social media - Page 11 of 11 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on March 14, 2015March 14, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

Bob Braun Reports that Pearson Is Spying on Social Media of Students Taking PARCC Tests

Bob Braun Reports that Pearson Is Spying on Social Media of Students Taking PARCC Tests
By dianeravitch
March 13, 2015

[Note from Diane: The link now says, “This Account Has Been Suspended.” I am not sure what this means. Some think his site crashed because of so many people trying to open it at the same time. Perhaps it will be back up soon. I hear it is posted on Bob Braun’s Facebook page. Read the comments below for that link.]

Bob Braun, an investigative reporter in New Jersey for the past 50 years, has learned that Pearson is spying on the social media accounts of students taking the PARCC tests.

Bob Braun writes:

Pearson, the multinational testing and publishing company, is spying on the social media posts of students–including those from New Jersey–while the children are taking their PARCC, statewide tests, this site has learned exclusively. The state education department is cooperating with this spying and has asked at least one school district to discipline students who may have said something inappropriate about the tests.

This website discovered the unauthorized and hidden spying thanks to educators who informed it of the practice–a practice happening throughout the state and apparently throughout the country. The spying–or “monitoring,” to use Pearson’s word–was confirmed at one school district–the Watchung Hills Regional High School district in Warren by its superintendent, Elizabeth Jewett.

Jewett sent out an e-mail–posted here– to her colleagues expressing concern about the unauthorized spying on students. She said parents are upset and added that she thought Pearson’s behavior would contribute to the growing “opt out” movement.

https://dianeravitch.net/2015/03/13/breaking-news-bob-braun-reports-that-pearson-is-spying-on-social-media-of-students-taking-parcc-tests/

Posted on December 15, 2014December 15, 2014 by James — 8 Comments

Chris Christie crushed on Twitter over Cowboys rooting

Chris Christie crushed on Twitter over Cowboys rooting

By Jonathan Lehman

December 15, 2014 | 11:15am

Chris Christie knows all about outrageous three-lane traffic snarls, so the New Jersey governor should be well prepared for the backlash he’s facing for backing the Cowboys over the Giants or Eagles — the two favorite teams of his constituents and the Cowboys’ sworn rivals.

Christie, the pivotal figure in the Bridgegate scandal and a long-rumored Republican presidential candidate for 2016, opened himself up to venom with a nationally televised appearance Sunday night in Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ suite at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

https://nypost.com/2014/12/15/chris-christie-crushed-on-twitter-over-cowboys-rooting/

Christie responds to backlash

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie defended his longtime love for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday after his cheering for the team sparked a social media firestorm.

Christie was spotted high-fiving Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a luxury box Sunday night at the Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles game.

The interactions prompted a wave of hate on Twitter from angry Eagles fans, who apparently were unaware the governor has long been a Cowboys fan despite his New Jersey roots.

Christie responded to the meltdown Monday morning with an unscheduled appearance on WPG Talk Radio 1450.

He told listeners he’s never made a secret of his Cowboys fandom and said he would never change his team loyalties to score political points.

“I love passionate sports fans. I really do. I’m a passionate sports fan. And so I can’t say that I was the least bit surprised by the reaction of some Eagles fans,” he said

https://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/12033229/new-jersey-governor-chris-christie-rebuts-furor-dallas-cowboys-fandom

Posted on December 12, 2014December 11, 2014 by James — 7 Comments

Survey shows Internet’s broadening political role

Survey shows Internet’s broadening political role

NEW YORK (AP) — Would-be 2016 presidential candidates take note: the Internet may potentially make or break your campaign.

More Internet users than ever view online efforts as key to political campaigns, according to a survey released Thursday by the University of Southern California.

The USC Annenberg School’s Center for the Digital Future has polled more than 2,000 U.S. households about their Internet and technology use each year, starting in 1999. It has published the results every year since 2000, with the exception of 2011.

The latest results from the 2013 survey show that that 75 percent of Internet users age 16 and older agree that the Internet is important for the political campaign process. That was up from the previous high response of 72 percent in 2010.

And 37 percent of users in that age range said that by using the Internet, people like them can have more political power. That’s up from 29 percent in 2000.

“We may be entering a realm where the Internet plays a larger role in political campaigns than television does,” Jeffrey Cole, director of the Center for the Digital Future, said in a statement.

In 2012, television ads were the primary communications tool for the campaigns of President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney, despite the gradual but persistent shift of viewers from television to the Internet. But both teams maintained a robust social media presence and used online ads for micro-targeting voters based on their reading and shopping habits.

https://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2014-12-11-US–Internet%20Survey/id-83a238d062af4f839815cf5db3e8518a

Posted on September 9, 2014September 9, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Portraits for Business and Lifestyle

Portraits for Business and Lifestyle

In today’s modern age with all the social media: facebook, linkedin, twitter, Instagram and so on its critical that we showcase ourselves as we wish the world to see us. People tap into your life through these social media websites and peer into your world. I offer Business and Lifestyle photo sessions to showcase the way you want to be viewed. Its a natural photojournalist approach that has a modern contemporary feel to it. No one wants to see overly posed photographs that appear to pretentious, but rather natural and artistic photographs. Images say it all. If you are running your own business, looking for employment, getting back into the dating scene, or simply longing for images of you with your loved ones for memory keepsakes this is perfect solution.

A simple headshot might seem like something anybody could do, but there are a lot of nuances that people don’t think about. What kind of lighting do you want? What should be in the background? Do you want to present yourself in formal attire or in something more casual? Should the image show you working or just smiling at the camera? These are all questions that a skilled photographer can answer, and be able to put you in just the right position to get the perfect shot.

If you have a business to promote, a good headshot can give your company a personal touch by giving customers a chance to identify with the person you choose to be the face of your business. If you are searching for a job, you can use a commercial picture to draw more attention to your application, and give potential employers an idea of whom they will be hiring. In any of these scenarios, having a commercial photographer on hand will help you make these decisions and properly promote yourself. You will be able to set just the right tone for anything you want to do.

I offer on location and or in studio sessions. Suggested packages are listed on our website: www.ArtChickPhotography.com – Call Kristine 215-650-7052

Kristine Di Grigoli

Owner ArtChick LLC
Associate Church Street Studios
215-650-7052

www.ArtChickPhotography.com

Studio: 122 Church St. Philadelphia PA 19106

Posted on June 14, 2014June 14, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Ridgewood students tackle social media issues

Ridgewood students tackle social media issues

JUNE 13, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014, 4:09 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

When it comes to improving student culture surrounding social media, who better to turn to than students themselves?

Students who participated in the first Ridgewood High School Student Leadership Summit worked on solutions to challenges, including ways to increase school spirit.

That was the thinking of Ridgewood High School (RHS) administrators, who recently consulted with students after a social media crisis this past May was caused by Yik Yak, a localized app that allows people to make anonymous comments. Using the app, a 17-year-old boy made an anonymous gun threat on May 13 that targeted RHS. After an around-the-clock police investigation, the boy was found and taken into custody.

But there were problems with the app even before that event, administrators said.

“Students that I talked to shared that there were just horrendous, horrible things written about other students, about us staff members,” said RHS Assistant Principal Basil Pizzuto. “There were some students really hurt by it, really, really hurt by it, and kind of still struggling with what they went through.”

In order to improve this situation, administrators – including Pizzuto – decided to talk directly to students. “Student leaders” identified by faculty were emailed an invitation to discuss the issue with adults on May 28.

Ultimately, 10 students gave up their monthly sleep-in day to discuss social media and school culture in the RHS Campus Center.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/rhs-students-tackle-social-media-issues-1.1035198#sthash.NjbvYhNq.dpuf

Posted on May 15, 2014May 15, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Yik Yak is just the latest we may be able to limit it use or get rid of it altogether but there will be another one just like it along 5 minutes later

Yik Yak is just the latest we may be able to limit it use or get rid of it altogether but there will be another one just like it along 5 minutes later

Unfortunately Yik Yak is just the latest mole to whack. We may be able to limit it use or get rid of it altogether but there will be another one just like it along 5 minutes later. Maybe as parents we should step up and teach our kids about respect, responsibility and self confidence instead of focusing our fear and rage at this and other social media outlets.

I installed Yik Yak a couple weeks ago to see what it was about and 99% of the posts are pure sophomoric drivel. Hopefully this should dilute some of the sting associated with the other 1% assuming it’s at all dangerous or hurtful. Comments like “Jimmy is a poopy head” should raise as much concern for our kids collective intelligence level as anything else.

A notice went out that some kid posted something about shooting up a school and the police didn’t seem to give it any credence whatsoever. After reading a couple of days worth of posts myself I have to say that I’m not very concerned either.

I don’t disagree with the doctor here in that the Ap, like any social media outlet, has the potential to be used as a vehicle for hate and bullying. I also agree that social media in general has begun to replace real human interaction and conversation with horrible consequences.

As parents it’s our job to teach our kids about responsible, moderate use of social media since it’s probably here to stay. As for Yik Yak, my message to my kids is why would you want to associate with the morons that post on it in the first place?

Posted on May 12, 2014May 12, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

North Jersey moms inspired by parenting create products and businesses

North Jersey moms inspired by parenting create products and businesses

MAY 11, 2014 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY KARA YORIO
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

Every mother has been in a situation where she thinks, “There has got to be a better way.”

From easing separation anxiety to keeping your allergic child safe to easily finding a safe over-the-counter product when pregnant to solving the problems of the impractical beach bag — the issues are always there, and there are often ideas that follow. But who has the time to do anything with that creative thought?

Four North Jersey women are among the mothers who had those moments and acted on their inspiration. They created a product or product lines to help not only their families but other parents or future parents.

Audrey Storch, Iris Shamus, Rachel Katz-Galatt and Kimberlee Vaccarella share a strong belief in their ideas, a get-it-done attitude and a good support system required to be a parent, create a product and launch a business.

“The only difference between a dream and doing it is setting a goal — set a date for your dream and that’s how it becomes a reality,” said Storch, who created Huggs To Go in 1999. “Just go for it.”

Storch started her business — which made dolls that acted like a huggable picture frame — in a time before Google, never mind crowdfunding and social media. Tamara Monosoff was in a similar “Yellow Pages” situation more than a decade ago when the Bay Area mom wanted to create a product to keep kids from being able to unroll the toilet paper. She remembers making call after call to machinists with her daughter making noise in the background. She finally found an understanding soul.

“He said, ‘I’m a grandpa. Just bring her with you. Come on down,’ ” Monosoff remembered. “That changed everything for me.”

After she created the gadget and got some publicity, mothers with ideas continually sought her advice on how to go from idea to retail product. Those encounters led her to write “The Mom Inventors Handbook,” which recently released an updated edition, to help women find the resources they need.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/north-jersey-moms-inspired-by-parenting-create-products-and-businesses-1.1013832#sthash.57oipo3j.dpuf

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