| Education News from Around the World |  |
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UK educator examines the use of technology to break boundaries: Adam Webster, an assistant director of learning and teaching in the UK, writes about ways in which educators can use technology to make classroom lessons more interactive and engaging. He focuses on Skype, which allows schools to connect online, and social media websites, which students can use to connect to each other and communicate with subject-matter experts first-hand. The Guardian (London)/Teacher Network Blog
(10 Sep.)
    
- School in Wales to weave literacy into other subjects
A high school in Wales is placing a greater emphasis on literacy by including such lessons in history and geography classes. "There's a major initiative in year 7, which is a big curriculum change, which has challenged the traditional notion of history being taught in history lessons and geography being taught in geography lessons," said head teacher Martin Matthews. "Literacy will, effectively, be the strand running through those lessons and we use geography and history as the vehicle to support literacy development." BBC
(07 Sep.) 
- Hong Kong schools have final say over patriotism lessons
Chinese patriotism classes will now be optional for students in Hong Kong, following weeks of protests over what were to be mandatory lessons. Supporters of the courses said they would help to foster a sense of belonging and national identity. Critics, however, said children were going to be brainwashed with pro-China lessons. BBC
(08 Sep.)
 | Study links EF Educational Tours and student development
An AdvancED study found that 92% of high school students report feeling more comfortable in new and different cultural settings after traveling with EF. EF’s international programs, which introduce students to new cultures and perspectives, let teachers build academically focused itineraries for their students to more than 65 countries. Learn more. |
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| Professional Leadership |  |  |
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- Teachers in England, Wales schedule work-to-rule protest
Members of the National Union of Teachers and the NASUWT teaching union in England and Wales on 26 Sept. are expected to begin a work-to-rule protest and take other industrial action. At issue is a dispute with government officials over teachers' pay, conditions and pensions. BBC
(10 Sep.)
| Regional Spotlight | | |
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ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief highlights education practices and policies in specific regions to give readers more in-depth insight into that country or region's education system. This edition focuses on Scotland.
- Colleges in Scotland report lengthy waiting lists
In Scotland, thousands of students are being turned away from college, with at least 10,000 students now placed on waiting lists. The figures may include some students who applied to multiple schools, however, college officials said that fact alone does not account for the lengthy waiting lists and called on the government to increase funding. The data is being released at a time when the country is reporting 21.5% unemployment among 16- to 24-year-olds. The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland)
(10 Sep.)
- Teaching union in Scotland concerned over use of music fees
A teaching union in Scotland is criticising local authorities, which it says are taking tuition paid from music students and using the funds to pay for other expenses. Officials, however, have denied those claims, saying that much of students' tuition is subsidised and money collected from fees goes back into music education. BBC
(10 Sep.)
| Reform and Research | | |
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- Study finds some students in England "embarrassed" to read
 In England, fewer 8- to 16-year-old students read for pleasure outside of school -- three in 10, compared with four in 10 who reported doing so seven years ago -- according to the National Literacy Trust. Instead, students report watching television and playing video games. Some students reported they did not pick up books or other reading materials because they were "too embarrassed" and concerned about being labeled as "geeks". The Telegraph (London)
(07 Sep.)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Kelly Gallagher's Write Like This guides teachers as they model writing for a variety of real-world purposes: inform & explain, evaluate & judge, analyze & interpret, take a stand, and more. Includes mentor texts throughout and a chapter on revision & editing. Preview Chapter 1: Moving Writing to the Front Burner.
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| ASCD News | | |
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Time to take the lead for higher achievement
Join fellow educators, presenters Yvette Jackson, Douglas Fisher, Eleanor Renee Rodriguez, Robin Fogarty, Roberto Pamas, Jay McTighe and many others at our Fall Conference in Atlanta this 26 Oct. to 28 Oct. Learn more about the event and individual sessions, and watch a recording of last year's opening general session on our conference page.
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Don't fear feedback on failure -- teach like an athlete
Early in his teaching career educator Grant Wiggins was approached by a student whom he taught and coached. The boy said, "It's not working. We don't know what we're doing. We don't know why we're doing it, and we're bored." In an ASCD video clip featured in the Inservice blog, Wiggins discusses his reaction to the student's comments and explains what grew out of this interaction. Watch the clip.
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 | Everybody should do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice."
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In this blog post, teachers in the United Kingdom offer their advice for using mobile phones in the classroom. Jo Debens, a geography teacher, has students using phones to share videos, record homework and conduct fieldwork using GPS technology and other software. Meanwhile, a computer-science teacher is introducing students to possible careers by teaching them how to make mobile applications. 
