Anyone who knows me knows I love free stuff. I really do. I know, I know, not much of a shocker...
I have been marvelling at the Asus EeePCs for a couple of weeks now, and think they are great punch per pound in computer portability.
Now, I see that RBC is giving away the 2G Surfer Asus EeePC. Check it out here.
This is the smallest of the EeePC, which originally was launched up to 8G, but now the 900 is out, and the 901 Atom is also coming.
As for the RBC deal, it's fantastic to get something this cutting edge, this good, for free, but of course, there are many hoops you need to jump through. That said, if you are thinking about moving or changing banks, or are already with RBC, this is a fantastic deal.
Note the 2G surfer isn't much for real use, but is a great kid machine, a great travel buddy, and may be a nice introduction into the ultra-portable for many people. If you get hooked, pick up a 8G, a 900, or look for a 901 Atom, and donate this one to the kids.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Student Video from Classrooms
The digital world we live in has made video capture any time, any where, and at times, without the subject's knowledge, permission, or awareness. Today's classroom is such a place.
Take a few minutes to look at this post from Leader Talk, a blog about educational administration. Be sure to take a few minutes to read the comments posted by readers as well. It brings up a great many questions.
Check out the posting and commentary here.
Some of my thoughts...
It's alarming at times the antagonism that can be shown, not just student - teacher, but person to person. Purposefully pushing someone's buttons just seems... I don't know the word. Having lived through some of these types of experiences, I understand the frustration on both sides in some, but the first and last video seem extreme, antagonistic, and purposefully mean.
As one of the readers commented, it's not surprising that teachers are leaving the profession in droves, yet they are often not prepared for the classroom of today. I know my professional training offered a lot on pedagogy and subject matter, but almost nothing on classroom management, which was, by far, the biggest challenge of my first several years (and, if I was still in a classroom, current years, I'm sure). How do we expect new teachers to excel when the most difficult aspect of the job is the one they learn the least about?
That may be the best question to examine out of this posting... the legalities of the videos seem insignificant to me next to this.
Your thoughts?
Take a few minutes to look at this post from Leader Talk, a blog about educational administration. Be sure to take a few minutes to read the comments posted by readers as well. It brings up a great many questions.
Check out the posting and commentary here.
Some of my thoughts...
It's alarming at times the antagonism that can be shown, not just student - teacher, but person to person. Purposefully pushing someone's buttons just seems... I don't know the word. Having lived through some of these types of experiences, I understand the frustration on both sides in some, but the first and last video seem extreme, antagonistic, and purposefully mean.
As one of the readers commented, it's not surprising that teachers are leaving the profession in droves, yet they are often not prepared for the classroom of today. I know my professional training offered a lot on pedagogy and subject matter, but almost nothing on classroom management, which was, by far, the biggest challenge of my first several years (and, if I was still in a classroom, current years, I'm sure). How do we expect new teachers to excel when the most difficult aspect of the job is the one they learn the least about?
That may be the best question to examine out of this posting... the legalities of the videos seem insignificant to me next to this.
Your thoughts?
2,000 Frames Per Second
Advancements in cameras project a 1/1,000,000, per second frame camera coming out before the end of the year. I'm sure there will be some phemominal things done with that type of frame capture.
Have a look at this very cool video of a popped water balloon at a relatively pathetic 2,000 frames per second.
Very cool.
Have a look at this very cool video of a popped water balloon at a relatively pathetic 2,000 frames per second.
Very cool.
Free Online File Conversion Tool
Ever wondered how to download online files in any format you wish? For free?Zamzar is now offering a great, free tool that takes any embedded online video and allows you to save the video on your own computer in several different format option.
This really is fantastically easy to use. You can sign up for a free account, you can do it without signing up, or you can pay a fee for even more benefits.
I've used it without registering, and it worked well, and is very simple to use. Keep this valuable tool in your toolbox.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Blackboard Gradebook
One of the larger LMS (learning management systems) around is Blackboard, who has finally overhauled their Gradebook in the next release of 8.0. You can see a preview of the gradebook's release here.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Nanobots and Cancer
There's a lot of questions floating around asking about nanobots, and what are the actual application of them. It all sounds so sci-fiction, and sounds a long way off.
This story from 60 minutes (12 minutes long) shows some of the future applications of the nanos, and how the greatest of scientific discoveries can come from the most unlikely of sources. While this is still several years away, and is still a long way from a saviour, it is a good indication of how close the world is to the land of sci-fi.
This story from 60 minutes (12 minutes long) shows some of the future applications of the nanos, and how the greatest of scientific discoveries can come from the most unlikely of sources. While this is still several years away, and is still a long way from a saviour, it is a good indication of how close the world is to the land of sci-fi.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Laptop of 2015
I do enjoy a peek into the future, speculative though they may be.
While computer advancements have come light-years in the last decade in terms of speed, memory, data storage, processing power, connectivity, convergence, etc, the basics around them have not changed much at all. Daily use of a computer/laptop still maintains the mechanical keyboard and mouse, which, beyond the ergonomic and wireless advancements, have advanced very little. This prediction shows the advancements yet to come, but seemingly quite reasonable in projection.
2015 is only a few years away... check out what you'll be working on here.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
"Industrial Schools"
Less than a minute long, have a look at this commentary by Stephen Heppel.
One idea in particular that I've grabbed on to is the idea that schools are still based on the industrial revolution model. While this is something I've been suggesting for a while now, I too am disappointed in the lack of progression and forward thinking our education system is giving to getting out of the industrial age, when the rest of the modernized world has long since moved on.
In our province of Alberta, we have established through public funds excellent, stable high-speed internet to every school, yet many of those schools have little computer access for the students. Most school networks are tightly locked down so even those few students who have computers of their own they could bring to school can't access the network. I'm interested to check out post-secondary campuses to see if they are following their American siblings in offering campus-wide WiFi for students to access.
In this day and age, why are not most of the students provided laptops and WiFi access in schools, starting in Div II?
Heppel predicts 10 years of 'lost' children. I hope and hope it's not that long, but I do not doubt his prediction. I'm disappointed by it.
One idea in particular that I've grabbed on to is the idea that schools are still based on the industrial revolution model. While this is something I've been suggesting for a while now, I too am disappointed in the lack of progression and forward thinking our education system is giving to getting out of the industrial age, when the rest of the modernized world has long since moved on.
In our province of Alberta, we have established through public funds excellent, stable high-speed internet to every school, yet many of those schools have little computer access for the students. Most school networks are tightly locked down so even those few students who have computers of their own they could bring to school can't access the network. I'm interested to check out post-secondary campuses to see if they are following their American siblings in offering campus-wide WiFi for students to access.
In this day and age, why are not most of the students provided laptops and WiFi access in schools, starting in Div II?
Heppel predicts 10 years of 'lost' children. I hope and hope it's not that long, but I do not doubt his prediction. I'm disappointed by it.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Next Steps in Hand-helds
The LucidTouch is still in a very rudimentary, prototype phase, but you can quickly see the potential of who this style of technology may quickly change the hand-held device world. In an era of convergence, this style of interaction is only a few years/months away.
Our LucidTouch prototype allows users to interact with screen content by touching the back of the device. The device allows users to target accurately by providing visual feedback of the users hand. This effect of "pseudo translucency" is created by sensing the hand behind the device and rendering a translucent version onto the screen.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
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