Time's Top Ten Apps for Back to School. Another List!

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1919378_1919377,00.html

I AM a sucker for lists. Here's one from Time Magazine!

Time has put together a nice list of iPhone Apps for back to school. I would personally make it a top 11 and add "Things" or maybe substitute that app for the homework organizer. Why are these lists always 10 items? Do we blame Letterman?

This list makes the Touch/iPhone look like a powerful and adaptive tool for learning. No surprise, it really is.

Got to wonder though, would a kid be allowed to take out his iPhone (iPod Touch) without risking confiscation? How many schools allow these tools to be used? Can they be connected to the school wireless network? Is there a school wireless network?

Hey Time! Need a writing prompt for an article?

Great Article about students and practice

There was a great article about practice at the MENC web site by John May.  It looks at both quality and quantity of practice.

Wynton Marsalis was talking about this as well in his Tackling The Monster TV program.

Practice really isn't just about how much time you put in.  It is also about what you practice.  Sure, I want my kids to put in lots of time, but not just on the stuff they they really know already.

John May has a great chart in his article.  One axis is time and the other axis is efficiency.  Ideally, you do want kids in the 4th quadrant (lots of time and efficient practice.)  

What if you had to choose between time and efficient?

I would lean towards the goal. Does the student play correctly with good control and tone. Does it really make a difference how long it took them to get there?  We need to teach efficient practice.