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Hawking's Brain to be 'Hacked'

HawkingA team of neuroscientists is working on a device they say has the ability to “hack” a person’s brain. They are so confident in their work that they will be testing the so-called iBrain on none other than the smartest man alive, Stephen Hawking.

Hawking, who suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease, is agreeing to test the iBrain in a effort to improve his communicative abilities. His body continues to deteriorate from his affliction and he no longer is able to effectively use a clicker to operate his voice simulator. If effective, the iBrain will allow Hawking, and others with similar debilitating conditions, to operate computers and other machines using only their thoughts.

The iBrain, which is worn around the head and can measure brain activity, is only in its infancy, and it remains unclear if it will have any practical applications. Scientists are hopeful that, with further testing like that that Hawking is participating in, those applications will be realized.

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The Sound of Calm in the Classroom

The Tibetan Singing Bowl gives off a sound that is very hard to describe. However, it starts out loud but pleasant sound and then as the sound gets lower so does the stress from the day. When I hear the sound, my body starts to relax starting with my mind it’s not that it shuts down, but it focuses. My eyes are closed but once they open, they seem more focused. I can feel the tenseness in my fingers and toes release.

The above excerpt describes a graduate students’...

Learn about the History of the...

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Creating a Peaceful Transition:...

I begin each class with a brief meditation. Using a Tibetan Singing Bowl, I invite students to listen to the sound of the bowl as it drops off then to drop in on their breathing. Just listen to how the breath flows in and out.

The “micro” meditation lasts a few minutes at the most but seems to make all the difference. Instead of rushing into the learning process, we ease into, flow into it more gently, we slow down to go faster.

Starting class with meditation allows them...

The End of School is Almost Here

The end of the year is quickly approaching! This is such an exciting time for everyone. The thought of sleeping in, hanging out by the pool, taking a late-night walk, or a long fun family vacation is weighing on everyone’s mind. Here are some things to do to finish out the year strong!

1. Have everyone bring in a pillowcase. With a paint marker in the middle of the pillow, you will write:

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5 Ways to Get Students Excited About...

After the school year ended, I continually reflected on what I could have done better. Even though I thought I knew my students well, I could have always known them better. From the moment they enter the classroom, a teacher is trying to get to know the family, the student academically, the background they bring with them, issues, problems, struggles, likes, dislikes, and ultimately what will help a student...

5 Tips and Tricks to Becoming a Better...

Through my years of teaching, I encountered three principals and 3-4 administrators. They were each so different and inspired me in many ways. There were rules, expectations, “buy-ins,” situations, and opportunities for me to learn. I had always aspired to be an administrator, so my first principal position was one of my favorites. I want to share with you some of the things I did that I learned from my...

Having HIgh Expectations for All...

Each month as an educator, it is important for teachers to reflect on his or her classroom practices and the how and whys of what we do. April is Autism Awareness month, and this is such a special time because as teachers and leaders, we should self-reflect on things we can do better or differently to help all children-including children with autism succeed. High expectations for all students are vital. In...

What Can Teachers Do to Get Ready For...

Every summer, I tried to prioritize what I was going to do to get ready for the next school year. I wanted my classroom to be engaging, fun, inviting, and a place that I wanted to be each day. This will give you ideas on things you can do this summer to refresh for the fall And Prepare for a fantastic first week...

Geography Awareness Week (NOVEMBER 15-...

Geographic Activities to Foster Geographic Awareness.
 
1. A fun way to show our  Globally Interdependent World: Assign a partner and have the students check the labels on their tops to see where they are made.  Do the same for their shoes. Have the students do a safari search with their partner looking for where things in the room were made(ex: crayons, textbook, colored pencils, ruler, etc...

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