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There is a special hashtag that isn't tied to an event like this though.  It's a common event that's happening in classrooms world-wide.  The hashtag is "comments4kids".  This is a special tag that teachers use to invite anyone who is willing to drop by and read what a class is blogging.  It's also an invitation for you to make a comment or two on what you read. 

The issue is around the speech that United States President Obama plans to make on education on September 8. Advance word is that the speech will contain an encouraging message to the youth of the United States to study hard and stay in school. A read here will indication how a speech became propaganda. The big issue here is that some school districts will allow students to watch the speech in school and some will ban it. As we get closer to September 8, expect the conversation to pick up and get even more brutal than it is now.

A really significant announcement came through from YouTube this past week that should make educators everywhere stand up and take notice.

Both schools have been supporters of the "Drop Everything and Read" concept. Observations over time have been that it has become a relatively passive activity - a good one - but still in need of something. So, they're going to experiment with a concept that they're calling "Drop Everything and Blog". The logic is one of scaffolding the concept. You can't really blog unless you have something to blog about. So, the initial attempt will be to have students and teachers blog about favourite books that they've read. Once blogged, classmates will be encouraged to read the original post and comment on it.

Bring your "drop everything and read" literacy sessions up a notch -- how about "stop everything and blog". My personal suggestion with this -- use Google Documents and allow the option of simultaneous collaboration.

Educational Technologist - What do they do?

Use Prezi to add drama and sophistication to all your presentations. Prezi is an online application that takes the place of tired slideshows. You get to use your creativity and work with a variety of different media formats. But first, discover Prezi shortcuts, set up paths, and how to navigate its main menu. This Cheat Sheet shows you how.

Wonderful speech by Matt Damon @ Save Our Schools March in DC

Empowerment! Teachers helping students find their own abilities. Great speech by Matt Damon who really appreciates his education experience that helped him. e was an emerging learner and through the fostering of teachers his life has grown.

Here is the speech that actor Matt Damon gave today to thousands of teachers, parents and others who attended the Save Our Schools march on the Ellipse near the White House to protest the Obama administration's education policies that are centered on standardized tests.

Excellent quotes related to education. Check out the rest of the blog for equally good postings.