If that's all you heard, "This is the first self-replicating species we've had on this planet whose parent is a computer.", what would you think? Would you be concerned about the end of mankind? Inevitable doom? Would you think about the potential for good? The cure for diseases, or a species that eats oil, maybe? Would you worry that it would become an invasive species that we couldn't stop, or would you be full of hope for Alzheimer patients and cancer patients and diabetics?

What would your students feel?

How advanced is science? Well, when they became concerned that they wouldn't be able to distinguish real DNA from synthetic DNA they decided to put "watermarks" in the synthetic DNA. Let that sink in a bit.

How's this for a writing prompt idea? This video is not likely to keep many high school students awake, but your favorite science teacher can easily explain it to the students well enough to have them understand what's going on. Then, let them brainstorm about possible good results of this technology and then possible bad results. Bring those lists together, then ask them to write a paragraph or two about where they stand on the idea. Provide a rubric on what you're looking for in the assignment, of course, and let them write.

Here's the video:

By now you've seen the ge augmented reality demo and one or two of the VERY cool  augmented reality book videos on youtube and you've thought, "I can't wait to be able to have my STUDENTS make these."

Well, drop what you're doing and rush to Zooburst where you can make augmented reality story books just like the one below. This is still in its infancy, but imagine what this will be like in 5 years. Imagine what our textbooks will/should look like.

GREAT stuff!

(Make sure you click WebCam View in the top right corner if you've got a web cam attached.)

I wish I could find a video that's uplifting in nature to use as a writing prompt. It's not like I'm not looking for one.

But I think that this is another video that our students should see. It's depressing as all get out. Is it an accurate depiction of the future of the ocean? Is it too late to reverse these trends?

Or, maybe this is just too intense to be used as a writing prompt. Too overwhelming, perhaps. And, while he paints a horrible picture of the ocean, he really doesn't tell us what we need to do to stop these trends.

Still, I'm certain that our Earth Science students will have an opinion, and a writing prompt would give them a chance to express it.

This was shared on Twitter this evening: All Google Services to be available in Google Apps Later this year.

That kind of news makes it SO VERY hard to tolerate the idea of blocking that site or nor going with it for your district. I want to say, "If YOU'RE not going to make this available to my students and staff I'll find someone who will!"

If you've not seen Avatar (in 3D) then you have REALLY missed something special. Watch for it to appear at your nearest iMax theater and GO SEE IT!

But, watch this video of James Cameron at TED.  Listen to how he talks about his life growing up, and how he behaved in school. Do you know a student who seems lost in his own world? What do you do with that? As he says, "...your imagination creating a reality." Do you yell at him/her to get them to focus on your content ("For once!") Or, do you find the time to talk with him/her later to find out what the interest is? I wish I could say I did the latter.

Listen to his advice on life. I think this is an EXCELLENT video to show to your students. This is a fantastic writing prompt.

Watch this video. You won't regret it.