The Cell Phone Facts You Need To Know

The popularity of cellular phones all over the world has simply exploded and you can't go anywhere in the world, not even a poor country that does not even have hot water, where people are not walking around with cell phones. The popularity of these phones is obvious because it makes interpersonal communication significantly easier and faster, however are there any drawbacks to cell phones or even health risks you should be aware of? Of course, when you go buy a cell phone the vendor does not clue you into to anything other than the great benefits, however you should review some of the potential safety issues as well so you know all the benefits and drawbacks to owning a cellular phone.

Is there a Health Risk?

You may have seen on the news or read in the newspaper or even online about possible health risks from using cellular phones. However, to date there is no sound proof that cellular phones can cause health problems. Additionally, there is no sound proof that they do not. Cellular phones emit a radio frequency (RF), albeit small, that are microwaves when the cell phone is in use. Also, when the phone is in standby mode it emits even smaller levels of RF. So, the question is do these low levels of RF waves that are being emitted from the cellular phone produce health hazards? Currently the consensus is no, however it is widely known that high RF waves do cause health problems due to heating of the body's tissues. But, the low level RF emissions are not enough to cause heating of the tissues so it does not cause a health risk, right? This is believed to be true and doctors and researchers are continually looking into the subject to detect whether or not cell phones pose a health risk to users or not. At the moment nothing has been discovered so you should be able to use your cell phone with peace of mind that you are not putting your health at risk.

How Will I Know if there is a Health Risk?

As you probably already know the FDA is responsible for reviewing drugs and health related products to ensure they are suitable for public consumption and use and will not cause additional health problems. At the moment the FDA does not review the safety of cellular phones, although it does have the obligation to do so if it is found certain, or all, cellular phones emit RF to the point of affecting the health of users. Although this has not occurred as of yet the FDA does suggest to cell phone manufacturers that they develop the phone in a way as to reduce and minimize RF to the user. Also, the FDA suggests to cell phone manufacturers that they continue studying any possible health effects that might result from the use of cellular telephones and that they be diligent informing consumers of any possible risks that might exist.

What do the Studies Say?

There have also been a variety of studies completed to determine how RF emissions from cellular phones might affect an individual's health. Studies have been conducted on animals as well as epidemiology studies that do not have conclusive results. The studies on animals had flaws in the way the study was carried out and while exposure to low level RF emissions did show a likelihood to develop cancer in the brain or mouth these animals were already predisposed to developing these types of cancers despite the RF emissions so there is no way a cause and effect relationship can be drawn. Also, the studies had a variety of results that have not been recreated in other studies.

The epidemiolgoy studies did not show a cause and effect relationship between cancer and low lever RF emissions from cell phones for the short term. However, there is no way one can know for sure if the long term use of cell phones is risky or not because no long term studies have been conducted. Of course over time if many individuals start developing brain and mouth cancers after 20 years of talking on the cellular phone then there will be some obvious relationship. However, until the time there is some conclusive evidence as to whether or not cellular phones cause cancer or put an individual at risk for other types of health risks then more studies will be conducted.

What Next?

Studies are continually being conducted to try and determine if there is any relationship between RF emissions and health risks. Time will be one of the biggest factors to determine what, if any, health hazards might be associated with cellular phones. Also, the FDA is working to determine if there are any hazards and if so how to deal with them. If you have a cellular phone and are worried about RF emissions then you might consider using a handset instead of talking on the phone held up to your ear. The reason for this is the farther the cell phone is from your beady the less RF emissions your body will absorb and the less risk, if there is a risk, experienced due to the RF emissions.

This topic is still under debate and probably will be for some time. So, if you are a cell phone user you should do a little research on your own and determine if you believe cell phones pose a risk to your health or not. You can also learn some tricks to reduce the amount of RF emissions and limit your amount of time talking on your cell phone. Regardless, cell phones look like they are here to stay so if there is a health risk researchers need to determine it quickly and fix it so the rest of the world can continue on with their conversations.

Ted Anders of ExpressUnlock, LLC has been involved in the Telecommunications industry since 2000. Unlock Nokia with ExpressUnlocks patented software. We hope you find the above article informative and helpful. Please visit http://www.expressunlock.com/

Create your own Cell Phone Radio Show...or just hear your favorite podcast on your cell!

Thanks to Rick Weinberg, I have found a new favorite mobile resource. It is called Foneshow. The way that it works is that you can subscribe to podcasts on your cell phone! You go to the Foneshow website, find a podcast (there are many to choose from including NPR and even the presidential candidates), type in your cell phone number, click on subscribe and you are done. You will receive a text message with a phone number in it. Hit reply to the message and your phone will automatically dial the number where you will get instructions to listen to the podcast. Every time there is a new episode available, you will recceive a text message (you can also stop this function if you would like). While that is pretty cool, even more exciting is the ability to create your own cell phone podcast! And it is so easy! You just click on Create your own Foneshow. Add your podcast (you can upload it), and then publish. When you finish, others can subscribe to your podcast. Also, you can call in to Foneshow (you will get a text message on how to do this) and record an episode in your podcast. Finally, you can "reply" to any foneshow you listen to and leave a voicemail comment. Wow! I think I have already thought of about a dozen educational applications for this cool FREE tool.

Classroom Applications:
1) Student Radio Shows
Students could publish their podcasts and share them with parents (especially those who do not have Internet access at home...which often inhibits some parents from being able to hear their kids podcasts). Additionally, parents could use the reply option to comment on the show!

2) VI students
Students who are visually impaired could participate in commenting on podcasts by using the reply option in Foneshow. They can also produce their own Foneshow since all they have to do is call in to Foneshow and record an episode (rather than having to use a computer to upload and navigate difficult Java Script).

3) Subscribing to NPR/Topical Shows
Students studying current events or specific topics that are highlighted on NPR programs could subscribe to the NPR Foneshow on their topic. They can "learn on the go" by getting a text message every time a new episode is published. As a result, students do not need Internet or even Radio access to keep up on these topics.

4) Homework Hot line
Schools could use Foneshow and set up a homework hot line. Parents and students could subscribe to the hot line through Foneshow and get a phone number to call when homework is posted. This could also be used for school news. Parents who have questions could "reply" to the show (where the reply will go to the school).

5) Collaborative Storytelling
Students in an English class could start a poem or short story, and then others could call in and hit "reply" and add a new portion of the story! For example students could be asked to create a new ending...the next day in class, the students could listen to all the different endings that everyone came up with!

6) Brainstorming
A podcast could be set up for brainstorming. The teacher could post "episodes" where they ask an inquiry question. Students could respond with the "reply" button.

Knowing Your Cell Phone

No one doubts that cell phone (cellular) is one of the most used consumer electronics worldwide. But have you ever asked yourself how does a cell phone work? What is a cell phone?

The amazing fact about a cell phone (cellular) is that it is a radio - a very special one. The gurus in the line are Bell (1876), Tesla (1880) followed by Marconi and Bose (late 19th century). It is known that the concept of cell phone was produced by Bell Laboratories with the permission of FCC (Federal Communication Commission), and had everything to do with broadcasting and sending a radio message out over the airwaves.

In cell phone technology cells divide the city, allowing for the facility to be frequently reused throughout the city. Millions can simultaneously avail of it.

In devices that are half-duplex (walkie-talkies and CB radios) two communicators use a single frequency. This means that at a single point of time only one can talk. On the other hand a cell phone (cellular) being a full duplex tool has two frequencies: one for talking and the other for listening. Thus a real-life conversation can take place. Cell phones (cellular) glide through 1,664 channels whereas the walkie-talkie group has to be content with only 40. The walkie-talkie and the CB radio respectively reaches out to 1 mile and 5 miles but the cell phones, because of their ability to switch from cell to cell can cover incredible distances, even while driving at top speed. Each cell is approximately 10 square miles.

The cells are usually depicted as hexagons. The unique frequency tiers avoid all possibilities of cross connections. Generally a carrier of cell phone can avail of 832 radio frequencies in a city. Each cell phone (cellular) uses 395 voice channels (per carrier), that is 56 voice channels per cell. It means 56 persons can simultaneously say hello on the phone. In digital transmission technology the number of channels increases even further. For each cell phone 168 channels is available.

The distinctiveness about cell phones (cellular) is their low-power transmitters. Most use 2 strengths: 0.6 watts and 0.3 watts. In comparison it is 4 watts for CB radios. The advantage of this is that it can be frequently reused consuming less power. Cell phones are battery operated. The lower the power the smaller the battery. This makes the set handy and light.

For cellular technology a city requires a good number of base stations. This can run into some hundreds of towers. But because of the huge number of users costs per head remain very low. Each carrier has one center called MTSO or Mobile Telephone Switching Office. Its work is to see to all the connections.

Cell phones (cellular) each have codes, which enable identification of the phone, its user and its server. When someone tries to reach a phone the first thing is to locate the SID (system identification code) on the control channel, that is find out if the phone is within range or not. A message relays no-service when it is out of range. But when the SID is received then the next step is to find out whether the call is within its own home zone or not. The phone also tracks the location of the phone called on a database. Thus the MTSO knows the cell of the called number and caller. Communication is transmitted through the control channel and it is this link that activates the phone being called and calling.

These are the facts of a cell phone (cellular) as explained for a layman. It is always advisable to know at least the basics of a cell phone since it has become an integral part of our life.

This article can be accessed in Portuguese from the Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/celular.php Roberto Sedycias works for www.PoloMercantil.com.br

Why Cell Phones are Important

Cell phones are now considered to be a necessity for most people. This is because cell phones provide us with the ability to communicate with our family, colleagues, etc. not only through calls and sms but even through sending e-mails as our mobile phones are now just like a mini computer that can be connected to the Internet if configured. Cell phones are even used as a camera, a video recorder and even as a radio and mp3 player all in one. What more can you ask for?

Cell phones are a great tool for us to connect with other people, thereby providing us with a kind of security knowing that we can "watch over" people or can be "watched over" by the people close to our hearts. In emergency situations, our mobile phones are the ways wherein people can reach us and in the same way through those phones we can reach the necessary people or establishment too. In the event that an old friend is looking for you, there are now websites with a cell phone directory for people to use to find an old flame, a lost relative etc.

If in the past, cell phone reception was not that reliable, that has changed now. In fact due to the advanced technology of today, high quality reception is enjoyed by cell phone users. Wireless technology also brings everything you will ever need in cell phones such as Internet access, GPS technology, etc. Mobile phone service providers have become really dependable that it is hard to live without their services. Due to the increase in the production of different models of cell phones, prices of these gadgets have also dropped making them more affordable than ever. With cell phones, you are not only able to make important calls but may be able to check your office email, use your phone for reminders or calendars, use it for data transfers from your phone to your laptop, and a lot more.

Cell phone manufacturers now have ongoing competition as to who would be able to provide the best phone in terms of lightness, being user friendly, having the most features, etc. There are cell phones that are not costly but would have nice features, and then there are the really expensive cell phones that would have everything you could wish for. It is up to you on whether you would choose a phone that is basic giving you only the necessary features you need or a phone that is technologically advanced that gives you needed features and also extras that are great to have. Wireless cell phone service providers on the other hand need to come up with a cell phone directory that would work just like a phone directory to be able to trace the cell phone numbers of people you are looking for. Take note though that there are some websites that have their own cell phone directory that is a paid service. This would of course come with pros and cons.

Steve works for FRCD where you can find cell phone numbes free by searching our cell phone directory. You can also lookup reverse cell phone numbers.

i-Spy....Last Spotted

I have been playing with a new site called Last Spotted. The concept is that people are "spying" or "searching" for someone or something and everytime they see that person or thing, they can send a text message and/or picture to a Last Spotted account. At first I did not see much power in this site (it seemed a bit Hollywood...people were looking for "Kate Hudson" or "Brad Pitt"). But then I realized that many people using this site were teenagers and this is the type of activity they enjoy doing. So why not add some curriculum to the concept. Therefore I set up my own Last Spotted site and created an "i-spy" game. I created a person called "Insects". Therefore students who are studying insects in a biology class can use their cell phone to take pictures of insects that they encounter in their everyday activities and send their pictures (along with a text message of what type of insect they think it is to the Last Spotted account). Students do not need to create an account in order to use Last Spotted. The teacher can set up the account (monitor it) and give the students the email address to send their pictures. My only major concern is that there does not seem to be a good way to keep the account private. Hopefully Last Spotted will work on this (I am putting in a request).

Other ways to use i-spy with students:
1) Question/Answers with everyday people and content.
For example, student's who are starting a unit on the Civil War, can ask people what they thought the causes of the civil war were (or one main cause per person). They can take a picture of the person (or not) and then text that person's answer to the class Last Spotted board. Back in school, the teacher can open up the board and a huge discussion can ensue. Throughout the unit, the teacher could even refer back to the board as they study different possible reasons for the Civil War.

2) A Day in the Life
Students could be paired with professionals in the community who represent potential future jobs (such as students in a mathematics class shadowing an accountant, or students in a science class shadowing an environmental chemist). They could report their experiences via a Last Spotted account.

3) Current Local Events
As "breaking news stories" occur in the community, students can report via Last Spotted. In addition, students can take a picture and write a short text message about local history/science/authors that they might encounter on their everyday adventures.

4) Scavenger Hunt
Students could be given a list of items and/or people related to classroom studies, where they need to go out and find answers or document experiences. Students could try to be the first ones to "spot" the item on the list. This would be a great extension to a unit or on a field trip. For example students on a field trip to a nature preserve could be given specific items to find and document from the field trip location. This would keep them focused on the field trip and could be done in pairs or groups in case some students do not have cell phones.

5) Classroom--Real World Connections
Similar to current events, extra credit could be given to students who are able to document content-related events, activities, or items that they find in their everyday life. Such as a class studying the War in Iraq, might have some students who know or meet a solider who has served in the war. They could get a quote from them and possibly take their picture.

6) Topical Stories
A Last Spotted could be devoted to finding people who have had a similar life experience (such as people from the 1960's who remember the MLK or RFK or JFK assassinations) and give short text message quote (maybe a picture) in a Last Spotted account. The quotes could lead to an interesting class discussion as well as a wonderful way to document living history.

6 Degrees of Flickr Mobile

Have you tried your Flickr mobile account yet? If not, you may want to activate it. You can easily activate it by logging in to your Flickr account and clicking on Uploading Tools---Email. You will be given an email address where you (or your students) can send mobile pictures (using any basic cell phone SMS service) to your private or public (you decide) Flickr photo account. What is this so great? While, you can always use the pictures in the Flickr account (such as adding them to a specific location on the Flickr Map, adding descriptions, or just using them as data to download or review). But the best part about Flickr is that Flickr couples with so many other web2.0 applications. This means that for homework students can start a project with Flickr mobile (such as a digital storybook), where they create and take the pictures with their cell phone at home, in the park, or at any other location. Then they can send them to the class Flickr account. Since Flickr couples with Jumpcut (a free easy to use web-based video editor), back in school, students can import their pictures into Jumpcut and edit (no need to bring the cell phone into school). Flickr mobile can be real time savor on picture-based projects. Here is a short list of web2.0 that couple with Flickr photos:
Jumpcut (Video Editing)
Planeteye (Travel Brochures and Maps)
TripperMap (Interactive Maps)
Picasion (create animated gifs)
Flickr SlideShows
Bubblr (Comic Strips)Picnic (edit Flickr Photos)
Splashr (Presenting Photos)
Picmarkr (Watermarks)
PageFlakes (Start page)
Wikispaces (Your Own Wiki)
Slideroll (Slideshows)
Scrapblog (Scrap booking)

Do you have any favorite sites that couple with Flickr? Please comment and add them!

Cell Phone Etiquette You Need To Know

Owning a cell phone can be a lot of fun. It’s portable, convenient, and is comforting to have when driving alone late at night. But now that there are millions of people who own cell phones, proper cell phone etiquette is becoming a concern.

Owning a cell phone doesn’t give a person a right to be rude or inconsiderate of others. It may be okay to take your phone with you and have it on while you are in business settings, with the exception of business meetings, but it’s not okay in some social settings.

People in a movie theater aren’t going to appreciate it if your cell phone is ringing during a movie. They’ll be even more annoyed if you answer it and talk during the movie. A nice leisurely dinner at a restaurant can be ruined if someone at the table next to you has their phone on and is taking calls. I’ve even been in church near someone who apparently thought it was okay to take a call during services. I was close enough to hear what was being said and it definitely was not an urgent call.

Yes, sometimes it may be necessary to have your cell phone on even if you are in a restaurant, theater, concert hall, or meeting. In those situations, put the phone on vibrate. If the phone goes off, discreetly check to see who is calling. If it is necessary to talk to the caller, excuse yourself and go to a quiet area out of earshot of the other diners, theater patrons, etc and return the call.

In some parts of the world wireless phone jamming devices have been installed in public places so that your phone just won’t work. In many other places, signs are starting to pop up telling people to turn off their cell phones in both public and private buildings. Not turning off a cell phone can even cost a person money. In New York City, there’s a $50 fine for breaking a bylaw that prohibits the use of mobile/cell phones at all indoor performances.

A person can choose to be part of the problem or part of the solution. If people demonstrate consideration for others there won’t be the need for more jamming devices, more “no cell phone” signs, and more laws being passed to fine users who don’t obey the “no cell phone” rules.

Make sure the voice mail is set up on your phone. Encourage people to leave a message for you if you are not able to answer the phone. Then return the call as soon as you can. But make sure to return the call. Just as it is inconsiderate to take a call in a restaurant or theater, etc. it is also inconsiderate to not return a call in a timely manner.

D Ruplinger is a featured writer for http://www.cellphoneshome.com. For more information about cell phones visit http://www.cellphoneshome.com.

The Origin Of The Cell Phone

Fifteen years ago seeing a cellular phone was quite rare, and in today’s technologically advanced world, just about everyone has a cellular phone. Adults, teenagers, and even children carry around portable models of the telephone.

Through the interesting history of the cellular phone, one can get the picture of how the portable wonder became what it is today.

In 1843, a skilled, analytical chemist named Michael Farady began exhaustive research to find a space that could conduct electricity. He told of his findings, and these advances of 19th century science and technology have had an incalculable effect on the development of today’s cellular phone.

By the year of 1865 a dentist by the name of Dr. Mahlon Loomis became what is thought to be the first person who was able to communicate wirelessly through the atmosphere. Between 1866 and 1873 transmitted telegraphic messages 18 miles between the tops of the Cohocton and Beorse Deer Mountains in Virginia.

Dr. Mahlon Loomis developed a way of transmitting and receiving messages by using Earth’s atmosphere as a conductor. He also launched kites enclosed with copper screens that were linked to the ground with copper wires. He was awarded a $50,000 research grant from Congress to continue his studies.

Then, in the year of 1973, a former general manager from the systems division of Motorola, Dr. Martin Cooper, became who is thought to be the inventor of the first portable handset. Dr. Cooper was also the first person to make a call using a portable cell phone.

In New York, he set up a base station with the first working prototype of a cell phone, the Motorola Dyna-Tac. He and Motorola took this technology to New York to show the public.

Later on, in 1977, the cell phone went public and public testing began. Chicago was the home for the first trials with 2,000 people. After Chicago, there were later trials in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and then it spread to Japan in 1979.

Usual technologies changed in 1988 when the CTIA – Cellular Technology Industry Association – was formed to lay out realistic goals for cell phone providers. Research for new applications of development was included.

In 1991 the Telecommunications Industry Association set a new standard with the creation of the TDMA Interim Standard 54.

Cell phones have had quite a long journey. Although there was a great demand for cell phones, it took 37 years for them to become commercially available in the United States.

Wireless service was actually invented almost 50 years ago, so it’s hard to believe that cell phones have only become popular over the past couple of decades. Currently, there are more than 60 million people who own cell phones.

Read more from Joe Goertz at: technology-mag.com

Free SMS Polling Tool For UK and Australia

A new mobile polling tool has just been introduced called SMSpoll. SMSpoll is similiar to the fantastic Polleverywhere (which I believe is US only right now). SMSpoll has a free account which allows for 25 votes per poll (enough for many individual classes) and 500 new polls per month. While the purpose is to take advantage of student owned cell phones for the 20% who do not have cell phones, they can vote on the web. The polls can also be downloaded into PowerPoint and embeded into a website/wiki/blog. You can also download the results in an excel spreadsheet. One additional feature that SMSpoll has is an auto-stop that you can schedule for polling (for example you can schedule a class poll to automatically stop at the end of class without having to go back to the website to close the poll). You also (unlike Polleverywhere) can get the results of the poll on your mobile phone! Of course you do have to pay extra for this feature. The template to create the polls is very easy to use. The major drawback is that you can an Australian number to text results to. It seems to work in the UK and Australia, and online web-based voting in most other countries. Here is a sample that I made below with web voting, feel free to try it!

Classroom Applications of mobile polling

KWL's

It can be used to generate KWL's inside or outside of class. You can create polls about an upcoming topic to find out what students know (K). You can create polls about an upcoming topic to find out what student's want to learn (W). Finally you can create polls at the end of a unit to find out what student's have learned (L).

Voting

You can use the polls for voting on topics for discussion/study. Students can develop mock elections as well.

Feedback

Students could create polls to get feedback after they have completed a presentation. They could also generate polls to use as feedback during their presentation (audience participation).

What will Happen?

Teachers could create polls concerning what students think will happen in a book, scientific phenomenon, or historical event. For example, before knowing the outcome of A Separate Peace, students could vote on what they think will happen. Or students could vote on how many "eggs" will break in their gravity experiment.

Text Messagers For Hire: Mobile Jobs for the 21st Century Learner

I am teaching a literacy course for inservice teachers. Today we discussed cell phones and we were talking about ChaCha. ChaCha is a resource that you can call (1-800), ask any question, and get a text message answer. I never knew who the people were answering the questions until today. One of the teachers told me that her son's (in college) summer job is to research the questions ask and answer them. She said he had to take a test on his research and mobile skills. He earns some money for every question answered and can log in to answer the questions on his own time! This got me thinking about the many ways that students can currently use their mobile skills for employment. I came across a resource called Mob4Hire, which asks people to test upcoming mobile software and give feedback. The testers get paid for their work. Therefore instead of students going to local businesses and working the cash register or as a caddy (I have anything against this type of employment), they can now be interviewed, get a job, and get paid via mobile phone (AKA--the "free agent" learner or future employee). Even more of a reason why we need to be structuring learning and knowledge around these 21st Century tools.

QR Codes...Integration into Learning? The Possibilities

QRcode for CellPhonesinLearning.com (generated from Kaywa)

I had been avoiding writing about QRcodes for a couple of reasons. 1) Because I did not quit understand them and how they worked. 2) For a while, most cell phones did not work with them or work very well with them. Times are-a-changing and I need to change with them. About a month ago I received an email from Bob Sopko at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH. He pointed me towards some interesting work being done with cell phones, QRcodes and documenting student academic experience. In Japan many cell phones are coming with software that can read QRcodes.
Here is a short YouTube video of "how QRcodes are used with mobile phones."


A Few Questions/Answsers about QRcodes

What are QRcodes?
A QR code is a 2D matrix barcode which uses an arrangement of squares to encode information horizontally and vertically.

What can a QRcode do?
Using your cell phone (mobile device) you can take a picture of a QRcode, and it will immediately pull up information associated with that code. Such as product information, website references, or an entire story. These are only a few examples, there are a variety of ways that QRcodes can be used.

Can I make my own QRcode for my website or product?
YES! There are a couple different sites that allow you to create your own free QRcode. Shortcode.com, Kaywa, and NFG are two examples.

Can any cellphone scan QRcodes?
Only cell phones with a cameraphone (most cell phones today), mobile Internet, and that have QRcode reading software (you can download this to your mobile phone) such as Kaywa. Some phones are compatible while others are currently not. I'm certain that this will change over time.


Classroom Applications
As I mentioned above, QRcodes do not work with every cell phone. However, it seems that every month there is a new type of cell phone added to the QRcode software reader list. Therefore we can assume that QRcode reading software will over time become avaliable for most if not all cell phones with a camera. So I thought we should ponder some potential classroom applications:

1) Creating QRcode Campaigns
Students could develop their own QRcodes (they can do this now with the generators mentioned above--for Free!). The could create a website, blog, image that reflects the content they are studying (such as a website about the history of lighthouses in Michigan or an image of a collage they created to represent metamorphosis), and then generate a QRcode for it. Next they could post their QRcode all over the school/community/web where people can read it.

2) QRcode Scavenger Hunt
The teacher could make up QRcodes for different topics being studied in a unit. they could post them all over the community (almost like a treasure hunt), where students would get the clue by using their QRcode reader, solve it--where the location of the next QRcode would be revealed, and find the next QRcode. In the end, by solving the mystery, they will also learn about the content in the unit.

3) Advertising for Local Business
Teachers could team up with a local business, where the students would develop a whole campaign for them. Part of the campaign could include QRcodes.

4) Group Projects and Reviews
Students could create QRcodes for their portion of a group project or review (such as defining some concepts). They could generate QRcodes so that they could share their reviews with other students.

While I am new to QRcodes Andy Ramsden has posted about his research on QRcodes and their impact on learning. Also another great resource (Thanks to ToniTwiss and others) is http://2d-code.co.uk/.

So Many Cell Phone Providers!

Wherever you’re located, the likelihood of having a choice among several cellular service providers for your wireless needs is high. Major cities usually have a choice between 3-5 major service providers and another 2-4 mini cellular players. The seemingly endless combinations of service providers makes way for some confusing yet interesting options for consumers. This brief article will help new cell phone consumers, and some old, learn the basic ins and outs of cell phone service providers.

First a clarifications on network terms you’ll encounter.

CDMA: Short for Code-Division Multiple Access, this is a digital cellular technology that uses spread-spectrum techniques. Unlike competing systems that use TDMA, such as GSM, CDMA does not assign a specific frequency to each user. Instead, every channel uses the full available spectrum. The frequency of the transmitted signal is then made to vary according to a defined pattern, so it can be intercepted only by a receiver whose frequency response is programmed with the same code, so it follows exactly along with the transmitter frequency. Major CDMA players are in North America are Telus Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, and Bell Mobility.

GSM: GSM is currently the world's largest cellular network. GSM stand for Global System for Mobile Communications. GSM uses narrowband TDMA, which allows eight simultaneous calls on the same radio frequency. Considered the most advanced digital cellular technology, GSM networks are leaders in many typically "digital" services including Short Message Service (SMS), over the air (OTA) configuration and GSM positioning. Many new GSM phones are called "global phones" because they can be used in virtually any country. They also have SIM cards ("Subscriber Identification Module") that enable unique identification of each user and easy transportation of your data between phones. GSM 900 (transmitting on the 900 MHz frequency band) is Europe's main digital network. It's also used in the Asia-Pacific region. GSM 1800 is also used in Europe and Asia, but has not been as widely adopted as GSM 900. GSM 1900 is the system used mainly in the Americas and Canada. Top North American providers are Cingular Wireless, T-Mobile, Rogers Wireless and Fido.

So the question is now which network do I choose? GSM appears to provide a greater range for those who travel, yet CDMA supposedly has clearer reception. Theoretically having the entire spectrum available for your use should mean greater call clarity, however, this is not always the case. Many CDMA subscribers will attest that their GSM counterparts have better reception in some hard to reach areas.

Consumers should also be mindful of the types of phones available on each network. Manufacturers try to produce phones for each, nonetheless, LG typically produces cell phones for the CDMA network, and Nokia on the GSM, (although Nokia has a huge CDMA portfolio as well.) Take some time and browse the phones and their options -- you have a huge selection so start now. Wireless functions such as SMS, or roaming may dictate which carrier you choose. But again, you have plenty of options to choose from, and if you’ve never had a cell phone before, take some time to learn about the hundreds of options you have, both in a phone and with particular plans/carriers. Don’t just compare phones either. Providers nowadays have comparable phones, therefore, the selling feature may be plans and attached options. Price, when evenings begin, add-on costs such as txt messaging, data-transfer, should all be compared and analyzed before purchase. Be sure to take advantage of monthly deals from providers, usually you can get a solid cell phone for FREE! Generally you need to sign up for a contract that lasts 2-3 years, however, if you’re planning on staying with the firm and are confident with your choice, the contract isn’t such a bad idea.

Switching providers is also an option with existing customers. Let me explain. Switching carriers is no longer a tedious event. Already present in the US and soon to be implemented in Canada, cell phone number portability will enable customers to switch service providers to take advantage of ‘new activation’ discounts with the new carrier all while keeping your old phone number. This feature can only benefit the consumer. Service providers will likely lower their fees and increase their perks in attempt to prevent a mass exodus from their customer base.

Some other phone options include prepaid options, where you can prepay for a pre-determined amount of minutes, no contract. You can also invest in unlocked cell phones, where you do not have the contract obligations and you own the phone. It works like this: you purchase the phone, usually from an independent dealer, then you activate the phone with a compatible service provider on a monthly plan. This is a pricey option, typically high end phones fall under this category, those that aren’t offered by the carrier but will operate on their network.

So as you can tell there are plenty of phone and carrier options for customers vying to get the best deal. The biggest thing is likely patience. Be patient when it comes to purchasing, better deals likely lie somewhere else. Also, figure out what your needs are. Do you travel? Want to be tied into a contract? Once you know what you want, compare between providers. Do the same type of comparison with phone featuress as well. You’ll be surprised how a little research on phone and service provider quality can save you a load of headaches in the future.

Visit http://www.discusswireless.com for useful consumer driven cell phone and PDA forums. Read relevant cell phone reviews, latest cellular news, service provider issues, and more. Compare and shop competitor prices in the shop section regarding the latest cell phones and PDAs.

Sendible...Another Mobile Text Messaging Service

I have often posted about Jott, a service that creates voice to text messages for specific groups of people or individuals. A few days ago I posted about AbbyMe. A service that will send voice messages to mobile phones in mass at a specific date and time. While I love Jott and am starting to explore AbbyMe, it is important to be aware of all the mobile messaging services and compare them. Another service Sendible is similar expect instead of voice messages it sends text messages to phones at a specific date and time. Additionally the message can even be repeated (weekly, daily, annual..etc). For example I put all of my family and friend's birthdays (you can even import them from Facebook) into sendible so that every year I get a text message on their birthday. Or I could even set up Sendible so that every year a text message is sent directly to my friends on their birthdays. While it is fun to send birthdays, there are some nice classroom connections.

Staying in Touch
The ability to stay in touch with students AFTER they are finished for the school year. By sending an annual or monthly message, you can better stay connected with them as they progress through their education. Sometimes this could be very encouraging to students.

Reminders
As with AbbyMe and Jott, you can send reminders to students via text. In sendible you have the option of setting up specific dates and times to send and receive messages so you can set all your reminders up at one time. For example you could set up a homework for the week reminder service in one sitting (rather than recalling Jott multiple times). You also get a nice "log" of past messages so rather than recreating a new one (for the next school year or next week), you can simple use the old message and resend it to the new students.

Hearing Impaired Students
While AbbyMe is nice for Visually Impaired students, Sendible works well for students who are hearing impaired because it only uses text messages (rather than voice).

Cell Phone – Can You Live Without It?

In this day and age, hardly anyone can dare say he can let a week pass by without having to use his or her cell phone. And everyone tries to justify that cell phones have become a necessary tool of communication and that he or she needs to use them. Well, let’s put it straight. Historically, necessity has always invented solutions and equipments that satisfied them. It never was the other way round. Even the cell phones, in their present or generic forms, when there already existed a huge vacuum for them. So, I will take the position with the famous saying, ‘you can’t hold an idea whose time has come.’

Cell Phone: How Does It Work and How It Helps You

Cell phones work like two way radios which receive and transmit voice which are in the form of radio frequency waves. When you speak into a cell phone, it coverts your voice into these electromagnetic radio waves which can travel in air till they meet their destination. The designated receiver is the called phone, which picks up the RF signals and converts back to understandable human speech. If signals have to travel long distances, like in a long distance call, the signals are picked up by a combination of base stations and satellites which receive and retransmit signals back and forth. For simplicity, you can think of satellites and base stations as a series of mirrors that redirect signals between two ends.

Two Rival Technologies for Cell Phones

In this day, there are two types of cell phones which are popular. Although, it won’t mean a bit different to you and I, they use two ‘rival’ technologies. The first and the more popular one is called GSM, an acronym for Global System for Mobile phones. The third generation of this is the reigning technology which moved cell phones from ordinary phones to being a ‘what not.’ You have video and still cameras, MP3 players, internet browsers, make shift computers, fax machines etc to name a few.

The next, but a recent entrant is CDMA (Code Division Multiplication Access) technology. Although new, this is now way inferior to its competitor GSM. Anyone using CDMA can never tell whether it is CDMA unless he opens it or someone else tells him. Well, why open? GSM cell phones use replaceable electronic chips called SIM cards which contain many data about you and cell phone to locate you and preferences like billing etc. In CDMA technology, these data are encoded into the irreplaceable microchips.

Can you live without cell phones? You will have to live in deep woods to try it out where there is no connectivity at all. But did you know there is just one number that can be dialed without connectivity? Fine, you can’t exactly live without this emergency number: 112 (varies).

NamSing Then is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his other websites Cell Phone, Printer and One Stop Information

Abbyme...Mobile Messaging for Students AND Inclusive for Hearing/Visually Impaired.

I recently started using AbbyMe. AbbyMe is a mobile messaging service. AbbyMe will call anyone's cell phone (or multiple cell phones at once) with a personal message. There are multiple ways to create mobile messages in AbbyMe. First, you can type in a text message and set a specific date and time to send an audio form of the message to any cell phone (Text to Speech). Additionally, AbbyMe can call you (at any number, does not have to be a cell phone) and you can record a voice message to send to anyone's cell phone. I like this tool for hearing imparied students, because they can type in their messages on the Internet browser and it will send the audio form (No Text Messaging charges!!!! YIPPEE!). On the flip-side I like this tool for visually impaired students because they can use the cell-phone audio recording feature (where AbbyMe will call your phone so you can record a message) and VI students can listen to the text messages on their cell phones.

The Pros
No Cost!
No Text Messaging Charges, since the message is audio.
Messages can be sent to cell phones and landlines (very inclusive)
Messages can be sent at a specific time/date for reminders
Messages can be your own voice or you can use the recorded voice.
Once messages are recorded (you can also upload audio files), you can resend recorded messages as a group or "playlist" to other cell phones.
One message can be sent to multiple cell phones at once.
Private files and teacher controls in the account.
Multiple people can record messages into one account
Students do not need an account to use this service.

The Cons
When AbbyMe calls to record a message, I cannot figure out/if you can set a time for AbbyMe to call you (it seems to be random. For example I set up the record last night at 11:00pm, but AbbyMe did not call me until 9:00am). It is not an immediate call.

Classroom Applications
Reminders!
This is a fantastic resource for students to use to remind themselves of tests, group meetings, activities, and homework assignments. This is also a nice way for teachers to send out a message about school activities to parents and/or students without having to call 30 or 100 of them. Additionally teachers can send out reminders about assignments, or even give assignments (such as a scavenger hunt, where the teacher calls students phones at random times with facts/items...etc to find and the students can message back when they have found them).

CellCasts
AbbyMe will allow you (and anyone else you want) to record a message by cell phone, and once the messages are record (multiple students can record in the same private account) they can be put in a play list and then all the recordings can be resent at once to cellphones. This would be a great tool for creating CellCasts (cell phone podcasts or radio broadcasts). Students in one could create radio theater, and then send them to "subscribers" such as parents. Students could also use this feature to develop podcast "flash cards" for reviews or brainstorming sessions.

A-louds
Using the play list feature, students could each record think-a-louds or read-a-louds. In a think-a-loud the teacher can ask for students to call in (using the record feature on the teacher's account) to answer an inquiry question such as "What do you think the main cause of civil war was and why?" from the homework assignment, and piece them together in the play list which can be resent to cell phones for reviews. For a read-a-loud students could record themselves each reading a different portion of a text. Once in the play list, the teacher could piece it together and send it out as an entire storybook.

Feedback
This is a nice resource for teachers to give their students feedback on assignments. Since teachers can type in the feedback and have it sent at a specific date/time. They also get a record of their calls, so they will have a nice record of the feedback for all students.