T&L News(126)

Week of: April 21, 2008

• Cell Division—To ban or not to ban? Some districts keep mobile phones from school grounds. Others write curricula for them.
  Since January, a high school in Craik, Saskatchewan, has instituted a pilot project to make phones a part of the curriculum. So far, students have been using the phones' calendar and alarm functions for class, and texting responses to questions teachers pose about books they have been studying. The program's effectiveness will be evaluated this summer.
• Cell Division—To ban or not to ban? Some districts keep mobile phones from school grounds. Others write curricula for them.
  Since January, a high school in Craik, Saskatchewan, has instituted a pilot project to make phones a part of the curriculum. So far, students have been using the phones' calendar and alarm functions for class, and texting responses to questions teachers pose about books they have been studying. The program's effectiveness will be evaluated this summer.
• Get that Grant—Five steps you can take this summer to find the money for your classroom.
  As summer approaches, teachers often have more time to plan activities and look for ways to fund them. What can you do during the summer months to get ready for new grant opportunities?
• New math activities for K-5
  Kidspiration 3 is to grades K-3 what the visual learning software Inspiration is to older students. While its new math activities address K-5 math skills, the program's graphical interface will appeal to younger children.
• What's New—A look at ed tech products and services released this week.
  Epson introduces five new powerful and bright projectors offering advanced capabilities and industry-leading 3LCD technology to meet even the most demanding presentation needs in large auditoriums, university classrooms, and conference rooms.