As we’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, this newest branch of the digital era (i.e. iPhones, iPads, net books, etc) will definitely have an impact on not only how content is delivered, but also how students learn over the next decade.In a recent article written by Tanya Roscorla, she discusses six emerging technologies that will have an impact on colleges everywhere. For the full article, click here.
1. Mobile Computing
Smartphones, netbooks, laptops and other devices that access the Internet through cellular-based, portable hotspots and mobile broadband cards have already become main-stream on many campuses.At Georgetown University, the administration texts short messages to students, and professors use screen recording software to create podcasts of their lectures that can be downloaded onto mobile phones, said Betsy Page Sigman, a professor who teaches management information systems, databases and electronic commerce at the university's McDonough School of Business.
2. Open Content
Open content (online educational resources) has had a huge impact on the way colleges do business. However there will always be those that reject this new medium so to protect their intellectual property.
3. Electronic Books
Consumers have already mainstreamed electronic readers, including the Kindle, which was Amazon.com's best-selling product in 2009. Campuses have not adapted the readers as quickly, but as more academic titles become available, they are piloting e-books.
4. Simple Augmented Reality
The technology allows someone to point a smartphone at an object and find out information about it. For example, someone could take their smartphone to a place with a lot of plants, hold the camera up to one of them, and find out what kind of plant they were looking at.Imagine a student being able to do this with a potential college campus. Definitely makes those college-search road trips more interesting!
5. Gesture-Based Computing
The iPhone, iPod Touch, Nintendo Wii and other gesture-based systems have become popular in the consumer industry because they let users control what the device does with their body movements. Devices with these systems could make the Internet come alive and lead to new kinds of teaching or training simulations.
6. Visual Data Analysis
This technology basically combines advanced computational methods with sophisticated graphics engines. It will turn your boring data into 3-D graphics which help with retention and to actually see the data providing a better understanding.
How accepting are you of these new emerging technologies in your own studies? In the future, do you see a complete digital/online revolution for schools in general?
Recently read a blog post by Lindsey Pollak about healthy “career” habits and thought I’d share some of the tips. For the full post, click here.
1. Keep up with the news.
Stay informed! Watch the news, read the paper, listen to the radio and keep up with the latest headlines. Pay particular attention to any articles relating to your profession as this will give you topics to discuss at networking events, with co-workers, etc.
2. Share.
One of the best ways to maintain a strong professional network is to share articles, job leads, book recommendations, etc. with the people you know.
3. Learn.
Successful people are always looking to learn. There is a saying to do one thing every day that scares you. I would add: do one thing every day that teaches you.
4. Write a to-do list at the end of each day.
Take a few minutes at the end of each workday to write a list of priorities and to-dos for the following morning, including anything you didn’t accomplish that day.
5. Relax.
No one can work 20 hours a day for weeks at a time and perform at peak levels. No one can go 10 hours without eating and concentrate completely. Take time now to figure out what kind of relaxation is most effective for you. Take time to recharge your batteries when you need it.
So, what do you think of these tips? Do you have any of your own healthy career habits to share?
The Ides of March … it’s exactly the middle of the month of March and spring is almost here!
I always look forward to this time of year … I definitely participate in the annual act of “SPRING CLEANING”. Out with the old, in with the new … right? Right about now is when I look back at the resolutions I made for the New Year and realize I haven’t really done anything I thought I was going to do, but this year is different. I’ve actually accomplished a lot of what I had planned and hope to keep on going.
What were your 2010 goals? How are you doing so far? Were you planning to go back to school or maybe get back on track with your studies? Were you hoping to become more involved in your schooling and find new friends in your course to help with discussions and study questions?
If this sounds familiar and you haven’t connected yet on our Facebook and Twitter pages … now’s your chance! Talking with other students about their experiences, asking them for help and even forming study groups help reinforce your education … and definitely help you to achieve success!!
Take a few minutes and check us out …
Facebook:
Penn Foster Main Profile: http://www.facebook.com/pennfosterinc
Penn Foster Career School Students: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scranton-PA/Penn-Foster-Career-School/19372193473
Penn Foster College Students: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottsdale-AZ/Penn-Foster-College/15366697964
Penn Foster High School Students: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scranton-PA/Penn-Foster-High-School/14796588343
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PennFoster
MySpace
Penn Foster Career School Students: http://www.myspace.com/pennfostercareerschool
Penn Foster College Students: http://www.myspace.com/pennfostercollege
Penn Foster High School Students: http://www.myspace.com/pennfosterhighschool
Flickr Groups
Penn Foster Proud group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/pennfosterproud
Penn Foster Mom’s group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/pfmoms
Penn Foster Military (students and family): http://www.flickr.com/groups/pfmilitary
Have you thought of using social networks when searching for a new job? Maybe you’re wondering which social network would be the most appropriate for your job search … well, here’s a sample listing of some of the more popular sites. To see the full article written by Terrance Williams, click here.
1. LinkedIN – Social Network, primarily business
2. FaceBook – Social Network, business and personal
3. MySpace – Social network, primarily personal
4. Ning – Private Social networks
5. Plaxo – Contact synchronizer
6. ZoomInfo – Business directory
7. Spoke – Business Directory & Social network
8. Jigsaw – Business Directory & Social Network
9. YouTube – User generated video
10. Twitter – Text-like social network
It may seem odd that a school like ours is promoting something FREE ... but these courses are fun and, for some, will help get you through these last weeks of Winter!
From language learning to religious instruction, the internet is a fantastic place to find distance learning courses for free. Whether you want to improve your programming skills, dance the Argentine Tango, or gain a French vocabulary; there are thousands of free online classes to choose from. So many options can make it difficult to choose a free online class and stick with the syllabus. But, there are a few strategies that can help you get the most out of them. To read more, check out Jamie Littlefield's article here: http://distancelearn.about.com/od/isitforyou/Free_Courses.htm