Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 11:57:54 -0700 Subject: TechLearning News, October 1, 2002 - No.19 To: "TechLearning News" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: "TechLearning" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
TechLearning News A bi-monthly update brought to you by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and Technology & Learning. October 1, 2002 - No.19 IN THIS ISSUE 1. Michigan Funds Wireless Pilots 2. Distance Learning Produces Effective Teachers 3. High School In the Fast Lane 4. Parents Supportive of Educational Technology 5. Wiring One of the Last Outposts 6. CoSN News 7. New at TechLEARNING.com ***************************************************** TECH FORUM: Breakthrough Technologies for 21st Century Schools Thursday, October 10, 2002, 8am - 6pm The Roosevelt Hotel, New York City Produced by: Technology and Learning http://www.techlearning.com/events/techforum What are 10 GREAT REASONS TO ATTEND TECH FORUM ON 10-10? Scroll down to the end of this newsletter to find out. ****************************************************** --------------------------------------------------------- This issue of TechLearning News is sponsored by SonicWALL Education Editions: SonicWALL's Education Editions provide complete protection for your students and your network at a price you can afford. Our firewalls defend against Internet security attacks, content filtering protects students from inappropriate Web sites and ViewPoint reporting software monitors student's Web activity. http://www.techlearning.com/100102/sonicwall --------------------------------------------------------- IN THE NEWS Visit TechLEARNING.com for the full story: http://www.techlearning.com/content/ednews MICHIGAN FUNDS WIRELESS PILOTS The state of Michigan announced five demonstration grants of up to $2 million each that will be awarded to state school districts this fall under the Learning Without Limits (LWL) education initiative. LWL will initially involve up to 15 school districts, beginning with five demonstration sites that will implement fully wireless computing solutions. Source: Michigan Virtual University http://wireless.mivu.org DISTANCE LEARNING PRODUCES EFFECTIVE TEACHERS A new research study indicates that teachers enrolled in a distance learning master's degree program scored higher in areas such as classroom management and student motivation than did graduates from traditional, on-campus master's degree programs. Source: Distance-Educator.com http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/?name=News&file=article&sid=7334 HIGH SCHOOL IN THE FAST LANE Blake High School, in Tampa, FL, has launched an Accelerated Curriculum Magnet Program that allows students to earn a diploma in as little as 21/2 years, by taking classes over the Internet. Students in each online class come to Blake once a month for a seminar, where they meet with their teacher to go over special problems. Source: St. Petersburg Times http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/13/Citytimes/Teens_earn_diplomas_w.shtml PARENTS SUPPORTIVE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY A recent survey found that an overwhelming majority (94%) of parents surveyed felt that the use of technology has benefited their children's ability to learn. Results of this nationwide survey conducted with parents of children in middle school and high school showed that the majority felt the role of technology in their child's education was "very important." Source: Texas Instruments http://education.ti.com/us/global/news/release/news39.html WIRING ONE OF THE LAST OUTPOSTS Scientists working at the Amundsen-Scott Station in Antarctica are hampered by limited Internet access. To solve this problem, NSF has asked the aerospace and commercial communications industries, as well as academia, to generate ideas on just how and where to lay fiber optic cable, a job that could cost $250 million. Source: Wired News http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,54899,00.html?tw=wn_ascii ---------------------------------------------------- NEWS FROM CoSN Visit CoSN.org (http://www.cosn.org) for information on advocacy and leadership development. AND THE WINNER IS…CoSN's A HERO CoSN has been awarded the EdNET non-profit HERO award, given annually to one non-profit in recognition of making the most significant positive impact on education through educational technology and telecommunications. "We are extremely pleased to honor CoSN for its contributions to the growth of education technology and the telecommunications industries," said Nelson Heller, president and publisher of The Heller Reports, host of the EdNET conference. "Through CoSN's vision, we have seen tremendous change in these industries for the betterment of education." Read more about the award at http://www.cosn.org/resources/092502.htm REGISTER NOW FOR CoSN's INTERNET & EDUCATION WEB TELECAST ON SCIENTIFICALLY-BASED RESEARCH Join us for CoSN's second Web Telecast on October 16, 2002 from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm ET on the critical topic of what is meant in No Child Left Behind requiring "scientifically-based research". Valeria Reyna, PhD, Senior Research Advisor, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, US Department of Education will present the "facts" about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and its scientifically-based research (SBR) requirements. John Bailey, Director of Education Technology, US Department of Education will focus on the relationship between the SBR and technology requirements of NCLB. The web telecast will be moderated by Doris Redfield of Appalachian Education Laboratory. For information on the telecasts or to register, please visit http://www.cosn.org/events/telecasts. An archived copy of the September Web Telecast -- Internet Safety: An Update on the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and Schools, is now available. Order at http://www.cosn.org/events/telecasts/telecast_order_form.pdf. FREE CYBER SECURITY KIT FOR SCHOOLS The "NetDay Cyber Security Kit for Schools" features tools and resources to raise awareness about online safety and computer security. NetDay encourages education leaders to distribute these resources in schools across the country, to ensure that schools and homes -- the places where children are most likely to access computers -- are "cyber secure." Resources -- some in both English and Spanish --for K-12 educators, school district administrators, parents, and families can be downloaded at http://www.netday.org/cyber_security_kit.htm CHILDNET AWARDS COMPETITION Childnet International, an international nonprofit organization devoted to promoting the Internet as a safe place for children, and Cable & Wireless, have announced their 2003 awards competition, designed to promote creative Web sites that are used by children around the world. The Awards aim to reward innovation and participation across borders by highlighting and rewarding children, and those working with them, who are developing outstanding, innovative Internet projects that directly benefit other children worldwide. Awards are available in four categories: individuals, schools, not-for-profits, and "new to the Net." Deadline for applications is December 6, 2002. More details are available at http://www.childnetawards.org SEEKING FOCUS GROUP VOLUNTEERS CoSN is seeking school district and state education technology leaders who are willing to participate in a focus group during the NSBA Technology + Learning Conference in Dallas exploring issues around home-to-school technology. The conversation will be facilitated by Linda Winter of the Winter Group and covered in Converge Magazine. This is a new effort by CoSN and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) to better understand the views of chief technology officers. To volunteer, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] MAINE 7TH GRADERS GET LAPTOPS More than two years after Gov. Angus King originally proposed the idea, seventh grade students across the state of Maine have begun to receive laptop computers, in the largest ever one-to-one computing program to date. Though that milestone has been met, the program continues to face opposition from both citizens and legislators, faced with a $180 million budget shortfall. Opponents argue the $37.2 million appropriated to fund the laptop program could be better spent. Maine is the first state to provide a computer to each student at a single grade level. Eighth graders will be added to the program in 2003. The state will eventually supply 36,000 laptops to students and teachers under a $37.2 million contract with Apple. For ongoing coverage of the Maine initiative, see http://news.mainetoday.com/indepth/laptops/#news. King spoke at the CoSN 2001 Conference, describing his plan and his vision for how technology can help improve teaching and learning. For similar insights, plan to attend the CoSN 2003 conference, February 26 & 27, 2003 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA. ---------------------------------------------------- NEW AT TECHLEARNING.COM Visit TechLEARNING.com for the latest reader-written articles and Web tours plus features and departments from the new issue of Technology & Learning magazine. http://www.techlearning.com/content/new/new.html http://www.techlearning.com/content/about/tl_current.html READER-WRITTEN ARTICLES * Decreasing the Digital Divide: Success at Southside Elementary SchoolRead how Miami-Dade County Public Schools bridge the Digital Divide, the gap between those students and families who have access to information technology and those who do not. http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/WCE/archives/jenrosa.html * Title: Digital Classrooms: An Inside Look At A Home School When one parent decided to implement a home curriculum for her three children, she knew she had to keep her students technologically motivated while supporting their core studies. Here's how it worked out. http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/WCE/archives/cleroy.html * Is Distance Education for Kids? Can distance education achieve the same positive results with children between the ages of five and twelve as it does with adults and high schoolers? Read the pros and cons to decide if distance education can be a reality for children. http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/WCE/archives/ttang.html T&L FEATURES * Viewpoint: The Trouble with Maine The vision behind Maine's laptop initiative should be applauded, but the reality may give one pause. http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2002/09/viewpoint.html * In-Service: Streamlining and Enhancing E-mail For the new-to-technology educator, some tips for maximizing your e-mail productivity. http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2002/09/inservice.html DATABASES Shopping Ideas: Need product information? Search the Product Reviews database for software and products that meet your needs. http://www.techlearning.com/review.html Implementation Ideas: Want information for a project or idea? Search the Educators' Outlook database for articles and Web Tours. http://www.techlearning.com/content/working/articles/search_w.html ************************************************** 10 GREAT REASONS TO ATTEND TECH FORUM ON 10-10 10. Fantastic keynoters, Hall Davidson and David Warlick. 9. Many other highly-rated speakers. 8. A packed and varied conference program. 7. Up-close looks at a select group of sponsors. 6. Expert viewpoints on a variety of new and emerging technologies. 5. Lunchtime discussions, end-of-the-day wrapups and numerous other chances to network with colleagues 4. A beautiful hotel in a beautiful city. 3. Food, thought and lots of fun. 2. Because, let's face it, hotel lobbies and meeting rooms are calmer places to meet than a district office or school library. 1. When else do you have the chance to meet with other "experts" who feel as overwhelmed as you do by the speed at which the technology world is changing? Just TEN more days to register at the advance rate of $199. (Registration is $259 at the door.) To REGISTER ONLINE, visit: https://secure.pnmi.com/tltf2002/. Please use priority code TL14. TECH FORUM: "Breakthrough Technologies for 21st Century Schools" OCTOBER 10, 2002 * THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL * NEW YORK CITY Produced by TECHNOLOGY & LEARNING http://www.techlearning.com/events/techforum/ ---------------------------------------------------- PASS THIS ON If you like this newsletter, please forward it to a colleague. Subscribe to this newsletter by sending a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] OR go to http://www.techlearning.com/content/resources/newsletter.html ************************************************************************* NOTE: Gleason Sackmann is the owner and host of this list. 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