Toshiba's new Qosmio laptop is the only gesture-aware computer on the consumer market. Software loaded on the laptop lets users control programs like Powerpoint and MediaPlayer with just a wave of the hand. Using a webcam built into the screen, the computer can distinguish three gestures - a raised palm, a moving fist, and or a thumb flick from up to ten feet away.
Learn more about this at http://explore.toshiba.com
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
California Physical Education Framework
REL#08-121
CONTACT: Tina Jung
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHONE: 916-319-0818
September 11, 2008
E-MAIL: tjung@cde.ca.gov
STATE SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O'CONNELL ANNOUNCES STATE BOARD APPROVAL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced that the State Board of Education today adopted a new Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools, the state’s first standards-based framework in physical education.
“This new Framework is an important tool in setting the stage to help our students become more physically active to combat the silent epidemic of childhood obesity,” said O’Connell. “This, in turn, will help them perform better academically and will help us narrow the achievement gap. Studies show a high-quality physical education program helps students develop an active lifestyle, improve health, develop motor skills, and helps their cognitive performance in processing information and applying knowledge.
“However, a high-quality physical education program relies on adequate funding for resources, to hire and train great teachers, and to buy physical education equipment and facilities,” added O’Connell. “I am concerned that in the current state budget crisis and the lingering financial challenges facing schools these days that children may miss out on a high-quality physical education program that can enrich their lives.”
The Framework is based on the premise that every student’s life can be enhanced through participation in a comprehensive, inclusive, and sequential physical education program. The Framework was developed by a committee of educators, most of whom were teachers in California’s public schools. The Framework provides concrete, real-world examples of what high-quality, standards-based physical education instruction looks like in the “At a Glance” and “Learning Snapshots” sections for each grade level. The Framework also gives specific examples for effective planning, instruction, and assessment of the state’s model content standards for physical education. The Framework has been received positively by educators and reflects a growing interest in improving physical education instruction.
The Framework focuses on creating a learning environment that meets the needs of the learner. Chapters on universal access, instruction, support for high-quality physical education programs, and instructional resources all emphasize that every student is entitled to a high-quality physical education program. These chapters provide teachers and administrators with a vision of and guidance on creating physical education programs that help every student succeed.
To view the Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pe/cf/peframwrkdraft.asp. (Please note that the Web page will continue to refer to the Framework as "Draft" until the site can be updated to reflect the State Board of Education approval.)
# # # #
Pam Slater
Public Information Officer
Communications Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 5602
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-319-0818
916-319-0100 (fax)
pslater@cde.ca.gov
CONTACT: Tina Jung
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHONE: 916-319-0818
September 11, 2008
E-MAIL: tjung@cde.ca.gov
STATE SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O'CONNELL ANNOUNCES STATE BOARD APPROVAL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced that the State Board of Education today adopted a new Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools, the state’s first standards-based framework in physical education.
“This new Framework is an important tool in setting the stage to help our students become more physically active to combat the silent epidemic of childhood obesity,” said O’Connell. “This, in turn, will help them perform better academically and will help us narrow the achievement gap. Studies show a high-quality physical education program helps students develop an active lifestyle, improve health, develop motor skills, and helps their cognitive performance in processing information and applying knowledge.
“However, a high-quality physical education program relies on adequate funding for resources, to hire and train great teachers, and to buy physical education equipment and facilities,” added O’Connell. “I am concerned that in the current state budget crisis and the lingering financial challenges facing schools these days that children may miss out on a high-quality physical education program that can enrich their lives.”
The Framework is based on the premise that every student’s life can be enhanced through participation in a comprehensive, inclusive, and sequential physical education program. The Framework was developed by a committee of educators, most of whom were teachers in California’s public schools. The Framework provides concrete, real-world examples of what high-quality, standards-based physical education instruction looks like in the “At a Glance” and “Learning Snapshots” sections for each grade level. The Framework also gives specific examples for effective planning, instruction, and assessment of the state’s model content standards for physical education. The Framework has been received positively by educators and reflects a growing interest in improving physical education instruction.
The Framework focuses on creating a learning environment that meets the needs of the learner. Chapters on universal access, instruction, support for high-quality physical education programs, and instructional resources all emphasize that every student is entitled to a high-quality physical education program. These chapters provide teachers and administrators with a vision of and guidance on creating physical education programs that help every student succeed.
To view the Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pe/cf/peframwrkdraft.asp. (Please note that the Web page will continue to refer to the Framework as "Draft" until the site can be updated to reflect the State Board of Education approval.)
# # # #
Pam Slater
Public Information Officer
Communications Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 5602
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-319-0818
916-319-0100 (fax)
pslater@cde.ca.gov
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Presentation Tool
The new wireless Q7 Presenter Tablet from Qwizdom combines many tools into one device. Use the tablet much like an interactive whiteboard except do it wirelessly from the back of the classroom instead of with your back turned in the front. Send instructions and receive feedback and requests for help from studenets on the LCD screen when working within the Qwizdom student response system. Learn more at http://www.qwizdom.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
Glasses Free 3-D
Philip's new 3-D displays create the illusion of depth by overlaying an LCD screen with tiny lenses that direct slightly different images to the viewer's eyes. The illusion persists with a 120 degrees viewing area. The displays work only with specially created content, so Philips is currently marketing them for use in promotional displays in malls. Home versions should be available within a few years. Learn more at http://www.philips.com/3dsolutions
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
New iPod Touch and MacBooks right around the corner
Apple is likely to announce a redesigned iPod Touch and slimmer MacBooks at an event in September, analysts said on Monday. The announcements -- scheduled ahead of the U.S. holiday shopping season -- could include price drops for the iPod Touch and MacBook laptops. Starting prices for the iPod Touch could fall to $199 from $299 and for MacBooks starting prices could drop to $999 from $1,099.
Read more here: http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/08/11/New_iPod_Touch_and_MacBooks_coming_soon_1.html
Look for record book, fitness, teacher observation program software that runs on the iPod Touch and iPhone in our next newsletter.
Read more here: http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/08/11/New_iPod_Touch_and_MacBooks_coming_soon_1.html
Look for record book, fitness, teacher observation program software that runs on the iPod Touch and iPhone in our next newsletter.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
3-D Virtual Reality
North Carolina Public Schools See Learning Gains With 3-D Virtual Reality
By News Report
"Print this page"
August 04, 2008
Quest Atlantis (QA), an innovative online educational technology program for 4th to 8th grade students, passed its pilot year in North Carolina. Tested during the spring of 2007, then introduced to thousands of North Carolina public school students in 2007-2008, QA is advancing students in reading, writing, mathematics and science. The impact of this virtual world learning tool has been shown for students who were performing below grade level.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
By News Report
"Print this page"
August 04, 2008
Quest Atlantis (QA), an innovative online educational technology program for 4th to 8th grade students, passed its pilot year in North Carolina. Tested during the spring of 2007, then introduced to thousands of North Carolina public school students in 2007-2008, QA is advancing students in reading, writing, mathematics and science. The impact of this virtual world learning tool has been shown for students who were performing below grade level.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
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