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What is in the window is a sign that makes clear the “design principles” of the school, written from the perspective of student expectations.  There are ten statements, printed on a transparent piece of plexiglas, which in itself sends a message. Here they are: I make choices that help me learn and do my best work. I am aware of the needs of others and do great things for them. I learn about myself and all that I can do by trying new things. I think of new ideas and share them with others. I think about people’s feelings and help take care of others. I learn from my mistakes and build on the things that I do well. I work with others to learn and complete a task.  I push myself to do my personal best and keep improving. I learn about and respect different people and include everyone. I care for and learn from nature. I take time by myself to think about what I have learned.

Alanna Mitchell, a Toronto-based writer and journalist who specializes in global science issues, spent much of the past year investigating the controversial push to use brain science to improve education. She travelled to England, France, Australia and the U.S. as part of her 2008 Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy.

This is the same experience I have had in building my PLN as an educator. While once I was the only one I knew who read ASCD books for fun, now I am humbled and amazed by the intelligence and diversity on Twitter that pushes me to rethink my own ideals and beliefs and exposes me to new ideas.

My point is that students are not asked to focus on their passion and strive to strengthen that as best as they could like often cited professionals like Ma and Lincecum. They are not provided with considerable time to hone their craft like professionals or those striving to be professionals. We, instead, seem to be pushing for improving everything which perhaps leads to average in a lot of things.

Imagine what school would be like if we asked students to focus the bulk of their energies on one area, their passion and strength. I firmly believe that if we helped bring their passions to light, provided them support, and allotted ample time to focus their efforts on that craft, they would show levels of commitment, engagement, and efforts that rival professionals.

iGeners are almost universally plugged in. Ear buds hang from backpacks, and cell phones are stuffed into every pocket. Instant communication has replaced listening to messages, streaming video has replaced waiting for television shows to start, Xboxes have replaced Ataris, digital images have replaced negatives, and high-speed connections have replaced dial-up modems.

iGeners aren’t always the best students, however! Working quickly instead of carefully, they infosnack their way through class, flitting from instant experience to instant experience. Reading deeply, considering multiple perspectives and interacting with others in meaningful ways is pushed aside in a race for immediate gratification.

Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Touch and Go will bring readers reviews, commentary, and news about this exciting new format that's making its way onto iPads and into pockets via phones and iPods. Our focus will be on book and original story apps and enhanced books, but we plan to push those parameters as we move forward.

Before the advent of the uber-popular show Mythbusters or the push for more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in schools, parents and their kids were doing at-home science experiments. Now, the trend continues to blossom, although many of the experiments have remained somewhat the same…and always awesomely exciting!

Healthy urges can become unhealthy addictions

Turning off push notifications and setting up appropriate times to check your phone can go a long way to regain control over smartphone

workplace policies "that prohibit evening and weekend emails" are also important