Revolution in the Classroom and in Students’ Social Lives

Integrating technology in the classroom: Pros and Cons

Students are engaged in technology on a daily basis.  Why not incorporate this within the classroom setting as well?  The video depicts teachers who embrace the latest technology.  Some think teachers have to be “entertainers, to cut through the media and capture their attention.”  Other teachers argue that technology has transformed students who cannot focus but rather have five windows open, looking for immediate answers and responses.  Rosa Porpora, an English Teacher at Chatham, recognizes the times when her students know more about the technology than she does and she allows “them to take over.”  She also agrees that today’s students have lost more focus than students in the classroom thirty years ago.

Your assignment:  Please write three to four paragraphs arguing your stance while addressing the following: 1. The use of Spark Notes and other shortcuts students are taking instead of completing the full assignment.  2. Though they state the procedures, some teachers have accepted that students will “cheat” and want immediate answers because “that’s how the outside world works.”  3.  What do you think of the effects of social networks in the school environment?

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The YEE Flying Car Concept: New Paradigm for Future Transportation

Flying cars might still be a long way from becoming a commercial reality, but that doesn’t stop designers letting their imaginations run wild when it comes to envisioning the airborne automobiles of the future… and they sure make for some gorgeous conceptual art.

I know this looks straight out of a science fiction movie but this car called “Yee” (designed by Zhu Wenxi) not only could run on the ground, but also can fly in the air! In order to maximize the use of space and provide motive power for your flight, its propellers are installed on the back wheels, when on land, they serve as wheels; when you are flying away, its front wheels will open toward both sides while back wheels will bend back, so in no time, it turns into a flying machine. Thus the special amphibious feature of the YEE Flying car allows the car to easily transform into a flying car just by changing its operating system.

YEE is designed by South China University of Technology (SCUT) industrial design students Pan Jiazhi, Zhu Wenxi and Lai Zexin. The concept of the YEE Flying car is based on the fact that in the future, the mode of transport will be switched from land to air due to congested traffic in major cities. Last month, their creation won the Gold Award for Best Creative Future at the First International Concept Car Design Contest in Beijing. Take a look at it, and it’s easy to see why.

This concept car could be turned into a plane once the operation is switched to the flying mode through transformation. This is made possible by upturning two front wheels sideways and two back wheels outside allowing people to fly over the overcrowded roads to reach their destination on time. Also, the integration of the propeller into the back wheels endues the vehicle with two distinct mobile modes. YEE’s two different mobile modes are courtesy of the propeller fixed into the back wheels. On the road, the YEE is one amazing racing car and when in the flying mode, it’s a real treat for those who want to soar high in the sky.

So basically, when it went into flight mode, the YEE’s two back wheels would swing forward and their rather styling spokes would reveal themselves to be the propeller blades that they actually were. Pretty clever. But this question comes to mind, though — when the car was taking off and its outriggers folded upwards to become wings, wouldn’t it just fall down on the road? And likewise, how would it maintain take-off speed or hold its back end up when its wheels folded forward? Just asking…

source :http://techchunks.com

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Top 5 Latest and Best in-car Technology to Drive You Wild

Over recent years; the world has seen technology have an ever-expanding impact upon how we live out our lives on a day to day basis, with millions of new products hitting the shelves every day.  It has hit us with such an impact that the majority of people now-a-days would be unable to function efficiently or at all without some sort of technology being ever present.

Personally I am a huge fan and follower of technology and whenever possible attempt to regularly keep up to date with the latest installments and products, such as the brand newiPhone 4 set to be released late 2010.

But I’ll have to admit my main following of technology for which I am most interested is interior technology within different varieties of vehicles such as modern cars and vans.  As there are so many different aspects to be released and have already been publicly showcased, an example of this is the all new ‘Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Speakerphone’ which allows you to carefully drive with caution and avoid losing calls when you’re on the road. The new Bluetooth speakerphone SP200 by Jabra enables also you to make hands-free calls. It does this by connecting wirelessly to your phone and needs no installation, so to operate; simply clip it onto the visor.

Another breath taking gadget that has hit the shelves recently is the all new iPhone/ iPodcompatible dock, which allows the driver/ user of the vehicle to simply connect their iPhone/ iPod into the vehicle via a small USB cable and are then able to listen to their favorite tracks available on their device whilst playing through the vehicles indoor speakers, and also depending on the type of vehicle the dock is located; the user is also able to select a different track from the dashboard screen. Do you remember the 1969 Pontiac GTO that was controlled via an iPod Touch, by the way?

There are many other features that technology has brought into the modern world such as,heated window screens and programmable features; “this is when the vehicle allows you to use electronics to express your choice of vehicle you wish to drive”, says Stanford professor of mechanical engineering Chris Gerdes. “You can have it be as sporty or luxurious, as you choose.”Drivers of the new Audi A8, for example can change the car’s ride by raising and lowering road clearance.

source :http://techchunks.com

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Futuristic Mini Rocketman Features Split Tailgate and Widespread Doors

BMW MINI has designed a new vehicle, measuring just 11 feet in length. Considered to be the smallest vehicle designed by the reputed company, the new ‘Mini Rocketman’ concept has been showcased at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. The three-door vehicle boasts 3 seats, with an optional door to add to the rear. The flexible truck capacity splits the car rear door into 2 parts: a top segment connected to the roof that can be raised upwards, a lower component that extends outwards, just like a drawer. The car’s gates are double-hinged and slides forward and out, to provide effortless entry and exit in close quarters.

Designer : Mini

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BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept Features ConnectedDrive Technology

The concept car BMW Vision ConnectedDrive made its first appearance worldwide from March 3 to 13th at the 2011 International Motor Show in Geneva. The top position in the vehicle world occupied by BMW in the progress of pioneering driver assistance systems as well as mobility services will be fortified further by this astonishing concept vehicle. This BMW Vision ConnectedDrive study manifests current and future systems of mobile networking in a specifically focused way. Comfort, security and the infotainment experience in the sedan can be accurately optimized by groundbreaking functionality, independently tailored to suit the requirements of the driver and passengeras well. The design personifies the bond amid the driver and the sedan, the dialogue amid the driver and the commuter, and the communication of the vehicle with the environment. New technologies as well as innovative design concepts are used to add more facets to this apparent BMW driving pleasure.

Designer : BMW

source :http://www.tuvie.com/

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Audi O Green Car Concept

The Audi O green car concept designed by Czech based designer Ondrej Jirec combines a stylish and sports car with a powerful audio system. Though the exterior uses the usual Audi styling, especially the grill which is neatly placed between the headlights; the glass windows in the doors are extending to the bottom adding to the overall design of the vehicle. The designer says that inspiration includes the previous Audi model, i-pod and music. It features an audio system, bluetooth and internet connectivity and a built in 650 GB hard drive. So be it a short or long drive you are never out of music with Audi O car.

Designer : Ondrej Jirec via IGreenSpot

source :http://www.tuvie.com

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Audi R25 Prototype

The new concept car R25 by Audi is the latest in its lineup of race cars. The features are quite innovative and the same have never been featured in any of the prototypes like high velocity banks and tunnels, a feature that allows the car to race in inverted position which helps it overtake other aerodynamic race cars. The car has been designed to perform in new racing conditions and will sure be a pioneer in revolutionizing the conceptual cars being designed for racing in the days to come.

Designer : Craig Durfey, Raul Cenan & Taeho Kim


source :http://www.tuvie.com

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