If you’re reading this, odds are you are not one of the 570,000 people in the U.S. infected with the DNS Malware Virus. Congratulations. Yet, while you can still surf around to your heart’s content, ISPs are working overtime to help those less fortunate users find their way back to the information superhighway.
This morning at 12:01 the FBI shut down its DNS servers, which were acting as the only path to the Internet for hundreds of thousands of computers. s reported by CNet, the whole problem goes back to an online criminal ring from 2007 that was tinkering with computers' settings and then directing users to rogue servers that the criminals had set up. These servers then re-directed users to malicious Web sites. Late last year, the FBI arrested the ring and seized the rogue servers. But since so many infected computers relied on the servers to reach the Internet, the agency opted not to shut them down and instead converted them to legitimate DNS machines. Due to the high cost associated with operating these servers, the FBI has decided to shut them down.
ISP are taking a proactive approach to the problem with Comcast has contacting users with infected computers, according to the Wall Street Journal. Verizon has lined up technicians who can help customers remove the virus and AT&T plans to redirect infected PCs to the correct Web sites.
People who are unable to get online should call their ISP to see if their computers are infected. CNET has also posted a how-to guide to help people detect whether their PCs are pointing to the DNSChanger network.
One of the best strategies I have learned came from my first mentor, famed teacher Rafe Esquith. He said to find ways to bring your own interests and passions into the classroom and somehow connect them to the curriculum. For example, if you love cooking, find a way to cook with your students.
This simple approach has several benefits: first, you enjoy teaching more, as you are teaching topics you love and find fascinating, not just what you are mandated to teach. Second, your...
Beginning in their college preparation years, teachers begin to learn all sorts of strategies for the classroom. They are asked to consider their beliefs and philosophy of classroom management, instruction, assessment, community building, and parental involvement. As this occurs, teachers naturally begin to select methods of teaching, ones that resonate with them, ones that are pushed by the school district and schools, ones they read about, or ones used by teachers in neighboring classrooms...
Author note: The following is a series of blogs featuring excerpts and concepts from my upcoming book, tentatively titled: The Awakened Supervisor: Embedding Mindfulness-based Practices in Instructional Supervision (Rowman & Littlefield).
Teachers are well-known for giving so much of themselves to students and others—perhaps too much at times. Burnout rates are high within the teaching profession, and it’s no wonder given the nature of the job. Educators teach and give...
Note: The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book, tentatively titled: The Awakened Supervisor: Embedding Mindfulness-based Practices in Instructional Supervision (Rowman & Littlefield). Please share this blog with educators, including principals, mentor teachers, and university faculty involved with preparing teachers.
Instructional supervision is behind the curve when it comes to exploring how...

“Our students earn 3 college credits while developing content that is used in the broadcast.” – Kris Hupp
National award-winning educator, Kris Hupp, the current Director of Technology & Instructional Innovation at the Cornell School District in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, believes students need...

“We want to be leaders in the transition out of the traditional education ideals, to a more applicable, real-world educational approach.” – Jeff King
Jeff King is the Head of MUSE School in Calabasas, California, and the CEO of MUSE Global. He is the architect of the MUSE Blueprint that has enabled 100 percent...