Virtual Schools Bring Real Concerns About Quality
E-learning in K-12 is a growing trend, but many schools are underperformers. What's to be done?
Technology
For Some Schools, Learning Doesn't Stop On Snow Days
Even when the weather turns nasty, students in Delphi, Ind., have been expected to log on to classes from home. Results are mixed so far; participation rates seem to drop the longer school is out.
Facebook Aims To Weed Fakes From Your News Feed
No, Macauley Culkin didn't die — that was a fake news story you saw on Facebook. This week, Facebook added a feature for reporting hoaxes. NPR's Laura Sydell explains the details to Scott Simon.
'Maker Space' Allows Kids To Innovate, Learn In The Hospital
At a children's hospital in Nashville, Tenn., a mobile maker space allows patients to share materials and tools to build new things, while also teaching them about math and science.
With 'Discover' Feature, Snapchat Bucks Social Trend In News
Snapchat says social media likes and shares aren't what makes a story important. The ephemeral messaging app has rolled out Discover, featuring multimedia articles from major news brands.
Bored ... And Brilliant? A Challenge To Disconnect From Your Phone
Studies suggest we get our most original ideas when we stop the constant stimulation and let ourselves get bored. The podcast New Tech City is challenging you to disconnect — and see what happens.
As Cities Push For Their Own Broadband, Cable Firms Say Not So Fast
Some U.S. cities are bypassing private Internet providers and creating their own, faster networks. But laws in 19 states impede those efforts, and some cities want the FCC to get involved.
Virtual Games Try To Generate Real Empathy For Faraway Conflict
A corner of the video game industry is covering the news through immersive experiences. One game transports players into the middle of the Syrian civil war.
Sweden's Social Experiment On Twitter Celebrates Third Anniversary
The group "Curators of Sweden" puts it this way: "Every week, someone in Sweden is @Sweden: sole ruler of the world's most democratic Twitter account."
Charles Townes, Laser Pioneer, Black Hole Discoverer, Dies At 99
Physicist Charles Townes died Tuesday. He was a key inventor of the laser and won the Nobel Prize for his discovery in 1964. But his career didn't end there.