Daily Bits – Page 242

Smartest People: Just How Smart Is Smart?

August 28, 2012 by noemi

Forrest Gump’s mom is known for one of the smartest quotes ever: “Stupid is as stupid does.”

The label I used may be arguable, but there is some truth to that saying, isn’t there? After all, how many “smart” people do you know who don’t seem to get their act together? And how many “stupid” people do you know who are well-loved by everyone who knows them?

Still, those who’ve got the smarts deserve admiration and respect – recognition at the very least. The guys at Super Scholar threw some ideas, numbers, and facts together to come up with the 10 smartest people alive today. For sure, you can rattle off a couple of names off the top of your head, but why not check the infographic out to see if you have the same people? [Read more…] about Smartest People: Just How Smart Is Smart?

Full Metal Jacket Diary

August 27, 2012 by noemi

Full Metal Jacket is one of the iconic movies of its time, and movie buffs will tell you that if you have not seen it yet, you simply ought to stop what you are doing right now and watch it. It’s Monday morning anyway. You probably won’t get much work done! ((Disclaimer: I have only seen it in bits and pieces myself.))

If you appreciate the movie as most people who have seen it, then you will love the new iPad app that Matthew Modine has released. The star of Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 film decided to release the app, dubbed Full Metal Jacket Diary, because of the amount of material he had collected while keeping an actual diary as they filmed the movie.
[Read more…] about Full Metal Jacket Diary

ClassDojo: Classroom Management Gamification

August 23, 2012 by noemi

The teaching profession is largely understated, in my opinion. Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that I come from a family of educators, but even those who may not have been exposed to this side of education will find it hard to deny the fact that what teachers do is not an easy task.

More than imparting knowledge to their students, teachers also have to deal with other tasks. Among these tasks, classroom management is high up the list. It’s basically being able to handle the class as a group and as individuals and being able to encourage proper behavior. Call it crowd control in an educational setting.

This is what the app ClassDojo aims to address by providing rewards to students who exhibit good behavior.
[Read more…] about ClassDojo: Classroom Management Gamification

Angry Birds Friends Featuring Greenday Coming Soon

August 21, 2012 by noemi

Just when I thought I would not be hearing anything more about Angry Birds! I have to admit that I fell for the Rovio game, hook, line, and sinker. I bought Angry Birds t-shirts for my brother. My sister and I had matching Angry Birds flip flops. I had an Angry Birds cake made for my brother’s birthday last year. Oh, and yes, I have all the games on the iPad.

By the time Angry Birds hit Facebook, however, I was already rather tired of the game. I won’t hesitate to say that the physics of the game in space was too much for me.

But Rovio is not one to rest on its laurels. They’re going to milk their creation for what it’s worth. Maybe more. And this time, they’re reaching out to the masses who have a penchant for other symbols of their generation.

With Angry Birds Friends, Rovio has turned to punk band Greenday to gather more players – or bring them back – into the fold. [Read more…] about Angry Birds Friends Featuring Greenday Coming Soon

3D-printed Meat Might Help Solve World Hunger

August 20, 2012 by noemi

World hunger is a very real and pressing issue, although sometimes, it is difficult to understand why. Even in developing countries where there are pockets of starvation in the populace, you will also see excesses when it comes to food. For sure, there is a complex web of underlying reasons for this problem, but no matter what your stand may be in this issue, there is no doubt that there are hungry people all around the world. And what better application for technology than to find ways to feed everyone?

How about some 3D-printed meat?
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Brooklyn Quality of Life App Makes Reporting Crime Easier

August 17, 2012 by noemi

Because 911 is not enough? Maybe, or maybe not.

The Brooklyn Quality of Life app is the brain child of Senator Eric Adams (of Brooklyn). The app was unveiled on Sunday in an effort to make it easier for anyone (with a smartphone and the app installed, of course) to report a crime anonymously. [Read more…] about Brooklyn Quality of Life App Makes Reporting Crime Easier