No, that image to the left is not an iPad surrounded by SmartCovers. That is the Microsoft Surface. Not to be confused with the giant table-sized computer the company released a while ago, the Surface is Microsoft’s entry into the tablet market.
Attempting to take a page out of Apple’s playbook on several levels, Microsoft revealed the Surface during a mystery press event in California. What those in attendance saw was an iPad knock-off that is heavier, boasts shorter batter life and an inferior chip. To be fair, the Surface does have an impressive cover that contains a fully functioning keyboard, but that is an accessory that must be purchased.
Microsoft has two versions of the Surface in the works, each for a very different audience. There’s a “consumer version” that will run Windows RT and a “business version” that will run Windows 8.
Microsoft isn’t saying exactly when the Surface will be available for purchase, or how much it will cost, but experts are predicting the “consumer version” to fall in the $500 price range with the “business version” to come in at over $1,000. The pricier version does have better overall tech specs than its cheaper brother, but that improved performance comes at the cost of weight and, of course, cost.
Okay, there's no way around it, there are parts of the grant application process that are just plain boring. Last time, I finished a discussion about federal and state grants with a promise to discuss the narrative writing process for prospective grant seekers. Grant writers probably develop writer's block more often than any other writing niche, so it helps to have it all compartmentalized and routine. In our resources section, you'll find a sample of a "demographics" page for a grant...
“New and more innovative knowledge maps are now needed to help us navigate the complexities of our expanding landscape of knowledge.” — Charles Fadel
The Trivium and Quadrivium, medieval revival of classical Greek education theories, defined the seven liberal arts necessary as preparation for...
As teachers, we should carefully examine what we consider important in classrooms. For instance, what language, customs, mannerisms, and social graces do we value above others in school settings. The concept of cultural capital theory was proposed by Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron (1977) to explain differences in academic achievement among children in France’s educational system in the 1960s. Cultural capital can be thought of as the collection of elements—tastes, clothing,...
In this world, we all live in a community. Some communities run better than others. Some people like their community, and some may want to move from where they live. What sets each community apart? Think about where you live and then think about a friend that lives in a different community. What are the things each has in common? What are the differences? Now think about all the classrooms you have been in. What...
Don’t try to innovate if you’re not prepared to make mistakes.
Steve Jobs once said that “about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
All innovators feel challenged at different points because it’s just part of the work. So how...
I have discovered a simple, yet effective way to remain inspired as a teacher. It costs nothing, does not take much time, and always works.
Before I reveal “my secret,” I want to address the topic of motivation and teacher burnout. The teacher dropout rate within the first, five years has ranged from 17 to as high as 50 percent, depending on what study you read. Nevertheless, teacher retention has remained a concern in the profession. If you have taught in k-12 public schools for any...
Girls outperformed boys in every country. “Girls show more positive attitudes towards relationships, meaning that they tend to be more interested in others’ opinions and want others to succeed.” — Andreas Schleicher
We live in a world where trust and teamwork is more important than ever. OECD...
Singularity. It’s discussed by futurists and by scientists. Then there are the rest of us grappling to get our heads around the “reality” that within a decade or so, Artificial Intelligence will cause machines to become “smarter” than human beings. What does all of this mean for quality of life and future learning?
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