Recent Pew Research Center Studies

Posted on by

Pew Study: Technology Aids Students’ Writing Skills Though Challenges Remain | The Digital Shift
Digital technologies are impacting American middle and high school students’ writing in many ways, both good and bad, a new national report from the Pew Research Center shows.

Internet adoption becomes nearly universal among some groups, but others lag behind | Pew Research Center
New data from the latest survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project in the spring shows that 85% of Americans adults use the internet at least occasionally.  Five years ago, in an April 2008 survey, 73% of adults used the internet.  Ten years ago, in May 2003, 63% of adults used the internet.

Personal. Portable. Participatory. Pervasive. from Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project

How Teachers Are Using Technology at Home and in Their Classrooms | Pew Internet
A survey of teachers who instruct American middle and secondary school students finds that digital technologies have become central to their teaching and professionalization. At the same time, the internet, mobile phones, and social media have brought new challenges to teachers, and they report striking differences in access to the latest digital technologies between lower and higher income students and school districts.

ALA joins Apple, Microsoft in demanding surveillance transparency | District Dispatch | ALA Washington

Posted on by

Today, the American Library Association (ALA) joined an unprecedented coalition of Internet companies and advocates to deliver a letter to the U.S. government demanding greater transparency around national security-related surveillance of Internet and telephone communications.

via ALA joins Apple, Microsoft in demanding surveillance transparency | District Dispatch | ALA Washington.

17 Amazing Stories of Lost and Found Films | Flavorwire

Posted on by

Exciting news for silent comedy fans, movie buffs, and people who generally like things that are awesome: film historian Fernando Pena has discovered an alternate version of the classic Buster Keaton short The Blacksmith, featuring numerous never-before-seen gags and a new ending. The film, buried in a large purchase of European prints from eBay, is the kind of discovery that makes movie lovers’ hearts dance; there are so many great old films either lost entirely or no longer in their original form that these kind of finds in archives, collections, and odd spots make the impossible seem possible.

via 17 Amazing Stories of Lost and Found Films | Flavorwire.

Competitive Relaxation: A Turbo-Nerd’s Way To De-Stress | Co.Labs

Posted on by

Biosensors which sense your stress level through skin conductivity and brainwaves, combined with [biometric] games to train you how to relax, are the latest ways to achieve Zen.

Stress causes the sweat glands to activate, changing the conductivity of your skin in a reaction known as a galvanic skin response (GSR). The PIP, held between finger and thumb, measures that response and transmits it to an Android or Apple device. Galvanic has also developed several games, including a racing game called Relax and Race, which use the PIP as a controller. Galvanic’s CTO Daragh McDonnell calls it “competitive relaxation.”

via Competitive Relaxation: A Turbo-Nerd’s Way To De-Stress ⚙ Co.Labs ⚙ code + community.

19-year-old creates incredible Skyrim expansion | Crave – CNET

Posted on by

A young man pours his heart and soul into an add-on for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that adds dozens of hours of new gameplay, quests, and more — for free.

via 19-year-old creates incredible Skyrim expansion | Crave – CNET.

Amazing creativity. An example of what can be produced through access to open data, in this case the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim SDK (software development kit or creation kit). The 19 year old creator of the Falskaar add-on, Alexander J. Velicky, is hoping to get a job with Bethesda Game Studios.

Related: The Elder Scrolls Online

You may also like:

Skyrim

Wearable Computers Create New Security Vulnerabilities | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

Posted on by

Among other things, Google Glass is bringing to light how wearable computers and the new wave of web-connected objects collectively known as the Internet of Things are introducing new security vulnerabilities to the puzzle of mobile computing.

See the full article: Wearable Computers Create New Security Vulnerabilities | Gadget Lab | Wired.com.

Quill & Quire | Guest opinion: why libraries should get into the book-selling business

Posted on by

In the June 2013 issue of Q&Q, Vancouver librarians Shirley Lew and Baharak Yousefi argue that libraries should get into the business of selling books.

See the full article: Quill & Quire | Guest opinion: why libraries should get into the book-selling business.

Quotable: “The loss of independent bookstores is accompanied by the loss of diversity, possibility, and sense of place. Publishers, writers, and the readers they serve all lose in a market that rewards blockbusters but ignores alternative voices and ideas. Instead of being bystanders to this devastation, libraries have compelling reasons to seize the opportunity it presents. We have a mandate to help preserve our literary and cultural landscape; we have the space, often in rent-controlled buildings; we know how to buy and promote books; and we are not constrained by the need to turn a profit. We are uniquely equipped to sell books and support writers, publishers, and reading in Canada.”

Related: Storify: should libraries sell books? [some Twitter reactions] | Quill & Quire

5 Awesome Librarian Business Cards | Ellyssa Kroski – OEDB.org

Posted on by

I’ve been using Moo cards for years because I love the slender, slick business cards that they provide from my photos but I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting ways to display information on them as well as design inspiration.  I was very pleased to come across these 6 superbly designed librarian business cards.

via 5 Awesome Librarian Business Cards|  Ellyssa Kroski – OEDB.org.

Librarian Business Cards

Vinyl Making a Comeback?

Posted on by

UVinyl — Universal Music’s vinyl branch — is developing a “crowd-funded vinyl service” that will release limited-edition records of old “deleted” albums if there’s enough demand. “The Vinyl Project” will re-press deleted and rare records into vinyl, and release them with digital downloads and personalized art prints.

via Universal Music Reviving Vinyls With Crowdfunding Service | Mashable.

The power of crowdfunding used to revive outdated technology. I’m not sure this would have happened if DJs, sound mixers, musicians and artists were not still using vinyl records and continuing their popularity. One area at least where the music industry is creating goodwill and partnerships promoting music development instead of restrictions.

Related:

15 TED Talks That Will Change Your Life | Mashable

Posted on by

15 of the most inspirational, tear-jerking and downright beautiful TED talks out there.

via 15 TED Talks That Will Change Your Life | Mashable.

A great list of TED talks. My favourites on the list are talks 3. Elizabeth Gilbert: Your Elusive Creative Genius and 13. Andrew Solomon: Love, No Matter What.