Category Archives: Uncategorized

Q&A site keeps parents up-to-date with emerging technologies

Quib.ly is a Q&A site that aims to help parents learn more about the devices their kids are currently using and will need to use in the future.

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United States 15th April 2013 in Education.
New devices can help bring family members together in ways previously not possible. Take the TinyTap iPad app for example – which gets kids and parents to work together to create a game. However, children whose parents aren’t tech-savvy may not have as much of a head start as others. Quib.ly is a Q&A site that aims to help parents better understand the new equipment their kids are currently using and will need to use in the future.

The site acts as a community for members to keep each other informed about new technologies that will shape how today’s children work and create once they begin to take their first steps on the career ladder. Parents can ask questions, which are answered by community experts. Users can follow the topics that interest them or experts whose explanations they find useful. They can also apply to become an expert if they are a technology or family professional.

The speed at which technology is changing how we go about our daily activities is underlined by a US Department of Labor statement that says: “65 percent of today’s grade school kids will end up at jobs that haven’t been invented yet.” Quib.ly could give parents the knowledge they need to ensure their children aren’t left behind.

Website: www.quib.ly
Contact: www.quib.ly/contact

Spotted by: Murray Orange

N.M. teacher evaluation questions

Some numbers from ABQ Journal April 14, 2013 editorial on teacher evaluation:

  • Teachers rated “satisfactory”                 99%
  • Students reading at grade level          48%
  • Students proficient in math                   43%
  • High School graduation                        63%
  • Need remedial help for college           45%I

 While the editorial didn’t state which school year was being reported or what the sources of the numbers were, the pattern does seem to argue for a re-thought, teacher evaluation system. Perhaps the proposed one is at least a step in that direction.

In another article titled, “The Disney Way,” by Claudia Buck from the Sacramento Bee, one bullet point seems to be a supportive general reminder:

KEEP IT HUMAN:  Customers aren’t “attendance numbers” or “per capita units.” (Doug) Lipp (former Walt Disney exec) says he makes the same point, whether he’s talking with McDonald’s franchise owners of doctors’ groups. ‘We get so focused on processing hamburgers or processing patients (or students, teachers, principals) … we forget we’re dealing with humans. They’re not just numbers on a spreadsheet.’ “

Erica Goldson, Valedictorian, speaks against schooling

Erica Goldson speaks against schooling

High School Valedictorian in 2010 presents her experience, frustration, and thinking on what her education consisted of … and resulted in.  My opinion? I think she makes some pretty valuable observations – uncomfortable and valuable.

And two years later speaking at TED BeloHorizonte, Brazil you can get a feel for what “individual possibility thinking” looks and sounds and lives like. The 2-3 minute reprise of her valedictory talk is worth wading through to hear her develop her thoughts for the balance of the talk.

Very cool – enjoy.

 

Five pretty good kid apps

Five pretty good kids apps
Chris Crowell April 2013
Chris Crowell is a veteran kindergarten teacher and contributing editor to Children’s Technology Review, a web-based archive of articles and reviews on kids apps, technology toys and video games.Your child could be the next Van Gogh with a little jumpstart from this week’s top kids apps. Spark some creativity with excellent illustrations while teaching kids their ABCs and shapes.SEE ALSO: How to Teach Kids About Finance — Show Them the Virtual MoneyChildren’s Technology Review shared these five top apps for children with us from their comprehensive monthly database of kid-tested reviews. The site covers everything from math and counting to reading and phonics. Download a free issue of CTR here.

Check back next week for more Top Kids Apps from Children’s Technology Review.