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Department of Veterans Affairs Seeks Instructional Systems Specialist for Veterans Crisis Line Training

Department of Veterans Affairs Seeks Instructional Systems Specialist for Veterans Crisis Line Training

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking to hire an Instructional Systems Specialist for its Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) Training section. This position is a remote role, allowing the selectee to work 100% of the time from a non-VA-owned space outside the local commuting area of a parent station, provided the workspace is suitable for business operations with reliable high-speed internet. The VCL operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, connecting callers worldwide to qualified VA counselors. The Instructional Systems Specialist will be responsible for evaluating, designing, and developing education and training programs, utilizing learning theories, principles, methods, and practices. This includes developing interactive multimedia instruction, mobile applications, and web-based instructional delivery platforms. The role also involves subject-matter research, evaluating and developing educational materials, and advising on educational and training services. Applicants must be U.S....

Social Media Drives Pressure for 'Aesthetic Life' and Curated Lifestyles

Social Media Drives Pressure for 'Aesthetic Life' and Curated Lifestyles

Social Media Drives Pressure for 'Aesthetic Life' and Curated Lifestyles

Mamdani imposes one-year ban on AI for most NYC students

Mamdani imposes one-year ban on AI for most NYC students

NEW YORK, Sept 2 (Reuters) - New York City officials announced a one-year moratorium on students using artificial intelligence in public elementary and middle schools, the latest step by public officials to set guidelines around new technology in the classroom.

Researchers Debate Impact of Screen Time on Children's Brains and Mental Health

Researchers Debate Impact of Screen Time on Children's Brains and Mental Health

The scientific community is divided on the actual harm caused by screen time on children's brains and mental health. While concerns about smartphones, tablets, gaming, and social media damaging children's brains are widespread among parents, researchers are questioning whether the amount of screen time is as critical as the nature of the content consumed. Some studies suggest a link between excessive screen use and poorer mental health, while others find the evidence inconsistent. A significant challenge in this debate is the broad definition of 'screen time,' which lumps together diverse activities like educational video calls and passive doomscrolling. This complexity makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the direct impact of screen exposure alone on children's well-being. The discussion also highlights that correlation does not equal causation; for instance, loneliness might lead a child to spend more time online, rather than screen time causing loneliness.

AI Chatbots Linked to Increased Emotional Problems in Teens, Study Finds

AI Chatbots Linked to Increased Emotional Problems in Teens, Study Finds

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics has revealed a concerning link between the use of AI chatbots for emotional support and higher emotional problems among children and teens. The research, which surveyed nearly 40,000 students in grades four through 12 in Ontario, Canada, found that over 21% of students used generative AI for 'affective purposes,' meaning emotional support or advice about friends and family. This usage was strongly associated with 'significantly higher emotional problem scores,' with students almost twice as likely to exhibit clinically significant symptoms of distress. The study also indicated that the link between AI use and emotional problems was more pronounced among girls, gender-diverse students, and Black, Indigenous, and other racialized students. Dr. Consuelo Cagande, division director for child and adolescent psychiatry at New York’s Northwell Zucker Hillside Hospital and Cohen Children’s Medical Center, expressed significant concern, noting that young people are increasing...

Save the Children Report Reveals Significant Disparities for Rural American Children

Save the Children Report Reveals Significant Disparities for Rural American Children

Save the Children has released its first database and accompanying report, 'The State of Childhood in Rural America,' focusing exclusively on children in rural areas of the U.S. The research highlights stark disparities faced by rural children compared to their non-rural peers. Key findings indicate that rural children are 23% more likely to live in poverty, with nearly 2.6 million children (19%) living below the federal poverty threshold. Rural families earn almost $30,000 less annually than non-rural counterparts. Food insecurity is also a major issue, with 40% of rural children eligible for free and reduced-price school meals, and rural children being more prone to food insecurity in 43 states. Educationally, rural students in grades 3-8 are, on average, half a grade level behind their non-rural peers in reading across 39 states. Access to childcare is severely limited, with most rural children lacking access to a single childcare center within a 30-minute drive, while non-rural children have access to ...

Chesterfield County Public Schools Reduces Middle School Screen Time Following Parental Advocacy

Chesterfield County Public Schools Reduces Middle School Screen Time Following Parental Advocacy

Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) in Virginia is implementing significant reductions in classroom screen time, particularly at Midlothian Middle School, in response to sustained pressure from parents. Midlothian Middle School Principal Arianne Hayes announced that students will not receive their Chromebooks until the third week of school, emphasizing a return to traditional learning methods like pencil, paper, and dry-erase markers. When devices are introduced, their use will be limited to approximately 20 minutes per class, primarily for formative or summative assessments. This shift also includes a district-wide decision by Superintendent John Murray to no longer send Chromebooks home with students in kindergarten through second grade, a practice that became common during the pandemic. Parents, such as Amber Rhodes and Taylor Butler, have been vocal advocates for these changes, expressing concerns about the extensive use of screens in early education and its potential impact on child development....

How Choosing an ISP plan for a school classroom Quietly Underpins Modern Networks

How Choosing an ISP plan for a school classroom Quietly Underpins Modern Networks

Discover how the aggregated demand for high-speed internet from U.S. schools drives the expansion of fiber networks for entire communities.

American Libraries Magazine Highlights Importance of Upskilling for Library Workers Amidst Technological Shifts

American Libraries Magazine Highlights Importance of Upskilling for Library Workers Amidst Technological Shifts

American Libraries Magazine has published an excerpt from Ann Medaille's book, 'Upskilling for Library Workers: A Guide for Future-Ready Professionals,' emphasizing the critical need for continuous skill development among library staff. The article highlights that technological advancements and rapid social and economic changes are transforming library roles. Library workers are now increasingly involved in consulting on complex research tools, teaching digital literacy, supporting virtual learning, troubleshooting devices, and co-designing community projects. This accelerated pace of change, coupled with the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, necessitates ongoing upskilling to ensure libraries remain relevant and effective. The piece argues that traditional formal training alone is insufficient, advocating for a dynamic approach that incorporates education, experiences, exposures, and a supportive environment.

Texas A University Trials AI-Assisted Modules for Math Teacher Training with NSF Grant

Texas A University Trials AI-Assisted Modules for Math Teacher Training with NSF Grant

Texas A&M University is currently implementing AI-assisted modules to deliver real-time, personalized feedback within its math teacher training programs. This initiative is supported by a substantial $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The core objective of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of AI's adaptive questioning and feedback mechanisms in augmenting traditional teacher training methodologies. The university aims to understand how these AI tools can provide tailored support to aspiring math educators, potentially leading to more efficient and effective learning outcomes. This trial represents a significant step in integrating advanced artificial intelligence into educational development, specifically targeting the critical area of teacher preparation.

Arizona Republic

School chief candidates split as Kyrene eyes social-emotional learning

School chief candidates split as Kyrene eyes social-emotional learning

Kyrene School District is looking to implement social and emotional learning for K-5 students. School leaders weigh-in on the curriculum.

Thrifting and Upcycling Trends Surge on Pinterest, Reflecting a Shift Towards Secondhand Lifestyle

Thrifting and Upcycling Trends Surge on Pinterest, Reflecting a Shift Towards Secondhand Lifestyle

Thrifting and Upcycling Trends Surge on Pinterest, Reflecting a Shift Towards Secondhand Lifestyle