19-02-2012 21:33 On Friday, 17 February I launched the new and interactive Harmony Day educational resources at Barnier Public School with Federal Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland. The resources teach children about diversity, harmony and belonging. The lucky group of students were among the first in Australia to try out the new interactive whiteboard and online resources. Video Transcription Kate: I'm at Barnier Primary School with Michelle Rowland the Member for Greenway, and we've just launched this wonderful resource for schools for Harmony Day 2012, its called "Multicultural match-it". And the kids here have been having a wonderful time using their memories to play this great game. What do you think Michelle? Michelle: I think these are some of the smartest young people we've had in part of our school tours here. They're learning a lot about different costumes from around the world and different customs and I think everyone has done a fantastic job doing the Multicultural Match-it here today. We've had a really great time. Kate: So it's a game that can be played on both computers like this, or on the interactive whiteboards. The idea is you match up a piece of clothing from a different culture, but you've got to use your memory to find out where the other piece of clothing is. The children here have a wonderful time using their memories, using their brains and learning something about our wonderfully diverse culture here in Australia.
18-02-2012 06:43 Educate1's mission is to improve the academic performance and increase the ambition of children in middle and high school. Educate1 provides support services contributing to academic success in school. Visit Educate1.com for more information about attending an online session.
Margaret Elaine Young, a teacher at Heidelberg Middle School, a Department of Defense School, Heidelberg, Germany, has been awarded an Endeavor Fellowship with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA's Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project provides live, online training for educators working to earn a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) certificate from Teachers College, Columbia University, N.Y.
"This year marks the acceptance of 51 new Endeavor fellows in Cohort 4," said Katherine Bender, Education Specialist and lead for the project at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "The project is funded through NASA's Office of Education. Implementation is through Glen Schuster and U.S. Satellite Laboratory, Rye, N.Y."
Teachers engage with education experts, NASA scientists, and with each other to carry back to the classroom a greater understanding of NASA discoveries, to impact student learning in real-world contexts, to inspire a next generation of explorers, scientists, engineers and astronauts.
"Endeavor offers educators research-based ways to bring relevant NASA and STEM discipline content to a school's curriculum. The project helps educators to do this effectively," said Shelley Canright, Manager of Elementary, Secondary and e-Education at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The 2012 cohort of educators from around the U.S. represents many of our nation's future leaders in science, mathematics and technology education."
The highly-competitive NASA Fellowship is a model for effectual improvements in teacher practice. Endeavor is collaborating with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, promoting effective strategies for teaching and learning.
The project was designed and is administered by the U.S. Satellite Laboratory Inc., of Rye, N.Y. Funding for the program is provided through the NASA Endeavor Teacher Fellowship Trust Fund, in tribute to the dedicated crew of the space shuttle Challenger.
This weekend, a national online education company, K12 Inc., is pitching its services to Iowa families.
At an informational meeting in Cedar Rapids Saturday morning, parents Justin and Brenda Opperman are preparing for a big step in their oldest child's life -- kindergarten. The couple believes online learning may be the right option.
"The idea of learning at our own pace is pretty appealing -- to be able to work that in with our family schedule," said Justin Opperman.
K12 Inc is launching Iowa Virtual Academy in the fall. The K-6 school is based out of the Clayton Ridge Community School District in Guttenberg, but kids across the state can enroll full time in the program -- without ever setting foot in a classroom.
"We see kids who were struggling in a traditional classroom and they need the one-on-one instruction which the program would provide for them. Because it's tailor-made for each individual student. We've also seen the advanced learner who is moving ahead more quickly than the traditional class is going," said Rachel Hagan.
The brick and mortar school works for most kids. Iowa Virtual Academy is aimed at providing the same education standards, but allowing children to learn at their own pace. What concerns some lawmakers is regulating the program. The average Iowa school receives $5,883 per pupil funding. They use that money for playgrounds, teacher salaries, and supplies. The overhead cost to operate an online school is much less.
"We don't know how much it should cost. There's an amendment filed to bring it down to the same weighting as a home schooled assisted person. But at the same time, we're not sure that's what it costs. We don't want to underprice them so that we run K-12 out, so they don't have an option in our state," said Representative Renee Schulte, (R) Cedar Rapids.
K12 Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Last year, the company grossed $209.12 million. 85 percent of that revenue is generated by K12 Inc.'s online public schools. Meaning -- public tax dollars.
"Attorneys general office has been pulled into this to determine if what's happening is even legal," Schulte said.
There's another question lawmakers would like to see answered -- how effective is online-only learning.
"The idea that you're going to turn schools over to the Internet.. that's a bad idea. Kids need contact with people. Teachers, coaches," said Senator Rob Hogg, (D) Cedar Rapids
But some believe it's a good idea -- in fact, K12 has more than 100,000 students in 29 states.
Even if they decide to go a more traditional route, the Opperman family is grateful to have the online option.
"Might as well start out on the right foot -- start out with the best options," Justin said.
Schulte said the House is considering putting a hold on allowing the online-only schools until they can determine how to regulate and fund the programs.
Clayton Ridge Community School District worked closely with the Iowa Department of Education to develop the program with K12 Inc. Anyone interested in the online-based school must first apply for open enrollment before March 1, 2012.
16-02-2012 16:41 The University of Illinois Springfield Career Development Center, along with other local colleges and universities hosted the 14th Annual Springfield Collegiate Career Fair on February 16, 2012 at The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC).