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"There are days I just hate technology. Just when I think I'm ahead of my kids, up pops another ridiculously stupid app like Yik Yak. The latest app to make news, Yik Yak allows users to comment anonymously-because you know, who needs to take responsibility for their words, right? I've read a couple of blogs about it, too-great takes from Portrait of an Adoption,  Baby Sideburns and Tween Us. And then there's the schools, at least locally, trying to get the app disabled. Good luck with that. Because here's the thing. The app developers only care about one thing-and it's not your kid."

"Protecting kids online is no easy job, especially since the best way to keep them safe is to lessen the protectionist urge and empower them to explore at will."

"The content hosted on Youtube is pretty diverse. But while diversity is good, not all videos are suitable for all ages, especially for the younger ones. According to a  report published by The Information, the video site is developing a children-friendly version designed specifically for children under ten years old. Google has already started talking to video producers who are interested in creating video content for kids, the report says."

"5 suggestions on some good Android coding apps. This list embeds some really great alternatives to iOS to use on Android. Using these apps students and kids will get to learn coding skills while engaging in funny and enjoyable games and activities."

"Petitioning Hon Martin Dixon DEECD, Hon Martin Dixon, Hon Dr Denis Napthine: Save the Ultranet for our kids Petition by Troy Moncur Australia"

Science and Engineering Experiments for Kids is an organisation, based in the University of Cambridge, whose aim is to promote the excitement and fun of science and engineering to children in primary schools Simple scientific concepts and principles are introduced using hands-on experiments based on National Curriculum Key Stage 2 Science and Technology

"We've been stalking people in english class. Wanting to teach the kids in my class about concepts of digital footprint and online safety, I used three people well known from the edusphere as examples: Will Richardson, Jabiz Raisdana and Jeff Utecht. I introduced these three friends to the students in my class by giving them only a photo and a name. I simply told the kids in my class: find out all you can about these three guys." Clarence Fisher's great project on looking at digital footprints.

NEW internet technologies like twitter are strengthening family ties and bridging the generation gap between kids, parents and grandparents, according to a new survey. The findings fly in the face of concerns the internet is driving a wedge between families and alienating parents from their kids. According to the Norton Online Living Report, released today, tools like twitter, Facebook, Skype, webcams, photo and video sharing sites and instant messaging are keeping families connected.

Fast-paced bytes of information gathered from today's social networks and video games are responsible for rewiring kids' brains, says UK neuroscientist Susan Greenfield. Though she doesn't cite any research, she connects these new technological habits to the behaviors of infants and autistic children.

Ringwood North PS Podcast Site

Welcome to the new iSchool series - the iSchool crew. Check out my Podcast Producer's first go at doing their own podcast -Edtechcrew style. Found it very difficult but very rewarding. Basic concept is trying to give kids a voice for their honest feedback on th good and bad aspects of technology, and how it is being used in the classroom. kids collaborate on a Google Doc to make show notes, and upload links to website. Planning to share Google Doc or create a Diigo/Delicious account so other kids at school can all have an input - much like is done here with Diigo. First episode, so be nice! Click on the link to read more of this type of stuf.... "We must give a big thanks and hello to Tony and Darrel from the EdTechCrew podcast, who are enthusiastic educators sharing their knowledge of technology. They have inspired us to try something from the kids' perspective. You know the old saying, 'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.'"

"It doesn't seem to matter what age group or demographic that I talk to, kids (and adults) everywhere are fans of Angry Birds. As I was playing around with Angry Birds (yep I'm a fan too), I started thinking about all of the learning that could be happening. I have watched a two year old tell an older sister that "you have to pull down to go up higher". I have watched as kids master this game through trial and error. Being the teacher that I am, I started dreaming up a transdisciplinary lesson with Angry Birds as the base. I happened to be writing an inquiry lesson that has students look at inventions throughout time and thought: the catapult-that is an invention that has technology and concepts that are used even today. This is one of those inspirational moments that comes when you are drifting off to sleep and has you frantically searching for paper and pen to record as fast as the ideas come. So what did I do? I got myself out of bed and went to work sketching out a super awesome plan. Here is the embedded learning that I came up with"

""When people learn to play videogames," according to James Paul Gee, "they are learning a new literacy." This is one of the reason kids love playing them: They are learning a new interactive language that grants them access to virtual worlds that are filled with intrigue, engagement and meaningful challenges. And one that feels more congruent with the nature and trajectory of today's world. "

By Jacqui Murray. User-friendly, kid-tested. Organized by grade and topic-scroll down until you find your grade and subject. Each grade level also has websites for teacher.

Our very own Jess McCulloch on wired.com ... "One of the most enjoyable games I've been a part of in recent times has been an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) being run by an innovative teacher from Australia. We usually think of ARGs as large scale, requiring lots of resources and being part of a marketing campaign for a new movie - or as some funky, alternative techy game that the cool kids play. But it doesn't have to be."

"I remixed this awesome scavenger hunt originally created by Joyce Valenza and added a QR Code Twist! I re-worked some of the questions for a lesson with my adorable ESOL kids (we have 35 right now in our ESOL program & one cute be-freckled girl just came yesterday & speaks no English at all but she LOVED scanning the codes when I handed her my Droid Fascinate!) The rest of the kids have varying degrees of English proficiency but still will benefit from a few visual clues. So the scavenger hunt questions are intentionally simply & clearly worded combined with pics I created as QR Code Hints. You can also use this lesson for special needs classes, Library Media orientation, or even re-mix the questions, QR Codes, & hints for just about ANY subject area! To create the hints I used a combination of Photoshop, Flickr, bit.ly and my favourite QR Code generator, Kaywa."

In today's post I am sharing with you two popular series of iPad apps to help your kids improve their writing skills. These series are : Jumbled Sentences and I Can Write.

In today's post I am sharing with you two popular series of iPad apps to help your kids improve their writing skills. These series are : Jumbled Sentences and I Can Write.

Entrepreneurship starts young! Kids today are smart enough to think of various creative ways to make money while still in school. Any kid with enough talent, creativity and entrepreneurial skills can easily start earning money. There are various ways to earn money while still being in school and here are some of them. Read more http://www.make-lots-of-money.com/child-friendly-ways-make-money-2/

The Kids 'R' Kids Infant Program has been carefully designed to deliver a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment with activities to help your child achieve important milestones while having fun!

A simple password generator for kids.

a worry - darren murphy