Well, I found a really good article abou the future of computing and a tool that will be used more readily for distance education. The link is http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/09/02/24-killer-portable-apps-for-your-usb-flash-drive and it is about a flash drive. Flash drives are nothing new and are basically just a storage device like a floppy disk or CD. The cool thing about them is that they get larger in capacity yet smaller and cooler looking. So what about it as a tool in distance education. Well, like the article on OLDaily said before linking over "we're getting closer and closer to simply carrying around our computer, operating system and all, on our keychains". These devices are making this closer to reality. The good thing about this tool in distance ed, is that it could allow you to take your distance ed everywhere you go. Not just doing distance ed classes at home, but at work, at a buddies, at the library, on vacation at an Internet Cafe. Everywhere and anywhere. It is amazing how you could not just have your files on there, but also your Web browser, Burner Application, IM's to use, and just about anything. The same goes for classroom based courses. You could use it to transfer documents from school to home to library to uncle's house. But it isnt just about files. Those could be emailed to yourself, but it is about your entire computing experience. Your media software, OS, all your apps.
It really made me think about the future of computing and how this seems rather obvious a step in the technolgy age. I really can't wait for this. I go from my work computer to someone elses and I will still have virtually everything I have at my computer. Sure somethings will differ depending on hardware, but most software issues could be resolved to allow you to have "your" computer anywhere you go in your pocket.
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I can tell you one thing. If I had a computer on a key chain, I could certainly do more blogging in this class. We all have busy lives and it think the uncomfortablility of sitting in front of this clunky computer hurts my butt, eyes and hands. Carpal tunnell is definitley on the way. if we had smaller more handy computers then we all would be blogging for fun.
If this works out, the new reading material in bathrooms may change. How funny would that be? Go into a public bathroom and there might be a computer attached to the back of the stall. HEHEHEHE.... Having a virus or upset stomach would not excuse you from work anymore.
http://portableapps.com has been around for awhile
You can even BUY USB drives with software preloaded.
http://www.u3.com/
In all honesty, I think I prefer the portable apps
Key to this whole thing is knowing which tools you use so you can get them loaded.
This would be a great thing. I know right now I use a jumpdrive with all my info on it. I mean like quizzes, lesson plans, activities, and other stuff to take from school to home. If I had a computer on my keychain, life would be so much easier. You would never have to worry about not having access to your stuff. You could do your work virtually anywhere just like you had mentioned.
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