Technology & Learning - September 2007 - (Page 6)

» News & Trends By T&L Editors Arizona Governor to continue to Innovate America, feds woeful response to Katrina-ravaged schools, more on Web 2.0. Innovation America Continues Her term as National Governor’s Association chair may have just ended, but Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has no plans to walk away from her lauded innovation agenda that calls on states to overhaul their K–12 science and math curriculum. Napolitano says her Innovation America initiative, started in 2006, will continue on as an independent foundation, a task force, and with business partnerships—all aimed at finding ways states can improve education so students can compete globally in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Under Napolitano (profiled in T&L’s June’s Leadership Issue), the NGA was able to draw attention to the nation’s woefully under-funded STEM curriculum. Results of the NGA survey, “Innovation America: The Final Report,” were released this summer, including Napolitano’s yearlong analysis of technology-related education state by state. 96% Percentage of students with Internet access who use social networking technologies such as chatting and visiting online communities, according to a new study by the National School Boards Association, which also found nearly 60 percent of those students discussed education-related topics. To view “Innovation America: The Final Report,” go to www.nga .org/portal/site/nga and follow the links to the NGA’s Best Practices portal. www.webware.com/100 There are too few places to find comprehensive listings of new Internet-based tools. We think we’ve found one of the best. Editors at Webware.com, a CNET-hosted site, reviewed a slew of Internet-based applications and utilities and put their faves up for a vote. The results of the best 100 Web 2.0 apps, broken down into 10 categories from entertainment to communications, can now be viewed and downloaded. Want more on Web 2.0? See “Stretching the Virtual Boundary,” this page. Stretching the Virtual Boundary Here’s a chance for educators to get an overview of online tools in one location. The 2007 K12 Online Conference “Playing with Boundaries” will be held in October over a twoweek span. The annual event, to run Oct. 5–19 and Oct. 22–26 with both live and archived chats and talks, will to explore Web 2.0 tools. It will also feature talks on professional development, Second Life, engaging community, and webcasting for educators. For more information, go to http://k12 onlineconference.org. provide teachers, administrators, and educators around the world an opportunity 6 | www.techlearning.com http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga http://www.webware.com/100 http://k12onlineconference.org http://k12onlineconference.org http://www.techlearning.com

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Technology & Learning - September 2007 Contents Editor’s Desk News & Trends Product Guide Reviews Getting It Wrong Cover Story: SchoolBiz School CIO Higher Ed Integration How To What’s New Bottom Line

Technology & Learning - September 2007

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