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Taking cue from iris scans used in UID in India, researchers are developing a new biometric system that can identify people by the way they flicker their eyes while looking at a computer screen. Oleg Komogortsev, a computer scientist at Texas State University-San Marco, is making use of the fact that no two people look at the world in the same way .

Mario, Very interesting article. Imagine if we had to use our eyemovement as a password OMG. I'll bet my eyes will move everywhere and i will not get the password correct. Never thought that people had to looked at the computer creen the same way. according to the article, we really don't ..Wow very interesting.

21st century literacy

Internet technologies may be a good way to teach computer literacy and content, but it may be easy for students to skim through information. In a traditional classroom lecture, the listener may only retain twenty percent of the lecture. When we have our students using online resources, can we be sure that they are thoroughly learning the content. Even in class our instructors reiterate thoroughly reading the materials, because they know we tend to skim the material and miss important information. More on the way we are learning now. We have a new category of learner rather than traditional, according to Dr. Michael Herbert, whom conducted a study of of content retention and course satisfaction at the college level. It is useful to note the five reasons why adult learners drop out of online learning programs: "poor design, failure to understand the new medium, lack of consideration for a variety of learning styles, lack of support systems and ignoring the self-selecting content need of learners." All of these reasons are the same reasons our students may struggle with internet technologies and online learning. Herbert, M. (2006, Winter). Staying the Course: A Study in Online Student Satisfaction and Retention. Retrieved April 1, 2012, from http://www.westga.edu: http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/winter94/herbert94.htm

What really caught y attention in this article was the part where it says: Make it personal - Passion-driven learning. Teaching mathematics in the seconday level is no easy task. Having to teach probably the least favorite subject of high schoolers is such a big challenge that most teachers prefer to teach the subject in a traditional way. Quiet classroom, teacher in the front, books on the table and students quietly listen to to the teachers dicussion. This method is widely opossed nowadays and classroom collaboration many believe is the most effective way of learning. Technology helps this goal to be achieved. Passion driven learning is one of the ways that I truly believe could work in a math class. Online resources such as the Gallup Poll's web page http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx - offers information on how they use data and other information to predict outcomes and verify results. The site is loaded with graphs, data and other information relevant to mathematics in the real world setting. If we could spark that passion in our kids, they themselves, on their own will search for other resources and learn along the way. Dyck, B. (2005, winter). Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal; When Technology Integration Goes to Math Class, from http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/sum2003/math/index.html

Teach2Learn Series offers engaging ideas!

The issue at hand is finding applications that you can correlate to the TEKS you are teaching and having the computers available for your use.

Wow! There is so much I'm not using! All year I've thought about integrating a movie projec, but haven't been able to. . This video is definitely a motivator. The students in the video were so knowledgable. Those skills will be so useful throughout their academic career. There are so many free tool and I agree with the teacher in the video - it's an answer to cut backs and actually much more motivating for students!

With a library of over 3,000 videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and hundreds of skills to practice, we're on a mission to help you learn what you want, when you want, at your own pace.

Wow! I've heard of this website, but had not check it out. I loved all the online videos and many ways that students can practice their skills.

I first heard of this website from one of Dr. Butler's seminars last fall. I also saw it on the news show "60 Minutes" a couple of months ago. There are so many videos for a teacher to choose from. I showed a couple of the videos to my fourth grade class on place value. I will try to work some more videos into my lessons.

As the title says, The best 100 Web 2.0 classroom tools. I know many of us are still a little new to a lot of the tools out there. This link is my tech bible. I constantly look at it when I want to grab my students attention again and challenge/intrigue them with a new tool. I have noticed that there are a handful that do not appear on this list, so.... Your assignment: 1. Add a sticky to at least ONE of the tools you like to integrate most. If the is already sticky, comment on it. 2. Add a sticky on one you would like to familiarize your self with more. 3. (Optional) Add a sticky anywhere on the screen if there is a tool you use that is not on the list. I do know this list if from 2011 so I'm sure you have other favorites you like to use. http://youtu.be/0VSymMbMYHA Check out the video above. It gives me the chills for some reason.

I'm using a couple of web 2.0 tools in the classroom and its going great so far.

Every tool is useful for my students but the one that they are most familiar with is glosteredu. They have use this web 2.0 tool to create a poster for their presentations. i would like to be more familiarize with dropbox.

I am one of the Diigo discussion host assigned for the week of Oct. 22 - 28, 2012. This video is not the typical article or website most of us have been sharing, but I really wanted to share with you. In addition to this video, I would also like to share with you a very resourceful website that I will provide later. Although I could not highlight text that I wanted to emphasis with the Diigo toolbar, since it is a video, I am going to include what I want to emphasis: Youtube is the 2nd largest search engine Wiki ( Hawaiian term= quick) Studies show that Wikipedia is as accurate as Encyclopedia Britannica US Department of Education study revealed that online students out perform those receiving face to face instruction.... Discussion question: Do you think that social media is a revolution or a fad? Please provide explanation for your rationale. Why do you thinkg social networking a fundamental shift of how we communicate?

At my campus students are using social media for educational purposes. Students are using edmodo in a couple of their classes to work on educational assignments, quizzes and current event group discussions as participation grades in classroom environments. Social media has grown since the beggining of the 20th century belive it or not. I truely believe that social media will continue to grow in time and be more useful in school environments. I really enjoy using edmodo, kind of like a facebook but for school related purposes. Great article

Many people are still fighting the revolution of technology. Some people prefer submitting hard copies instead of online reports. Change is not easy and sometimes even scary, but we should always give it a try. I do believe that social media has revolutionized the way we communicate.

As you can see from this video, people have always been resistant to new technology innovations. If we can all learn to laugh our way through and be patient when others are trying to figure out a new technology, then change seems to happen more quickly.

I know that this video was a comedy bit, but I never stopped to realize that many people struggled, or wished not to learn about new items that were coming about with time. What I liked about the video was that the "help desk" did not get frustrated with the person who was asking what many of us would think as silly questions. Many of us have trouble with wanting to teach technology, or integrate it into our lesson because we feel it would be a pain having to teacher a class of 20+ students how to use it. I know that at times, I find my self getting a bit stressed out when my mom asks me how to do a function that I think to be easy on the computer. I have to stop my self and remind myself that what I might think is easy, is new to others, such I am sure is the same when I don't know something and some one has to teach me.

Lol, the video was very funny. Had me laughing the whole way through. I can't believe how far we have come. I remember going through my blocks in UTPA, when I returned back to the classroom after finishing my 12 in school my self and seeing the NEW projectors, the elmo, and smartboard in the classroom and thinking, "Wow, look where technology has taken us to from chalkboard, to overhead projectors, to smartboards. A board that you touch the screen on and it moves, changes, and recollects information. I was amazed and engaged myself. I laugh every time my co-workers think I am so young because this year is my 10 year reunion and yet the classroom has changed so much!

At our school district, students log onto the network using their own account on any terminal within the district, in which they can keep individual files. Although they can't permanently personalize any computer I do always see them changing wallpapers every now and then. Integrating technology into the classroom will have to be more than a method or means. It must go beyond access and utilization. I believe students will have achieved true integration whey they have created something or honed a skill using technology as a tool.

In the article Shaping Tech For the Classroom, it lays out a visual representation of what is happening in our classrooms throughout our district. While we are trying to keep up with the latest technology, it seems that most teachers are still at a loss as to what should be happening in the classroom with the technology available to us. At the moment, many teachers at our campus have a smart board, student computers with internet access, class response clickers, projectors, EKI machines, digital cameras and new gadget called KINEO that our district Migrant department has provided to our Migrant students. This apparatus is supposed to help our migrant students in leveling their knowledge of math, reading and science skills throught the program WEBACHIEVER. We have had this gadges in our library for about two months and have been used only once because no on has been trained as how to use them. I can say that Donna ISD has done a very good job at providing opportunities for us teachers to get technology savvy but unfortunate, not many have taken that opportunity. We have even had the opportunity to complete technology staff development in our pajamas. As a result of these initiatives by our district, it is safe to say that our district is in the right direction as far as providing us the technology and advancing software that is available to students and teachers. Through MTT Donna right Technology Grant, more teachers will become masters at providing the right tools so that teachers can change their attitudes towards technology. However more training and accountability needs to be in place in order to assure that the technology is being used correctly so our students can compete in the real world.

This website gives an insight of what Colorado districts are presently doing: 4-day school weeks. Are we headed that way?

I think that districts here in the valley are far from moving to this 4-day school weeks. It would have to be most or all of the school districts from around here in order to work more effectively. There will be a lot of unhappy parents due to child care expenses. On the other hand, us teachers will probably enjoy it. As it is most of us already stay late hours at school everyday to finish up. The districts will have to show how much they are saving by doing this and at the same time maintain or improve scores.

I read the article and I believe the 4-day week has its benefits but as well it has its downside. I believe at the end the positive benefits will outweigh the downsides. If any district is going to implement the 4-day week, the district has to have the parents and community behind them if they want the system to work. I can see how having a 4-day week will have a positive effect on test scores, because the students and teachers will make every hour count for instructional time, knowing they only have 4 days to teach the concept within the week. I can also see improvement in attendance with students and staff, now parents and teachers can schedule their appointments on the off day during the week. Article: http://crosscut.com/2012/02/16/education/21873/The-fourday-school-week-why-less-really-is-more/ A superintendent in Oregon explains the reasons why a shift to a four-day school week works well for students, teachers, and families. Start with better academic performance.

I am also a big supporter of tablets in the classroom, but I have yet to justify the cost of purchasing an ipad at $500 a piece. With budget cuts as wide spread as they are now, I would think a kindle, nook or even a nexus tablet for around half the price would work just as well. What students need is a dedicated e-reader and access to the internet to look up any information on the spot. Any of the above mentioned tablets could perform these skills without the premium price tag. Since most apps are now available on both the ios operating system and the android operating system, I would imagine the apps developed by speech and language experts are also available across platforms. The second issue in dealing with ipads is the familiarity with the product. Apple is the most successful and profitable tech company in the U.S. right now, but 90% of the computers in the classroom are windows based. Teachers will be more willing to utilize a tool if it integrates easily with the technology already found in the classroom. Ipad is a name. It is the most trusted and used tablet on the market. If, however, students can receive the same benefits of an ipad at half the price, I see no reason to limit the inclusion of tablets in the classroom to an ipad. Check out this article. It has some interesting comments by Bill Gates. http://macdailynews.com/2012/06/27/bill-gates-tablets-in-the-classroom-have-really-horrible-track-record/

It is amazing how much technology is available to help students in the classroom. Integrating technology into the classroom enhances teaching and learning, yet it is now a necessity, even for students with disabilities. My question is, Are facilitators aware of how technology can be used in the classroom? It seems we are still lagging behind on the use of technology in the classrooms. Here is another article that touches points to consider when designing teaching and learning activities when integrating technology into the classroom: http://www.cput.ac.za/blogs/cel/2012/09/13/technology-for-inclusivity/

Jaime, I believe the use of iPads and other related Tablets in the classroom is great way to engaged students in the concept being taught. I like how this article detailed how the iPad can be implemented in the classroom to help students with special needs. Article: 7 Strategies for iPads and iPods in the (Math) Classroom- http://thejournal.com/Articles/2012/07/11/7-Strategies-for-iPads-and-iPods-in-the-Math-Classroom.aspx?Page=1

Valree, this website has many great resources for teachers. I specifically liked the website link titled, "Building a school website". It's basically step by step instructions on creating your own school website. I liked this link because some educators want to learn how to create their own website but don't know how. We can share this website link so that they can access it and learn how. Thank you for sharing.

Valree, It looks like a good website, but I was not able to go to this website. I'm very interested in finding out if it has resources for 1st grade social studies. Does anyone know of a good website for social studies (1st grade)?

It's an awesome page with a lot of interesting links. I was trying the "Dance Mat Typing" link. It's a great activity for those students that are learning how to type. And also for those who want to practice their typing skills.

I am one of the Diigo Host assigned for the week of Nov. 5-11, 2012. This website was very interesting to me. It had different tools to be able to use as an educator. Check it out!

I use edmodo and slide-rocket in my classrooms for web 2.0 tools also gotten into prezi but the lagging of my network campus tends to drag. but great tools I use.

I posted something similar to this. I love learning and implementing new tools. There are SOOOOOOO many out there!

I had the pleasure of utilizing this in my classroom for a few years. I was able to walk around the room and make sure my students were on task without having to skip a beat of teaching. It allows you to use drawing, writing, and typing tools. It wirelessly connects to to the laptop through bluetooth technology and then the laptop is connected to elmo, and projector. You can capture an image of what you are projecting through your elmo and highlight, write notes, or draw on it, and you can save it for later use or print out notes for your students. You can also log on to the internet and it becomes your pointer, you can manuver through the web, freeze a page and write notes on it and save it. If you ever get a chance to work with one you will love it, I did! I miss it dearly because, unfortuately, the laptops at my campus are out of date and I haven't been able to successfully connect it to my current laptop which works when it feels like it. Now there's a new version out called Mobi Interwrite pad and I read that there is an app for the Ipad (not sure how the Ipad is connected to projector). But it is a technology worth looking into!

I know Mcallen I.S.D have issued students I-pads to use in the classroom. Here at E.C.I.S.D they have been assigned to teachers and us teachers have been using i-pads in our daily lessons. On my I-pad i have a remote desktop option for students viewing my work on the I-pad on the projection screen. Very neat tool and I feel that I-pads are very useful in teaching than a textbook.

Great classroom technology equipment. I recently purchased an iPad app Whiteboard which gives you similar tools as a whiteboard but on your iPad and you project the information wireless to your computer and projector. Its very useful when you need to walk around and check on students and still project information to the rest of the class.

Teaching to the test can be BORING and un"motivating" for students. If we would teach the TEKS, using a variety of strategies and techniques, including PBL and technology, I believe students would be in even better prepared for lifelong learning. In many ways, I believe teaching to the test inhibits how far we take our students. I think the bottom line here is...planning is vital.

I agree that we should use technology to motivate students. They look forward to a story, game, video, drawing tool etc. using technology verses pencil and paper.

I for one love technology but also love lectures and insight from experts. To me it is not always about hands-on and group work. I guess I am a bit of an introvert in that regard.