In this monthly briefing memo, which you have requested, my colleagues at the International Center and I share information on trends and technologies that will have an impact on education.                                                                                           Sincerely,    Bill Daggett

 Information Technology  

“Thought-input” Computers  

The point-and-click method of entering commands on desktop and laptop computers using keypad, mouse and GUI (graphic user interface) has proven to be a user-friendly breakthrough over traditional keyboard data entry. Now audio-activated input is available with voice command software and systems. But imagine an input device that requires no physical or auditory contact – just thought.  

Cyberkinetics Inc. of Foxboro , MA will soon begin clinical trials of a neurotechnology that uses microchip implants surgically placed inside the skull. These “thought chips” offer the prospect of allowing people who are paralyzed by strokes or conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, to “think” commands into a computer. Using similar devices, signals generated by a stroke victim’s neurons have already proven capable of moving an on-screen cursor to select messages such as “See you later.” When this emerging technology of translating thought into action is refined, it will improve the lives of many severely disabled people and those around them.    

Source: “Could Brain Implants Liberate Students with Disabilities?” eSchool News, April 15, 2004

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/PFshowstory.cfm?

ArticleID=5003  You will need to subscribe before viewing article.

Car Talk  

Engineers at IBM and elsewhere are developing next-generation digital voice and speech recognition systems that will allow two-way conversations between drivers and their vehicles. Voice command technology has been available as a high-end option to car buyers for some time. Soon, however, professional drivers and commuters will be able to dialogue with their vehicles, employing “smarter” automated voice functions. Such conversations could include, for example, alerting the driver – on request – about approaching traffic back-ups using data monitored via the Internet; or checking mechanical performance using on-board monitoring systems that can provide – on command – audio messages about, for example, tire pressure.  

Key issues to resolve are getting the car’s computer voice to know when to remain silent and utilizing driver-to-car commands that will not confuse the computer with normal driver/passenger or driver/cell phone conversations or voices from the car radio.   

Source: Richard Taylor, “Talking to Your Car Becoming Natural,” BBC News, April 13, 2004.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/technology/

3621535.stm  

Biotechnology  

Genetically Delaying Gray Hair?  

Research being conducted at the French cosmetics company L’Oreal is leading scientists there to think they have identified the genes responsible for hair turning gray. Their speculation is that these genes provide the genetic code that controls the lifespan of the cells that give hair its natural color. By altering the genes with pills or topical treatment, microbiologists may be able to prolong the life of the color-giving cells (­melanocytes) and temporarily delay the onset of “graying.” The findings were shared before an exhibition on hair recently opened at the London Museum of Natural History.   

Source: “Could a Pill Prevent Grey Hair?” BBC News, May 27, 2004.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/3752785.stm  

Generation-Two Cloning Provides Insights on Aging  

Dolly, the controversial cloned sheep, was born in 1996 and died prematurely in 2003 due to terminal illness. Biogenetics researchers are now beginning to understand what went wrong. Scientists have discovered that first-generation clones, like Dolly, who were derived from the cells of older animals lack some of the vitality that cells of younger animals have. Researchers have found that telomeres – tips of a chromosome that shorten each time a cell divides – provide intriguing information on the life expectancy of individual cells and symptoms of aging in an organism. As an organism gets older, telomeres get shorter and shorter until they are no more and the cells die. Data gathered from a famous Japanese bull that died at the ripe old age of 21 in 2001 led to the discovery. The unnamed bull sired more than 350,000 offspring. He was also the world’s first large mammal to have two generations of clones. The second generation clones, derived from the bull’s younger first-generation clones, indicated that telomeres get longer and hence live longer with each subsequent generation of clones.    

Out of this cloning research, scientists are now looking for ways to engineer telomeres to last longer to reduce aging in humans.  

Source: “Bullish Hopes for Serial Cloning,” Wired News, May 24, 2004

http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,63545,00.html

Education Trends  

State High School Graduation Rates Vary

While a record 85 percent of Americans have completed high school, only 77 percent of Texans age 25 and older had a high school diploma or equivalent in 2003. Texas ’ rate is worst among Hispanics, the state’s fastest-growing population. Barely half of 4.3 million Hispanic Texans age 25 and older have completed high school.  

South Carolina , Alabama , Louisiana and West Virginia also showed lower percentages of high school graduates, as did states with large immigrant populations, including California , New York and Florida .  New Hampshire and Minnesota were ranked highest at 92 percent, followed by Wyoming , Nebraska and Alaska at 91 percent.  

In 2002, the average high school dropout earned less than $19,000, compared with more than $27,000 for the typical graduate, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau study. That statistic alone is reason enough for us to seek new rigorous – yet relevant – educational pathways that will help more of our young people, especially minorities, to achieve success in high school.  

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Estimates for 2003

http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/

educ-attn.html  

Bringing Best Practices to Scale  

As many of you know, the International Center joined forces this year with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Council of Chief State School Officers on a major initiative to analyze the policies, organizational structures, and practices of 30 high schools that have achieved high standards for all students. All 30 schools were showcased at this year’s Model Schools Conference held in Washington , D.C. from June 25-28.   

For more information visit our auxiliary website www.daleicle.org/icleservicelevels.htm or please contact Karen Wilkins at my office if you would like me to visit your district to share the results with you and your colleagues.  (518-399-2776)  

By the Numbers:  

It took radio 38 years to reach an audience of 50 million people. It took TV 13 years to reach an audience of 50 million people. It took the Internet only four years to reach a user base of 50 million people; two years later it was accessible to double that number. 

Your feedback is welcome.  

E-mail dale@leadered.com 

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