Category Archives: Tech
5 Ways Smartphones Are Changing the College Experience
It’s hard to miss the ubiquity of smart devices when walking through modern cities. And if you walk across the campus of any university in America, you are sure to see hordes of students interacting with their phones as they hurry from building to building. They are likely doing more than just looking at funny cat videos on YouTube, however: Smartphones are transforming education. Here is a list of some of the most important ways that is happening.
Education Apps
Many students now use apps on their phones to prepare for class and enhance their learning. Specialized apps like Coursera offer free or low-cost online classes and course materials, though wise students use these apps to supplement, not replace, their efforts in the classroom. Other apps let students take notes and record sound and video in their classes. Of course, the teacher might have something to say about that; most instructors don’t want students distributing recorded lectures, whether to their peers or to the wider Internet. Be sure to ask before you record, then respect your teacher’s wishes.
Storage Apps
One variety of app deserves closer examination: cloud storage solutions. Rather than worrying about keeping track of memory sticks and other physical hardware to transfer and manage data, users of apps like Dropbox move files between devices with minimal worry about compatibility and other issues. Modern students often access their work across many platforms, including school-owned desktops and their own laptops, tablets, and smartphones. With information stored in the cloud, students can always rest easy knowing that their notes, projects, papers, and other vital information are safe and available to them on any computing device.
Books and e-Books
College education means textbooks, and textbooks mean a big pain in the bank account. Many professors think little of asking students to buy hundreds of dollars’ worth of pricey books, which is rough on a student budget. Online shopping services like Amazon are a great way to track down discounted versions of the course materials, but smart devices can let you go a step farther. Rather than buying a physical book, you can get an electronic version and just read it from your devices. E-readers work best with this kind of content, of course, but any table or smartphone such as the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, will work. Indeed, the Galaxy’s large HD display lets users read large blocks of text without sideways scrolling. Since many professors are now posting articles and other supplemental materials online as well, a good e-reading solution is convenient and can save you a lot of money.
Course Communications
New technologies bring new ways to communicate, and those channels of communication are useful for imparting class-related information. Social media outlets such as Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter make it easy to stay in touch with members of group project teams and others among their classmates, coordinating work and meetings and getting notes for missed sessions. Some classes even have their own pages or forums on social platforms or proprietary school software, giving students a space to discuss and plan. Smartphone technology gives students access to this information without having to set up a laptop and find a Wi-Fi signal.
Social Life
But coursework isn’t the part of college most students are looking forward to. Prospective students are often more interested in social life on campus. Here smartphones are also useful, letting you tap in to social calendars of organizations on campus and make sure you can attend any event of interest. Using social apps like Facebook, you can follow your favorite clubs and get notifications of anything they have going on during the week. This applies to nonacademic activities as well as official school clubs. Organizations like fraternities, sororities, and the school athletics department put out invitations and information through their social feeds, so if you are following, you’ll always be in the know.
Smart devices are changing every segment of American life, and higher education is no exception. Find the best smart device for you and tap in to the power of pervasive mobile computing to make your school and social life the best they can be.
95 Inspiring Websites of Web Design Agencies
Finding creativity and innovation in websites may seem like it is a lost art to some, but there are still plenty of great web design firms out there that can create content for your website that may blow your mind. The real question has always been trying to find the right NYC marketing agencies and web design NY companies that can provide you with the look for your website that will help you to stand out well above the pack and really get noticed. Each year AWWWARDS provides a list of some the top web designs you can find on the Internet today and the agencies that provided these looks. The list of the 95 inspiring websites of web design agencies can help to give you some great design ideas for your own site.
See the Creativity Available
When you take a look at what some of the web designers are capable of doing today you may be astounded at the work produced. The art of web design has evolved a great deal in a relatively short amount of time. While you may still find sites out there that make use of basic templates and designs that are available, the truly innovative work is being by companies that specialize in thinking outside of the box. You can find a company that will be able to help you take your website to the next level and grasp the attention and imagination of many more potential customers. Having the right look and title on your main page and landing pages can significantly turn your website around.
Running with Inspiration
Of course the designs that you want the most for your website are going to need to fit well with your overall goals and the type of business you have. When you hook up with a search engine optimization company that has web designers on staff that is willing to get creative and work closely with you, you will be more likely to have a final product that will wow both you and your customers. You want a firm that is going to be willing to put in all of the effort needed to provide you with the best look possible and make use of the latest tools, techniques and designs being used today to create the awe-inspiring site you want the most.
If you really want a website that makes the most of your ideas and reaches new levels of looks and creativity then you want to take the time to find just the right design firm to work with. AS you look over the New York City SEO and web design companies available today you will find that Coforge has just the type of innovation that you want. They have the talent and experience level to help you completely reimagine the website you have now to create a new site that meets and exceeds all of your expectations so you get the visibility you want.
7 Reasons Why Students Need Technology
With access to technology that we never dreamt possible, the future looks bright for education. The younger generation can enjoy more learning tools than ever before and an infinite database of information. From smartphones to tablets and the internet, these resources can enhance learning in the classroom whilst being enjoyable. Here are seven reasons why students need technology to boost development and future career prospects.
Engaging
Students enjoy technology and find it interesting to use the latest gadgets and software. This engagement creates a happier classroom environment, where the students enjoy time spent in the classroom. This makes them more apt to learning and taking on information.
Practical
Technology continues to change the way we live from how we connect with others, to our work, play and socializing. As we become more dependent on this tech, it’s essential for the younger generation to become more proficient at using it. It provides the foundation for real world success, helping them to prepare for future careers.
Transferable
Using devices such as the touchscreen tablet have been proven as an effective aid for motor skill development. Requiring hand–eye coordination, this can transfer over into fields in the medical profession, such as surgery, and other fields such as engineering and aviation.
Self-development
If you’re more adept at using technology you’ll be more inclined to use it for self-development. With an endless choice of apps available, you can continue learning out of the classroom. Puzzle games or those which stimulate problem solving will improve attention span and strengthen memory processes.
Knowledge
The internet provides limitless access to information at the click of button. This provides the opportunity for self-directed learning where a child is responsible for seeking out credible and up-to-date sources. Whether they’re learning about History, Geography or Languages, people can now soak up more information than ever before.
Convenience
Digital textbooks are now replacing the traditional books, and this means no more heavy bags full of books. Not only is it safer for a person’s posture and back, these digital alternatives store a huge selection of books which are constantly updated, providing the most relevant information.
Safety
Whilst using mobile devices and connecting to broadband, teachers can provide information on safe browsing. This form of supervision ensures appropriate use of the internet and mobile phones, and teaches students how to avoid blacklisted websites. They also learn how to overcome technical issues and improve service coverage. Learning how to solve these problems and become more tech savvy should help them in later life.
There’s never been a greater opportunity for better learning in the classroom. In this new era of technology, it’s clearly important for colleges to adopt these tools and integrate them into everyday use. This platform can provide greater opportunities for success and more fulfilment for students.
Image by US Department of Education, used under Creative Commons license
The Second Screen Revolution
Advertising is the lifeblood of television broadcasting, and back in the day, advertisers had very little competition for viewers’ attention during commercial breaks. Sure, we might run to the bathroom or grab a snack, but there was a pretty good chance that we would take in most of the commercials along with the show.
The digital revolution changed all that. Today, the television screen no longer holds our attention as completely as it once did. Instead, a host of other screens vie for our interest even as we watch our favorite shows. Over a third of us are eyeing another screen as we watch TV, and the number jumps to nearly 70% in households with kids under 18.
What are we doing on those other screens? Checking our email on our laptops. Surfing the web on our tablets. Texting with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone or other cellular phone. Some of us are even shopping online. All of these are easy with a fast and reliable 4G LTE network such as T-Mobile.
But more and more of us are doing things related to the shows we’re watching—looking up the actors and actresses, searching Wikipedia for information about them, or seeking out other sites related to the show.
Our attention spans have become shorter, and our boredom threshold lower. We simply can’t be bothered to sit through boring old commercials anymore. With this in mind, advertisers are looking for novel ways to engage customers while their attention is on their smaller screens.
This is sometimes as simple as synchronized ads that push products on multiple screens at the same time; however, television is taking a page from the content marketing book and creating apps that not only push products, but complement the programming on the main TV screen.
Second screens have completely changed the way we view media, shifting us from passive consumers to active participants. The following infographic shows how it’s happened. This presents challenges, but also opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Textbooks, Computers, and a Tea Pot: Essential Gear of the Successful College Student
You’re going to college soon – you need to start making a checklist. Aside from the usual costs like tuition and food, you’re going to need a few other supplies. Before you say goodbye to mom and dad for the semester, here’s what to stock up on.
A Good Laptop
A good laptop is absolutely essential for today’s college student. In fact, it’s probably the most important thing you can take with you. Don’t leave home without something at least as good as a mid-tier product either. No Acers. Can’t use ‘em. OK, you could use them, but don’t. Get yourself a Macbook Air, at least. Or, get yourself the top-tier Dell model. Lenovo are also a good choice as long as you’re going for the top-tier – again. Yes, they’re a bit pricey, but you’ll thank yourself three years from now when your laptop isn’t falling apart and the software still runs smoothly.
P2P File Sharing Software
It seems like every college kid these days is doing some kind of P2P file sharing. And, while you should not be breaking the law by downloading and sharing copyright-protected content without the authorization of the copyright holders, there is a legit use for file sharing software that’s wickedly underutilized: sharing original creations you make in college and sharing your study papers with classmates.
Simple P2P software, like the bittorrent client from www.Vuze.com, is really all you need to connect directly with other classmates to share pretty much anything you’ve done in class – from study notes to past homework assignments as study aides.
Free Word Processing Tools
Who wants to pay for Microsoft Word when OpenOffice suite is free? Better yet, LibreOffice. It’s got all of the tools you could ever want from the paid programs at a price you can’t argue with – even with the student discount offered from the competitor.
Used Books
No one likes paying retail for books. So, before you go off to college, verify your class schedule and then pick up some used textbooks from someplace like AbeBooks, Amazon.com’s used textbook section, or Half.com.
A Teapot
A teapot. Yes, a teapot. You need to eat, right? Between 4 hour study sessions, a teapot can heat up the boiling water you need for Ramen – every college student’s staple food.
Food Rations
You can’t live on college food and Ramen Noodle alone. They may be high in calories, but they’re really low in nutrition. It’s weird, but while students are getting your learn on, they’re also wrecking their health.
Your number one priority in college is to get a good education. To do that, you need to be healthy. You must get in all of your required fruits and vegetables, lots of good quality meat, and of course, fiber. Food rations can help you do that – nuts and seeds, dried beef jerky (not the kind with preservatives and artificial flavors. It’s actually really easy to make at home with a cheap food dehydrator and some beef and salt), and dried fruit like apricots, plums, and raisins.
Audrey Brown is a college dorm guru. As a resident director for many years, she loves blogging about the ins and outs of creating a great college dorm experience from decor and organization tricks to gadgets and study habits.
