One thing we all need to teach our kids now is that the privacy spectrum we really need to be aware of isn't so much private-to-public as private-to-convenient – or, from kids' perspective, private-to-social (or just to-spontaneous-&-fun). The more convenience we want (e.g., not bothering with password-protecting our phones or giving services all kinds of access to our movements so they can … [Read more...] about PS4, gaming & the new privacy reality
Teachers on tech in US classrooms: Study
A recent survey by the Pew Internet Project shows how pervasive technology has become in American classrooms. "Laptops and desktops are central, but … mobile technology use has also become commonplace in the learning process," the Pew researchers write, adding that the 2,462 teachers surveyed feel "digital technologies have helped them in teaching their middle school and high school students in … [Read more...] about Teachers on tech in US classrooms: Study
High expectations tablets will be huge in K-12 schools
News Corp's unveiling of its tablet for schools at SxSWedu in Austin this week was definitely a sign of the times. Its 10" Amplify tablet, which runs on the Android operating system, will cost K-12 schools $299 and come complete not only with curriculum but also training and customer care, the New York Times reports. It's the project of Joel Klein, the former chancellor of New York City schools, … [Read more...] about High expectations tablets will be huge in K-12 schools
Learning life, communication & app development all at once
One of the most interesting comments I heard in the "Making Apps with Youth" session here at the SxSW EDU conference was from Kurt Collins, tech strategist and lead developer at Youth Radio in Oakland (he also started a nonprofit called the Hidden Geniuses Project aimed at "teaching young black men how to code"). Kurt said that "the liberal arts matter. The problems we run into [in the app … [Read more...] about Learning life, communication & app development all at once
Invaluable social literacy lessons from an anti-bullying conference
This is genuine progress. My thanks to Lisa Jones at the University of New Hampshire for pointing me to the recent Beyond Bullying Summit's "top three takeaways." Notably, they're all about social literacy: "SEL [social-emotional learning] is not adding to your plate. It is the plate," said Ed Dunkelblau, founder and director of the Institute for Emotionally Intelligent Learning. "Effective … [Read more...] about Invaluable social literacy lessons from an anti-bullying conference