Aptitude, intelligence, and application of theoretical studies are often assessed by school through the means of examinations. While written examinations are a common, there also exercises in application such as science experiments, and other similar projects that help educators get a better grasp of how well students understand the lessons and if they have learned how to apply it in real life.
It works, so far, but most of these methods are dated and though many schools have incorporated the use of technology in teaching, they have not yet used it fully in assessing student capabilities.
According to Professor James Gee, video games are not only a great way to teach kids, but to also assess their performance as well.
Video games are more than just hobbies and a form of entertainment; they also provide a very immersive learning experience for users. Take MMORPGs for example. The typical MMORPG will have you creating a new character, going through a quick tutorial process about game control and basic rules of the game before it lands you in a virtual world where you must learn about things on your own as you go.
There are plenty of things to learn in the online gaming world, each game has its own distinct community, game play, story line and even in-game economics. Its social studies, science, literature, history, maths and more; oddly enough, after two months of playing a game daily, a student knows more of the game world that what is learned at school for the same period of time. Even better is that monitoring game progress is easy, allowing anyone to be able to create a real time assessment of aptitude without the limits of scheduled examinations. The best part is that kids generally love playing games.
Read more about using video games for educational purposes at the Telegraph UK.
Archive for February, 2010
Video Games Should be used to Assess Students
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Microsoft Raises the Bar
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
After many years of having the Window Mobile operating system being left behind by other mobile operating systems; the Redmond based software development company has finally delivered a new platform for the mobile industry that promises to change the way we look at mobile phones.
Right now, the company is still working very hard to bring their promises to the last Mobile World Congress.
Developers have been tagged as one of the three major factors for WP7’s success. Getting developers to create apps is not the only concern. Microsoft needs high quality apps. After all, in the category of casual games alone, there are already thousands of titles out there. But only a few really generate real profit. Developers need more than just a high download count and high votes, they also need paying customers and Microsoft recognizes that need. With WP7 they hope to provide a platform that is not only worth developing apps for, but is also able to get more paying customers.
Of course, a mobile platform’s main success is to be the choice of consumers. Buyers of mobile phones determine their purchase not only on the actual specs of the device itself, but also for the operating system. Back then, the only way a WinMo phone would do well is if it was being used by a business (WinMo’s share of the business market is second only to BlackBerry).
On the market of general users, Windows Mobile has a very small presence. The new user interface with its integration of new and major services such as Zune, Bing, Xbox Live Games and plenty of social networking tools is aimed at getting the general public to choose the new platform over Android devices and iPhones.
Read more about Microsoft’s new approach to the mobile industry at Tech Radar.
Buzz: Google’s Very Own Pandora’s Box
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
It may look like a very interesting new feature, after all, it is hard to find fault in having another social networking tool. But when your private list of contacts, friends and correspondences is intruded upon and published for the whole world to see, it would not be a surprising reaction to feel violated and vulnerable.
This is exactly what Google has done with many of its’ Gmail users by suddenly launching the service and seemingly forcing everyone into it.
Technically, Google never forced a single Gmail user to use Buzz. The initial splash screen introducing the Buzz gives everyone a choice to not use the service.
Using the service however, will force the user to use the default settings upon launch.
It may seem like a small technicality, but it has plenty of serious consequences. For a point of reference, imagine signing up for a Facebook account; you click register, fill up your details, fill in your email address and once everything is all set to go, you are directed to the settings page of your profile. You are given the choice to determine the different access and privacy settings you will have.
Google does not give users this privilege.
Sure, the Buzz has settings you can edit and change. But not before you are logged into the service, publicly. When Gmail opens, the Buzz account will automatically have you following people and being followed by people, It even links Picasa accounts exposing your images to some completely random strangers (if your ever emailed a client or supplier, they will be part of the “who’s following you” list).
Even worse is the simple fact that everyone gets to see who is in your contacts list; this exposes critical professional and personal information regarding your connections.
Read more about Google Buzz problems (including a lawsuit) at the Telegraph UK.
XPERIA X10 Brings Sony Flavor on the Android
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Skinning user interfaces may seem like a bad idea (unless it is the old Windows Mobile 6.X series), but in some cases, it proves to be pretty successful even when you are skinning something that is as efficient as the Google Android OS.
Take a look at the new Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10. This device will be using the new Timescape and Mediascape user interface on the Android 1.6 Donut operating system. The big advantage here is that proprietary user interfaces tend to be able to give quick access to existing mobile phone features and are able to maximize hardware potential. Using Android OS or WinMo adds functionality.
The combination of Timescape and Mediascape coordinates your social networking accounts, contact information, music, videos and other playback content. Sure, the Android has apps that can do something similar, but SE’s system is already impressive and sufficient.
Anyway, running the user interfaces and the Google Android is pretty easy for the phone’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor. Loading processes and applications are fast and easy. Users also get a full 4 inch of TFT touch screen to use as well. Overall, the XPERIA X10 will be giving the HTC Desire some competition when both devices launch this coming March.
Fans of the XPERIA X10 who are still waiting for better budgets may want to consider getting the SE X10 Mini instead. The device may seem like a toy, but it is able to handle plenty of Android functions with ease. It is also almost half the size of the original XPERIA X10. Of course, this device will have watered down functions, but it will still retain the Android OS. The X10 Mini Pro is a second edition of the Mini that comes with a keyboard.
See more about the XPERIA X10 at Stuff TV.
Early Windows Phone 7 Ads Pop Up
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
When you have a product that is not due for launch until the holiday season, February is not exactly the best time to start showing ads.
The big argument here is that market interest tends to die out in time and keeping everyone interested for a long period would mean risking a large investment in a continuous marketing campaign.
However, when you have a product as good as Microsoft’s upcoming mobile platform, it certainly does not hurt leaving people with the sense of long term wanting.
The new Windows Phone 7 series is the very first truly innovative operating system to arrive for mobile phones. It can be said that the Apple iPhone OS set the standard for touch screen user interfaces and that the Google Android was one of the most forward thinking platforms in terms of customization and app content. WP7 on the other hand, totally re-writes the way we look at mobile phones.
Features wise, WP7 brings all the missing parts that previous versions of the OS needed. Touch screen controls, easy navigation design and intensive customization is now present in the new platform, and even more intriguing is its large-panel approach to creating menus.
Users will find themselves panning across various “menus” that are larger than the display screen. Each menu is focused on various phone aspects; “people” is set to deliver information and updates on contacts for calling, messaging and other purposes. “Games” will bring the new Xbox Live Games functionality. Media has been split to “pictures” and “music and videos” and also features the new Zune system (with the possibility that Zune will be available in the US). Several other menus bring other functionalities too.
Overall, WP7 transforms the mobile phone experience into something totally new.
See the initial video demonstrations of the features of WP7 at Softpedia.
WTF Happened to Buzz?
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Expletives aside, we now stand witness at what is probably Google’s largest blunder, ever.
For most owners of Google accounts (most likely through Google mail), getting into Google based services has always been a matter of patience and testing. Patience because new features are new automatically made available, and testing because features go through so many stages of bug finding before being made final.
It is a long process, but it has worked for years. Thanks to this, we have learned that there are amazing features like Google labs for Gmail and there are odd things that rarely see usage like Google Wave. But regardless of the feature, if it is in our accounts, it means we signed up for it. This is an amazing rule that Google has followed.
Google’s Buzz broke that rule.
Buzz came out of the blue. Sure, we had a choice between yes and no. No was a safe answer that took away all the issues without anyone ever having trouble, “Yes” was a total nightmare.
Before, when you see a new Google service, they run you through several pages of introductions about features, what it is, why it is available and why you should use it. When you sign up, you are shown settings that you can alter to your needs.
Buzz skips all of these.
When you press yes, you are instantly connected to Buzz and you suddenly find yourself following random people in your contact list and are being followed by random people in your contact list. It is confusing, creepy and ultimately, a big security hazard.
Google has been in denial, saying that no one has been hurt or that this can all be easily fixed. It is not nice to downplay mistakes, and this seemingly little blunder could lead to disastrous consequences for Google.
In any case, Buzz is getting updates; check out what else is coming at the Telegraph UK.
MWC Highlights: HD Mini and More
Friday, February 19th, 2010
HTC had a pretty nice lineup of mobile phones over the weekend as they took part in the Mobile World Congress at Barcelona, Spain.
Quite new to the lineup is the never before seen HTC HD Mini which brings to us the new Windows Mobile 6.5.3 operating system it a bite sized version of the HTC HD2. No word yet if the HD2 itself will be patched to the new version, but since the HD2 already uses the sense user interface, the update might not be released for the device. The HD Mini is not as mini as it sounds. It has a nice 3.2 inch touch screen which makes it about the size of the HTC Hero.
Speaking of the Hero Android smart phone, it just won the best phone of the year award. And now, it looks like HTC is planning to re-do their Android feat by unleashing the successor to the Hero, the HTC Legend. The Legend comes with a 3.2 inch AMOLED touch screen, a Qualcomm 600 MHz CPU and a 5 mega pixel camera. It will also be loaded with the HTC Sense user interface though the Google Android OS already looks good as it is.
Of course, HTC’s biggest mobile phone offering (for now) is the HTC Desire. This device was originally shown off as the Bravo, served as the basis for the Google Phone. It packs a high speed 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5 mega pixel camera with D1 720p video recording and a nice, big 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen. The Desire is expected to launch by March.
HTC did not show or talk about the upcoming HTC Scorpion. The device is expected to have a 1.5GHz processor making it a very next-generation device.
Read more about the HTC HD Mini smart phone at Mobile Choice UK.
Windows Phone 7 Ready to Go
Friday, February 19th, 2010
The final word on the new Windows Phone 7 mobile platform: expect to see it on mobile devices by the holidays this year.
With that said, it’s a bit of a wonder why anyone would even want to see the new operating system. After all, the Windows Mobile operating system has been the subject of criticism because of its user interface. While the platform still thrived through the business market (Microsoft is second only to RIM), the general public wanted almost nothing to do with the OS.
Now, it looks like things are about to change. The presentation made by Steve Ballmer and his crew has shown how they totally reinvented the whole mobile phone experience. Their mantra: the phone is not a PC. And the new OS certainly does not look like anything we have seen before. It practically makes desktop systems boring and even makes you feel the age of the Google Android and the iPhone OS. Never have we seen a platform as stylized and as dynamic as the one shown off last Sunday.
Features wise, this is still pretty much a pile of promises and potential capabilities. With almost a full year before the launch of the actual product, it is pretty much expected that it still has plenty of holes. It is surprising however, that they already have existing contents and that they have begun incorporating the new features such as Zune and Xbox Live Games into the demonstration.
On the hardware side, it has been confirmed that Qualcomm will be backing up Windows Phone 7 heavily and that HTC is already promising to have Windows Phone devices ready by the end of this year. Sadly, existing WinMo devices will not be compatible with an update to the new OS (with the possible exception of the HTC HD2).
Read more about the new Windows Phone 7 series platform at GSM Arena.
Highlights of MWC: Windows Phone 7 Series
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Steve Ballmer dropped a big one when he went up onstage to unveil the new Windows Phone 7 mobile platform. The system is not expected to be seen on a device until the holidays, but that did not stop the Microsoft mobile team from showing off their progress. It may seem like a risky marketing move, showing something this early. Considering the low attention spans of tech lovers, the wait could potentially drain all the excitement for the new OS.
From what we have seen, it will be hard to forget WP7 until the holidays.
The new OS totally reinvents the mobile phone experience. Throughout the whole presentation, the folks onstage kept repeating the phrase “the Phone is not a PC” like mantra. And indeed, if you look at it, mobile phone user interfaces are like watered down versions of desktop operating systems. WP7 is completely different; the highly stylized and dynamic user interface is unlike anything we have ever seen before. It makes the Google Android and even the impressive iPhone OS look stale in comparison (though iPhone OS 4 might change that).
Of course, there is more to the new Windows Phone OS than the user interface (which is still amazing). New features include the introduction of Zune as a standard for the platform. Folks in Europe have yet to see a localized Zune so the media tool is pretty new, but it brings that much needed change of pace from the old media player and file organizer used by Microsoft.
Xbox Live Games is also making its mobile debut on this platform. Now, there are no games listed to be released so claims that this feature will attract hardcore gamers are hard to prove at this point. What we do know is that XBL user accounts will be accessible.
Read the rest of the article about Windows Phone 7 at the source.
Sony Ericsson Expands Phone Lineup
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
There are already plenty of high end Sony Ericsson smart phones to look forward to this year. But if SE has something missing, it is a decent series of smart phones for the mid price range market. Unlike Finnish manufacturer Nokia and Korean company Samsung, the Swedish Japanese joint venture has very few phones with low price tags; and the current models they have in that range could hardly compete with the WinMo and Android devices of other companies.
The only upcoming WinMo phone from Sony Ericsson is the SE Aspen. It is a Greenheart smart phone that features a full QWERTY keyboard and the new Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Maldives operating system. For the Android and Symbian markets, Sony Ericsson has plenty more to offer.
It has already been confirmed that the SE XPERIA X10 will be released this March along with the Vivaz. The XPERIA X10 is an Android smart phone that uses the Snapdragon 1GHz CPU while the Vivaz runs on Symbian 5.0 OS and has an 8 megapixel camera with HD video recording capabilities.
Adding to this line of mobile phones are the Vivaz Pro, the X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro. From what we have seen, the Pro editions of SE devices come with slide out QWERTY keyboards that will certainly attract mobile users who are heavy texters or email users.
The SE Vivaz Pro was previously announced as the SE Kanna (and the Vivaz was the Kurara). The device will have the exact specifications as the Vivaz with the exception of the 8 mega pixel camera. The Pro will only have a 5 mega pixel camera but will retain the HD recording capability.
The X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro are watered down versions of the XPERIA X10 (and roughly half the size too).
Get more details on the Vivaz Pro at Stuff TV.