TeenTech Weekly: Microsoft GCSE, pirate hunters, disconnect anxiety
This edition of TeenTech weekly rounds up Generation Y and student news that you may have missed. This week we've read about open online courses, the 'Microsoft GCSE' and patents that may go a step too far.
1.) How will MOOCs make money? (Inside Higher Ed)
Massively open online courses, or MOOCs, do not currently lead to any widely recognized credential. Still, with more than 1.5 million people having registered for MOOCs through Coursera, Udacity and edX, the demand for the novel online offerings is undeniable.
2.) That new 'Microsoft GCSE': We reveal what's in it. (The Register)
Exam board AQA's head of accreditation Mary Jane Newman has revealed a few more details about the so-called "Microsoft GCSE", which will be taught in Britain from September.
3.) TIAA-CREF announces winners of the 'Financially Empowering Gen Y' project partnership. (4-Traders)
25 colleges and universities from across the U.S. competed to design and deliver financial literacy programs in their local communities, targeted at Gen Y.
4.) Professor's patent strangles textbook sharing on and offline.
Students who don't buy in to the scheme can expect lower grades.
5.) Seton Hall University provides Nokia Lumia 900 to incoming freshmen. (The Financial)
Nokia, AT&T, Microsoft and Seton Hall University announced a step forward in Seton Hall's Mobile Computing Initiative, whereby all incoming freshmen will receive a Nokia Lumia 900 each for extensive use across the University.
6.) University research will evaluate physical data to gauge teacher effectiveness. (eCampus News)
Galvanic Skin Response bracelets, funded by the Gates Foundation, have been roundly criticized by education officials.
7.) FBI halted one child porn inquiry because Tor got in the way. (Ars technica)
Feds closed "assessment" of child porn found on Silk Road, a Tor hidden service.
8.) Student 'pirate hunters' hired by record labels.
Who best to take on the job of hunting pirates than those who have probably pirated themselves?
9.) Facebook addiction and 'disconnect anxiety' among college students. (eCampus News)
An author says college students' obsessive Facebook use can go unchecked for years, unlike other addictions.
10.) Pennsylvania college student tweets threat about a 're-enactment of Columbine'. (Fox News)
A Philadelphia-area university went on alert Thursday after a student upset over parking tickets tweeted that there would be a "re-enactment of Columbine" on campus.
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