Technology Committee

Curious about the latest technology?  Wondering if there are any resources that can assist you with instruction?  Want to know about the latest technological trend?  If so, New Technology News is the place for you!

When the Technology Committee comes across technological advances that will benefit and/or impact our campus in some way, we’ll post the info for you here.  Furthermore, in order to assist us with staying current in an environment that is constantly evolving, please use the link below to share any New Technology News that you deem beneficial to the campus.

Send new technology items to: Cindy Swift

Normally when we read something on a computer screen, the text is stationary, and our eyes move left to right over the text. With a RSVP reader, the viewer's eyes are fixed at one point on the screen, and the text flashes a few words at a time. RSVP stands for rapid serial visual representation. RSVP makes it possible to read text up to 3.5 times faster with less eye strain. Click here if you would like to see a YouTube simulation.

There are several ways to obtain an RSVP reader: 

There are two add-ons in Firefox that allow you to use RSVP for any web page. Simply highlight the text you want to read, and these add-ons will flash the words. You will be surprised at how easy it is.

 
RSVP Reader 0.1.0 by Rob Fentress

Reasy 0.0.7 by Rob Reasy

There is an App for iPhone and iPod users. This App allows you to either view content from a web site, or you can copy and paste any text into the App. 

Simian Speed Reader

Submitted by Cindy Swift

Smart.fm claims that their web site is “the world’s sharpest learning tool.” The site is designed to help you set and reach a study goal. It is actually a very sophisticated flash-card program. You can design your own set of cards, or you can use one of the numerous databases available. What makes Smart.fm unique is the science behind the development. The designers are using up-to-date research on the way the brain remembers facts.

For example, let’s say you are working with a “stack” of twenty flashcards. The program will first cycle through the first three or four cards in the stack. The program keeps track of how long it takes you to respond to each card. When your response to a card becomes very quick, the program assumes you have mastered that card and then will introduce a new card from your original twenty. The cards you have mastered are shown periodically but less often than the cards you have not yet mastered. There are several other interesting features. To find out more, go to their “Quick Tour Page.” There is even a video that explains the cognitive science behind the development.

Submitted by Cindy Swift

It is not hard to imagine why so many people are buying Netbooks. Netbooks are ultra portable, fast, and very inexpensive. In fact, they have a warm and welcoming price tag of about $250. They are the ultimate on-the-go computer. 

If you are a loyal Mac user, though, Apple has left you out in the cold. The intro MacBook starts at $1,000. 

Hey, wait! Don’t Mac’s now run on Intel processors? Shouldn’t it be possible to run Apple's operating system, OSX Snow Leopard, on a PC?

Guess what? It is possible.

Consider buying a Dell Inspiron Mini 10v at $249. Next, purchase a copy of OSX Snow Leopard for $29, find a very tech-savvy friend, and navigate to www.hackintosh.com for instructions.

And remember this above all: Don’t blame me if something goes horribly wrong.

Submitted by Scott James

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