Low Cost Touchscreen White-Board

Introduction

Technology never ceases to introduce something new in the hands of people. Same as the people never ceases to seek for additional innovation that might help them in doing their everyday duties. Technologies and man are in partners. And as the growing demand of people in technologies, there is also a relative growing impact of technology in people’s lives.

Background of the Study and Problem Statement

From the various type of software such as multimedia tools animation programs, graphics and images, presentation programs, instructional software and others, to the hardware, such as computers desktops, mini-laptops, CD-R systems, VCRS, etc. it is truly amazing that in the hi-tech digital world, innovation is in the position to control the people (Multimedia Source Guide, 1995). As the continuous flow of knowledge and room for improvement, the technology never fails to make remarkable changes. Today, there is another innovation that starting to make a difference, the Low-Cost Touchscreen White Board. As part of the study, the main topic is focus on the knowledge as well as making the Touchscreen White Board in a low cost.

Research Objectives

The study recognizes the three main objectives that plays essential role in the completion of the paper. First objective is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the new technology to understand if there is any area that needs to be developed. Second is to learn the main objectives of its existence and third is to establish an idea where the study can serve as guidance for other researchers.

Research Questions

In the completion of the study, there is a need of well-defined questions that can give adequate answers.

1. What are the issues about the project of the Low Cost Touchscreen White Board?

2. What are the implemented actions of the engineers that are essential in its completion?

3. Aside from the recognized benefits of the newly introduced technology, what are the other functions of the Low Cost Touchscreen White Board?

Literature Review

As computers and software become more powerful and the area of their application expands, the traditional mouse and keyboard become more restrictive. Many different devices have been developed to increase Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and this development continues today. The most commonplace Human Computer Interactive device on the commercial market today is the Touch Screen (Johannessen, 2001). Most of the application of the Touch Screen drives different force between the interaction of human and technology, particularly in computers. There are various methods or applications that are needed for the protection of the technology. The use of the touch screen serves as a replacement of the mouse that effectively works during meetings of the corporate or during the presentation of the lecture. A high-resolution color touch screen has two output ports and an IrDA port. They both have rechargeable batteries making them portable. They can also be powered through a USB connection for a PC or via a power supply (Eskicioglu and Kopec, 2003; Denby and Campbell, 2005).

Methodology

The applied methodology is based on the past studies of the professionals which is called the case study analysis and the use of the interview among the professionals who experiences using the Low Cost Touchscreen White Board. First, the case studies as well as the past literatures will help the study learn the gaps of the technological innovation and the hardships of the engineers or proprietors in the completion of the project. Second, the interview will serve as reflection of the consumers in using the new technology. Through the conducted interview, the study will create an analysis and conclusion about it effectiveness.

Conclusion

The use of the touchscreen in the business and educational environment is extremely a great help. The people who participated in the creation of another technology deserve to be recognized and should not be afraid in the coming future agendas. Clearly, the low cost offers of the manufacturing companies are seeking effectiveness and loss in the market. Since they offer double-sided face of technology, there is a great potential to receive double-sided outcomes. And if there were identified shortcoming, it will definitely serve as another challenge on the part of the engineers.

References:

Denby, D., & Campbell, B., 2005. ICT in Support of Science Education, A Practical User’s Guide. [Online] Available at: http://www.leggott.ac.uk/pdf_word/awards/ICTinSupport.pdf. [Accessed 09 Feb 2010].

Eskicioglu, A., & Kopec, D., 2003. The Ideal Multimedia-Enabled Classroom: Perspectives from Psychology, Education, and Information Science. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, Vol. 12, No. 2.

Johannesen, B., 2001. Low Cost Scanning Laser Rangefinder. [Online] Available at: http://innovexpo.itee.uq.edu.au/2001/projects/s348491/thesis.pdf. [Accessed 09 Feb 2010].

Multimedia Source Guide, 1995. THE Journal, Vol. 22, No. 10.

The Effect of Noise Pollution in the Learning Process of the Students

Introduction

Noise is everywhere and this can also affects the learning outcomes of the students. Basically an ideal educational setting should be conducive but through the ongoing developments, establishments of the business, government infrastructures, and travelling numbers of vehicles, a good place for learning is gradually disappearing.

Background of the Study and Problem Statement

In the school, listening is the most important ability of the students because most of the time, the teachers use the concept of lecturing and in which the communication between the students and the teacher is emphasized (Bradley, 2005). Listening is the most basic natural ability of the students except for those who have hearing disabilities, but listening is the hardest task to do. As the main problem of the study, what are the effects of noise in the learning process of the students?

Research Objectives and Significance of the Study

The study identified the two main objectives which are somehow related to each other. First is to understand the effects of the noise pollution in the learning process of the students. And second is to identify the efforts contributed by the government or education institutions to lessen its effects. The study views its importance on the improvement of the learning outcome of the student. The study gave its deepest concern on the students’ capability to achieve their highest academic performance and because of the various barriers such as noise, their effort to understand the lecture is not sustained.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

Clearly, the scope of the study underpins the academic progress of the students. Meanwhile, the study delimits itself in other educational institutions such as informal education which includes mechanical practices because those areas of learning usually have sound involvement.

Conceptual and Theoretical Framework

Based on the past literatures, the communication is the most desirable attribute between the relationship of the teacher and the students. Therefore, the study gave fully respect on the theory of communication which enabled the people to understand each other whether through writing, signs, speeches, and listening. Most of the education institution emphasizes the conversation where the teacher is the producer of the message and the students are the receiver, and this process happens over and over and often vice-versa. Through the conversation, the communication is established and the message is received (Stahl, 2003).

Research Questions and Hypothesis

The study provided several that can help the study to achieve its objectives.

1. What are the common situations where the students were disturbed by unavoidable noise?

2. What are the strategies of the students to understand the lesson for that day?

3. What are the strategies of the teachers to help their students understand their lessons?

As a hypothesis, the study believed that the noise has great effect in the learning progress as well as learning outcomes of the students. When the there are barriers of listening, the students find it hard to concentrate and stop trying to understand the words. The impact of the noise greatly reflects in their academic performance and given attention.

Definition of Terms

· Conversation – is the structure of taking the turn that usually involves the question and response pairs.

· Message production – the way on how messages were produced and determine the personality traits and mental state of the speakers in processing and producing the message.

· Message receptor – way on how individuals interpret the meaning of the communicated message through organizing, analyzing, and judging the information.

· Sign language – the way on how hearing impaired or the deaf-mute communicate with the other people through the use of their hands or fingers.

Brief Review

Many studies suggest that noise can interfere the learning of the students based on their reading, motivation, language and speech acquisition, and memory. The strongest area were the students find the difficulty in studying is through listening and because of that there are negative effects shown by the student’s behavior towards education (FICAN, 2000). The learning activities inside the classroom are affected by different environment which only proves that noise is one of the contributing problems the learning process of the students (Bradley, 2005). There are also different consequences of noise aside from understanding such as performing the assigned tasks or may appear in the students’ future careers (Fosnaric and Planinsec, 2008).

Methodology

The applied methodology of the study is through the use of the observation where the researcher/s conducted the study in the educational institutions near the airport and near the sidewalks. In addition, the study also included the high school where there is a near construction site intended for the additional.

Conclusion

The voice of the teacher competes with the combinations of different noise outside the school that is why most of the students did not understand the relayed lesson for the day. After the discussion of the teachers, only few of the students raised their hands to summarize the lesson and most of them are seated near the teacher. This is an alarming situation and the educators are doing their efforts to satisfy the needs of the students on knowledge. They sometimes create the lesson more interesting to involve the students in the process of learning.

References:

Bradley, J., 2005. Does the Classroom Assist or Impede the Learning Process? Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network. [Online] Available at: http://www.cllrnet.ca/Docs/RESOURCES/Lay_paper_02_international-modified.pdf. [Accessed 10 Feb 2010].

FICAN, 2000. FICAN Position on Research into Effects of Aircraft Noise on Classroom Learning. Federal Interagency Committee on Aviation Noise. [Online] Available at: http://www.fican.org/pdf/Effects_aircraft.pdf. [Accessed 10 Feb 2010].

Fosnaric, S., & Planinsec, J., 2008. Prediction of Work Efficiency in Early Adolescence under the Effects of Noise. Adolescence, Vol. 43, No. 169.

Stahl, G., 2003. Theories of Communication, Concepts of Communication in CSCL. [Online] Available at: http://www.cis.drexel.edu/faculty/gerry/cscl/papers/ch17.pdf. [Accessed 10 Feb 2010].

Learning Styles

More and more, people are recognizing the importance of this interface. The concept of emotional intelligence is one example of this interface. The concept of social intelligence is another. In the case of styles, we believe it is important to maintain the distinction between abilities and styles. Emotional intelligence may or may not represent a set of abilities. Styles do not represent a set of abilities, but rather a set of preferences. The distinction is important because abilities and preferences may or may not correspond, as we find in the case of someone who wants to be a creative writer but who just can't come up with the ideas.

In connection, most theorist negate the definition that learning styles is characterized by the presence of four basic categories such as visual (learning by seeing), aural or audial (learning by hearing), reading/writing (learning by processing text) and kinesthetic or practical (learn by doing).

The relationship of learning styles and emotional intelligence is the fact that it is part of the process of maturity. After religiously taking the Emotional Intelligence Test, I got an average of 60%. On the other hand, I am an interpersonal learner in the Multiple Intelligence Inventory.

In the learning styles, I am more inclined in dealing with people. While it is true that I am an extrovert person, I also enjoy group activities, sharing, collaboration, and team work. The traits of friendliness, understanding, empathy, and leadership are evident in my personality. After evaluating myself, I found out that learning is more enjoyable when done in an atmosphere of friendship, organization and group dynamics.

In my emotional intelligence, I was surprised that I exceeded the average level. This means that I can now deal with matters of emotions and feelings a lot better than before. My emotional intelligence is essential in dealing with people, maintaining harmonious relationships, empathy, and acceptance. Emotional maturity is also measured by emotional intelligence due to the fact that the level of understanding is evident in the actions a person is doing. Thus, the achievement of goals works hand in hand with emotional capability and the individual characteristics acquired through daily learning experiences.

However, the validity and culture-fairness of the tests is under siege. There are some factors to be considered to fully accept the results given. Intelligence tests – both reliable and valid tests have been constructed for measuring vocational aptitude and interests, personality attributes, and practical knowledge with respect to certain kinds of jobs. Thus, the purposes vary and are relative. Further, culture is an impediment in the eventual and factual interpretation of such tests. It is because some cultures are limited in terms of beliefs and practices. Thus, the exploration of the further skills and abilities are restraint within the prescribe norms of the culture or society in which people affiliate themselves.

All in all, I learned that my emotional intelligence and learning style are vital in becoming a competent individual. After knowing my limits and potentials, I have plans and opportunities for further development and growth.

Reference

Epstein, S. (1998). Constructive Thinking: The Key to Emotional Intelligence.

Westport, CT.: Praeger.

Sims, R.R. & Sims, S.J. eds. (1995).The Importance of Learning Styles:

Understanding the Implications for Learning, Course Design, and Education. Westport, CT.: Greenwood Press.

Sternberg, R.J. & Zhang, L. eds, (2001). Perspectives on Thinking, Learning and

Cognitive Styles. Mahwah, NJ.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.