If you happen to have been a student in the internet age, many teachers will pound into you that Wikipedia does not count as a viable source for any sort of research assignment. However a study at the University of Pittsburgh actually proves the paranoia wrong. Based on cancer information from an oncology textbook, the more »

It seems like a far off dream that one day libraries will be replaced by ebook readers such as the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader. However, in some cases it’s looking more and more like the the current state. Amazon is looking into the textbook sales with the Kindle DX and now it looks like more »

Think back to a time when you were in school. If you’re as young as me there were probably some old, broken computers in every classroom, each barely capable of running Windows 98, let alone anything worth while. Nowadays there’s computers in many classrooms and some might have projectors attached to the ceiling. That’s great and all, but what’s the point in all that technology if the students can’t use them?

eInstruction hopes to bring the tech into the hands of everyone in the classroom, whether it be elementary, high school or colleges. Its new product, the Interwrite Mobi System, provides a way for teachers and students to connect more easily through technology. The system gives students tablets that connect to the classroom’s network. The students can then answer questions, ask questions or interact more with the teacher instantly. The teacher then sees the responses and is able to tell who said what, so they can identify students that might need extra help, or those who completely understand the material.

Social networking isn’t all poking people and sending gifts. This is demonstrated perfectly in the case of an unnamed 14 year old boy from Canada who used Facebook to start a group with evil ends involving redheads.

Inspired by a South Park episode the boy (who we will call “John” to make things easier) set up a Facebook group whose aim was to encourage people to kick a ginger. This group was set up purely as a joke, almost as a tribute to South Park. However, it would appear that you can’t say anything these days without someone taking you seriously. The group grew to around 5,000 people, and a date was set to initiate this ginger-kicking-fest: the 20th of November.

This is where we call out the tech moves that seem odd, out of touch or just plain straight up smokin’ crack. This week sees posturing, positioning and flat out insanity. Can you hear the drum beating for Black Friday? It is getting nuts in here! Here is what caught my eye this week:

Join me as I call out these guys for totally suspicious acts:

• Gadget makers
• Classmates.com
• Bloggers that leak good stuff
• Korean dictionaries. Yes, I am serious about that one.

Follow the link to hear more. It is almost guaranteed to brighten your Friday. Almost.

Nikon users get in line. Everyone’s about to get enlightened. A new training video titled “A Hands-on Guide to Creative Lighting” is on its way for Nikonians of all experience levels.

Two very knowledgeable photographers lead the training: Bob Krist and Joe McNally. Both have done work for National Geographic and have a close relationship with Nikon. Both are multi-award winners, authors/photographers of best-selling photography books, and have shot for major magazines and companies. Both men also teach seminars and workshops. It is without question these men know their stuff. Who better to learn from than masters of the craft?

Read on for more info on the DVD…

There are lots of methods of educating children offered these days. Private school, public school, online charter schools. But somehow it seems the actual education kids seem to be getting is often on a downhill slide. And to many, this is a major concern. The latest in the list of ways to help fill in the gaps you think your child’s schooling may be lacking, or even if you just want a little “extra,” is Brightstorm. Continued after the break.

Here’s a quick question: would you give up beer before Wi-Fi? According to a new study by the Wi-Fi Alliance, 48 percent of the 501 college students polled would. That wasn’t the only question asked, though to some it can be interesting what college students prefer over beer. Of the students polled, over half admitted to using MySpace, Facebook and/or email during class. That’s not really all that surprising, a lot of college students flood computer labs during free time to check Facebook/MySpace, so why wouldn’t they during class if it’s available?

The main focus of the study, however, seems to be if Wi-Fi helps in college at all. In the study, 79 percent of students “said that without Wi-Fi access, college would be a lot harder.” Again, not surprising. Later, it mentions students getting a head start on assignments on their laptops before class ends, or quickly researching some small detail in order to appear smarter. Another not-so-surprising finding, but an important fact is that more incoming students and their parents are looking at technology when choosing colleges, with 60 percent saying that “widely available Wi-Fi on campus is an indication that a school cares about its students.”