Group items tagged

"August 02, 2007 - Ellen uses Assistive Technology to go about her day to day life - both at home and in college. Ellen has Cerebral Palsy and has difficulty controlling her body - she is able to access her Assistive Technology using two head switches. Through these head switches, Ellen is able to drive her powered chair, communicate with people, access the computer and internet and control her TV and household equipment."

A FAQ from Educase answering common questions schools might have when considering the switch to Google Apps. Also has examples of schools that have decided for and against the switch.

How the Internet works. Free downloadable movie.

Also for 3.3 Networks I suggest some teaching of vocabulary required showing in class such as: proxy server, protocols (TCP/IP), router, switch, packet-switching.

"May 30, 2007 - Mike Phillips is a gamer and freelance technology writer born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Using his thumb and a proximity switch to access his computer he is a prolific journalist and has contributed chapters to several books. Assistive technology has opened the world for him. "

Students have always faced distractions and time-wasters. But computers and cellphones, and the constant stream of stimuli they offer, pose a profound new challenge to focusing and learning. Researchers say the lure of these technologies, while it affects adults too, is particularly powerful for young people. The risk, they say, is that developing brains can become more easily habituated than adult brains to constantly switching tasks - and less able to sustain attention.

"AN ANGRY red dot flashes at the top of your computer screen. As your mouse creeps over it, a message appears: ''Twitter use has exceeded the department average of 58.6 minutes per day - please self-regulate.'' A quick click and a display appears mapping your internet use, including a graph devoted to the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. It may be Orwellian, but this scene, or some variation, is coming to a workplace near you."

"Consumers are increasingly demanding the ability to do more with the latest technology, and we see 'smart homes' as the future. This technology gives you the ability to conserve energy because you use it more cleverly. You are in control, wherever you are." Your mobile phone will soon allow you to switch your domestic electrical gadgets on and off - and cut your bills - from anywhere in the world.

An interesting case study which looks at the cost of switching from Windows to Mac or Linux machines in a school. Provides good examples of the real world costs of IT, as well as other issues such as software availability and training.

In a span of minutes just after midnight on Jan. 28, a technologically advanced, densely wired country with more than 20 million people online was essentially severed from the global Internet.