Teachers, parents and other community members can now monitor the progress of statewide education through the Arizona Ready Education Report Card recently launched by Gov. Jan Brewer's office.

By using this new tool, those interested can visit http://www.arizonaready.com/content/index.html and take a look at where the state is below, meeting or exceeding its educational goals.

This online Education Report Card puts right at parents' fingertips some of the most critical information about the quality of our schools and the achievement of our students, said Brewer.

With this novel, user-friendly tool, parents and educators alike will be empowered to measure Arizona's education successes, monitor our shortcomings and, ultimately, help ensure our children are college and career-ready after graduation.

The online charts show the state's progress in pre-kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, post-secondary and workforce areas.

A review of the data indicates, while there remains much work to be done, Arizona has made improvements in vital education areas, reported state officials.

For example, data shows that Arizona eighth-grade students showed improvement on the National Assessment of Educational Programs in 2011 compared with previous years. It also shows that the amount of third-grade students meeting the state reading standards has also gradually increased.

Data can be pinpointed by the user to specific counties, years, grade levels and subject areas.

As someone deeply involved in education reform, I am very pleased to have this tool available, said Craig Barrett, chairman of the Arizona Ready Education Council. The ability to drill down into our goals and access detailed information will enable the council to make more thoughtful and deliberate recommendations that can drive meaningful change. This will prove invaluable to education in the state of Arizona.

Arizona Ready is an education reform plan developed by Brewer, the Arizona Department of Education and multiple education stakeholders in 2010 and implemented in 2011. Goals set through the plan required students, teachers and administrators to be held to a higher level of expectation. Upcoming reforms include the implementation of Arizona's Common Core Standards as well as a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.

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Online ‘report card’ monitors state education

At Cooper Pool on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, you will see about 24 ladies participating in the senior aqua aerobics program, which is now in its fifth week.

Sue Asher, who teaches the 90-minute aqua aerobics classes, has helped senior citizens keep fit during the summer months for years. Ms. Asher is CPR and first aid certified and during the year is a special needs elementary school teacher.

According to Ms. Asher, she began the senior walking program in Manville and said she wanted to do something to get involved with the seniors in the summer months.

This is my 24th year of doing aqua aerobics with my ladies, she said. We have six new ladies with us, and some of them have been with me for the whole time. We have all ages from 53 to 90 and that is pretty awesome that people can choose to come to water exercise and keep fit. It is a social time, too, for most of them.

Ms. Asher laughed when she said she keeps doing the program for the seniors.

Aqua aerobics is a great way to loosen up the joints and the bones, she said. The water helps with the tension, and the exercises give the ladies the opportunity to socialize a bit as they exercise and work every part of their body.

The ladies start by getting used to the water, bobbing up and down and rocking forward and backward. Then come exercises on the wall with their legs, arms and floating barbells. More exercises include kicking with the knees straight and toes pointed, bicycling, arm circles and shoulder rolls.

We get to all parts of the body, and it is basically to keep them toned, Ms. Asher said. It helps them with their joint and arthritics problems. Exercise is the best program for them. For most, it gives them the energy to make it through the day and builds up their strength a bit.

After the hard work of exercising, the ladies relax with water and apple and orange juices, courtesy of a grant from Walmart.

I enjoy working with them, Ms. Asher said. I teach children 10 months out of the year so it is a great treat to work with the senior citizens. They have always been my favorite group of people.

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MANVILLE: Women take to the water

"The Hot Yoga War," Rebecca Moss, July 19

Not Cool

Very good story on the yoga wars. It persuaded me that I should just stick to a brisk walk around Washington Park.

Julie Randall Denver

This is hysterical.

So much for yoga as a method for the contemplative, meditative seeking of wisdom and inner peace. And why did the word "cult" keep pinging my brain while reading this?

From the moment I heard about Bikram yoga, something felt not quite right about it. And now, a balding greedy guy who can give his wife an $800,000 Rolls-Royce doesn't have enough money that he can afford to let his "favorite disciple" make some serious scratch, too? Good grief.

Ellen Sweets Austin, Texas

It is very sad that Bikram Choudhury, a man trying to maintain a copyright on a style of yoga, has failed utterly to achieve one of the fundamental yogic virtues. He has yet to master Santosha the choice to live in serenity and satisfaction with all that life is.

Mark Lane Denver

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Yoga wars and gang wars are on readers' minds

Yoga teacher, Kerry Radley. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Abigail Saltmarsh Thursday, July 14, 2011 8:00 AM

As yoga teacher Kerry Radley prepares to launch a new after-work de-stressing class in Norwich, Abigail Saltmarsh finds out more.

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It has been 15 years now since Kerry Radley first started practising yoga.

Now, not only is she helping others as she was helped herself, but she is one of the few teachers in the county who is a member of the British Wheel of Yoga, as both an adults and childrens teacher.

Kerry, 38, from Salhouse, is soon to launch a new de-stressing yoga class in Norwich. The aim, she explained, is for people to drop in on their way home and to release the tensions they might have built up during the day.

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Norwich yoga teacher helps you relax after work

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The Fit Kit : Self-improvement Through Health And Fitness - Video

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Vmersion-Health introduces Gluco-Share, a mobile smart device application that connects people living with diabetes with their family and friends through a private and secure social media network. The Gluco-Share app is a free download available at the Apple iTunes store.

Gluco-Share enables persons living with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar (glucose) levels and to communicate that information in real time to their circle of family and friends. In turn, family and friends communicate their support, providing social and psychological encouragement that empowers a person to maintain their medical regimen and live a fuller life.

The daily support and understanding people living with diabetes receive from their social circle can make a significant difference in how effectively they manage the disease, said Joseph Madden, president and CEO of Vmersion-Health. Gluco-Share harnesses technology already available on a smart device data input, chat, text, notifications and badges- to create a private, secure and fun supportive social network.

As an application, Gluco-Share provides three interrelated functions: Check, Share and Reward.

CHECK: Persons with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes receive friendly automated reminders to check blood glucose levels. The Check function provides data fields for glucose values, med units, and personal comments and automatically registers date and time.

SHARE: Gluco-Share communicates data and alerts in real time to persons within the diabetics social circle of parents, family and friends, allowing them to share in the frequency of the diabetics checking of glucose levels. A chat function allows family and friends to offer supportive comments or to just say hello and maintain normal social relationships.

REWARD: Gluco-Share features a Challenge system that rewards frequent checking and provides fun and educational games that encourage interplay among Gluco-Share members.

As a parent of a Type 1 child, I understand the importance and frustration- of ensuring that my child has checked his blood sugar, said Madden. Gluco-Share is the first app that has a reward system based on the frequency of checking ones blood sugar, not just the numeric value. I can say from my own experience that using the app has improved the quality of my communication and my relationship with my child.

Gluco-Share shares data, chat, challenges and games among multiple users in the members network. Unlike other diabetes apps that use email, Gluco-Share allows real-time data sharing and chat. The users network of family and friends instantaneously receive text messages, glucose-checking notifications, and game and challenge status updates.

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Vmersion-Health’s New Mobile App Gluco-Share™ Harnesses the Power of Sharing to Improve Diabetic Health

Dinesh WEERAWANSA reporting from England

Sri Lankas ace swimmer Heshan Unamboowe said that he will make every effort to better his personal best at the forthcoming Olympic Games swimming competition which begins on Saturday.

Sri Lanka national champion Unamboowe, who has been on a training cum competition stint in Melbourne for over an year is in good shape and is roaring to set a new Sri Lanka record in mens 100m back stroke. He is due to compete in the first round qualifiers of his pet event on Sunday (29).

In an exclusive interview with the Daily News at Athletes Village of the London Games, Unamboowe said he has been training hard for the last several months. I am looking forward to set a new Sri Lanka record in my event and the chances are pretty good, he said.

Unamboowe said the level of competition is very high but will do his best to come out with a notable performance and better his own Sri Lanka record. The atmosphere is great and all of us are enjoying the true spirit of Olympics. We are looking forward to make our presence felt, he added.

Besides Unamboowe, who clocked his personal best timing of 57.47 seconds during the FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China last year, the only other Lankan swimmer to be seen in action during the London Olympics is Reshika Udugampola who too is determined to set a new Sri Lanka record.

Unamboowe is housed in the same room at the Athletes Village with the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent Niluka Karunaratne. Sri Lankas undisputed mens singles badminton champion arrived here yesterday from Warsaw, Poland where he honoured the final leg of his competition cum training series abroad. Karunaratne is keen on improving his world rankings and hopes to get into the top ten in the world within the next two years. Hurdler Sonali Christine Merril arrived here from United Sates to join her team at the Athletes Village. Sri Lanka marathon runner Anuradha Indrajith Cooray, who has been training aborad, is yet to join the team in London.

Cooray, the senior most competitor in the Sri Lank contingent, represented Sri Lanka at the Athens 2004 Games in Greece. He will be seen in action in mens marathon on the final day of the Games - August 12.

Meanwhile, the mens football tournament of the London Olympics begins on Thursday with Honduras meeting Morocco in the curtain raiser game. There are seven other first round qualifiers down for decision in the same afternoon.

The pick of Thursdays eight games will be the be the game between Mexico and South Korea which will be followed by the third match for the day between Spain and Japan.

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Unamboowe aims personal best

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Choosing a web browser can be the single most important security decision you make for your computer, so it's vital that the browser you choose not only delivers in performance but also provides top-notch security. The Personal Technology Experts at Support.com (SPRT), a provider of technology services and software for consumers and small businesses, took a closer look at Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer, and identified seven great security features all users should take advantage of, no matter which browser they use:

Consider the security features listed above and choose the web browser you like the most. We also recommend having multiple browsers installed on your computer so you can take advantage of the best each has to offer and use them accordingly.

About Support.com Support.com, Inc. (SPRT) provides technology services and software for consumers and small businesses. Support.com(R) Personal Technology Experts provide a quick, cost-effective and stress-free technology support experience over the Internet and the phone using the Company's advanced technology platform. Support.com also offers a wide range of easy-to-use software products that detect and repair common computer problems and optimize performance and security. Support.com offers programs through many of the nation's leading retailers, broadband service providers and technology companies, and provides software to over a million consumers and small businesses. For more information please visit us at: http://www.support.com, http://www.facebook.com/support.com, or http://twitter.com/support_com.

Support.com, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, visit http://www.support.com/about/careers.

The Support.com, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11893

Copyright (C) 2012 Support.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Support.com and Personal Technology Experts are trademarks or registered trademarks of Support.com, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Internet Explorer is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Firefox is a trademark or registered trademark of Mozilla Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. Google and Chrome are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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Personal Technology Experts(R) at Support.com Discuss Seven Ways to Improve Browser Security When Using Chrome(R ...

PCs are often expensive pieces of equipment that we want to use for all of our electronic activities. It wasn't so long ago that we were prepared to invest 1000's on the right machine. But these days budget laptops can be bought for just a few hundred, this is especially true now we have netbooks.

Nevertheless, those that want a machine that is optimized for gaming may be prepared to part with anything up to 2000. In comparison, consoles are usually an investment of a few hundred, but their performance can often be far better for the latest sports games.

It used to be the case that computers offered vastly impressive specifications to consoles, but that has changed somewhat in recent years. The latest consoles now come with their own processors, hard drives, and the ability to connect to the internet.

The thing about owning a console such as an Xbox360, PlayStation 3, or Wii is that you know it will work with any game designed for that particular system. However, PC sports games are always a bit of a lottery, unless you have an expensive system designed for gaming.

The problem usually stems to the fact that most low-cost systems and the majority of laptops use a shared graphics card. This means the amount of power available for gaming, depends on what the computer is using for other tasks.

If you happen to have a system with a dedicated graphics card, then you are likely to receive much better performance from the latest sports games. The graphics card problem is a bigger issue for owners of laptops than those that have a desktop system. This is because a dedicated graphics card can be installed in a desktop PC to solve these problems.

Unfortunately, the problems do not necessarily end with getting the game to run, because many users may receive lagging game play, which makes certain sports games impossible to play. So, playing games on a PC can certainly produce a big challenge.

However, that doesn't mean that consoles are for everyone and PC gaming still certainly has its place. One of the main reasons for this is the way the console gaming industry is going. I personally think the more active style of gaming that was first introduced by the Nintendo Wii is great and has opened up video games to many more people.

But it may not be for everyone, especially avid gamers that aren't used to it and prefer to play the traditional way. In the future, PC gaming may be the only way to remember how gaming used to be, and it still appeals to a lot of people. The debate between gaming on PC or via console systems is really one of personal choice; although, many people may ultimately decide on a combination of the two.

James Kent is a fan of many sports as well as a keen player of sports video games. Follow James on Twitter and Facebook.

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Personal Experience: Are Sports Video Games Better Enjoyed on PCs or Consoles?

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Technology continues to play a critical role in K-12 education. Not surprisingly, 100 percent of the 43 participants interviewed by CompassLearning at the recent 2012 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference say that technology plays some role in the education of students at their school or school district. However, 37 percent say that professional development for teachers to help them embrace and properly use the vast array of technology options currently available is critical to the success of technology integration in the classroom. On the flipside, 30 percent of those interviewed believe technology presents a tremendous opportunity for students and teachers by giving them access to virtually unlimited resources across the Internet.

It is clear that the future success of our students, teachers and districts will be incumbent upon the successful use of technology to create 21st century learning environments, said Fred Waugh, vice president of marketing for Compass Learning. The attendees at ISTE overwhelmingly embrace the need to implement technology. However, selecting technology that supports strong academic outcomes, as well as training teachers to use technology to engage students that are digital natives, can be a challenge. Thats one of the reasons weve made it a priority to support our personal learning solutions with the most comprehensive professional development program in the industry. We want to help teachers fully embrace the technology available to them so that they are empowered to engage students in learning anytime, anywhere.

Key Findings from the Interviews:

Forty-three attendees of the 2012 ISTE conference were interviewed, responding to four questions about technology use in the classroom, the biggest challenge facing education and the biggest opportunity for education. While not statistically valid, the direction of the answers is enlightening. For video compilation of the interviews, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fJIjA6wVSU.

About Compass Learning

Compass Learning provides K-12 educational software that empowers teachers to unlock every students potential for academic success and personal growth. Compass Learning takes a student-centered approach by providing comprehensive solutions that address the needs of every student and student-type to create personalized learning and differentiation programs that reach, engage, and inspire students to succeed. Teachers and administrators can more efficiently and effectively manage and measure progress, freeing time to focus on delivering academic results. Both of the companys software solutions, CompassLearning Odyssey and the Renzulli Learning System deliver academic rigor that is based on more than 40 years of research into how students learn and are aligned to state and Common Core Standards to support classroom and district accountability. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Compass Learning serves more than 7,800 schools across the United States.

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ISTE 2012 Attendees Say Professional Development is Crucial to Technology Success in Classroom, According to ...