McWireless and social justice comes to a McDonald's near you

Image courtesy of Nicolatain

If you think about it, this is amazing. A burger chain has the ability to influence the future of a whole generation. But it might require a bit of philanthropy on their part.Flexible learning often requires access to computers and the internet, things that some students find beyond their reach. McDonalds new wifi hotspots established at many stores across the country provide half the solution. McDonalds believes they will allow customers to check emails surf the web or download video but there are also bigger burgers to fry. I challenge McDonalds to provide laptops to disadvantaged students so they can complete their studies over a dish from the deli choices menu, low fat, social justice, and, great marketing! Yes that's right McDonalds could become the missing link in providing better access for voacational education students. Now that would make a difference!McWireless

Teens prefer instant messaging

from Reuters (via Yahoo News):
A recent survey has shown that teens though 90 percent use email( an extroardinary statistic for educators in itself )they prefer instant messaging. Similarly nine out of ten use the Internet and many use instant messaging to send music or images.
For more information see yahoo

Redtacton: Broadband using human skin!

Redtacton a technology recently developed by NTT in Japan has the potential to ubiquitise computing in everyday life. The human body will become the conduit for this. Simply by touching stepping or moving machinery can be started or stopped. Embedded medical devices can be controlled. The applications are enormous, medical security and data transfer are just the start. Conferencing can be enabled without the use of wiring, and walls and desks and doorknobs can be conduits for data transfer. In education the applications are endless from lesson outlines to administrative forms data could be transfered quickly and easily without pedagogical intervention. If you hadn't thought it was time to reinvent yourself if you are a teacher perhaps you should have a rethink!! For more information have a look at Redtacton To be involved in their trials Contact Redtacton

A TV on your wrist

If you are a student of open university content does this mean you you will now be able to access your course content from the watch on your wrist? The wearable TV wristwatch promises just that.It mighty be a bit chunky to fit under the cuff of your best shirt but so was my 70's ultra cool diving watch. For more information go to smarthome and check it out.

PC's and E-learning

Often the criticism that is levelled at E-learning in the vocational education sector is that students will not have access to PC's in the home. Considering that a 300mz PC worth about $200 dollars is actually quite an adequate machine to access the internet this criticism is becoming less and less relevant in the new world order. Much more to the point is the way that the function of the PC in the home is being transformed. Not only are many people myself amongst them turning off free to air television and seeking out a better experience on the Internet manufacturers are also remodelling the PC to be physically a more central part of the home entertainment experience. The media centre PC is a perfect example of this. For the price of a top range consumer PC several years ago One and Co produced has a powerful and attractive entertainment centre that can display high definition television and Internet content similtaneously.