Improved technology played a big role in the identification of the two primary suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing.
Law enforcement officials were deluged with digital images and video after asking anyone who was in the area during the event to submit them. Traditionally it would take hundreds of officers countless hours to examine all of that media, but new versions of facial recognition technology have made that task much more manageable.
CNet explains how this tech works: "The software, which can help pick a person out of crowd, looks for differentiating features -- from the shape of a mouth to the ridge on a nose to the distance between a pair of eyes.
3VR in San Francisco has developed software that extracts information from video and then makes it searchable for its clients, which include retailers, banks, security firms and law enforcement."

“We have invented an extremely powerful way of learning which was not previously possible and the implications can be colossal.” – Christopher Williams
Christopher Williams says he initially created Chatta for families of 2 and 3 year-old children to promote “interaction and storytelling.” He’d been commissioned to...

“From day one, I make sure the students understand that they are consultants. They are responsible for addressing the issues.” – Norton Gusky
When you give students real-world challenges with real-world organizations, everyone can benefit. Infusing curricula with timely community-based challenges teaches...
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“I hope Special Olympics will inspire others with developmental disabilities to have confidence in themselves. Often, these people feel marginalized and unworthy and there is no longer a need for us to hide in the shadows.” – Billy Seide
Raising awareness about the potential of people with intellectual disabilities...

“For students who have never had the opportunity to travel outside of their town or country, this kind of collaborative learning experience can be completely transformative.” – Joe Troyen
An opportunity to learn about other cultures and ways of life directly from one’s international peers themselves...
Importance of decorating your classroom - A new school year is beginning.
As teachers, we are lifelong learners that want to be the best we can be. In my opinion, we are always changing and learning, and we want to do what is right for the students we teach. I always tell my students that I am a mentor, guide, cheerleader, and co-learner. As you approach another new course with students that are needing you to give them your all, what will you do to ensure that you are being innovative...
Mindfulness-or training one’s attention to focus on the present moment-has become all the rage, filtering into schools and classrooms. Books and articles suggest that teachers and students can benefit from mindfulness practices such as mindful breathing, meditation, and mindful walking.
While I subscribe to the concept of mindfulness, the term might put off some educators, who don’t want to get up in cultural nuances or esoteric practices. Therefore, let’s use the phrase, conscious...


“Storytelling is one of the most human and powerful forms of explaining complex situations.” – Eva Dominguez
Students of the digital era are preparing themselves for an increasingly connected world, which enables them to work from anywhere, to be curious and savvy about current affairs, to adapt constantly and hone...