LEGO Education

Panel Proposes National Standards

dsmith — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:40:00 GMT

On Wednesday, a panel of educators proposed a uniform set of academic standards, laying out a plan of what our nation's children should be learning each year of their educational career, K-12.

The new proposal, if adopted by states, will transform America's educational system. News textbooks, assessments, teacher trainings, and classroom resources will need be created or, at the very least, revised. However, the impact of having a nation learning the same subject matter at the same time is a powerful motivator.

National Ed-Tech Plan

dsmith — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:22:00 GMT

Karen Cator, director of the Office of Education Technology in the US, announced Tuesday, March 2, that a National Ed-Tech Plan is due out as early as next week. The plan, in development since last April, will focus on five main goals: Learning, Teaching, Assessment, Infrastructure, and Productivity.

Turnaround Grants for Schools

dsmith — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:38:00 GMT

President Obama pledges to fight the drop out rate among high schools through new investments in "turnaround" programs. Read more of the story here... http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-na-obama-education2-2010mar02,0,6327243.story

MINDSTORMS Wins TOTY Award

dsmith — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:25:00 GMT

At the 10th Annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, widely known as the "Oscars" of the toy industry, LEGO MINDSTORMS was presented with top honors!

The annual gala, hosted by the Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA) and held as the kick-off to the 107th annual American International Toy Fair, paid tribute to the best in toys and children’s entertainment; outstanding achievements by individuals, teams, and companies; and the creativity and playful spirit upon which the toy industry is based.

LEGO MINDSTORMS was recognized for helping children develop special skills and knowledge through play and awarded Educational Toy of the Year status.

Nearly a dozen other awards were presented including Activity Toy of the Year, Game of the Year, and Innovative Toy of the Year. To read more about the event, visit http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=TOTY_Awards

Students as Tech Support

dsmith — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:03:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Education is behind a program that encourages schools to use students to assist with tech support and training!

The Science & Technology Academic Resource Team (START) program will combine several current tech-savvy programs and bring them under one umbrella. To learn more visit http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6717185.html

Federal Technology Funds

dsmith — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:44:00 GMT

After 10 years of being developed, a federal trust fund will soon be offering monies to research learning technology. This mean, perhaps as early as th fall, schools across the nation could apply and receive grant monies for projects that involve technology.

To learn more, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/25/technology/25center.html