Internet Age Drama: Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gimmicks

Here's a funny and semi-educational story that I'd like to share with you. The moral of the story? Beware the linking that you do on the internet. Keep track of what accounts, phone numbers, log-ins, email addresses, etc., are linked to one another.

I am a bit of a techie nut. While no expert, I'm crazy for gadgets, gizmos, and gimmicks. I own a fancy Droid phone with more apps than I could ever possibly use. I have both a laptop and a PC, and I love investing my hard-earned money on tons of interesting-looking software I see advertised.

Needless to say, I use the Google calendar that comes free with my Google email account. You might be thinking that as an educator working on an educational website, my calendar is full of important meetings, conferences, etc. And these things are definitely in my calendar. But as a tech nut who carries her cell phone with her 24/7, I've also come to rely on my Google calendar for tons of everyday things. I get easily distracted, so if I need to do something in a few hours, darn tootin' that I put it on my calendar.

Putting a batch of jerky in the dehydrator? Mark in my Google calendar the time when it should be ready. Need to pick up toilet tissue after work? There's a Google calendar alert set for 3:00 P.M. to remind me.

The Google calendar has an option that allows you to send SMS (text message alerts) to your phone. And even though I have the Google calendar app installed on my phone, I've always used the text alerts as back-up. To do this, I had to validate the phone number by responding to a text that Google sent me.

The problem? About a year ago, I changed my service provider and got a new cell phone number. The Google calendar text messages never entered my mind. I loaded my new phone with all of my old apps and services, and went about my life. I never thought about the reality that eventually, my old provider would get around to assigning my old phone number to another customer.

Oops!

One day, I saw a new event in my calendar: "Quit sending this **** to my ******* phone!!!" I was dumbfounded. What on earth was this? After a lot of pondering, and further harsh exchanges, I realized that my mundane, incessant calendar events were still being sent to my old phone number. The poor man who was using my old phone number was every day getting reminders to buy feminine hygiene products, take the pot roast out of the oven, etc.

Quickly, I went into my Google calendar settings and erased the old phone number (but not before sending out a sincere apology via the calendar).

Your take-away:

Be very careful about what accounts and log-ins you link to your cell phone number, because if you ever change your number, those old accounts may be accessible to whomever receives your old phone number. When you validate your phone number for texting directly to and from your calendar, blog, twitter, etc., you are giving anyone who "inherits" your phone number access to those accounts.

So think twice before you link anything to your cell phone number!

What are QR codes?

Everyone seems to be talking about QR codes right now. So what the heck are they?

QR codes are, essentially, an updated version of bar codes. The benefit of a QR code is that anyone can create one. Better yet, someone creating a QR code can link it to just about anything.

How do I use a QR code when I see one?

You have to scan the code with your cell phone or laptop camera. Yes, there's an app for it. Currently, there are several free QR code apps for Droids and SmartPhones. Simply go to the app market or Google and search for "QR Code." Download the app. Once the app is downloaded, open the app. On your cell phone screen, you should see what looks like the view from your camera, except that it probably has a red line through it. This red line is the QR code reader. Aim your camera at the QR code you want to decipher. Within a couple of seconds, a screen should pop up on your phone displaying the QR code's information.

For example, here is a sample QR code:

Go ahead and aim your cell phone camera at the code. Within a few seconds, you should see the web address for www.studenthandouts.com. You should also see an option to go to the website. Neat, huh?

So what would or could I use a QR code for?

Promotions: As seen in the example above, an obvious use for a QR code is to promote a website or blog. We now place the above QR code on pretty much every piece of mail we send out. We also place it on everything from business cards to flyers.

This photo features something we are all familiar with--a flyer advertising something. At the bottom of the sheet are the familiar tabs that interested parties are expected to rip off. In the upper right hand corner, though, is something new--the QR code. Instead of ripping off a little sheet of paper, someone interested in the flyer can simply scan the QR code. In this instance, the QR code will lead the person straight to our website. Because the person has accessed our site from her/his cell phone, there is no fear of losing the information. (Oh, if I had a dollar for every paper tab that was left in my pocket and lost in the wash!)

Real-world applications for this cover everything from classroom newsletters to garage sales. Why? The QR code can be created to lead to a website and/or simple text. You can include a QR code on classroom newsletters (or even your professional stationery) that links directly to your classroom blog or website. Having a garage sale? Create a flyer like the one above, except that your QR code will contain the address, dates, and hours of your sale.

Other neat uses for QR codes:

• On a homework sheet, place a QR code linking to an online tutorial, such as a video on YouTube.
• On a field trip permission slip, place a QR code linking to the website of the destination.
• Have students create an interactive tour of the school or classroom for an event such as your school's open house. Students can link the QR codes to text describing different things, such as the computer lab, cafeteria, etc.
• Create a scavenger hunt around the classroom or school. For example, a QR code posted in the classroom asks a riddle. Answering this riddle will lead students to the cafeteria. Posted in the cafeteria is another QR code, this one a riddle that will lead students on to the school media center. Teachers can expand upon this by offering several QR code options, creating a sort of "Choose Your Own Adventure" game. Better yet, teach older kids about this technology by having them create a QR code scavenger hunt for younger students.

The possibilities for QR codes are almost limitless. Do you have an idea? Comment with your thoughts.

Ancient History PowerPoints and Outlines

Are you studying the history of ancient Greece and Rome in a Global Studies, World History, or European History course? We have everything you need. Click to see a sampling of our outlines and PowerPoints:

"The Glory That Was Greece" PowerPoint Presentation

"The Glory That Was Ancient Greece" Printable Outline

"Macedonia, Alexander the Great, and the Hellenistic World" PowerPoint Presentation

"Macedonia, Alexander the Great, and the Hellenistic World" Printable Outline

"Establishment of the Ancient Roman Republic" PowerPoint Presentation

"Establishment of the Ancient Roman Republic" Printable Outline

"The Punic Wars (264-146 BCE)" PowerPoint Presentation

"The Punic Wars (264-146 BCE)" Printable Outline

"Civil War in Ancient Rome and the End of the Roman Republic" PowerPoint Presentation

"Civil War in Ancient Rome and the End of the Roman Republic" Printable Outline

"Civil War in Ancient Rome and the End of the Roman Republic" PowerPoint Presentation

"Civil War in Ancient Rome and the End of the Roman Republic" Printable Outline

Unrest in the Middle East

Classrooms around the world are discussing the events in the Middle East. Students and teachers are asking: What is a dictator? What signifies oppression? How does a revolution unfold?

We have created a discussion sheet for these current events talks on what is happening in places like Egypt and Libya. Educators pick the countries (try a few with stable governments for comparison). After completing the chart, students should be able to identify the factors that lead to revolution. Completion of the chart can be done individually, in small groups, or as a class. (Good teachers know that basic background knowledge is pivotal for comprehension, understanding, and a thoughtful dialogue.) Kids might even be able to predict where rebellion will break out next!