Let’s start with some EdReach Nuggets:

Chromebook reflection.. once more.

*Google Brings Back Color to Rennaissance Books:

Scientist and noted atheist Richard Dawkins has teamed up with talented Coraline illustrator Dave McKean to create a book for children called The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True. The book is much needed, particularly for young kids who don't, thanks to the high stakes testing-driven emphasis on reading and math, get much science instruction in school at all. By not answering their questions, we're essentially creating a generation of kids who don't see the point of independently investigating the truth or asking "why?" about anything. Without thorough, scientifically sound answers, students natural curiosity about our universe simply withers.

This is especially relevant because many schools are almost eliminating Science and Social Studies in elementary, choosing instead to “integrate” it into the reading curriculum, but we all know what really happens there, right? Does it really get covered?

Among the programs to be eliminated in the bill are Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT), Title II Part D of ESEA. EETT provides the sole dedicated source of federal funding for education technology. It was supported originally--and has been supported since--by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress and the White House. But it has also been the target of elimination by both Democrats and Republicans over the last decade, including Presidents Obama and G.W. Bush in various budget proposals to Congress. Its elimination has been opposed by education and education technology advocates and, more often than not, by a majority in Congress as well, where, despite White House opposition and shifts in power in Congress over EETT's history, it had been kept alive up until the current year, when it was defunded in the FY 2011 budget agreement.

A recent study of 5,000 women by Babycenter.com showed that the overall adoption of smartphones among moms has risen 64 percent over the past two years and 51 percent of moms say they are "addicted" to their smartphone.The study also says that 75 percent of moms regularly hand their phones over to the kids. And now an interesting trend has emerged where App makers are marketing directly to parents who are looking to help their children as young as 4 months old get a head start on learning.

I remember watching the Today Show a few years ago with an 17 month old who would read these flash cards Why is it so important for kids to start reading at 4 months ?  What is the obsession with getting such an early start with kids?

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2. Blog Watch
EdReach: http://edreach.us/2011/05/18/looking-to-the-future/

Looking to the Future: from Scott Weidig

So, what does this have to do with education? While I have been in the hospital, (by the way, other than for getting better, it is really boring) no fewer than 8 doctors have walked by my door carrying an iPad (including my own). In taking a few minutes to talk with my doctor about his use of the iPad, he related, how in a very brief time, it has changed his practice. I must say that he was an early adopter of digital medical records, however, the iPad has made them completely portable. In addition, the diagnostic medical apps, the ability to always have access to X-rays, results from MRI’s and CT scans at the touch of a button, in a device that lasts through rounds as well as his own practice hours. He sees the iPad as having dramatically changed the medical industry in a very short time.

Wow- we certainly hope Scott feels better soon. Along these lines, though,  isn’t it amazing how one device has made an impact so quickly? I mean, how many schools are ordering iPads for all their K-2 this fall?

***I stumbled on http://www.good.is/community/LizDwyer
This blogger has some really interesting ideas and progressive stuff! Check her writing out!

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3.  Twitter Talk -

Favorite guy I like to steal from: http://twitter.com/#!/larryferlazzo - Dan

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4.  “On the Radar”- Resources/ Tools/ Functions/ EdGadget

SixthSense - wearable gesture-based computing device - Jay
http://www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/

For the show notes: http://www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/#VIDEOS

http://www.zooburst.com - made some improvements. Nice! - Dan

From the "Fun at Home Science Projects" department:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OXfzTYCa2g&feature=player_embedded

Fascinating: http://present.me/ For teachers who present! I’m taking a look at this.

FaceFlow - http://www.faceflow.com/ - Judi

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Thats: (443) 93REACH, that’s 443 93 REACH !  Thank you to our great panel this week!