Japan, as it seems, has always been in the forefront of robotics, and they recently unveiled the world’s first android newscaster. The android newscaster named Kodomoroid, developed under the supervision of Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, has taken the world by storm. Mr. Ishiguro says the android newscaster he has developed has perfect language skills and even sports a sense of … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2014
Kenyatta launches virtual learning ‘Anywhere School’ – University World News
Kenyatta University has become the first in East Africa to have a fully-fledged digital school, offering a wide range of courses through virtual and open learning. A free tablet uploaded with course materials for every student is expected to be a huge drawcard. The university has transformed its former virtual learning centre, a low key and little known learning facility, … [Read more...]
Melbourne Beats Out Sydney in Liveability and Food
Melbourne is getting a lot of good press this week. First, it was declared Australia's most liveable city, and now it has the best restaurant in the country. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index ranked Melbourne no. 1 out of 140 cities around the world for the fourth year in a row. Melbourne beat out Vienna in Austria and Vancouver in Canada for the top … [Read more...]
My morning walks in Eltham, Victoria, Australia
I feel proud of myself for starting my morning walks again. But it really is such nice weather at the moment, and there's lots of cycle/walking trails in the area, that it's easy to be tempted into going for a walk. And lots of paperbark and eucalyptus trees around - quintessential Australian bush sights, sounds and smells. And time to reflect on whether or not 42 … [Read more...]
A visit to Montsalvat, Victoria, Australia
On Thursday, I spent a lovely couple of hours at Montsalvat, Australia’s oldest artists’ community, set amid unique grounds and buildings, a place where art is made, taught, exhibited, performed and celebrated. It is a creative hub, located in Eltham, thirty-five minutes from central Melbourne, at the entrance of the Yarra Valley. Montsalvat was founded by Justus … [Read more...]
Back in Australia
I'm back in Australia for a few weeks to catch up with friends and family. And just as I arrived, so did Spring!!! :-) The weather has been wonderful for the first few days - high teens and low twenties Centigrade during the day. But at night it drops to below 10 degrees C - brrrrrr. I'm staying at Eltham Gateway Hotel in the delightful town of Eltham in the … [Read more...]
Understanding the Ebola Virus and How You Can Avoid It – About Health Degrees
A Free Course on Understanding the Ebola Virus has been launched with the aim of helping to spread awareness and knowledge of the Ebola Virus, its dangers and threats, and information on how to avoid it among millions of online learners across Africa and worldwide. On August 8th 2014, the World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency as a result of … [Read more...]
‘Into the Storm’ Is Pure Weather Porn. And That’s OK.
I went into the screening of Into the Storm wanting to hate the film, given Hollywood's tendency to butcher atmospheric science topics in favor of dazzling special effects, as occurred in The Day After Tomorrow. And sure, this new film has a flimsy plot, offers little to no character development and pays only cursory attention to the actual science of tornadoes and safety … [Read more...]
ROYTEC Joins VUSSC and Embraces OER
In August 2103, the School of Business and Applied Studies Limited (ROYTEC), at the University of the West Indies, signed a memorandum of understanding for a partnership with the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC). In doing so, ROYTEC agreed to embrace open educational resources (OER) as an operating strategy. ROYTEC’s first VUSSC … [Read more...]