I just read an article in the Washington Post about Google. The article examined the multiple fronts Google is battling in for valuable space in the digital spectrum. I enjoyed reading the article. However, I have a bone to pick with the author’s opinion that Google is the only company capable of diverting their focus on so many fronts and maintaining position as a legitimate contender. Not only that, but I believe Google is struggling to stay afloat on many of those fronts.

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Last night I attended the 2011 Chicago BDPA Education Banquet. I had the opportunity to meet Cameron Evans, Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft Education who was the keynote speaker for the night. He had several profound things to say on the state of education in this country. I was blown away on the ideas he expressed and the realistic perspective he took on how this country can improve. Check out this video from Microsoft on where technology is going.

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This 2 1/2 year old girl is shown dominating the Playbook. It is amazing how she has adapted to the hand gestures need to navigate the device. She not only knows how to operate it, but she is able to recognize anything requested and can use each app. It proves how intuitive this device is. Check this out.

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I caught this segment on PBS about a school that is transitioning from textbooks and other printed materials to all-digital learning tools. I stumbled upon the piece unintentionally but was quickly drawn in by the new concepts that are being proposed in schools today. When I was in elementary school we had almost no digital contact. Now there are schools that don’t want textbooks. I have mixed feelings on this. I don’t doubt that there is an advantage to this style, but I have to wonder if there isn’t too much tech exposure here. It seems like a mix between old and new practices would be better warranted than a pure digital medium. That is just my view from afar. Check out this video to decide for yourself.

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My professor showed this video in our Business Intelligence class. It shows Salman Khan of the Khan Academy at TED 2011.Khan quit his job at a hedge fund to start the organization. Since then it has received funding from Google, and includes Bill Gates among its list of endorsers. Khan is changing the way students learn; first through his Youtube videos, and now with valuable data that allows the progress of students to be observed and analyzed. Khan’s new work is an example of what the use of technology can bring to today’s education. Check this out.

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Life is difficult. The farther you get, the closer you think you are to everything you ever dreamed of. But the farther you get, the more you have to overcome. Is it possible that the more you obtain, the more you have to lose? Is this where stress comes from? You get so far and you are afraid of the trip back down? If we are fortunate enough to keep going on this journey let us maximize our time, and do all that we aspire to along the way.

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Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. – Abraham Lincoln

This video features some thought-provoking views on education from Sir Ken Robinson combined with one large white board being filled with great illustrations. Check it out!

60 Minutes was very interesting on Sunday because of the piece it did on hyperthymesia, also known as superior autobiographical memory. I came across this story because Marilu Henner happens to be one of six known people with this ability. I really like the television show Taxi. So as soon as I saw her name I had to watch! Henner and five other known people have the ability to vividly remember every day of their life as if it just happened. Would you rather remember your entire life, or are you happy that you can’t? I am not sure if I wish I could remember everything or not. It certainly is a fascinating subject to contemplate. Check out the rest of the feature after the break.

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Gatorade Go All Day – Nigel Sylvester in Japan from Defgrip on Vimeo.

Check out BMX star Nigel Sylvester on his trip to Japan with his sponsor Gatorade along for the ride to do some performance research. This video is very well shot and it is always cool to take a peak into the lives of athletes. This video was put together by Harrison Boyce of BMX industry-leadingDefgrip.

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