Tag: interactive_media

Using technology to change classroom learning

Cathy Davidson’s argument for using technology to change learning environments is the Book of the Day. Now You See It: How the Brain Science of Attention Will Transform the Way We Live, Work, and Learn argues that studying something she calls “attention blindness” in the brain shows how developments in technology being under utilized in learning spaces designed for the last century can be detrimental, and she’s got a good reason to think that. What started as her experiment of giving college freshman iPods (before they supported apps, and were just music players) lead to teachers and students turning them into learning tools.

The book follows that research to a compelling end, and a strong case for modern technology in the classroom, all centered upon how our brains react to it.

Can your speech be silenced?

Muzzled book cover

Not too long ago, a liberal radio personality on NPR was fired for discussing his own social prejudices, saying those in Muslim garb on airplanes trigger something in him that makes him uncomfortable (“worried” and “nervous,” he states).

Was this an inappropriate firing? He was, after all, sharing his opinion on another network. And, also, in the full context of the interview (view a discussion on CNN of it here), his argument included a discussion of the dangers of using religion to label someone as dangerous?

You won’t get an argument from us about if it was right or wrong, but you can read Juan’s take on it. His book, Muzzled: The Assault on Honest Debate, discusses his firing and the effect it had on his career. He also discusses what it implied to the modern media and the implications it has towards others who wish to express opinions and/or honest feelings that might not be of the most popular opinion.

So check it out, currently on our new books shelf, and see for yourself.

One famous hacker’s story

Kevin Mitnick has seen behind the security barriers of Sun, Motorola, and at least dozens of other big name companies. His years of evading the law made him an increasingly annoying target for the FBI, and today’s featured book, Ghost in the Wires, is his memoir of his time on the run. It’s an exciting story of deception, hacking, false identities, and being on the run. Whether you see Mitnick as a hero or a villain, you’ll have to admit his pursuits were quite clever

Learn how to take advantage of RSS feeds

 

Do you follow blogs or news sites for class? Maybe you use journal databases for assignments or research? All of these sources and more can be sent to you instantly upon updating if you take advantage of their RSS feeds.

In today’s book RSS for Educators: Blogs, Newsfeeds, Podcasts, & Wikis in the Classroom, the author John G. Hendron shows how utilizing a reader can assist teachers in keeping their classes fresh and how to simplify research.

But you don’t have to be a teacher just to get use out of this: students would be wise to see all the ways they can keep up with course-related information. This book should be of interest for teachers and students, particularly distance learning, interactive media, classes that have heavy research or discussion of current events, or anyone looking to incorporate technology into the classroom.

Let’s build some iPad web apps

 

We have a fairly sizable group of people taking classes based around web development, interactive media, computer science… but I’m sure there are plenty of people who are hobbyists as well. With that in mind, here’s a how-to book, Beginning iPhone and iPad Web Apps : Scripting with HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. This is a book for those looking to make sites that look good and flow well on Apple devices, but not necessarily building App Store apps. By taking advantage of the latest versions of HTML and CSS, web developers can actually make some slick design choices to build sites that use your mobile browser to recreate the way a lot of apps feel.  This is a good book for anyone running a website that wants a solid mobile version of their site, for design students, or for anyone with an interest in interactive and mobile media.