Amazon Kindle

I thought the Kindle by Amazon was something worthy of learning about because of the way books are now viewed today.  Books can be instantly downloaded on a device called a "Kindle" with a 10 hour battery life.  Though it doesn't come too cheap, normally running for the price of $359.  I think kindles are a great form of technology that are helpful for students that just make sense.  Rather than having numerous, heavy, expensive, tree killing books; books can now be protected in a slim, lightweight device where they won't get lost or water damaged from the rain.  No more aching backs and strain on the eyes, with this advanced screen.  You won't run out of space on your shelves since all the books are stored right on the Kindle and not only can you read books, but have access to magazines and newspapers as well.  This website on Amazon has 500,550 books to choose from for purchase, some even being free! It's easy to use and can read the words back to you through it's speakers, which can be very helpful for everyone, especially for those with trouble seeing.  I have seen one of these Kindles personally, since my friend recieved one as a gift and she has nice things to say about it.  Now of course this technology will never replace books altogether, which isn't the point of this invention by any means, but will benefit avid readers, with easy access to any book possible on the spot and can travel whereever they reader desires to read.

I felt this video gave a good summary of what abilities the Amazon Kindle can perform and what it has to offer.

Photo taken with permission from http://www.flickr.com/ through Creative Commons

Username: libraryman - http://www.flickr.com/photos/libraryman/2048264201/

Video taken from http://www.youtube.com/

Username: TechnologyGuide - http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=3cktgAwu3AE&feature=related

Second Life with Autism

"Autism Awareness Cause Ribbon of Colorful Puzzle Pieces with a Cherub Angel Figurine Statue of a Child"

With 1 in 58 children being austistic in the UK, giving birth to a child with autism is more common than oftenly thought.  Groups of people with autism are able to connect on the internet and express views in ways they couldn't ever before.  People with autism are challenging the once thought belief that they have to speak "normal" language in order to communicate, when they all communicate already, but just differently in a way we may not understand.  In the virutal online universe Second Life, people with autism can create their people to have ticks that match ones they physcially have as well.  Internet is giving power and control to people with autism and has given them a sense of freedom, saying autism is a way of life, not a disease.  This does however, not ensure help to people who suffer from austism, due to the fact that they would be categorized as having a different way of functioning, not needing funding or assistance.  In the video embedded below, it shows an autistic woman using a form of technology where she can enter in words and have them read out loud.  She also posted a video on YouTube expressing her opinions on autism and it's not wrong, it's simply a different form of communication and behavior, which recieved many views.  This shows other ways technology can impact and benefit people with autism, and people learning about autism, as well.

Photo taken with permission from www.flickr.com

Username: Beverly & Pack - http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3446100697/

Video taken from www.youtube.com

Username: kumquatkowboy - Second Life with Autism

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)

      Though there are many challenges to face when thinking about pulling off a "one laptop per child" operation, there are so many benefits to the outcomes and success students would have around the world, everyone would reap the hard work it would take.  This website talks about the organization and its vision it has for giving each student their very own laptop.  If students, especially in the worst poverty areas, were suddenly provided with a laptop, they would be open to so much new information and possibilities to expand their minds about the world that they would never have a chance to learn before.  Children would not only learn more efficiently with a greater number of resources, but the students would then taken their laptops home, where knowledge would spread like wildfire with parents, grandparents, other family members, and friends would be able to benefit from the laptop as well.  Violence would decrease along with poverty, as communities become more educated as a whole, and are given chances to excell through this new light shining at the end of the tunnel.  School attendence would increase with students wanting to come with their laptops in hand, and learn more about the knowledge found online.  Not only are they a great resource for material and information, but they make learning fun and engaging for the children.  Though there countless benefits from these small green machines, there are always going to be some disadvantages, such as unavoidable problems with techonology, not having enough laptops for children, or the theft of laptops by the less fortunate who did not recieve one.  Some may also frown upon spreading the use of technology to the poverty, stating that we should be focusing on other materials they need, or necessities such as food and clean water.  As Nicholas Negroponte stated in his interview on YouTube discussing this issue he stated that if you substitued the word laptop with the word education, no one would object to this organization, because when it comes down to it, these laptops provide children with an education they never would have had access to ever before.  With these laptops, many doors will be opened to numerous children and families that would have never been opened before. 

        I picked this first video because I found it interesting to meet the people that created this little green machine and brough into exsistence.  It's neat to see their visions for it and why they worked and are still working on it so hard even today, as well as all the odds they beat and doubts they overcame.

        The second video shows how big of an impact the laptops are having in poverty stricken countries and shows the magnitude and potential the access to these newly invented computers can create.

Photos taken with permission from http://www.flickr.com/ through Creative Commons

Username: laihiu - http://www.flickr.com/photos/laihiu/4045141021/

Username: judy_breck - http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenswamp/2089691228/

Videos taken from www.youtube.com

Username: simplecoat - Inside One Laptop per Child: Episode one

Username: worldfocusonline - Rwanda aims for one laptop per child

Apple iPad

I simply think the Apple iPad is amazing. I can't believe technology has come this far and will continue to advance and grow throughout the years. It's mind blowing to see what people will invent next. This website shares it's capabilites and what all it can do. I feel as though this piece of amazing technology can be of great benefit to teachers and students when they are of age to learn how to properly use it. At the price of $499 an iPad, it is a reasonable price for the advanced technology it provides, and can connect thousands with faster communications and applications at the touch of a screen. I would love a chance to use an iPad and see how it works so simply first hand. It would be interesting to see how my day to day life would change having the internet so close and so handy. I wonder how much updated I would be on the news and weather with information waiting for me at the touch of a screen. Although I do question the hidden costs and how much they would be if something technologically went wrong, since no form of technology is invincible from all viruses and common errors. Regardless of my lack of deep knowledge about this product, I would still love being able to play around with it, witnessing first hand all of its capabilities.  The video below gives a good insight on what the iPad can do and what makes it one of the most advanced pieces of technology today.

Photo used by permission from http://www.flickr.com/ through Creative Commons

Username: d!zzy - http://www.flickr.com/photos/xissey/4309421719/

Video taken from http://www.youtube.com/

Username: tysiphonehelp - iPad - The best way to experience the web, email, photos