Online sensation Khan Academy has dramatically changed math instruction for many students, and some teachers. Now it’s moving to expand its topics and accessibility – and open a real, physical school.
Tag: 11.04.11
We Read, And Social-Network About Reading, To Know We’re Not Alone
“Reading is solitary, and anyone who wants to discuss a passage must first shut their book,” says an entrepreneur who’s working on a social networking start-up that’s purely for those who love to read (and talk about what they’re reading).
Square Peg, Round Hole For Your Short Story? Amazon Can Fit It In
Amazon helps journalists and fiction authors publish short stories and long articles – but why? Could be to accustom writers, and consumers, to working only for the e-giant, some suspect.
How About A Little Diversity In Your Classical Music?
“Michael Morgan, music director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, said he did not mean to brag. But with Occupy Oakland demonstrations tearing through the city this week, he said he “deserved some kind of Nostradamus award” for programming “The Age of Anxiety” into the orchestra’s concert on Friday, the opening of its 2011-12 season.”
Report: Arts Edu Creates Better Students, Workers (Yet Arts Ed Is Imperiled)
“The report published research that shows learning through culture improves attainment in all school subjects and that participation in structured arts activities increases cognitive abilities. The study also shows that students who take arts subjects have a higher rate of employability and those from low-income families who participate in arts activities at school are three times more likely to get a degree.”
Stub Your Butts – It’s The Movies
“If you see many movies, it should be clear that smoking is, typically, about as glamorous and sexy as impetigo. Sure, tough guys may have a stogie sticking out of a corner of their mouths, or lonely misfits in indie films may puff up a storm, but the carcinogenic kisses of the Bogart and Bacall era just don’t thrill us anymore.”
Market For Aboriginal Art Collapses
“Since the beginning of the global financial crisis, the market for Aboriginal art has suffered. As a result, buyers are much more discerning.”
Is Social Media Threatening Russia’s Tight Control Of Media?
“Over the past few weeks, a number of Russian politics-themed clips on YouTube have achieved over one million views. The videos are in a variety of genres – political polemic, satire and song – but they have one thing in common: a critical or irreverent attitude to the country’s leadership – Mr Putin, President Dmitry Medvedev and their party, United Russia.”
NY Community Rallies To Win Reprieve For Book Store
“A group called the Cooper Square Committee started a petition to save the store, attracting 40,000 signatures. Business picked up by about 25 percent in September and October, Mr. McCoy said, leading him and Mr. Contant to believe they could continue with a smaller reduction in rent.”
New Life For Public Clocks (Why?)
“Public clocks are only a little bit dead. On their road to obsolescence, they have taken a surprising detour and are seeing a burst of popularity that is baffling even to the people who make them.”