E-books will spell death of the textbookSmartphones and e-readers could lead to the death of the textbook in classrooms, according to a leading headmistress. In future, pupils will be able to access textbooks and information “anywhere, anytime, any place”, changing the face of school lessons, Louise Robinson said. Mrs Robinson, the incoming president of the Girls’ Schools Association, which represents independent girls schools across the UK including Scotland, suggests children can get more from the “magic” of using smartphones and tablets than simply reading a book. Read>>(schooldays ed note: - not surprised at all, I'm reading books on my smartphone and loving it!)
Education must develop entrepreneursSchools must take a leading role in boosting the number of youngsters who grow up to become successful entrepreneurs, says the Forum of Private Business (FPB). Jane Bennett, the Forum’s head of campaigns says, ‘Schools are vitally important because they are essentially where young minds are honed and appetites for working life whetted. ‘They have a vital role to play in encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, which is why we are calling for a greater focus by government on making sure schools are given the tools for the job
Childhood eroded by modern lifeMore boys sent to single sex schools. Childhood is being eroded by a “relentless diet” of advertising, addictive computer games, test-driven education and poor childcare, a powerful lobby of more than 200 experts warns. One study by Sally Goddard Blythe, the director of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology in Chester, concluded that up to half of children were not ready for school at the age of five because of “sedentary lifestyles”. They struggled to grip pencils properly, sit still, stand up straight and even catch a ball after failing to develop physical and communication skills at a young age. Read>>
Parent View - Your Child's SchoolParent View gives you the chance to tell Ofsted what you think about your child’s school. Parent View asks for your opinion on 12 aspects of your child’s school, from the quality of teaching, to dealing with bullying and poor behaviour. We will use the information you provide when making decisions about which schools to inspect, and when.By sharing your views, you’ll be helping your child’s school to improve. Visit the website.
More than 2200 teachers trained to help children with autismChildren with autism are receiving more help at school. The Australian Government’s Positive Partnerships initiative, has seen 2250 teachers given additional training in providing classroom support.
New iPhone app aimed at reducing youth road tollMelbourne based e-log Systems™ Pty Ltd has released a new, patented iPhone app aimed at combating a sharp increase in falsifying, misleading and incorrect entries currently being recorded by learner drivers into their paper log books. Learner drivers in all Australian states are required by law to input entries into a paper log book before and after completing every driving session, until they reach their required practice hours.
Warning over children's "appalling" handwriting skillsChildren are struggling to write their own name because growing numbers of schools are shunning traditional handwriting lessons, academics have warned. Education standards are at risk as pupils are increasingly allowed to submit essays digitally using email, memory sticks or even presenting PowerPoint displays... Read>>
Make cyberspace a better place3.5 million school students will have the chance to learn how to prevent cyberbullying and stay safe online with the national launch of a suite of free, comprehensive lesson plans. The Make Cyberspace a Better Place campaign, an initiative of Kids Helpline sponsored by Optus to help schools tackle cyber-safety, will see each of Australia’s schools receive an education pack containing information on cyberbullying, sexting and the safe use of technology. To find out more visit kidshelpline.com.au.
How texting helps students with their textbooksCan modern messaging enhance your children's literacy skills? This cd b v expensive chat, observed my son. He is 19 and in London, I in Tanzania. A scheduled conversation on Skype had failed, but I was determined to extract some news. A dozen brief – and similarly abbreviated – messages followed. An expensive chat indeed. But the alternative – that he write a letter to update his parents... Read>>
Thousands of trained teachers out of work after career breaksAt least 16,000 fully trained teachers who want to return to the classroom after a career break are out of work, according to a survey. The vast majority of them are women who have taken a career break to bring up a family, according to the body responsible for teacher training – the Training and Development Agency. In addition, one in three are trained to teach core subjects – science, maths and language... Read>>
Children want to learn about the environmentChildren are so concerned about the environment they would rather learn about it than traditional subjects such as science and history, a survey of 1027 youngsters found. While parents struggle to answer their children's questions on environmental problems, they are bending to pester power to be more green, the research from the Co-operative showed.... Read>>
Help improve literacy ratesAccording to the National Literacy Trust, one in six people struggle to read and write. Through a network of volunteers London Literacy Champions is a project running in 12 London boroughs which will increase family engagement with literacy. The Trust is looking for volunteers visit their website to find out how you can get involved. The Literacy Trust's Where’s Wally? fundraising pack is all about having fun, reading more and making a difference to literacy in the UK.
Schools most in need to receive $150 million for new Trade Training CentresSchools in disadvantaged communities or with a large number of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds will receive priority funding under the next round of Trade Training Centres (TTCs), according to Minister for Education Peter Garrett. $150 million funding under the fourth round of TTCs will be used to build new training centres in about 130 high schools nationally. For more information on the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program and Round Four visit the website.
In Brief
Each weekday this page is updated with school education news from around the world.
Funding available from Bendigo Bank
The Bendigo Bank does more than bean counting – it sows beans as well. Well, that is what it is hoping to do by donating over $10 000 in sponsorship money for local schools who want to start (or make improvements to) an organic school garden. There are three x $3500 sponsorships available for local primary schools to get their organic school garden off the ground. Primary schools in the following suburbs are encouraged to apply: Abbotsford, Alphington, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Fairfield, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Northcote, Princes Hill, Thornbury and Westgarth. Entries close 1 March. For more information visit organicschools.com.au
Apple reinvents text booksiBooks 2 for iPad, was announced featuring iBooks textbooks, an entirely new kind of textbook that’s dynamic, engaging, and truly interactive. Leading education services companies including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, and Pearson will deliver educational titles on the iBookstore. iBooks 2 is available free from the App Store and iBooks Author is available free from the Mac App Store.
Australia's education system is "not bad"Australia's fall in the international rankings for education doesn't mean the nation has a bad system, a federal minister says.Minister Assisting for School Education Brendan O'Connor today acknowledged Australian students were lagging behind those in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Korea. Read>>
Australian schools need $5bn a year moreThe review of school funding, headed by businessman David Gonski, recommends injecting an extra $5 billion into the nation's schools each year. But the Federal Government has not committed itself to any spending increase and will instead embark on extensive consultation. The Gonski report, released publicly yesterday, recommends state and federal governments pool funds to serve all schools, as opposed to the existing system in which public schools are majority-funded by the states and private schools funded federally... Read>>