by Anjali
5. November 2012 13:18
We're excited to head to Denver tomorrow to particpate in the second annual Startup Alley at this year's EDUCAUSE, the largest IT conference for higher education.
While we were lucky enough to be invited to the first one, which took place in Philly last year, we can't wait to meet all the other great startups, vendors, and speakers that will be joining us this week.
If you'll be around, definitely stop by our table in Startup Alley to say hi and snag some RoomSync swag!
by Emily
20. March 2012 18:48
I have read many articles lately about the impending digital takeover. Amber Case, founder of Geoloqui.com and a keynote speaker at the South by Southwest Convention, recently compared people who use up-to-date technology, as cyborgs. Neither I nor she believes an IRobot-type doom is impending, however, reading “The Next Generation of Student Support Systems” article on Higher Ed Live led me to question just how fast are students becoming technology dependent?
Last week I chatted with a man who grew up around the time of the first electronic digital computer. I was in my elementary school computer class when I first used a computer. My point is that everyone can say some form of the phrase “I was born before the (insert technological device here) was invented,” but is there a point where we won’t be able to reverse our dependence on the technology we've grown up using? Has this point in time already passed?
In my freshmen year of high school my English teacher assigned us a project while reading 1984. We were to stop using technology for a week. Yes, an entire week. No phones. No television. No computer. For the first couple of days I did very well…then I gave up. I tried this again over this past week as it was Spring Break and did surprisingly well. Being aboard a cruise ship without service definitely helped, but I did realize what Amber Case pointed out in her speech: “the best technology is invisible and just gets out of your way to let you live your life.”
So my questions for you are: Are you busy fiddling around with your apps and social media websites while life is happening around you? Or can you put the smartphone down for an hour or two each week, go out with friends and enjoy it before the cyborgs takeover?
by Emily
9. March 2012 18:32
I love surfing the Internet for information that is either new to its market or to my knowledge base. For this reason, I love “
StumbleUpon,” a website where users “stumble upon” new information and websites within their pre-picked interests by clicking a button. While stumbling in the “education” category, I found this
info graphic (right) from
Coursehero.com about note taking and digital education.
As a student, I know that I absorb the most knowledge and receive the best grades when I record, and especially review, notes for a class. This fact led me to easily agree with the Cornell study results listed in the graphic that students who take notes recall lectures easier.
The information in this info graphic applies to more than just students however; it applies to professionals across the board. Whether you are making a list of tasks to be completed by the end of the workday, reviewing a presentation, or reading over your notes from last week’s meeting, all employees take notes. It is interesting to think about if and how you use technology while recording notes. I find a pen and paper to be my best bet; many of my friends prefer digital notes or lists on their smart phones.
We used to see the grocery store full of people with hand-written lists in their hands. Why? It helped them remember what they needed just as notes remind students what they’ve learned and to-do lists remind employees of upcoming deadlines. As I walk up and down isles in Publix I still see many handwritten lists, however the number of people with their smart phones out is increasing.
The info graphic brings up a good point of this increasing technology phenomenon in the classroom however I challenge you to watch your weekly routine. In an age where information is just a “stumble” away, how do you best remember what you take note of? Technology? Paper? Mentally?
Best regards,
Emily
by Emily
27. January 2012 20:44
Dr. Reynol Junco has been featured in USA Today, The Huffington Post, The Florida Alligator, Higher Ed Morning and many other publications for his studies on social media’s effect on college students. In January of 2009, Junco's book, Using emerging technologies to enhance student engagement. New directions for student services, was published. Within these pages, Junco employs the theories of Alexander Astin and Vincent Tinto strengthen his theory that student involvement on Facebook and other social mediums can lead to increased engagement within their college.
As a business student, I know that communication skills top the job requirement list, and although the way I communicate on Facebook isn’t necessarily how I would conduct myself in an interview, I’ve been able to use Facebook to communicate effectively with university entities and integrate myself into the college experience. The ease of communication increases exposure and facilitates higher student involvement with on-campus opportunities. For example, as written in Chapter 2 of Junco’s book, “Facebook has the capacity to help create small communities within large institutions, making students more comfortable and connected (Read, 2004).” In my first semester, I enrolled in a class designed to create this intimacy through small class numbers and group activities. Unfortunately, the experience was not successful mainly because I, as well as many of my classmates, viewed the class as just that – another class.
What’s different about Facebook, however, is that it introduces the technology that my generation thrives on into the equation. So, how does this foster more involvement within a university? Many of us know some form of the phrase, “It’s not about what you now, it’s who you know.” Well, considering most of us college students are on Facebook at least once a day, we are constantly receiving updates from university class pages, advertised campus events, organizational groups and peers constantly through our newsfeed. Consequently, if students see others in their network share information/evens they find to be in common or interesting, they’ll be more likely to like/join/attend those events and make friends. Thus by exposing commonalities and building community around the student population, Facebook fosters more student involvement within the university!
I love working RoomSync because I feel we realize this rising trend in World-Facebook integration; We try to understand its future implications in order to keep transforming and keep up with today’s fast-paced world.
Best Regards,
Emily
by Kevin
27. January 2012 09:54
Hello!
Kevin Wu here, with RoomSync! I am a student at the University of Florida, studying information systems and operations management. My projects here at RoomSync has ranged everywhere from making icons, business cards, and the like, to creating a new landing page for a client. I don’t really fancy having a concrete title, but a common theme for my working title is: "The person who makes everything look good."
My deep passion for design and aesthetics has been within me for quite some time; as a little kid, I used to draw Dragon Ball Z characters from video stills on my TV. After all, where is the value in something if it isn't functional and also aesthetically pleasing? I'm hoping here at RoomSync, I can add value through my design skills, whether it's decorating the office, creating business cards, or improving the RoomSync app user experience (commonly referred to UX in the tech world). I love the idea of diving into office design and functionality, even though I'm traditionally a Graphic Desginer.
Besides my fondness for design, I enjoy playing piano, guitar, sports, performing magic, and doing other fun things. I consider myself a lifelong learner who, from both professional and personal life expereinces, continues to enhance his skills and knowledge. We get true value from our experiences when we elegantly take the thought processes from one subject and apply it to a completely different area.
They say, "You can’t teach an old dog new tricks." I urge you to prove this statement wrong by learning something new each day and taking on a challenge into your lifetime and building continuously on each of your experiences.