2016 : What do you consider the most interesting recent scienmtific news? What makes it important?
Various authors, Edge, 2016/01/01

Alas, once again I've been passed over for the Edge question. Still, I can join with everyone else in marveling at the answers. Here are some (quoted):

• We may all die horribly unless some scientists figure out a way to save us
• Each cubic centimeter of empty space contains about 10^-29 grams of invisible matter, or, equivalently, vacuum energy
• Cephalosomatic Anastomosis” (CSA) (a.k.a. a complete head transplantation)
• Any gene (or set of genes) can be forced to “drive” through an entire wild population.
• The race between the growing power of technology and the growing wisdom with which we manage it.
• Tabby's Star - the possibility that the dimming effect is caused by a swarm of Dyson Spheres

And many many more. Enjoy.

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Faux Van Gogh and Pinot Grigio: The Rise of Paint-and-Sip Studios
Stephanie Russell-Kraft, Jezebel, 2016/01/01

I don't know whether this will ever become a theme in these pages, but it seems to me there is a big difference between living one's life actively and living it passively. And by living actively, what I mean is living by doing things - building stuff, making stuff, drawing stuff, writing stuff, programming stuff, whatever. And I think that as time goes by, and as people become more empowered, we will see more and more activity related to supporting people in this. Providing this sort of support, indeed, is where I see the future of online e-learning heading. So sure, Paint 'n' Sip has nothing to do with education technology. But I think it has everything to do with the future of learning.

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5 K-12 trends to watch in 2016
Erin McIntyre, Education Dive, 2016/01/01

What caught my eye in this item was the push toward personalized learning plans in Vermont with the Flexible Pathways Initiative. "'The intention is to put students at the center of the construction of their own learning experience, which evidence indicates will result in greater relevance and engagement, and therefore better outcomes,' Tom Alderman, of the Vermont Education Agency, told Education Dive in a recent interview." Right now it's wait-and-see time, but I expect a strong pushback from the anti-individuated instruction movement (i.e., the same people who argue against learning styles).

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