Monday, November 30, 2009

If you think we like SMS ?

Look at the SMS figures for asia
Short Messaging Services (SMS) and mobile voice services are proving resilient even during financial crisis, as SMS in Asia/Pacific and Japan are on pace to reach 1.9 trillion messages in 2009, a 15.5 percent increase from 2008, according to Gartner, Inc. In 2010, SMS volumes are forecast to surpass 2.1 Trillion, a 12.7 percent increase from 2009.

http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1236013

An Economic Argument for Cloud Computing

Interesting piece that looks at economic cost savings of cloud computing interesting though short piece.

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/731907


Saturday, November 28, 2009

We are the people weve been waiting for

Worth a watch widely released on the web at http://www.wearethepeoplemovie.com/ short clip form YouTube embedded below




whatever your view worth a watch and worth reflecting on . Given away as a free DVD with todays Guardian newspaper


What happens when the backchannel becomes the main channel.

Now I love using tools to follow conferences either in the venue or without . be it twitter sms what ever but here is an interesting article how do you as a presenter feel when your participants on the back channel either start criticising you or actually a debate is sparked off by you that that you don't pursue from the platform but they do. One to look at and examine especially if you show twitter streams live . The really honest article based around one persons experience at the recent Web 2.0 expo. http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2009/11/24/spectacle_at_we.html?utm_source=feedburner

The anonymity of twitter the collective crowd can lead to amazing but sometime it can also go wrong. Tiger woods car crash yesterday was just one example. twitter is a great tool but like anytool can take you in directions participants did not intend good or bad.

No comment but an interesting piece non the less.

 

Google marching into WiFi

Google giving free WiFi over Christmas period at US airports http://mashable.com/2009/11/25/google-airport-wi-fi/ Google have in the US looked at radio spectrum in the past how long before Google go further into telecoms.

Why mobile is so important in South Africa

Where UK broadband penetration hovers around 60%+ and global penetration at 22% look at figures for South Africa most technology advanced Country in Southern Africa is only 2% and yet mobile ownership is hige  http://www.prleap.com/pr/24676/.

Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda at  National Broadband Policy Colloquium in Midrand "The statistics put the global rate of average penetration for broadband at a mere 22 and half percent, with South Africa only accounting for just over one million broadband connections which translate to a penetration rate of only two percent,"

http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_print.php?iArticleId=5252777



Monday, November 23, 2009

MiFi goes pocket size

EMOBILE to offer the 3G All-in-One Mobile WiFi Router
"Pocket WiFi (D25HW)"

Main Features

  • HSPA compatible (maximum downlink speed: 7.2Mbps, maximum uplink speed: 5.8Mbps)
  • Up to 5 devices can be connected simultaneously
  • Approx. 4 hours of continuous possible with built-in battery
  • Compact size of approximately 80g that makes it perfect for carrying around
  • Simple installation through WPS-compatibility
  • Card slot compatible with up to 16Gb microSDHCTM cards
  • USB cable connection available
no idea on price yet !!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Google to Caption YouTube Videos

This is a really huge story they are going to caption YouTube video wow wow wow !!  See story from New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/technology/internet/20google.html?_r=2&ref

2009 Horizon Report: Economic Development Edition

In times of recession the subject of this report could be of interest to many .

The 2009 Horizon Report: Economic Development Edition explores the landscape of emerging technologies as it pertains to small to medium-sized businesses.

Even in the US majority of people are employed by Small to Medium sized enterprises

thanks to Richard Scullin of mobile ed for the link http://www.nmc.org/publications/2009-horizon-biz-report


overlay AR technology interesting video

Promotional video but interesting example of AR overlay technology this technology is near horizon not far horizon . Worth a look .Professor Chris Dede of Harvard Business School these are technology not of far fututre but tomorrow morning !!



MScape Game Demo: Roku's Reward

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Hayesbrook School

ICT young leaders project at Hayesbrook School http://www.hayesbrook.kent.sch.uk/yictl/index.htm

Interesting project that I had joy of being exposed to yesterday. Great use of appropriate technology to enhance the learning experience.

This exciting new leadership award enables students to gain valuable experience and responsibility within the field of ICT. Similar to the Sports Leaders Award, the YICTL is comprised of six units. Each unit develops a different aspect of leadership.

Some of the leadership tasks might include: support in ICT classes, support/ delivery to small groups, create resources for cross-curricular ICT, run ICT clubs/ workshops for staff and pupils, extended workshops for gifted and talented students, develop and maintain annual update news/ newsletter, run ICT clubs/ workshops in local primary schools, develop a student council website and forum (intranet).

Evidence for the award is collected, logged and presented through the e-portfolio (see link above). It can be in the form of text, video, images, sound recordings and more. To pass, all criteria must be met and sufficient evidence presented to your tutor/moderator.




Taoiseach launches €150m plan for 'smart schools'

Irish government has launched a 150 million euro for smart schools

Every classroom in the country is to get a teaching laptop, software and digital projector over the next three years as part of a €150 million plan for 'smart schools' launched today [Monday] by the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD

http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?maincat=&pcategory=10861&ecategory=10876&sectionpage=12251&language=EN&link=link001&page=1&doc=46554

worth a read

BBC iPlayer launches Wii channel

Not at home to set it up but will be doing this on Friday . Good one !!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8357777.stm

Social networks could help community college students

US article about community college a US equivalent of FE colleges http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-11-16-ccsse16_ST_N.htm?csp=34

Worth reading a comparing with the work of james Clay and colleagues at Gloucester College using Facebook to support learners at a UK FE college.

A Better Safety Net: It's time to get smart about online safety

Interesting article on e safety and how one organisation views it . Its up to you to make your mind up but worth a read .

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6703696.html

not sure I like another .0 tag but worth a read and compare with your or your organisational stance on e-safety

Those moles are reaching for the clouds again !!!

Well done to Wirral sixth form college for winning a Molenet 3 bid and looks like they are setting up theyre own cloud .From the Wirral globe http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/archive/2009/11/14/News (wirralnews)/4739151.Wirral_Sixth_Form_college_secures_funding_for_after_hours_online_access/

If your interested in mobile learning or learner mobility worth looking at

http://www.molenet.org.uk/



Friday, November 13, 2009

PARASYNC Charge & Sync Dock for 20 iPod / iPhone Devices

Now not recommending this product but struck me as potentially useful for those using the pods in whatever form in education . Thanks to Steve Bunce for reminding me and filling gaps in my lack of memory !!



Saturday, November 07, 2009

free guide to google wave

Confused about getting on the wave and staying on?

The is worth a look http://completewaveguide.com/

Friday, November 06, 2009

Technology and Social Isolation

Interesting report from Pew research organisation in the US


worth a read does tech banish or add to social isolation. Some finding obvious some less so. Pew work is always over large sample so worth looking at for US perspective

Download report at
http://pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2009/PIP_Tech_and_Social_Isolation.pdf

Thursday, November 05, 2009

R U the Next Bill Gates

Thought this looked liked a bit of fun


The Next Bill Gates competition is launched by XMA who supply IT products
and solutions to colleges, universities and public sector organisations.
With sponsorship from their partner Toshiba,
 They have launched this new nationwide competition open to anyone, of any age,
who is starting University in 2010 and considers themselves to be an IT wizard – just like Bill Gates.

if you fit the criteria give it a go ! A nice approach In my humble opinion but as usual you make your mind up !!

Have a look at http://www.thenextbillgates.co.uk
Of course other products area available


Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Nokia - ShowPressRelease

Low spec phones hardly but note useful things flashlight very long
battery life http://www.nokia.com/press/press-releases/showpressrelease?newsid=1352294