Posted 10/28/09 at 09:22:48 PM by Ryan Whitwam

In recent years, Google has been taking a larger role in promoting the use of technology in education. It is now fairly common for the search giant to provide free access to premium Google Apps to schools, allowing them to more effectively conduct their business. Now co-founder Sergey Brin has made some sweeping statements that may outline Google’s future plans in the area of education.

Brin himself was a high school dropout for a time. He chalks this event up to the use of dated, uninteresting curriculums in his school. In a speech at the Google campus recently, Brin said, “The curriculum should include computer science. Mathematics should include statistics. The curriculums should really adjust.”

Brin held that schools need to take advantage of increasingly inexpensive technology, and more prevalent broadband availability to further education. He also suggests that students could learn more effectively by teaching computer use to younger students and senior citizens. The Google co-founder went on to discuss what he feels is the deplorable state of teacher pay saying, “They're not really paid a living wage.”

Google may be helping schools at little or no charge, but it’s not like they get nothing out of it. By introducing children to Google products early, the brand leaves an indelible mark on their ideas about technology. As a Google spokesperson said, “If they like Google Apps now, they'll ask for it by name. There is a value there."

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Posted 04/13/09 at 08:36:38 PM by Pulkit Chandna

Teachers in UK are demanding the removal of WiFi from schools lest it may jeopardize the health and fertility of kids. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has become alarmed after a few studies claimed WiFi may cause loss of short-term memory, lack of concentration, cancer and sterility.

The issue was brought up by Colin Kinney at ATL’s annual meeting. He referenced a Swedish research and the findings of some other European experts to justify his sense of alarm. “Have we the right to avoid the moral warnings simply for access to a few more computers?” he asked the attendees at ATL’s annual meeting.

He wants a long-time study to probe WiFi’s impact on heath. The teacher’s body has espoused Kinney’s concerns and resolved to prod the government into action.

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