Math for Primates Podcast

Math for Primates Podcast
hosted by Tom Henderson (MathPunk.net) and Nick Horton (SapienGames.com).

Math for Primates Podcasts will cover Mathematics Education, Evolutionary Game Theory, Mathematical Philosophy, Logic, Quantum nonsense, and anything else that seems even remotely tied to mathematics in science or society.

Totally like whatever, you know?

In case you hadn't noticed,
it has somehow become uncool
to sound like you know what you're talking about?

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

Poem "Totally like whatever, you know?" by Taylor Mali

it is not enough these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY.
You have to speak with it, too.

Advice From Students Who Have Been Through It

Advice From Students Who Have Been Through It By CAREN OSTEN GERSZBERG, NYTimes The Choice blog

"On a general level, the seniors had these valuable words of wisdom to share with the younger students:

• Remember that there is a school for everyone.
• Start the process early.
• Do not to stress about the SAT.
• Put yourself in your application and essays.
• Do not wait until Dec. 31 to file your applications.
• Don’t waste high school just trying to get into college. "

Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge

VOAVideo: Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge

President Obama announces a new Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge and invites public schools across the country to compete to have him speak at their graduation. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/Commencement to apply.

To Impress, Tufts Prospects Turn to YouTube

To Impress, Tufts Prospects Turn to YouTube By TAMAR LEWIN, NYTimes

Increasingly at universities like Tufts, student applicants are submitting YouTube videos alongside written essays.

• Applicants' Videos: Tufts, Please Pick Me

President Obama Calls for New Steps to Prepare Children for College and Careers

WH.gov: President Obama Calls for New Steps to Prepare Children for College and Careers

President Obama outlines new steps to better prepare Americas children for college and the workplace at a meeting with the National Governors Association . The President is calling for a redesigned Elementary and Secondary Education Act that includes a comprehensive, new vision to help states successfully transition to and implement college- and career-ready standards by improving teacher preparation and development, upgrading classroom instruction, and supporting high-quality assessments.

Expecting a Surge in U.S. Medical Schools

Expecting a Surge in U.S. Medical Schools By ANEMONA HARTOCOLLIS, NYTimes

Seeking to address an imbalance in U.S. medicine, nearly two dozen medical schools have opened or are set to open.

Study Finds Public Discontent With Colleges

Study Finds Public Discontent With Colleges By TAMAR LEWIN, NYTimes

A majority of people now believe that colleges are more concerned with the budget than with education, a study found.

Fear the Boom and Bust

"Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem

In "Fear the Boom and Bust," John Maynard Keynes and F. A. Hayek perform a gangsta rap about their competing economic theories. (via BoingBoing.net)

Student Suspended for Facebook Page Can Sue

Student Suspended for Facebook Page Can Sue By CARMEN GENTILE, NTTimes

Katherine Evans did not like her English teacher. She created a Facebook page to say so. Now the matter is in court.

Two about CHEATING

What Are the Attitudes Toward ‘Cheating’ and Plagiarism Among Your Peers? By KATHERINE SCHULTEN, NYTimes Learning Network

Last week the NYTimes asked teachers about how they handle cheating and plagiarism, and reading their responses made us want to ask students about the same issue. What do you (students) consider “cheating,” and how much of it do you see in your school? Why do you think students cheat? (more)


Plagiarism: The next generation by Laura Miller, Salon.com

A 17-year-old novelist defends herself in the latest copycat scandal. Are we just too old to understand? (more)

this i believe...Voices for Civil Rights

this i believe was founded in 2004 as a not-for-profit organization that engages youth and adults from all walks of life in writing, sharing, and discussing brief essays about the core values that guide their daily lives.

this i believe...Voices for Civil Rights

A number of prominent African-Americans were featured on Edward R. Murrow’s original This I Believe radio series. Their words helped build momentum for the civil rights movement in the years leading up to the Montgomery bus boycott, lunch-counter sit-ins and the march on Washington. Click the links below to read and hear their inspiring words.

• All or Nothing
• The Birthright of Human Dignity
• Looking at Life Through Another’s Eyes
• God Is the Father of All MenFree Minds and Hearts at Work
• The Courage to Change the Things I Can

How Christian Were the Founders?

How Christian Were the Founders? By RUSSELL SHORTO, NTTimes Magazine

Conservative activists on the Texas Board of Education say that the authors of the Constitution intended the United States to be a Christian nation. And they want America’s history textbooks to say so.

• a 10 page article: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The Presidents: a slide show from WH.gov

WhiteHouse.gov has an outstanding slideshow entitled "The Presidents" complete with links to each president's biography.

President Obama Extends Best Wishes for Lunar New Year

VOAVideo: President Obama Extends Best Wishes for Lunar New Year

The President wishes peace, prosperity and good health to Americans and people across the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Chinese Year of the Tiger. February 12, 2010.

Students learn the science of Olympics

Students learn the science of Olympics, by by Sharon Noguchi, SJ Mercury News

Hoping to capitalize on Olympic Game fever, the Silicon Valley Education Foundation has developed and offered science lessons that key off sporting events.

• More education
• Science
• Olympics

2010 Winter Olympics Teaching and Learning Extravaganza

2010 Winter Olympics Teaching and Learning Extravaganza By SHANNON DOYNE AND HOLLY EPSTEIN OJALVO, NYTimes Learning Network

How can you bring the 2010 Winter Olympic Games – “16 days of magic,” as IOC president Jacques Rogge put it – into your classroom in meaningful ways?

• Teaching and Learning Ideas »
• 2010 Olympics Crossword »
  

Expansion of A.P. Tests Also Brings More Failures

Expansion of A.P. Tests Also Brings More Failures By TAMAR LEWIN, NYTimes

The College Board’s Advanced Placement program is expanding in American high schools, but as it moves from being a program primarily for elite students, the number of test-takers who fail A.P. exams is growing — although not as much as the number of those who pass.

The NBA's Locker-Room Nerds

Photo: Ariel Zambelich for The Wall Street Journal
Emeka Okafor of the Hornets recently finished

Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road.'

The NBA's Locker-Room Nerds by Hannah Karp, Wall Street Journal

International Players Are Helping to Bring Back an Erstwhile League Pastime—Reading!

You Got Deferred. Now What?

You Got Deferred. Now What? ByJACQUES STEINBERG, NYTimes blog: The Choice

Sally Rubenstone recently posted an open question on College Confidential that boils down to this: What might an applicant who was deferred by a college in its early decision or early action round do to improve his or her chances of admission now, as colleges are weighing final decisions?

Will Americans Really Learn Chinese?

Will Americans Really Learn Chinese? NYTimes "Room for Debare"
Is the boom in Mandarin classes a fad or a cultural turning point?

"The Times recently reported on the rise of Chinese-language instruction in American schools, a push supported by aid from the Chinese government. While language fads come and go — there was Russian during the cold war, then Japanese in the 1980’s, then Arabic after 9/11 — thousands of public schools have stopped teaching foreign languages in the last decade. Is the boom in Chinese language education going to last?

There’s a long tradition of bemoaning Americans’ inadequacy in foreign languages. But what specifically should the nation do to improve its citizens’ knowledge of other languages? What are the impediments?"

• Susan Jacoby, author of “The Age of American Unreason”
• Ingrid Pufahl, Center for Applied Linguistics
• Marcelo and Carola Suárez-Orozco, N.Y.U.’s immigration studies program
• Norman Matloff, University of California, Davis
• Hongyin Tao, professor of Chinese language and linguistics
• Bruce Fuller, U.C. Berkeley professor of education and public policy

Sallie Mae's FAFSA February Resource Center

Sallie Mae's FAFSA February Resource Center

Deadlines for financial aid applications are fast approaching, and Sallie Mae is here to help you complete the FAFSA — the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — with how-to videos and online chat with our experts.

*NEW* Sallie Mae FAFSA Videos!

• Part 1: Learn why the FAFSA is important and what you need to gather in advance (2:38 minutes)
• Part 2: Get smart on how to complete the FAFSA (3:39 minutes)
• Part 3: Explore next steps after the FAFSA to get financial aid (3:35 minutes)

FinAid

FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools -- on or off the web. Access to FinAid is free for all users and there is no charge to link to the site.

Also see Mark Kantrowitz of finaid.org 7-part response to The Choice blog's list of financial aid questions submitted byits readers.

Experts Say a Rewrite of Nation’s Main Education Law Will Be Hard This Year

Experts Say a Rewrite of Nation’s Main Education Law Will Be Hard This Year By SAM DILLON, NYTimes

Many politicians, including the president, believe that the nation’s main education law needs to be rewritten, but odds are slim that it will happen this year.

• Times Topics: No Child Left Behind Act