Week 14 - Exams!!!

This evening, as I was studying for my exams, I got a call from my father. He had called to ask me about how my exam preparations were going and told me about how he used to slog it out in the old days with huge tomes surrounding his dorm. 


When I thought about his anecdotes, a random thought flew into my brain - how technology has changed the way in which students learn and use information. I compared myself to my father and realised that there has been a Study Revolution! To give a few examples:

• I even use videos to learn (far less boring)
• I type my notes, so that I can keep improving  and reprinting them throughout the term (there's no need to keep rewriting them)
• I search the Web for different explanations and perspectives on subject matter (I have far more information at my fingertips)
• Most of my reading is done on my laptop (I carry far less on my shoulders) 
• I ask questions on Facebook or any other online forums if I have any doubts (I can reach far more people for help and they can answer me more easily - even Skype can be used for face-to-face sessions with friends in my study group)
• I scan my notes to keep reproducible electronic copies just in case I lose them (not doomed by my forgetfulness) 
• etc. etc. etc.

All I want to say is that I am extremely grateful for the Study Revolution brought by technology that has transformed this learning process into a far more efficient, enriching and enjoyable (arguably) one. And I find that I appreciate its value even more during this exam period... I would like to wish all students a great week ahead :-)

Good Luck!

Shaak. 

Week 13 - Last Session - Presentations 2

The sudden end to our sessions feels too abrupt. TWC is not a subject that has strict boundaries and scope; it is an expression and examination of technology, an omnipresent phenomenon that envelopes our lives. This journey has had an unusual, enlightening effect on me that has changed the way I think about technology and the world at large. 


I must say that my dream of becoming an entrepreneur has been fed a great amount of insight; it has been put into perspective and has gained clarity. I now know how to better assess opportunities in technologies and view change. And, I feel that this has been a remarkable and enjoyable journey that will continue till the day I die because this is just the beginning. I intend to keep following technology and change, and one day hopefully even contribute to innovation and drive positive change. 


Here are some random summaries/thoughts on this week's web presentations:


The first group presented their intriguing website which shows how the world of music storage has changed over time. The journey from the gramophone and its records to the iPod and its mp3's is an intriguing one. And, since music is an essential part of our lives, it has revolutionised the way in which music fits into our lives. It also focused on the controversial issue of music piracy and how the music industry has been adversely affected by this "epidemic" with which most of us have been infected.    


The next group presented their fascinating website (http://www.wix.com/twc2011/vaccinations) on the different types of vaccines and how vaccination has evolved as a medical field in terms of capabilities and how it works. As prevention is better than cure, vaccination has been a pivotal player in the protection of our civilization from diseases that could have wiped out the majority of the world's population. An interesting development in this field would be that of nano-vaccines that could take this form of protection to another level. 
  
The topic of technology and food was presented by the next group. Their website (http://techandfood.weebly.com/) covers an interesting series of areas such as new-age agriculture, food security, genetically modified foods, preservation and the future of food technologies. As the world's population continues to rise in the 21st Century, the ability of humans to sustain ourselves and provide enough nourishment and nutrition is becoming a greater and greater challenge. 


The last group presented their website (http://www.wix.com/jasmine_siew/g11-grouph) on crime tracking technologies and the different ways in which man has and will facilitate justice with technologies. From sniffer dogs to advanced 3D facial recognition software, I have always been in awe of the ways in which crime is prevented. 


I'd give this session a 9 as I greatly enjoyed the delightful presentations and had the opportunity to say goodluck and goodbye to my fellow techangers. This is not my last post - I will definitely not stop posting on this blog as I have much much more to say but too little time to say it... This has been a great journey, one I will cherish and remember; rather than just give me knowledge, it has given me a new outlook and attitude towards technology which I will use to create new knowledge and insight in time to come...


I shall always remember to stay a rising star; Prof's diagram remains on my wall - it's not going anywhere!     

Week 12 - Penultimate Session - Presentations

This week we had a bevy of interesting presentations covering an interesting variety of areas. 


The first presentation was on an excellent website about eCommerce (http://www.wix.com/klgan70/twc-ebusiness), which explored the journey of commerce from a 'brick and mortar' system to an online one which is not restricted by physical boundaries and enables people to rid themselves of the constraints of conventional retail. I find the design of the website to be very novel, as it reflects an actual web retail site and explains the various aspects of eCommerce with great simplicity and interactivity. The website was very well presented by the team...


Next, was a superb presentation on eDating, a rising phenomenon that even sceptics are secretly trying out. The website (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/41472439/Finding%20Love%20Online%20Website/Finding_Love_Online/Welcome.html) was impeccably presented by the group; they effectively described the progress of dating to a worldwide search engine system with specific criteria and superior information retrieval capabilities that has exponentially increased the potential number of romantic candidates a person can have.


Lastly, the next group's website (http://www.wix.com/twcgroupd/supermansdiet) on genetically modified foods (AKA Superman's Diet) was presented effortlessly. The energetic group examined the benefits, impacts and challenges that GM foods bring to the world. On one hand, this potentially world-changing technology could save the world from calamities such as starvation and malnutrition while, on the other, it could cause several health and ethical issues. 


I learnt a great deal about these intriguing subjects during this session and greatly enjoyed viewing the creative presentations and websites. I look forward to next week's series. I'd give this session a  9.