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9 Essential Social Media Tips for Beginners - Online Marketing Blog
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Jane's Pick of the Day: 2010 in Review Part 2: My 10 favourite resources in 2010
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Jane's Pick of the Day: 2010 in Review Part 1: Top 10 C4LPT resources
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3 Legal Issues to Consider When Going to the Cloud - ReadWriteCloud
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6 Social Media Success Metrics You Need to Track | Social Media Examiner
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The 5 Pillars of Business Blogging Success | Social Media Examiner
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Social networking | Protecting privacy and safety | Student advice | Teachtoday
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Free Technology for Teachers: How to Back-up Your Blog and Why You Should
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Free Technology for Teachers: How to Prepare for the Delicious Shut Down
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Using social media for workplace learning - Training Press Releases
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Top 50 web designers to follow on Twitter | Creative Boom Magazine
Sunday, 26 December 2010
My latest Diigo Tags (weekly)
Monday, 20 December 2010
My Diigo Tags for this week 12/20/2010
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6 Social Media Success Metrics You Need to Track | Social Media Examiner
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The 5 Pillars of Business Blogging Success | Social Media Examiner
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Social networking | Protecting privacy and safety | Student advice | Teachtoday
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Free Technology for Teachers: How to Back-up Your Blog and Why You Should
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Free Technology for Teachers: How to Prepare for the Delicious Shut Down
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Using social media for workplace learning - Training Press Releases
Sunday, 19 December 2010
My Diigo Tags for this week. (weekly)
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More Blog Subscribers: How to Make Your Blog Stand Out | Social Media Examiner
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Four Facebook Alternative Alternatives
Now that Diaspora, which is building an open-source distributed social network, has launched in private alpha, I figured it'd be a good idea to remind you that there are several alternatives to that particular Facebook alternative, some of which have been
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Facebook Competitor Diaspora Revealed: Sparse, But Clean; Source Code Released
A post has just gone up on Diaspora's blog revealing what the project actually looks like for the first time. While it's not yet ready to be released to the public, the open-source social networking project is giving the world a glimpse of what it looks l
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SoundCloud » Blog Archive » Capture And Share Your Sounds
Capture And Share Your Sounds
Saturday, 16 October 2010
TIPS & TRICKS from GoToMeeting
I found these 3 Ways to Wake Up Attendees of training courses simple yet interesting.
Online, you can't really drop a book next to the desk of a sleeping attendee. Instead, shake things up with one of these fun activities.
Where in the World?
Have attendees use the GoToMeeting highlighter to mark where they’re from on a map before the meeting begins. This will give them practice with the Drawing Tools as well as help them get to know other attendees.
Secret Word of the Day
At the start of your meeting, tell attendees to listen for a secret word or phrase during the course of your presentation. The first one to type "Secret Word" in the Chat pane (after you say it, of course) gets a prize. This will increase attentiveness - at least up until you say the word.
Bingo!
This takes a little preparation, but could be worth it if you give the same presentation a lot. Provide attendees with Bingo cards listing topics you'll be covering during the session. The first person to type "Bingo!" in the Chat pane wins a prize. Bonus: Attendees will be sure to remind you if you skip a topic.
GoToMeeting Autumn 2010 Newsletter
Online, you can't really drop a book next to the desk of a sleeping attendee. Instead, shake things up with one of these fun activities.
Where in the World?
Have attendees use the GoToMeeting highlighter to mark where they’re from on a map before the meeting begins. This will give them practice with the Drawing Tools as well as help them get to know other attendees.
Secret Word of the Day
At the start of your meeting, tell attendees to listen for a secret word or phrase during the course of your presentation. The first one to type "Secret Word" in the Chat pane (after you say it, of course) gets a prize. This will increase attentiveness - at least up until you say the word.
Bingo!
This takes a little preparation, but could be worth it if you give the same presentation a lot. Provide attendees with Bingo cards listing topics you'll be covering during the session. The first person to type "Bingo!" in the Chat pane wins a prize. Bonus: Attendees will be sure to remind you if you skip a topic.
GoToMeeting Autumn 2010 Newsletter
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Email from Niel McLean, Executive Director about the demise of Becta
Dear colleagues
As you are aware, as part of the Government's package of measures to reduce expenditure in the public sector, Becta will be closing on 31st March.
It is important that we make sure we achieve our charitable objects as well as the efficient and well-managed closure of the organisation. A full and comprehensive Programme has been established to ensure that this happens. Part of the communications area of this programme will be to keep our external partners and stakeholders up to date with current progress and we are therefore planning to send regular updates to you over the next few months.
In May Stephen Crowne made a commitment to Becta having "an orderly and fair process for staff, and that as far as possible schools, colleges and children continue to benefit from the savings and support that Becta has provided."
Following successful and constructive negotiations with the DfE and BIS, we are delighted that it has been confirmed that Government wishes to continue key areas of Becta's work. This work will transfer in the first quarter of next year. Areas that are confirmed for transfer include Policy; Procurement, incorporating ICT Service frameworks; E-safety / safeguarding online; and Technical, accessibility and environmental standards for ICT in schools.
Discussions are ongoing to finalise the details for one or two other areas we hope to transfer.
Conversations are now taking place with some Becta staff, who it is hoped will also transfer with these work areas. With DfE and BIS we hope to be able to finalise details of all of the areas that will be transferring in the next few weeks.
Please keep an eye on the Becta website, which will tell you where Becta's assets are going as they transfer. We aim to make as much as possible openly accessible through open licence agreements.
As Becta's revised business plan for 2010-11 continues towards conclusion, some of the headline areas of work for the next month or so include:
ICT Services Framework: Becta is proceeding with the framework to cover infrastructure and mobile connectivity in order to continue promoting responsible purchasing within schools and colleges.
ICT Mark: Accreditation of schools will continue until March 2011. Consideration is still being made as to the future of this accreditation scheme. Naace continue to administer the ICT Mark at least through to March 2011 Becta has pressed hard for the continuation of both the SRF and ICT Mark.
ICT Excellence Awards 2010: the winners and runners-up in this awards scheme for schools will be announced on 14 October. Watch the Becta website for more information.
Becta website: Work is currently underway to plan the efficient and careful closure of the Becta website by March 2011. The National Archive will be taking a 'snapshot' of the website to ensure that key content exists after the closure, and other specific areas will be taken on by third party organisations as part of the asset transfer process. Resources that have been produced by Becta will be available from the National Archive's website from November 2010.
We would also like to update you with regard to the success of the Home Access programme which will be completed, ahead of schedule, by December 2010. Stephen Crowne recently said "I can't thank our stakeholders enough for making the Home Access programme such a success. Without your invaluable support we wouldn't have achieved our ambition to ensure more young people reap the benefits of having access to the internet at home to improve their learning."
Please be assured that we are continuing to follow due process with the transition and eventual closure of Becta, and without your invaluable support over the years we would not have achieved our ambition to ensure more young people reap the educational benefits of technology.
If you require any further information regarding Becta's situation, then please do follow up with Ruth Hammond.
Kind Regards
Niel McLean
Executive Director
Becta
As you are aware, as part of the Government's package of measures to reduce expenditure in the public sector, Becta will be closing on 31st March.
It is important that we make sure we achieve our charitable objects as well as the efficient and well-managed closure of the organisation. A full and comprehensive Programme has been established to ensure that this happens. Part of the communications area of this programme will be to keep our external partners and stakeholders up to date with current progress and we are therefore planning to send regular updates to you over the next few months.
In May Stephen Crowne made a commitment to Becta having "an orderly and fair process for staff, and that as far as possible schools, colleges and children continue to benefit from the savings and support that Becta has provided."
Following successful and constructive negotiations with the DfE and BIS, we are delighted that it has been confirmed that Government wishes to continue key areas of Becta's work. This work will transfer in the first quarter of next year. Areas that are confirmed for transfer include Policy; Procurement, incorporating ICT Service frameworks; E-safety / safeguarding online; and Technical, accessibility and environmental standards for ICT in schools.
Discussions are ongoing to finalise the details for one or two other areas we hope to transfer.
Conversations are now taking place with some Becta staff, who it is hoped will also transfer with these work areas. With DfE and BIS we hope to be able to finalise details of all of the areas that will be transferring in the next few weeks.
Please keep an eye on the Becta website, which will tell you where Becta's assets are going as they transfer. We aim to make as much as possible openly accessible through open licence agreements.
As Becta's revised business plan for 2010-11 continues towards conclusion, some of the headline areas of work for the next month or so include:
ICT Services Framework: Becta is proceeding with the framework to cover infrastructure and mobile connectivity in order to continue promoting responsible purchasing within schools and colleges.
ICT Mark: Accreditation of schools will continue until March 2011. Consideration is still being made as to the future of this accreditation scheme. Naace continue to administer the ICT Mark at least through to March 2011 Becta has pressed hard for the continuation of both the SRF and ICT Mark.
ICT Excellence Awards 2010: the winners and runners-up in this awards scheme for schools will be announced on 14 October. Watch the Becta website for more information.
Becta website: Work is currently underway to plan the efficient and careful closure of the Becta website by March 2011. The National Archive will be taking a 'snapshot' of the website to ensure that key content exists after the closure, and other specific areas will be taken on by third party organisations as part of the asset transfer process. Resources that have been produced by Becta will be available from the National Archive's website from November 2010.
We would also like to update you with regard to the success of the Home Access programme which will be completed, ahead of schedule, by December 2010. Stephen Crowne recently said "I can't thank our stakeholders enough for making the Home Access programme such a success. Without your invaluable support we wouldn't have achieved our ambition to ensure more young people reap the benefits of having access to the internet at home to improve their learning."
Please be assured that we are continuing to follow due process with the transition and eventual closure of Becta, and without your invaluable support over the years we would not have achieved our ambition to ensure more young people reap the educational benefits of technology.
If you require any further information regarding Becta's situation, then please do follow up with Ruth Hammond.
Kind Regards
Niel McLean
Executive Director
Becta
Email from Ruth Hammond, Head of Safeguarding at the ill fated Becta
Dear colleagues
I am pleased to inform you that the Safeguarding web content has all been updated and improved and the content mirrors the layout of our safeguarding poster ''Safeguarding children online: Are you managing online risks well?'
http://publications.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=42194
Each statement on the poster now has a corresponding document which expands on the issue in point. Each document also links to a short video clip provided by the schools in our esafety peer support network, and we are grateful to the teachers and pupils of those schools for helping to provide an insight into how they are tackling esafety in their schools.
Many of you will be aware that my colleagues Sarah Sumpter, Karl Hopwood and Sue Pickering have moved on and I would like to thank them for their help and support over the last years and wish them well in the future.
Important note:
Finding this content now....
The safeguarding content has been moved from its original location on the Becta Schools pages and you will find a re-direct from there
http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=is&rid=17738
The advertised direct url for all safeguarding content is: www.becta.org.uk/safeguarding.
Please note that the content actually sits on the Next Generation Site platform and consequently once you access the content the site url changes to http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/safeguarding.
However there is no navigation route from the Next Generation Site homepage so you need to note the aliases given above.
Finding this content in the future....
The National Archive will be taking a 'snapshot' of the Becta website to ensure that key content exists after the closure, this will be available from the National Archive's website from November 2010.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/webarchive/qualifications.htm
I will be sending an additional email shortly explaining the current situation regarding the future of Becta's assets and programme of work, but urge you to familiarise yourself with our revised content and save the relevant urls. The publications pages are still live and we have publications available to order.
In the meantime Jenny Wade and myself continue to be available to support you Ruth.Hammond@becta.org.uk
Jenny.Wade@becta.org.uk
With kind regards
Ruth Hammond
Head of Safeguarding
Schools and Families
Becta
Millburn Hill Road
Science Park
Coventry
CV4 7JJ
Tel: 02476 416994
Fax: 02476 411418
http://www.becta.org.uk/
I am pleased to inform you that the Safeguarding web content has all been updated and improved and the content mirrors the layout of our safeguarding poster ''Safeguarding children online: Are you managing online risks well?'
http://publications.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=42194
Each statement on the poster now has a corresponding document which expands on the issue in point. Each document also links to a short video clip provided by the schools in our esafety peer support network, and we are grateful to the teachers and pupils of those schools for helping to provide an insight into how they are tackling esafety in their schools.
Many of you will be aware that my colleagues Sarah Sumpter, Karl Hopwood and Sue Pickering have moved on and I would like to thank them for their help and support over the last years and wish them well in the future.
Important note:
Finding this content now....
The safeguarding content has been moved from its original location on the Becta Schools pages and you will find a re-direct from there
http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=is&rid=17738
The advertised direct url for all safeguarding content is: www.becta.org.uk/safeguarding.
Please note that the content actually sits on the Next Generation Site platform and consequently once you access the content the site url changes to http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/safeguarding.
However there is no navigation route from the Next Generation Site homepage so you need to note the aliases given above.
Finding this content in the future....
The National Archive will be taking a 'snapshot' of the Becta website to ensure that key content exists after the closure, this will be available from the National Archive's website from November 2010.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/webarchive/qualifications.htm
I will be sending an additional email shortly explaining the current situation regarding the future of Becta's assets and programme of work, but urge you to familiarise yourself with our revised content and save the relevant urls. The publications pages are still live and we have publications available to order.
In the meantime Jenny Wade and myself continue to be available to support you Ruth.Hammond@becta.org.uk
Jenny.Wade@becta.org.uk
With kind regards
Ruth Hammond
Head of Safeguarding
Schools and Families
Becta
Millburn Hill Road
Science Park
Coventry
CV4 7JJ
Tel: 02476 416994
Fax: 02476 411418
http://www.becta.org.uk/
Friday, 24 September 2010
inspirED - RIP
A sad moment in time as Futurelab publishes the final issue of inspirED – this collection of news and stories gathered from all corners of the internet ha sbeen an interesting read for some time now.
For future updates on innovative approaches to education, technology and learning Futurelab has created Education Eye.
See the final issue of inspirED on the Futurelab website.
For future updates on innovative approaches to education, technology and learning Futurelab has created Education Eye.
See the final issue of inspirED on the Futurelab website.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Blogger in Draft: New Stats Gadgets
I've just added two new gadgets into the left hand column of my blog to show you some stats. about my blog.
The Blog’s stats gadget, which I have labelled "How Many?" displays total pageviews of my blog and the Popular Posts gadget, which I have labelled "Things you like on TuFTTy" helps you quickly find out which of my posts have been viewed the most by my readers.
To find out more about these two gadgets take a look at the original post by clicking on the link below.
Original Blogger in Draft Post
The Blog’s stats gadget, which I have labelled "How Many?" displays total pageviews of my blog and the Popular Posts gadget, which I have labelled "Things you like on TuFTTy" helps you quickly find out which of my posts have been viewed the most by my readers.
To find out more about these two gadgets take a look at the original post by clicking on the link below.
Original Blogger in Draft Post
Saturday, 26 June 2010
How thin can you go?
The new Samsung LED 9000 TV is here
Don't miss the exclusive launch of the new pencil-thin 7.98mm Samsung LED 9000 TV at Harrods, between 24-30th June.
Inspired by nature, the brushed steel sculpture-like exterior of the LED 9000 echoes sophistication and refinement. Subtle colour tones change to reflect its surroundings. And the translucent neck offers a sense of weightlessness, making it our most beautifull creation to date.
The LED 9000 epitomises our passion for intelligent technology too, with Full HD and 3D immersive viewing capabilities, Mega Contrast ratio, Internet@TV and wireless connectivity as standard.
Visit Harrods between 24-30th June and experience exquisite design, attention to detail and TV viewing at it's ultimate best. Available nationwide from 1st July.
Or simply take a look at the Samsung LED 9000 TV in more detail now.
Inspired by nature, the brushed steel sculpture-like exterior of the LED 9000 echoes sophistication and refinement. Subtle colour tones change to reflect its surroundings. And the translucent neck offers a sense of weightlessness, making it our most beautifull creation to date.
The LED 9000 epitomises our passion for intelligent technology too, with Full HD and 3D immersive viewing capabilities, Mega Contrast ratio, Internet@TV and wireless connectivity as standard.
Visit Harrods between 24-30th June and experience exquisite design, attention to detail and TV viewing at it's ultimate best. Available nationwide from 1st July.
Or simply take a look at the Samsung LED 9000 TV in more detail now.
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Friday, 4 June 2010
LLUK calls for more providers to embed technology in their teaching
"Nearly half of adults would feel more confident using technology in the workplace if it had been incorporated more into their education and training, according to a new survey."
LLUK calls for more providers to embed technology in their teaching - FE News
LLUK calls for more providers to embed technology in their teaching - FE News
The way forward after Becta
"It is too late to save Becta now that the new Conservative-Liberal coalition has signed the warrant. But what can and should be rescued and how can the core essentials be carried on? Devolution of decision making down to individual and institutional levels must not mean the loss of collective knowledge and understanding of what works in ICT for further education and skills."
Seb Schmoller of ALT talked to FE News about the demise of Becta, read the full article.
Seb Schmoller of ALT talked to FE News about the demise of Becta, read the full article.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
21st Century Teaching Ideas
21st Century Teaching Ideas is a blog with some great ideas and resources to get you thinking about using modern technology in your lessons. From novel ideas to software tips there is something for the new teacher through to the technophobe.
http://teaching21c.blogspot.com/
http://teaching21c.blogspot.com/
Overcoming the barriers to educational innovation
I have just been reading this article on the Becta Emerging Technologies website.
"Overcoming the barriers to educational innovation" is a report on end-user innovation as a crucial approach to developing new practices and approaches.
This report recognises that the practice of creating solutions to individual problems, on an individual level, is an act of innovation. But also that learning from these individual acts can support wider, system level innovation – not through rolling-out the innovation that occurred on the individual level, but by supporting greater numbers of local level ‘end-user innovators’.
Existing studies have examined barriers to innovation for both institutions and the individuals who operate in them. Increasingly they have highlighted the interactivity of factors that are considered barriers to innovation. The relationship between each of these areas is unique to each school and each innovation.
Presented in this review are two models to explore this the ‘Distance and Dependence’ model, and the ‘Layers of Influence’ model. Initially the Distance and Dependence model gives clarity to understanding such educational innovations in context, by depicting how an innovation can be understood as its distance from current practice and dependence on available resources.
Click here to read more about "Overcoming the barriers to educational innovation" and download the report.
"Overcoming the barriers to educational innovation" is a report on end-user innovation as a crucial approach to developing new practices and approaches.
This report recognises that the practice of creating solutions to individual problems, on an individual level, is an act of innovation. But also that learning from these individual acts can support wider, system level innovation – not through rolling-out the innovation that occurred on the individual level, but by supporting greater numbers of local level ‘end-user innovators’.
Existing studies have examined barriers to innovation for both institutions and the individuals who operate in them. Increasingly they have highlighted the interactivity of factors that are considered barriers to innovation. The relationship between each of these areas is unique to each school and each innovation.
Presented in this review are two models to explore this the ‘Distance and Dependence’ model, and the ‘Layers of Influence’ model. Initially the Distance and Dependence model gives clarity to understanding such educational innovations in context, by depicting how an innovation can be understood as its distance from current practice and dependence on available resources.
Click here to read more about "Overcoming the barriers to educational innovation" and download the report.
Friday, 26 March 2010
E-assessment and innovation
Appearing on the Becta Emerging Technologies website is an article introducing a report on E-assessment and innovation by John Winkley
It is described as an authoritative survey of a technology which, perhaps like virtual reality, has not come of age as quickly as expected.
A wide-ranging overview describes current and future applications of on-screen examinations, audio, text editing, adaptive assessment, games and simulations, short text answer marking, essay marking, spoken language marking, mathematics marking and voting devices.
John Winkley argues that e-assessment has potential to be transformational in developing the benefits of immediate results and improved feedback, interactivity and richness of ICT for more authentic assessment, e-assessment as an enabler of better assessment and as a democratising influence on the assessment process which also encompasses diversity.
You can read more and download the report from the Becta website.
It is described as an authoritative survey of a technology which, perhaps like virtual reality, has not come of age as quickly as expected.
A wide-ranging overview describes current and future applications of on-screen examinations, audio, text editing, adaptive assessment, games and simulations, short text answer marking, essay marking, spoken language marking, mathematics marking and voting devices.
John Winkley argues that e-assessment has potential to be transformational in developing the benefits of immediate results and improved feedback, interactivity and richness of ICT for more authentic assessment, e-assessment as an enabler of better assessment and as a democratising influence on the assessment process which also encompasses diversity.
You can read more and download the report from the Becta website.
Making mash-ups - The IET
I have just finished reading an interesting article in the latest issue of the IET Magazine.
It says that Mash-ups are widely available for public use on the Internet, but are only just beginning to fulfil their potential in business environments.
Organisations are looking at ways in which they can integrate mash-ups with existing software to display information collected from multiple data sources in order to aid business efficiency.
Read the full article in the latest issue of the IET Magazine
It says that Mash-ups are widely available for public use on the Internet, but are only just beginning to fulfil their potential in business environments.
Organisations are looking at ways in which they can integrate mash-ups with existing software to display information collected from multiple data sources in order to aid business efficiency.
Read the full article in the latest issue of the IET Magazine
I've changed my Blog layout with the new Template Designer from Blogger
Hi all,
Have you noticed my new look?
I have changed the look of my Blog using the new Blogger Template Designer that is now available on Blogger in draft, Blogger’s experimental playground.
The Blogger Template Designer makes it easy to customize the look and feel of your blog without knowing any HTML or CSS. Here are a few of the new features available in the Blogger
Template Designer:
Beautiful new templates to start from
Custom blog layouts with one, two and three columns
Hundreds of background images
Customizable colors, fonts, and more...
What are you waiting for? Express yourself in style with the Blogger Template Designer. Learn more at www.blogger.com/templates.
Have you noticed my new look?
I have changed the look of my Blog using the new Blogger Template Designer that is now available on Blogger in draft, Blogger’s experimental playground.
The Blogger Template Designer makes it easy to customize the look and feel of your blog without knowing any HTML or CSS. Here are a few of the new features available in the Blogger
Template Designer:
Beautiful new templates to start from
Custom blog layouts with one, two and three columns
Hundreds of background images
Customizable colors, fonts, and more...
What are you waiting for? Express yourself in style with the Blogger Template Designer. Learn more at www.blogger.com/templates.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
11 tips for social networking safety from Microsoft
11 tips for social networking safety
Social networking Web sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Windows Live Spaces are services people can use to connect with others to share information like photos, videos, and personal messages.
As the popularity of these social sites grows, so do the risks of using them. Hackers, spammers, virus writers, identity thieves, and other criminals follow the traffic.
Read these tips to help protect yourself when you use social networks
Social networking Web sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Windows Live Spaces are services people can use to connect with others to share information like photos, videos, and personal messages.
As the popularity of these social sites grows, so do the risks of using them. Hackers, spammers, virus writers, identity thieves, and other criminals follow the traffic.
Read these tips to help protect yourself when you use social networks
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Simple Tips to Improve your Public Speaking Skills
When you think about having to speak in public or delivering presentations how do you feel? If you are one of those lucky people who loves it and will take every opportunity to address an audience and hear the sound of your own voice consider.......
Read the rest of the blog from Ana Antunes da Silva
Read the rest of the blog from Ana Antunes da Silva
Projectors without bulbs launched
Casio has launched a laser-based, hybrid, bulbless projection system capable of more than 2,000 ANSI lumens, which it suggests is a 'world first'.
Casio lists the price of the lower power, 2,000 lumens projector at just under $800 (about £500). Other options will be available up to 3,000 lumens brightness, which should be adequate for most smaller lecture theatres and school halls.
Original Becta article
Casio press release
Casio lists the price of the lower power, 2,000 lumens projector at just under $800 (about £500). Other options will be available up to 3,000 lumens brightness, which should be adequate for most smaller lecture theatres and school halls.
Original Becta article
Casio press release
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