Many adults grew-up in a world without the Internet or cell phones and are often lost in the constantly changing technology landscape.
Many adults are left confused by the fact that students today carry laptops and other gadgets that buzz, buzz and sing.
We have compiled this list to assist parents and others in navigating the technological maze.
* Cell Phones vs. Smartphones: With the ability to send and receive calls and the ever-popular text messages as well as take photographs and browse the Internet, both cell phones and smartphones have similar features.
Smartphones such as the Blackberry Treo offer a full keyboard and software that can track appointments, manage contacts and perform other business-level functions.
Smartphone software can be very useful, but it can also cause distractions for students. If your student is not an entrepreneur, a basic cell phone with both calling AND texting capabilities is best.
* Mac vs. PC: Mac or PC? Although PCs are more common, Macs are easier to use and can be used for downloading music, photos and videos. Due to their lower risk of being infected with viruses or spyware, Macs are more secure. PCs however are cheaper and can run more programs and have more games.
You don’t have to pick! Parallels Desktop can be downloaded for Mac computers. This will allow you to have the best of both.www.parallels.com/en/product/desktopThis is a. It allows users to simultaneously run Windows and Mac apps on any Mac computer.
* Ask the Experts: Hopefully you’re feeling more prepared to take a stroll through your local electronics store. You can consult the feedback of students and teachers if you need more ammunition.
Project Tomorrow conducts surveys each year with teachers and students from kindergarten to 12th grade as part of its NetDay Speak Up research program. This allows them to discover which technologies they use. Visit www.projecttomorrow.org for more information. www.tomorrow.org.
