I'm afraid I respectfully disagree. Without trying to shame you for your opinion, I'll try to explain why I strongly believe the complete opposite of you.
Knowledge WAS power, that is true. In the time of Galileo, in which you have placed your argument, knowledge was hard to come by. One would have to hunt down the proper books, and spend countless hours reading through them to acquire the knowledge necessary for some task at hand. But we don't live in that world anymore. Now, a properly formatted Google search will instantly take you to several resources somewhat-related to what you need. Learning how to synthesize that knowledge into a solution is now where the time can be spent, instead of spending the hours finding and memorizing knowledge which will soon be out of date.
But, I get where you're coming from. It's hard to recognize that a fundamental paradigm shift in society has occurred, and even harder to change oneself as a result. I could have happily gone on teaching as my forefathers have, all the way back to Galileo. It certainly would have been easier! But we're not in Galileo's world anymore, nor will we ever be again.
I love the idea of having a lab which is offline, but at the (public) high school level that's unfortunately not an option for me.
My "online" tests/exams seem to involve all the same things you do, but without code writing. It's taken a lot of time and effort on my part to figure out how to do that -- as I still believe in the validity of tests/exams, just not writing code without an IDE. So, for example, I'll give them code and have them explain what's happening in English. Or I'll give them broken code and have them explain what's wrong or how to fix it. Or I'll ask what situations you'd use one construct vs another. I just don't like asking them to code in tests/exams. It seems like a skill that doesn't mimic the real-world, and to me that's what education is supposed to be preparing them for. Though, I realize that MANY disagree with me on that point.
Wow -- they're using these techniques at the job interview level! I had no idea -- thanks for sharing. The disadvantage of having become a teacher and leaving the programming industry, is that I've left the programming industry. So all my skills have aged, and keeping up has been a challenge. Thanks for the insight!
I hear what you're saying, many of my colleagues initially react in a similar way (though with more professional language, mind you). They make the same initial, and faulty, assumption -- that my students aren't being taught the skills necessary to analyze information for its authenticity/relevance. If I could pick one skill which is most important in our world of FAKE NEWS and biases galore, it would be that.
Although I suppose we could stick to the government-supplied textbook model of information acquisition. Heck, it's worked for over 100 years, why change?
(NOTE: I don't know why an f-ing iPhone can't submit text properly, but here's my response properly formatted.)
Here's how I've adjusted my teaching practice for a world with smartphones: 1) All my tests are open book/note. In a world where you can lookup anything anytime, knowledge is no longer a valued commodity. However, using knowledge to solve problems is. So all my questions involve higher level thinking, with students able to use their notes. 2) My tests and exams are all done on computer through Google Classroom (when in a lab setting). So there's always a keyboard and screen. 3) I have my students write code in their assignments with an IDE, not on tests. Writing code without and IDE has always pissed me off. So, my tests/exams involve things like analyzing code, eg: here's some code, tell me what it does. Or, here's some code with problems, what are they and/or how can they be fixed? Or, when would you use a while loop vs a do loop? Or a local variable vs a class variable?
I must note that this form of teaching is entirely my own, after spending much time reflecting on how I think teaching and schooling must adjust for a world with instantaneous access to endless information.
This is not endorsed by my government (Ontario, Canada) or school board, and even many of my colleagues disagree. However, something has to change in education which still uses methods developed over a century ago for chalk and slate!
I do espouse these methods when possible, and continually strive to evolve my teaching for an ever evolving world, as I certainly don't think this is the final answer in education methodology. Any further ideas you have would be welcome!
At some point I would like to evolve my tests/exams to be "open Google", but frankly have no idea how that would work. However, that's my thoughts on next steps from where I'm at currently.
Hereâ(TM)s how Iâ(TM)ve adjuated my teaching practice for a world with smartphones:
1) All my tests are open book/note. In a world where you can lookup anything anytime, knowledge is no longer a valued commodity. However, using knowledge to solve problems is. So all my questions involve higher level thinking, with students able to use their notes.
2) My tests and exams are all done on computer through Google Classroom (when in a lab setting). So thereâ(TM)s always a keyboard and screen.
3) I have my students write code in their assignments with an IDE, not on tests. Writing code without and IDE has always pissed me off. So, my tests/exams involve things like analyzing code, eg: hereâ(TM)s some code, tell me what it does. Or, hereâ(TM)s some code with problems, what are they and/or how can they be fixed. Or, when would you use a while loop vs a do loop? Or a local variable vs a class variable?
I must note that this form of teaching is entirely my own, after spending much time reflecting on how I think teaching and schooling must adjust for a world with instantaneous access to endless information. This is not endorsed by my government (Ontario, Canada) or school board, and even many of my colleagues disagree. However, something has to change in education which still uses methods developped over a century ago for chalk and slate!
I do espouse these methods when possible, and continually strive to evolve my teaching for an ever evolving world, but I certainly donâ(TM)t think this is the final answer in education methodology. Any further ideas you have would be welcome!
At some point I would like to evolve my tests/exams to be âoeopen Googleâ, but frankly have no idea how that would work. But thatâ(TM)s my thoughts on next steps from where I'm at currently.
Am I the only one who thinks that Rage looks a lot like Borderlands, but without the variation in weapons? I haven't come across such a comparison yet, but it was the first (and still prevalent) thought I had upon seeing the trailer.
TV is losing because it no longer works for us...
on
Why TV Lost
·
· Score: 1
I don't know exactly when it happened, but over the last few years "TV" stopped working for us and we started working for "TV". Do you notice how your favourite programs (if you still watch TV) randomly move around? They are constantly jumping timeslots, days, and taking random holidays. What's that about? Now I have to actively hunt down my favourite shows each time I want to watch them... and having to continually rearrange my evenings certainly doesn't endear the format in my eyes.
This lack of respect for the viewer seems minor when compared to the larger issue of the big companies/stations randomly interfering with and even canceling shows for no _good_ reason. Firefly comes to mind. So does Family Guy. And Global Frequency - a FULLY complete pilot for a new Sci-Fi show that never even aired! (You can find copies of it online, and I found it well worth the download.)
Basically I see it coming down to this: there's an odd mentality in TV-Land (whatever that even is) that the viewers' opinions -- the reason TV exists in the first place -- are no longer important compared to what the big stations and companies want. Anyway, that's why I think TV is in the process of losing. It's no longer there for us -- we're here for it. And WTF is that?
After having now been able to view the video (YouTube blocked at work), I'd have to agree. This is a different technology. Though I'd say it still suffers from the same flaw: tiresome! Mice and keyboards have their drawbacks to be sure, but they involve a lot less movement. Even just holding out my arm(s) like that would quickly exhaust me, let alone gesturing profusely for a several hour gaming session.
I've always been interested in inputdev... I wonder if there's some happy medium between the two? An intuitive input scheme (like direct mimicry of in-game gestures) that requires little exertion (like hitting buttons or moving a mouse)?
He did this ages ago with nothing but a Wii remote, some IR LEDs, and bits of reflective tape. And all his code is openly available!
If you're interested, take a look around his site at some of the other stuff he's done... and not just with Wii remotes, either. The man is a genius. I love the projector calibration work he did. I mean, he's turned folding fans and umbrellas into screens!
I've got to say, who cares? What about "standard" 1-2 core machines that 99% of users own? How efficient/fast will it run on those?
I must admit my bias here: I upgraded to Vista from XP when I bought a new laptop last year. The computer I was using previously was a 4 year old Centrino, running XP. My brand-spanking-new laptop had a dual-core Pentium (with each core faster than the single core in my old one) and it ran SLOWER than my 4 year old PC. I couldn't believe it! I eventually "upgraded" to XP on my new computer, and what do you know? It ran about 2-3 times faster. I couldn't believe it.
(Please note that when I'm comparing speeds here, I'm talking about apparent running speed, not benchmarks or anything. I mean how fast the system boots, opens programs, handles multiple apps running at the same time, how often it grinds the HDD, etc.)
So the real question is not how well it will scale on monstrous servers... but will it be snappy/efficient on a single computer? Because their last "upgrade" certainly isn't.
Simple answer: abolish it. I lived in Japan for several years and they don't adjust their clocks. Guess what? I didn't notice! Well, except that I didn't have the hassle of changing all my clocks, and throwing off my sleeping rhythm twice a year.
Frankly, I don't see the point of DST anymore. So many people work in giant window-less buildings now, what does it matter? The lights are on the same amount of time regardless. And if you desperately need consistent daylight, move closer to the equator. Or you could invest in some full-spectrum light bulbs (they help me quite a bit).
By the way the headline is phrased I thought they'd invented a program which can understand baby talk. That would be awesome! Although, it's already been done on The Simpsons.
I've been living in Japan for the last few years and they've been using "modern tech" to aid the blind for years. All subway/train/bus stations, and even most sidewalks in downtown areas, have pathways of raised bumps (like sidewalk braille) leading to/from all exits/stairways/crosswalks/etc. It's mind-numbing how pervasive these things are. Braille "enabled" maps are posted all over (with, of course, sidewalk-braille paths leading up to them). They even have braille written (embossed?) on staircase railings saying which floor is the next one up/down, and of course on all elevator buttons. But they don't stop there. Most subways/trains and even buses announce what stop they're at and which one is next. Not to mention the elevators, too.
Anyway, to make a long comment short, it doesn't take fancy tech to make the world easier for disabled people, but a willingness to spend public money to do so. I can't imagine how much all that infrastructure costs, but then I look at my taxes...
If you're going to go to the trouble of repainting your entire office/building/whatever so your wireless network can be secure, why not just string cables instead? Unfortunately, the article is light on details, such as the price of this high-tech paint and whether it has any (undesired) side-effects like blocking cell-phones. The real question as I see it is, if you have to factor in the price of repainting your entire workplace (and don't miss any spots!) to the already high expense of going entirely wireless, why not just string some cable and be done with it?
Disclaimer: I'm just hip-shooting here. I've never been in charge of a company so I don't know all the factors which would affect a decision of this type. I just don't get why you'd ever go wireless if security is important to you.
...which would imply that an earlier poster's point (about labels being put on your own property and tags being put on someone else's) was correct. And as they said, that would make slashdot's "tags" and gmail's "labels".
Seems to make sense to me, though the question is whether it's worth that much thought. No matter which one they're called, the meaning is clear... So long as they don't start calling them "franks" I'll know what that field is for.
I haven't gone to their website yet, but the post does say they are getting ready to release an evaluation version, and not that it's already released.
This just goes to show that the old adage "don't judge a processor by its clockspeed" is becoming more and more true. I think AMD has got the right idea by moving away from clockspeed measurements. That's not to say that their system is perfect, but it's definately a large step in the right direction.
From the article:
"We think there's a legitimate claim that they're going against their stated claim to keep an open standard," Kearney says. ...or maybe Bush's speech writer is taking on external contracts.
I just wanted to throw in my $0.02 on why they are so upset.
I've never been to Japan myself, but I have read and heard that the cost of DVD's is prohibitively expensive over there. What we can buy for US$20 can cost them anywhere from US$100-150. So I can certainly understand getting angry at plunking down over $100 dollars of hard-earned money for a defective product. (Especially if the company denies that anything is wrong!)
. . . It helps justify the massive pirating prevalent in those parts of the world, eh?
Slashdot Mirror
I'm afraid I respectfully disagree. Without trying to shame you for your opinion, I'll try to explain why I strongly believe the complete opposite of you.
Knowledge WAS power, that is true. In the time of Galileo, in which you have placed your argument, knowledge was hard to come by. One would have to hunt down the proper books, and spend countless hours reading through them to acquire the knowledge necessary for some task at hand. But we don't live in that world anymore. Now, a properly formatted Google search will instantly take you to several resources somewhat-related to what you need. Learning how to synthesize that knowledge into a solution is now where the time can be spent, instead of spending the hours finding and memorizing knowledge which will soon be out of date.
But, I get where you're coming from. It's hard to recognize that a fundamental paradigm shift in society has occurred, and even harder to change oneself as a result. I could have happily gone on teaching as my forefathers have, all the way back to Galileo. It certainly would have been easier! But we're not in Galileo's world anymore, nor will we ever be again.
I love the idea of having a lab which is offline, but at the (public) high school level that's unfortunately not an option for me.
My "online" tests/exams seem to involve all the same things you do, but without code writing. It's taken a lot of time and effort on my part to figure out how to do that -- as I still believe in the validity of tests/exams, just not writing code without an IDE. So, for example, I'll give them code and have them explain what's happening in English. Or I'll give them broken code and have them explain what's wrong or how to fix it. Or I'll ask what situations you'd use one construct vs another. I just don't like asking them to code in tests/exams. It seems like a skill that doesn't mimic the real-world, and to me that's what education is supposed to be preparing them for. Though, I realize that MANY disagree with me on that point.
Wow -- they're using these techniques at the job interview level! I had no idea -- thanks for sharing. The disadvantage of having become a teacher and leaving the programming industry, is that I've left the programming industry. So all my skills have aged, and keeping up has been a challenge. Thanks for the insight!
I like your idea on how to condition the students to take exams on paper with regular quizzes. Thanks for sharing!
I hear what you're saying, many of my colleagues initially react in a similar way (though with more professional language, mind you). They make the same initial, and faulty, assumption -- that my students aren't being taught the skills necessary to analyze information for its authenticity/relevance. If I could pick one skill which is most important in our world of FAKE NEWS and biases galore, it would be that.
Although I suppose we could stick to the government-supplied textbook model of information acquisition. Heck, it's worked for over 100 years, why change?
(NOTE: I don't know why an f-ing iPhone can't submit text properly, but here's my response properly formatted.)
Here's how I've adjusted my teaching practice for a world with smartphones:
1) All my tests are open book/note. In a world where you can lookup anything anytime, knowledge is no longer a valued commodity. However, using knowledge to solve problems is. So all my questions involve higher level thinking, with students able to use their notes.
2) My tests and exams are all done on computer through Google Classroom (when in a lab setting). So there's always a keyboard and screen.
3) I have my students write code in their assignments with an IDE, not on tests. Writing code without and IDE has always pissed me off. So, my tests/exams involve things like analyzing code, eg: here's some code, tell me what it does. Or, here's some code with problems, what are they and/or how can they be fixed? Or, when would you use a while loop vs a do loop? Or a local variable vs a class variable?
I must note that this form of teaching is entirely my own, after spending much time reflecting on how I think teaching and schooling must adjust for a world with instantaneous access to endless information.
This is not endorsed by my government (Ontario, Canada) or school board, and even many of my colleagues disagree. However, something has to change in education which still uses methods developed over a century ago for chalk and slate!
I do espouse these methods when possible, and continually strive to evolve my teaching for an ever evolving world, as I certainly don't think this is the final answer in education methodology. Any further ideas you have would be welcome!
At some point I would like to evolve my tests/exams to be "open Google", but frankly have no idea how that would work. However, that's my thoughts on next steps from where I'm at currently.
Hereâ(TM)s how Iâ(TM)ve adjuated my teaching practice for a world with smartphones: 1) All my tests are open book/note. In a world where you can lookup anything anytime, knowledge is no longer a valued commodity. However, using knowledge to solve problems is. So all my questions involve higher level thinking, with students able to use their notes. 2) My tests and exams are all done on computer through Google Classroom (when in a lab setting). So thereâ(TM)s always a keyboard and screen. 3) I have my students write code in their assignments with an IDE, not on tests. Writing code without and IDE has always pissed me off. So, my tests/exams involve things like analyzing code, eg: hereâ(TM)s some code, tell me what it does. Or, hereâ(TM)s some code with problems, what are they and/or how can they be fixed. Or, when would you use a while loop vs a do loop? Or a local variable vs a class variable? I must note that this form of teaching is entirely my own, after spending much time reflecting on how I think teaching and schooling must adjust for a world with instantaneous access to endless information. This is not endorsed by my government (Ontario, Canada) or school board, and even many of my colleagues disagree. However, something has to change in education which still uses methods developped over a century ago for chalk and slate! I do espouse these methods when possible, and continually strive to evolve my teaching for an ever evolving world, but I certainly donâ(TM)t think this is the final answer in education methodology. Any further ideas you have would be welcome! At some point I would like to evolve my tests/exams to be âoeopen Googleâ, but frankly have no idea how that would work. But thatâ(TM)s my thoughts on next steps from where I'm at currently.
Am I the only one who thinks that Rage looks a lot like Borderlands, but without the variation in weapons? I haven't come across such a comparison yet, but it was the first (and still prevalent) thought I had upon seeing the trailer.
I don't know exactly when it happened, but over the last few years "TV" stopped working for us and we started working for "TV". Do you notice how your favourite programs (if you still watch TV) randomly move around? They are constantly jumping timeslots, days, and taking random holidays. What's that about? Now I have to actively hunt down my favourite shows each time I want to watch them... and having to continually rearrange my evenings certainly doesn't endear the format in my eyes.
This lack of respect for the viewer seems minor when compared to the larger issue of the big companies/stations randomly interfering with and even canceling shows for no _good_ reason. Firefly comes to mind. So does Family Guy. And Global Frequency - a FULLY complete pilot for a new Sci-Fi show that never even aired! (You can find copies of it online, and I found it well worth the download.)
Basically I see it coming down to this: there's an odd mentality in TV-Land (whatever that even is) that the viewers' opinions -- the reason TV exists in the first place -- are no longer important compared to what the big stations and companies want. Anyway, that's why I think TV is in the process of losing. It's no longer there for us -- we're here for it. And WTF is that?
Obvious Man!
Since the M in ATM stands for Machine, saying ATM Machine is redundant.
After having now been able to view the video (YouTube blocked at work), I'd have to agree. This is a different technology. Though I'd say it still suffers from the same flaw: tiresome! Mice and keyboards have their drawbacks to be sure, but they involve a lot less movement. Even just holding out my arm(s) like that would quickly exhaust me, let alone gesturing profusely for a several hour gaming session.
I've always been interested in inputdev... I wonder if there's some happy medium between the two? An intuitive input scheme (like direct mimicry of in-game gestures) that requires little exertion (like hitting buttons or moving a mouse)?
Johnny Chung Lee
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/projects/wii/
He did this ages ago with nothing but a Wii remote, some IR LEDs, and bits of reflective tape. And all his code is openly available!
If you're interested, take a look around his site at some of the other stuff he's done... and not just with Wii remotes, either. The man is a genius. I love the projector calibration work he did. I mean, he's turned folding fans and umbrellas into screens!
I've got to say, who cares? What about "standard" 1-2 core machines that 99% of users own? How efficient/fast will it run on those?
I must admit my bias here: I upgraded to Vista from XP when I bought a new laptop last year. The computer I was using previously was a 4 year old Centrino, running XP. My brand-spanking-new laptop had a dual-core Pentium (with each core faster than the single core in my old one) and it ran SLOWER than my 4 year old PC. I couldn't believe it! I eventually "upgraded" to XP on my new computer, and what do you know? It ran about 2-3 times faster. I couldn't believe it.
(Please note that when I'm comparing speeds here, I'm talking about apparent running speed, not benchmarks or anything. I mean how fast the system boots, opens programs, handles multiple apps running at the same time, how often it grinds the HDD, etc.)
So the real question is not how well it will scale on monstrous servers... but will it be snappy/efficient on a single computer? Because their last "upgrade" certainly isn't.
Simple answer: abolish it. I lived in Japan for several years and they don't adjust their clocks. Guess what? I didn't notice! Well, except that I didn't have the hassle of changing all my clocks, and throwing off my sleeping rhythm twice a year.
Frankly, I don't see the point of DST anymore. So many people work in giant window-less buildings now, what does it matter? The lights are on the same amount of time regardless. And if you desperately need consistent daylight, move closer to the equator. Or you could invest in some full-spectrum light bulbs (they help me quite a bit).
Meh, just my $0.02.
By the way the headline is phrased I thought they'd invented a program which can understand baby talk. That would be awesome! Although, it's already been done on The Simpsons.
I've been living in Japan for the last few years and they've been using "modern tech" to aid the blind for years. All subway/train/bus stations, and even most sidewalks in downtown areas, have pathways of raised bumps (like sidewalk braille) leading to/from all exits/stairways/crosswalks/etc. It's mind-numbing how pervasive these things are. Braille "enabled" maps are posted all over (with, of course, sidewalk-braille paths leading up to them). They even have braille written (embossed?) on staircase railings saying which floor is the next one up/down, and of course on all elevator buttons. But they don't stop there. Most subways/trains and even buses announce what stop they're at and which one is next. Not to mention the elevators, too.
Anyway, to make a long comment short, it doesn't take fancy tech to make the world easier for disabled people, but a willingness to spend public money to do so. I can't imagine how much all that infrastructure costs, but then I look at my taxes...
If you're going to go to the trouble of repainting your entire office/building/whatever so your wireless network can be secure, why not just string cables instead? Unfortunately, the article is light on details, such as the price of this high-tech paint and whether it has any (undesired) side-effects like blocking cell-phones. The real question as I see it is, if you have to factor in the price of repainting your entire workplace (and don't miss any spots!) to the already high expense of going entirely wireless, why not just string some cable and be done with it?
Disclaimer: I'm just hip-shooting here. I've never been in charge of a company so I don't know all the factors which would affect a decision of this type. I just don't get why you'd ever go wireless if security is important to you.
...which would imply that an earlier poster's point (about labels being put on your own property and tags being put on someone else's) was correct. And as they said, that would make slashdot's "tags" and gmail's "labels".
Seems to make sense to me, though the question is whether it's worth that much thought. No matter which one they're called, the meaning is clear... So long as they don't start calling them "franks" I'll know what that field is for.
I understand that the one season they made was so good it could count for more, but unfortunately that's not the case.
*sighs*
I haven't gone to their website yet, but the post does say they are getting ready to release an evaluation version, and not that it's already released.
This just goes to show that the old adage "don't judge a processor by its clockspeed" is becoming more and more true. I think AMD has got the right idea by moving away from clockspeed measurements. That's not to say that their system is perfect, but it's definately a large step in the right direction.
From the article:
...or maybe Bush's speech writer is taking on external contracts.
"We think there's a legitimate claim that they're going against their stated claim to keep an open standard," Kearney says.
"Ad Banners Finally Have a Purpose"
from the other-than-causing-epilepsy dept.
. . . and don't forget the Big Breasted Protagonist (preferably female).
I just wanted to throw in my $0.02 on why they are so upset.
I've never been to Japan myself, but I have read and heard that the cost of DVD's is prohibitively expensive over there. What we can buy for US$20 can cost them anywhere from US$100-150. So I can certainly understand getting angry at plunking down over $100 dollars of hard-earned money for a defective product. (Especially if the company denies that anything is wrong!)
. . . It helps justify the massive pirating prevalent in those parts of the world, eh?