findingEducation’s Digital Teachers’ LoungeTips and insights from the findingEducation team.

On This Day

• On This Day: Buddy Holly Killed in Plane Crash on “The Day the Music Died” February 3, 2012 On Feb. 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash. The day would be immortalized as “The Day the Music Died” in the Don McLean song “American Pie.” Read More
• On This Day: U.S. Breaks Relations With Germany Prior to Entry Into World War I February 3, 2012 On Feb. 3, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson announced that the United States was breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany after it had reinstituted its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. The U.S. would declare war on Germany two months later. Read More

Education News

• Using Collaborative Learning in Classrooms and Libraries December 1, 2011 Collaboration, whether between teachers and librarians or classrooms around the world, is fast becoming a crucial educational tool. Read More
• Building an Online Presence More Important Than Ever December 1, 2011 Educators have long cautioned students about posting damaging information online, but now it’s also becoming important to build a positive digital footprint. When should students start building their online persona? The earlier, the better. Read More
• The Top 10 Reasons Students Cannot Cite or Rely On Wikipedia October 27, 2011 Wikipedia provides Internet users with millions of articles on a broad range of topics, and commonly ranks first in search engines. But its reliability and credibility fall well short of the standards for a school paper. According to Wikipedia itself, “[W]hile some articles are of the highest quality of scholarship, others are admittedly complete rubbish. … use [Wikipedia] with an informed understanding of what it is and what it isn't.”
  
  To help you develop such an understanding, we present 10 reasons you can't rely on information in Wikipedia. Read More
• 5 Ways to Get Boys to Read June 28, 2011 Nationwide, more boys than girls seem to be struggling with reading. Here are five tips from teachers, librarians, authors and literacy strategists to encourage boys to read. Read More

Education Web Guides

• Latin American Studies April 6, 2010 Historically rich, geographically diverse and culturally intriguing, Latin America is a fascinating place. Discover online resources for Latin American studies, including journals, information on specific countries and current events, and advice for pursuing a career or college major in Latin American studies. Read More
• Civil Rights Movement January 18, 2010 During the 1950s and ‘60s, African-Americans campaigned for an end to racial discrimination through a series of non-violent protests and marches. The Civil Rights Movement culminated with the passage of federal laws banning discrimination in voting, employment, housing and other sectors of American society. Read More

Happy Birthday

• Happy Birthday, Samuel Adams, One of the US's Founding Fathers September 27, 2011 Rebel, patriot and politician Samuel Adams helped organize protests against the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Tea Act of 1773 and developed a base of resistance that would eventually lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Read More
  
• Wangari Muta Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner September 27, 2011 In 2004, Wangari Muta Maathai became the first African Woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Maathai is known as the founder of the “Green Belt Movement” to reforest Africa. Read More
  
• Happy Birthday, Harry Houdini, Escape Artist Extraordinaire March 24, 2011 During his short career, Harry Houdini’s “death-defying” feats astonished his audiences. People from all walks of life came to watch Houdini escape from shackles, milk cans and water tanks. Their fascination with his act continued his legacy long after his untimely death. Read More
  
• Happy Birthday, Roger Bannister, First Runner to Break the Four-Minute Mile March 23, 2011 In 1954, British medical student Roger Bannister became the first man to break the four-minute mile barrier, earning him international admiration and Sports Illustrated's first Sportsman of the Year award. When asked how he achieved his record-breaking feat, he replied, “It’s the ability to take more out of yourself than you've got.” Read More