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Microsoft Enters Tablet Market

SurfaceNo, 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.

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NASA Launches Black Hole Hunter

NuStar

The space shuttle program may be discontinued, but that isn’t stopping NASA from plowing ahead with other space exploration initiatives. Case in point is the launch of the space agency’s Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuStar) high-energy X-ray telescope spacecraft.

The spacecraft’s mission is to get as close as possible to black holes and...

Substitute Teaching Tips

Today~ I thought I would give some of my substituting friends some fun ideas!

We have all heard the quote: "Substitute...

Not-So-Little Feature To Help Teachers

AppleIt’s no secret that Apple held its World Wide Developers’ Conference in California today. Among the impressive lineup of hardware and software updates revealed was a relatively small feature added to iOS6 that will have teachers dancing in the streets.

All Apple mobile devices, when upgraded to iOS6, will sport a new Single App mode. It’s a very simple...

Review Games for Upper Elementary/...

Heree are some popular review activities I found successful to use in the classroom.
REVIEW ACTIVITIES TO USE IN YOUR CLASSROOM

1. HISTO: A vocabulary review game which is like bingo. Students use a word list and fill in a bingo grid(six box for a short review or 16 for a larger review). The game board can be used for several games. I usually have them place the letter H for my name for the first round~ perhaps~ an X~ a smiley face~ etc. The teacher gives a definition and if they...

Eat Your Way through History

EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH HISTORY!

As a classroom teacher I always tried to incorporate art~ music and yes....foods of different cultures into units of study. Students would make the foods during study hall and the school cafeteria was very kind to cook those recipes needing an oven. The foods we made were always something the students remembered from a unit of study! Here are some ideas for you to try for your your students to Eat THEIR Way Through History!!
1.Researchers say that...

Radical!

Are you a RAD teacher?

No~ not a cool teacher or a Radical person who catches waves on their surfboard.

Rather~ RAD stands for reflect~ adjust~ deliver.

I think good teachers reflect on their practices--and not just test scores. Yes~ its a must to reflect on test scores and data and make adjustments in instruction~ but I think you should go far beyond that. The great thing about summer (besides time off and a chance to recharge) is that it gives teachers a chance to reflect...

Web Giants Warn of Malware

FBITwo giants of the Internet want to make sure you can still get to them after July 9.

Google and Facebook are actively scanning the computers of their users to find some of the nearly 1 million people who have been infected with the DNSChanger malware in the U.S. Google is displaying a warning across the top of its search results page, while Facebook has placed a...

Making a Difference

The letter started off by stating You have no idea the impact you have had on my childs life during this short school year.

Wow~ I paused after reading the letter handed to me this week by one of my students. A three-page letter~ hand-written by the parent. She said her son worked harder than ever~ and that for the first time~ he wasnt pushed into the corner and ignored because he was energentic and unfocused at times. She wrote about how he was now talking about sav ing money...

Do You Play Games?

Students that are engaged in learning are more likely to enjoy learning and will~ in turn~ be more open to retaining your lesson. Fun educational games can assist in the fun. By using everyday objects to create curiosity~ students and teachers can both increase the joy of the learning environment. Even adults prefer novelty. Think about the last time you had to sit in a lecture. Most adults get up~ text~ or talk during these types of presentations. Students...

Teachers Debate Social Media Use in...

TweetIn a story by Paul Barnwell of TeacherMagazine.org posted on Education Week May 30, 2012, the self-described tech-leaning teacher derided the use of social media technologies like Facebook as having little to no academic value in the classroom. Barnwell wrote:

“I’ve always been open to new technologies in the classroom—in fact, in 2010 I argued that we were doing...

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