systems and are starting to use that valuable data to change classroom practice and improve student achievement, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Education. But school leaders are still searching for the best models to mine the data to discover the best instructional methods for students, the report says. "Data should be part of a feedback loop used to drive improvement at every level of the education system. This study helps us understand the kinds of data that need to be available for teachers and school leaders if they're going to use data to improve their practice," said Carmel Martin, assistant secretary for the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. In "Use of Education Data at the Local Level: From Accountability to Instructional Improvement," researchers surveyed officials from 529 districts, conducted in-depth site visits to 36 schools in 12 districts leading the way in data usage, and analyzed secondary data from a survey of over 6,000 teachers to obtain a national picture of current data use practices at the local-level.

This article responds to a generation of techno-criticism in education. It contains a review of the key themes of that criticism. The context of previous efforts to reform education reframes that criticism. Within that context, the question is raised about what schools need to look and be like in order to take advantage of laptop computers and other technology. In doing so, the article presents a vision for self-organizing schools.

Here are some ways you can use them: * Distribute them at your organization. * Forward them to users with support issues. * Post them on your organization's Website. Be notified when new Quick References are released - and get a free Online Learning evaluation: Complete the form to the right."

Online diagramming application

Will Richardson In the Web 2.0 world, self-directed learners must be adept at building and sustaining networks.

Abstract The publicity about online "predators" who prey on naive children using trickery and violence is largely inaccurate. Internet sex crimes involving adults and juveniles more often fit a model of statutory rape - adult offenders who meet, develop relationships with, and openly seduce underage teenagers -- than a model of forcible sexual assault or pedophilic child molesting. This is a serious problem, but one that requires different approaches from current prevention messages emphasizing parental control and the dangers of divulging personal information. Developmentally appropriate prevention strategies that target youth directly and acknowledge normal adolescent interests in romance and sex are needed. These should provide younger adolescents with awareness and avoidance skills, while educating older youth about the pitfalls of sexual relationships with adults and their criminal nature. Particular attention should be paid to higher risk youth, including those with histories of sexual abuse, sexual orientation concerns, and patterns of off- and online risk taking. Mental health practitioners need information about the dynamics of this problem and the characteristics of victims and offenders because they are likely to encounter related issues in a variety of contexts.

Autistic Children Architect Their Ideas Using Google Sketchup, 3D Design Software

Moodlerooms, an online learning solution that can be used for K-12 classrooms, has collaborated with Google to integrate Moodle with Google Apps Education Eduction, which allows the two communication/productivity systems to work as one great tool. Moodle administrators can create user accounts in Moodle and Google in one step, and Moodle users can access Google features through Moodle using a single sign-on system.

Excellent list of resources

Yahoo BOSS allows developers to create their own customized search apps based on Yahoo's search engine, and the Google App Engine is a platform for hosting apps. Vik Singh, the engineer who leads the Yahoo Boss project (and a former Google engineer) created a simple Question-Answering Service, where you put in a question, and it tries to come up with the answer based on the top 50 results from Yahoo. (So, if you ask, "Who invented the light bulb?," it looks for the most popular dates in the top 50 results and returns: "Thomas Edison").

Another quick q&a site

This is the most disturbing part of this research

Project Tomorrow has just released the Speak Up 2007 National Findings. Over 319,223 students, 25,544 teachers, 19,726 parents and 3,263 school leaders shared their ideas through Speak Up 2007 surveys. From their website: Speak Up 2007 revealed a growing "digital disconnect" between students and their teachers and parents about the role of technology for learning, and how well schools are preparing students for the jobs of the future.

Bloom's Taxonomy Blooms Digitally