Windows 7 is just around the corner from general release and so is the updated rfid Learning Table to go with it. :) We have taken this opportunity to not only make Learning Table compatible with the 32bit version of Windows 7, but for the first time rfid Learning Table now runs on 64bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Windows XP continues to also be supported.

Features include a faster interface, easier to use options panel and full screen video playback.

This new version of rfid Learning Table will ship from Wednesday 23rd of September with all new orders and existing customers will be able to download the updates free from the web site by the end of this month.

 

Here is a screenshot of the new release running on the 64bit version of Windows 7.

 

The problem with diagnosing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is that by the time someone presents symptoms, it is generally rather late in the game. Looking for a way to detect the affliction earlier on, researchers at the University of South Florida have developed a wireless network for use by senior living centers. Utilizing a series of receivers placed strategically around the building and RFID transponders worn on the wrists of patients, the system monitors people's walking patterns, looking for actions characteristic of cognitive decline -- including a tendency to wander, to veer suddenly, or to pause repeatedly. So far the study has found a statistical relationship between abnormal walking patterns and people for whom testing indicated dementia. The next step is to take that data and look for ways to predict the disease. Good luck, kids -- and hurry up. We ain't getting any younger 'round here.

Source Engadget

What do you think the chances are that Learning Table will support touch in the future. Pretty good I would think. :)  In the meantime enjoy the preview of the soon to be released Asus Eee PC Touch Tablet.

Last week I had the opportunity to do a couple of workshops on Learning Table and have a stand at the eLearning08 conference at the University of NSW. It was great to catchup with some existing customers and colleagues as well as have the opportunity to introduce rfid Learning Table to lots of people for the first time. The workshops were well patronised and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hello and thank you to the organisers for the invitation to attend. I certainly hope to do another eLearning Conference in the future!

 
I managed to snap one photo in the morning while some early arrivals were settling in for the first of two workshops on rfid Learning Table.

Verona McMahon a teacher of Foundation Studies at Riverina TAFE and a member of the excellent Learning Technology Mentors program that Institute is running. She recently sent me a copy of a video she shot of her work with rfid Learning Table.

 

 

 

Here is what Verona said about the video  and her use of rfid Learning Table: 

I ran a course which was a joint venture between: Riverina Institute of TAFE NSW, Coomealla Campus; Coomealla High School, NSW DET; Schools in Partnership; and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), Dareton.

Our students were years 7 to 10 students from Coomealla High School. Students worked on their own raps to express their experiences of living in their particular communities at their age and to relate their stories round this. Each student recorded a rap. When the AECG had a barbecue at Coomealla TAFE I showcased the students' raps outdoors by using the laptop and both the speakers and RFID scanner powered by the laptop battery. Each student's rap was tagged to a plastic card RFID tag.

This tag was inserted into a plastic sleeve which also held a photo of the student and the rap title. People in attendance at the BBQ were free to come up to the laptop and receive simple instructions on how to listen to the individual raps via your Learning Table Player. Enjoy the outback ambience as you view this video.

 

Thanks Verona, for sharing this and well done on a innovative and interesting use for Learning Table.

 

Dan

You can find out more at the web site here.

http://sites.google.com/site/botanicalpartnerships/

Adrian Laws from Riverina TAFE has written up a fantastic entry about what he is doing with rfid Learning Table and also built his own Kiosk to house his Learning Table System. Awesome stuff and well worth a click to read about!

www.learningkiosk.com

Dan

In August I had a workshop for rifd Learning Table at Riverina Institute of TAFE. A group of ten teachers spent the day learning about RFID and Learning Table, before taking the Learning Table kits Riverina has purchased and putting them to use various teaching sections. It was a great day and a fantastic group of teachers. I noticed today that some pictures from the day are now posted here:

http://ltmentors.riverinainstitute.wikispaces.net/Workshop+20th+&+21st+August+2008

 

Thanks to my hosts Jacqueline Bates and Bronwyn Collins and to the wonderful staff of Riverina who attended the workshop. :)

 

I hope to have more news about the outcomes from this workshop soon.

rifd Learning Table gets a mention on the web again. Developing a program to introduce an ICT product which helps people with disabilities engage with learning and training. This project is being conducted in Tasmania.

New York has now become the second state in the country to offer RFID-embedded driver's licenses. Following Washington State's lead last year, the radio-frequency identification (aka RFID) licenses will be offered at a $30 premium over the standard driver's license. The benefits of the RFID license include their ability to do double-duty as a driver's license and a U.S. passport for those who frequently enter New York from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean (of course, you will still need a "real" passport to enter the state from other international destinations). Authorities say that only an ID number, no personal info, is stored on the chip. Regardless, as some embedded chips may be read from a distance -- and not necessarily a direct line of site -- authorities in New York will still offer standard licenses for those on the paranoid side... or they can run out and purchase an RFID-blocking wallet. Thanks for the tip, Yash!