Monday, June 7
Saturday, August 30
Monday, August 25
Monday, January 14
Wednesday, November 28
Monday, July 2
Sunday, June 24
A Plug for Hybrids
Forging a sustainable future has become a popular topic, but some think new energy sources promoted in the media are a way of maintaining the status quo:
It may be possible to have clean energy without waiting for further technological breakthroughs. One example is the combination of solar power and Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
The Google crowd have jumped on the electric bandwagon
RechargeIT.org
"E85 fuel is a distraction, a diversion, a red herring. Just as the switch to "hydrogen economy" (remember that?) was before it. Both require huge investment, new infrastructure and will not lead to a post-oil economy. The hydrogen economy was promoted principally by both automakers and oil companies as a stalling strategy to avoid having to change the way they currently do business."
It may be possible to have clean energy without waiting for further technological breakthroughs. One example is the combination of solar power and Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
The Google crowd have jumped on the electric bandwagon
RechargeIT.org
Tuesday, June 19
Wednesday, June 6
iphone - One to Rule Them
My Response to New Zealand Herald article 5 June 2007
READ ORIGINAL
Like it or not, the iphone is the most anticipated product in the history of consumerism. Steve Jobs describes it as "magical" and existing competitors as "just garbage". Have a look at the videos of the device in operation and you may see what he means.
If you think its all about a list of features, then yes, the iphone seems nothing special. If it is about advancing the human computer interface then this thing is as important as the mouse.
There are many writers who snipe at the iphone. Personally I can't get where they are coming from, other than from a certainly that they will generate hits, as did unfavourable reviews of the Lord Of The Rings movies.
But come June 29 you will see that there is indeed, ONE TO RULE THEM. . .
Monday, January 22
Tuesday, January 16
Thursday, April 13
Our Energy Challenge
For an overview of the promise of nanotech
Nanotechnology and Our Energy Challenge
provides a clear roadmap
Nanotechnology and Our Energy Challenge
provides a clear roadmap
From the Book
Tuesday, April 4
$100 Laptop
Technology for children takes a big step with the soon to be released $100 laptop.
Nicholas Negroponte of MIT Media Lab envisions putting millions of these internet ready machines into the hands of the world's children at around US$100 a pop. He calls this ambitious project One Laptop Per Child (OLPC).
The ruggedised computers will be powerful enough to do just about anything you might expect a laptop to do. They feature an innovative hand crank which provides power to recharge 'C' or 'D' sized batteries. They will also have an AC cord which doubles as a carry strap and a number of USB ports.
Negroponte sees the laptops as tools for constructionist learning.
Constuctionism means learning through the making of personally meaningful artifacts. This could include designing a webpage, building a model of a park, or making a film or book.
All software is open source to maximise expansion capacity and minimise costs. Included with the machine will be a web browser, word processor and a few intriguing extras. For example, MIT is currently working on Scratch, a free programming language for children that will allow learners to produce their own multimedia.
Many of the machines are destined for developing countries, but this map shows broad interest in the project around the world.
For each child to have their own laptop will alter the face of education.
It will benefit teachers who will be able work with small groups while the rest of the class engages in personal and peer-to-peer learning.
Some New Zealand schools are already investing in laptops for their students.
OLPC puts laptop computing within reach of all.
"One laptop per child: Children are your most precious resource, and they can do a lot of self-learning and peer-to-peer teaching. Bingo. End of story." ―Nicholas Negroponte
Monday, March 27
Tuesday, March 21
Monday, March 20
Children Discuss Conflict
I have noticed that whereas administrators wish to emphasise numeracy and literacy in education, in my experience about 80% of what children bring to the teacher are problems of communication and conflict. Here is an interesting P4C article in which Children discuss conflict
Monday, February 27
Friday, February 10
Robot Dinosaur Mimics Life
Pleo This looks like it's going to be quite a sophisticated learning robot to delight both children and adults alike.
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