School Leaders: Focus on New-Age Skills

"Finding ways to assess 21st-century learning skills should be at the forefront of the educational technology agenda for the next president and Congress, according to a new survey from the National School Boards Association (NSBA). The survey also suggests that the economic downturn has dramatically affected the technology purchasing plans of the nation's school districts, with two-thirds of districts saying they've put off buying hardware as a result.

More than 500 school and district leaders responded to NSBA's annual ed-tech survey, which the organization released at its Technology + Learning (T+L) Conference in Seattle last week.

More than half of those surveyed agreed that their top educational technology priority for the new administration and Congress should be assessing students' 21st-century skills."

Top Stories from Youth Radio

For young people's perspectives on the election just one week away, you can view, read, or tune into a wide array of youth media. One group that's helping youth have a voice in the news cycle is Youth Radio, a youth development and media organization that contributes stories to NPR, among other media outlets, and has a dynamic web presence, featuring the latest news stories on Election 2008.

On the way: Nation's first tech-literacy exam

"For the first time ever, technological literacy will become part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation's Report Card, the test's governing board has announced.

Beginning in 2012, the test will measure students' proficiency with technology in addition to reading, math, science, history, writing, and other subjects. The new test will mark the first time students' technology literacy has been assessed on a national level.

The National Assessment Governing Board has awarded a $1.86 million contract to WestEd—a nonprofit educational research, development, and service agency based in San Francisco—to develop the 2012 NAEP Technological Literacy Framework....

Several groups will help WestEd on this 18-month project, including ISTE, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the International Technology Education Association, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and the State Educational Technology Directors Association."

The Community Agenda for America's Public Schools

"On September 24, the Coalition for Community Schools launched an action plan with specific strategies to underscore the need for community-school partnerships in ensuring that all children are ready to learn and succeed. The plan is endorsed by numerous national and local education, youth development, community engagement, health and social services organizations."

Technology Makes Art Education a Bigger Draw

"In art, as in life at large, technology has changed everything – or, more precisely, almost everything.

In art classes at schools and universities today, new and emerging software is rendering art appreciation and even actual artistic production accessible to a far greater number of interested students and aspiring artists than ever before....

With the rise of technology in art education, some might fear that traditional media, such as charcoal drawing and oil painting, are being shunted aside in favor of software-based creations, but the art educators who spoke with eSchool News said certain software programs and emerging web-based collaborations are helping establish a strong base of conceptual understanding--regardless of raw manual or technical talent. This enables a far wider range of students to appreciate art. It also encourages and facilitates the acquisition of more advanced, traditional techniques and skills by far more talented beginners."

Lights On Afterschool! October 16

"Lights On Afterschool is set for Thursday, October 16 this year. It is the only nationwide rally in support of afterschool programs. More than one million children, parents, community leaders and others are expected to participate in events across the country...

This year's Lights On Afterschool events will mark the end of a year-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the chief federal funding stream for afterschool programs. To commemorate the anniversary, the Alliance will unveil an Afterschool Storybook featuring the stories of diverse people whose lives have been improved by afterschool programs."

Tech giants invest in global ed reform

"Looking to produce their next generation of employees (and customers), technology giants such as Cisco Systems, Intel, and Microsoft are setting their sights beyond just the United States and are investing heavily in global education reform initiatives.

Developing nations such as India, Jordan, and Kenya are among the beneficiaries of these efforts, which underscore the need for U.S. schools to prepare their students for an increasingly global, information-based workforce...

According to Intel, by 2011 the Teach program will have helped 13 million teachers in more than 40 countries develop new skills to incorporate technology into their curriculum."

Report: Retool instruction, or U.S. will fail

"Creating a 21st-century education system that prepares students, workers, and citizens to triumph in the global skills race is the central economic competitiveness issue currently facing the United States, according to a new report from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21). The report provides a sobering wake-up call for the nation's civic and education leaders.

The report, called '21st Century Skills, Education, and Competitiveness,' argues that for the United States to be globally competitive--and for states to attract growth industries and create jobs--the nation requires a fresh approach to education that recognizes the critical role 21st-century skills play in the workplace."

National Learn & Serve Challenge Week

"The National Learn & Serve Challenge, October 6-12, 2008, is a concentrated week of special events and activities designed to spotlight service-learning successes around the country. It is also designed to show support for Learn and Serve America and inspire other schools and communities to launch their own service-learning initiatives."

Suggestions for events include hosting a "service-learning t-shirt or button day at your school or organization" or presenting to your local school board and/or community groups.

The Learn & Serve Challenge is a signature event of the National Service-Learning Partnership, made possible with support from State Farm® Companies Foundation.

At School, Technology Starts to Turn a Corner

This New York Times essay lays out a vision for school reform through technology integration and project-based learning:

“In the classroom, the emphasis can shift to project-based learning, a real break with the textbook-and-lecture model of education. In a high school class, a project might begin with a hypothetical letter from the White House that says oil prices are spiking, the economy is faltering and the president’s poll numbers are falling. The assignment would be to devise a new energy policy in two weeks. The shared Web space for the project, for example, would include the White House letter, the sources the students must consult, their work plan and timetable, assignments for each student, the assessment criteria for their grades and, eventually, the paper the team delivers. Oral presentations would be required. . . .The project-based approach, some educators say, encourages active learning and produces better performance in class and on standardized tests.”

NECC highlights tech's 'transformative' power

"Transformation and collaboration were the central ideas of the 2008 National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in San Antonio, which kicked off June 29 with a call to fundamentally change education and continued with several other sessions that repeated this theme.

Hosted by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), NECC is the largest educational technology conference in North America. Now in its 29th year, the conference brought together more than 12,000 educators and school administrators from around the world to network, share successful ed-tech strategies, and learn from their colleagues.

And in keeping with the theme of this year's event--'Convene, Connect, and Transform'--ISTE President Trina J. Davis opened the conference by challenging attendees to really transform education through the use of technology, not just layer technology onto traditional instructional practices."

National Summer Learning Day

The Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins heralds National Summer Learning Day - this Thursday, July 10. "Summer Learning Day is a time for communities across the nation to celebrate the importance of high-quality summer learning opportunities in the lives of young people and their families.

In 2007, Summer Learning Day included 145 registered events in 34 states and a national policy forum in Washington, DC.

This year, we hope to have 300 events nationwide, including a major policy event in Washington, DC, where summer learning leaders from around the country will come to make the case for increased federal investment in summer learning programs."

A summer learning video contest - deadline on July 31 - is part of the celebration.

Technology Reshapes America's Classrooms

The "Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Boston, offers a glimpse into the future.

It has no textbooks. Students receive laptops at the start of each day, returning them at the end. Teachers and students maintain blogs. Staff and parents chat on instant messaging software. Assignments are submitted through electronic 'drop boxes' on the school's Web site....

Classwork is done in Google Inc's free applications like Google Docs, or Apple's iMovie and specialized educational software like FASTT Math.

'Why would we ever buy a book when we can buy a computer? Textbooks are often obsolete before they are even printed,' said Debra Socia, principal of the school in Dorchester, a tough Boston district prone to crime and poor schools....

Unlike traditional schools, Frederick's students work at vastly different levels in the same classroom. Children with special needs rub shoulders with high performers. Computers track a range of aptitude levels, allowing teachers to tailor their teaching to their students' weakest areas, Socia said."

Laptops Help Keep Migrant Workers' Kids in School

On NPR's All Things Considered," Larry Abramson tells a story of how the One Laptop Per Child program is affecting educational experiences for children in a Florida community.

"Immokalee, Fla., is the largest center for migrant farmworkers on the East Coast. Juan Medina, a former agricultural worker, worked the fields with his family, planting onions in west Texas and picking tomatoes in Homestead, Fla.

Medina now works for the Florida Department of Education, trying to help the children of migrant workers deal with the challenges of migrant life.

He is part of a town effort to help the children in school. His new tool is free laptops."

Youth Producing Change Film Festival

"'Youth Producing Change' screening is the first ever program of youth-produced films on human rights at the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival. As part of this exciting initiative we will be hosting the YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE World Premiere and a free video production workshop for teens. 10 young filmmakers will be traveling to attend the festival from as far as Boston, Brooklyn, Haida Gwaii Canada, Kentucky and South Africa. Please join us in celebrating the power of young people to make a difference:
Friday, June 20th @ 6:30; Saturday, June 21st @ 1:30PM (Video Workshop @ 11AM with MNN Youth Channel). Founding Presenter: Adobe Youth Voices.

All screenings will take place at the Walter Reade Theater @ Lincoln Center as part of the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival."

Conference on Science & Technology in Out-of-School Time

The National Conference on Science & Technology in Out-of-School Time will be held September 17-19, 2008 at the Navy Pier in Chicago. "This first-ever conference will bring together a national cross-section of program providers, researchers, and policy-makers in the growing movement for science and technology in out-of-school time. Sessions will include research-based best practices, curriculum development and evaluation, with a particular focus on equity and access issues for underrepresented populations."

Democracy at Risk: The Need for a New Federal Policy in Education

"The Forum for Education and Democracy has chosen the 25th anniversary of the publication of "A Nation at Risk", the last clarion call for federal attention to educational policy, to call for a new federal role in supporting our schools." This is their new report: "Democracy at Risk: The Need for a New Federal Policy in Education."

"As practitioners, researchers, and policy analysts who have long been involved in developing successful schools, we are gravely concerned about the inability of the current federal role to support the breadth, depth, and quality of education our children need for a 21st century life — one in which they will need to solve problems we cannot yet fully envision, using knowledge and technologies that have not yet been invented."

Afterschool for All Challenge 2008

The Afterschool Alliance announces the 2008 Afterschool for All Challenge, bringing together "advocates from across the country in Washington D.C. on May 13th and 14th to help grow support for afterschool programs. This year's Afterschool for All Challenge will feature two days of activities, including a youth advocacy track, training and networking sessions, meetings with members of Congress and their aides, and a 'Breakfast of Champions' honoring congressional, state and local leaders.

This year, the Afterschool Alliance will partner with the National League of Cities and its National City Afterschool Summit for the event." See the Alliance website for news about how, recently, afterschool programs and funding have been a "hot topic in Capitol Hill," as the huge public response to President Bush's 21st CCLC budget cuts "helped convince key congressional committees to hold hearings."

Free text reader to help print-disabled students

"Students with print or reading disabilities will have a new resource to help them access thousands of books, magazines, and other texts electronically: Bookshare, a nonprofit online community, and Don Johnston Incorporated, a supplemental instruction provider, recently announced a partnership that will give print-disabled students a free text reader to access electronic books from the Bookshare.org library."

Youth Enterprise Conference Call for Proposals

"Conference organizers are currently accepting session proposals for... the Global Youth Enterprise Conference September 15-16, 2008 in Washington, DC." You have the opportunity to "present to 350 other experts from the international youth enterprise, employment and livelihood community. The Call for Proposals is now open. Proposal submission deadline is April 18, 2008. Practitioners, funders, members of the private sector, academics and youth leaders from over 25 countries and all sectors will share learning, innovations, and ideas for strengthening and expanding opportunities for young people around the world. The 2008 Global Youth Enterprise Conference will focus on two themes our community has identified as the highest priority: Market-Driven Approaches, and Effective Methodologies and Practices for Monitoring, Evaluating, and Conducting Impact Assessments."

Happy Arts Education Month

In honor of Arts Education Month, "Keep Arts in Schools has released a new set of tools that enables advocates to voice their support. The resources also help educators and organizations take effective steps toward ensuring every child gets the well rounded, quality education they deserve."

It's Super Tuesday - Spotlight on the Youth Vote

My polling place and my son's afterschool program are actually in the same building, which makes it extraordinarily easy for me to fulfill my civic duty tonight. I'll also take the opportunity to teach my son a little about government and elections, though he has 13 years to go before he can mark his own ballot. Young people who are of voting age have been getting a lot of press this year. A recent article in Time magazine dissects the youth vote and how it's playing for this crop of candidates, noting that "Technology makes it easier than ever to create networks and share enthusiasm. Facebook, the largest of Internet social-networking sites, boasts a market share of more than 85% of four-year U.S. universities, with millions of members averaging 20 minutes per day on-site exploring interests and keeping track of friends."

10th Annual Black Family Technology Awareness Week

"The National Black Family Technology Awareness Campaign, will celebrate the tenth annual Black Family Technology Awareness Week (BFTAW), February 10th - 16th, 2008. BFTAW is a national public awareness campaign designed to encourage more African Americans to incorporate technology into their daily lives. Partners and corporate supporters for this year's campaign include the IBM Corporation, EMC, the US Navy, the Lockheed Martin Corporation, the National Black Data Processing Associates and NACME (National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering).

Over the past nine years, more than 200 cities across the country hosted activities that not only assisted communities in getting online but also helped African Americans become more competitive by exploring technologies that will enable them to access and leverage key information from virtually anywhere."

January is National Mentoring Month

"National Mentoring Month (NMM) highlights mentoring and the positive impact it can have on young lives. Spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service, the first ever NMM was held January 2002. This month-long outreach campaign focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors and assure brighter futures for our young people."

Call for submissions: Adobe Youth Voices/Human Rights Watch International Film Festival

For those of you who are working in youth media, here’s a great opportunity to showcase your work, supported through our friends at Adobe Systems Incorporated. For some time now, YouthLearn has been working with Adobe in the development of their Adobe Youth Voices initiative, an international effort to promote youth media and “creating with purpose.”

The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival and Adobe Youth Voices are looking for youth produced works on human rights from around the globe to screen in our newly established YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE program.

We're looking for film, video and animated works made by youth (ages 19 and younger) that focus on human rights and social issues.

Deadline for submissions: January 22, 2008

iPods Assist English Language Learners

"Schools in New Jersey are buying into a new program that gives bilingual students with limited English ability iPods, reports Winnie Hu in the New York Times. The hope is that by singing along to popular English songs, students will sharpen their vocabulary and grammar skills... Incorporating the devices into instruction began when Grace Poli, a media specialist, approached the district three years ago about buying 23 iPods for an after-school bilingual program. She then compiled an eclectic mix of music, typed out the lyrics and deleted the nouns -- and in turn the verbs and adjectives -- to force the students to fill in the missing words and thereby learn their meanings... After viewing the successes, the district plans to try iPods with students who have learning disabilities and behavioral problems."

Afterschool Programs an Oasis of Hope for Black Families

"A new study by the Black Alliance for Educational Options, Afterschool Programs as an Oasis of Hope for Black Parents in Four Cities, finds that low-income and working-class African American parents express a strong need for afterschool programs and feel hopeful that these programs will improve their children's life chances. The year-long independent study funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation analyzed the opinions of 407 African American parents, grandparents and caregivers regarding the quality and importance of public school and community based afterschool programs, and the factors which lead parents to enroll their students in them. The study found that parents considered the best afterschool programs those that provide family support, encourage homework completion, participate in creative activities, and increase children's social competence."

Project Tomorrow's annual Speak Up survey on technology's role in schools is now open

"Students, parents, teachers, and now—for the first time—K-12 administrators are invited to take part in Speak Up 2007, an annual survey that seeks to determine what is needed to give students a top-notch, 21st-century education. Administered by Project Tomorrow (formerly known as NetDay), a national nonprofit group focused on improving science, math, and technology education, Speak Up gives education stakeholders a chance to make their voices heard and contribute to an ongoing discussion about technology’s role in the curriculum... All public, private, parochial, and charter schools in the United States and Canada are eligible to participate. Individual responses are kept confidential, and the online survey can be accessed any time until Dec. 15."

State leaders convene to discuss ed tech

"Keeping kids safe on the internet and allowing them to learn and explore online don't have to be mutually exclusive goals: That was one of the key messages delivered to state educational technology leaders who attended a recent event in Washington, D.C. The occasion was the annual Leadership Summit and Education Forum, hosted by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) on Nov. 5 and 6. Called 'What It Takes to Compete,' the forum invited state education leaders from around the nation to a series of sessions highlighting best practices and innovative approaches for using technology to transform instruction and create 21st-century learning opportunities. Session topics ranged from managing internet security to the importance of high-speed networks, and from 'three-dimensional' social networking to a definition of global awareness."

Extending Learning: Will We Ever Get it Right?

"In Karen Pittman's Youth Today column, she makes the case that youth development is ongoing, uneven and complex. Further, she argues that youth development is heavily mediated through relationships; influenced by environment; and triggered by participation, expectations and opportunities for involvement, commitment, contribution and learning."

New Study Provides More Evidence of Parents' Role in Academic Success

"Apparently it doesn’t much matter whether low-income, urban students attend a public or private high school, reports Greg Toppo in USA Today. In actuality, the biggest factors determining a student’s academic success are whether their parents take part in their education, earn enough money to offer enriching experiences and have high aspirations for their kids, according to a new study released by the Center on Education Policy. The findings, which examined 12 years of data from more than 1,000 young people, found that while SAT scores of students in private schools are higher than those of their public-school peers, their overall performance in math, reading, science and history was no better."

Lights On Afterschool! - October 18

""Lights On Afterschool is celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families and communities... Lights On Afterschool was launched in October 2000 with celebrations in more than 1,200 communities nationwide. The event grew in 2001 to more than 3,600 events, and more than 7,500 in 2006. This October, 1 million Americans will celebrate Lights On Afterschool!

Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs."

T-Mobile Huddle Up Survey

"The first-ever national T-Mobile Huddle Up Afterschool Survey finds that 90 percent of parents say having a safe, positive place for their child after school will keep their child safe and away from criminal activity. The national study of 603 parents, launched in partnership with the Afterschool Alliance, finds that nearly one in four parents would be willing to start paying to keep their afterschool programs open, and some parents who already pay are willing to spend more. Nearly half of parents say they would rally to encourage federal, state and local officials to invest in safe, positive afterschool places."

Support Builds for Teaching New Skills

"Proponents of educational technology for years have been saying that schools need to focus more on teaching so-called '21st-century skills,' such as problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. Now, it appears momentum is finally building on Capitol Hill to encourage such reforms: The chairman of the House education committee says he hopes to push legislation renewing the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) through Congress this fall, and one of the key changes to the law he plans to propose is incentives for states to develop more rigorous standards that reflect the needs of 21st-century learners."

'So You Think You Can Dance' Teams with LA's BEST

"Since August 5th, 100 staff members from LA's BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow) have been students in the first-ever "So You Think You Can Dance" Los Angeles workshop. Top choreographers from the hit FOX summer television show are giving back to the community by teaching dance to the staff members, who plan to take their newfound dance skills to students from some of the city's most challenged neighborhoods.

The creators, choreographers and judges on the show, including Executive Producer/ Choreographer Nigel Lythgoe, are teaching LA's BEST staff the latest moves in hip-hop, disco and ballroom dance. This six-week workshop will culminate in a grand finale performance by the top LA's BEST staff dancers on September 16."

Public wants more tech in classrooms

"Americans understand that fundamental changes must be made to the U.S. educational system if the country is to remain competitive in the 21st century, a report released July 26 by Cisco Systems finds. Americans especially realize the importance of adopting information technology to upgrade schools, connect communities, and improve educational content, the report suggests--but they're often conflicted about how to implement these changes. Zogby International conducted the survey of more than 7,000 Americans, titled 'Education Attitudes 2007,' back in May. The majority of respondents said technology is an important factor in connecting schools to their communities, as well as in leveling the playing field among more and less affluent schools by providing equal access to educational content."

Candidates field questions from YouTube

"Democratic presidential candidates were pelted Monday night with scores of questions from the people who will decide which of them becomes the Democratic nominee... The debate -- a first-of-its-kind forum that had voters framing questions through the Internet video site, YouTube -- featured often anguished questions and equally passionate responses from the candidates, who for the first time spent two hours together contending with the frustrations and worries of ordinary voters.... 'The fact that the political conversation is shifting off the airwaves and online is a hugely empowering dynamic that ultimately helps young people,' said Adrian Talbott, a co-founder of Generation Engage. The group, which seeks to bring more young, non-college youth into the political process, hosted debate-watching parties last night in New York, Miami and San Jose."

Online communities transform teacher development

"Teacher professional development is undergoing a radical change for the better, thanks to the development of new online professional 'learning communities' that give educators the chance to network and exchange ideas with their peers at their own convenience. Members of these online communities also have 'just in time' access to instructional tools such as videos, tutorials, and other advice whenever they need it."

Extended Day, Quality Afterschool Programs Learn from Each Other

"Across the nation, school district officials, education policy makers, lawmakers and community leaders are considering extending the school day as a way to bolster students’ academic performance, improve their science, math and technology learning, and better prepare them to compete in the global economy." This feature in the latest issue of Afterschool Advocate takes a look at what some communities are doing, and touches on the challenges, tensions, and opportunities depending on how the learning programs are structured. Notes Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant, "The critical question in extending the school day is how the added time will be used."

American Idol Casts Big Vote for Afterschool

"On April 24 and 25, the hit television show 'American Idol' held a special prime time charity fundraising event, 'Idol Gives Back.' Select organizations that provide or support afterschool programs are among the organizations that will benefit from funds raised – according to initial reports, more than $60 million.... Charity Projects Entertainment Fund will administer the funds, and recipients include the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Save the Children and America's Second Harvest – all of which work with afterschool programs....

In partnership with Scholastic, 'Idol Gives Back' has created an interactive educational website to help students and teachers learn more about the issues discussed during the show and to raise youth awareness about 'global citizenship.'"

Video Streaming to Enhance Lessons and Engage Students

"Recognizing the need to engage a new generation of students who are visual learners... Baltimore County Public Schools--the nation's 25th-largest school system--has installed video servers and a video-on-demand system in all of its 169 schools. Although the use of video on demand is nothing new for schools, what distinguishes Baltimore County's effort is that the district has formed teams of teachers in each school to brainstorm ways of using the videos to their fullest potential across each subject area."

Youth Service Day Resources

"National and Global Youth Service Day will be held on April 20-22, 2007. It's not too late to get involved! Here are some tools.

National & Global Youth Service Day Materials
Find toolkits, tips for getting involved or getting something started locally, and curriculum guides online.

Leveling the Path to Participation: Volunteering and Civic Engagement among Youth from Disadvantaged Circumstances
... A new Corporation for National and Community Service study finds that low-income youth volunteer at a rate of 43 percent, compared to 59 percent for other youth. For all young people, volunteering brings benefits... The report recommends ways to engage young people from disadvantaged communities using schools, faith-based groups, and youth corps."

Kids produce video for TV shows

"Inspired by the YouTube model of user-created content, a growing number of television networks are soliciting video contributed by viewers--and many of these efforts involve children and teens.

Last month, CNN debuted a new series called 'Children of the Storm,' featuring video from 11 New Orleans high school students as they share their experiences in life after Hurricane Katrina. Directed by Spike Lee, the show is hosted by Soledad O'Brien, co-anchor of CNN's American Morning.

Also last month, Nickelodeon debuted a two-hour programming block called 'ME:TV,' featuring contributions from 10-year-olds. And TLC last week began a six-part documentary series, 'My Life as a Child,' where children were given cameras to videotape their lives."

New Next Generation Youth Work Coalition Publication

Are you interested in improving current conditions for youth workers in this nation?

The Next Generation Youth Work Coalition is an affiliation of individuals and organizations working together to further professionalize the youth work field. The YouthLearn Initiative is proud to be a member of the Coalition and YouthLearn Director Tony Streit serves on the Coalition Steering Committee. A new Coalition news bulletin, Addressing the Work Force Challenge, includes a summary of new research, conducted on behalf of the Coalition by the Forum for Youth Investment, and an action agenda based on the key findings of this new research.

'Augmented reality' helps kids learn

"Researchers at Harvard, MIT, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison have developed a project that uses 'augmented reality' to teach students math and literacy skills. The project involves teams of students gathering data on handheld computers to explain why aliens have landed, and in the process students 'interview' virtual characters they encounter at certain GPS hot spots. The researchers say the project holds great potential for engaging students and teaching high-level skills."

States tackle global competitiveness

"Governors seek to boost math, science, and technology education in their State of the State addresses
In their State of the State addresses this year, many U.S. governors have proposed new education programs that aim to raise high school graduation rates and ensure the global competitiveness of their students--and many of these proposals rely on the use of educational technology."

Video Games as Tools in Workforce Preparation

"Mathematics, science and video games? A U.S. university professor is urging schools to consider using video games as tools to better prepare children for the work force.

For although many educators scoff at the idea of video games in schools, the U.S. military has titles that train soldiers, teenagers with cancer use a game to battle their illness virtually and physically and some surgeons use video games to keep their hands nimble.

David Williamson Shaffer, an education science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says schools should use games to prepare children to compete in the work force, where juggling technology is a daily requirement."

National Endowment for the Arts Releases Study on The Arts and Civic Engagement

"People who participate in the arts are people who help make communities thrive, according to a study released today by the National Endowment for the Arts. The study, The Arts and Civic Engagement: Involved in Arts, Involved in Life, reveals that people who participate in the arts also engage in positive civic and individual activities -- such as volunteering, going to sporting events, and outdoor activities -- at significantly higher rates than non-arts participants. The report shatters the stereotype that art is an escapist or passive activity, showing instead that it is associated with a range of positive behaviors. The study also reveals that young adults (18-34) show a declining rate of arts participation and civic activities."

Lights On Afterschool! - October 12

"Lights On Afterschool is celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families and communities... Lights On Afterschool was launched in October 2000 with celebrations in more than 1,200 communities nationwide. The event grew in 2001 to more than 3,600 events, and more than 7,500 in 2005. This October 2006, 1 million Americans will celebrate Lights On Afterschool!

Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs by 2010."

Experts Tell Congress Afterschool is Key for Math, Science

At a special Capitol Hill briefing on September 13, experts discussed how afterschool programs teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills through fun, engaging activities such as computer programming, robotics, and 3-D digital animation.... The congressional briefing was sponsored by the Coalition for Science After School, the Afterschool Alliance, the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in conjunction with the Senate and House Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education Caucuses and the Senate and House Afterschool Caucuses. For more information on STEM and afterschool, view the Afterschool Alliance's Issue Brief: "Afterschool programs: At the STEM of learning."

Digital divide separates students

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- Many more white children use the Internet than do Hispanic and black students, a reminder that going online is hardly a way of life for everyone.

Two of every three white students -- 67 percent -- use the Internet, but less than half of blacks and Hispanics do, according to federal data released Tuesday. For Hispanics the figure is 44 percent; for blacks, it's 47 percent....

The new data come from the National Center for Education Statistics, an arm of the Education Department."

'School of the Future' opens doors

First-of-its-kind school seeks to meet the needs of 21st-century learners
By Corey Murray, Senior Editor, eSchool News

"A paperless environment; flexible classroom furniture that easily can be arranged to support collaborative, project-based learning; high-tech tools to support hands-on instruction; and a sustainable architecture designed to save thousands of dollars in energy costs--all of these innovations mark Philadelphia's new School of the Future, which opened its doors to students for the first time Sept. 7. Built in conjunction with Microsoft Corp., the school is more than just a showcase for new technology; project leaders hope it will serve as a replicable model for other districts to follow as they look to design learning environments that can engage, motivate, and address the unique needs of every student."

Web Site Engages Youth, Spurs Community Action

"YouthNoise, a Web site initially launched in 2001, re-launched last month with the aim of encouraging youth dialogue on important social issues. The revised site, featuring content created exclusively by young people, lets users submit articles they’ve written, post to message boards on various topics, and participate in debates. Site users (who range in age from 16 to 22) discuss issues relating to politics, health, education, and more. Some young people use the site as a forum to share strategies for taking action in their local communities." It's especially interesting to the YouthLearn team to see this development, as we partnered with YouthNoise to conduct the AT&T Young Leaders Program a few years ago.

Teacher development key to tech success

Survey confirms importance of professional development to tech integration
By Robert Brumfield, Assistant Editor, eSchool News
"In their efforts to meet federal requirements for improved student performance, the nation's teachers say effective use of classroom technology is essential to conduct important administrative tasks and reach a new generation of learners weaned on technology. And key to the effective use of classroom technology, educators report, is adequate professional development. The findings are part of a new national teacher survey released by technology provider CDW-G, which uses the results to call for continued support of federal ed-tech grant programs."

Study: Distractions Impede Learning

"Your parents were right, don't study with the TV on. Multitasking may be a necessity in today's fast-paced world, but new research shows distractions affect the way people learn, making the knowledge they gain harder to use later on. The study, in Monday's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also provides a clue as to why it happens... That could affect a lot of young people. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation last year found third-graders through 12th-graders devoted, on average, nearly 6 1/2 hours per day to TV and videos, music, video games and computers."

'Safe' social networking sites emerge

"Amid rising concerns over popular social networking sites, a new crop of "safe" sites is currently emerging. These "safe" sites hope to limit the dangers associate with other sties, such as talking to predators and revealing too much personal information. In addition, these safer sites aim to develop in users a proper online skill set--one that incorporates elements of online safety as well as proper behavior in virtual communities..."

Blog Boom Goes Global

"Although the term “blog” only came about in the late 1990s, today blogs are a phenomenon spanning the globe: a new blog is reportedly launched every second! This explosive growth has led to a backlash against bloggers from a variety of governments and institutions wary of the communicative power of this simple web-based publishing format. This interesting piece examines the state of the global blogosphere."

Project tackles credibility of online info

"New 'Credibility Commons' aims to help users assess the reliability of information they find in web searches"
By Laura Ascione, Assistant Editor, eSchool News

"For students, and even for many educators, judging the reliability of information they find online can present a challenge. Now, a new project launched by two university researchers aims to change that. The project seeks to provide users with tools to more easily gauge the credibility of information they find through web searches."

Summit focuses on encouraging girls in math, science

"Low participation in math and science activities by girls is keeping them from achieving their full potential and is weakening the nation's ability to compete, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said May 15 at the first annual National Summit on the Advancement of Girls in Math and Science. 'We need definitive insights into what goes wrong, when, and why,' Spellings said. She asked her department's Institute of Education Sciences to review existing research and determine why girls are not as well represented in the sciences as boys."

Students Tune In through Film

By Patrick Gavin, USA TODAY

"Who says young people are apathetic when it comes to current events? A recent C-SPAN-sponsored contest, StudentCam, encouraged young people to create and submit 10-minute documentaries on issues as diverse as video-game violence and wiretapping. The response from grade-school and high school students across the country was remarkable and enlightening, says Joanne Wheeler, vice president of education relations at C-SPAN."

Ed tech tops agenda at Intel gathering

"At the fifth annual Intel Visionary Conference in Washington, D.C., speakers touted the value of educational technology in helping to give students the skills to succeed in future jobs that 'are not even on our radar right now'..."

Seeking Applications for Youth Partnership Team

"The America's Promise Alliance's Youth Partnership Team is currently accepting applications for new members. The Youth Partnership Team is a select group of young leaders chosen to help support and lead the America's Promise Alliance's campaign for children and youth. Members of the YPT are often called upon to speak on behalf of the America's Promise Alliance, give presentations and workshops at conferences, and help manage and facilitate a national, web-based youth leadership program for other young people. Eligibility: youth ages 14-22. Deadline: June 2, 2006."

STUDENT MEDIA MAKEOVER

"At schools nationwide, multimedia projects are coming on strong as the student newspaper fades out. What's the trade-off?...

Experts say that nationwide, student media is being transformed by multimedia as the traditional newspaper is fading out. So far media production, a critical part of media literacy, is turning out to be far more democratic than traditional school newspapers—engaging a more diverse range of students than just those enrolled in journalism class. But ... these projects may not give students the same opportunity that papers have historically done: a voice to discuss the issues most relevant to them."

Interview with 2005 National Teacher of the Year

"Jason Kamras, a mathematics teacher at John Philip Sousa Middle School, in Washington, DC is one of the youngest honorees of the National Teacher of the Year program. Kamras was recently named one of Edutopia Magazine's 'Daring Dozen.' Follow this link [below] to find Edutopia's profile of Kamras, plus a 9-minute video interview and a complete interview transcript. In the video Kamras describes how he improved mathematics learning by connecting math to photography, to digital art using Photoshop, and to the street map of Washington, DC." The second part of the interview is scheduled for April 12.

Youths use cell phones as mini-PCs

"A new survey suggests that today's youth--and minorities in particular--are using cell phones more and more as mini personal computers, sparking a revolution in ubiquitous computing. The survey could have important implications for school leaders looking to design programs that appeal to their students and younger stakeholders."

Teens Help Teens Stay Safe Online

"While parents worry about potential dangers to their children lurking in our web-surfing, IM-ing, text-messaging culture...Although public awareness of the need for online safety education has increased recently, there's still more that needs to be done. Teenangels, a program for youth ages 13 to 18, is using the peer-to-peer approach to school others about online safety."

States erratic on IT literacy

Lack of oversight hinders enforcement
"Among its other goals, the federal No Child Left Behind Act says that all students should be technology literate by the end of the eighth grade. Yet, nearly four years after the law was first implemented, states appear to be all over the map in terms of ensuring the technology proficiency of their students, an informal investigation by eSchool News has learned. And the federal government is unable to explain which states have taken which steps to meet the law's goals."

Students Take on Global Challenges

"Technology has been a valuable tool for the student teams participating in Challenge 20/20. U.S. students and their counterparts from outside the US must work together to come up with practical solutions to global problems."

Children benefit from exposure to digital culture, Jenkins says

"Children need to participate fully in digital culture in order to develop the "skills, knowledge, ethical frameworks and self-confidence needed to be full participants in the world around them," MIT Professor Henry Jenkins told members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) recently."

Blogging enters mainstream education

"As the "blogosphere" continues its rapid expansion, more teachers are using Web logs to engage students in the world at large. Experts offer their list of favorite edublogs and note that teachers and students have yet to exploit the new medium to its fullest."

Seventh-Grader Discovers Fast Food Ice Is Dirtier Than Toilet Water

"Jasmine Roberts never expected her award-winning middle school science project to get so much attention. But the project produced some disturbing results: 70 percent of the time, ice from fast food restaurants was dirtier than toilet water. The 12-year-old collected ice samples from five restaurants in South Florida -- from both self-serve machines inside the restaurant and from drive-thru windows. She then collected toilet water samples from the same restaurants and tested all of them for bacteria at the University of South Florida. In several cases, the ice tested positive for E. coli bacteria, which comes from human waste and has been linked to several illness outbreaks across the country."

Experts to students: Watch what you post

"Much has been made of the danger of posting too much personal information on web sites such as MySpace.com, where millions of people--including online child predators--can, in seconds, find out where ..."

"With the rise in social networking sites such as MySpace.com, experts are warning that students need to exercise more discretion in what they post about themselves online. Besides the obvious danger of posting personally identifying information, they say, the potential exists for embarrassing information to come back to bite students later in life when they apply for college or a job."

TECH TEACHES

"Once thought to corrode reading skills, computers are a key tool in improving them."

By Grace Rubenstein

"Technology promises to play a crucial role in helping adolescents cope with reading and writing deficits, while at the same time teaching digital literacy -- an essential skill in the world beyond school."

Wikis test students' research skills

'Information literacy' is key in dealing with online sources

"Wikipedia and other reference sites that allow users to submit and edit content themselves are creating new challenges for educators. Experts say the rise of these kinds of web sites underscores the need for educators to teach students strong information-literacy skills."

TEACHER TALKBACK: Do Computers Trump Real Learning?

"In a recent article in TEACHER MAGAZINE, English teacher Alan Warhaftig argues that the emphasis on technology in the classroom harkens back to an earlier era of vocationalism in schools and threatens "to divert attention from academic content." A technology-infused curriculum, he says, may weaken students' intellectual skills and, ironically, jeopardize their ability to thrive in the global economy."

"What's your view? Do computers in the classroom detract from deeper academic learning? How should technology be used in schools? What skills, vocational or otherwise, do today's students need to learn, and how are they best taught?"

Men want facts, women seek relations on Web - survey

Thu Dec 29, 2005
By Eric Auchard

"SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Internet users share many common interests, but men are heavier consumers of news, stocks, sports and pornography while more women look for health and religious guidance, a broad survey of U.S. Web usage has found."

New Cisco campaign to increase education and career opportunities for girls and women

"On November 7, 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc. and The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) launched a campaign to increase awareness of education and career opportunities for girls and women in math, computing and technology. The campaign is designed to address the declining interest of girls and women in information technology careers, a problem that persists despite U.S. Department of Labor predictions that the number of future jobs in the professional technology workforce will outstrip available, qualified candidates by two-to-one. The campaign kicks off with a letter targeting parents, educators, and girls, and introduces a comprehensive digital library with a variety of resources for encouraging interest in math, computing and technology, including information about careers, local technology clubs, programs, curricula and summer camps. Partnering with Cisco and NCWIT on the initiative are the Education Development Center, the Information Technology Association of America, the Stanford University Office of Science Outreach and Junior Achievement."

IS THE iPOD REVOLUTION GOOD FOR SCHOOLS?

"As teachers and administrators face rising demands to improve student performance, they see new challenges coming to the classroom in the form of personal technology -- like some iPods that can play video as well as audio. A survey of more than 70 public and private high schools in the Indianapolis metro area showed that most do not allow electronics of any kind to be used during the school day. Rather than trying to beat it, reports Lisa Renze-Rhodes, some educators are joining the hand-held technology boom, allowing certain personal electronics to come to class."

The Classroom of Popular Culture

[What video games can teach us about making students want to learn]

by James Paul Gee

"Why is it that many children can't sit still long enough to finish their homework and yet will spend hours playing games on the computer? Video games are spectacularly successful at engaging young learners. It's not because they are easy. Good video games are long, complex, and difficult. They have to be; if they were dumbed down, no one would want to play. But if children couldn't figure out how to play them—and have fun doing so—game designers would soon go out of business."

Debate over 'computer-literate children'

"For the past 25 years, digital technology has been heralded as a means of radically transforming education. Yet despite expenditure on the part of Government and intensive promotion by industry, the technological revolution in schools has failed to materialise--claims an education expert."

UN debut for $100 laptop for poor

By Jo Twist
BBC News technology reporter in Tunis

"A prototype of a cheap and robust laptop for pupils has been welcomed as an "expression of global solidarity" by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The green machine was showcased for the first time by MIT's Nicholas Negroponte at the UN net summit in Tunis."

Celebrate 5th Annual National Inclusive Schools Week

"Great things happen in inclusive schools...

Inclusive schools are better prepared to bridge the achievement gap for students of diverse abilities and backgrounds, because they integrate special education supports into the curriculum and affirm students’ rich cultures. The 5th Annual National Inclusive Schools Week™ will be celebrated in schools, classrooms, and communities December 5-9, 2005, with a special focus on the achievement gap and strategies for improving educational outcomes for all students."

Millennial Generation a Group of Joiners

"High school and college students -- the so-called millennial generation -- are joiners, say students, teachers, and sociologists alike. They're starting and joining school-based clubs at a much higher rate than the students before them. Based on the types of organizations they are getting involved in, they also seem more interested than their predecessors in public service and cultural and ethnic issues."

Webcast tackles IT gender gap

The ITEST (IT Experiences for Students and Teachers) Learning Resource Center, in which YouthLearn is a partner, recently held a public event on Engaging Girls in Science and IT. This eSchool News feature story provides a good summary, in case you missed the webcast: "To engage girls in the study of science and technology, educators need to convey the right message about the roles these fields play in society and the skills they require--and they also need to provide more hands-on activities that have some social value. These were the main lessons imparted..."

From AP: $100 Laptop Project Reveals Blueprints

"CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (AP) -- Experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are designing a durable laptop computer that will cost about $100."

Teachers and Technology

"A survey of 1,000 randomly selected K-12 teachers throughout the nation found that teachers are using computers more for both administrative and instructional purposes, but administrative uses appear to predominate."

Technology as a Tool to Support Instruction

By Lynne Schrum

"In an Education World "edu-torial," Lynne Schrum presents her personal perspective on the ways in which technology can enhance learning -- and calls on educators to take a leadership role in determining the ways in which technology is used to support educational goals."

The National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning Nominations

"The National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning, consisting of seven organizations in support of the U.S. Department of Education, is developing models, tools, and assistance afterschool programs need to offer high-quality research-based academic content while attracting high levels of student participation... The National Partnership is now asking for assistance in locating afterschool programs with possible exemplary or promising practice in homework help/tutoring and/or technology... Return completed nomination forms by September 1, 2005."

Utilities Looking to Fast New Broadband over Power Lines

By Wade Goodwyn
Morning Edition, August 16, 2005 · "Utility companies are savoring the market for a new technology that allows high-speed Web access through existing electrical outlets. The Federal Communications Commission has given its approval." [audio]

Teens spurn e-mail for messaging

"US teenagers prefer instant messaging rather than e-mail to stay in touch with each other, research shows. A Pew Internet and American Life Project study found online teens are increasingly tech-savvy. Nearly nine out of 10 teenagers say they use the net, up from 74 percent in 2000, according to the Pew study. While e-mail is seen as a tool for communicating with adults, instant messaging was proving the most popular way to chat with friends."

More Computer Classes Urged for Kids

"Even in a nation where most every school has Internet access and computer use often starts by nursery school, teachers of technology see a warning message flashing.

For students in elementary and secondary schools, states have few developed standards or required courses in computer science... Somehow, teachers contend, states must embrace the idea of training sophisticated computer users at a younger age."

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FILL GAPS

"After-school programs have become a central part of many school communities and programs throughout the country. They provide working parents with a safe place for their children to stay in those critical after-school hours, and they provide low-income students with access to programs and services their families may not otherwise be able to afford. Increasingly, however, after-school programs are being stretched in two directions -- providing students with enrichment activities (music, dance, or art, for example) while expanding their academic support in an effort to close the achievement gap."

POD PEOPLE: Teachers Find Cool Uses for Apple's Ubiquitous Music Player

By Cheri Lucas

"It's a sleek, sexy must-have for the MP3 set, but Apple's iPod -- a digital music player in fancy dress -- is more than just a gadget for tuning out nagging adults. With the help of some clever software and creative teachers, the device can get kids engaged in their schoolwork -- and help them express themselves. Take a project by first-year teacher George Mayo, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His sixth graders at Brandon Middle School record podcasts, or online radio shows, as part of their classroom blog, the M&M Online Magazine."

Cyber Bullying: No Muscles Needed

"Bullying has a new face. Or perhaps, no face at all. Joan Lisante reports on cyber-bullying - kids using new technologies to hurt feelings, trash reputations, and wreck relationships...I-Safe America, an organization promoting Web safety, surveyed 1500 students in 4th through 8th grade, and found that 42 percent have been bullied online. And 53 percent admitted to saying something mean or hurtful to someone else online."

Info: Special Interest group on afterschool at AERA

"Below is information that may be of interest to list subscribers concerning a special interest group (SIG) created at the recent AERA conference that would work to ensure representation of afterschool at the American Educational Research (AERA) conferences. If you are a member of AERA and also active in the afterschool or out-of-school time world, you may be interested in joining the group."

New Book Heralds the "Conceptual Age"

According to Dan Pink, contributing editor to Wired magazine, to "To flourish in this [new] age, we'll need to supplement our well-developed high tech abilities with aptitudes that are 'high concept' and 'high touch.'" This article, "Revenge of the Right Brain: Logical and precise, left-brain thinking gave us the Information Age. Now comes the Conceptual Age - ruled by artistry, empathy, and emotion," is adapted from his new book: A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age.

After-School Programs Focus of National League of Cities Report

"A new report released by the D.C.-based National League of Cities ( http://nlc.org/home/ ) argues that engaged leadership on the part of mayors and city council members can yield big results through improvements in the quality of after-school programs."

Today's kids are 'media multitaskers'

From eSchool News staff and wire service reports
March 11, 2005

"The type of students today's educators are likely to encounter--and the kinds of challenges educators might face as they seek to engage those students in learning--may be seen in a new light, thanks to a survey released March 9 by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

In the past five years, many children's rooms have evolved into multimedia centers, with cable or satellite hookups, computers, and video game consoles, according to the Kaiser survey. For instance, 20 percent of youngsters age 8 to 18 can surf the web from their bedrooms, double the figure from 1999."

Teachers to get high-tech boost

"It could have been just a research paper, leaving at least some students sighing and dragging their feet to the library. But Sonoma Valley High School librarian Nancy McEnery transformed a U.S. history assignment into a multi-dimensional adventure - a journey that could impact them long after class is over and the last textbook page is turned."

"The Sonoma Index-Tribune of Sonoma, Calif., reports on a local professional development course called "Earn While You Learn." The course helps K-12 teachers learn about technology so they can pass that knowledge on to students."

MIT Team Working on a $100 Laptop

"Three of MIT’s technology gurus, Nicholas Negroponte, Seymour Papert and Joseph Jacobson, are promoting a plan to provide 100 million to 200 million laptop computers to schoolchildren in the developing world by the end of 2006. The trick will be making the laptops very cheap."

Shortchanging Black History

"Black History Month is upon us, and some black educators question whether the well-meaning designation lets schools off the hook for the rest of the year. "Black history needs to be taught every day, not just during the shortest month of the year," says Vance Hopkins, head of a junior high academy in Duluth, Minnesota. "It is better to have a full month to have a larger focus so the students can see how things fit together," counters Ken Mularski, curriculum coordinator at Walter Payton College Prep High School, in Chicago. Read two stories on Black History Month: "Hopkins: Teach Black History Every Day," in the Budgeteer News and "Black History: Best Taught in February or All Year Long?" in the Christian Science Monitor."

$500M ed-tech grant slated for elimination

"President Bush on Feb. 7 released his 2006 budget proposal, asking Congress to cut more than $1 billion in total education spending and eliminate entirely the $500 million Enhancing Education Through Technology state block-grant program, the primary source of federal funding for school technology."

National Ed Tech Plan Released

"The new National Education Technology Plan -- Toward a New Golden Age in American Education: How the Internet, the Law and Today's Students are Revolutionizing Expectation -- focuses on signs of progress in core subjects, benefits from reforms stimulated by NCLB and the success of innovative new approaches to learning through advances in educational technology."

With information access so easy, truth can be elusive

"Go to Google, search and scroll results, click and copy.
When students do research online these days, many educators worry, those are often about the only steps they take. If they can avoid a trip to the library at all, many students gladly will."

School's new equipment pushes the right buttons

"When the math teacher asks a question at Don Estridge High Tech Middle School, there's no need for students to raise their hands.
They click their remote controls.
Don Estridge is the first school in Palm Beach County to use the Classroom Performance Systems, which were introduced in 2000 and are in use in 25,000 classrooms across the country, according to a company Web site."

Wireless Lab Updates Consumer Science Instruction

"Family and consumer sciences