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M4Girls pilot project uses Nokia 6300 handsets to teach math

Sunday, May 4th, 2008 by admin

6300, africa, education, learning, M4Girls, math, nokia, school, south africa, SouthAfrica

Considering that some countries are mulling the idea of making texting a recognized subject and allowing students to use text-speak on exams, we suppose it’s not too outrageous to hear of handsets being used as educational tools and not seen as a hindrance. Nokia has teamed up with Mindset Network in order to spearhead the M4Girls pilot project, which utilizes Nokia 6300 handsets loaded with educational material to “help improve the mathematics performance of Grade 10 girl learners.” Reportedly, the initiative will be piloted in two South African schools, and students lucky enough to take advantage will have access to educational games and other material created to meet the needs of the national curriculum. No word on whether the program will filter out to other locations if it proves successful, but here’s to hoping that eventually gets answered with a resounding “yes.”

[Via textually]

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UMD celebrates Maryland Day with 50,000 cupcakes

Sunday, April 27th, 2008 by admin

cake, cupcake, maryland day, Maryland university, school, student, UMD

Yep - 50,000. In honor of the holiday, University of Maryland bakery staff took two months to make the confections, which are being stored in various freezers all over the College Park campus.

UMD officials expect about 80,000 people to attend the event today, which is free to the public.

The numbers are unbelievable: the ingredients were $14,000, which were paid for in part by corporate sponsors, and the total calorie count for all 50,000 cakes is a staggering 12.6 million. Take that, Weight Watchers.

Oh - and the photo? Courtesy of rockin’ Slashfood Flickr user

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