Why Don’t America’s Rich Give More to Charity? – The Atlantic

Found this article interesting. My wife and I serve on the boards of directors of several organizations and donate to each of them, as well as other causes. I’ve never calculated the percentage of our annual income that we donate, but I’ve wondered how it would compare to what wealthier people donate. I do know the amount we donate is enough that we itemize our deductions on our annual income tax return.

I’m also wondering about the effects of the recent big changes to the tax laws.  How will the nonprofit organizations I support fare?  Will the “rich” with their reduced income taxes choose to donate more to charities than they did before?

via Why Don’t Americas Rich Give More to Charity? – The Atlantic

Searching and Researching on the Internet

Looking forward to teaching this course again for Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College.  It’s always a great experience.  I enjoy the range of students, from high school seniors to senior citizens, and learning new things myself in preparing the course each time.

Learn more about the course.

Over-housed

Just learned a new term: over-housed.  From what I understand, it means someone who lives in a dwelling with an empty bedroom.  Given that definition, I think I am over-housed.  Are you?  Is that unoccupied bedroom always unoccupied?  Is it your kid’s room and he/she may return anytime? Do your relatives expect that it is there for them whenever they come to visit?

That said, the context in which I learned this term was a local television news story about HomeShareSLO, a local nonprofit organization with the mission to help change lives by connecting people and homes.  From the organization’s website:

We facilitate matches between home providers–people with an extra room–and home seekers–those looking for a home.  It is a way to meet the housing challenges faced by seniors and others.

While I’m not ready to bring a third person into our home, I think the concept is a great idea!

 

Skype’s Snapchat-inspired makeover puts the camera a swipe away, adds stories

Friday, Microsoft launced a completely revamped version of its Skype application, with a new set of features that draw obvious inspiration from messaging rivals, like Messenger and Snapchat.  It will be interesting to see how it fares.

Source: Skype’s Snapchat-inspired makeover puts the camera a swipe away, adds stories | TechCrunch

Glutton for punishment?

Not an Open and Shut Case

via Remember ‘Open Schools’? Probably Not, And Here’s Why : NPR Ed : NPR

There is a difference between the philosophy of the open classroom and the construction of classrooms without walls.  Problems arise when you continue to teach a “closed” approach in an “open” space.  Also, in building open learning areas, acoustics are critical—and typically ignored.

What these teens learned about the Internet may shock you! – The Hechinger Report

When the AP United States history students at Aragon High School in San Mateo California, scanned the professionally designed pages of http://www.minimumwage.com, most concluded that it was a solid, unbiased source of facts and analysis. They noted the menu of research reports, graphics and videos, and the “About” page describing the site as a project […]

Source: What these teens learned about the Internet may shock you! – The Hechinger Report

Does It Have To Be So Complicated? | Harvard Graduate School of Education

Education, especially education reform, isn’t easy. Yet, does it always have to be so complex? With the help of members of the Ed School community, we found that the answer sometimes is a simple no.

Source: Does It Have To Be So Complicated? | Harvard Graduate School of Education

Please, don’t “reach out”

“Reach out” is my latest annoys-me-so much phrase.  I get it all the time.  People reaching out to me.  Wanting to reach out to someone else.

Don’t reach out to me.  Contact me.  Approach me. Give me a call.  But please,  don’t “reach out.”

How ‘High Standards’ Are Like ‘7-Minute Abs’

I have to agree with Rick Hess on this.

I’ve never really been able to get on board the high standards train. It’s not that I’m opposed to “high standards”—it just usually plays out like the 7-Minute Abs scene in There’s Something About Mary.

Source: How ‘High Standards’ Are Like ‘7-Minute Abs’ – Rick Hess Straight Up – Education Week