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Technology for Students: Getting the Gadgets
a part of the CA 4-H Computer Corps Workshop Series
Originally created by Ian and On, 2003
Revised by Jess, 2005
Goals
- Educate high-school students how useful current technology can be in the learning process at college
and the tools current college students use to get a step in front of the pack. Beginning with revamping notes in class to
keeping your parents up to date with your activities.
- Outline computer buying strategies
Description
Looking forward to moving off to college this fall or the experience in general? Learn how common gadgets can
really streamline college life. We will cover how to revolutionize how you take classroom notes, keep family and friends
up to date, avoid conflicts with roommates and even pass time between classes in the new efficient digital lifestyle college
students must have.
Lesson Plan
Introduction
Overview of Goals-Quick Discussion of what they expect out of the session 5 minutes
Tools and Gadgets that can make life quicker, faster, and easier.
- Laptops
A extremely powerful tool for taking notes, doing homework between classes, presentations and use as an overall hub for
college life
Discussion on size/performance with laptops, What do you really need from a laptop, what's its purpose.
Purchasing a new laptop: A list of things to consider
- Size - has a lot to do with battery life, ease of use, clarity
My preference 12" screen XVGA or better, while its small these laptops come at a cheaper price and commonly have
much better battery life.
17" does increase workflow, at the cost of battery life especially
- Processor - Do you need the latest and greatest?
- Centrino - Decent speed with great battery life.
- Pentium4 - Strong performance at the cost of battery life
- Celeron - Okay performance and decent battery life
- Battery Life
Some lecture classes are longer than 2-4hrs so this is really important if you plan on taking notes on your laptop till the
very end. Lots of high-performance laptops or 'desknotes' will not make for this amount of time, and needs to be thought
of ahead of time.
- Wireless ability
802.11.b is the most common interface and is available nationally at local 'hot-spots' 11.g is faster and backwards
compatible with B, the other choice is A and is not compatible with either B/G and should be considered. All three are
available.
- Expandability
Some laptops can be upgraded and as such might be a worthy investment
- Digital Cameras
Possible uses range from taking quick photos of handouts or lecture boards to just capturing the fun you have on campus
to share with family and friends back at home.
Things to consider are:
- Capacity
- How it connects to the machine
- Zoom
- Software packages
- Palm Pilots
A cheap alternative to laptops for note taking they can be extremely useful for organizing your calendar, contacts and
notes.
Things to consider include
- space,
- color screen,
- battery life
- and warranties as they can take quite a beating.
- Scanners
Useful for making copies of documents for storage as well as helpful getting photos etc into your computer
Things to consider:
- All in one solution with printer?
- Resolution
- OCR software - Gives you the ability to scan a printed page and turn it into a word document (time saver for notes
and other things)
- Should be USB connection
- Printers
Gives you the ability to turn in your homework created with your new tools
Things to consider:
- All in one solution with scanner?
- Photo/non-photo, laser/inkjet costs
- Network attachable (Can be avoided with print servers)
- Doesn't have to be attached to a computer to be shared, just to the network useful if you don't leave your machines
on all the time.
- Should be USB or network for connection.
- Router/hub
Useful for sharing internet connections and sharing documents between each other, with college wireless is a must, esp
since they commonly come with ports to use standard cables.
Things to consider:
- Wireless ability
- Number of Ports
- Print server built in?
- External Storage
ThumbDrives, External Harddrives, Ipods, Flash media
Useful for quickly moving small to large files between school and home.
Things to consider:
- How it connects! Not all machines have firewire so USB is consider much more compatible, be sure to see
what's available
at school and home before purchase.
- Additional equipment
There are many other gadgets that can make your university experience go smoother.
- Quality headphones- Easy way to be in your own world while your roommate is doing something else in the
room.
Wrap up/ Question and Answer
Materials
Requirements
Projector, screen, laptop
College-aged CC member
1 hour
Resources on the Web
Here's some resources that the Computer Corps found helpful:
Check with your individual university to see their personal recommendations.
CC needs to:
Add more "other gear to PPT"
PDF the revised PPT
Return to the CA 4-H Computer Corps Workshop Series
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