EdTech Show Daily

Website to Trade Nintendo Wiis for Homework Questions

StudentOfFortune.com, a Los Angeles-based homework help website, will initiate their Wii-A-Day Giveaway promotion starting on April 1st, according to the company.

The promotion will involve giving away a Nintendo Wii each day of the month of April to members of Student of Fortune. Non-members will be able to sign up for an account on the website.

To enter the contest, members will need to post a "homework related" question on the site, including anything from a question about math to help with physics homework. Each day, the Student of Fortune staff will hand select a posted question and award that member with a new Nintendo Wii.

The company is also using Twitter as a means to spread the news about the contest and attract prospective members.

Members can also use Twitter as a way to enter the contest. By posting a predetermined tweet, users will earn another entry into the Wii giveaway, thereby doubling their chances to win each day.

With about 30 Wiis to give out, the company hopes the magnitude of the promotion will attract a lot of attention. Sean McCleese, the founder and CEO of the company, claims this promotion will be one of the biggest contests launched by Student of Fortune thus far.

"We have yet to launch a promotion of this size," said McCleese. "If this contest goes according to plan, we will certainly consider hosting many more promotions in the future. But for now, we're just crossing our fingers."

Student of Fortune certainly aims to make the promotion a big success, but either way, there will be a lot of happy Student of Fortune members come April.

Loudoun County High School Teachers Bring Service-Learning Game Into Curriculum to Drive Student Success

Today, at the Council of Great City Schools and USA TODAY Unite to Make a Difference Forum, Virginia Secretary of Education Gerard Robinson highlighted the work of four Loudoun County High School students who won top honors in a nationally-recognized, socially-networked, problem-solving game called InterroBang. The event, in which Secretary Robinson will be participating, will bring together the country's largest urban school districts, influential business leaders and other top leaders in education. InterroBang will be featured and demonstrated by the winning students for more than 50 superintendents from across the United States.

To play InterroBang, students select a mission online, complete it in the real world, and post evidence of their deeds online. Loudoun County AP English teachers required students to complete missions in order to pass their class. They saw InterroBang as a way to keep their students engaged in learning and enjoy the process of critical thinking. One student explained the physics involved with his skateboarding. Another student painted a mural encompassing many students' responses to Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech, capturing their dreams. Using Bing Translator, another student communicated directly with a Chilean student and learned about cultural differences and similarities. And, another student won for creating a music video which comments on his schools need for continued financial support as well as his interests in playing the drums and competitive swimming.

InterroBang is a Microsoft U.S. Partners in Learning initiative in partnership with Nuvana, Learn and Serve America, and ePals. Since November 2010, 8,000 students in more than 72 countries have submitted thousands of completed missions (known as deeds) to InterroBang game moderators. InterroBang moderators, who are paid educational professionals, provided players with feedback and often ask players to revise their work. When moderators approve a deed, the player receives points. Many teachers embrace InterroBang not only because the missions encourage learning by doing but because they feel like the game moderators are virtual teachers in their classroom. 

For more information on InterroBang, please visit: www.playinterrobang.com.

Pearson Releases eText for iPad App for Higher Education MyLabs/Mastering Programs

Pearson, the world's leading learning company, today announced its new eText app for the Apple iPad, giving registered users of Pearson's MyLabs/Mastering online homework and tutorial programs another option for accessing their companion eText.

Pearson's free eText for iPad app presents digital content in the same high resolution as on a computer, even when pages are zoomed, and displays perfect fidelity to the print book. Students can easily add their own personalization (notes, highlights, bookmarks) while working on their iPads and then access it later on their Mac or PC.

Many of Pearson's most popular MyLabs/Mastering companion eTexts are now available via the eText app, and are being enhanced to include full motion video, audio passages, web links, assessment items and other forms of rich media. Pearson plans to make all of its recent and new eText titles associated with the MyLabs/Mastering programs available on the iPad. A list of the available titles can be found at http://www.pearsonhighered.com/etextforipad/

"At Pearson, we are committed to increasing access, achievement and affordability in education. Devices like the iPad, with its ability to further personalize students' learning, present new opportunities to improve performance and retention. Our new eText app harnesses these capabilities to provide students with a more interactive and enriched learning experience," said Peter Chapman, eBook Program Director at Pearson.

Pearson's eText app is available free of charge from the Apple iTunes App store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pearson-etext/id410315894?mt=8.

The Ultimate Math and Reaction Game Arrives on the iPhone

Debug, an educational iPhone game developed by Mediaisms Limited, is now available on the Apple App Store. The game features fast paced game flow with a cute forest atmosphere challenging both the player's arithmetic skill and reaction time.

Training arithmetic skill and reaction time

It is so simple to play Debug with fun. There are three different bugs in the game, which are beetle, bee and caterpillar. They represent 1, 2 and 3 points respectively. Starting the game, different bugs are shown on the tree. This scene will show up for a while and as the level progresses, the showing time is shortened to as extremely low as only 0.016 second challenging the ultimate reaction time of human eyes! The scene then switches to a formula view with a big question mark. The player has to tap the screen for exact times to answer the final result of the formula. There are 2 game modes: Classic and Turbo. Beginners may try the Classic mode to get familiar with the gameplay. Turbo mode allows much shorter time for reaction and is designed for expert players who want more exciting gaming experience.

Cute characters with achievements

Consecutive correct answers can create a combo chain. This rewards player with bigger and bigger scores. High level of focusing is needed to achieve best scores and achievements. And players may compete with friends through Game Center or OpenFeint network. Debug is an attractive game for both adults and kids because all game characters and background are cute and lovely with colorful interface and sweet background music.

Specification

Debug is an educational game for all ages. It is now available in App Store for USD 0.99. It is compatible with any iOS device with iOS 3.0 or above. To support Game Center functionality, iOS 4 or above is required.

App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/debug/id415437826?mt=8&ls=1

LeapPad Explorer Tablet for Children to be Released this Summer

LeapFrog is proud to announce the arrival of LeapPad Explorer™, a multifunctional learning tablet device that introduces the next generation of learning, digital reading and personal creativity for children ages four and up. LeapPad Explorer builds on the success of 2010's award winning handheld; Leapster Explorer and—just like an adult tablet—LeapPad Explorer combines the latest technology, educational content and entertainment features, specially tailored for young learners with a robust and durable design.

This innovative new device will be available in summer 2011 for $99.99. Downloadable apps will be priced at $7.99 each and cartridges will cost $24.99.

Comic Life for iPad Coming Soon

Plasq, creator of the award-winning Comic Life, has announced the forthcoming release of Comic Life for iPad. The user interface has been completely reworked to take advantage of touch-based interaction, and new features have been added to make creating and sharing comics in the classroom super easy.

Comic Life for iPad takes the core of the photo comic desktop application and wraps it in an easy to use touch interface. Users familiar with Apple’s iWork applications for iPad will feel right at home in Comic Life for iPad, as it implements many of the iWork conventions. And users will be excited when they find the features that take the application beyond just creation; drag and drop capability between iPads and support for VGA projection mean students can easily share and present their work during class.

At the end of 2010, Plasq also introduced Comic Life 2 for Mac OS X and will be available later this year for Windows.

DimensionU Learning System Incorporates Social Networking Features

Tabula Digita, creator of the multifaceted DimensionU Learning System, has added a hip, new social networking component to its award-winning game-based software that allows students to connect with their friends, family and supporters to form their own small groups to support their studies.

The new social networking component encourages students who play the DimensionU educational video games to build online “learning communities” comprised of friends, family or community members, even their instructors. Currently available to students competing in Tabula Digita’s U Games National Scholarship Tournament, the social networking component will be rolled out system wide later this semester.

In the U Games National Scholarship Tournament, the new feature is being presented as the Social Network Challenge. In this, tournament participants can earn points by adding “Supporters,” “Friends” and “Extended Network Members” to their network. More details can be found at: http://bit.ly/eTpoey.

Yahoo! to Support Safer Internet Day on February 8, 2011

Yahoo! Inc. today announced that it is launching Yahoo! Safely worldwide, demonstrating its longtime commitment to fostering safer online experiences. Through Yahoo! Safely (http://safely.yahoo.com), users across 26 countries and 14 languages can now access information and advice on making smart choices online. This global resource aims to inform parents, educators and young people in their own languages about important topics, such as managing digital reputations, avoiding cyber-bullying and learning how to minimize risks on mobile devices.

In support of Safer Internet Day on February 8 (www.saferinternet.org) Yahoo! is joining forces with Insafe, the network co-funded by the European Commission, and offering these five tips for online gaming and social networking:

• Think before you post. How you represent yourself online—the way you play games, the photos and texts you share, the design of your avatar, and what you have on your profile—all add up to who you are. Invest in your online image.

• Be a good sport. Virtual games can be fun, but remember to treat other players with respect. If you wouldn’t do it on the field, don’t do it online either.

• Take action and report bullying. If you stand by and watch, laugh or do nothing when you see bullying happen, you become part of the problem. Take the opportunity to create positive change.

• Spread smiles with your phone. Texting is core to staying connected with your friends, and half of you send more than 1,500 texts a month. What you text is a reflection of you, so be thoughtful about what you say so you can be confident that your texts portray you the right way.

• Unplug and connect with your world. We live in a 24/7 digital world, but don’t forget to unplug sometimes. Get out and connect with your friends in the real world.

 

Autodesk Introduces New iPad App to Make Engineering Fun for Teens

Autodesk, Inc. announced that its new Autodesk TinkerBox App for iPad, a free game designed to playfully spark teens’ interest in mechanical engineering, is available on the App Store. The app allows players to experience the fun and excitement of invention, while gaining confidence in their ability to excel in engineering.

To solve the challenging mechanical puzzles and physics problems presented in Autodesk TinkerBox, players insert gadgets, assemble components and test their inventions. Completing each challenge inspires players to create more and increasingly complex innovations. The game’s Invent mode enables players to design their own contraptions and share them with friends.

“Students need to be given opportunities to experience success with engineering long before they reach colleges and universities,” said Samir Hanna, Vice President of Consumer Products at Autodesk. “The Autodesk TinkerBox App shows kids how fun and exciting science and mechanical engineering can be. This game helps combat the idea that science and engineering are ‘too hard,’ while allowing kids to create some pretty amazing inventions.”

In addition to this new app, Autodesk provides free access to its industry-leading 3D design, engineering and entertainment software and accompanying curricula though the Autodesk Education Community as part of its commitment to educating the next generation of designers and engineers.

Rugged Convertible Classmate PC Design Moves The Way Kids Do

Latest Intel-Powered Convertible Classmate PC Offers Durable Design for School Children Around the World

 

Supported by local computer manufacturers, Intel unveils the latest Intel-powered convertible classmate PC design.

The new convertible design is more rugged and flexible, providing school children around the world with custom-built technology to help advance education.

 

Intel Corporation today unveiled the most flexible and durable Intel-powered convertible classmate PC reference design yet. Supported by local computer manufacturers which are part of the Intel® Learning Series, this new addition combines aesthetics with ruggedness, full PC functionality with enhanced e-learning capabilities and improved performance with energy efficiency.

Building on the success of the clamshell and convertible classmate PC designs, Intel and the Learning Series’ members provide classrooms around the world with a custom-built solution for primary school education.

Featuring the Intel® Atom™ processor and a 10.1-inch LCD monitor, the new convertible classmate PC includes increased memory and storage to run education applications that help students excel in their studies and build skills for the future. The new design can change instantly from a clamshell to a tablet PC, allowing students to naturally switch form factors as they move between activities and locations in the classroom, an observation that Intel ethnographic researchers have termed “micro-mobility.”

"Our ethnographers have spent countless hours understanding how technology can help school age children here in the U.S. and around the world build the skills required for the future," said Kapil Wadhera, acting general manager of Intel’s Emerging Markets Platform Group, which developed the Intel-powered classmate PC reference design based on ethnographic research. “At Intel, we believe that education has the power to transform the lives of individuals, villages, cities and nations, and we understand that technology is one of our greatest tools to advance education around the world.”

Built to move the way kids do, the new Intel-powered convertible classmate PC features a touch-screen with a user interface optimized for eReading applications, water-resistant keyboard, touchpad and screen, improved ruggedness with drop test from desk height, bump and scratch resistance surfaces and structures, and an optional anti-microbial keyboard. In tablet mode, the “palm rejection” feature ignores the touch of hands resting on the screen, allowing students to write and draw intuitively.

In addition to being powered by the power-efficient Intel Atom processor, the new classmate PC features a rechargeable battery with up to 8.5 hours1 of battery life so students and teachers don’t have to worry about plugging in. It also includes integrated wireless connectivity with WiFi and provides the options of 3G, GPS and WiMAX for easy network and Internet connections.

More than 300 vendors – including hardware, operating system, software vendors and enterprise solutions providers – are developing applications, peripherals and services optimized for Intel-powered classmate PCs as a part of the Intel Learning Series offering. This cost-effective, end-to-end solution will be brought to students by an extensive network of local OEMs including CTL, Equus and M&A in the United States, MDG in Canada and local OEMs in Australia, Argentina, China, Germany, India, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, in addition to Benelux region.

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live.

For more information, visit Intel.