July 2007 archive
Senate Hearing on Online Safety: More Emphasis on Educating Kids
Last week, the U.S. Senate held a committee hearing regarding children’s online safety and what steps need to be taken to prevent predatory behavior. Interestingly, much of the testimony emphasized the importance of online safety education over the use of...
The YouTube Debate: Shining More Light on Schools, Filters and the Digital Divide
You’ve probably noticed I’ve been harping lately on the relationship between the digital divide, civic participation and Internet filters. Thanks to this week’s YouTube presidential debate, others have been talking about the issue as well....
Do Internet Filters Undermine the Teaching of 21st Century Citizenship?
We all know that Internet filtering policies have the best interest of students in mind. But what are we sacrificing when we don’t allow educators to override filters at their own professional discretion? It’s something I’ve asked myself over the...
Intel and the $100 Laptop: What Does it Mean for U.S. Schools?
Last Friday, I nearly did a spit-take when I saw the headline: after years of acrimony, computer chip manufacturer Intel is forming a partnership with MIT’s so-called $100 laptop program. It’s big news, no doubt, but how will the move...
Summer Pop Quiz: How Can I Serve You Better?
The summer is half-way over, and I imagine lots of you are in the midst of prepping for - gasp! - the 2007-2008 school year. So I thought I could do some prepping as well, but I’ll need your help....
Court Rules Against Student Suspended Over Threatening Instant Messaging Avatar
In the wake of the “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” ruling at the U.S. Supreme Court late last month, it was probably just a matter of time before we’d see another student free space case using it as precedent. I might...
Got Broadband?
After posting my interviews with several of the Democratic presidential candidates last week regarding the digital divide, some of you emailed me and asked about the actual status of the divide here in the U.S. As it turns out, there’s...
Balancing Gaming and Education: No Easy Task
Recent public debate about the impact of video gaming raises some interesting questions on the role of gaming in education. And like so many debates in education, there are no simple answers....
Video: Democratic Presidential Candidates Discuss the Digital Divide
Over the weekend I edited together some video I shot at the PBS Democratic candidate presidential debate on June 28, 2007. The video features candidates Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel offering some thoughts on how they...
