en1996-2004 by Commonwealth of Australia. Permission is granted to copy and distribute this document in whole or in part, provided it is done for educational and non-commercial purposes only and that this entire copyright notice remains attached.askedna@edna.edu.auhttp://api.edna.edu.au/headline.rssCross-sectoral education news aggregated by Education Network Australia (edna)http://www.edna.edu.auhttp://www.edna.edu.au/images/edna_online_logo.gifhttp://www.treasurer.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2010/007.htm&pageID=003&min=wms&Year=&DocType=0The Intergenerational Report, Australia to 2050: Future Challenges, shows that improving our productivity is the key to higher living standards in the face of an ageing population. The Government has a broad agenda to increase Australia's productivity, including: Investment in skills and human capital including measures to enhance teacher quality, the early childhood quality education agenda, and investment to achieve ambitious targets for higher educational attainment rates. Treasurer, 1 February 2010.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8497427.stmA US study finds younger internet users lose interest in blogging and switch to shorter and more mobile forms of communication. As the tools and technology embedded in social networking sites changed, and use of the sites continued to grow, young people appeared to be exchanging 'macro-blogging' for 'micro-blogging' with status updates, it concluded. BBC News, 4 February 2010.http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2010/media-releaseThe Report on Government Services 2010 is being released. This is the 15th edition of the Report, produced by a Steering Committee for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). Significant improvements in this year's Report include alignment of education and training performance indicators with those in the related National Agreements. Reporting on services to Indigenous Australians has improved over recent years and remains a priority, and includes enhanced reporting of participation by Indigenous people in the VET system. Australian Productivity Commission, 29 January 2010.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/01/2807088.htmAustralians are leading the world when it comes to time spent on social media sites, with a new survey showing we spend on average almost seven hours a month on sites such as Twitter and Facebook. ABC News, 1 February 2010.http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201001282088/media-statements/global-agenda-global-studentsStudents from around the world will be able to study online for a degree that examines the nature and future of humankind under a new partnership between The University of Western Australia and Open Universities Australia. The Centre for Integrated Human Studies at UWA has entered into a partnership with OUA to enable students, wherever they live, to study IHS courses. UWA News, 28 January 2010http://www.deewr.gov.au/ministers/gillard/media/releases/pages/article_100128_163717.aspxThe Australian Government's national statement on social inclusion, A Stronger, Fairer Australia, released at the inaugural Social Inclusion Conference in Melbourne, sets out the Government's vision and strategy for social inclusion now and into the future. Social Inclusion means ensuring no Australian is left behind by giving all the opportunities, resources, capabilities and responsibilities to learn, work, connect with others and have a say in community life. DEEWR, 28 January 2010.http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100128_102905.aspxThe My School website was officially launched on 28 January. My School contains important information about each of Australia's 10,000 schools including the number of students at the school, the number of teachers at the school and how the school is performing in national literacy and numeracy testing. DEEWR Media release, 28 January 2010.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/online-education-gears-up/story-e6frgcjx-1225823749210?referrer=email&source=AIT_email_nlThe research-intensive University of Western Australia and longstanding distance provider the University of New England have joined Open Universities Australia, the first universities to do so in a decade. The move will mean greater choice for students of the fast-growing, 16-year-old business with the addition of units in rural science, e-learning and human studies. The Australian, 27 January 2010.http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100122_075320.aspxThe Australian Government is encouraging Australian families to keep their receipts from education related expenses so they can take advantage of the Education Tax Refund. Figures from the Australian Taxation Office have revealed that only half of all eligible Australian families have lodged a claim, leaving more than $500 million in unclaimed benefits. DEEWR, 22 January 2010.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8468351.stmChildren who regularly use the abbreviated language of text messages are actually improving their ability to spell correctly, research suggests. Researchers say text language uses word play and requires an awareness of how sounds relate to written English. BBC News, 20 January 2010.