Is Google getting Evil? FAT: Facts and Technology - 7

Computers vs books

Flaring up into a seemingly never-ending battle on the educational horizon is the textbooks versus computers battle — and everyone is taking sides, says L. Williams in an article published not long ago in the Sydney Morning Herald.

A group of confident educational consultants and e-learning experts have boldly predicted the "death of textbooks" in about five years, even though their predecessors in the industry, who saw the invention of the computer as a revolution in the way people learn, have been making the same prophesyever since the computer was introduced. "They said that 15 years ago," said Dr Stephen Germic, Chair of Liberal Arts and Assistant Professor of English at American University of Dubai, "but I strongly disagree. Books are never going to disappear… there is a subtlety to teaching methods and critical thinking that can't be translated into a higher quality, technological force." These conflicting views have placed textbooks at the centre of a power struggle currently thriving in classrooms… but can a five-century-old culture of print legitimised as a significant source of authority be effaced by a two-decade old digital culture plagued by broadband connections that give access to chaotic, unfiltered information? This is a current concern of both teachers and parents. Dinosaurs of our age Substantiating allegations that textbooks are the dinosaurs of our age are the textbook-free high schools springing up in various states of the US and neighbouring countries, which are supported by governments, educational institutions and staff and parents alike. According to the article, The Department of Education in Mexico has completely cut off textbook supply, issuing instead "smart boards", which are electronic blackboards connected to computers and the internet, a similar idea to WebCT offered by universities, but more comprehensive and operating live in the classroom. Learning to learn So is this really a better, more dynamic and fun way to learn? Is it time for the revolutionary historical shift to materialise? What most people are unaware of is that technology doesn't simply mean more convenient, lightweight CDs or online texts that banish heavy textbooks — it is instrumental in changing the entire way in which we think and learn.

"Technological developments have certainly changed the nature of learning," said Dr Germic, "and the implications of these learning methods are beneficial as they can deliver to a larger audience." Furthermore, whereas textbooks provide static information in which a uniform version of knowledge is transmitted in one direction, the internet on the other hand is immune to such standardisation of knowledge. Through digital learning, students can research, filter and assess information, then construct their own versions of knowledge from multiple sources. Subsequently, this more interactive way of learning is culturally enriching in terms of the research process and the outcome, offering students a more convenient version of reality that helps them understand the world. Most middle of the line schools have internet access and teachers can steer students when it comes to online learning resources and research. From posting homework online or chatting about novels on the online forum, thus encouraging discussion amongst peers and allowing the shy ones to speak up, worthwhile progress is being made. The technologically challenged The main goal of the e-learning model‚ — tailored to suit varying aptitudes — is to teach students how to learn and evolve themselves by turning them into independent and confident researchers. An obvious concern is whether there is a mismatch between the digitally literate younger generation and the digitally challenged older adults, teachers or parents, who are products of the print culture. Many teachers realise the importance of keeping up with this cultural shift in which vital learning areas such as maths are now explored through new ways like animation, so keen on staying ahead, teachers have been educating themselves at public and private learning centres and labs. As for parents who fail to come to grips with these changes, opt for the protection and limitations of books, which they view as more productive than the mayhem of Yahoo or Google. According to Dr Germic, this is essentially a matter of "change in skills versus a change in values… which is why there needs to be more control of how information enters the students' minds." "E-learning has clearly increased the opportunity to violate integrity as any sense of ownership diminishes," said Dr Germic, and testifying to this is a problem quick to take its toll-the cut-and-paste trend where kids are simply cutting and pasting their essays for submission in classes. Although there has been a recent explosion of websites exposing plagiarised essays being set up and used, which have rendered this solvable, Dr Germic still believes integrity is a "massive problem yet to be adequately confronted by the industry." Technologically infatuated Moreover, holding the revolution back is the prevalence of hard copies of fiction, history, biography and autobiography books that children still insist upon having. Then again, students and teachers also demand add-ons like the CD version of the book as well as online content and updates — making it clear that the book alone won't do. "There is massive investment in the publishing industry that will always keep books around," says Dr Germic, "and the value of books also comes from the fact that they can be taken to all sorts of places that computers can't." Consequently, rather than signaling the death of textbooks, this seems to point towards a compromise where the change may be taking place but at a slower pace than first thought, if not only because of existing investments in the industry, the high costs of equipment and maintenance or the shortage of teachers with IT skills, then just that feeling of precaution attached to something so new and unprecedented. "The chalk and the chalkboard are irreplaceable pedagogical tools," says Dr Germic, "and we shouldn't allow ourselves to get lost in our infatuation with technology." Cutting off books Schools are generally able to freely make decisions concerning the introduction of technologically advanced equipment as a teaching method. However the actual rate of change that any given school experiences when it comes to this issue is governed by the availability of funds for such new and expensive technology as well as the provision of teachers that possess the skills to use it. Fortunately, the Ministry of Education in the UAE plays a pro-active role in pursuing high quality educational strategies like the e-learning strategy as well as advocating the use of advanced technology in educational institutions of the country. In Australia, a number of fundamental steps have been introduced to carefully and successfully bring about this so-called revolutionary change, starting with Mathletics — a new online mathematics teaching tool that has been bought by more than 700 Australian private and government schools. Mathletics enables more than 600 young children to work online on an electronic version of additions and subtractions, or even playing maths games against kids across the country, as the programme simultaneously reports their progress to both their teachers and parents.

Easiest way to save youTube videos

Kiss youtube offers a creative way of downloading video clips from YouTube. There are no browser bookmarks involved and no software to install. Just remember the KISS ( Keep It Sweet & Simple or Keep It Simple Stupid) principle.
While you are watching a video clip on YouTube's website simple add the word kiss to the video URL in your browser address bar and hit ener. The video is now ready to be saved on your computer in FLV format. For instance, if the YouTube URL is something like youtube.com/watch?v=PkPKLXIGF2Q&feature=dir, you can download the clip by adding the word kiss in fron the youtube.com domain name. hence the final address would be kissyoutube.com/watch?v=PkPKLXIGF2Q&feature=dir and the resulting page will include a one-click download link.
Note : You'll need FLV video player to play the youtube videos you downloaded in this way.

Surface Technology from Microsoft

Microsoft has unveiled "Surface," a tabletop computer with multi-user touch-screen interface. Surface's slick site shows various uses for the device, which appears to be able to discern the touch of a finger from a paintbrush or from a mobile phone.I think touch-based interfaces are pretty useful, but instead of looking at the big picture, glancing ahead towards a resurgence in tabletop gaming, I'm going to focus on the banal: Who wants to wipe this thing down every 15 minutes? Seriously. Surface is demonstrated as a smart replacement for a table. Think about the last time you were in your local coffee shop--did you spend a lot of time pawing at the table with your cheese-danish-coated fingers? Of course not.

Currently I could see this being used in bars. Image sitting around a sleek black table with a bunch of your friends and all of a sudden you notice your drink is empty. What do you do? You order a new one, except you don’t see the waitress anywhere near. Look to the table! You touch the table top, browse through the selection of drinks and slide your choice towards the Order section. Voila! The bartender receives your order and within minutes (hopefully) your waitress drops off your drink!

Do I see a future in a product like this? Sure! Will Microsoft send me one so that I can play with it? Probably not because Microsoft probably doesn’t know I exist and if they did, would they send me one of these tables (probably going to retail for like $8,000->$10,000) to play around with?
I’m just glad that there are people out there that are ‘thinking outside the box’.
What do you think? Will this type of technology become something useful? Is it really just a big touchscreen?

Virtual Borrowing

Its not a simulation of a bank or agel investors, neither its an online version of the popular money game Monopoly. Are you looking for more money for your dream house, or for the vacation that you have postponed for three years, or for paying off your credit card debts, or paying off your high interest bank loans. Then you can go for the all new ONLINE LOAN. Wow, tat's pretty cool isn't it.

In recent years, obtaining a loan online has become the fastest and most convenient way to take out a loan, especially a cash advance or payday loan. Before, borrowers were forced to visit payday loan stores and face long lines and unnecessary frustration. Today, a payday loan can be had by filling out a simple online form. You are usually instantly approved for the loan and have cash in your pocket within hours. Online cash advance loans have become the new standard, and they are making it easier for everyone to get the cash they need in a fast and discreet manner.
Whether you have excellent credit, bad credit, credit problems or are rebuilding your credit after a bankruptcy, you can still get an online payday loan. If you are thinking about taking out an online loan, visit one of our recommended lenders and you can be quickly approved and get the payday advance you want at the best possible rate.

Zopa is the world's first online lending and borrowing exchange for individuals, where the banks are shut out. Launched in March last year, the service now boasts 80,000 members, many with strange usernames such as Milkmongoose and Cowgirljo.The concept behind Zopa - Zone Of Possible Agreement – is simple. It matches individuals that want to borrow money with those that are prepared to lend money at a rate which both parties are happy to accept.
The service gives borrowers the opportunity to obtain money at much lower rates than what they would secure from the High Street. For example, loans can be below 5%, compared to the lowest rate of 5.6% available on the commercial market.
But it is lenders, who can put up between £500 and £25,000, that are flourishing under the system, with many finding they are getting better returns for their money than through traditional savings accounts.
Zopa claims that the service is like investing in another asset class, other than shares, property or cash, that will give a portfolio more diversification

Site : http://www.zopa.com/

Statutory Warning : Its only for UK residents

Here’s the way it works at Prosper.com: someone submits a request for a loan with the amount he needs and the maximum interest rate he will pay. Others “bid” on the loan, submitting how much they will loan and what rate they want. They don’t have to bid for the entire loan, of course. Then the bids with the lowest rates are combined to form the full loan. Sounds kind of like eBay, right?
The idea is to gain “reputation” by joining groups on Prosper, like say the PTA or … maybe something like Mensa. Of course, your Experian credit rating is another criteria by which lenders can choose to lend to you or not. Naturally, you have to worry about default, etc. and that’s all covered in Prosper’s Help sections.

Site : www.prosper.com

Statutory Warning : Its only for US residents

OK Guys now i have given you enough idea to sit and day dream. If you are one of those who has plenty of cash and thinking of some good idea to invest, please create such a website(P.s: ill create the website for u too ;) ) . We guys need cash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and a good place to borrow. rents are high, chai rates have gone up, we need cash!!!!!!!!!!!1

Gmail Hiccups

It seems that the Gmail has started giving hiccups again. In the present virtual world google has made us more dependable on its products, tat a day without gmail is like a month without FOOD,TV,SEX all put together. For one whole week i was trying to get a virtual connection to the gmail servers, but it was bouncing off. Finally i was able to find a way to get through!!!!!!!!. OK guys CHILL!!!!!!!!, be patient. Ill share it with you , just wait a sec.......

Before i share it with u, ill just let u know, that its not just us in Dubai, but the whole world is facing it....

: http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-6053454-7.html

Do u have the following symptoms ?

1. I was having the problems with gmail where the page is white with black lettering "Loading"in top left. Looked in GMAIL help pages at "I'm outside of the US. Why can't I access Gmail? ".

2. I can't get into my account. I cant even get to the Gmail site to try to log in

3. Temporary 'Oops' errors.....

4. Unable to sign-on today - message is displayed "username and password do not match"

Solution

1. Access to Gmail from countries and territories outside the United States may be limited because of proxy issues. If you're not in the US and can't log in to Gmail, try accessing your account at https://mail.google.com/.

2. Tools, internet options and delete cookies and files. It's up and running since then

Splash Screen

D'ubaiTECHies is a usergroup launched to bring together like minded techies in Dubai. Here you can look forward to the major IT happenings in this region. This blog is dedicated to all the techies of Dubai who would like to make use of their time in TRAFFIC a bit more creatively. Use ure pda's mobs to get updated on what's happening in the techie world in Dubai.Tune in ure equipments to start streaming........