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- Should schools switch to virtual dissections?
A Florida school district has banned hands-on dissections in favor of virtual dissections done on computers. The decision is part of an effort to cut costs, with the district accepting a grant to pay for the virtual dissection resources and training. In exchange, officials pledged not to conduct hands-on dissections. While supporters say virtual dissection is just as effective as traditional teaching, some educators say they were not consulted about the change. Highlands Today (Sebring, Fla.)
(6/20)      
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 | Participants in our next ThinkForward event will examine a model for building an articulated K-12 STEM program. Join the conversation and discover how the model might apply to your home district. Register today for this free conference call! |
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- Survey: College faculty fearful of online education
In a recent survey, more than half of college faculty surveyed said they are fearful of the growth in online education and many believe that students learn less online than in traditional classrooms. However, the study, by Inside Higher Ed and the Babson Survey Research Group, also finds that the perception of online education among college faculty could improve as more educators gain experience with the technology. InsideHigherEd.com
(6/21)
- Britain enhances computer-science instruction
Britain will introduce new computer-science exams focused on programming, officials said. The initiative follows calls from executives with Google, teachers and others who advocated for Britain to alter the way it teaches students about information technology. The Telegraph (London)
(6/17)
- Online exam measures teachers' strengths, talents
Beginning this year, a school district in Colorado will require all teacher applicants to take an online test -- the Gallup TeacherInsight survey. The test is intended to measure applicants' attitudes and beliefs and determine which will be the most successful teachers. While union leaders say they favor the objective nature of the tests, others have criticized the exams for preventing them from advancing in the hiring process. Daily Camera (Boulder, Colo.)
(6/20)
| NEW – Today's Education Cartoon |
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- Pa. auditor criticizes cyber-, charter-school funding formula
Pennsylvania's state auditor general, Jack Wagner, for the second time in a 18 months has issued a report criticizing the state for the formula it uses to fund charter schools and cyber-charters. Citing the state's "flawed and overly generous" funding formula, Wagner claims taxpayers could save $1 million a day if payments to charters were in line with national averages and if the amount paid to cyber-charters for students working from home were reduced. Philly.com (Philadelphia)
(6/21)
- NYC invests in technology-focused schools
A venture capitalist is helping to fund the first of several "baby genius schools" in New York City, at which high-school students will be taught about the latest in technology. "Just as Aviation High School was founded in Queens in the 1930s at the dawn of the Jet Age ... we will position students for careers in the Information Age," Deputy Mayor Robert Steel said of the new schools. Daily News (New York)
(6/21)
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- How teachers can use Learnist in the classroom
Grockit, an online test-preparation company, has started a social media website for teachers called Learnist -- referred to as the "Pinterest for educators." Teachers can use the site to build lesson plans and access resources. The site allows users to gather digital resources online and pin them to "learn boards." "Users can incorporate videos, ebooks, slides, web content, audio clips, and more into boards to make learning more engaging and interesting," said Farb Nivi, Grockit's founder and chief product officer. T.H.E. Journal
(6/21)
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- Bullying of school-bus monitor goes viral
A video showing a school-bus monitor being bullied has since gone viral, and an online fundraiser to send the grandmother on a nice vacation already has netted at least $275,000. Karen Klein did not report the bullying, but after it was depicted in a 10-minute video she quickly earned the public's support. The video was first viewed on Facebook, and then on YouTube. Star-Gazette (Elmira, N.Y.)/Gannett News Service
(6/21)
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