Virgil Varvel, distance education guru, presents ongoing commentary and notes on educational research, issues, and publications.« June 2006 | Main | August 2006 »
July 31, 2006
Finally, I can podcast with my 5G iPod
Although the fifth generation video iPods have been out for some time, and although they feature the internal hardware for stereo quality microphone recordings, there has until yesterday been no commercially available recorder to take advantage of these features. In other words, no microphone that worked in the fifth generation iPod.
Belkin released their solution yesterday, and having purchased one, I can tell you that it is awesome. It records through two microphones in CD quality stereo. You can also use a lesser setting if you want. The audio is recorded as raw data, so you can import it as raw data into an audio editor for quality editing. You can use the microphones as speakers if you want to hear back the recorded audio. There is an automatic or manual gain setting. There is a quick button for turning the recorder on and off. And, there is pass through USB so that it can be charged while recording. I purchased mine for $59 at Circuit City. They only received two in stock, and Best Buy had none, so they are hard to find at the moment. In fact, you can’t even purchase one from the Belkin Website yet.
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=277661
Why bring this up.
1 – I have no stock in Belkin
2 – I think that this is a great solution for those interested in on-the-go podcasting.
Posted by vvarvel at 11:08 AM | Comments (0)
Wireless Nano Chip
Hewlett-Packard announced last week that it's working on a miniscule wireless chip, called Memory Spot. Experts to speculate that the device could revolutionize how digital information is stored and shared. The chip -- which is half the size of a grain of rice -- can hold up to four megabits of information, enough for minutes of audio, short video clips, or hundreds of pages of text. By the way, did I mention that it is smaller than half a grain of rice.
Posted by vvarvel at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)
Midwest Regional Super Net
The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) and Merit Network, Inc., research and education networks operated by Ohio State University and the University of Michigan, said they would jointly acquire additional fiber acquisitions to enhance the Midwest’s regional networking capabilities.
Posted by vvarvel at 08:20 AM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2006
e-learning 1.0 v. e-learning 2.0 presentation
An interactive panel discussion was led during the E-learning Networks Online 2006 Conference, which is now available online. The presentation discusses the shift from flexible learning to the use of social networking as educational form.
Posted by vvarvel at 03:27 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2006
You Tube sued over copyright infringement
A journalist and well-known helicopter pilot in Los Angeles has filed suit against video-sharing site YouTube, claiming that it encouraged users to violate copyright law.
Posted by vvarvel at 08:56 AM | Comments (0)
July 17, 2006
Google opening research center
From Educause -
GOOGLE TO OPEN MICHIGAN RESEARCH CENTER
Google is expected to announce plans to open a research center in Ann
Arbor, Michigan, home of the University of Michigan, alma mater of
Google cofounder Larry Page. The center will reportedly encompass
240,000 square feet, of which the majority would house a technology and
call center. The balance of the space would be dedicated to Google's
controversial book-scanning project, in which the University of
Michigan is a participant. The anticipated announcement is good news
for the state, which has lost a considerable number of jobs in recent
years and hopes to restyle itself as a hub of technology, compared to
its former position in the auto industry.
New York Times, 11 July 2006 (registration req'd)
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/11/technology/11google.html
Posted by vvarvel at 10:02 AM | Comments (0)
When will my identity be stolen?
Is it me, or does the United States government have little to no ability to safeguard their data. A recent story in Federal Computer Week for 8 July 2006, noted that for the second time, personal information was lost by the Navy. I, personally, was among many who received letters stating that my personal data may have been stolen when someone was allowed to take home 'secure' military personell files. Granted, I have little monetary worth, but I fear it is only a matter of time before I get a bill in the mail from someone buying homes in Australia using my identity.
Posted by vvarvel at 09:57 AM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2006
iPod Campus at GCSU
There is continual discussion in distance education circles about programs such as a Google Campus or an iPod campus. I have just looked over the iPod campus at Georgia College & State University. You may find it an interesting read. The program is not truly an iPod campus, but they have really integrated podcasting within their WebCT system.
Posted by vvarvel at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
A Graduate's View of a Campus' Use of BlackBoard
"Two years ago when I wrote my first viewpoint for SmartClassroom (then eLearning Dialogue), I issued my university an “Incomplete,” with the suggestion that faculty spend more time developing their Blackboard skills. Now as a recent graduate of the University of Puget Sound, I am ready to issue a final grade, with one notable change to the primary criterion for the evaluation. For this viewpoint, evaluation is primarily based on how the campus use of Blackboard added value to my education."
Posted by vvarvel at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)