tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82923712011-11-23T19:09:50.786-05:00technology for good (e.g., online educational activities for kids and tech programs for youth) along with general and occasionally contrarian reflections on random topicssmallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1161450051558531892006-10-21T12:38:00.000-04:002006-10-21T13:01:01.160-04:00

Having survived my 5K in the spring, I was ready for new challenges. After learning of a charity cycling event that would benefit a local United Methodist agency in June, I decided to take part. Okay, it was a little wacky to join a 3-day, 255-mile bike ride to the beach, but, now that I'm over 39, I realize that not only is life short, it's really short and good, long-lasting health isn't

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1155502641050821922006-08-13T16:50:00.000-04:002006-08-21T20:55:51.396-04:00

I grew playing sports -- some pick-up basketball and sandlot baseball then organized league play in basketball and softball. I finally settled on swimming (summer league and AAU). I had some natural abilities and liked the individual aspect of the sport as no one in my peer group would get terribly upset if I made a mistake, unlike a team sport. In high school, I joined the track team and though

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1144454246878773762006-04-07T19:48:00.000-04:002006-08-13T16:29:25.666-04:00

I decided, after about 20 years or so, to re-enter the world of community track races (aka 5ks and 10Ks). After getting in reasonable shape via strength training, laps around the indoor tracks, an occasion jaunt on the outdoor tracks, and 30-minute or so sessions on the Precor, I figrured that I was ready to try a 5k. I had run in my late teens and early 20s, and managed to have a personal best

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1135002676598867762005-12-19T09:27:00.000-05:002006-04-01T13:38:46.580-05:00

My item has been taken!! I am so pleased -- the transaction took a bit longer to be completed due to the ice storm last week, but I am glad that the process was not too difficult and I've saved one item (fairly bulky item) from the landfill. Also, I am glad to give someone the use of something and avoid paying the junk guy from hauling it away just in case you might think that freecycling is just

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1134679717333711972005-12-15T15:43:00.000-05:002006-08-13T16:30:31.683-04:00

When I think of technology, the Internet more specifically, as benefiting the environment, I think of the possibility that people will use less paper and more broadband.But human imagination has found yet another use for the Internet--this time, reducing landfill waste by recycling used items. Of course, I have been re-using and recycling items for years and years. My current sources of disposal

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1132777505176288432005-11-23T15:22:00.000-05:002005-12-08T06:37:45.726-05:00

Thanks to an alert reader (maceyr) for telling me about the new “moderate comments” feature on blogger. I am pleased that Google quickly added this feature but disheartened that it had to. Discourse is good; censorship, not. Sploggers, though, are interested not in discourse but in cash, theoretically generated via click-throughs and customers who purchase products or services after visiting

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1129817804356472932005-10-20T10:08:00.000-04:002005-10-20T10:16:44.363-04:00

I've had my blog for about a year now and just recently (the past week or so) I started receiving comments from bogus bloggers. They leave comments on my blog and invite me (or my readers if there are any) to visit their sites. I find this practice very annoying and although I first labeled it cyber-begging, I now know that it is splog-ing or perhaps splogging, the equivalent of spamming

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1129307489502371092005-10-14T12:30:00.000-04:002005-10-14T12:44:10.746-04:00

Those who are studying the Internet and its digitally-enabled communication are concerned that the quantity of communication is becoming greater than the quality of communication. If you've received a forwarded email, you are aware that quantity is not the same and may, in fact, be in inverse relationship to quality. (Not that I don't love your emails, especially from those who are selective). I

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1128543197065208612005-10-05T15:52:00.000-04:002006-10-21T12:37:50.610-04:00

One of the things that I love about the Internet is how it enables shopping. Not only do I loathe the mall experience (an occasion visit to the nice strip malls are more my style) but now that gas prices are so high, e-shopping is relatively convenient and usually more economical way to do business.Up-to-date inventory records are key, everyone should know, to a successful e-commerce site. When

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1126899537932566022005-09-16T15:27:00.000-04:002006-01-05T05:39:46.036-05:00

A friend of a friend is adopting a baby from China. My friend has been asking for prayer for her friend (and neighbor) through various trials including her friend's cancer, cancer recurrence, still another recurrence, loss of health insurance (despite being "covered" by her husband's employer), experimental treatment, stem cell treatment (or something like that), and a quest for (to?) motherhood.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1122484545637212842005-07-27T12:47:00.000-04:002005-07-27T13:27:51.816-04:00

I just finished reading In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. It's this year's selection for the On the Same Page community reading program. The book is historical fiction based on the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic and its atrocities, most specifically as related to four sisters. It's written in the tone of The Diary of Anne Frank but with enough details to remind me of

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1121045891900956672005-07-10T21:32:00.000-04:002005-07-10T22:32:34.183-04:00

My husband and I took the kids rafting on the Watauga River on Saturday. Well, we paid a guide service and joined a couple of busloads of people starting in our outfitter's retail location in Banner Elk, NC and traveling to our putting-in place on the river, just below the TVA-built Wilbur Dam somewhere near Elizabethton, TN. It's a 45-minute bus ride from the store to the river and so, to make

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1120519020229565972005-07-04T19:15:00.000-04:002005-07-10T22:14:14.150-04:00

I read Bleachers by John Grisham while I had some extra time at the beach. It's an insightful, though brief and fictional, look at the value and the foolishness of high school athletics. The story is told from the perspective of formerly worshipped high school football greats.It reminded me, fairly vividly, of a conversation that I had with a close friend during our senior year of high school. We

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1120089701735772502005-06-29T19:50:00.000-04:002005-06-30T18:00:31.513-04:00

It may be my parental antennas are just a bit more tuned in to these missing-kid (and others) stories, but there seems to be a lot of people getting lost. (For example, brides, scouts, neighborhood kids, and a recent high school grad). In some cases, relatively normal, though a bit risky, behavior has led to tragic results. In others, though, it seems that the media is shining its spotlight on

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1117412335844145682005-05-29T20:11:00.000-04:002005-06-30T17:34:22.543-04:00

I was walking down the hallway last week and had the-imaginary-wall-is-blocking-my-walkway feeling. I've only felt it once before: the moment before I walked down the aisle to be married and after I glimpsed my dad holding back tears, twenty years and a few odd days ago. This time, a few days ago, was right after elementary-school graduation more rightly named "recognition" day. I am pushing

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1116188255401634592005-05-15T16:14:00.000-04:002005-06-30T18:03:10.106-04:00

I was watching my youngest's little league yesterday when a man, seemingly unaccustomed to baseball-field-goings-ons, walked in front of me, looked around, and then returned to wherever he was heading. (I was stationed a bit away from the field, where I can see as much of the game as I'd like). I often have difficulty placing people out of context and while I was thinking about whether this man

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1114544727565022212005-04-26T15:28:00.000-04:002005-12-08T07:10:33.713-05:00

One of my kids' friends was at the house the other day and I asked her about a recent birthday party she attended. Just trying to make conversation, I asked her what kind of gift she took to her friend. I learned that the friend requested items for a Samaritan's Purse shoebox. Just in case you didn't know, shoeboxes aren't for Christmas anymore; Samaritan's Purse has been and apparently still is

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1114101985307730102005-04-21T12:28:00.000-04:002005-06-30T18:05:02.726-04:00

My oldest son received an assignment for a project that required a substantial amount of research. Other classes at my son's school had a month timeline to do the project but since my son's teacher was going on leave, she decided to shorten the project a bit and change the timeline from a month to a week. Most of the information that the kids would need could be found on the Internet so certainly

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1112578928740366762005-04-03T21:32:00.000-04:002005-06-30T18:07:04.203-04:00

I promised examples and then got too busy to give them. But now here is one:My 10-year-old goes outside to play with a neighbor without his jacket (during the winter; this year a mild one but still cold enough to require a coat). I don't tell him he absolutely has to wear a coat (or pants rather than shorts for that matter) but I know, I KNOW that when he gets cold, he'll come back in and get a

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1110210346188588642005-03-07T10:34:00.000-05:002006-03-25T17:31:56.836-05:00

I just finished reading Ready or Not, Here Life Comes by Mel Levine, MD. It's a book on what parents can do to prepare kids for work-life readiness; unpreparedness, according to Levine, is becoming a national crisis. I learned a lot from this book: like most reads, some reinforced what I already knew; some gave me insight into issues I had not yet considered. One thing it did for me is make me

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1107213379042741272005-01-31T18:09:00.000-05:002005-01-31T18:18:03.826-05:00

My friend and civic-club colleague Carolyn has won the International Sertoman of the Year award. The coverage of this happening has been limited so I'm covering it here. Carolyn is an excellent leader and I've learned alot about leadership by observing her. Here's what I've learned and hope that it honors her: Make people feel valued, not pressured. Trust your instincts but don't rely on them.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1106429419877348822005-01-22T16:01:00.000-05:002005-01-25T12:28:11.673-05:00

My research this semester will be on sports-specifically swimming, and even more specifically on how swimmers have become faster and faster. More on this in future posts. This post is dedicated to all those coaches, particularly the volunteer ones but also the paid ones, who have taught and mentored and cheered and celebrated and grieved as they tried to make athletes of the kids who showed up

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1106315963473234312005-01-21T08:51:00.000-05:002005-01-21T08:59:23.473-05:00

It was just a few years ago, right after the tech and telecom bust, that Wall Street had fell head over heels in love with a doughnut maker. I admit feeling left out in the cold by the members-only IPO for a club I didn't belong to. So I wondered was it sugar and dough that I thought odd as rising to the top or just something in which I couldn't share, at least not at a reasonable price. Still,

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1106003764420446472005-01-17T18:02:00.000-05:002005-01-17T18:17:25.223-05:00

The civil rights movement hadn't made the history books when I was in school. So I had to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. from other sources--including this fairly new one from Stanford University. It's a great resources for all things MLK, Jr. My oldest decided to be MLK, Jr. for a biography project in third grade. Here are a couple of things I learned from some of his resources: MLK, Jr.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1105323673743143472005-01-09T20:48:00.000-05:002005-01-09T21:25:38.930-05:00

I have an Amelia-Bedelia-like sister; actually I can be like her too (both my sister and Amelia Bedelia). My common sense is often cannibalized by imprecise wording, misplaced commas, or ill-chosen words of others. So how many times do I and my sister have to hear, "that's what we said, but that's not what we meant" from sales people, school administrators, customer service reps and more to

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1104891114002331882005-01-04T20:54:00.000-05:002005-01-04T21:11:54.003-05:00

Here's the American History-Sports Fun and Games website-there is a trivia quiz section with interesting details if players want to read more. (Hey, I didn't know that Roger Bannister became a neurologist after breaking the 4-minute mile barrier). There's also a memory game-and you gotta be fast. The only link here is to a bio on Muhammad Ali. The current exhibition is highlighting "breaking

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1104701816764230062005-01-02T16:19:00.000-05:002005-01-02T16:39:18.100-05:00

Back in August 2004, I started a semester-long class in Global Communication. One of my first assignments was to tell about myself and also what I thought I might learn in the class. I could tell about myself but was clueless about what global communication might mean. (I had signed up for the class because it is in a series required for my certificate program at UNC-CH's School of Journalism and

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1104156453569098252004-12-27T08:36:00.000-05:002004-12-27T09:10:36.190-05:00

My oldest and I were watching TV Christmas evening and landed on a Larry King interview with Kyle Maynard. Kyle is a student-athlete (a wrestler at the University of Georgia) and motivational speaker. He's learned to live (and get around and take care of himself independently) with a rare birth disorder that left him with "only three major joints: a neck and two shoulders." The photos at his site

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1103923027603435952004-12-24T15:53:00.000-05:002004-12-24T16:17:07.603-05:00

A few years ago, my husband and I went to observe, at the Y's invitation, the last day of swim classes for my older son. The classes took place at the local YMCA taught by high-school and college-age instructors, full of energy and optimism. My son didn't learn how to swim that summer and didn't do all the swim-tricks the other kids did on this last day, meant for celebration. Still his teacher

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1103338986126920972004-12-17T21:30:00.000-05:002004-12-17T22:05:26.773-05:00

I was having a casual conversation with a couple of other moms a few weeks ago, and was alarmed at the reaction to my statement that I didn't compare the progress of my children; that is that I could not remember exactly what they were doing at three years old, when they became first showed phonemic awareness, etc. I am not NOT attuned to their cognitive development. It's just that I don't think

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101919112408625122004-12-01T11:37:00.000-05:002004-12-01T13:19:51.833-05:00

I've been studying digital-divide-bridging solutions funded by major U.S. technology corporations (Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and Microsoft Corporation). Lessons learned on designing and deploying programs in underserved communities can be applied to economic-development efforts in everyday communities, like my own in Winston-Salem, NC, USA for example-where industry is changing but conditions are

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101422853352113272004-11-25T16:33:00.000-05:002006-01-24T19:33:48.833-05:00

The September 2004 newsletter, The Witness, announces the expansion of this faith-based organization's computer facility to include a 12-computer satellite center (located about the first center). This new facility will serve the Lawndale College Opportunities Program and provide space for education staff members. Microsoft provide funding of $93,000 through its Unlimited Potential grant program.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101399723339248382004-11-25T09:52:00.000-05:002004-11-25T15:54:49.406-05:00

Here are the remarks of Colin Powell during a visit to a Digital Garage partner, Meninos do Morumbi program for at-risk youth in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He mentions the computers donated by Hewlett Packard but emphasizes how the program -- though focused on music -- engenders discipline and teamwork. This page from a music website in the United Kingdom Maroon Town helps clarify how and why kids come

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101389551058253992004-11-25T08:32:00.000-05:002004-11-25T15:04:10.176-05:00

I visited the Four Corners area in 1993 with my husband. We stayed at a hotel on Navajo Nation property in Window Rock, Arizona, USA; visited Canyon de Chelly (see history); and ate dinner in Gallup, New Mexico. Although I had visited the Cherokee Indian (Native American) reservation in my home state North Carolina, it was only after I visited Arizona and saw its vast undeveloped lands that I

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101263069911398922004-11-23T20:36:00.000-05:002004-11-24T20:14:22.980-05:00

The Door, also known as Baltimore Urban Leadership Foundation, is a faith-based, non-profit organization in the East Baltimore area of Baltimore, MD, USA. It was started by former NFL player and Baltimore Colt Joe Ehrmann in 1986. According to a website hosted by the New Media Center of Loyola College (MD), the group provides services in three areas: community development, economic development,

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101260116072855802004-11-23T17:16:00.000-05:002004-11-24T15:39:01.740-05:00

Dublin, Ireland is the site of another Intel Computer Clubhouse that I am studying. According to the city's website, Dublin is the capital of Ireland and has a population of over 1 million people (city and county). Languages are English and Irish. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. The Liberties is the location of the Digital Hub, where multiple entities (government, private sector)

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101248091071351922004-11-23T16:18:00.000-05:002004-11-23T17:14:51.070-05:00

Pascua Yaqui, Arizona is located near Tucson in southern Arizona, which is in the southwestern region of the United States. There is a Pascua Yaqui tribe and my title-post links to this American Indian / Native American tribe's official website. The computer clubhouse is associated with the Boys and Girls Club, and is located on the reservation (tribal land). According to this 1999 report,

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101238799055367272004-11-23T13:48:00.001-05:002007-02-14T03:42:24.433-05:00

Te Awaroa Youth Club in Helensville, New Zealand was one of the 2004 recipients of Microsoft's Unlimited Potential Grant program. The club provides a fairly broad range of services that include homework assistance, job readiness training, Maori language and customs classes, and programs for at-risk youth. The grant funds are to be used for a computer center that will help to gain technical skills

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101233339049492312004-11-23T13:48:00.000-05:002004-11-23T13:08:59.050-05:00

Think Quest Africa is the Africa-specific version of the Think Quest competition. Students of different ages, knowledge and skill sets, and geographies form a team and collaborate on the development of an educational website.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101234169353990032004-11-23T13:15:00.000-05:002004-11-23T13:22:49.353-05:00

Think Quest is "an international website-building competition" teams of students, ages 9 to 19. This site features site winners from past competitions. Think Quest encourages exploratory learning, cross-cultural communication, and team work--all through the use of ICT.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101084709772286102004-11-21T19:20:00.000-05:002004-11-23T13:12:39.096-05:00

One of Microsoft's grant recipients is Lawndale Christian Development Center in Chicago, IL, USA. One of the LCDC's program emphases is Youth Education; services include technology training for youth, K-12. Interestingly, the LCDC's website lists partners but makes no mention of Microsoft. Another grant-recipient organization whose website I visited did not list Microsoft as a grantor, although

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101078280744251062004-11-21T17:26:00.000-05:002004-11-23T13:15:27.466-05:00

HP's e-inclusion project in Brazil is the Digital Garage (not to be confused with a software company). This project serves youth and young adults in an impoverished area. It provides a creative outlet while helping participants learn teamwork, decision-making skills, and workplace readiness. Its product is an Internet music portal. The first group (about 120 people) graduated from the program to

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101004182207888102004-11-20T21:27:00.000-05:002004-11-20T21:29:42.206-05:00

I have been focusing on corporate solutions to the digital divide and delivery of customized programs to solve local problems. Here's something about the U.S. government funding a program to provide education to students in Central Asia specifically Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1101004019634461962004-11-20T21:15:00.000-05:002004-11-20T21:26:59.633-05:00

HP is partnering with McDonald's to put Internet access in its restaurants in Brazil. Wonder if they're loving it yet?

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100999183541481992004-11-20T18:14:00.000-05:002004-11-23T13:48:26.160-05:00

HP launched the Baltimore Digital Village (BDV) through a grant to East Baltimore Development Zone in Baltimore, Maryland, USA in 2001. There are three components to the BDV: employment; community access; and education. The BDV has partnered with the Education Based Latino Outreach program and other groups to bring access to Latinos through its Digital Village initiative. At The Door (a

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100971529452777592004-11-20T13:17:00.000-05:002004-11-20T12:25:29.453-05:00

The programs offered to Indian (American) youth here don't seem to involve communication technologies but rather non-virtual, experiential learning opportunities.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100962485626217302004-11-20T08:53:00.000-05:002004-11-20T12:17:20.593-05:00

Bringing Internet access to Native Americans is a challenge that the Gates Foundation is tackling. The first challenge is to provide access in an area that doesn't have even what most Americans would consider basic communications infrastructure (i.e., telephone lines). Secondly, bringing 21st communications and ideas to a culture while respecting its traditions is a major consideration. In the

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100904793941406632004-11-19T17:27:00.000-05:002004-11-19T18:18:42.356-05:00

My second grader decided that he wants to do a project for the Science/Math Fair at school. My experience with science experiments is limited to the following: looking at kids' experiments at previous science fairs;getting help for my other son when he did a math project in third grade; reading a book about how to design a science project (similar information is found on this website).The

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100826721961473522004-11-18T19:29:00.000-05:002004-11-23T12:40:48.703-05:00

I needed help understanding the current method of teaching adding and subtracting double-digit numbers. When I was in school, I learned about carrying and borrowing numbers from one column to the next. Now, they talk about regrouping tens and ones in the second grade. I understand the concept; the strategy or method being taught was confusing to me--and my child, apparently. I know this

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100371375259838562004-11-13T13:12:00.000-05:002004-11-13T21:26:29.590-05:00

I am visiting the Intel Computer Clubhouse in Dublin; it serves the under-served. I am quite fascinated by the programs and workshops that are offered. First there is a creative writing section for "lone" or single parents; then there is a place for kids (8-12) to write and record their own music (http://www.thedigitalhub.com/learning/digirhythm.asp); a program that uses digital storytelling as

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100208869797841842004-11-11T16:29:00.000-05:002004-11-23T15:12:52.760-05:00

(revised post) There are Intel Computer Clubhouses worldwide. I am going to focus on two: one in a rural/remote area in Pascua Yaqui, Arizona, USA; and one in an urban area in Dublin, Ireland. This news article presents ways that kids are learning to use computers to present aspects of their culture. Here is some history about Internet access made available to Native Americans from the Gates

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100208498908722072004-11-11T16:25:00.000-05:002004-11-11T16:28:18.906-05:00

Here's the games and activities section for kids, grades K-5, on the Veterans Administration website. There are also games for older kids.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100206523471468252004-11-11T15:39:00.000-05:002004-11-11T15:55:23.470-05:00

My next question is, "can technology grow up?" Can it change from a fun accessory to a tool that helps educate and empower people, specifically people in underserved (by technology and other resources) communities? I'm going to be working on my research project via this blog. I am not sure if I am going to focus on my previous emphases of children and education. There are so many interesting

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100204378215113552004-11-11T15:18:00.001-05:002004-11-11T18:03:23.256-05:00

Here are some updates on people who have been in the news a while back: Donna Rice (now married, was a friend of Gary Hart) http://www.protectkids.com/donnaricehughes/bio.htm Norma McCorvey (involved in a Supreme Court decision) http://www.roenomore.org/crossing_over/welcome.html Amy Fisher (Long Islandite) http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1100200279519427142004-11-11T13:17:00.000-05:002005-12-01T10:24:56.343-05:00

I went to help chaperone at the camp on Monday and Tuesday. I learned that orienteering is more than just reading a compass. It involves using the compass to identify locations (landmarks) in a highly precise, no-mistakes-allowed setting. The big surprise for me though was the high ropes course. The high ropes course that I had mastered once consisted of a challenging climb (rope ladder and

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099967213543736352004-11-08T21:22:00.000-05:002004-11-08T21:26:53.543-05:00

My oldest son is on a class trip at a residential camp about 45 minutes away near Sauratown Mountain. One of their activities tomorrow is orienteering. I let him take a compass and tried to show him how to read it. I remember as a kid that I just didn't get reading a compass. I finally got it when I had to, as an adult navigating lakes in the Minnesota Boundary Waters area using a map and compass

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099693602887471072004-11-05T17:16:00.000-05:002004-11-05T17:26:42.886-05:00

Christy Kinnion is both a distance education student and teacher (read, technology-enabled not just self-study), giving her a unique perspective on the use of technology in education. She has begun exploring distance ed curriculums and the trustworthiness of degrees obtained via the computer. I am using simple language here as I can hear myself trying to describe tech-learning to the uninitiated

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099692937778343232004-11-05T17:07:00.000-05:002004-11-05T17:15:37.776-05:00

In her blog, Tracy Swartz discusses the advantages and disadvantages of blogging from a journalist's and reader's perspective. I like the idea of people who are experts in their field adding to media communications in the form of blogging. That journalists and readers could collaborate, overtly or indirectly, to tell a story and shed light on an issue is the ideal for me. I especially liked

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099692358619947292004-11-05T16:53:00.000-05:002004-11-05T17:05:58.620-05:00

Diana Manevskaya is a Belarusian in graduate school at UNC-Chapel Hill. She writes of the government's control of media in her native country. First I find it fascinating that she is a Rotary World Peace Scholar. Here's a link to the area of the Rotary site that presents information on the purposes of these scholarships: http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/centers/ With the

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099689984560073702004-11-05T15:40:00.000-05:002004-11-05T16:30:40.200-05:00

Lauren R. has been writing about experiencing and dealing with her quarter-life crisis. I feel guilty that I have yet to post to her blog not just as a classmate but as someone who has lived through this period of time and found that, yes, it's probably the hardest. (I graduated from college when unemployment was 10%, moved to rural NC to find a job-a big transition for me, worked for companies

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099686913634636552004-11-05T14:57:00.000-05:002004-11-05T15:39:00.863-05:00

Newspaper journalist Dean Smith writes about media consolidation in his blog. His beat is media and he does a great job of bringing to light issues that everyone, not just journalists, need to consider and understand. One of these hot issues is media consolidation. I first heard about it from a relative, who has been in the TV business for about 30 years and has been a general manager of

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099679761887863562004-11-05T13:50:00.000-05:002004-11-05T14:08:45.453-05:00

Jennifer M. explores the use of technology to drive and support economic development in North Carolina. She provides excellent resources on e-initiatives right here in NC. The most intriguing to me is the Grid Project, which is so innovative that I barely understand it. (Her blog references this report: http://www.e-nc.org/pdf/grid_report_oct-28-03.pdf.) From what I can understand, this network

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099618368313973492004-11-04T19:51:00.000-05:002004-11-04T22:00:03.863-05:00

I like the way Drew links his discussion of ICT in Iraq with larger issues there such as economic development and freedom from censorship. Drew was stationed in Iraq for several months (18 months, I think). It was during this time that I first met him via the UNC online discussion board. I was, still am fascinated with the energy and resolve that he had to pursue studies in the middle of a war.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099614075250468462004-11-04T19:11:00.000-05:002004-11-04T19:21:15.250-05:00

I had never heard of "cell yell" until I read Wes Anthony's blog on this topic. Apparently this phenomenon started when people started talking loudly (yelling) in order to be heard on their cell phones. Although I was oblivious to the cell-talk decibels, I had noticed recently that certain people will talk very loudly, much more loudly than I thought appropriate; I had also noticed that these

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099613149733455122004-11-04T18:01:00.000-05:002004-11-18T07:24:07.980-05:00

Michelle Klemens’ discussion of the use of Internet by non-profits is of special interest to me, as I do some work / some donation of communications for a non-profit group. Like Michelle’s organization, the cause of my group is a good one but it is hard to differentiate the services and purpose of a relatively new organization from larger, more established ones. She lists great resources; my

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099609220340692132004-11-04T17:57:00.000-05:002004-11-04T18:00:20.340-05:00

JR Lee provides a concise discussion of the key issues relating to copyright protection and infringement in our new digital world. I am glad that he recognizes copyright infringement as wrong though confusing to recognize. He introduces me to a new concept: contributory infringement, which is the aiding of direct infringement by supplying the means to violate copyright to a third party. More

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1099516634952189682004-11-03T14:15:00.000-05:002004-11-03T16:17:14.953-05:00

My oldest son (10 years old, fifth grade) volunteered to represent his school at the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School's Technology Fair. He, a few other kids, the PE teacher, and the Tech teacher presented an application for using hand-held computers to chart physical activity of students. Of course, there were exhibits from other schools in the system. One that I was particularly intrigued

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098927106104742092004-10-27T21:26:00.000-04:002006-03-18T23:00:59.506-05:00

The third solution that I will offer to the issue of effective integration of technology into the classroom is that of third-party solutions. The ordinary or even extraordinary classroom teacher typically does not have the time or expertise needed to develop, evaluate, and present or implement online educational content and models for using technology. A third party could develop these and then

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098925617154238022004-10-27T21:14:00.000-04:002004-10-27T21:06:57.153-04:00

The digital divide between rural and urban, young and old, white and non-white, poor and non-poor should be made a community concern. Places where people gather could offer access to computers and the Internet. These locations should not be limited to the public library but could include: community centers; churches; school libraries and computer centers; boys' and girls' clubs; YMCA/YWCA; and

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098926586480867482004-10-27T21:07:00.000-04:002004-10-27T21:25:16.843-04:00

Intel, SAS, HP, and Microsoft not only help to bridge the digital divide but also offer innovative programs that address educational issues worldwide. Using private industry partners, schools and communities can receive grants, in-kind donations, and other resources to help them integrate technology into education. Intel http://www97.intel.com/education/ SAS http://www.sasinschool.com/ HP http:

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098922751588012482004-10-27T20:03:00.000-04:002004-10-27T20:19:11.596-04:00

When I first started this blog, my purpose was to find and analyze online educational games and activities for kids. The past couple of weeks I have been researching a broader and more complex global communication issue: the effective integration of technology into instruction. SBC Communication, the producer of Knowledge Network Explorer, offers both: a portal to educational activities (Blue

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098915811166795692004-10-27T18:03:00.000-04:002004-10-27T18:23:31.166-04:00

When I started doing my research on the use of technology in education, I thought I would focus on corporate funding of technology initiatives-specifically those relating to bridging the digital divide. I felt that I had won the jackpot when I learned about Intel and its programs, which include an afterschool computer clubhouse program for youth in underserved communities worldwide. I still feel

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098914280480426812004-10-27T17:44:00.000-04:002004-10-27T17:58:00.480-04:00

"Innovate" is an new online magazine that focuses on the innovative, creative use of technology for education, not just in schools but in the workplace and community (specifically commercial and government settings the "about" section states). Viewing full articles requires registration but it's free. Both theories and practical experiences (case studies) are presented so that visitors can have

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098909612481916042004-10-27T16:26:00.000-04:002004-10-27T16:40:12.483-04:00

This site is a one of many PBS microsites. Different aspects of the digital divide are explored. The content does not appear to be updated regularly but I found it valuable because the issues presented and the language used are accessible to non-technical people (there is even an explanation of what a PDF is!) and non-educators. Getting people of all professional background to understand the

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098908433029988222004-10-27T15:55:00.000-04:002004-10-27T16:20:33.030-04:00

Straightforward and easy to navigate, this site provides a information on the current state of technology in education. Internal links include a listing of opportunities for grants. My local newspaper does not cover the technology beat so it is difficult to know, without firsthand experience, how technology is being used or could be used in the schools. For example, there is a school system

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098906901250781312004-10-27T15:34:00.000-04:002004-10-27T15:55:01.250-04:00

Craig Cunningham has academic and professional expertise in the use of technology for educational purposes. According to the CV on his website, his credentials include a Ph.D., Philosophy of Curriculum from the University of Chicago Department of Education. Currently, he is an Associate Professor, Technology in Education Program, National College of Education, National-Louis University, Chicago;

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098902061314907742004-10-27T14:23:00.000-04:002004-10-27T14:34:21.313-04:00

The Internet will only replace traditional methods of student research not provide opportunities for extending learning and, if it becomes a greater reality, exploratory learning will be one-dimensional rather than enhance off-line experiences. Teachers will feel pressured rather than equipped to develop and filter contentThe digital divide will persist in homes and communities. Educational

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098839417494513432004-10-26T21:05:00.001-04:002004-10-27T14:21:11.573-04:00

Does Internet access=student achievement? Americans are betting billions that it does. President Clinton’s Technology Literacy Challenge, and the subsequent government funding, grant opportunities, and private/public partnerships, may be credited with getting public schools wired. In this 1996 State of the Union address, he introduced this challenge for education: “In our schools, every

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098143289935088012004-10-18T19:41:00.000-04:002004-10-18T19:48:09.936-04:00

I found a link to this article from the All Kinds of Minds newsletter. My kids, as children of baby boomers, are in this generation. Specific traits and/or things that concern Dr. Levine about echo boomers are: taught team work rather than leadershipovermanaged by adults overscheduled with little free timepressured to achieveaim to pleasetraditional valuesinterested in community servicewant to

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098047075800641232004-10-17T16:58:00.000-04:002004-10-17T17:04:35.800-04:00

While I was searching for the Ellen Goodman editorial in the last post, I stumbled upon a more recent article. I see more clearly the generational divide in regards to cyber-activities, specifically illegal file sharing and worm/virus/popup ad distribution. If anyone wants a over-30, non-academic perspective, here's one. Favorite line and most relevant to the debate: "So there has to be

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1098046279393443602004-10-17T16:24:00.000-04:002004-10-17T16:51:19.393-04:00

An 1990s editorial by Ellen Goodman on the difficulty of countering cultural messages appears in Dr. James Dobson's book Bringing Up Boys. I've found an excerpt of this editorial in an unrelated website and have linked to the cached version to make it easier for readers to find. Sure parents can monitor their children's websurfing but it's hard to devote an hour a day or so to sitting idly by

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097933061557621722004-10-16T09:18:00.000-04:002004-10-16T09:24:21.556-04:00

Here is a portal for educational content. This link will take you to the Social Studies area. I especially liked the American Memory section from the Library of Congress. There are games and quizzes as well as other activities that present history, geography, and political science in innovative ways. The content, though appropriate for older elementary and middle school students, can be advanced

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097374156308514062004-10-09T21:56:00.000-04:002004-10-09T22:09:16.306-04:00

Content that ties to grade-level curriculum is here! The games are simple to play but challenging enough to teach a lesson. In addition to the free items, visitors may become a member and access more games and activities for a $39.95 annual fee. Some of the ads are distracting (I wonder if the ads are in the members section) but the educational value is here.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097373353039322152004-10-09T21:44:00.000-04:002004-10-09T21:55:53.040-04:00

This site is promising but does not have the educational content that I expect from a book publisher. The graphics and interactivity are good but the value is limited. The "If You Were President" activity redeems this site. Select your cabinet, create a budget, defend or explain your choices, and read newspaper accounts of your opinions. It's innovative and educational.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097372684559418592004-10-09T21:28:00.000-04:002004-10-09T21:44:44.560-04:00

I have visited several school websites (identifiable by k12.state.us in the URL) and the quality typically varies from okay to excellent. This site makes my "worst" list because many of the links lead to inappropriate content. For example, Billy Bear's Online Games has distracting banner ads and the games, though made for kids, have minimal educational content. Interactive English is educational

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097368608545032102004-10-09T20:27:00.000-04:002004-10-09T20:36:48.546-04:00

This site focuses on White House current events and history. In the games and quizzes section, quizzes cover varied topics from the U.S. Constitution to pets. Both correct and incorrect answers come with a brief history lesson. The Math Challenge questions (one challenge at a time) are difficult, requiring paper and pencil even at the elementary school level. That's not a big deal but you can't

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097286318041254932004-10-08T21:42:00.000-04:002004-10-08T21:45:18.043-04:00

Harcourt School Publishers produces this site. The search function allows visitors to search by grade and subject. There are student resources (and games) as well as teacher resources. Some of the games are adapted from CD-Roms available for purchase for use on the web.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097284169623910972004-10-08T20:50:00.000-04:002004-10-08T21:09:29.623-04:00

One of my offline audience members (my dad) told me about this site. He tutors some first graders at local elementary school but doesn't like the materials they use. So he searched for phonics on the internet and found this site. It's great!! This site expertly combines educational content with images, animation, interactivity, and sound. Wow! Its audience is beginning and early readers or what

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097195476957278372004-10-07T20:17:00.000-04:002004-10-08T20:49:05.440-04:00

Web filtering is time-intensive and effort-intensive. Obviously the purpose for web filtering is to find sites worthy of mention on a blog. But there are so many sites and until I see more of them, it is premature to make judgments of worthiness. When I find a decent site, I want to let my audience know; but as I review more and more sites, I refine my criteria and change my standards for

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097194612889171312004-10-07T20:12:00.000-04:002004-10-08T20:49:54.446-04:00

I find blogrolls valuable-usually. When a blogroll is long (over 20 blogs) then the list loses its meaning. The idea of a blogroll is to narrow the infinite list of blogs, not provide a comprehensive list of blogs.

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097170250234669922004-10-07T06:29:00.000-04:002004-10-08T21:51:46.096-04:00

The American Library Association-Great Websites for Kids page lists its criteria for greatness in websites. In summary: the author/sponsor of a site should be obvious and the the site should have a purpose, be appropriate for its audience, easy to navigate, and have meaningful and useful content that educates, informs, or entertains. I think that the ALA has a great start but the criteria is

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097094267458520412004-10-06T15:56:00.000-04:002004-10-06T16:24:27.456-04:00

This site is authored by Barbara Feldman, who writes a weekly column on websites that are pertinent to that week's topic. For example, if the topic is Mars, she finds and describes five websites on Mars that are appropriate for children. I would think that the site design would reinforce Ms. Feldman's status as a web expert rather than a web wannabe. But it doesn't. Everywhere I turn, someone

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097089774252141082004-10-06T14:33:00.000-04:002004-10-06T15:09:34.253-04:00

The National Geographic Kids' site maintains its parents' brand image (sharp images with meaty content) while appealing to kids (and their parents). The site is easily navigated and games are easily accessible. The site does a great job of combining content with games, without sacrificing the integrity of either. I have noticed that some sites sell games that have little educational content

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097066974219356542004-10-06T08:38:00.000-04:002004-10-06T08:49:34.220-04:00

My classmate, an Iraqi War veteran, writes of news and information sites most relevant to the people-liberation and government-building efforts in Iraq. His firsthand knowledge of the people, places, and culture, as well as his understanding of technology-based communication methods, makes his blog a worthwhile place to visit for his insight and a jumping-off place to learn more about learning

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097028142517463322004-10-05T21:57:00.000-04:002004-10-09T22:12:55.350-04:00

The children's website section of this site has a few select links that serve as portals to more educational sites, many with games and activities. Rainbow Phone is a watchdog organization based in Italy that helps fight online abuse of children (i.e., reports porn sites featuring children) so kids need to stay away from some of the content on this site. Still the recommendations of sites are

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097026392778564302004-10-05T21:19:00.000-04:002004-10-05T21:34:01.846-04:00

This site features lots of ads and things flashing. The constant movement is distracting and not conducive to learning. Categories and topics are presented nicely, though similar to a commercial directory. All links go to other pages in the syvum site. I tried the Thrillionaire game for U.S. Capitals. One miss ends a game, I very quickly learned. Although the instant feedback is nice, it is

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097016227243740342004-10-05T17:41:00.000-04:002004-10-05T18:43:47.243-04:00

When I first wrote my about me section for this blog, I wrote mainly about my status as the mother of two boys with different ways of learning. Listing favorite books, movies, etc. in the profile seemed like a way to position myself based on my social-psychological-spiritual-political-economic leanings rather than list qualifications. But after reading this week's assignment about stating my

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1097012406196212232004-10-05T17:20:00.000-04:002004-10-05T17:40:06.196-04:00

On his blog, Counterframe, my classmate Dean Smith presents news in the arena of politics, big business, and media--Viacom CEO's open endorsement of George W. Bush as his choice for his president. (October 4, 2004) But what is there to hide??? Voter registration records--complete with name, address, party affiliation, and poll visits (though not choices) are public record, accessible via the

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1096937709361023752004-10-04T20:39:00.000-04:002004-10-04T20:55:09.363-04:00

Seussville is a different kind of site: being different can be good (I learned that from Dr. Seuss himself) but it isn't always a good thing. The site opens with a choice of high or low bandwidth, and then opens to a smaller, free-standing screen--this set-up is neat but unnerving. Most Seuss readers are early readers so reading shouldn't be a prerequisite to play games at the playground on

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8292371.post-1096936251641559382004-10-04T20:16:00.000-04:002004-10-08T21:49:36.233-04:00

PBS offers an excellent resource of online games, quizzes, and activities for children. What makes it great? Online activities are categorized by television show, which allows parents and kids to pick age-appropriate activities; that is, if a show is appropriate for a child to watch, then the matching activities are appropriate for the child's level of learning. Also, program characters and

smallishmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10489903372090378702noreply@blogger.com0