The TEFL News Network

Back when I was teaching, I always tried to keep my students interested in their lessons. I found that music and even podcasts were a great way to keep student interest high while improving their listening skills. In a typical school doing this meant dragging along a big boombox with tapes. It was hardly the best way to use audio in a lesson.

I did something very different. I used my iPod mini player hooked up to a set of computer speakers. It was so easy to take it to class and made the whole setup quick and easy. An mp3player such as the iPod really is an excellent tool in a teacher’s arsenal.

Since no one has too much money to spend, it’s a good idea to look for MP3 players and more on Abt Electronics. They’ve got great deals on a lot of different electronic products including Mp3 players, digital cameras and computers. They’ve got a good selection but the drawing point for me is that fact that they’ve been in business since 1936. That’s means they’re going to be there for years to come. I like that kind of stability.

I have finally convinced my wife to let me buy a new laptop. Now, I really don’t need a laptop. My current laptop works for me, but it is getting very clunky to lug around. While I can set up in a coffee shop, it’s still a chore to do it. Thats why I want a smaller laptop.

Unfortunately, smaller means a lot more expensive, right? Well not with the Asus EEE. This things is so small. I love it. I was amazed at how light it is and because there is no hard drive or other moving parts, you don’t have worry so much about breakdowns. The price is awesome for this mini laptop.

I will talk about it more here after I get it!

I have always been intrigued by satellite phones. They allow people to stay in contact no matter where they are. I find it so amazing that this technology is not only available now, but that it has been available for years. I have done some looking into it when I was abroad and looking for internet options while traveling in remote areas. This was a few years back and looking into this again, I am surprised at how much satellite phones have advanced.

I checked out the Mackay Satellite site and took a look at the options available. There are so many different options available from Iridium to Globalstar to Immarsat to VSAT terminals. The prices have come down significantly making it even more attractive. It seems there are lot options nowadays to stay in touch and connected no matter where you are. I think I can say that finally satellite phones are a viable communication solution.

I love technology and the gadgets that can change our lives. I love how a little electronic gadget can help us get more work done or be able to accomplish things that easier than ever before. I am sure we all have our own list of favorite gadgets, but I decided to make a list of my 5 favorite gadgets, only these are focused on simplicity.

1) My Motorola L6. It’s a simple phone and it works. It’s durable. I have my GMail on it so I can check and send email no matter where I am. It sure beats lugging around a blackberry. If I pair it with my laptop, I can literally work the net wherever I am/

2) My Creative Zen Mp3 player. It’s small and easily tucks aways so I can listen to music whenever I want, or even the radio.

3) My Casio Wristwatch. How can a watch be a gadget? Well, they were the original gadgets. It’s durable and it’s exactly how I like.

4) My Casio Scientific Calculator. I always need a calculator at work, so I just whip it and it handles everything easily and without a lot of flair.

5) My HP IPaq. It’s only a base IPaq and I mainly use it to read ebooks that I carry when I go out and do any kind of traveling.

What are your 5 Favorite Simple Gadgets?

I am always curious about other people who, like me, are using Ubuntu Linux. I find that Ubuntu Linux is one of the most powerful operating system out there and works in ways that Windows can only dream about. It’s also even easier to install and maintain. In other words, it is all I ever need.

When I first made the switch to Ubuntu, I found it hard to make the switch. I knew how to do everything in Windows and learning a new OS meant learning new ways to do things. At first, I thought that it would slow down my productivity, but before long, I realized that instead, my productivity was improving. I put it down to one simple thing.

Whenever I came across a task that I didn’t know how to do. I would research it and find the way to do it under Ubuntu. Invariably, it would easier to do it the Ubuntu way. In fact, I get irritated when I use Windows computers because I find that Ubuntu is so much easier to use.

So what kind of OS are you using?