The Next Step in Math Blogging? | Informal Math

http://informalmath.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/the-next-step-in-math-blogging/

As much as I like the idea of teachers critiquing each others' practice, as a researcher I know there are some significant (and important) hurdles to overcome. The laws that protect research subjects require that we must protect people’s health and well-being, including their reputation. This usually means securing student assent and parent consent to participate in research, and while it’s relatively easy to get those if you’re sharing transcripts of classroom discussion while using pseudonyms, it can be very difficult to get if you’re using video to be shown to the world. I think the benefits of what you’re suggesting would far outweigh the negatives, and teachers collaborating and critiquing each others’ teaching might be the best way we can improve practice. But we have to figure out how to do it the right way, and I don’t think dismissing this as “not really research” is the way to go. Large school districts usually have a research office and maybe we can work with them to figure out a process to make this work.

Problem Of Math Educational Software Needs Solution - Education -

http://www.informationweek.com/education/instructional-it/problem-of-math-educational-software-nee/240154753

The problem, claims John Barnes, is that while software is good at providing practice with particular procedures, most of it is not good at developing learners' executive function, the metacognitive function that evaluates and chooses solution strategies. There apparently isn't a real good reason that most software doesn't do this, except it's harder than just scripting a repetitive problem set with cute graphics (which describes a lot of math software).

What Would Tesla Do? | The Canonical Hamiltonian

http://chipdesignmag.com/carter/2013/04/30/what-would-tesla-do/

I don't and can't know all the details of what happened in this story, but it sounds to me like this girl belongs in college, not an expulsion program. Let's hope things work out for Kiera Wilmot, which could happen if enough adults around her gain some sense.

CU-Boulder student leaders push for return of 'reading days' before finals - Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_23069825/cu-boulder-student-leaders-push-return-reading-days

It was almost always the case that the week before finals was worse than finals week. Even as a graduate student, this week I have 3 papers due and a presentation. During finals week, just two papers.

mooc - Gsiemens on Diigo

https://www.diigo.com/user/gsiemens/mooc

I can't keep up with all the latest news about MOOCs. Thankfully, George Siemens does.

Should Teachers Count Off When Students Don’t Show Work? | StateImpact Indiana

http://stateimpact.npr.org/indiana/2013/04/09/should-teachers-count-off-when-students-dont-show-work/

Teachers are mis-interpreting the Common Core if they think it means students must show pre-formal strategies in their work even after they're proficient with formal mathematics, says Doug Clements. I agree. Having students show their work is important for building and interpreting their understanding, but once that's done it's just busy work. Move on.

Colquitt County teachers help study student interaction » Local News » Moultrie Observer

http://moultrieobserver.com/local/x237741606/Colquitt-County-teachers-help-study-student-interaction

BREAKING: Newspaper surprised that letting kids talk to each other about what they're learning is helpful.

Bill loosening rules for Indiana school superintendents wins final legislative approval

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/8ce67326e76c4974a8547aa753dbf4f0/IN-XGR--School-Superintendents

Pending the governor's signature, Indiana is partially deregulating requirements for superintendents. Instead of requiring a teaching license and having completed graduate work in education administration, now superintendents are only required to have an unspecified master's degree.

Colorado House kills bill backing 4-year degrees at community colleges - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22982604/colorado-house-kills-bill-backing-4-year-degrees

The argument about letting community colleges offer 4-year degrees leaves me thinking that the lengths of our education programs are too arbitrary to begin with. If I really wanted to shake up the community college system, or higher ed in general, I think it would be good to have more flexibility in degree lengths. The focus would switch more to the individual courses taken and skills acquired, and less on the degree itself. Is there a downside to this I'm not seeing?

Teachers' mistake results in zeros for Englewood students | 9news.com

http://www.9news.com/news/article/325023/188/Teachers-mistake-results-in-zeros-for-Englewood-students

There seem to be one or two of these stories every year: Somewhere a teacher or school misadmisters the state test and every student involved gets a score of zero, even though not a single person involved makes any claim that's a fair or accurate way to represent students' abilities.

Survey shows demand still outstrips supply for doctorates in math education | Inside Higher Ed

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/03/13/survey-shows-demand-still-outstrips-supply-doctorates-math-education

When you're preparing for a career, it's always welcome news that there are a substantial number of job openings available. Some of my colleagues in other educational fields aren't always so fortunate.

Students 4 Our Schools - Home

http://www.students4ourschools.org/

Students 4 Our Schools, a student-led, Colorado-based organization for students, is planning a walkout of state testing on Thursday and a gathering at the Colorado State Capitol. I'm asking my School and Society students: Do you support their efforts? Would you join them? What questions would you ask of them? What advice would you give? Is this the right way to effect change?

Not Every Parent Chases College Prestige - NYTimes.com

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/not-every-parent-chases-college-prestige/

In School and Society we recently discussed not only the motivations to attend college, but the motivations to attend a particular college. This article discusses the importance (or lack thereof) of prestige from the parents' point of view. How important should prestige be to parents? To students? To future employers? What does prestige represent other than an ability to pay more (or get better scholarships)?

More power leads to more dehumanization, says CU-Boulder study | University of Colorado Boulder

http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2013/03/06/more-power-leads-more-dehumanization-says-cu-boulder-study

Interesting things happen to human relationships when some have power and some don't, even when the power was granted randomly.

CRUME - Conference Program/Abstracts

http://sigmaa.maa.org/rume/crume2013/Program.html

This looks like a conference I would have enjoyed, especially the bits related to teaching undergraduate statistics. Somehow it escaped my radar until the last moment -- just as well, I suppose, as the $300+ registration fee would not have been kind to my budget. Still, there are some abstracts and short papers at the site that some may find useful.