Recently found … 05/30/2010

  • Sync.in is a web based word processor for people to collaborate in real-time. When multiple people edit the same document simultaneously, any changes are instantly reflected on everyone’s screen. The result is a new and productive way to collaborate with text documents, useful for meeting notes, brainstorming, project planning, training, and more. (free version does not require a log in)

    tags: collaboration, writing, tools, web2.0, sharing, docs, literacy

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Common Craft Explains Wikipedia

Another high quality explanation from Common Craft:

commoncraft
“Wikipedia is an amazing resource, but it’s not always clear what helps to ensure that the articles are factual and high quality. This video discusses wiki technology and the policies that make Wikipedia work. We worked with the Wikimedia Foundation to ensure that it reflects Wikipedia’s values and practices. It teaches:

Why an online encyclopedia is needed
The basics of editing a wiki website
How volunteers work to ensure quality
The two big rules that govern every article”

Link to the video page.

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Recently found … 05/12/2010

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

PA State Board of Education moves nutrition/physical activity proposal

State Board of Education moves nutrition/physical activity proposal
Addressing the issue of childhood obesity, this week the State Board of Education voted its initial approval of a proposal to establish nutritional standards for competitive foods and beverages and to create new requirements for physical activity for students.  Created as amendments to the Chapter 12 regulations (Students and Student Services), new language sets nutritional standards for foods provided outside reimbursable school meals, including food served in classroom parties, fundraisers sold during the school day and items dispensed from school vending machines.  The standards would not apply to foods and beverages sold in connection with fundraisers or at school sponsored events held outside of the regular school day.
In addition, the proposal would require schools to provide at least 30 minutes of “physical activity” each day for students that can be achieved in a variety of ways as determined by the school. In addition, schools would have to provide 150 minutes of “physical education” per week for elementary students and 225 minutes each week for middle and secondary school students.  The proposal also contains various requirements for reporting and monitoring for compliance.

From a recent PSBA Legislative Report:

Addressing the issue of childhood obesity, this week the State Board of Education voted its initial approval of a proposal to establish nutritional standards for competitive foods and beverages and to create new requirements for physical activity for students.  Created as amendments to the Chapter 12 regulations (Students and Student Services), new language sets nutritional standards for foods provided outside reimbursable school meals, including food served in classroom parties, fundraisers sold during the school day and items dispensed from school vending machines.  The standards would not apply to foods and beverages sold in connection with fundraisers or at school sponsored events held outside of the regular school day.

In addition, the proposal would require schools to provide at least 30 minutes of “physical activity” each day for students that can be achieved in a variety of ways as determined by the school. In addition, schools would have to provide 150 minutes of “physical education” per week for elementary students and 225 minutes each week for middle and secondary school students.  The proposal also contains various requirements for reporting and monitoring for compliance. [emphasis added]

How are schools going to manage this?! 30 minutes of PE a day for elementary, 45 minutes of PE a day for secondary students …

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Recently found … 05/11/2010

  • Instantly translate and preserve the layout of Office documents
    using the Google Translate API.
    -Preserves the Layout of Your Original Document
    -Supports translations to and from more than 50 languages
    -Its Reliable Translations are performed by Google Translate
    -No File Size Limits on the documents you translate!
    -It’s Free
    -It’s Fast
    -No Installation required
    -No Registration, No Email Address required
    -Your documents and their contents remain Private & Secure

    tags: document, translate, Translation, tools, Google

  • Grockit was created to improve the learning outcomes of students by applying the power of social networks, adaptive algorithms, and gaming mechanics to the process of learning and education.
    Whether preparing for a standardized test such as the SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, or MCAT or working toward mastering academic skills in Math, Reading, Science, or Social Science, Grockit students all over the world are choosing to study on Grockit.
    The Grockit Collaborative Learning Platform is:Web-based – There’s no software to download or installDiagnostic – Using an IRT-based assessment engine we pinpoint a child’s academic strengths and weaknessesPrescriptive – Every student receives a personalized study plan customized to his or her academic strengths and weaknessesAdaptive – Our system tracks each student’s progress and continually adapts the study plan so that students receive the necessary instruction and are challenged at the appropriate levelEngaging – By using social networking technology and online gaming mechanics Grockit makes learning fun and increases time on taskEffective – The Grockit platform is proven effective in increasing student learning and achievement
    Today Grockit helps prepare students for the following standardized tests:
    SAT          GMATACT          LSATGRE          MCAT
    Due to the success of the Grockit platform in helping students prepare for standardized tests, the company will be introducing Math and English Language Arts products for students and educators in grades 5 – 12.

    tags: collaboration, learning, test prep, social, SAT

  • Teachers create an online community for the classroom to share inspiration, ideas, reading, thoughts, post discussions, deadlines, homework, surveys.

    tags: social networking, social media, tools, facebook, twitter, online

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.