Forwarded to me by Anita Lauer:

Professor Mary Flanagan at Dartmouth wants students to go online and label library archives.

Labeling Library Archives Is a Game at Dartmouth College

"The project received $49,015 from the National Endowment for the Humanities and is expected to be completed by next summer."

Have you ever seen a book trailer? Nowadays, traditional book selling activities such as book talks in multiple cities are not very attractive. Instead, with the advances in technology and the belt-tightening economy, publishers and authors are actively looking for web alternatives to promote their books.

Especially in the world of children's literature, things are changing fast.

Award-winning storyteller Dianne de Las Casas has created a Ning community for sharing and discussing kidlit book trailers. Authors can post their trailers and other videos (such as activities with children during school visits). Bibliophiles can discover great reads by watching those videos.

Here’s a gorgeous one from the site: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by author/illustrator Grace Lin.

Until today I thought Pandora was completely free. Apparently it is free to listen to 40 hours of music per month. I was given this option via email:

This is a great example of the freemium model. They gave me so much for free that I was hooked! Plus, the fee they requested is so small that I almost feel guilty not paying after hours of grooving to my Lady Gaga mix. You win this time, freemium!

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The film series newly issued by the Person Foundation, named "A 21st Century Education," highlights twelve innovative and compelling school-reform leaders from around the world and cases they presented in the field of education. The series was produced by the Mobile Learning Institute, a co-funded effort by Nokia and the Pearson Foundation.

All movie series are black and white. They are downloadable, each lasting for 10-15 minutes.

The first set of films profile and explore the following:
· Steve Barr and the Takeover of Locke High School in Watts
· James Dierke and Leadership Models for Urban Middle Schools
· David “T.C.” Ellis and Essential Learning at Hip Hop High
· Randall Fielding and Designing Schools for 21st Century Learning
· Stephen Heppell and Empowering Young Learners
· Jean Johnson, Notschool.net and Online Learning for Disaffected Youth
· Doug McCurry and the Success of Achievement First
· George McKenna and Personalizing Public Education
· Alan November and the Myths and Opportunities of Technology
· Larry Rosenstock and Project-based Learning at High Tech High
· Elliot Soloway/Cathie Norris and Educating the Mobile Generation
· Yong Zhao: No Child Left Behind and Global Competitiveness

As reported by eSchool News, California State has approved a new initiative on digital textbooks, which aims at encouraging all public schools in California to use free, open digital textbooks.

The recent state report notes that the main subjects covered in this initiative are math and science (e.g., geometry, biology, chemistry, earth science, etc.) for high school students. The main publishers selected include CK-12 Foundation, Pearson Education, Curriki, Connexions, Dr. H. Jerome Keisler, etc.

Have you ever wondered where politicians get their facts? Politifact.com is a site dedicated to investigating statements made by politicians. The site researchers investigate the "facts" and post the results using a truth-o-meter. A flat-out lie will earn the person a Pants on Fire rating. Half-truths and skewed data will result in Half True or Barely True ratings. Ratings are regularly updated if new information becomes available.

Using videos to entice learning and whet your appetite

Feeling hungry? You will after perusing the course offerings on Rouxbe, an online cooking school. It has been credited for “the best of the use of video in learning” by blogger Jane Hart. It offers quizzes, progress tracking, and forums for a membership fee but has recently opened up its videos to guests so you have access to the recipes and tips. I’ve already learned how to make Veloute sauce. Find your inner chef!