Kiwi Commons

Brazil: Learning Inglês on the Web

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:13:47 -0400

There’s a lot going on in Brazil these days.

The country’s hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. So it’s safe to say that millions of people around the world will be focusing on modern Brazil and its citizens over the next few years.

As a result, some Brazilians are getting a little self-conscious about their ability to express themselves. In English.

Italian Bloggers To Protest New Bill

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:52:37 -0400

Italian Bloggers To Protest New Bill:

Today, bloggers across Italy are planning a major protest in Rome. The point of contention between the country’s blogging community and the ruling government is a new bill the opposition has called ‘fascist’.

Nairobi, Kenya Hosts UN’s Internet Governance Forum

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:36:02 -0400

Nairobi, Kenya Hosts UN’s Internet Governance Forum:

United Nations’ Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is taking place this week in Nairobi, Kenya. The 4-day forum will be looking at issues such as cyber crime and privacy, as well as the governance of the Internet in developing countries.

Should Teachers Friend Their Students?

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:49:17 -0400

Should Teachers Friend Their Students? :

world-shaker:

One of my favorite teachers told me once that he dressed the way that he did — jackets, ties, and other business attire — because he wanted us to know that, while he was our teacher, he was not our friend.

And I thought that made sense. It was his job to advocate for us. To challenge us. To help us be the best we could be. And so he wasn’t our friend. He was our teacher. To keep those ideas separate, he used his dress. I think that’s worth remembering as we move more and more of our work as teachers into online spaces.

Very interesting write-up over here on this issue. If you reblog, weigh in on your thoughts. I’d be curious to see if you think teachers should friend their students.

Such a touchy topic. Should teachers “friend” students? If so, what are the fine lines that should not be crossed?

Pakistan Blocks Facebook Over “Blasphemous” Group

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:47:25 -0400

Pakistan Blocks Facebook Over “Blasphemous” Group:

Last year, Pakistan blocked Facebook over a group called “Draw Muhammad Day” which held a competition on the social networking site that had people submitting drawings of Prophet Muhammad. Visual depictions of Prophet Muhammad are against Islamic law and Pakistan subsequently banned Facebook for a short period of time because they felt the actions were blasphemous. The “2nd Annual Draw Muhammad Day” was created back in May (which has since been removed from Facebook) and Pakistan has once again blocked users from accessing the social network.

Film Brings Realities of Cyberbullying to Forefront of Sydney’s Catholic Schools

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:44:29 -0400

Film Brings Realities of Cyberbullying to Forefront of Sydney’s Catholic Schools:

A short film, Cyber Sin, is being made available to the Sydney Catholic School Board in Australia to help curb cyberbullying by showing how the torment can affect an entire family.

Cyber Sin is the story of how one picture spread throughout a school and how one teenager was subsequently bullied because of it. The 8-minute film reveals a tragic ending and viewers get a peek and how quickly bullying can cause a downward spiral.

npr:nationalpostsports: Gratuitous soccer elephant of the day:...

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:43:07 -0400

npr:nationalpostsports:

Gratuitous soccer elephant of the day: Meet the “oracle” who predicted the results of the women’s World Cup this summer. Fabian Bimmer/Reuters

This must be the day for re-blogging fun animal photos! —Wright

Adorable!!!!

kbkonnected: Word DYNAMO Turbo charge your vocabulary, reading...

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:35:35 -0400

kbkonnected:

Word DYNAMO Turbo charge your vocabulary, reading and writing skills while playing word games, free!

#elemchat #spedchat #vocabulary #wordgames

via Toby Price at Jedi-iPad Master @teachersharetp

I just tried it and I love it!! I great way to test our students’ vocabulary!

UK Students Most Distracted by Social Networks

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:15:00 -0400

UK Students Most Distracted by Social Networks:

A worldwide study was conducted by networking equipment maker, Cisco, and found that nine out of ten students in the UK cited that their biggest distractions are Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets. In fact, the students said they visit these websites at least once an hour, the highest rate in the world.

A Third of ‘under-tens’ own mobiles in UK

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:02:04 -0400

A Third of ‘under-tens’ own mobiles in UK:

Who could have predicted just a few years ago, that children all over the world would be asking for–and owning–portable phones? Futuristic phones, seemingly inspired by Star Trek, whose main appeal would NOT be the calling function? Phones for a time when calling people was, in fact, going out of style?

Teens and Teachers Square Off Over Freedom of Speech

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:04:21 -0400

Teens and Teachers Square Off Over Freedom of Speech:

A new Knight Foundation study shows that teens and their teachers have very different ideas about what constitutes freedom of speech in 21st century America.

What’s most interesting about the study is that an alarming number of teachers–the grownups entrusted to educate children and to instill society’s core values–don’t seem to value first amendment rights as highly as some might expect.

New Internet Safety Resource Teaches Web Safety to Kids

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:56:56 -0400

New Internet Safety Resource Teaches Web Safety to Kids:

This fall, just in time for back-to-school, the government of Ontario is launching Connect[ED], a free online resource teaching Internet safety to children in grades 4-6.

Heather Gardner, Curriculum Consultant at the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, says, “Over 94% of Canadian children access the Internet at home. Our goal is to help these students examine and develop their own online practices and behaviors in the same way they would in real life situations.”

The White House Makes a “Digital Promise” to American Schools

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:38:23 -0400

The White House Makes a “Digital Promise” to American Schools:

Earlier this week, the White House unveiled a brand new plan to help bring technology to American classrooms. A national center, dubbed the “Digital Promise,” has a goal of transforming learning and the classroom by introducing advanced technologies in the school system.

The Flipped Classroom Engages Students and Challenges Teachers

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:31:04 -0400

The Flipped Classroom Engages Students and Challenges Teachers:

Teachers around the world are constantly looking for ways to engage students in a different way and change their learning experiences for the better. The flipped classroom has been gaining a lot of attention lately, and many teachers are finding the effectiveness of this new-age style of teaching.

Computer Threats: Companies and Governments Targeted

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:53:50 -0400

Computer Threats: Companies and Governments Targeted:

The fact that there are people and organizations out there who mean to hack into your computer, steal your data and invade your privacy isn’t comforting. The repercussions of a cyber-invasion are too painful for many to contemplate. After all, we live so much of our lives online these days.

The Ultimate Guide To Using Twitter In Education

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:48:31 -0400

The Ultimate Guide To Using Twitter In Education:

world-shaker:

In all seriousness, it just may be.

Back to School in Cyber Land

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:42:34 -0400

Back to School in Cyber Land:

It is a new school year with new opportunities for your child to grow, but the cyber world could get in the way. Today’s electronic amusements captivate the minds of young people, leaving the comparatively mundane rhythms of school in the dust. Even the best teachers struggle to hold the attention of children who are entranced by the instant and multifaceted gratification offered by video games, cell phones, iPods and the Internet. The brains of today’s children are tuned to a different channel.

Jessie’s Story: The Darker Side of Social Media

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:38:55 -0400

Jessie’s Story: The Darker Side of Social Media:

Jessie Walkup is a woman in her early 20’s living in Bellevue, Kentucky. An avid social media user, Jessie enjoys catching up with friends on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Recently, Jessie’s world was turned upside-down when someone created a ‘hate page’ on Facebook with Jessie as its sole target. The creator of the page has been posting mean-spirited comments about Jessie for months, focusing on her physical appearance.

Jessie has been deeply hurt by the page’s vicious attacks and is pleading with users who initially ‘like’-d the page to ‘unlike’ it in hopes that this will finally convince Facebook to remove it. So far she has been unsuccessful.

This is Jessie’s story.

96 EdTech Resources You May Have Missed

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:47:00 -0400

96 EdTech Resources You May Have Missed:

world-shaker:

…sweet mother of pearl…

WOW!

Get Ready for the New School Year! -- Best After School Snacks

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:46:34 -0400

Get Ready for the New School Year! -- Best After School Snacks