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March 15, 2002
The Back Page
By Amy Poftak and Kristen Kennedy
Watch Words
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Dark Net (n.) The 5 percent of the Internet that can't be accessed by a search engine or browser, dark net describes black holes in the fabric of cyberspace.
Link Farming (v.) Link farming is the practice of exchanging links with other Web sites to boost search engine ranking as well as the illusion of a site's popularity.
Same-day Service (n.) With instant information gratification one of the Web's defining features, same-day service is an ironic way of describing an unusually slow Internet connection.
Spamoflage (n.) Seemingly relevant subject lines and legitimate-sounding return addresses are just two of the many spamoflaging tricks that people use to get you to open junk e-mail.
Word of mouse (n.) When information is disseminated via e-mail or chat groups, it is said to be spread by word of mouse.
Sources: The Word Spy, Webopedia, searchenginewatch.com |
Gleanings
Will Teach for Food
Studies repeatedly show that kids who receive quality preschool care exhibit stronger math and communication skills than youngsters in lower-quality care. And the better the quality of care, the higher the cost for working parents. It is all the more disappointing, then, that early-childhood teachers make about as much as parking lot attendants and dry cleaning workers. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for preschool teachers was $19,610 in 1999-less than half the average salary of an elementary school teacher.
Let's Hear It for Public Schools
Contrary to what the media would have us believe, evidence from a recent Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll suggests that most parents-62 percent-think pretty highly of public schools, giving their local school a grade of A or B. Correspondingly, public support for vouchers, which once peaked at 44 percent in 1998, has dropped close to its all-time low at 34 percent.
E-Learning in the Ivory Tower
In a recent study of college campuses, research firm Eduventures found that faculty and administrators are increasingly using e-learning options such as course management platforms and Web-based communities. The report, Charting the Course, cites that 20.6 percent of all university classes use some kind of online course management system, up from 14.7 percent in 2000.
The Microsoft Question
In January's Trend Watch, we reported that Microsoft had proposed to settle a class action lawsuit by providing $1 billion in refurbished computers, software, and training to schools. Since then, the court has rejected Microsoft's proposal, saying it would have an anticompetitive effect on the market. We asked readers to weigh in on the issue at T&L QuickPoll, and, interestingly, found that they were split down the middle.
Should corporations be allowed to settle consumer claims by donating money and/or products to schools?
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