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Web video created and narrated by educational maverick Sir Ken Robinson. In it, he explains, in a student-centered way, why it is crucial for teachers to embrace technology in the classroom.

I think Sir Ken Robinson's ideas about the curriculum were right! One thing he mentioned that stuck out to me was about the divergent thinking being the essential capacity for creativity. He stated that there were several possible answers instead of just one. He used the example of the ways to use a paper cup to support his ideas. He explained how knowledge deteriorates over time when students become "educated". He says that what is considered as copying or cheating is referred to as collaboration in the environment. I think society is constantly changing and some aspects of the curriculum may need to be modified to meet those needs but not completely. I think with the changing curriculum, students and teachers are so overwhelmed by the emphasis placed on standardized testing that it is difficult for learning to occur in a fun, relaxed environment, except in lower grade levels where the students are still excited about learning. I agree with Sir Ken Robinson in saying that we can meet the future by doing the past, when the stakes weren't so high and so many students weren't being medicated, learning could occur in an environment that wasn't divided!

Joshua, I am so glad you posted this video! I think that all educators need to watch this video simply because it is real. Technology should be essential in the classrooms today's simply because it is what the students see and use when they are not in school. Think about how many students have cell phones, Ipad's, Ipods and video games, we should be taking into consideration these things to strengthn education. I agree with Jessica on the divergent thinking--we sometimes forget that no 2 students are the same so their perspectives on learning and life will be totally different. I think a lot of times we do want the "perfect" classroom but the truth of the matter is we have to consider all learning styles. Students learn best from each other and group work is something that Sir Ken made a point in his presentation. In this course we talk a lot with each other SO that we can learn from each other so why not implement this same learning style into the classrooms?

This article discusses the introduction of algebra to Elementary school students.

This article explains some benefits afterschool programs offer to the schools and the community. It discusses how afterschool programs strengthen schools, families, and communities. The article emphasizes that a key part of developing an afterschool program is soliciting participation from many segments of the community.

As a former after-school caregiver, I know a little something about these programs. And I completely agree with the article's take on the benefits that stem from them. The fact that kids have a safe, fun, place to spend these hours amongst their peers and young-adult mentors...which allows their parents to spend that time working for those necessary extra dollars... which in turn helps a home's and community's stability...which creates stronger schools...which is the whole purpose!!! I saw this happen at schools completely geographically, ethnically, and economically different from one another, but the result was always positive.

Just like Josh I also worked for as a after school mentor. I to have seen all the benefits that after school programs have not only on the schools, but the communities as well. The school that I worked at had many students whose parents got off work to late and couldnt afford to send their children to day care for only a couple of hours. But because of this program that the school provided many parents were able to be at ease in knowing that their child was not only in safe place but around people that truly cared for them. The students got to participate in so many activities and even were invited back during the summer for a summer program. With this summer program students got to do so many activities and go on field trips to place they wouldve never gone to. This program was a huge success for this community in general and for the students as well.

Adventure learning in a situated context is like a name your own adventure novel for high school and college students in Geography. Its application would work in any field for context-driven learning. Doering, A. et. al. (2007). Adventure learning: situating learning in an authentic context. Innovate 3 (6). Accessed on April 24, 2008. The article is reprinted here with permission of the publisher, The Fischler School of Education and Human Services at Nova Southeastern University. For educational use only.

Great book about situated learning, kind of makes you feel like you are in a Liam Neeson movie and testing theories and such!

This article provides general information about copyright and fair use laws in relation to academic settings.

PBS helps make a point that most of us just assume is alright most of the time.

A New York lawyer gives his interpretation of fair use. He summarizes the basics of copyright and fair use. He writes an opinion on when to ask permission to use something, and he discusses safe havens in fair use laws.

The articles provides readers with the basic laws of copyright to clear any misconceptions. In this article it discusses how students and teachers can tell if an article or book is copyrighted, rights of the copyright holder, and duration of copyright protection.

This article outlines the benefits of having cameras on the school including a lower rate of bullying and fighting, driver accountability and documentation of student behavior.

This is an article written by Mary Anne Hess about the Pros of differentiated instruction. This Article reviews the benefits of differentiated instruction and how to effectively implement it. 

In this article National Public Radio discusses how the issue of fair use has come to the for front in recent years particularly in the television and music industry. However the case of copyrighting, those who support fair use feel that taping tv shows, downloading music or accessing you tube isn't considered copyrighting if these practices are used for non-monetary purposes. The issue of fair use has prompted several lawsuits and the article outlines 4 of these that are recent.

In this article, Lawrence Lessing, a professor of law at the Harvard law school looks at how the idea of copyright has evolved over the past century and implicates much copyright issues attributed to advancement in technology, particularly the internet. He suggests changing the law on how copyrighting is viewed and points out copyrighting laws must evolve as the digital age we live in keeps evolving.

As a history teacher, I love how Professor Lessing connects something like copyright law to the Constitution, and weaves us through the decades and centuries of change and development. I am always looking for ways to connect history, such as the passages and amendments of the Constitution, to areas that affect my students' daily lives. Copyright law is just such a thing for these kids, with all the electronics, technologies, and downloading they do. They will see the relevance immediately, and therefore focus better and and up learning more!

This is an Article written by Wendy L. Werner about the importance of mentoring programs. The article discusses the effects that a good mentor can have on an individual. It also discusses how to be a good mentor as well as a good mentee. 

I've seen several mentor programs in which the mentor only wore the title but never actually played an active role in the student's life. So what I liked most about the article is the keypoint that stated that a mentor should "take initiative and make time". I think that if someone is going to be a mentor they must be actively involved in the mentee's life in order for progression to occur. A student is not going to feel that they can confide in their mentor until they have established a relationship. Just like in the classroom, students need to know that educators care. They need to feel a sense of belonging. When educators as well as mentors create a warm, caring environment students are more likely to open up or accomplish task to meet their mentor's or teacher's expectations!

Very good point, Jessica. That is well-said and very important! Because the teachers I liked were the ones I knew and ones who made a difference in my life by the time they gave.

PBS did a great job of giving detail to the copyright laws. This is not the most entertaining of websites, but very informative.

This article discusses the components of vertical alignment. This is an informational piece for teachers to understand all that vertical alignment entails.

This article discusses the components of vertical alignment. This is an informational piece for teachers to understand all that vertical alignment entails.

Vocational Education meets Research in the dynamic classroom of Linda Darling-Hammond, 2008. The students are doing the research, teaching and learning. They control their own destiny and they are taking the world by storm! They are not waiting to be taught, they are teaching each other and themselves as teams of researchers. Darling-Hammond, L. (2008). Powerful learning: what we know about teaching for understanding. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

I read this book and what the author says is really revolutionary. She has students work in teams as researchers and collaborate while doing research separately. She says students are scientists and classroom homework is research. They should be teaching the teachers, she thinks. Especially, they are beyond us in technology knowledge!

Shelly Frei, 2007. Using blogging and webcasting as tools for teaching and education of students in K-12 environments. She makes it clear that this is the future of education. Frei, S. et. al. (2007). Integrating technology into the curriculum: professional development for successful classrooms. Huntington Beach, CA: Shell Education.

Great book! Have been reading it lately for ideas!

Best practices policies for uses of various forms of media.

This article summarizes the basics of scientific inquiry and how it can be used. It also provides the recommendations of the National Science Teachers Association, NSTA, involving scientific inquiry in the classroom.