Edna News

Victorian students more than 8000 kilometres apart today chatted live to celebrate the opening of the Connections 2010 classroom exhibit at the World Expo in Shanghai, China. The students were working at the ideaslab in Broadmeadows using interactive whiteboards, mini-computers and touch screen computers. Premier of Victoria, 27 August 2010.

University students will form the target demographic of vividwireless' push into the Sydney and Melbourne market as it ramps up the national rollout of its WiMAX network. The targeted marketing campaigns launched by vividwireless for uni students are expected to be accompanied by a website relaunch that will see tighter integration of social networking features such as forums, online comments as well as Facebook and Twitter fan pages. ComputerWorld, 31 August 2010.

Google has joined with Hector's World to support the development of a new online resource, the Hector's World 'Tech Cave', which provides tools for kids to teach themselves and their communities about how technology works - from the internet to mobile phones and GPS systems, providing kids with the tools they need to use technology effectively and safely. Google, 29 August 2010.

The draft Australian Curriculum for K-10 years for English, Mathematics, Science and History is now available as an iPhone application. iTunes, August 2010.

As Australia stares down the barrel of a hung Parliament, here's a look at what it all means. Questions include: What is a hung Parliament; how did we get there; how long will it take before the seats are finalised; what happens now etc. ABC News, 23 August 2010.

Award-winning surgeon, Professor Andrew Renaut, has been providing medical students with an innovative way of learning new surgical techniques - by broadcasting his surgical procedures online. ZDNet, 25 August 2010.

These slides from Chris Betcher's keynote presentation at the IWBnet 2010 Conference, on the advantages and disadvantages of interactive whiteboards, raises some good discussion points. Slideshare, August 2010.

Many schools are helping children digest and think critically about current affairs by using a mix of old and new tools. This included access to online newspapers and public news websites, YouTube videos and specialised news sites for students such as Behind the News. SMH, 23 August 2010.

Schools need to embrace the digital native, someone who has never lived in a world without MP3s, mobile phones and a global information network at her fingertips. The Age, 21 August 2010.

Older Australians aren't getting the help they need to take advantage of the national broadband network, said a Queensland University of Technology researcher. "Over 50 per cent of older Australians who participated in the survey were interested in using the internet, but faced a range of barriers preventing them from doing so," Dr Sandra Haukka said. QUT News, 19 August 2010.

Rather than being an escape from reality, social media may mirror real life: More actively connected students on Facebook were most likely also connectors in the real world. Wired.com, 18 August 2010.

Helping to bring people together from communities across Australia, the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence vision is to create an environment of learning and opportunity, which will foster talent and pave the way for brighter futures. NCIE, August 2010.

myfuture has joined the social media community with the establishment of Facebook and Twitter accounts. Get short, timely messages from myfuture. Twitter is a rich source of instantly updated information. It's easy to stay updated on an incredibly wide variety of topics. Join today and follow @findingmyfuture. myfuture, 17 August 2010.

The Global Learning Resource Connection (GLRC) and the IMS Global Learning Consortium (IMS) have announced a new collaboration that will help governments worldwide set up web-based directories of educational resources searchable by national or state standards. LTSO News, 12 August 2010.

Devonport High School teacher Mark Smithies has been awarded the 2010 Microsoft Innovative Teachers Award for Tasmania for his innovative use of ICT in the classroom. He had been selected because of his innovative use of mainstream software to engage with his students and teach them to become adaptable ICT thinkers. Tasmanian Government, 11 August 2010.

The inaugural Young Aus-Innovators National ICT Prize has been awarded to a team of high school students from Newington College in New South Wales. Australian Computer Society, 12 August 2010.

Today's college students were raised with a digital mouse in their hands. So it should be no surprise that a majority of medical school students surveyed say video games and virtual reality environments could help them become better doctors. For example, a virtual environment could help medical students learn how to interview a patient or run a patient clinic. EurekAlert, 10 August 2010.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples provides an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the crucial human rights situation confronting Indigenous peoples in Australia, particularly in education. The Australian Education Union has called on all governments to commit to a long-term intergenerational plan for educating Indigenous children. AEU, 9 August 2010.

Of course, the internet already has a wealth of information for self-starters. But as universities continue to post their materials online, Gates says the web will come to offer educational possibilities unrivalled by any one university. Gizmodo Australia, 8 August 2010.