Technology in the classroom
The technology industry provides the basis for chip production, information and communication systems, and computer systems. These companies serve as the developers and manufacturers of the products which drive the increasing efficiency and production of cell phones, computers, televisions, as well as other communication and information systems. It is a large industry with a vast growth potential, but it is also subject to sometimes volatile cycles, such as in the semiconductor industry. As chips continue to get smaller and globalization increases, demand for faster, more efficient technology in new and old places, will help drive the tech industry.
Semiconductors
There are several different semiconductor industries: Semiconductor - Equipment & Materials, Semiconductor - Broad Line, Semiconductor - Integrated Circuits, and Semiconductor - Foundry.
Chips, or semiconductors, make up the basis of all electronic equipment. Companies like MEMC provide the silicon wafers needed to make up the base of the semiconductor, then companies like Intel and AMD manufacture the semiconductors. Applied Materials and KLA-Tencor build the tools that actually produce and inspect the production of semiconductors.
Semiconductor Demand: The rapid progression in chip production has continually provided new streams of revenue for many tech companies. Advanced electronics such as the iPhone and the next generation game consoles have generated significant demand for companies like Applied Materials (AMAT), which is the largest manufacturer of semiconductor fabrication devices, along with Intel (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) whom are two of the largest semiconductor manufacturers.
The Sophistication of Chip Design: The difference in size and capacity of modern day chips compared to the recent past is incredible. The rapid progression of chip technology, as a result of Moore's Law, has allowed technology to be used in such unconventional places such as skis and athletic shoes. Advances such as the iPhone exemplify the amount of features that can be practically utilized in such a small device. The continued advancement of chip design will be a major factor in the sales of the semiconductor companies, in particular the semiconductor tool manufacturers such as Applied Materials and KLA-Tencor.
Computer Systems
The computer hardware manufacturing industry includes the production of desktops, laptops, servers, storage, processors and other computer related products. IBM and Sun operate more in the diversified computer systems industry which includes Information Technology (IT). IT is the computer based system of managing information from various sources of a company or institution. IT collects this information and stores or displays it in a practical and effective way so that companies or institutions can fully understand different streams of data.
The Need for Collaboration: Companies such as Microsoft (MSFT), Cisco Systems (CSCO), and EMC (EMC) have stressed the need for collaboration in order to successfully shift to new market trends. Consumers are demanding fast, reliable, and compatible communication and IT systmes between companies and the only way to do that is to, in some capacity, work alongside competitors. The effectiveness of these tech companies working together could greatly determine how well they adapt to the change in market trends and the future of technology.
Growth of China: Many of the tech companies are expanding into China in order to capture this growing market. Dell (DELL) made a deal with Gome Group, China's largest electronics retailer, to sell Dell computers in its stores. Sun Microsystems (JAVA) has seen substantial gain from its positions in China, making it Sun's second largest Asian market. China is a huge market and many of the tech companies are trying to build a presence in this market.
Angel
miércoles, 17 de noviembre de 2010
Asignment
Using chat language teaching
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Why?
1 with text chat, we need to teach learners to use text speak, e.g. l8er for later.
It may be useful to teach your learners certain common abbreviations used in text chat like CU for see you or btw for by the way, but you need to consider whether your learners really need to use text chat as native speakers do, or whether they will be using chat to contact other non native speakers. Even if they do use chat to contact native speakers, do they need to sound like native speakers? Using Standard English in text chat is preferable, but this is also an issue worth discussing with your learners to see what they think.
2 Voiced chat is easier to use than text chat.
In terms of technical requirements, text chat may be easier to use than voice chat, as text chat requires less bandwidth, no sound card, microphone, speakers or headset. Text chat can be slow and weaker typists are put at a disadvantage. Also, in the single computer classroom, larger groups can take part in voice chat more easily than in text chat so which one is easier to use with learners depends very much on your teaching context.
3 the teacher requires a lot of technical knowledge to use text or voice chat with learners.
Chat software is generally very easy to install and use. Although more complex chat software like elluminate might require some initial training, less complex programs, like instant messaging, are very user-friendly and require no technical knowledge to install and use indeed, many of our learners are already using tools like instant messaging in their personal lives.
4 it’s a good idea to teach learners some chat conventions, e.g. how to take turns.
The need of either text or voice chat conventions will depend on the size of the group in the chat. Usually if a chat is held between only two participants conventions are unnecessary, but for larger groups conventions are a good idea, especially for text chat.
5 Using chat is best between classes who already meet regularly face to face.
Conducting initial chat practice sessions with a class who already know each other is a good idea, but our feeling is that chat should then be used in a real situation, with learners using chat to contact learners who are not in the same place. For the use of chat to be meaningful for learners, and not just a gimmick in class, we would suggest that chat is used outside class between class members or between two classes who are in geographically separate places.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Why?
1 with text chat, we need to teach learners to use text speak, e.g. l8er for later.
It may be useful to teach your learners certain common abbreviations used in text chat like CU for see you or btw for by the way, but you need to consider whether your learners really need to use text chat as native speakers do, or whether they will be using chat to contact other non native speakers. Even if they do use chat to contact native speakers, do they need to sound like native speakers? Using Standard English in text chat is preferable, but this is also an issue worth discussing with your learners to see what they think.
2 Voiced chat is easier to use than text chat.
In terms of technical requirements, text chat may be easier to use than voice chat, as text chat requires less bandwidth, no sound card, microphone, speakers or headset. Text chat can be slow and weaker typists are put at a disadvantage. Also, in the single computer classroom, larger groups can take part in voice chat more easily than in text chat so which one is easier to use with learners depends very much on your teaching context.
3 the teacher requires a lot of technical knowledge to use text or voice chat with learners.
Chat software is generally very easy to install and use. Although more complex chat software like elluminate might require some initial training, less complex programs, like instant messaging, are very user-friendly and require no technical knowledge to install and use indeed, many of our learners are already using tools like instant messaging in their personal lives.
4 it’s a good idea to teach learners some chat conventions, e.g. how to take turns.
The need of either text or voice chat conventions will depend on the size of the group in the chat. Usually if a chat is held between only two participants conventions are unnecessary, but for larger groups conventions are a good idea, especially for text chat.
5 Using chat is best between classes who already meet regularly face to face.
Conducting initial chat practice sessions with a class who already know each other is a good idea, but our feeling is that chat should then be used in a real situation, with learners using chat to contact learners who are not in the same place. For the use of chat to be meaningful for learners, and not just a gimmick in class, we would suggest that chat is used outside class between class members or between two classes who are in geographically separate places.
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