“e-learning”. What does “e-learning” mean? I looked it up in Google and found over 20 definitions for it; the one I like the best defines e-learning as:

The delivery of content via all electronic media, including the internet, intranets, extranets, satellite, broadcast, video, interactive TV, and CD Rom. E-learning encompasses all learning undertaken, whether formal or informal, through electronic delivery. …

waveproject.com

As with most things these days education has developed an online counter part.  All through out cyberspace more and more e-learning resources are popping up. One of the more successful educational e-sources online today is “Thinkfinity.org”. Thinkfinity is an association of 10 organizations dedicated to providing quality online content that assists with both educational learning and professional development for students, teachers and parents alike. 

The applications found on Thinkfinity.org are actually really cool. Students can pick from four different categories when accessing these e-sources.

The apps. range from programs that walk you through the correct way to write a letter; to programs that let you compare the proportionate size of planets; to one that even walks you through building mechanical contraptions. These guys could trick the most stubborn student into learning because all the programs are actually fun.

As I mentioned earlier, students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the e-sources provided by Thinkfinity; teachers have a multitude of resources to enhance their professional development as well.  Educators have access to all the same apps as the students plus extras that allow them to, not replace, but supplement their day to day curriculum.   Links to sites like America on the Move  chronicle how “transportation transformed America” and Beyond the Classroom  is a site that guides educators through resources that can be used to help children and teens become more interested in reading.

Last but not least, the parents; parents get tools too.  Parents can take advantage of resources like A Family’s Guide.  A Family Guide shows parents how to encourage healthy attitudes about math (something I needed growing up). Alphabet for Parents is another link for parents found on Thinkfinity; this site offers suggestions, in A-B-C order, to help encourage interest and involvement in reading and writing.

I think Thinkfinity is an educational and informative one-stop-shop for students, teacher and parents.  Their platform provides material that is creative, fun and interactive. If properly used by all parties, I believe that it can make learning more fun; teaching easier and parenting more rewarding.

In a world where technology becomes obsolete the minute it is released should it be any surprise when the latest and greatest becomes a thing of the past?  No… however should it be a surprise when the biggest threat comes from a newcomer?  Maybe, but when that newcomer is one of the largest corporation’s in the world with a proven record of success I would have to say once again, no.

Last Monday the FCC approved Google… yes the same Google that has taken over the internet, in their effort to take over the wireless communications industry by introducing their Android operating system.

“There are twice as many phones as there are Internet users in the world.  This platform is a means of correcting this,” said Google’s Andy Rubin, who led the Open Handset Alliance initiative.

So not only is Google planning to bring an inexpensive smart phone to the market, but with full internet capability, a “planned iPhone killer” as reported by Engadget.

Other than using Google’s open-source platform nothing much is known for sure.  It will be built by HTC and is described as thin, about 3 inches wide and 5 inches long.  Unlike the iPhone, the screen is also touch sensitive: hold down your finger longer and the area you’re controlling expands.  The screen also swivels to one side revealing a full keyboard beneath.

It is speculated that it will use T-Mobile’s 3G network and Wi-Fi while fully supporting Google’s Gmail.  Venture Beat says, “FCC documentation makes it clear that the most exciting things about the phone may remain confidential until as late as Nov. 10.”

Why November 10 you ask?  Well that could be the day that this “Dream” becomes a reality and Google makes like George Washington, ready to chop down an Apple tree.

More details to come…

A possible design for the Dream (aka gPhone)