New York City Schools’ Blended Learning Experiment

Online learning is on the rise, particularly in blended learning environments, as educators find ways to leverage the specific advantages of both virtual and traditional classrooms.


New York City Department of Education’s iZone is taking the lead with iLearnNYC, a virtual learning pilot program that allows participating students to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes and recover missed credits online (using certified, NYC public school teachers certified in their subject areas), as well as experiment with digital technologies in a mix of face-to-face and online platforms.


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Health Care Is High Among Web Searches

By MILT FREUDENHEIM
Four in five Internet users have searched the Web for health care information, most often checking on specific diseases and treatments, a Pew Internet Project survey reported on Tuesday.
Women were among the most frequent seekers of health information, especially those who have children or keep watch on behalf of relatives and friends. Adults with at least some college education and younger adults were also big users, Pew said.
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New Handheld Melonoma Scanner

Yeah, you’ve been thinking about getting that thing checked out, but it’s just a mole right? Such is the problem with melanoma; it’s tough to know which spots on the skin are benign and which could be the hallmark of early-stage skin cancer. Most dermatologists still decide which moles require a biopsy by good old fashioned eye-balling, but a new device developed by researchers at British Colombia Cancer Agency (BCCA) could remove that guesswork, using a handheld laser to quickly identify problem spots that require closer examination.


See: Holy Moley

AOL's Steve Case to Lead White House Entrepreneurship Campaign

AOL Inc. co-founder Steve Case will lead a White House campaign seeking to increase private sector investments in startup companies and small businesses as part of President Barack Obama’s directive to promote entrepreneurship, the administration announced.

For more see: Steve Case will lead a White House campaign

Kindle e-books selling better than paperback books

Amazon says that, for the first time, it has sold more Kindle e-books than paperback books. Since the start of the year, Amazon has sold 115 Kindle books for every 100 paperbacks. Kindle book sales continue to outpace hardcover sales, as well; during the same time period, three times as many Kindle books were sold as were hardcover books (including sales listings for books that have no Kindle edition).

An Intimate Look at the World’s Trees

Stunning selection of photographs from French photographer Cedric Pollet's new book, Bark: An Intimate Look at the World’s Trees. The photographer traveled across five continents to capture the the exquisite patterns and textures of the world's many varieties of tree bark.

Take a look at these pictures and be amazed!

How to Beat Belly Fat

Sure, that roll of flab makes you look out of shape, but your muffin top could also be a serious health threat. The solution is to practice girth control -- and our experts will show you how.

How to Beat Belly Fat


By Leslie Laurence