demand causes, not just diagnosis.
http://spiralmatrixeducation.wikidot.com/start
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiral-Matrix-Academic-Resources-and-Tutoring/325670834147480
http://spiralmatrixeducation.blogspot.com/
Twitter as well
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