Big banks draw profits from microloans to poor

Jane Hahn for The New York Times

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I am not a fan of microfinance; let me be clear about that. Kiva and organizations like that are what I'm talking about. This NY Times article talking about how banks and organizations like Kiva are charging huge interest rates to lendees in the developing word. I have much to say on this topic will let the article do the talking for now.

My thinking was first greatly influenced by Alexander Cockburn who wrote The Myth of Microloans. It's a short read and worth it if you're considering send your or your school's money towards a microfinance organization in helps of aiding third world workers.

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Workshop for K-12 computer science teachers working with under-represented populations (women, students of color, etc)

Agenda


K-12 Computing Teachers Workshop

“Overcoming Barriers, Boundaries and Bad News”
Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
October 1-2, 2010
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Atlanta, GA

Day 1: Friday, October 1, 2010

All Day GHC Conference Registration
All Day Attend GHC Sessions & Attend Lunches
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Ignite Talks – Ignite Talks are short presentations given by various presenters working on outreach to various communities interested in collaboration.
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Town Hall Meeting: Bridging Boundaries and Creating Capacity: Engaging Stakeholders to Address Equity in K12 Computing
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Sponsor Night – This is a networking event to celebrate the conclusion of the 2010 Grace Hopper Celebration. The event features dinner, music and entertainment.

Day 2: Saturday, October 2, 2010

8:00 am – 9:00 am Workshop Registration & Networking Breakfast
9:00 am – 10:00 am Welcome & Keynote (TBA)
10:00 am – 10:15 am Break
10:15 am – 11:00 am Breakout Sessions I
Social Networking (TBA)

Dot Diva: Changing the Image of Computing: Julie Benyo

An Update on the New AP CS Course: Chris Stephenson and Jan Cuny

An interdisciplinary Approach to Introducing Computing in Grades K-5: Kathleen Larson, Sarah Pennachio, Donna Russo

11:00 am – 11:15 am Break
11:15 am – 12:00 pm Breakout Sessions II (TBA)
Open Source: It’s All Out in the Open…But Where Do We Start: Anita Verno, Bill Madden, Leslie Hawthorn

Teaching Programming is Easy with Alice: Steve Cooper

Teaching Computer Science with Toys: Robb Cutler

Modeling & Simulations: Betsy Frederick, Irene Lee

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Panel: Teacher Leadership & Advocacy as a Tool for Broadening Participation: Stephanie Hoeppner, Eugene Lemon, Daniel Moix
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Wrap-up
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Networking & Sponsor Activities

This looks like a great program hosted by the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. Get involved, people!

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Turning Girls Into Gamers

A wonderful video from Big Think, especially the parts where she talks about two normalized curves. The reality is there are a lot of "boys" who like the "girl" games and a lot of "girls" who like the "boy" games. Everything is in quotes because I find the whole dichotomy insane and problematic, but that's not for this discussion.

The girls at my school love games, and I need to think more about how this could intersect the educational environment.

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DAYTUM - another amazing way to interact with data online

I think Dan Meyer would like Daytum. With the free account everything you post is public, so be careful what you track. Either way, how cool is this? I could see a sports team in a school keep tracking of statistics and encouraging people to check out their Daytum. Perhaps a biology lab collecting data making a page with their combined findings...

Anyone using this in their school?

Posted via web from arvind's posterous