Morning Announcements: May 13, 2011

The New York Times reports on using social media in the classroom to encourage student participation. According to the story, some teachers say “social media, once kept outside the school door, can entice students who rarely raise a hand to express themselves via a medium they find as natural as breathing.” A 17-year old student interviewed in the story said, “When we have class discussions, I don’t really feel the need to speak up or anything. When you type something down, it’s a lot easier to say what I feel.”

State Superintendent Jorea Marple wants more West Virginia schools to adopt a year-round calendar, according to the Charleston Daily Mail.

The Chicago Sun-Times editorial board lauds an ambitious education reform package passed by the Illinois Senate and House, writing, “This bill is good for Illinois teachers and, far better yet, good for Illinois schoolchildren.”