Real Time chat with Live TV

Name: Birth of the Backchannel by Dan Fletcher

Source: 10 Tech Trends for 2010, Time.com

Link:http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1973759_1973760_1973771,00.html

Description: The idea of a “backchannel” is the idea of being able to have an online chat while watching live TV or a TV show. As described by the article, “The next generation of Web-connected TVs and software will include ways for people to monitor and interact with the conversation happening around an event, filtering live streams in real-time to display the most relevant discussions.”

Comments: This seems really interesting for many different aspects of teaching, but also with coaching sports. For example, I think this would be great to use with a soccer team during the world cup, or college games. The players could be watching the same game and we could all have an open conversation about the players and different plays while they occur. From a classroom perspective, this option would have been interesting during the last shuttle launch. We could be chatting with people near the launch site or schools in that area. I also think this would be a great way to have open conversations with professors about real time science.

Mobile 3D

Name: Kari Rose
Title: TR 10: Mobile 3-D: Mobile phones will take 3-D Mainstream
Author: Annalee Newitz
Source: Technology Review
Date: May/June 2010
Link to article
Link to one more picture
Description:
This article describes a phone released by Samsung in March that changes from a 2-D display to a 3-D display when the phone is held at a specific horizontal angle. This technology works without the need for 3-D glasses, which means it is likely to be more readily accepted than televisions that require special glasses. Unfortunately, this technology is not easily transferable to televisions because of the requirement to hold the device at a specific angle.

Comments:
Although this technology is not one created specifically for education, it could eventually have applications in education, particularly for concepts that are more easily understood in 3-dimensions. I can see this being especially useful in math classrooms studying the geometry of 3-dimensional shapes. I could also see applications for virtual field-trip type experiences. Since content can be experienced in 3-dimensions, students could view historical events or visit geographical destinations with more of a feeling of "being there." Coupled with a device like an I-pad or Kindle, this could revolutionize textbooks into a more interactive experience for students.

Dell Expands its Connected Classroom Solution

Name: Becky Woodman
Source: eSchool News
Publish Date: May 12, 2010
Link to article


Description:
Among some of the new technologies that Dell has recently announced to the field of education, is a new low cost netbook. The netbooks start at $389. A key feature of this new netbook is that the screen has the capability of being rotated so that students can read electronic texts, just as if they were holding a traditional textbook.

Comments:
This new netbook is one way that Dell is trying to stay up with the new technologies of teachers teaching 21st century skills to students. Dell understands this new shift in thinking skills, and is doing what it can to support teachers with new technologies that support teaching students the 21st century skills. Dell is taking a student centered focus as they are creating new technologies that can be used in the classroom. Dell is also in the process of creating new products that will address teacher's needs of differentiating instruction, and improving how students learn and work in the digital age. It is positive to see a company like Dell, working to improve the technologies that teachers are using today and in the future.

World Bank makes its data public

Name: Nadeen McCann
Title: World Bank's Open Data Initiative
Source: YouTube
Publish Date: April 20, 2010
Link to article

Description:
2.5 minute video in which World Bank President Bob Zoellick speaks about the Bank's new open data initiative. This organization sets an innovative example for others by recognizing the importance of open data access. Open data access is not new, but providing access on this scale is, and the information was not publicly available 6 months ago.
For more: data.worldbank.org

Comments:
The World Bank's database has current data on every country. Students can look up and compare trends in education, health and life expectancy, or any number of other combinations. The data gives students raw information about developing countries, which is a form of real information, rather than biased media-bytes. By making information available, anyone can contribute to problem solving in new and creative ways.

Virtual markers display augmented reality on cell phones

Name: Carmin Karasic
Source: msnbc innivation news
Publish Date: April 26, 2010
Link to article

Description:
News about an artwork that makes characters come alive with augmented reality. On April 24, villains, super heroes and others invaded Dam Square in Amsterdam – virtually via augmented reality on iPhones and Androids.

Comments:
The characters could easily have been historic figures. That would bring all sorts of history alive by placing virtual objects in context. The markers can display animations, videos and 3D realistic rendered objects. The implications for k-12 are that students see new connections, if history is presented in context.

Welcome!

These posts are articles or videos created no more than three months ago. Each post is:

• a technology, or a unique use of a new or older technology, that was not available 6 months ago (ex. not a product Web site, but an article ABOUT the product)
• a topic that has implications for a K-12 classroom
• a topic that has not already been posted in the Show & Tell blog