Techdirt: Run For Cover: Wal-Mart To Invade Electronics Market

Techdirt: Run For Cover: Wal-Mart To Invade Electronics Market
I've been trying to decide for months what new computer to buy, but decided against buying one at all last week. I've got a Dell, Pentium III, 778 MB Ram or so, and only a 9GB hardrive, the biggest problem at this point. So I decided to backup all the music and photos I didn't really need on MediaMax and CD and iPod, and just wait for purchasing a new computer. This may have been a great idea. If Walmart really gets in on the electronics market( read the article above), and prices drop(not that I would buy from Walmart), maybe I can get a great deal in 3 or so months. We'll see.

Would You Like to Boost Your Memory?

It can be done by doing something as simple as wiggling your eyes back and forth. Apparently this engages both your right and left hemispheres, thus giving your brain a better chance of remembering what things you thought you saw or heard and what things you actually saw or hear. Have fun!

Have you seen this video?

What a cool video! The music somehow fits perfectly and enhances the simply presented, yet profound message.

The Machine is Us/ing Us

Hip Hop in the Classroom THE ABCs of HIP HOP

Tolerance.org: Teaching Tolerance: THE ABCs of HIP HOP
Maybe you want to spice up your music classroom (or other subject matter) with a little hip hop.
Check out the site above for lesson plans incorporating hip hop for a whole range of grade levels and subjects.

The Machine's Got Rhythm: Science News Online, April 21, 2007

The Machine's Got Rhythm: Science News Online, April 21, 2007
This is simply amazing: a computer that can learn how to listen to music. Read the full article for a mind-blowing experience. People are teaching computers how to transcribe performances in real-time. They are creating programs to allow performers to practice with the computer, and the computer will follow the player, even anticipating where the next entrance should come in. I would love to experiment with one of these programs. What fun!

This is a Test

This is only a test.  Will "Flock", a new browser, work with my blog?  I just downloaded Flock today and thought I would try it out.  It is supposed to take full advantage of Web 2.0 by easily tying you into all of your online activities, like Flickr, Blogger and others.

Did it work?

technorati tags:Web, 2.0, Flock, Flickr

Blogged with Flock

The Future of Education through Custom Programs

I already use an ACTIVboard in my music classroom in Cincinnati, Ohio and love it! It allows me to easily and effectively create custom lessons in minutes. It provides so many tools to integrate multi-media into presentations and students work. This new system, code-named GRAVA by Microsoft, would hopefully take this a step further. I envision custom-made educational programs that teachers can design quickly for their students, edit on the spot, and make easily available for other teachers. It would allow for easy peer review. It would seem like the idea of wiki and open source taken to another level. Teachers could share, promote and change programs at will. Of course, the drive for profits will provide an interesting twist. Read below.eSchool News online - Microsoft previews new development tools