Children are sponges

Technology has evolved since the last generation. Children are encouraged to do internet research on their own using credible sources because they get a better understanding and detailed information on any given topic. When they understand the search tools and engines they will be able to gain knowledge on anything they want or need. Children today are fast evolving and are smarter than children of the same age in the last generation. I believe the internet is the cause of this. 

Kids learn more with the Internet, so we become smarter.

While people tend to use technology as a crutch, it does not mean that they are any less smart. If one were to space out in class, he could rely on the Internet for a crash course on algebra. Otherwise, that same kid would've failed his test and not learned the material. If anything, the vast amount of information stored online can help people learn more. The Webs easy access helps us share ideas and concepts that would otherwise be unknown. As the Internet may reduce the amount of thinking we need to do, it doesn't take away our ability to think. The instant answers that Google spits out may make us lazy and impatient, but extra knowledge can only make us smarter - not any dumber.

What Does Research Say About the Benefits of Reading Aloud to Children?

The researchers have summarized some of the research literature on read alouds as well as information they have gleaned from their own observations. According to the research read aloud suggests it is a valuable tool in providing children with the experience of making sense of ideas beyond the here and now. This thinking helps the child become successful in not only listening to a story but also engaging in a conversation about the story.There is an emphasis from the research that book talks aid the child in becoming literate.

The research also indicates the most effective features of talking about books focus on major story ideas, allowing discussion to be reflective in nature. Beck and McKeown observed kindergarten and first grade teachers reading to their classrooms. They noticed that rarely were children involved in discussing the major story ideas. It was also noted that when young children respond to a story they typically use prior knowledge to support their answers rather than ideas from the text. Research has shown background knowledge to be an important aspect of understanding text however; it should be used to integrate with the text in order to assist in comprehension. Children were also observed using pictures to direct their thinking. The research on using pictures indicates students can be misled by some of the pictures as they do not always match the text and as previously mentioned students need to use language to express ideas beyond the here and now. The research review and classroom observations by Beck and McKeown motivated their development of text talk. The goal of text talk is to use read aloud in a way that will promote the children’s’ ability to construct meaning from decontextualized language, improve comprehension and further language development.

Europeans thought on research

Europeans are most interested in news themes on environmental pollution -
Respondents were asked to indicate among a range of news themes to what extent they are interested in them. Results of this survey show that interest in each of the themes is rather high since at least two thirds of the European population indicate for each theme that they are interested (very or moderately interested).It is however important to point to the fact that on such a question respondents have a tendency to answer in a “socially acceptable” way. This may explain why we find sucha large number of respondents answering ‘moderately interested’ for the different themes.
 

The federal perspective on scientifically based research

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 encourages and, in some cases
such as Reading First, requires the use of instruction based on scientific
research. The emphasis on scientifically based research supports the consistent
use of instructional methods that have been proven effective. To meet the NCLB
definition of “scientifically based,” research must:

• employ systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation or
experiment;
• involve rigorous data analyses that are adequate to test the stated hypotheses
and justify the general conclusions;
• rely on measurements or observational methods that provide valid data across
evaluators and observers, and across multiple measurements and
observations; and
• be accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or approved by a panel of independent
experts through a comparatively rigorous, objective, and scientific review.

BECOMING A WISE CONSUMER OF EDUCATION RESEARCH

More than ever, educators are expected to make decisions that guarantee quality
instruction. As knowledge emerges, so do philosophies, opinions, and rhetoric about
definitions of instructional excellence. From policy makers to classroom teachers,
educators need ways to separate misinformation from genuine knowledge and to
distinguish scientific research from poorly supported claims.
Effective teachers use scientific thinking in their classrooms all the time. They assess
and evaluate student performance, develop Individual Education Plans, reflect on their
practice, and engage in action research. Teachers use experimental logic when they plan
for instruction: they evaluate their students’ previous knowledge, construct hypotheses
about the best methods for teaching, develop teaching plans based on those hypotheses,
observe the results, and base further instruction on the evidence collected.
In short, teachers use the concepts of rigorous research and evaluation in profoundly
practical ways.
Teachers can further strengthen their instruction and protect their students’ valuable
time in school by scientifically evaluating claims about teaching methods and recognizing
quality research when they see it. This booklet, distilled from the monograph Using
Research and Reason in Education: How Teachers Can Use Scientifically Based Research
to Make Curricular and Instructional Decisions, provides a brief introduction to
understanding and using scientifically based research.

What is Scientifically Based Research?

Early in the 17th century, two astronomers competed to describe the

nature of our solar system.
Galileo built a telescope and found new planets and moons.
Francesco Sizi ridiculed Galileo’s findings. There must be only seven
planets, Sizi said. After all, there are seven windows in the head—two
nostrils, two ears, two eyes, and a mouth. There are seven known
metals. There are seven days in a week, and they are already named
after the seven known planets. If we increase the number of planets,
he said, the whole system falls apart. Finally, Sizi claimed, these socalled
satellites being discovered by Galileo were invisible to the eye.
He concluded they must have no influence on the Earth and,
therefore, do not exist.
Sizi’s most valuable contribution to history may have been to remind
us that true understandings of the world, and how it works, cannot
be based on pure thought alone, no matter how logical, creative, or
contemporary such thought may seem.
True understandings require some measure of science and the
willingness to seek information when making decisions.

Fold Your Scooter and Carry it Around With You

How many times have we traveled to a busy locality and spent a lot of time irritated not being able to find a quick parking spot. A company has come up with an ingenious idea of bringing along your ride with you which means no more parking problems.

Antro, a non-profit organization which develops eco-friendly products has developed a scooter which can be folded into a suitcase and carried around with one-self similar to a trolley bag. It is named Moveo, which is a 55 pound electric scooter with a top speed of 28 mph and can travel up to 21 miles with a full battery.

It has a fullback seat as opposed to the normal scooter seats which will definitely be a plus point in the comfort section. Antro has developed a fully functional prototype and is looking forward to market their product with a next year starting with 4,000 scooters per year increasing it to 15,000 scooters per year. Its price range will be 3600-4600 US Dollars.

Although it is not feather-weight, but how convenient is it to bring your scooter along with you anywhere you go? Also it is not suited for long drives but it is a must have transportation for people who live in busy cities such as New York in which parking spots are not easily available and traffic in rush hours makes one late for their appointments.

Fold Your Scooter and Carry it Around With You

                                     SOURCE:
http://www.irblogger.com/fold-your-scooter-and-carry-it-around-with-you/