'Tech Trends' Category

Classroom and Distance Interaction Enhanced with Turning Technologies

Published by Susan Smith Nash on June 24, 2007 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

Turning Technologies has announced the release of a cluster of products that are likely to change the nature of educational interaction in classroom and online.

What is the main complaint about the traditional lecture model — 300 hundred or more students packed into lecture halls with the sage on the stage professor? Most people would say the problem is the lack of student engagement. In the past, it has been impossible for students to meaningfully interact with the professor and with other students. Now, thanks to Turning Technologies, professors can take roll, poll students, ask for opinions, and then display responses with their PowerPoint presentation - all with a click of a clicker, provided by TurningPoint software. Turning Technologies has an array of audience response cards, or “clickers,” which work well with many lecture applications, ranging from K-12 to higher education, corporate training, and government.

The Rochester Institute of Technology has been using Turning Technologies’ response cards in its lecture-based courses that include 150 or more students. Using wireless response cards, students not only interact by voting and providing opinions on topics. They can also take quizzes (multiple choice, etc.), and can check roll. The results are gathered in a comma-delimited spreadsheet and imported directly into Desire2Learn, the learning management system used by RIT.

To encourage remote interaction, Turning Technologies is preparing to announce the general release of its VPad, software that allows individuals who are participating in a webinar or other synchronous online activity to vote and for the results to be instantly tabulated and displayed. The possibilities are pretty staggering, particularly in an election year, and in a time when people are seeking ways to improve efficiency in marketing research, census data collection, and more.

I’d like to see Turning Technologies use their products to gather census data. Their products, if used effectively, could collect the kind of data that could help states such as New York, collect census data accurately and thoroughly, and possibly avoid slipping to 4th place (behind Florida) and thus losing even more Congressional representation. Conversely, Florida could use the technology to gather data in hard-to-gather locations, en masse (say, in departments of motor vehicles), to overtake New York.

These are just a few of the possibilities. The point is, the future is interactive, and data gathering is accurate, efficient, and more flexible than ever.

Upgrades and New Uses for Online Personality Tests: The MBTI Online

Published by Susan Smith Nash on May 28, 2007 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

For the first time ever, users can take the complete Myers-Briggs personality type assessment, verify their types, and receive a high-quality interpretation at one place, completely online through CPP, Inc, at http://www.mbticomplete.com. While personality tests have been widely available on the Internet for years, some of the more complicated, more statistically valid ones, have been costly, or have required one to hire an expensive service for evaluation of the results.

For decades, individuals, corporations, the military, and other organizations have used personality tests, usually in the form of questionnaires, or “inventories,” to determine an individual’s personality profile. Matching a personality profile with a job can result in a better “fit” between the tasks and an individual’s interests. Creating teams with individuals who have complimentary personality traits can lead to enhanced productivity. Finally, supervisors and fellow team members can begin to understand, and have more tolerance for, trait differences.

Perhaps the most widely known and commonly used personality type indicator is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which was developed years ago by a mother and daughter team of psychologists. It has been used to help individuals better understand themselves and others, communicate more effectively, and lead more fulfilling personal and professional lives.

While there is no doubt that the MBTI has had enormous positive impact on the workplace, and has improved efficiently, morale, team-building, and even conflict resolution, it is useful to take a step back and ask a few questions:

1. Can an instrument based on self-reporting ever lead to real self-awareness? Will the individual ever be able to advance past the level of self-awareness they had at the moment they took the inventory?

2. Is there built-in bias due to assumptions about personality that are culturally biased? For example, does a test-taker from one culture understand introverted to be something different than a person from a different culture?

3. Can using inventory results lead to labeling and stereotyping, which could result in individuals getting “stuck” in a role or a label?

4. Are we restricting ourselves unnecessarily with the MBTI? Are there yet undiscovered “off-label” uses that could help organizations and individuals with conflict resolution, career programming, training, education, marketing, and distributed project management? With the availability of the inventory, and the ability to take it online and receive a high-quality interpretation quickly, the possibilities have been expanded.

Perhaps on of the most valuable aspects of personality type indicators is that they can lead to enhanced self-awareness. Self-awareness is always desirable, because without it, it is difficult to develop cognitive strategies for change. Further, without self-awareness, it is difficult to understand differences in responses, and it is difficult to establish empathic relations.
First appeared at e-learning queen: http://elearnqueen.blogspot.com

Instantly Turn Your Image Files Into a PowerPoint: Full Version Available Now

Published by Susan Smith Nash on October 3, 2006 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

The full version of GLTImager, an amazing time-saving program for anyone who has to make a presentation that includes lots of graphics, is available for sale. GLTImager takes your image files, and in a one-click process, populates a PowerPoint presentation. The graphic files do not have to be the kinds you’d use on a web page (jpg or gif). GLTImager is much more flexible and can use the files that engineers, scientists, geologists, geophysicists, doctors, nurses, health professionals, professors, students, designers, architects, accountants, strategic planners, marketing consultants use. The application is perfect for business, education, technology, medicine, and more. This program has other powerful features as well. It can organize image files, catalogue them, and either import or extract from Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or Powerpoint.

Prefer to listen to the description? Here’s a downloadable mp3 file. http://www.beyondutopia.net/podcasts/dogandponybot.mp3

For a limited time, the a limited function demo version of the program is available for download.
For demo version (”lite” version - many features not functional), click here: http://www.zenzebra.net/dogandponybot/GLTImager_demo.exe

The full version is available for purchase on a CD for $29.99, here http://www.cafepress.com/gltimager

The GLTImager is perfect for use with social networking groups and communities that share images such a Flickr (www.flickr.com), myspace.com, and Live Journal. (http://www.livejournal.com).

Presentation for Conference or Work: You can upload all the charts and graphs that represent your unit’s financial data, marketing and demographics, financial performance, human resources breakdown, and more. Alternatively, you may wish to provide graphic support for the business decisions you are recommending. Create great charts and graphs, put them in a separate folder, organize them in the order you’d like them to appear in the presentation, and boom! You’re in business. Expect a raise and a promotion.

http://www.dogandponybot.com
Click link for of scanning electron microscopy by Roger Slatt, Ph.D.

Photos from the Field on Digital Camera: For people who do outdoor photography or videos for profession (geology, botany, etc) or hobby (flowers, scenary), glt imager is ideal for quickly converting jpegs from digital cameras into powerpoints or presentations using Corel Draw. It is also good for downloading directly into an application program such as Adobe Illustrator.


Video by Dave Feiden. http://www.davefeiden.comSelling Your Car: Ever wish you could show more of what you’re trying to sell than just a collection of flat images? Take great shots of your car, then create a powerpoint instantly. Add text, even music. You’ll be amazed at how effective your presentation is.
Video by Dave Feiden. http://www.davefeiden.comVictoria’s Wedding: If your social network community (xanga.com, livejournal, yahoo360, myspace) allows sharing, you can save your new files into a separate folder, and then with one click, create a powerpoint! Here is specifically what to do if you want to send your family members a digital keepsake of your cousin Victoria’s wedding. Download your cousin Victoria’s wedding pictures from Flickr or Yahoo360 (http://360.yahoo.com) into a file folder on your desktop, hard drive, or on your flash drive, then with one click, presto! you’ve got a powerpoint presentation. Then, you can even write captions, add animations, and add music.School Presentations with Stunning and Provocative Photos: Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone from YahooNews is one example. You may wish to make a presentation for your class and incorporate photojournalism, travel shots, or nature photography. For example, if you’re doing a paper and a presentation on Costa Rica, you might want to include a photograph of the sculptures of cherubim and seruphim found on the face of a gothic cathedral in San Jose.

Or, alternatively, you may enjoy the photos from the Great Barrier Reef taken by Flickr member CharltonB and posted here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlton_b/24577309/

Here are features of the GLTImager program.

Features - What GLTImager currently does…
) Reads native image formats of JPG, GIF, WMF, EMF, BMP.
) Reads application COM images using Corel Draw 10 & 12, Adobe Illustrator 10, MS-Powerpoint 2000 & XP & 2003 if said applications are installed
) Has a Library of Images
) Has a Project of Images
) Create a Project from the Library
) Always creates a 200 pixel resolution image (JPG or GIF) for each image for both the Library and Project.
) Can view Image Properties
) Can import and save caches of the images at specified sizes and types
) Can set a Rotation flag (90, 180, 270 degrees) for an Image (of type JPG, BMP or GIF) in either the Library or Project and that setting is applied for each cache loaded
) Can set a Flip flag (top to bottom, left to right) for an Image (of type JPG, BMP or GIF) in either the Library or Project and that setting is applied for each cache loaded
) Internal support for exporting a Project of images to MS-Powerpoint
) Printing of an Index of images (either from Library or Project)
) Exporting a set of Images (either from Library or Project) to PDF format without use of external drivers
) Open an image (if original is available) in the image’s native application
) Viewing the Library or Project of images as a multi-column list
) Viewing the Library or Project of images as a full-screen multi-column list
) Saving a Library or Project of images to a single compressed file (.GLI file) with samples and cached images (if used) for opening on other systems with GLTImager
) Opening of a GLT Imager file format to the Library or Project.
) History of opened GLT Imager (.GLI) files for the Library and Project
) Fully integrated Help System with text, images, animated images and links (requires Internet Explorer 4.0 and above to function)
) “Search for Images” capability along with advanced options for caching different versions of an image
) “Drag and Drop” capability to quickly and easily load images into the application

The GLTImager program was developed by Andrew Slatt. All rights reserved.

video by Dave Feiden. http://www.davefeiden.comUseful Resources:
http://www.flickr.com
http://www.mystikmedia.com/autoimager.asp perfect with GLTImager.

Tech Trends — May 5, 2006

Published by Rob Reynolds on May 5, 2006 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

Here’s our take on news that matters for Thursday, May 4. Today’s theme is it’s still going around , and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.

Tech Trends — May 4, 2006

Published by Rob Reynolds on May 4, 2006 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

Here’s our take on news that matters for Thursday, May 4. Today’s theme is it’s still going around , and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.

Tech Trends — May 3, 2006

Published by Rob Reynolds on May 3, 2006 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

Here’s our take on news that matters for Wednesday, May 3. Today’s theme is are you real? , and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.

Tech Trends — May 2, 2006

Published by Rob Reynolds on May 2, 2006 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

Here’s our take on news that matters for Tuesday, May 2. Today’s theme is they’re still here , and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.

  • Gaming — Looks like we can expect details on Nintendo Lite pricing and launch info later this week. Also, Electronic Arts will be releasing the new role playing game “Orcs & Elves” to Verizon Wireless customers this month.
  • Blogging, mediacasting, and online creations — If you haven’t been following this controversy, The Los Angeles Times has taken action against Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Hiltzik for blogging under anonymous names. The editor’s note at the Times read: “The Times is discontinuing Michael Hiltzik’s Golden State column, which ran in the Business section, because the columnist violated the newspaper’s ethics guidelines. This follows the suspension last week of his blog on latimes.com, which also has been discontinued. Hiltzik has acknowledged using pseudonyms to post a single comment on his blog on latimes.com and multiple comments elsewhere on the Web that dealt with his column and other issues involving the newspaper.”

  • Handhelds – Visa and Nokia are testing a new Cell Phone/RFID combo in Malaysia that will allows users to make purchases of in-store goods using their cell phones. This technology is aimed at eliminating the need for customers to carry credit cards. “Houston, we have confirmation. Apple and the record labels have agreed to stick with their pricing of $.99 per tune.”
  • Social Networks – beginning today, you can get your new Helio phone and service. This is the newest venture by Earthlink founder Sky Dalton and is aimed at the younger generation who want social networking and other rich media extended to their cell phones. Pete Cashmore has this review of kSolo, an online karaoke site. Yep, you heard me. I’ll even hum a few bars if you like.
  • Technology Talks — Microsoft has announced that it will spend an additional $2 billion on technology acquisition in the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1. This jives with Microsoft’s commitment to position itself more competitively against Yahoo! and Google, as well as the company’s historical pattern of being a second mover in technology trends. The New York Times has this good article on how the battle between Microsoft and google will shape the future of how we access information.

Tech Trends — May 1, 2006

Published by Rob Reynolds on May 1, 2006 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

Here’s our take on news that matters for Monday, May 1. Today’s theme is they’re still here , and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.

  • Gaming — Well, there’s a new game in town, or at least a new physics chip for games. The new chip is designed to add a new level of reality to game play. ”
    Buildings will blow up spectacularly, football tackles will become more
    bone-crunching, and cloth will flutter and crumple, lending a dramatic
    flair to online role-playing games.” Also, in the “no big surprise” category, Sony has announced that it is expecting big losses on its new PS3 console.
  • Blogging, mediacasting, and online creations — Napster is back to offering free music but it’s only free is you listen to streaming music from your computer and you are limited to the number of times you can listen to a track (5). These tactics seem peculiar to me given that they tend to be Web and Flash-based, something that many handhelds will be able to handle in the next 12-18 months. At that point, I guess it’s just the limited play of tracks that will be a detractor. I mean really, in two years downloading just won’t be that big of a deal to subscribers. Also, according to a study by Jacobs Media, podcasting may be the up and coming way to Rock.
  • Handhelds – Thankfully, researchers are working on a universal chip for cell phones that would allow any phone to sync with any mobile service worldwide. Now that’s useful technology!
  • Social Networks –
    MyNewPlace is an online apartment search service using a series of Web 2.0 services such as map mashups and blogs. According to this article, “The site differentiates itself from competitors by giving would-be
    renters the opportunity to post blog entries talking about their
    experiences and asking for tips, and by also providing Google maps
    showing apartments’ locations with even the simplest searches.” And yes, the video sharing space was already crowded, but now there is yet another player — SelfCastTV. Better look at it quick because it may not be around long as it offers no serious threat to YouTube. If you haven’t been checking out all the online video sites, never fear, Wired as this guide.
  • Technology Talks — A couple of good articles appeared over the weekend that addressed new advances with e-ink and other e-book technologies. The CNET article has more information on the iLiad reader along with a link to a nice slide show. The New York Times ran an article about Microsoft’s new Vista-based reader that allows users to download entire newspapers and view them offline on a handheld or desktop. Also, Yahoo is launching a new Technology news and assistance site. It will be interesting to see how they marry this effort with other Web 2.0 services.

Tech Trends — April 21, 2006

Published by Rob Reynolds on April 21, 2006 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

Here’s our take on news that matters for Friday, April 21. Today’s theme is onward and upward!, and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.

Tech Trends — April 20, 2006

Published by Rob Reynolds on April 20, 2006 in Tech Trends. 0 Comments

Here’s our take on news that matters for Thursday, April 20. Today’s theme is now that’s something I needed! , and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.