Missouri State Teachers Association

Missouri Teachers and Social Networking

     Missouri Representative Jane Cunningham is sponsoring a bill that would, in part, ban teachers from sharing password privileged profiles with students they've taught within the past two years.  No penalties for doing so are outlined in the proposed legislation, however.

     My experience as a field service coordinator for MSTA compels me to caution members about using social media as a form of communication with students and parents.  The technology is too new to know the full range of pitfalls that may result from on-line conversations.  In fact, I am still taking calls from teachers who have had email tone misinterpreted by students and parents, and email has been around "forever," relative to this technology.

     Take a look at this article.  Opinions are welcome!

Motion Mountain: The Free Physics Textbook

                                   Sometimes I just don't know a unique find from a bogus offer.  However, I read a review of this text that was intriguing, so I thought I'd pass on the information and let you decide.  The critic likened it to a work of art. . .

     At any rate, a free source designed for teachers, students, and the physics curious deserves a look, right?

Most Original Attempt to Skip School

     You have to give credit where credit is due.  A kid from Mexico glued his hand to  his bed in an attempt to stay home.  You can read about little Diego's attempt here. Unfortunately for him, authorities were able to get him unstuck before school started.  What are the most original stories you have heard from kids trying to skip school?

Who Needs a Fraction When a Decimal Will Do?

     Are fractions obsolete?  Should they be saved for a rainy day (or at least until a student reaches calculus class)?  That is the sentiment of Dennis DeTurck, a highly-regarded professor at the University of Pennsylvania.  In a book to be published within the year, he addresses what he perceives as an outdated aspect of modern mathematics and suggests decimals are the way to go.

     Of course, he garners some heavy criticism.  But it is worth noting that just about the time students are submerged in fractions, many lose interest in math altogether.  Take a look at this article for more information.