Educator Spotlight: Investigating the Stories Behind Smartphones

Loris Chen designed a unit that guides her eighth-grade students through an exploration of smartphones. Students follow the product life cycle from beginning to end, discovering what raw materials are used, how they are sourced, and how sustainable they are. The project culminates with students producing videos to share their ideas for improving smartphone sustainability. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Investigating the Stories Behind Smartphones

Beyond Books

BUSINESS Publishers have long bemoaned Africa’s lack of a “book culture,” but some hope that the widespread use of smartphones and the Internet could help change this. (BBC) Use our resources to understand how one explorer is using mobile technology to help Africa’s educators and entrepreneurs help themselves. In this video, teachers explain how e-readers are helping their students—and the entire community. Discussion Ideas Why … Continue reading Beyond Books