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Some technology leaders feel that the low-cost devices on the market do not meet the needs of K-12 students today, while others feel that these devices can provide ubiquitous access and unique learning opportunities if used in innovative ways. Do you think that ultra-portables such as the XO, Intel Classmate PC, Nova 5000 or the Asus Eee PC have the capabilities to meet the needs of K-12 students today? Why or why not? Is your district is implementing or piloting ultra-portable devices? If so, we invite you to share your experiences with us.

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Continue reading "Ultra Light Portable Devices in K-12: The Quest for a $100 Device" »

by David Warlick

In my presentations, I frequently show a video that my son produced a couple of years ago. It is an impressive blend, or re-mix, of images, sound, and live video. When the show is over, I proclaim to my audience that "I didn't teach him how to do that," and that I know his high school teachers, and "I know they didn't teach him how to do that." He learned to produce video by being connected to a vast social network and knowing how to find people who can help him learn what he needs to know, to do what he needs to do.

Continue reading "The Value of Social Networks" »

by Jeffrey L. Hunt, Ed.D.

High school students are drawn to networking and sharing. Watch them in the school locker bays, the cafeteria, or huddled in their groups at the local hang out. They like to talk, share, and be together. Social networking sites on the Internet are a natural, highly popular extension of this desire to connect and there’s not much educators or parents can do to stop it. But that doesn’t mean that networking sites with a purely social purpose have a place on campus.

Continue reading "Putting Education First" »