Back to the basics: "Studies show that positive feelings can enhance students' attention and higher-order thinking skills, as well as encouraging perseverance."

Education Week PD Webinars (yes, there is a fee to register). > Developing Intrinsic Motivation in Students with Chris Wejr and Larry Ferlazzo March 5, 2013 at 4pm ET > Intentional Teaching: Infusing Instruction With Purpose with Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey March 20, 2013 at 2pm ET >Daniel Pink on How Teachers Can 'Sell' More to Students April 9, 2013 at 2pm ET

How are games aligned with visual, kinesthetic, auditory and read/write learners? Read on.

FYI: Rebroadcast of webinar with Carol Dweck for $49.00.

What Khan Academy is... and what it is not. The author reminds us that Khan Academy is a resource, not a teacher.

States use simulations to assess science skills and students seemed to "enjoy playing with the computers and took quickly to the assessment." A costly option, but goals to have all students complete computer-based tasks as part of Common Core assessments by 2014. NOTE: This article just scratches the surface of actual results, but for more commentary about this year's results take a look at: "NAEP Reveals Shallow Grasp of Science" http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/06/19/36naep.h31.html?tkn=VLPFYOoO%2Fh6K0gBMoWRnkBNKB%2B3NDBvfmvWl&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS1 It will be important to watch if/how computer simulations help students explain or justify their responses and apply concrete knowledge to real-life scientific scenarios.

A quick overview of digital badges (including pros/cons re intrinsic/extrinsic motivation) and introduction of "Badge Economy" ["With support from the MacArthur Foundation, Mozilla has developed an Open Badge Infrastructure, or OBI, designed to become the underlying technical scaffolding for badges," where user can collect badges earned in a digital backpack.]

Thoughtful reflection by 8th grade teacher... enjoys experimenting with technology, but stresses the importance of questioning the pedagogical value of integrating tech in classrooms

The second part of Project Tomorrow's Speak Up 2011 report (based on a national survey of teachers, librarians and administrators), was just released. This part focuses on how "today's educators are personalizing the learning process for students," and how they are personalizing the classroom experience with online, socially-networked media and digital content.

Following increasing amount of disruptive technologies in Higher Ed, and announcement of MIT/Harvard EdX platform, author claims to check in with students. Does not really live up to the title (as he does not write enough about conversations with students), but it is a question that does need to be asked. Here is part one of "Did Anyone Ask the Students?" http://chronicle.com/blogs/next/2012/05/01/did-anyone-ask-the-students-part-i/

You probably received an email from Drew Faust about edX. Here's an article written after the announcement.

A must see. DIY = kids + creativity + kids online community. This blog post explains a little about history and goals... "We're a community of kids who make."

Undergrads use "free range learning," exploring the web for material about subjects of study and do not rely on the texts and assigned readings.

Also as a follow-up to our conversation on Monday. Although more women are in STEM careers, there is still a lag in those considered "hard sciences." Most people look at mathematics as the core difference, these authors look at creativity. "For instance, three factors that are widely accepted as being positively correlated with creativity are playfulness, curiosity, and willingness to take risks. Studies have found that boys and men are generally more playful than girls and women, and are more curious and more willing to take risks, which could help explain why men are more creatively productive than women in general, and in particular, in the hard sciences."