AS a middle school teacher of a school with only 10% low socio-economic students, you definitely see the gaps in computer knowledge with these students. Even though they get exposure during their k-12schooling, it is not enough to prepare them for the online education experience.

Very interesting! I am a little skeptical, like Maria said, "It would be hard to determine what influences who, the brain influences the machine or the machine predisposes the mind?" It would be something that I need to see or try for myself before I could make any statement of its worth. I do find this kind of technology a bit ambitious. It makes me think of a world where we come home and put a plug in our brain and get transported to another play at the stroke of a key on a keyboard, or learn karate like Neo in the Matrix. It just seems a little far fetched that you could strap a band around your head and control something.
Could this type of technology help the learning disabled? Who knows?

I never really drank much caffeine growing up. I didn't start drinking coffee until I was in college in my 30's. At first it was to keep warm on the chilly morning in Northwest Arkansas. I am not sure if it also picked my up or it just became a habit, but I drink at least 1 cup of coffee a day, sometimes 2 but only when my daughter is taking too long to get ready for school. I enjoy the taste, but of course I put creamer and sugar in my coffee for that added affect. It is interested how the webs are so different. To this day I drink very little soda either, it drives my kids nuts that I do not let them have soda whenever they want.

This is something I have thought about incorporating into my classroom, but always wonder if I am picking the right music for the right situation. I am like your daughter's Richard. I started college later in life and already had 3 kids. They were 3, 4, & 6 when I started and I would do my work as they came up asking for whatever their needs were or I would take breaks to meet their needs. To this day I do my work sitting in front of the t.v. with my kids coming to me asking questions about homework or whatever. Music can definitely affect our mood and emotions.
As to your questions, I like when stores have popular music playing in the background. I don't like the hourly specials being announced. I also don't like it to be too quiet while I shop, so I will sing a tune or something in my head. There is always some background noise in my house, we don't like the quiet very often.

Taking a MOOC course is on my list of to do's. I think it is a great opportunity to look into a subject of interest to see if it is right for you. I am curious if this venue will stay free or as the popularity goes up if universities will start to charge. Either way I think it is a great idea and I will definitely look into taking some courses as soon as I have those 48 hours a day...(:

Maria, I have to admit that I am guilty of standing in the way of technology. It is hard to incorporate the technology in a way that is resourceful and useful. I think Adam hit the nail on the head when he talks about the fact that today's student thinks of the technology as a toy not an educational tool, even if they played educational games. Martha has the key that the integration of technologies needs to be built on a strong foundation so that the new generation can see the ipad as a tool instead of a toy.

Maria you are absolutely correct! As educators we know what we should do, but it is not the easy road so we fall short sometimes in using proper methodologies. I believe there are many reasons "excuses" such as: classes are large with too many learning styles, paperwork gets in the way of planning, not enough time in class to apply methodologies. Let's face it when it comes down to the wire the use of methodologies are just good teaching skills, which should include the use of current technologies in the right context and for the right reason. I think too many times educational games just become "play" time and a break for the teacher to get other work done. They are called educational, but many times the kids just see the game not the educational aspect. Jennifer and Jeff, I don't think I could have said it any better. In order to be an effective teacher, one must incorporate the available tools in a way that meets the needs of the students. It all breaks down to how we use technology. Thinking about how "we" learned referring to those of us over 30 who did not have all this technology in school, we did turn out okay. If I talk to my colleagues who have taught more than 15 years they would say that the technology has taught our current students to be less effective at critical thinking when it comes to academics, yet they can learn, maneuver, and use problem solving skills to navigate the newest video games. Have any of you tried to play "Call of Duty" or "World of Warcraft?" They are not easy! It takes time, repetition, and good problem solving skills to get through each level. Maybe we as educators need to be more versed in the problem solving skills in popular games and be able to show our students the connection between the skills they use in the classroom and the skills they use in those games. It would give them the answer to that age old question, "Why am I learning this_____________?"