Student to teacher communication tool

Hello Guys, its been a while.
I was on the internet couple of days ago and I found something  interesting. It has to do with a student - teacher communication tool which helps to send class messages from the teacher to the students.

The tool is named classparrot.It is a nice tool where teachers can create a free account and are given a class code which will be distributed to their students.

If students or parents are interested  in signing up for text messages from the teacher, they simply text that code to classsparrot.

Teachers don't see student phone numbers and the students don't see teacher phone numbers. In fact,students don't even see each other's phone numbers.Teachers can then send class updates and reminders via text message to anyone that has signed up and smart phones is not required before you can make use of this tool.

Another great thing is that teachers can remind students of upcoming exams, send homework upates,event reminders and let parents opt-in to receive texts too.

this could be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view but if it sounds like something you are interested in , you should check it out and  may bring this to the attention of your lecturers or maybe if you are involved in a group assignment- this can be helpful.

Visit...  http://classparrot.com/

Something to think about Technology Advancement

It gets interesting and amazing everyday how technology is advancing and been used in this generation.  So I must say  welcome to the 21st Century!  I noticed that you don’t have to dial a ten digit number to call your peeps anymore. Speed dialing on mobile phones saves you your precious time. Just one click and your letter travels across continents in 2 minutes( emails).

Merit: Technology has made life very comfortable for us. Cell phones, computers and even robots vacuuming our carpets and scrubbing our floors. We have everything in our homes just a click of button away.

As technology as ben so advantageous to us , there are lots of disadvantages to it.

Demerit: I remembered a day I went to watch a movie and at the end of the movie it said “Beware of piracy”. Even after that I came back, opened my laptop and I Dowloaded the movies I wanted.

At times accidents occur on the highways just because someone was talking on the mobile while driving .

This means the driver or technology is putting his loved ones in jeopardy or his putting my loved one in jeopardy........
Well my main argument is that ,  I feel technological advances is widening the gap between the various classes of the society. I fear that this might cause conflict in the midst of the underprivileged or the less privileged section of society and lead to more crimes.

Now the question is that DO WE SLOW DOWN AS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES?

HAVE WE BECOME VICTIMS OF LAZINESS AND POTENTIAL DANGER BECAUSE  OF COMPUTERS AND CELLPHONES?

ARE THIS MACHINES RUNNING FOR OUR GOOD OR RUINING OUR LIVES?

Ebooks

Hi guys, I found an interesting clip on the internet. It is a cool video on the prospective for eBook format.  This is the kind of TECH that needs to worked on in recent times.

As we have heard of the EEE PAD Transformer and all forms of gadgets like kindles which enhances reading, but the challenge is that does it truly engage today’s students. In my opinion , I think there is need to strive for this level of creativity as u will see in the clip below. So I think this is amazing when implemented.  I know for sure that students would be extremely engaged.

As a student I feel that textbooks have become outdated. It’s very difficult to get students like myself to read them or to be interested in them.  The capabilities of this sort of technology go far beyond what any text book ever created would achieve. I really think this would be a great route for institutions.  It can be used in every single subject.

Let me leave you to imagine what this technology would be like if it was successfully applied to different modules like history, Social Studies or Sciences.

Opinions welcomed. What do you think?

Chrome Book. Could it be the next big thing for schools

Hello guys, thought u should know about this.

Recently,Google declared the arrival of the Chromebook. The chromebook is built for speed and easy access to the Internet through the new Chrome operating system.

They come in Wi-Fi and 3G versions, with prices ranging from $349-$499 depending on specifications.

It has fast start-up times of less than 10 seconds, (thanks to the solid state hard drives), an extended battery life of six hours or more, and a cloud based app system that stores all your documents, runs all your programs, and accesses all your multimedia needs.

In theory, your Chromebook will never get bogged down with resource sapping programs as everything is run direct from the web. It will never need any program updates, because all the apps are already on the web and will be updated for you by the developers. So, over time, it could actually get quicker!


Google is also hoping to get these into schools? They already have a page dedicated to business and education users, and will no doubt hope that they will be an easy sell to their Google Apps customers.

What do you think? Could this be the next big thing for schools looking to maximize their technology or are there better tools for the job?

A likely cause why GMAIL and Google Apps are slow.

Some might be wondering while Gmail seems to be slow in recent times. I have also been pondering on this because it frustrates me at times when I need to check my Email or use the Apps urgently. So I did a little research on the cause. Here is the reason........................

Google is requiring that Internet users should get a browser that is fully compatible or supports HTML 5. This will enable individuals to use their suite of online Apps.

If you are wondering what this means. This is it...

Well, if you are using Firefox 3.5, Internet Explorer 7, Safari 3 or older, you will notice that Gmail, Google Talk, Google Docs and Google Sites no longer work the way you might want them to and in no time they will not work anymore.

So, if you are frustrated at times why Google components are not working as they should be, this is a likely cause.

According to Google (2011), “As of August 1st, we will discontinue support for the following browsers and their predecessors: Firefox 3.5, Internet Explorer 7, and Safari 3. In these older browsers you may have trouble using certain features in Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Docs and Google Sites, and eventually these apps may stop working entirely.”

Up to date browsers are always a good thing. They are generally faster, more secure, and less prone to crashing.

So, it is advisable to update your browsers now.

Confession Apps on Smartphones.

In this generation,technology is taking over everything we do. Even the things that are meant to be done face to face or manually. In this recent high tech world,the Catholic Church is keeping up with the trend to reach out to every busy people.The Catholic Church has joined the 21st Century – it’s just approved a Confession app for the iPhone. the name of the apps been introduced is called iConfess, the first and original confession application for iPhone and iPad.


iConfess includes About Penance( this can mean remorse for your past conduct or repentance), which enables users to learn more about the Sacrament of Penance. Then there's the Examination of Conscience, that helps users to thoroughly reflect and examine their lives, to guide them for their confession. And lastly, there's the Prayer for Confession, which includes the Act of Contrition and other prayers.

The purpose of this application is to tap the interest of many busy Catholics who forget to keep in touch with their spiritual side.
there has been lots of critic and argument to this new app which I find difficult to support. The nature of sacrament is meant to be a person to person dialogue between the penitent and the priest.the question by several people is that ----"How can you be absolved (of your sins) if there is no priest?"
Am still trying to get the apps on my phone so as to know how it works. but I just keep on thinking and pondering how technology is taking charge over everything.

What do u think about such kind of apps?

Techology Integration

Incorporation of technology resources and technology-based practices into the daily routines, work, and management of schools is what I do understand technology integration to be.

The resources above can be understood to be computers and specialized software, network-based communication systems and other equipment. Practices include collaborative work and communication, Internet-based research, retrieval of data, and other methods. In all this may refer to the opportunities for individuals (students) to self-select technology tools that will allow them to think critically, communicate effectively, produce facts and take control of much of their own learning processes.
Furthermore, I refer technology integration to be the combination of rich content and effective method of instruction that creates learning opportunities difficult or impossible to replicate without the use of technology.

Obstacles.
Looking at the obstacles of technology integration with more focus on our classrooms.
The number one obstacle observed can be the individuals/lecturer’s attitudes and beliefs. Lectures attitudes and beliefs are powerful forces which significantly influence actions in our various lectures.
To implement technology integration successfully, lecturers must develop a positive attitude towards computers and feel comfortable using them as instructional tools. Lectures often feel nervous about technology because use of computers requires them to challenge their current role in the lecture halls. They may also find themselves in the role of student as many of the students find themselves teaching the lectures how to use aspects of technology which is an uncomfortable role for many lectures.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

My recommendation on how to improve techonology integration is that ..........
•Before creating a technology integration plan, institutions should establish a clear and concise definition for technology integration. This will assist in providing direction and bestowing common language.
•Schools should enhance technology literacy. It should be a goal of every school to ensure that every lecture venue contains a highly effective teacher. Effective teachers in a modern digital era that possess the skills necessary to use and keep current with modern technology tools

•Institutions should leverage instructional technology coaches. Many schools already employ technology integration specialists who already contain the essential blend of knowledge and technical skills. As technology coaches, these teachers should become the core foundation for technology integration efforts at the school level. Many lectures have not embraced blogs, wikis, social networks, iPads or digital cameras as teaching tools because they don’t understand their application or usefulness.
•There should be a continuation to fund technology initiatives. Technology is always shifting and changing. Consequently, universities need to ensure that there is consistent access to new technologies that they perceive as useful to their teaching. As more lectures begin to successfully integrate technology at a high level. It is very possible that the desire to have current technology tools at their disposal will increase.

CELL PHONE WALLET.

Hi guys, I found something interesting and I feel I should tell everyone about it. China as we know is developing rapidly in terms of technology. They have come up with something new again. Now your cell phone can be used as your debit card. This is a step to transform the way we shop. But is it that easy... let’s see....

Users only need to bring the phone to their service provider which will serve as the cell phone wallet, a valid ID, and about 22 dollars for a dedicated radio RFID card to replace their regular SIM. An RFID is also something new now and we carry these things or use them but we don’t know. The RFID refers to small electronic devices that consist of a small chip and an antenna. There is no extra service fee required.

The new SIM can be charged with cash at the site or by online banking. The whole process takes about 20-30 minute. After this, it begins to work like your debit card. Even now, People in Beijing can take the bus or subway by simply swiping their mobile phones.

Security Concerns.

Though, the new emerging technology sounds like a time saver and there is no waiting for charges or password typing but is it safe by not having all that?.The cell phone owner can check his cell wallet balance in the phone to see if the balance matches with what he buys. SMS will not be sent to confirm a transaction. When users recharge their balance, a password is required to transfer money to "My payment account" in the phone menu but no password is required either to further transfer to the virtual wallet or spend the money.

Though, it is interesting that people can swipe phones to make payments, so that they don’t have to go about with cards and stuff like that. If the phone is lost or stolen, are there safeguards to prevent a thief from going on a spending spree?

What do u guys think about this?. Do you want this technology in South Africa or not? .why?

watch out for my next blog on RFID..ALSO INTERESTING.