Entries from January 2008
An interesting survey summary from Educause ECAR, outlining 10 key findings of the 2007 ECAR study of Students and Information Technology usage.
“What information technologies are used by undergraduates? How does IT contribute to their academic experiences and learning? What has changed since 2005? ECAR presents 10 key findings from the fourth annual survey of undergraduates, with responses from 27,846 students at 103 higher education institutions.”
- One size does not fit all
- Social Uses of IT- Important and Personal
- CMS Usage is Up
- IT is All About Convenience
- IT as a Utility
- Students’ Assess Their IT Skills
- Curriculum Matters
- IT in Instruction –Striking the Balance
- Mobility –A Steady Increase
- Learning –It’s All about Instructors
ECAR conclude with two key action focii:
- Action Focus: IT Services
- • Move toward 24 x 7 availability
–Networks
–Email
–CMS and other services
- • Strengthen the Help Desk
- • Continue wireless initiatives
- • Watch usage trends for handheld devices
- Action Focus: IT in Courses
- • Know your students’ IT profile
–What technology do they own?
–What are their IT skills?
- • Assess use of IT in courses
–Is there a balance between IT and instructor
interaction?
–How can you leverage the curriculum?
–Are faculty trained in the IT they need?
–Do students have the skills they need?
Read more below:
Caruso, J. B., & Salaway, G. (2007). Highlights of the 2007 ecar study of students and information technology. ECAR Symposium 2007 Retrieved 21 January, 2008, from http://connect.educause.edu/Library/ECAR/Highlightsofthe2007ECARSt/45912
Categories: Web2
The YouTube mobile website version (http://m.youtube.com)has been updated with more features and a better interface, so now it supports almost any mobile phone with a data connection (Best viewed over a WiFi network!). There is also a YouTube Java appplication (currently for a small number of 3G phones – includes the Nokia N95) that can be downloaded from http://m.youtube.com/app. The Java app gives a similar experience to YouTube on the iPod touch or iPhone. Videos can now be uploaded directly from compatible mobiles to your YouTube account, or emailed to a special MMS number associated with your YouTube account.
Read more here:
http://www.youtube.com/mobile
Categories: Web2 · mobile
January 10, 2008 · 1 Comment
Newsgators Mac & Windows and mobile device RSS readers are now all FREE!
I’ve been using the free version of NetNewsWire for years (lite) – but now the full version is free! I’ve also been using Newsgator Go (Java application) on my cellphone for RSS synchronization – this is now free as well. Newsgator is a great RSS solution that works anyway you want to (Desktop client, web interface, mobile – all synchronizing seemlessly). They must be facing tough competition from the likes of Bloglines and Google Reader to dump their client fees!
Isn’t competition great!
Categories: Web2 · blog · mobile
Microvision are about to demo their tiny Pico Projector at CES.
The tiny battery powered projector is designed to work with mobile devices that have video out – e.g. N95, new PSP, iPod etc…
Microvision are also working on an embedded version – built into a cellphone!
Very cool.
Categories: Web2 · mobile
Fring has added AIM & Yahoo talk to its list of supported IM services. A great free application for virtually all mobile phones, supporting:
- Skype
- MSN
- AIM
- ICQ
- Yahoo Talk
- SIP
- Google Talk
- Twitter
Fring describes itself as a VOIP application that provides:
- Presence
- Free Calls
- Live Chat
Over 3G and WiFi networks.
fring is compatible with Symbian 8, 9.1, 9.2, Windows Mobile 5 & 6 and UIQ handsets.
Categories: Web2 · mobile
