#7 Technology

Intel sets up teacher training program online
Leading microchip maker Intel Corp will offer online training to help teachers incorporate technology into their lesson plans in a program it estimates is worth $US300 million over four years.
Intel made the commitment in conjunction with the Clinton Global Initiative's third annual summit, which requires attendees to commit to philanthropic projects related to areas such as global warming, health, education and poverty.
"We teach teachers how to use (technology) in the classroom, not just in the areas of math and science but we train teachers how to use technology to make art, history, language or any subject more exciting to kids," Intel Chairman Craig Barrett told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.
The new program is part of Intel's annual global investment of more than $US100 million in improving education in schools and universities.
In its latest quarterly report, Intel posted a profit of $US1.3 billion on revenue of $US8.7 billion.
Intel said it would work with the governments of 15 countries to develop online courses to expand the reach, and flexibility, of in-person training programs that the company has supported for seven years.
As well as in developing countries such as India and China, Intel is working on the online program with countries such as France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Barrett said there is a need for more qualified math and science teachers in the United States, noting that about half the engineering graduates in the country are foreign nationals. He said more scholarships and financial aid would help as the number of American high-school graduates interested in these subjects appeared to be falling.
"There are more computers per kid in the United States than in any other country," he said. "If it were just the availability of computers, the problem would have been solved. You have to conclude it's the basic education system and the capability of teachers to teach math and science."
More than 4 million teachers have used Intel's traditional training programs for help on a wide range of subjects, from AIDS awareness to finding new sources of drinking water.
Intel estimated that 1.5 million teachers would sign on to the online program, adding that forecast was conservative.
Reuters
This is a little like what we are being asked to do with this program.
The benefit of doing blogging is?
I can think of more productive ways to spend time - perhaps that is just me today!

#5 rain

I particularly like this picture as it shows plants and trees growing and surviving.

#4 Rain

I wanted to put in some pictures I took of our last cosmic event.

We need rain all around Australia, so when I went into flickr I looked for rain pictures. It was easy to create an account. I just hope I can keep track of all these accounts and passwords. This requires thinking.

#3 Mooning

#2 My favourite place

This is one of my favourite vacation places - in Australia, of course.

Travelling has been an important part of life, but there is nowhere in the world that is better than home.

#1 Here at last

That did not take long - it is only week 3. I was inspired by what other people had posted.

I don't know whether I will be able to write as much about each week as expected. I can certainly write about something - not necessarily blogs though. Creating, registering, remembering all the new passwords and beginning are certainly thrilling.