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Livemocha, the world’s largest online language learning service, today announced the Livemocha Scholarship Program, which offers free and discounted foreign language services to high schools and community colleges across the nation. Livemocha aspires to create a world in which every person is fluent in multiple languages and to help support this mission will donate approximately five million dollars of language learning to U.S. schools in 2012. Schools can now apply for the needs-based Livemocha 2012 Scholarship Program offering discounts and free language learning solutions.

In the United States today, less than 40% of high school students and 8% of college students are enrolled in the study of a foreign language. According to a recent survey on multilingual talent in the workplace, 33% of Fortune 500 companies will require knowledge of a foreign language in order to qualify for employment.

Livemocha’s initiative is also dedicated to enhancing English as a second language (ESL) instruction for students in the process of learning English, or English Learners.

  Starfall.com opened in September of 2002 as a free public service to teach children to read with phonics. Our systematic phonics approach, in conjunction with phonemic awareness practice, is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, special education, homeschool, and English language development (ELD, ELL, ESL). Starfall is an educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children.

Technology is helping teachers to expand beyond linear, text-based learning and to engage students who learn best in other ways. Its role in schools has evolved from a contained “computer class” into a versatile learning tool that could change how we demonstrate concepts, assign projects and assess progress.

As Ediger’s (1994) studies on Technology in the Elementary Classroom have revealed, applying technology in the classroom does several things to student learning: (1) It increases interest even in rote tasks; (2) it provides purpose for learning; (3) it can attach meaning to an ongoing lesson; (4) it provides opportunities to perceive knowledge as being related, not isolated bits; (5) it allows for individual student differences; and (6) it can affect students’ attitudes toward learning.

"leading center for mathematics and mathematics education on the Internet" and without any reservations I would agree that its coverage of math education is excellent. It contains a seemingly endless number of resources for teachers, students, and mathematicians in support of its mission to "enrich and support teaching and learning."

This guide is designed primarily for the mathematics educator, whether in the role of teacher or as the student in a college education program. The majority of resources included here focus on primary and secondary education, but many may easily apply to college level. Librarians will also find the databases, reference tools, and the biographic sites helpful. Because the number of Internet sites covering mathematics education is so vast, a guide to the most essential ones is useful.

Sites with lesson plans are numerous, but the links listed below are good starting points because they lead to specific lessons.

The Center for Teaching History with Technology, a resource created to help K-12 history and social studies teachers incorporate technology effectively into their courses. Find resources for history and social studies lesson plans, activities, projects, games, and quizzes that use technology. Explore inquiry-based lessons, activities, and projects. Learn about web technologies such as blogs, podcasts, wikis, social networks, Google Docs, ebooks, online maps, virtual field trips, screencasts, online posters, and more. Explore innnovative ways of integrating these tools into the curriculum, watch instructional video tutorials, and learn how others are using technology in the classroom!

We live in a world that is increasingly mobile. In order for adults to connect with our kids and students, we need to mobilize. Kids love their phones, they are highly motivated to use them (constantly), and they always have them right there with them (if they’re allowed). What a strong basis for an educational tool: empower students to use tools they already own as a means for better education!

Students learn how to use these tools for academic purposes and, at the same time, can transfer their use to their personal lives and future professional careers.

The Center for Teaching History with Technology believes that educators need to be shown that technology can help teachers teach and students learn and also be provided with models and examples of exemplary technology use.With that goal in mind,we offer a multitude of free online resources presented in the form of a broad tutorial -- full of guides, tips, strategies, video tutorials, examples, and annotated links -- to help history and social studies teachers integrate technology effectively in their classes.

Technology can serve at least four roles in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Specifically, technology can aid in (1) mathematical concept and skill development, (2) mathematical problem solving, (3) mathematical reasoning, and (4) mathematical communication (Kimmins, 1995; Kimmins and Bouldin, 1996).