“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 the immortal words of Michael Buffer… LET’S GEADY READY TO RUMBLE!!!

So a while back I posted an entry about the T Mobile/Google Dream and their attempt to take AT&T/Apple down a notch or two.  Well boys and girls the day is quickly approaching for the first of many epic battles to come.

That’s right, all the rumors can be put to rest, the dream is a reality.  The combination of T Mobile’s network and brand new 3G technology with Google’s near godliness in the realm of computers has brought us (drum role please) the G1.  Check this out! The T Mobile G1

Impressive yes, iPhone hysteria worthy, we’ll see.

Personally, I can’t wait to find out.  But really, does it matter to us?  I mean obviously T Mobile and Google have put a lot of R&D as well as green into this, but anytime something like this is introduced to the us, the comsumers, it is a win.

Bringing 3G, near or actual broadband speed internet service to us anywhere there is a cell phone signal is an amazing tool.  We can work from the road, connect with family, stay up-to-date on the latest news, election coverage, and oh yeah… talk on it too I guess.  Could you have “dreamed” of this just 5 years ago?  Get it, it was initially called the Dream and I said could you have “dreamed”… anyway.

Now you look at Blackberry, the much more serious and can we say boring PC’ish type if you follow the Apple ads, of the do everything wireless phones.  They are now introducing a touchscreen model very much like the iPhone and G1.  The first time I saw their commercial showcasing the new phone the world suddenly became very clear to me… it really is true, everybody does want to be Apple.  Just kidding.

The point is we have just come that much closer to the rest of the world and we’re getting there quickly through high speed, universal, broadband access.

Now excuse me as I preorder my G1.

Until next time…

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)

Hey ed- body.  Back once again – it’s the INCREDIBLE “D”.   Naaw, for real.  How are ya’ll doin.  I’m well; I am well.  For the next few days I am going to make an effort to discuss the different technological ideologies of the running candidates.  Keep in mind that I have a counterpart that will be doing his own things on various Tech issues but mine, at least for a bit, will be on the technology stances touted by our two completely different candidates. As I have mentioned in the past; I won’t discuss who I am voting for but I will call a spade a spade.  If I think the idea is great, I will say so; if the idea is not so great I will make fun of it but isn’t that one of the beauties of a blog; you can take the political correctness right outta the politics.

Let’s start with McCain, today and his Technology stance.  Like President Bush, Mr. McCain believes heavily in a global market place. He says that “markets work best when there is robust competition” and believes that, as with other goods, the economy of technology should be consumer driven with minimal government regulation.  Mr. McCain (I feel like I have to call him “Mr. McCain” because he’s so old – sorry) justifies his stance by saying that “any new device will cost less because of more competition” consequently, the larger the competing arena the lower the price will be.

What about his ideas on the internet?  Well Mr. McCain believes that all individuals should have access to high-speed internet and the educational and economic opportunities provided by it, so as president he says he will encourage private companies to invest in the infrastructure that will help make this belief a reality.  I think that even Mr. McCain knows that private industry can and does fail at times (as all man made things tend to do) which is why he states that in the case where private industry can not meet the demands or needs of a market, local government can step in to help create infrastructure that will.

My three cents

So what do you think?  Personally – for the most part; I like this part of the plan but I am torn between the whole “Global Competition”.  On one hand GC will allow for lower prices and quicker technological advancement but at what cost - there is always a cost.  Will it be at the price of quality or jobs?  I think that those are valid questions when you take into consideration the problems we have been having with goods from other countries not to mention rising unemployment levels.  In January national unemployment levels were around 4.7% NOW they hover around 5.5%.  I can’t help but wonder if a little less globalization and a little more domestic investment in jobs might help us all out a little more in the long run. But I’m not an economist, just an opinion head and that’s my opinion.

I do like his ideas on the internet.  I am all for doing whatever it takes to make this technology available to all.  I like his contingency supplement; the idea that encourages local government to step in when private industry fails or when they (private industry)  think that they have picked all the low hanging fruit.  I think that it will take a balanced and concerted effort from both sides to make this goal a reality and again, I am all for an effort that can bring this dream to fruition.