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Finally it is Teacher Appreciation Week

“Teacher appreciation makes the world of education go around.” Helen Peters. Whether you are 8 or 18 years old, you live in South Korea or in Sweden, you are black or you are white. Everyone around the world has at least one teacher who has inspired them and motivated them to keep on going and never give up. The only thing we can give back is showing our appreciation for their work and effort. This appreciation makes teachers aware of what their efforts mean to us and keeps them doing the great things they do. Students from different country celebrate this in their own way, with their own and unique habits and on different dates.

Finally it is Teacher Appreciation Week

Today starts the week during which students of the US can express their gratefulness for what their teachers have taught them. Today starts the week where for once the teachers don’t give, but the students do. Today starts the week that entire classes work together to surprise their teachers. Today starts the week that makes teachers feel good about what they do. Today starts the week that makes the world of education go around. Today starts Teacher Appreciation Week.

Until May 7th, teachers will walk out of their homes with an even bigger smile on their face than usual. Because they now that this is the week that they get recognition for all the effort they put into this job. “Teachers appreciate being appreciated, for teacher appreciation is their highest award.” - William Prince. They work so hard by teaching us how to write, read and count. They treat us as their own children and from today on, we can show them that we treat them as our second parents. Although we give them headaches and make them upset all the time, there is one week to make it all up and make sure that they don’t forget why they do so much for us.

During this week and especially on Tuesday, everyone does their best to be as creative as possible and surprise their teachers with the most amazing and original ideas. On teacher appreciation info you can find a lot of initiatives that were done in the past and different tips. One tip is to keep in mind which teachers you are surprising. Try to know as much as possible about them and use this to create a present. In this way, your present means much more to those particular teachers and gets a personal touch. Your teachers are happy and so are you, because for once, you managed to give them something that means a lot and not the other way around.

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eSpok Launches Its Learning Management System & Training Marketplace For Companies

Since 2007, eSpok’s learning management system and virtual classroom have been used by training companies to deliver training to their clients through the Internet. Many companies have already enjoyed efficient and cost-effective training developed and delivered through eSpok’s platform. Now eSpok wishes to bring those advantages to companies for their internal training.

Optimizing the training cost with one platform fully equipped for “blended learning”

As “blended learning” is becoming the norm in the training industry because it optimizes training costs, companies are looking more and more for complete “blended learning” solutions for their internal training.

eSpok’s platform combines all the tools necessary for “blended learning”. The virtual classroom is perfectly integrated into the Learning management system, taking full advantage of technology for your training.

Using easy content creation tools, it is possible in a few clicks for anybody without any formal Internet skills to create interactive content and to distribute it. Those online documents and exercises can then be completed easily with a live one-on-one or one-on-many session in our virtual classroom.

Finally, agendas and reporting tools allow the training managers or HR department to easily track and organize the training.

Marketplace of selected training companies for external training

For training that cannot be developed f r o m inside, eSpok has created a network of training companies which use its platform and recognize the benefits of online training and blended learning.

In a few steps and for a wide range of types of training, going f r o m language courses to leadership and management training, it is possible for the company to request external training and receive discounted offers.

The training takes place on the same platform, with the same tools. Sessions are recorded, and documents available for further review.

About eSpok
eSpok has developed a complete and customizable Learning Management System combined with a virtual classroom for online training. eSpok is present in four countries: the United States, France, Germany and China, and its platform is used in a range of companies going f r o m small in size to multinational. The company has a wealth of experience accompanying clients to optimize their internal training. Our platform can be used both for internal needs or to simplify and optimize the purchasing of external training.

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Promethean And National Geographic Unleash The Power Of Nature In Classrooms

Promethean, a global leader in education technology solutions, has introduced National Geographic Young Explorer ActivLessons; a series of interactive whiteboard lessons designed specifically for kindergarten and first grade students. The ActivLessons interactive whiteboard resources can be used on any brand of interactive whiteboard using a free download of Promethean’s Software: ActivInspire Personal Edition available for download.

Engineered to expand and enhance the reach of the popular National Geographic Young Explorer magazine, the ActivLessons provide a whole-class digital supplement to the series. The range of exciting activities for interactive whiteboards is guaranteed to spark the interest of inquisitive young minds.

Developed in partnership with the National Geographic Society, the Young Explorer ActivLessons educational resources are based on the stories and instruction in Young Explorer and feature stunning photography supported by group activities, narrated stories, printable worksheets and a full teacher guide. The National Geographic Young Explorer Magazine and ActivLessons work together to improve literacy skills and introduce learners to science and social studies.

While the Young Explorer ActivLessons teaching resources stand alone, they can also be used with the magazine, offering teachers multiple options to create engaging lessons that provide practice with reading strategies, build academic vocabulary and meet NCLB goals.

Brent Taggart, Head of Promethean Planet and Strategy said, “Promethean is thrilled to partner with National Geographic to produce the Young Explorer ActivLessons. Intended to be teacher led; the design and functionality of the ActivLessons facilitate versatility in the classroom by offering multiple options for student engagement and educator adaptability. All the activities contained are flexible, collaborative and extendable; key requirements of any content created for Promethean’s ActivClassroom.”

Fran Downey, Vice-President and Publisher of National Geographic added, “National Geographic Young Explorer is known for teaching important literacy skills through high-interest science and social studies content. The magazine connects to existing curriculum while inspiring students to care about our planet. The partnership with Promethean, a leader in developing interactive classroom solutions for the education market, allows teachers to present truly interactive lessons that will engage students and deepen understanding. This takes the printed magazine to a whole new level.”

Young Explorer ActivLessons can be purchased and downloaded through the Promethean Planet online shop where educators can also browse a wide variety of digital content.

Promethean Planet will be introducing a range of new functionality over the coming months to further address the modern-day educator’s needs.

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Debut Of ePath Knowledge Suite of Online Tools

Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEDH), a leading provider of print and online supplemental educational materials for the K–12 school market, is pleased to announce the launch of their new ePath Knowledge™series of online tools for educators to address specific needs in schools. The initial launch of the ePath Knowledge™ series consists of three distinct offerings: ePath Assess™—the online formative assessment, progress monitoring, and reporting platform, ePath Discovery™—a targeted, state-specific online remediation and reporting system, and Practice Path™—the ongoing skill building and standards and test practice system. The tools share a common design featuring intuitive, easy-to-use interfaces, visually based reporting, and customized, state-specific content.

Debut Of ePath Knowledge Suite of Online Tools

“We are extremely excited about our new ePath Knowledge™ offerings and the potential of these tools to make a significant impact in K–12 schools,” said Brian Beckwith, President and CEO. “The tools in the ePath Knowledge™ series work together to deliver an integrated solution or as standalone offerings to fill in the ‘missing piece’ of any existing solution. This flexibility, combined with our high-quality content, user-friendly design, renowned service and support, and affordable pricing will make ePath Knowledge™ a ‘go to’ solution for schools.”

“We had the opportunity to pilot Practice Path™ for our summer Jump Start program,” said Stephanie Shaffer, Basic Skills Instructor from Franklin Township School District, NJ. “I honestly have to say the program has a lot to offer for both the teachers and students. I found the program offered a wide array of usable information and the students loved it. Because of our summer experience, we are going to use the program this school year.”

The ePath Knowledge™ offerings allow local and state level education agencies to provide powerful, state-specific tools accessible via any computer with an available connection to the Internet. Each ePath Knowledge™ tool addresses distinct educational needs while straightforward, visually based reports promote informed classroom instruction, so educators can readily identify the needs of each student or groups of students. The ePath Knowledge™ tools are available in the following geographic areas: The ePath Assess™ solution is available in all 11 of Peoples Education’s current states (AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, and VA), while ePath Discovery™ is currently available in California and Texas only and Practice Path™ is currently available in California, Texas, and New Jersey with more states to come. For additional information about Peoples Education ePath Knowledge™ tools, go to www.PeoplesEducation.com.

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New Quick and Easy Test Preparation Now Available for Reading, Math, and Science

Peoples Education, a leading provider of supplemental educational material for the K-12 school market, today announced the addition of Reading, Grades 3-8 materials to the successful Measuring Up Express for the TAKS program. This new program, which first launched late last year, now offers a complete line of Reading, Math, and Science materials for Texas elementary and middle school tested grade levels. The Reading, Grades 3-8 program, includes student worktexts, Diagnostic Practice Tests, and Formative Assessments.

“Teachers told us that they are beginning to instructionally move to the new reading TEKS, but these TEKS are not yet tested. They still need materials to help students succeed on the pre-existing TEKS, which will be tested in 2010 and beyond,” commented Brian T. Beckwith, the company’s President and CEO. “Peoples Education has a history of responding to Texas educators’ needs promptly and with high-quality TEKS and TAKS-customized content. This new reading TAKS preparation and review program is no exception.”

The Measuring Up Express worktexts are a companion to the successful Measuring Up to the TEKS program. The new books address the TEKS that will be tested in 2010 with new content and reading passages. In areas where students need extra instructional support, Measuring Up lessons can be selected for in-depth standards coverage. For quick and easy test review 3-6 weeks prior to the TAKS, Measuring Up Express lessons are the perfect tool. The short lessons provide a brief review of the standards and relevant vocabulary, as well as test practice in the format of the current TAKS. The Measuring Up Express books also include a correlation to the new reading TEKS to help teachers and students as they transition to the new standards.

“Peoples Education has worked tirelessly to align the TEKS with the Measuring Up Express Reading worktexts,” remarked Elizabeth Firmin Birdwell, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Duncanville ISD. “I think teachers will enjoy the product and they will find that it is cognitively aligned.”

The Measuring Up Express program includes free Formative Assessments as blackline masters so teachers can monitor student progress at the end of every chapter. Two free Diagnostic Practice Tests for each student allow teachers to diagnose student weaknesses and prescribe review lessons in the Measuring Up Express OR Measuring Up worktexts. This diagnose-prescribe-instruct model in the Measuring Up program has helped over 3 million Texas students improve test scores.

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New Website for Students and Educators By Fascinating Learning Factory

Fascinating Learning Factory (FLF), a non-profit organization and a leader in innovative, engaging educational programming for classrooms, television and the World Wide Web, has launched an entirely new website offering new on-line tools, information and links for students and educators, and better reflects the breadth and quality of its programs and initiatives.

“The new site is brighter, bolder and lots more fun,” says FLF’s Executive Director Bunnie Strassner. “For teachers and students, the site now features hundreds of educational stories and cartoons f r o m the popular “Our Fascinating Earth” books by Drs. Phil and Nancy Seff, as well as current programs and new projects in development. Plus, we have opportunities for visitors to offer their own ideas for programs. Teachers and students are invited to join the Fascinating Learning factory for free and we will offer new and unique items for sale in the on-line store.”

Another recent addition is 30 one-minute animated features called Facts of Congress, a fun way to teach civics and government.

“I’m very excited“, comments Heather Boyle-Noland, Development Director at the ‘Learning Factory, “It’s a great new step we have taken to bring educational information to the web in a user friendly and engaging. We are also hoping it will drive new donors to visit us and get out our message of the critical need for higher quality and a broader reach of programming.

The site was designed by, and is being maintained by Flashback Media Productions of Lafayette, Colorado.

The Fascinating Learning Factory, a Colorado 501(c)(3), is dedicated to improving the quality of educational programming for ages 10 through adult. Some of their award winning, broadcast programs include “Guerrilla Guide to Politics, “Our Fascinating Earth”, and “Shoshone Voices, Native Choices”, a documentary about the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and their participation in the artifact identification program at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. For more information, please visit their website, www.fascinatinglearningfactory.org, or call 303-545-9955.

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Over 2.5 Million Inspiring Audio CDs Distributed Worldwide Since 2005 By Lighthouse Catholic Media

Lighthouse Catholic Media, NFP announces that they have achieved the milestone of having distributed over 2.5 million inspiring audio CDs distributed worldwide since their inception in late 2005.

Over 2.5 Million Inspiring Audio CDs Distributed Worldwide Since 2005 By Lighthouse Catholic Media

Lighthouse Catholic Media’s CDs are distributed two ways: through their FAITHRAISER Kiosk Program displayed in over 2,000 parishes, Catholic schools and missions, and via their popular CD of the Month Club. The CD of the Month Club is a subscription-based service to individuals and parishioners at an amazingly low rate.

What’s more, when the parish sponsors the CD of the Month Club for their parishioners, the parish receives a percentage back for the purpose of funding religious education, or whatever purposes the parish sees fit to utilize the funds. There is no cost or investment for the program, nor is there any administration by the parish; the program, which is both a faith-raiser and true fund-raiser, has grown substantially in the last year.

Recently, Lighthouse Catholic Media received an endorsement by the archbishop for the US Military Services, Archbishop Broglio, recommending Lighthouse Catholic Media’s inspiring Catholic audio CDs to soldiers, sailors and airmen serving in over 450 military bases around the world.

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Escuela Del Sol Has Hired A Design Firm To Help Communicate Its Unique Brand Of Creative Education To Its Constituents

Albuquerque’s Escuela del Sol had a problem. Even after 40 years of continuous operation, there was growing confusion among parents as to what the Montessori system offered their children, how it differed f r o m other educational methods, and what results they should expect. The lack of communication was making it difficult to maintain, much less grow, enrollment, and had caused some dissatisfaction with currently enrolled families.

Now if Montessori schools know how to do anything, it is how to prepare kids to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. So the school’s board decided to practice what they teach. They put on their thinking caps, thought like a business and came up with a business solution-applying the very same traits they strive to nurture in their students.

This creative bit of problem solving led them to Ripe Inc., an Albuquerque-based design firm that specializes in building brands and identities for businesses. Normally. But the chance to work with such a forward thinking school was too good an opportunity to pass up. Ripe had to be equally creative in taking on a branding assignment f r o m a school. But they did their homework well.

Working closely with the school they developed an engaging, informative, visual and verbal communication system to clarify and deliver the brand message. The message was developed through intensive workshops in which consensus about the key attributes of the school’s brand were uncovered and documented. The analysis and evaluation became an internal brand reference guide book provided to all faculty and staff members-so there’s common understanding and consistent language when communicating the Escuela del Sol brand.

It also became the conceptual platform for developing the graphics libraries, website, messaging system, and electronic template that facilitates the school’s unique educational approach. And for developing its award-winning print collateral as well. The school’s new logo & stationery design has been s e l e c t e d to appear in PRINT’s 2009 Regional Design Annual. Planned advertising campaigns will focus on specific challenges-like boosting enrollment, and increasing parent engagement in the school’s educational process.

Escuela del Sol has made it their business to enhance their communications and their profile within the community. And they expect business to be good.

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Peoples Education Debuts Measuring Up for Level A/Grade 1

Peoples Education, a leading provider of supplemental educational material for the K-12 school market, announced today the addition of first grade materials to the successful Measuring Up to the California Content Standards program. This exclusive approach to first grade standards preparation includes two levels in one book to give teachers flexibility to differentiate instruction for a wide range of student needs.. The Level A program includes instructional worktexts, Diagnostic Practice Tests, and Building Stamina booklets for English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Peoples Education

“We took our time to research what would be the best option for first grade teachers and their students,” commented Diane M. Miller, the company’s co-founder and Chief Creative Officer. “Having two sets of lessons on the same standards allows teachers to scaffold instruction for their first-grade students and for second-grade students who need specialized instruction to bridge the gap from first grade to second. We believe this program meets the needs of California educators in a more realistic way than traditional materials.”

The worktexts include Early Level lessons to be used at the beginning of first grade and Bridging Level lessons for the second half of first grade and second graders needing intervention. The program helps students transition to second grade and prepare early for the second grade assessment.

Lisa Anderson, a key advisor on the project and K-6 Reading Specialist from National City, said, “I am thrilled Peoples Education is coming out with a Grade One version of Measuring Up. I love how these workbooks present the essential California standards in an easy-to-learn, student-friendly format.”

A variety of assessment tools are available to help teachers diagnose student needs and monitor progress. Two short Diagnostic Practice Tests, one for Early Level and one for Bridging Level, can be used as a pretest and posttest for the program. These diagnostic assessments cover the key grade 1 standards with 30 questions each. Separate Building Stamina booklets are designed as formative assessments to be used at the end of each chapter in the Early and Bridging levels. All the assessment results can be used to prescribe specific Early and Bridging lessons in the Level A Measuring Up worktext for a truly customized approach for every classroom.

About Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc.

Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc. is a publisher and marketer of print and electronic educational materials for the K-12 school market. The Company focuses its efforts in two market areas:

Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction

Test Preparation and Assessment: The Company creates and sells state customized, print and electronic, test preparation and assessment materials that help teachers prepare students for success in school and for required state proficiency tests, grades 2-12.

Instruction: The Company produces and sells proprietary state customized print worktexts and print and web-based delivered assessments, for Grades 2-8. These products provide students with in-depth instruction and practice in reading, language arts, and mathematics. In addition, the Company’s backlist remedial and multicultural products are included in this group.

Literacy

The Company distributes K-8 supplemental literacy materials for three publishers, on an exclusive basis in the United States. These materials include an extensive selection of leveled reading materials; high interest engaging resources for striving readers; series that integrate reading, science and social studies; and selections and strategies for English Language Learners.

College Preparation

The Company distributes instructional materials that meet the academic standards high schools require for honors, college preparation, and Advanced Placement courses. The Company is the exclusive high school distributor for two major college publishers, and also creates proprietary supplemental materials for this market.

The Company’s proprietary products are supplemental in nature. They are predominately soft-cover, high gross profit margin titles that can be sold efficiently through the Company’s direct sales force, as well as through catalogs, direct mail, telemarketing, and independent commission sales representatives. Distributed products are both basal and supplemental in nature.

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Borenson And Associates, Inc., With Headquarters In Allentown, PA Will Be Training Additional Instructors To Conduct The Making Algebra Child’s Play Workshops Nationwide

Since 1990 Borenson and Associates has conducted more than 2500 Making Algebra Child’s Play workshops showing teachers how the visual and kinesthetic approach of Hands-On Equations enables even 4th and 5th graders to succeed with algebraic equations not normally presented until the 8th or 9th grade.

borenson

The instructor candidates, coming from five different states, will be receiving their training at the Holiday Inn in downtown Allentown. The training will take place each day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is expected that a student demonstration will take place each day from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

All of the candidates have used Hands-On Equations in their classrooms for several years and are now coming to learn how to present the program to teachers.

Leading the training program will be Dr. Henry Borenson, who received a U.S. Patent for Hands-On Equations. With this group, the company will have about three dozen certified instructors. Borenson anticipates the need for 100 instructors within the next two years to meet the growing interest in his approaching to simplifying the abstract nature of algebra.

Recently, the company received their first order from Educational Opportunities, Inc. who have set a goal of introducing the program to 1,000 classroom in Africa, Asia and India.

“There is no reason for young students to be intimated by algebra,” says Borenson. “Through this visual and kinesthetic approach algebraic concepts become intuitive and are much easier to understand than division of fractions or long division– and much more fun!”

Borenson believes that when young students are successful with algebra their sense of self-esteem is enhanced. “There is no doubt about the effectiveness of this program,” he says. We have almost ten research studies posted at www.borenson.com to prove it.

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New Obesity And Tobacco Prevention Products For Preschoolers And Childcare Providers By Cafe Prevention

cafeprevention.com

CafePrevention.com announces the addition of two exciting, affordable, and new prevention products – the Fit for the Future Toolkit for preschoolers and childcare providers and the tobacco education resource, Smoking Makes Me Ugly program, for middle school students.

In an effort to provide exceptional service, Community Partnership will do their best to accommodate those who need the prevention education resource order before June 30 for fiscal year deadlines.

Community Partnership has developed their business around creating and supplying parents, schools, agencies and communities around the globe with a wide variety of tested and innovative prevention strategies and materials. Each product is both educational and eye-catching, and will engage the target audience, whether they are pre-schoolers, teens or adults.

The Fit for the Future Toolkit is designed for children ages 3-5 and childcare providers. The childhood obesity rate for children in this age group has risen to 12.4%, and childcare providers offer the perfect setting to teach about, and encourage, healthy eating and physical activity habits. The kit includes a teacher’s manual, training DVD, children’s books, a movement CD, as well as games and activities to support children making healthy choices.

Comments from childcare teachers have been extremely positive, and evaluations indicate the children are remembering what they learn and the cooks are changing what they serve.

For middle school students, Community Partnership is proud to unveil the Smoking Makes Me Ugly DVD, a comprehensive youth tobacco prevention program. The target ages of 10-12 years old were chosen, as these are the ages the CDC has identified as at risk to begin tobacco use.

Physicians, educators and students themselves were responsible for the content of the interactive DVD, and features include an animated tour of the body, hosted by Cig Free, the talking cigarette, showing how smoking affects teens; interactive lessons, including what smoking does to the outward appearance, and accompanying handouts and worksheets for teachers and students.

Smoking Makes Me Ugly is a new approach to an old problem and has been enthusiastically received by teachers and student alike. Teachers report the tobacco education and prevention DVD is unique and unmatched by any other in its approach to educating middle school youth about the hazards of smoking.

Both the Fit for the Future Toolkit and Smoking Makes Me Ugly DVD are designed to deliver critical information in an engaging and affordable format. CafePrevention.com is a community’s source for high quality prevention materials designed to improve the health and well being of youth.

Café Prevention is full of postcards, games, bookmarks, door hangers, wallet cards and posters on substances of abuse and teen resiliency. Many have chosen our large postcard format over brochures, as they find it easier to read and it can be mailed or handed out. For more information on these products, or to place an order, please visit http://www.cafeprevention.com.

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Debatepedia Documents All Pros And Cons Of Merit Pay For Teachers

Debatepedia has developed the world’s most extensive article on the pros and cons of merit pay for teachers. The article draws over 30 pro and con arguments and quotations from over 20 of the most outstanding editorials, opinion pieces, essays, and political statements on the issue. And, it structures these arguments and quotations in Debatepedia’s unique pro/con “logic tree” structure. The structure helps separate the primary sub-debates (and arguments and counter-arguments) in this debate, which are represented by some of the following questions: Does merit-based pay improve education? Does it improve the quality of teaching by incentivizing hard work? Does it help attract and retain quality teachers? Does it help weed out bad teachers? Does merit pay distract teachers? Does it create undesirable competition between teachers? Does it discourage teachers from going to needy schools? Can teacher merit be successfully measured? Or does varying student performance get in the way? Is merit pay fairer to teachers? Does it fall pray to principal cronyism? Does it encourage teachers to cheat? Does the market demonstrate the importance of pay for performance? If teachers should be paid more in general, is merit pay the best way to do it? What do past examples of merit pay around the world demonstrate? Debatepedia’s community has outlined the pros and con arguments and quotations that fit within and respond to the above sub-debate questions, making it truly the most comprehensive breakdown of the debate available.

President Obama has repeatedly stated his support for merit pay for teachers. Yet, with many priorities on his plate, it would appear that the debate will continue for some time, and even after any policy decisions are made, the debate is likely to continue for years to come, in the United States and abroad. For this reason, Debatepedia’s pro/con structure is particularly valuable in helping walk citizens and decision-makers through the many arguments and quotations so that they can effectively deliberate, make decisions, and make the policy that will guide education in the 21st century.

Debatepedia is a wiki encyclopedia of pros and con arguments and quotations. It is essentially “the Wikipedia of pros and cons”. Started in 2006 by Brooks Lindsay and William Wnekowicz out of Georgetown University, Debatepedia subsequently merged with the International Debate Education Association in 2007. IDEA is a 501c3 non-profit piloted initially by the Open Society Institute in 1999. While IDEA promotes debate in all of its forms around the world, Debatepedia fits within its mission to expand a new industry in journalism – what it calls the “in-depth journalism of public debates”.

Related links:

*Merit based pay for teachers:
http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Debate:_Merit-based_pay_for_teachers
* Home page: http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Welcome_to_Debatepedia!
* Media kit: http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Debatepedia:Media_Kit

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Leaders in Collaborative eLearning Work Together on Web Seminar Series

iCohere Inc. and BlueStreak Learning have partnered to provide a free Webinar on the topic of Collaborative eLearning.

According to Jennifer De Vries, President of BlueStreak Learning, “Many education programs provide one-way communication that pushes information out to learners. However, research studies have proven that people learn when they are engaged in the learning process. The premise of collaborative learning is that learners don’t just learn from a course or an instructor; they also learn from each other. Web-based collaborative eLearning environments are developed to facilitate both the formal learning from an instructor or a course, as well as the informal learning occurs with peer interaction.”

“Our collaborative eLearning courses are built around facilitating interactions among students and faculty alike, encouraging experienced professionals to engage with each other around relevant content,” said Lance Simon, Vice President of Client Services for iCohere. “When everyone in the group shares their professional stories, we often end up taking away a set of memorable lessons and best practices that participants can immediately use on the job.”

Our free one-hour webinars provides a case study of a successful collaborative eLearning project, as well as best practices for developing your own collaborative eLearning program. Register for a webinars session online at http://www.icohere.com/webinars.htm.

iCohere is a state-of-the-art collaboration software solution for associations and nonprofits. Partnering with our clients, we provide strategic guidance to raise online collaboration efforts to new levels of engagement. More information about iCohere can be found at www.icohere.com.

BlueStreak Learning is a full-service e-learning firm, with decades of expertise in building successful online education and training programs. For more information on BlueStreak Learning, go to www.bluestreaklearning.com.

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The Integrated Solution Group To Develop Web-Based Interactive Learning Portal For The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance

Tennessee State University (TSU) has awarded The Integrated Solution Group, Inc. a contract to develop a statewide database and web based interactive training assessment system for The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA). The system will provide TECTA with a central database for student tracking and reporting, and a web based interactive learning and assessment environment where material is presented to foster understanding and use of the Tennessee Early Learning Development Standards (TN-ELDS) to training participants providing care and education to young children.

Tennessee State University (TSU) is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational land-grant university founded in 1912. The university has two primary locations – a 450-acre main campus, with more than 65 buildings, located in a residential setting; and the Avon Williams Campus located in the heart of downtown, near the center of the Nashville business and government district. TSU is a Tennessee Board of Regents System institution. The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) is the sixth largest system of public higher education in the nation, with 45 campuses, over 185,000 students, and 15,000 full-time employees. Tennessee State University is one of the leading institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents system for research funding.

The TECTA program, managed by the Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences in the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs at Tennessee State University, is sponsored and funded by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. TECTA is a consortium of nine TBR universities and community colleges that provides an academic gateway for preparation of professional early childhood personnel. The web-based interactive learning portal will be the first e-learning initiative established by the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

About ISG

Founded in 1993, The Integrated Solution Group specializes in the design, development, and deployment of database driven custom software applications for Windows and Open Source environments. Typical ISG projects include the development of sophisticated data driven web-sites and smart-client desktop software for business, non-profit, and educational institutions throughout the US. ISG also provides database design and software consulting services.

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Award, Education, Education Resources, Education Services, Education Software, Education Solutions, Educational Products, Libraries

CD/DVD Dispensing For Libraries Gets Smarter

Library Automation Technologies, Inc. (LAT), a leader in library automation products, is pleased to announce the addition of the LAT-AllAccessPassâ„¢ capability to the allCIRCâ„¢ product line, which allows multiple machines to act as one, virtual device.

This capability provide a seamless, integrated environment for patrons to be able to use any allCIRCâ„¢ machine, regardless of its physical location in the library, for any item, even if that particular item is not physically stored in that particular machine.

Oleg Boyarsky, President and CEO of LAT commented “Since our allCIRCâ„¢ machines are already a center point of any library by allowing patron self-checkout and secure media dispensing all in one portable device, with the addition of the AllAccessPassâ„¢ we can now make multiple machines act as one. This further enhances the patron experience and delivers unprecedented value to our library customers.”

allCIRCâ„¢ is a revolutionary new product, a new way of thinking, a paradigm shift in library security and self service, especially when it concerns media protection. Designed specifically for libraries, allCIRCâ„¢ provides both secure CD/DVD/BluRay/PS3… media dispensing as well as a complete book self check system all-in-one highly portable machine at a cost of less than any standard book self check! Because of its unique concept, libraries no longer need spend on security devices, gates, tags, staff, RFID …etc., to protect their media, while simultaneously providing self-service to patrons. allCIRCâ„¢ is installed in various libraries across the country.

For more information about LAT’s technology and all library products, jump to:www.LATcorp.com For more information about allCIRCâ„¢ product line, jump to: www.allCIRC.com

Library Automation Technologies Inc., (LAT) founded in 2001 has installations in hundreds of libraries throughout the United States. LAT’s sole mission is to help libraries and data centers to work better, smarter and more securely. LAT’s innovation earned the firm the coveted “#1 Fastest Growing in South Jersey, 2005” by the Philadelphia Business Journal, as well as a “Finalist in the Family Business of the Year, 2006” award presented by Farleigh Dickinson College. LAT further continues its growth expanding into automation by delivering media dispensing line of products solely dedicated to library operations.

# # #

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Oleg Boyarsky / CEO, please call Robert Baker at: 856-566-4121 or e-mail Robert at: Bob@LATcorp.com

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Charter Schools, Education, Education Resources, Lecturer, Schools, Student, Teacher

New Publication Seeks To Empower California’s Charter Schools

The Charter News is leading the information empowerment charge for California’s Charter Schools. The Charter News is currently the only statewide charter school newspaper in California, which caters to the charter school community. The Charter News is owned, operated, and published by David Morrow and John Hamilton, who are currently educators in secondary and postsecondary education respectively. According toMorrow, “the vision of The Charter News is to assist with empowering the charter school community in California”.

The Charter News is a monthly publication, which serves the growing 750 charter schools in California. Moreover, The Charter News has the potential to reach over 350,000 students, educators, parents, community members, legislators, and vendors. The Charter News provides national, statewide and local community news, information about activities, academic accomplishments, legislation, and conferences.

The Charter News believes in providing charter schools throughout California information, which educates and stimulates discussions from all levels of the charter community concerning our educational system. Morrow and Hamilton would like to invite educators, students, and community members to provide them with any news involving your region, school, students, and/or community to share with the California charter school community. The Charter News is committed to delivering world-class services designed to generate profound and measurable results for their members and subscribers who they consider family.

Additionally, The Charter News provides a connection for local, regional, and national vendors who have a desire to build a relationship with charter schools in California with their goods and services. Readers are able to access The Charter News through subscriptions (hardcopy and digital) and bulk delivery directly to schools, institutions and homes. Charter schools can advertise for recruitment of teachers and educational staff. Vendors have the opportunity to promote new products or services with various size display advertising targeted at state, regional and local consumers.

Join The Charter News with empowering each other with information and services. You are encouraged to visit and bookmark The Charter News website, which provides a digital copy of the publication at www.thecharternews.com and leave us a comment.

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Church, Colleges, Education, Education Resources, Education Services, Lessons, Prep School, Schools, Special Education, Student

TroubledTeenHelp.com – New Website By Horizon Family Solutions, LLC

Horizon Family Solutions Founder Dore Frances, M.A., reveals new website that showcases Residential and Wilderness Treatment Centers Bend, OR, February 20, 2009: Horizon Family Solutions, LLC , a leading Educational Consulting firm, is delighted to announce the launch of their new website, viewable at www.TroubledTeenHelp.com.

With a hint of corporate flare, the new website offers many features with a sophisticated look and feel. Site visitors will enjoy the ease of functionality on searching for breakingnews or browsing the bookstore, while allowing for a more personal visiting experience.

The site also provides users with a more comprehensive overview of addiction treatment centers; Christian based schools; college prep boarding schools; holistic treatment centers; preteen programs, family environment residential treatment centers; outdoor therapeutic programs; therapeutic boarding schools and wilderness programs.

The user-friendly layout has an up to date look and offers expanded service descriptions for all programs and schools listed.

Echoing sentiments of the company’s creative side for bringing up to date information to parents and professionals assisting struggling and troubled teens, Dore Frances, Founder, commented , “As the amount of residential treatment programs and wilderness programs have grown in numbers over the past eight years, so have the Internet advertising sites listings.

Many of these sites list anyone and everyone, with no overview as to the current licensing or struggles they may be having. Many of these sites list hundreds of programs and schools at a time, confusing parents and professionals even more when needing to make a best choice, a safe choice for an at risk child. I decided it was time to have a website that insures that when a parent is searching on their own, only the best programs will be made available as a first step measure. All programs are prescreened prior to the acceptance of advertising. If for any reason the program is shut down by the state, they are immediately removed as an advertiser until all concerns have been addressed. No one wants to take that kind of chance with their child. I had a lot of fun designing the site and I am very proud of the results.”

Established in 2001, Horizon Family Solutions, LLC has rapidly gained notoriety within the Educational Consultant and Residential Treatment Industry as a dual service provider for parents and professionals.

The company celebrated its eighth year in business this month.

To learn more about Horizon Family Solutions or TroubledTeenHelp.com, please visit us online at www.HorizonFamilySolutuions.com or www.TroubledTeenHelp.com; or call us at (541) 312-4422.

 

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Education, Education Resources, eLearning, Knowledge, Lessons, Sex Education, Tutorials

Four Deadly Intimate-Communication Mistakes Identified by Psychologist

Why is it that you can be sailing along in a conversation with your spouse or lover and seemingly everything is going great, and then all of a sudden it seems like you hit a complete dead-end beyond which you cannot move… and like everything freezes in the relationship?

Psychologist and marriage counselor Dr. Max Vogt has suggested an answer. One or both of you has committed what he calls one of the “Four Deadliest Communication Mistakes.”

Dr. Vogt claims that any one of these four “communication mistakes” can stop intimacy dead in its tracks like a train wreck.

The “Four Mistakes” most often happen when people are trying to solve difficult or confusing parts of their relationship. Vogt says that the greatest opportunities for intimacy — and the greatest chance at blowing the intimacy — happen exactly at these moments. Which is why he suggests you need to understand when you are making those mistakes.

1. Explaining yourself. You try to explain your position, and dig yourself in the more you try.

2. What he calls the “You Too,” or turning the tables right back on your partner, showing them that they “are no angel either.”

3. Asking “well, what do you want me to do different?” Although this seems like a generous offer, Vogt says more often than not it’s just a way of “turning off the heat” from your partner and attempting to get them to become your “probation officer.” Not a good idea in intimacy, says Vogt! We agree.

4. “Going away.” By this, Vogt refers to both literally walking out with the attitude “I just can’t take this right now,” but also going away by spacing out, changing the topic or other (many other) creative tactics to turn down the heat.

Vogt claims that once a couple is in the “vicious cycle” of these deadly communication mistakes, it’s often very difficult to get out of it. So his recommendation is to recognize the power of them and avoid them as much as possible.

For more information on the Four Deadly Intimate-Communication Mistakes, including other videos and helpful suggestions about how to communicate better in intimate relationships, visit EasyMarriageCounseling.com

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Books, Courses, Education, Education Resources, eLearning, Lessons, Teaching

Successful Behavioral Clinical Trials reveals Powerful Life Changes within 30 Days

In today’s economic times most people are thinking can I pay my bills, will I lose my job this week? will I find a job this week? Or why can’t I lose this weight and is there really such a thing as true love?

In just 30 days of powerful processing – you can develop your mind’s latent abilities to focus with great intention on manifesting wealth, vibrant health, and real love and influence the world around you. This is accomplished through a series of relaxing mind processing exercises under the guidance of your certified Dr.Imaginethat workbook and CD series. Dr. Usman Asif author has developed a process known as “Activation Reconditioning Stimulus® process”. The secret is learning to function at the Alpha Level, understanding the Laws the Govern your Mind, and Learning Dr. Imaginethat’s specific clinically proven techniques for focusing your mind’s ability. This process uses your most powerful resources within us to focus our greater intention on having exactly what we truly desire. Over the three years we have gathered successful clinically proven results and Dr Asif would like to invite 100 candidates to participate in this ongoing free Behavioral clinical study for 30 days our focus is on Love Activation just in time for Valentines 2009. You will gain even during these tough economic times:

1) Closer relationships
2) Greater self-confidence
3) Attracting love in all the right places

If you answer “Yes” to the following questions, you may qualify to participate in our free clinical study:

1) Do you want to find your true love?
2) Do you want to have better loving relationships
3) Do you want to attract good working relationships with employers or colleagues

Please go to dr.imaginethat click on contact us and fill out the form a Virtual Coach representative will contact you immediately.

How Would Your Life Change Once You’ve Awakened Your Mind’s Powerful Potential?

#1 Successful self-help workbooks and CDs.

To get your copy now go to Dr.Imaginethat 
# # #

Clinical study Part 1
Clinical study Part 2

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Curriculum, Diplomas, Education, Education Resources, Educational Institution, Educational System, Knowledge, Schools, Student, Universities

Bigmouthmedia reveal that the majority of recent Scottish university graduates feel that higher education is failing to adequately prepare leavers for life in the real world and opportunities in emerging industries

Bigmouthmedia has revealed that the majority of recent Scottish university graduates feel that higher education should do more to connect students to opportunities in emerging industries and that universities are failing to adequately prepare leavers for life in the real world.

According to a wrap up of 2008 graduate intelligence, harvested by bigmouthmedia from a series of recruitment events, the majority of Scotland’s class of 2008 believed that the education system is not properly aiding the transition from student life. Some 56% of the recent graduates polled believed that university had not sufficiently prepared them for life in the business world.

The research revealed a worrying lack of awareness about opportunities in 21st Century industries. Over 46.3% of those surveyed said they knew little about opportunities in digital marketing and felt that universities should help increase awareness of such emerging industries.

Some 39% also believed they should have been told more about the search marketing sector during their time in higher education.

Respondents revealed a tendency to use online media to supplement gaps in the curriculum. Some 89% said that they had learned more about search engine optimisation and online marketing reading a range of industry blogs such as Search Engine Land and Search Engine Watch.

The research also revealed that a career in search marketing is beginning to appeal to university leavers from disciplines not typically attracted to the sector. While 24.4% of the recent graduates enquiring about a career in the industry had marketing/advertising degrees and 29.3% had been studying ICT/Computing, the clear majority – 46.3% – had studied unrelated subjects.

The results indicated that this broadening attraction could in part be due to the perception of the digital marketing as a ‘hot’ industry, with an overwhelming 80% stating that they believed the sector offered a more glamorous career than television marketing.

The graduate groups questioned also revealed a preference for remaining North of the border after leaving university. Some 95% of the graduates questioned said they would prefer to pursue a high-tech or marketing career in Scotland if possible.

See the results at: www.bigmouthmedia.com/live/articles/graduate-survey-2008.asp

About bigmouthmedia
Founded in 1997, bigmouthmedia is Europe’s largest independent digital marketing agency. With a team of over 200 staff located across 13 offices in 10 countries on 3 continents, the company maximises exposure for major brands online through a variety of fully integrated digital marketing channels: Search engine optimisation, PPC, Online Media Planning, Affiliate marketing, Social Networking, Brand Monitoring, Online PR and Web Analytics. Bigmouthmedia also provides up to date daily digital marketing news to ensure clients are fully informed and aware of all industry developments.

 

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