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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Friday, December 10, 2010

Bring your epic to life with Plasq's "Comic Life 2"

If you have ever dreamed of creating your own superhero comic, now's your chance. With Thursday's release of "Comic Life 2," Plasq is giving comic book geeks the tools to build their own comics with the ability to import photos and upload the finished product to Facebook. The new version includes "smart shape" and free-form drawing tools, as well as a slew of new templates that users can customize at will.
 http://www.macworld.com/article/156309/2010/12/comic_life_2.html

Monday, December 6, 2010

How one school uses technology to make learning interactive

A Horry County, S.C., elementary school is using technology to implement interactive learning at all grade levels. Students as young as kindergarten are using technology such as iPods, white boards and computers to create individualized instruction that meet each student's needs. Teachers also are using iTunes University to access resources such as podcasts from universities.
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/12/03/1847223/horry-students-plugged-in.html

Tablets, netbooks, thin clients, cheap desktops! What to buy?

"I’m not talking about specialized applications or high-end media labs here. I’m talking about getting as many kids online, interacting and collaborating as possible, for as little money as possible." By Christopher Dawson.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/education/tablets-netbooks-thin-clients-cheap-desktops-what-to-buy/4378?tag=nl.e623

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Education-technology trends to watch for in 2011

Technology experts predict more schools in 2011 will adopt mobile computing, Web-based instruction and tech-based tools to monitor student progress, plus gauge their understanding. Experts also expect schools to expand online professional development for teachers and use more cloud-based applications in the coming year. 
http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/02/5-k12-technology-trends-for-2011.aspx

Friday, December 3, 2010

Thursday, December 2, 2010

3 Business Books that Make Great Stocking Stuffers

http://tiny.cc/nv7hn

How To Use the Six Laws of Persuasion during a Negotiation

This paper will introduce you to the Six Laws of Persuasion and teach you how to use them during a negotiation.
http://whitepapers.zdnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=258612&promo=590&tag=nl.e590

5 Rules of Effective Negotiating

Negotiation is an interactive process by which people reach mutual agreement on solving a common problem, but for many people this is easier said than done In this white paper, Taylor Sparks discusses five tips for helping you approach and carry out your negotiations with confidence. Rule number one? You won't know what you can get until you ask.
http://whitepapers.zdnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=930105&promo=590&tag=nl.e590

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

What do we tell our students about WikiLeaks?

WikiLeaks’ impact on foreign policy is considerable, even as we struggle to fully understand the magnitude of their latest disclosures. However, for our students, the questions of ethics and digital citizenship will need to be addressed right now.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/education/what-do-we-tell-our-students-about-wikileaks/4374?tag=nl.e623

The five most overhyped tech products of 2010

The pace of technology innovation quickened in 2010 but there were still plenty of overhyped products floating around. Here are the top five.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/the-five-most-overhyped-tech-products-of-2010/42155?tag=nl.e539

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Denmark weighs making Chinese an official subject in schools

Tina Nedergaard, Denmark's education minister, wants all students to learn Chinese because China may soon become one of the country's biggest export partners. Nedergaard wants Chinese to be made an official subject in public and private schools -- an idea endorsed by business and other government officials. 

http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/50481-chinese-language-classes-for-danish-kids.html

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The virtual classroom comes of age

Virtual classrooms aren’t just for distance education; they’re game changers for in-class interaction and out-of-class extended learning. By Christopher Dawson
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/education/the-virtual-classroom-comes-of-age/4338?tag=nl.e623

Monday, November 15, 2010

E-mail mania: Why does everyone want to be your inbox?

For a messaging medium that is reportedly dead, there sure is a lot of interest in e-mail these days. The lowly inbox has some mojo or it wouldn't attract the Web's heaviest hitters. By Larry Dignan

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/e-mail-mania-why-does-everyone-want-to-be-your-inbox/41644?tag=mantle_skin;content

Who's the biggest U.S. e-mail service of them all? (Hint: It's not Gmail)

On the day Facebook is expected to throw its hat into the crowded and competitive e-mail ring, it's worth noting what the current landscape looks like. By Mary Jo Foley
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/whos-the-biggest-us-e-mail-service-of-them-all-hint-its-not-gmail/7967?tag=nl.e539

Microsoft vs. McAfee: How free antivirus outperformed paid

How effective is free antivirus software? Ed Bott had a chance to see a real, in-the-wild example just this month, and the results were, to put it mildly, unexpected.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/microsoft-vs-mcafee-how-free-antivirus-outperformed-paid/2614?tag=nl.e539

Friday, November 12, 2010

Google Copies Bing. There. I Said It. By Stephen Chapman

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/seo/google-copies-bing-there-i-said-it/982?tag=nl.e540

Robots speak up and defend global warming

Nigel Leck developed a robot, that scans Twitter every five minutes for people tweeting negative things about global warming, and then answers them with scientific evidence showing them they are in fact wrong.  

RockMelt: The Next Social Browser

Rich Harris thinks RockMelt is a cool concept that was designed and engineered exceptionally well.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/feeds/rockmelt-the-next-social-browser/3119?tag=nl.e540

Firefox 4 beta 7 - Fast, but Chrome and Opera are faster

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/firefox-4-beta-7-fast-but-chrome-and-opera-are-faster/10325?tag=nl.e539

Medical travel to U.S. is growing, too

When people think about the idea of medical travel, they usually envision an American heading to a foreign land, such as Thailand, India or Mexico, but the inbound market for medical travel is also growing, a study by HealthCare Tourism International said. Neilesh Patel, executive director, said the growing upper and middle classes in India, South Korea, the Middle East and elsewhere are increasingly traveling to Western countries for medical procedures. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/world-travel-market/8124182/Adventure-holidays-for-the-over-50s.html

Thursday, November 11, 2010

20 Small Businesses of the Future

What seems like fantasy or science fiction today could yield "the small businesses of the future," according to Joel Stonington, who goes in search of 20 examples that could make trend-savvy entrepreneurs very rich indeed. 3D printing, bio-engineered body parts and holographic theater all get a mention, as does lunar tourism and lab-grown steak.
http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20101105/20-small-businesses-of-the-future/ 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Macy's gives employees a little "magic"

Macy's strives to generate passion and excitement among its workers so they'll fall in love with their jobs, says Lisa Gick, vice president of employee engagement at Macy's. Among her tactics: engaging workers through informal conversations that encourage feedback, and dubbing the employee handbook "100 ways to make magic." 
http://smartblogs.com/workforce/2010/11/08/lisa/

Saturday, November 6, 2010

How It Works: What Happens When You Search Google?

What actually happens when you type a search into Google? Just 5 minutes of your time and this post will have you up to snuff on how Google works - as well as a few SEO takeaways!

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/seo/how-it-works-what-happens-when-you-search-google/1211?tag=nl.e540

Friday, November 5, 2010

Justify 30 Minutes of Exercise

Some useful tips on justifing 30 minutes of exercise, by Chris Brogan.
1. Step Away from the Desk 
2. Learn Something
3. Schedule Calls
4. Clean Your Inbox
5. Just a Start
http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/lifestyle/article/justify-30-minutes-of-exercise-chris-brogan

The Criticism Sandwich: A Stale Idea

Some practical tips for taking the sting out of critical remarks, byBruna Martinuzzi:
1.  Focus the conversation on the future rather than the past.
2.  Replace the long diatribe with a dialogue.
3.  “Let silence do the heavy lifting.”
4.  Use the conversation as an opportunity to grow the relationship.

5.  Help the person save face.


6.  Use the salami-method when you establish goals for others.
7.  Give praise en route



http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/the-criticism-sandwich-a-stale-idea-bruna-martinuzzi

Friday, October 29, 2010

Five Ways to Shear Firesheep

Firesheep has made it possible for any moron to raid your Web use, but there are ways you can stop it. Here are a few of them, by Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/five-ways-to-shear-firesheep/283?tag=nl.e539

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

How iPads enter the workforce

iPad has exploded onto the scene. Who could have imagined that a tablet (a category introduced in 2001) would capture the imagination of employees and IT alike? But it did, and it’s kicked off an arms race for smart mobile devices. Every day, a new tablet appears: Cisco Cius, Dell Streak, Samsung Galaxy Tab, RIM PlayBook, HP Windows 7 Tablet, the list goes on. 

The question of the day, from Tad Schadler to all, is, " These post-PC devices will find a place in your company, but where?"
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/forrester/how-ipads-enter-the-workforce/532?tag=nl.e539

First look: Barnes & Noble Nook in color for $249

Barnes & Noble unveiled its colorized version of the Nook e-book reader today, and I was lucky to get a hands-on look of the device. Let's take a look.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/first-look-barnes-noble-nook-in-color-for-249/19445?tag=nl.e539

Software program connects students with Chinese instructors

Software program connects students with Chinese instructors
Students at a Connecticut middle school are learning Mandarin through
a software program called myChinese 360, which connects them with a
live instructor from Beijing via the Internet. An in-person instructor
supervises the students during class. Forty districts in 15 states use
the program, company officials say.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Scofield-introduces-interactive-Mandarin-class-721645.php

Indian tutors teach math to British students via the Internet

Indian tutors teach math to British students via the Internet
Teachers in India are teaching British students lessons in math using an Internet-based service called BrightSpark Education. The interactive tutoring program is in place in three state schools, and other schools and parents have shown interest. Some British teachers say they are concerned that the online program could eliminate some teaching jobs, but officials say the program is a supplement to classroom teachers.

Where is Akihabara?

A Tour of Tokyo's Geek Paradise
Akihabara, a neighborhood in eastern Tokyo best known as a gadget mecca, has become the epicenter of geek pop culture, where otaku (geeks) shop for Japanese animation paraphernalia and frequent cafes staffed by girls in maid costumes.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303467004575574620971335794.html?mod=dist_smartbrief