I use the internet to get ideas on things to write about. Here is what I do:
* Have a list of topics and Google them on a regular basis.
* Join related communities on Google+ and check them regularly.
* Check topics on Alltop regularly.
* Check in with websites I enjoy reading.
* Check in on Quora to see if there is anything interesting to write about.
* Spend time thinking
* Put some words on the page and see what comes of it.
So far this method is working for me. I am getting 3-5 ideas to write about everyday. Is there anything you would add?
What do you think?
Monday, June 2, 2014
Chromebook - Education Tech Trends
I read an article that discusses 6 education technical trends. They are:
1. The move to mobile
2. The move to the cloud
3. Allowing students and staff to bring their own devices
4. 3D printing
5. Digital textbooks
6. Increased use of tablets (especially iPads).
I think the article misses one of the biggest trends and that is the 1 to 1 movement of providing a computing device for every student. It is true that if a school chooses to use a tablet, it usually chooses to use iPads. But I also think that Chromebooks are making huge inroads when it comes to the 1 to 1 trend. Every day I read about another district or school buying Chromebooks for their students to use.
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/101577/6-Biggest-Classroom-Technology-Trends-in-2014
1. The move to mobile
2. The move to the cloud
3. Allowing students and staff to bring their own devices
4. 3D printing
5. Digital textbooks
6. Increased use of tablets (especially iPads).
I think the article misses one of the biggest trends and that is the 1 to 1 movement of providing a computing device for every student. It is true that if a school chooses to use a tablet, it usually chooses to use iPads. But I also think that Chromebooks are making huge inroads when it comes to the 1 to 1 trend. Every day I read about another district or school buying Chromebooks for their students to use.
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/101577/6-Biggest-Classroom-Technology-Trends-in-2014
Creativity - Priming The Pump
To increase your creativity, there are somethings you can do just before you go to bed at night that will "prime" your creative pump.
First, fill your mind with some good material. Read some good stuff just before you turn in at night. This will help you remember the material better and build a library for your imagination to draw from. Second, as you start to drift off, go over the creative things you are working on and ask yourself the questions you are working. This will set your subconscious mind working on finding a solution while you sleep. Finally, do what you can to encourage dreaming. Also do what you can to remember your dreams.
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.fastcompany.com/3031227/work-smart/do-these-3-things-before-bed-to-hack-your-creativity-while-you-sleep?partner=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company%29
First, fill your mind with some good material. Read some good stuff just before you turn in at night. This will help you remember the material better and build a library for your imagination to draw from. Second, as you start to drift off, go over the creative things you are working on and ask yourself the questions you are working. This will set your subconscious mind working on finding a solution while you sleep. Finally, do what you can to encourage dreaming. Also do what you can to remember your dreams.
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.fastcompany.com/3031227/work-smart/do-these-3-things-before-bed-to-hack-your-creativity-while-you-sleep?partner=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company%29
Chromebook - 10 Reasons To Buy
Here is another list of 10 reasons to buy a Chromebook:
1. Price - cheapest system on the market.
2. Easy set up - you just need a Google account.
3. Easy to use - if you use Chrome then you have Chromebook down.
4. Safe and secure - no viruses or security software.
5. Cloud based - your files are safe and accessible from any device.
6. No ongoing costs - the OS is free and continually updates for free.
7. Optimized for Google apps
8. HD resolution - Video looks great
9. Google play - music, media, and books
10. Part of a growing community
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.dadmadeinbritain.co.uk/reviews/10-reasons-why-you-should-buy-a-chromebook-and-2-reasons-why-you-shouldnt
1. Price - cheapest system on the market.
2. Easy set up - you just need a Google account.
3. Easy to use - if you use Chrome then you have Chromebook down.
4. Safe and secure - no viruses or security software.
5. Cloud based - your files are safe and accessible from any device.
6. No ongoing costs - the OS is free and continually updates for free.
7. Optimized for Google apps
8. HD resolution - Video looks great
9. Google play - music, media, and books
10. Part of a growing community
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.dadmadeinbritain.co.uk/reviews/10-reasons-why-you-should-buy-a-chromebook-and-2-reasons-why-you-shouldnt
Sunday, June 1, 2014
News - Daily Summary
World: In Ukraine separatists attacked a border security unit in eastern Ukraine. The government is claiming that two border guards were injured in the attack. This looks like an attempt by separatists to secure a way for Russia to send supplies and volunteers into Eastern Ukraine. There is still unrest in Libya. There were no new developments in Syria or Venezuela. Tensions are still high in the East China sea. There were no other new developments today (other than the usual murders, mayhem, corruption, and tragedies).
U.S.: It was a calm Sunday in the U.S. Currently stock futures are positive which looks to start Monday in a positive direction. there were no new major developments today (except for the usual murders, mayhem, corruption, tragedies, and trivialities).
It was another day in the calm before the storm.
What do you think?
U.S.: It was a calm Sunday in the U.S. Currently stock futures are positive which looks to start Monday in a positive direction. there were no new major developments today (except for the usual murders, mayhem, corruption, tragedies, and trivialities).
It was another day in the calm before the storm.
What do you think?
Observations - Quora
I stumbled upon the web site "Quora" that is all about asking and answering questions. At first I was reluctant to see any value in the site, but then I started to answer some of the questions. Now I seem to find myself going back to the site on a regular basis. I think that has to do with the nature of questions. Our brains are question asking and answering systems. Go ahead and ask yourself a question and your brain will automatically start looking for the answer. I think it is designed to do that. I have also found that my activity on "Quora" has increased my views on my blog. Since I did not intend to use "Quora" to increase my views, it is nice to see that it has. Go give it a try and see what you think?
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.quora.com
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.quora.com
Chromebook - Android Laptop
It looks like HP is going to sell an Android OS based laptop. Is this a good idea? It could be. The one thing I find lacking in a tablet is a physical keyboard and that is what an Android laptop would provide. The question I have is what will this do to Chromebooks? I think Chromebooks are in between a full featured laptop and a tablet. Chromebooks give you most of the functions of a laptop and most of the functions of a tablet. In other words, it's not quite a laptop and not quite a tablet, but a mix of both. So will an Android based laptop take away from Chromebook sales? It might, but the starting price is $399, which is $200 more than a low priced Chromebook. If the price is correct, why not buy a cheap tablet and a cheap Chromebook for the same price? Lets see how an Android laptop will sell, then we might be able to tell how Chromebooks will do.
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/1/5767856/hp-new-chromebook-android-slatebook-announcement-price
What do you think?
For more:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/1/5767856/hp-new-chromebook-android-slatebook-announcement-price
Personal Improvement - Gratitude And Appreciation
I have found that there are two key elements that have made a drastic influence on the quality of my life. They are gratitude and appreciation.
Gratitude is being grateful and thankful for all that is in your life. This includes being thankful for all the good and all the bad as well. Being thankful for the good comes easy and makes sense, but the bad? Yes, be thankful for the bad because it is what shaped you into who you are and will continue to shape you into who you will be. The reason is because the good stuff rarely changes or motivates us. It is the bad and trying things that motivate and change us, which is what will define us. So be thankful for it all.
Appreciation means to value all that is in our lives. We are not accidents. We have been place on this planet on purpose. It is our jobs in life to figure out what that is (by pursuing our passions and developing our talents), to act on it, and then to appreciate all we have, all we do, and everyone that crosses our path. Appreciate all you have, no matter how little. Appreciate all you get to do, no matter how mundane or restricted it might be. Appreciate everyone in your life because they help you become who you are and who you will be. Value all that you have and are, that's what appreciating is all about.
These two qualities will have the largest impact on the quality of your life. What are you grateful for? What do you appreciate?
What do you think?
Gratitude is being grateful and thankful for all that is in your life. This includes being thankful for all the good and all the bad as well. Being thankful for the good comes easy and makes sense, but the bad? Yes, be thankful for the bad because it is what shaped you into who you are and will continue to shape you into who you will be. The reason is because the good stuff rarely changes or motivates us. It is the bad and trying things that motivate and change us, which is what will define us. So be thankful for it all.
Appreciation means to value all that is in our lives. We are not accidents. We have been place on this planet on purpose. It is our jobs in life to figure out what that is (by pursuing our passions and developing our talents), to act on it, and then to appreciate all we have, all we do, and everyone that crosses our path. Appreciate all you have, no matter how little. Appreciate all you get to do, no matter how mundane or restricted it might be. Appreciate everyone in your life because they help you become who you are and who you will be. Value all that you have and are, that's what appreciating is all about.
These two qualities will have the largest impact on the quality of your life. What are you grateful for? What do you appreciate?
What do you think?
The Economy - Disney Corporation
Now that I have a son who works at Disneyland in Southern California, I am paying a bit more attention to how well the Disney Corporation is doing. Disney is on track to earn $48 billion this year. Disney parks and resorts are the largest chunk of the business and with ticket price increases, that part will probably grow in the future. Attendance at Disneyland is strong inspite of the rise in ticket prices, so I expect revenue (and profits) to grow. I was surprised to learn that ESPN is such a large portion of the revenue stream for Disney. It is the second largest portion of income after the parks and resorts. I did not realize that sports made so much money. The rest of Disney's income comes from it's movie studio, it's cable tv channel, it's products and interactive media division, and from ABC television. I was expecting Disney to make much more income from ABC and it's movie studio, but it does not. The parks and ESPN make much more. Go figure? So from my perspective, Disney looks healthy and it has a well rounded business that should do well into the future. That's good news for my son!
What do you think?
For more:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/2247553-disney-will-have-a-strong-summer-despite-missing-one-of-its-top-performers
What do you think?
For more:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/2247553-disney-will-have-a-strong-summer-despite-missing-one-of-its-top-performers
News - Daily Summary
World: It was a calm Saturday across the world with no new major developments (besides the normal murders, mayhem, corruption, and tragedies).
U.S.: A U.S. soldier was released today by the Taliban in Afghanistan after 5 years in captivity. Bowe Bergdahl was captured in June of 2009. He was delivered to U.S. special forces today in Afghanistan. Other than that, it was a calm Saturday in the U.S. with no new major developments (besides the normal murders, mayhem, corruption, and tragedies).
It was another day in the calm before the storm.
What do you think?
U.S.: A U.S. soldier was released today by the Taliban in Afghanistan after 5 years in captivity. Bowe Bergdahl was captured in June of 2009. He was delivered to U.S. special forces today in Afghanistan. Other than that, it was a calm Saturday in the U.S. with no new major developments (besides the normal murders, mayhem, corruption, and tragedies).
It was another day in the calm before the storm.
What do you think?
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