Category Archives: Education

Amazon launches a free Kindle textbook creator

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Alexander Szewczak

Amazon has launched Kindle Textbook Creator (beta), making it easy for anyone to create electronic textbooks from PDF files and publish them with interactive ebook features. This could be very disruptive for the textbook industry, if enough academics decide to … Continue reading →

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Handwriting vs. Typing: The Pen is Still Mightier Than the Keyboard

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Alexander Szewczak

As keyboard typing (or scrawling on a tablet with a clunky stylus) takes over, evidence suggests that learning with old fashioned handwriting provides important cognitive benefits. Typing, in contrast, distracts your brain with the mechanical task of replicating content — making it … Continue reading →

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Compensation of Top College Presidents

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Alexander Szewczak

The Chronicle of Higher Education has released facts and figures on 2012 executive compensation at private colleges.  In 2012, 36 private college presidents earned more than $1 million, with the highest being paid more than $7 million.  I was curious what might … Continue reading →

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What sort of electronic device do 6th graders really need?

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Alexander Szewczak

Some folks have asked me what sort of electronic device does a 6th grader really need.  I can give you some insights from what I’ve seen while helping out with two FIRST Lego League teams, and the experience my son had hosting … Continue reading →

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Leading technologist professor Clay Shirky bans use of personal electronics in his classroom

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Alexander Szewczak

Clay Shirky is a leading technologist who teaches theory and practice of social media at NYU.  He is an advocate and activist for social technology, crowd-sourcing and the free culture movement, but is now asking the students in his Fall seminar to … Continue reading →

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