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[ECP] Educational CyberPlayGround K-12 Newsletter
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Greetings,
Happy Reading for today.
<Karen>
1)
"Student Questions How Recording Industry Identifies File Sharers"
In its campaign to stop the illegal sharing of music, the
Recording Industry Association of America may want to reconsider
with whom it associates. A student at Boston University, who was
sued by the industry association for purportedly trading music
files online in violation of copyright law, says the group's
procedure for singling out certain students is shady. The
group has been relying on MediaSentry to find copyright
violators. The business scours peer-to-peer networks for the
Internet-protocol numbers of students swapping music, downloads
some songs, and takes a snapshot of the students' music files. A
lawyer for the student, who is identified only as John Doe,
claimed in a court document filed Monday that the State of
Massachusetts had issued a cease-and-desist letter against
MediaSentry "for conducting private investigations of students
without a private investigator license." The student's
lawyer, Raymond Sayeg, wrote that the court should consider
having MediaSentry hand over a copy of the cease-and-desist
letter before allowing its evidence to become part of the suit.
Meanwhile, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group that
promotes civil liberties in cyberspace, has come to the defense
of the student and 20 other students at Boston University whose
names the Recording Industry Association of America is trying to
learn.---Andrea L. Foster
2)
Space Weather News for Feb. 5, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
SOLAR ECLIPSE: This Thursday, Feb. 7th, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing a solar eclipse over New Zealand, most of Antarctica and parts of Australia. It is not a total eclipse; the Moon will only partially cover the solar disk. Nevertheless, the event promises some beautiful moments.
For instance, the partially-eclipsed Sun will dapple the ground with crescent-shaped sunbeams. Observers in New Zealand and Australia should look in the shadows of leafy trees for this lovely phenomenon. On the barren slopes of Antarctica, scientists and explorers can produce the same effect by letting the sun shine through a spaghetti colander or a sheet of paper poked with holes.
It is dangerous to stare directly at a partial eclipse because the exposed portion of the Sun is as blindingly bright as usual. Backyard astronomers with safely-filtered solar telescopes may, however, point their optics at the Sun and watch the mountainous lunar limb glide across the sun's fiery surface. (For solar telescopes, see: http://spaceweather.com/ccount.php?linkURL=http://coronadofilters.com/ )
The best views of all are reserved for an remote stretch of the Antarctic where the Moon will pass dead-center in front of the Sun without fully covering it. A thin layer of star will poke out all around the Moon producing a vivid "ring of fire" or annular eclipse.
4)
Recent grant opportunities from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) include...
* Indian Education -- Professional Development Grants -- CFDA# 84.299B
* FIPSE: European Union-United States Atlantis Program -- CFDA# 84.116J
* FIPSE: Special Focus Competition: U.S.-Brazil Higher Education Consortia Program -- CFDA# 84.116M
* Enhanced Assessment Instruments -- CFDA# 84.368A
* Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians with Disabilities -- CFDA# 84.250D
* Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs) -- Multiple CFDA#s
* Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) -- Multiple CFDA#s
* Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) -- Multiple CFDA#s
For application packages and other information related to ED funding opportunities, please see: http://www.ed.gov/fund/landing.jhtml
*******************************************************************
Indian Education -- Professional Development Grants (Federal
Register: February 1, 2008 [CFDA# 84.299B])
*******************************************************************
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Professional Development
program is to (1) increase the number of qualified Indian
individuals in professions that serve Indians; (2) provide training
to qualified Indian individuals to become teachers, administrators,
teacher aides, social workers, and ancillary educational personnel;
and (3) improve the skills of qualified Indian individuals who
serve in the education field. Activities may include, but are not
limited to, continuing programs, symposia, workshops, conferences,
and direct financial support.
Applications Available: February 4, 2008.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 4, 2008.
Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants for this program are
institutions of higher education, including Indian institutions of
higher education; State educational agencies (SEAs) or local
educational agencies (LEAs) in consortium with an institution of
higher education; Indian tribes or organizations in consortium with
an institution of higher education; and Bureau of Indian Education
funded schools in consortium with an institution of higher
education. LEAs include charter schools that are considered LEAs
under State law.
Estimated Available Funds: $2,017,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $125,000-$400,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $336,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 6.
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.
Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/020108b.html
*******************************************************************
Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) --
Special Focus Competition: European Union-United States Atlantis
Program (Federal Register: February 1, 2008 [CFDA# 84.116J])
*******************************************************************
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the program is to provide grants
for or enter into cooperative agreements with eligible applicants
to improve postsecondary education.
Applications Available: February 1, 2008.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 2, 2008.
Eligible Applicants: IHEs or combinations of IHEs and other
public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies.
Estimated Available Funds: $1,400,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $35,000-$112,000 for the first year
only.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $35,000 for a Policy Oriented
Measures grant, $45,000 for a Mobility grant, and $112,000 for a
Transatlantic Degree grant. You can find a detailed description of
each of these three types of grants in the program guidelines in
the application package for this competition.
Estimated Number of Awards: 14.
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.
Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/020108c.html
*******************************************************************
Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) --
Special Focus Competition: U.S.-Brazil Higher Education Consortia
Program (Federal Register: February 1, 2008 [CFDA# 84.116M])
*******************************************************************
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to provide
grants or enter into cooperative agreements to improve
postsecondary education opportunities by focusing on problem areas
in postsecondary education, or approaches to improve postsecondary
education.
Applications Available: February 1, 2008.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 17, 2008.
Eligible Applicants: IHEs or combinations of IHEs and other
public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies.
Estimated Available Funds: $350,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $25,000-$30,000 for the first year.
$220,000 for the four-year duration of the grant.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $220,000 for the four-year
duration of the grant. $50,000 for the two-year complementary
grants.
Estimated Number of Awards: 12.
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.
Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/020108d.html
*******************************************************************
Enhanced Assessment Instruments (Federal Register: February 4,
2008 [CFDA# 84.368A])
*******************************************************************
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to enhance the
quality of assessment instruments and systems used by States for
measuring the achievement of all students.
Applications Available: February 4, 2007.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 4, 2008.
Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs) as
defined in section 9101(41) of the ESEA and consortia of such SEAs.
Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000-$2,000,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,500,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 5.
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.
Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/020408d.html
*******************************************************************
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians
with Disabilities (Federal Register: February 4, 2008 [CFDA#
84.250D])
*******************************************************************
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to provide
vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to American Indians with
disabilities who reside on or near Federal or State reservations,
consistent with their individual strengths, resources, priorities,
concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choice, so that
they may prepare for and engage in gainful employment, including
self-employment, telecommuting, or business ownership.
Applications Available: February 11, 2008.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 5, 2008.
Eligible Applicants: The governing bodies of Indian tribes (and
consortia of those governing bodies) located on Federal and State
reservations.
Estimated Available Funds: $11,000,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $350,000-$1,000,000.
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.
Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/020408e.html
*******************************************************************
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers
Program -- Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs)
(Federal Register: February 1, 2008 [CFDA#s 84.133A-1, 84.133A-3,
84.133A-4, 84.133A-5, 84.133A-6, 84.133A-7, 84.133A-8, 84.133A-9,
and 84.133A-10])
*******************************************************************
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the DRRP program is to improve
the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended, by developing methods, procedures, and
rehabilitation technologies that advance a wide range of
independent living and employment outcomes for individuals with
disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe
disabilities. DRRPs carry out one or more of the following types
of activities, as specified and defined in 34 CFR 350.13 through
350.19: research, development, demonstration, training,
dissemination, utilization, and technical assistance.
Eligible Applicants: States; public or private agencies,
including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations,
including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and
tribal organizations.
> Health Care Coordination for Individuals with Physical
Disabilities: 84.133A-1
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/22/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $289,999-300,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $297,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
> Health and Health Care Disparities Among Individuals with
Disabilities: 84.133A-3
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/22/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $447,999-450,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $448,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
> Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) Centers
Collaborative Research Projects: 84.133A-4
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/22/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $851,999-855,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $853,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 2.
> Classification and Measurement of Medical Rehabilitation
Interventions: 84.133A-5
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/27/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $347,999-350,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $348,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
> Vocational Rehabilitation Service Models for Individuals with
Autism Spectrum Disorders: 84.133A-6
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/25/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $347,999-350,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $348,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
> Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer:
84.133A-7
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/26/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $977,999-1,000,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $998,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
> Asset Accumulation and Economic Self-Sufficiency for
Individuals with Disabilities: 84.133A-8
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/25/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $297,999-300,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $298,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
> Technology Access in Resource-Limited Environments: 84.133A-9
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/27/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $947,999-950,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $948,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
> Research and Knowledge Translation Center for Individuals with
Disabilities and Their Families: 84.133A-10
Applications Available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 04/1/08.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: 02/20/08.
Estimated Range of Awards: $497,999-500,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $498,999.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.
Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/020108e.html
*******************************************************************
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers
Program -- Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) --
(Federal Register: February 1, 2008 [CFDA#s 84.133E-1, 84.133E-3,
84.133E-4, 84.133E-5, 84.133E-6, and 84.133E-7])
*******************************************************************
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the RERC program is to improve
the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended, by conducting advanced engineering
research and development on innovative technologies that are
designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems, or remove
environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such
technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate
the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment
in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.
Eligible Applicants: States; public or private agencies,
including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations,
including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and
tribal organizations.
> RERC for Hearing Enhancement: 84.133E-1
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/21/08.
Estimated range of awards: $947,999-$950,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $948,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
> RERC for Accessible Public Transportation: 84.133E-3
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/21/08.
Estimated range of awards: $947,999-$950,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $948,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
> RERC for Prosthetics and Orthotics: 84.133E-4
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/21/08.
Estimated range of awards: $947,999-$950,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $948,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
> RERC for Communication Enhancement: 84.133E-5
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/19/08.
Estimated range of awards: $947,999-$950,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $948,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
> RERC for Universal Interface and Information Technology Access:
84.133E-6
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/19/08.
Estimated range of awards: $947,999-$950,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $948,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
> RERC for Wheeled Mobility: 84.133E-7
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/19/08.
Estimated range of awards: $947,999-$950,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $948,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.
Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/020108f.html
*******************************************************************
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers
Program -- Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs)
([CFDA#s: 84.133B-1, 84.133B-3, 84.133B-4, and 84.133B-5])
*******************************************************************
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the RRTC program is to improve
the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended, through advanced research, training,
technical assistance, and dissemination activities in general
problem areas, as specified by NIDRR. Such activities are designed
to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with
disabilities, and the family members or other authorized
representatives of individuals with disabilities.
Eligible Applicants: States; public or private agencies,
including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations,
including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and
tribal organizations.
> Personal Assistance Services (PAS) in the 21st Century:
84.133B-1
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/27/08.
Estimated range of awards: $847,999-850,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $848,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
> Disability Statistics and Demographics: 84.133B-3
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/27/08.
Estimated range of awards: $847,999-850,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $848,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
> Health and Function Across the Lifespan of Individuals With
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: 84.133B-4
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/20/08.
Estimated range of awards: $847,999-850,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $848,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
> Community Living and Employment for Individuals with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: 84.133B-5
Applications available: 02/01/08.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: 04/01/08.
Date of pre-application meeting: 02/20/08.
Estimated range of awards: $847,999-850,000.
Estimated average size of awards: $848,999.
Estimated number of awards: 1.
Additional Information: Applicable regulations, priorities, and
other information are available in the Federal Register notice.
Additional information is available online at:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2008-1/020108g.html
4)
Big trouble with teen hackers
http://weblog.infoworld.com/zeroday/archives/2008/02/hacking_teen_ch.html
Teenagers, including children as young as eleven and twelve years old,
are increasingly becoming involved in serious cyber-criminal activity
that exposes themselves and the users they target to a full range of
dangerous repercussions.
According to Chris Boyd -- a well-known security researcher who works
for FaceTime Communications and was in Washington D.C. last week
presenting at the Anti-Spyware Coalition's latest confab -- he and other
white hat hackers are coming across a growing number of underground
malware distribution forums wholly populated and operated by teens under
the age of 16.
When the security industry meets for the annual RSA Security conference
in April, Boyd plans to share more of his research into the topic.
5)
The
smart pen that Wired Campus flagged back in May was unveiled last week at a technology conference in Palm Springs, Calif.
The company behind it, LiveScribe, has been aggressively marketing the device to college students with the slogan "Never miss a word."
It's basically a combination recording machine and camera. Users take notes while a minirecorder, embedded in the pen,
records whatever is being said. Later, to clarify the written notes, the user can touch the pen to a specific passage and listen
to a recording of the instructor speaking those words. A tiny camera links what is being written to what is being recorded. In a
takeoff on television commercials for pharmaceuticals, the smart-pen advertisement below features a student who suffers from
"restless mind syndrome." The pen is offered as a panacea. Livescribe has set up a Facebook page to push the pen, and
offers to pay college students to promote the device on their campuses. It's also advertised on the Web site
ThePalestra, where
Andy Van Schaack, a senior lecturer at Vanderbilt University, who is an adviser to LiveScribe, is seen praising the pen. Will the pen,
which sells for about $200, take off with college students? Will it be used as a crutch for students who are too tired or
distracted to listen to their professors?--Andrea L. Foster
6)
Information and Technology wants to be free. Better than Free explained.7)
Webquest Explained8)
WATCH 1972 ARPANET Film about Computer Networks A documentary film about the history of the ARPANET and birth of the Internet.