Interactive Science

Derrick Meador on About.Com/Teaching offers several interactive science websites below.
http://teaching.about.com/od/tech/tp/Interactive-Science-Websites.htm
Since I am not in the Science field, I was unaware of some of these sites.  One that I have used before is Gizmos, which is not included here.  The article includes these free sites:  EdHeads, Try Science, National Geographics, Wonderville, and Science Kids. Each site seems to be very cool, so I have bookmarked them all.

Technology in the Classroom

I found an interesting article on About.com/Teaching entitled, "Technology in the Classroom:  5 Types of Technology Needed in Every Classroom".  The article names the internet, digital cameras, Smartboards, Document Cameras, and LCD Projectors.  Wouldn't it be lovely if every classroom could have these items?  As many of us have heard time and time again, "It's not in the budget."  Most teachers have these items on their wish lists.  I know that I did.  I was the Computer/Technology teacher and couldn't get many of these items, even though other classrooms did.  There are many districts that truly can't afford the items, let alone books.  However, isn't it funny to see how the budget does get dispersed in many instances?

Students of today are a part of the digital generation, but sadly there are so many that will not be able to fully partake of all of its fruits.  As a teacher, you may simply have to work with the bare minimal, but do your best to incorporate the technology that you do have within your curriculums.  Where there is a will, there is a way... 

Page Not Found

How many times do we research something to find that the links can no longer be found?  What about when you try to view reference links attached within an article or other online information to find the reference page/link no longer there or it has moved?  Wouldn't it be great if there were always redirects given to find the information that you are seeking?  Boy-o-boy, wouldn't it be lovely???

Advances in Technology for the Blind

There is another great article and video published on ABCNews.com that talks about new advances in technology that has been created to help the blind.  The new technology prints photos that allow them to feel the facial features and ultimately recognize the photo.  The technology research is being led by an ASU associated professor and they are trying to get software companies to put it on the market.  I see this as being a technological advance that makes you feel warm inside.

New Facebook App

There is a new application on Facebook to notify when the relationship statuses of users change, a video on ABCNews.com states.  I can see this as a good and not so good thing.  This app can cause some real issues later.  Some are watching to see what their ex's are doing and some are using it to find lost loves.  There are some really crazy people out here that could ultimately use it in a very negative way.  Technology can sometimes be used for the bad and the good. 

I am personally not a Facebook user because I don't feel the need to be found...

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/facebook-breakup-notifier-app-helps-stalk-crush/story?id=12971622

What are your thoughts?

Is it fair?

All of the stories related to Jeopardy's Man vs. Machine (Supercomputer) are really concerning.  Is it really fair seeing that a computer can be loaded with milllions upon millions of pieces of information and is able to retrieve it in a matter of seconds.  Do you think that it's fair?

Robber Caught via iPad GPS?

I saw a video on ABCNews.com today in the Technology section that was about a suspected armed robber that was caught due to the GPS on the victim's iPhone that was synced to her iPad.  Her iPhone and jewelry were taken while she was in her driveway, but she still had her iPad at home.  She used her MobileMe app, which helped police track him down.  Isn't that something?  Technology has come a very long way and continues to amaze us, year after year.  Watch out Mr. Bad Guy, technology may save the day!!!