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"It's a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code" and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a maker, a creator, an innovator. We'll provide a variety of self-guided tutorials that anybody can complete, with just a web-browser, tablet, or smartphone. We'll even have unplugged tutorials for classrooms without computers. No experience is needed. "

"The game Minecraft is an emerging way to teach and learn basic concepts of collaboration in the classroom. Minecraft rose to popularity due to elaborate pop culture recreations and the ability to explore other people's lands. With Minecraft, students can learn about survival, experience history digitally and create models of cells for biology class. If you are using Minecraft in your class, follow these magazines to get new ideas for your lesson plan."

"A Tennessee experiment found that some teachers were able to help students learn vastly more than other teachers. The effect largely disappeared by junior high, based on test scores. Yet for the the students in adulthood, it was discovered that the legacy of kindergarten had re-emerged. Students who had learned much more in kindergarten were more likely to go to college than students with otherwise similar backgrounds."

Kindergardten teachers should be proud to read this report.

MyStudyBar is a tool which helps overcome problems that students commonly experience with studying, reading and writing. The tool consists of a set of portable open source and freeware applications, assembled into one convenient package.

Sept 19, 2010 Education issue on game playing as school reform. Lots of examples from current experiments. Video too.

"The move toward a self-evident user experience is going to have several natural consequences for the technology professionals who work with these products on a daily basis. In many ways, these IT pros have benefited from the overly complex and sometimes convoluted technology products because they were the ones who helped sort everything out for the users. That won't be the case for much longer."

Interesting to read about the shift to better and more intuitive interfaces for users.

"Fraser Speirs is a busy man. Having convinced Cedars School of Excellence in Greenock, Scotland to buy more than 100 iPads and distribute them to all its students (age 5-17) earlier this year for class and homework, the private school's head of IT is traveling around the United States to talk about his school's experience with the Apple tablet."

1:1 school with a tablet computer, it is happening already now.

"my6sense is the best way to experience your top content from social networks and news sources - all in one app.Read your most relevant items and updates from your Facebook, Twitter, news, RSS and blog streams (*Google Buzz on Android), share via email and social networks, discover fresh content, manage your streams and more! All you need to do is use the service, and we'll personalize your content for you. Using our 'Digital Intuition' technology, we accurately learn what's important to you and personally rank your streams so that your most valuable information is always at the top. There's no need for you to tell us what you like/dislike or set any preferences. It's completely effortless!" So far so good enjoying the random nature of it so far. Especially when the Google Reader is bursting at the seams. Like the integration with my twitter feed too. 

Twitter mashups and tools put a unique spin on the way we use Twitter. By "mashing" information from Twitter with other applications, you get an unmatchable user experience that can be both fun and useful. Enjoy these top 19 Twitter mashups.

The technology of virtual worlds is opening up a new universe of possibilities in promoting and teaching a love of history. The "Stepping into History" conference is your chance to learn about, and experience for yourself, the power of virtual worlds at the service of history.

Stigler and Posankony model of change with diagram ---- "once awareness that a system is broken begins to emerge, some people need to keep the current system running and shepherd it down gently while others incubate and experiment with new ideas. The old system can serve as an umbrella for the new, protecting experimental approaches as they emerge and as many of them fail to achieve their intended results - or even achieve worse results than do the approaches that they aim to replace."

An engaging way to learn about the impact of tsunamis, floods, earthquakes and volcanoes, and what humans can do to minimise the cost. This website has been a hit with my students during our science study on 'Natural Disasters.' Allowing them to learn through their own experiences and mistakes leads to some powerful sharing and reflection. An example of how games can be used in the classroom to not only support, but extend, the students understanding of these concepts.

Here comes the web .... "Google has just soft-launched its latest browser experiment, the Google Body Browser, which is basically Google Earth for the human body."

"In "Toy Story 3 = Awesome!", The Australian Voices sing a song of Facebook. Composed and conducted by Artistic Director, Gordon Hamilton, this innovative new Facebook Song takes The Australian Voices where no choir has dared to go - the inner space of the Internet and the unexplored and unexpected worlds of new experiences, bizarre human relationships and pop culture adoration. This journey discovers new languages and the addictive memes and viral concepts that are attaching themselves to every facet of human life."

Amazing song about social networking.

"Togetherville is a new type of online community specifically designed for kids 6 to 10. However, any kid under 13 can join. Kids play and connect with real-life friends and family in a safe, child-friendly place with parents and trusted adults close by, just like in a real neighborhood. The site mimics the experience of adult social networking sites, but it's age-appropriate and parent-monitored. "