Program Sekolah Bestari di Malaysia...Malaysia's Smart School Program

“ICT in education is viewed as an enabler for learning, to enrich the curricula, and to enhance pedagogies. With appropriate e-management systems, it enables school administrators and principals to become more effective school managers. Through the establishment of Smart Schools in Malaysia, learning is more dynamic, lively and interactive through the use of multimedia technology and worldwide networking.”
 -Abdullah Sani, Director of Malaysia’s Educational Technology Sector in the Malaysian Ministry of Education

 Malaysia’s goal of becoming a fully developed nation by 2020 as well as a competitive actor in the global economy has led the Malaysian government to emphasize the use of ICT in primary, secondary and university level education. In 1996 the Malaysian government made a conscious decision to prioritize ICT training and use in order to shift from having an economy based upon production to one based upon knowledge.  This shift would come with the enactment of Malaysia’s new Smart School Project.

 Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Former Prime Minister of Malaysia developed the core vision of the Smart School Program.  He envisioned the changing role of teachers in a new, electronic classroom.  This would mean that teachers would relinquish their traditional role of information ‘providers’ and would instead become information counselors or facilitators that would help students to develop the skills and judgment needed to find reliable information online.  In addition, Mahathir notes that the key to success in this Information Age is based upon making the ‘right’ judgment between arrays of informational choices.  The former Prime Minister’s final vision is that the Malaysian government examines and analyzes its education system in order to create a system of learning that will facilitate higher education.

With the development of the Smart School Program, the Malaysian government revised its national philosophy of education, prioritizing: the creating of a thinking and technology-literate workforce and democratized education.  The initiatives the country has enacted to bring about these fundamental changes are manifested by the projects accompanying the new Smart School program.  These include “MySchoolNet,” the Computing Tablet project, and Computerization program. 

MySchoolNet is a website developed by the Ministry of Education that provides links to educational sources and information across Malaysia.  The most progressive, main feature of this website is the interactive communication that Malaysian students are able to experience with other students worldwide. Malaysia’s Computing Table project was a pilot program implemented in 2004.  It was launched in few rural areas of the country and was seen as a way in which laptops could be involved in the enhancement of teaching in a wireless technology environment.  Finally, the Computerization Program provided schools across the nation with computer labs equipped with cutting edge hardware and software.  This program has been implemented in various stages, with the goal of nationwide application.

As of 2011, 250,000 teachers in Malaysia have attended courses aimed at teaching teacher literacy and implementation in the classroom of ICTs.  According to Abdullah Sani, the director of Education Technology in the Malaysian Ministry of Education, “As a part of the [teacher] training module, teachers are informed about the availability of online and offline resources, and centrally prepared teaching courseware and e-materials for use by teachers and students.”

Sani also notes that the success of ICT use in schools is monitored through the Smart School Qualification Standards (SSQS) instrument, which is comprised of valuation factors such as: utilization, human capital, and applications/technology infrastructure. In 2010, the SSQS results in 2010 have 91 per cent of 8955 schools achieving a smart school status with “3-star ranking” and above. 

 Malaysia’s Smart School project seems to be well structured and guided, but the true qualifier of the program will come in 2020. The success of the Smart School program will be judged by the ability of the Malaysian government to meet its goal of being a fully developed nation with a knowledge-based economy, and technologically skilled citizens.

GCASH Sa Pilipinas: Pagbabago Ng Negosyo Sa Parehong Dulo...GCASH in the Philippines: Changing Business on Both Ends

Globe Telecom’s G-Xchange Inc “GCASH” program has transformed business transactions in the Philippines.  Globe Telecom is a cell phone service provider in the Philippines that has partnered with Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines Microenterprise Access to Banking Services (RBAP-MABS), and USAID Philippines. This union resulted in the use of the “GCASH” platform, which allows cell phone users to deposit, withdraw and transfer money (amongst other banking functions) via cellular phone. 

Jamera Macmac is the owner of a microenterprise business in the Philippines who has is taking advantage of the Globe Telecom GCASH mobile banking program in order to expand her business.  Ms. Macmac sells pearls at the market and has seen her business transactions increase dramatically since she started to accept payment for her jewelry via the GCASH.  From the comfort of her own stand at the market Jamera is able to deposit, transfer, and withdraw payment money she has received via her GCASH mobile wallet on her cell phone.  She is also able to pay utilities bills from the very same GCASH platform on her phone.

In addition to saving an abundance of time from avoiding spending time traveling to the bank and doing other finance associated errands, Ms. Macmac remarks that, “once people pay [her] in GCASH, [she] can send the money to [her] family who live far away…and can pay water bills with GCASH so [that she doesn’t] have to spend hours in line anymore.”

Globe Telecom has developed a variety of portals and websites online to assist, support and train GCASH users.  Globe Telecom subscribers can choose from a menu of various options to receive help with their accounts or to access other features provided by the company.  The company provides a variety of “how to videos,” aimed at simplifying the use of GCASH technology, and making it more accessible to all in an effort to augment its user base.

Globe Telecom plays into the national Filipino sentiment in the divisions of their website dedicated to ‘Filipinos at heart,’ who are abroad and miss the homeland.  This is strategic, less than subtle ploy to increase the remittances sent using the GCASH platform.

By appealing to small business owners, national sentiment, and creating partnerships with various banks, GCASH use is expanding, and serving to improve both the business of Globe Telecom and of the small microenterprise business owners who use the mobile banking technology.

 This mutually beneficial mobile banking platform is explained and described in the following video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvwgNrGztOc)

by Larry Bat-Ao, a GCASH agent in Cantilan.
 

In addition to the ways that GCASH is benefiting local Filipinos and making it easier for them to complete business transactions, in a July 2011 Business World Online interview, Mr. Baltao, a representative of Globe Telecom explained that the company has contracts and relationships with 76 rural and commercial banks in the Philippines, enumerating the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Philippine National Bank and Asia United Banking Corp. among the 76. 

In addition, Globe Telecom struck a deal with the Filipino Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Land Bank of the Philippines to issue funds under the government’s cash transfer program.  Baltao stresses that Globe Telecom, specifically in regard to its GCASH platform will continue to expand its relationships with government agencies.

Baltao states the company’s goal is “to have all subscribers [of Globe Telecom services] use the GCASH walled.”  This means expanding GCASH users from 1 to 26 million. This is a lofty goal, but completely within the scope of reality, as based upon the success of other international GCASH counterparts, such as MPESA in Kenya.  The reality of this possibility at the growth in GCASH users can be seen in the fact that the services have gone from averaging less than $100 million of transfers a month in the past two years to over $100 million a month in 2011.  Globe Telecom plans on increasing outlets/access points of GCASH services from 9,000 nationwide to 12,000 by the end of the 2011.

While the expansion of business interests often results in damaging the success of local business counterparts, it seems that GCASH programs in the Philippines will continue to grow and will remain mutually beneficial to small business in the Philippines as well as to the corporate interests behind the program.  Overall, mobile banking technology seems to be improving the efficiency of businesses in the Philippines as owners save time, efforts and money itself by utilizing new GCASH technology to perform banking functions.

CREATING A POLITICAL GRASSROOTS MOVEMENTS VIA SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

It is incredible to think that an entire political or social movement can be created through the strategic and skillful usage of social networking sites, but this is precisely what is happing all over the world. 

In 2008 Oscar Morales’ “Un Millón Voces Contra Las FARC” facebook page led to a protest in Colombia in which in a single day 12 million people protested against the FARC, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.  Morales and others were taking a stand against the FARC’s brutality and in particular sequestering of hostages. “No more kidnappings, no more lies, no more killings, no more FARC,” was Morales’ simple slogan for the movement. 

While it seems like the most dramatic successes derived from utilizing social networking sites to spark political movements have come from abroad (in countries such as Egypt and Colombia), research shows that in the United States we have the conditions necessary to start these grassroots movements as well.

The PEW report on the Internet released in 2010 show that 1 in 5 adults in the United States uses Twitter or social networking sites for political purposes.  The report also notes that 73% of adults took part in one of the three following political activities in 2010:

1.     Searching for political views online

2.     Participating in particular political activities online

3.     Using Twitter or social networking sites for political purposes

Ultimately, this indicates that adults across America are already using social networking sites for political related activities, and are likely to be prospective members of grassroots movements that are based in at least in part on communicating through social networking sites.  According to an additional PEW report entitled, “Social Networking Sites and Our Lives,” the number of people using social networking sites has almost doubled since 2008, and now includes more individuals over the age of 35.  All of this data should encourage Americans who wish to start a grassroots movement using social media and networking sites.

In addition, an individual starting his own grassroots political movement in the United States should create his own smartphone application, or “ap.”  This statement can be supported by PEW’s smartphone adoption and usage report.  The report indicates that over a third of American adults (35%) own smartphones, from which they can access the Internet and use a variety of other functions.

The American political scene is ripe for new social networking based political movements.  PEW reports certainly support this notion, and the media does as well.  News stations and networks now have their own Facebook pages, Twitter names and relations to other networking sites, which often offer their viewers stories or links to other sites that are related to political movements.  Social networking is becoming a rapid way to disseminate news, gain support, and plan events to support or protest against various political issues.

A variety of Americans have been unsatisfied with American policies or political realities and have started reaching out for support of their cause via social networking sites.  A mere Google search will yield the names of hundreds of political activism pages on Facebook…

Conservatives Against Deficit Spending

Students Against Education Cuts

March Against McCain and Palin

Americans Against Health Care Bill

New York Residents Against Drilling (NYRAD)

…Just to name a few!

Soooooo…those of you eager to create your own grassroots movement by taking advantage of social networking sites, here are some impotant tips:

ICTs in Rural Mongolia

“Telemedicine…especially in a country as large as Mongolia…is the [optimal] approach for development of health services.  The Internet helps to close distances and helps people communicate and realize their dreams.”

-Ts. Lkhagvasuren, MD, PhD

 Mongolia is a struggling developing country characterized by various obstacles and inequities that seem to impede the country’s development.  Geographically, Mongolia is a vast, isolated, landlocked territory with extreme weather conditions and a depleted natural environment.  It’s population of 2.7 million is extremely small for its size and its suffers from an extremely dichotomous urban-rural divide.  The market economy in Mongolia is improving the standards of living in urban areas, but the remaining 43% of the Mongolian population live in dispersed, hard to reach rural areas with scarce resources.

With a mere GDP of about $8.8 billion, Mongolia struggles not only to fund but to disperse adequate, essential health care to its population, especially to those scattered throughout rural areas.  The International Development Research Centre’s ICTs for Health Services in Rural Mongolia plan, which started in 2003, and was funded by the Pan Asia Networking program initiative looked to change the face of Mongolia’s lacking health system and outreach.  The project relied on Mongolia’s reputation as a regional leader in Internet technology, and adoption of ICTs for its foundation.  Mongolia’s willingness to experiment and implement new technologies was essential for the development of ICTs to be implemented in the country’s health sector.

Rural Mongolia was targeted as the perfect launching pad for health ICTs, as one of the central problems to the country’s rural-urban inequity and divide was the poor quality, and difficulty in accessing health care in rural areas.  The stress that this inadequate system was placing on the Mongolian government led to investment in ICTs with the hope that health care would become more accessible and efficient.

The explicit goals of the project were twofold:

1.     Develop distance medical diagnosis in rural areas

2.     Develop distance learning programs for rural medical doctors using Internet-based applications (taking into account low bandwidth)

A distance diagnosis center was established at the Mongolia National Medical University in Ulaanbaatar, where doctors could diagnose patients by looking at cat-scans, and other medical records or documents sent to them using Internet applications.  Training programs for Mongolian health professionals were also developed to teach them new technologies and methodologies. 

The project surveyed common diseases in the rural areas and developed software in collaboration with Mongolian doctors, aimed at teaching other health professionals in the country who lived extremely far away from main medical centers. The software developers were extremely cognizant of the low-bandwidth Internet conditions in Mongolia and designed the program with this limit in mind. 

The software utilizes the local language and open source technology to create sets of diagnostic information that teaches health care workers to diagnose common diseases in rural Mongolia with accuracy.  700 individuals were trained to make these diagnoses in the first two years after the software was implemented.

While the program initially experienced some difficulties due to doctor’s unfamiliarity with how to operate the programs or how to use computer-Internet technology, this was basically overcome by the third year of implementation when an astounding 976 individuals attended distance learning seminars over the Internet, and a further 113 rural doctors from more than 21 provinces enrolled in distance learning programs.

This cost-effective technology has proven extremely efficient and beneficial to the Mongolian health care system and is bringing some publicity to the region. This May, the General Electric Company opened an office in Ulan Bator, Mongolia’s capital and signed a distribution agreement to supply new healthcare products, information, and technologies to the Mongolian market.

ICTs can and have proven to be invaluable to developing countries such as Mongolia.  The countries often have inadequate numbers of medical professionals, a challenge that can be mitigated by distance diagnoses aided by ICTs.  Doctors and nurses can also update medical information on their mobile phones, receive updates about patients via the Internet or mobile phones, and can respond more effectively and in a timely manner to their patient’s needs.  The implementation of ICTs in rural Mongolia serves as proof of the concrete benefits that ICTs can have on resource-lacking health systems in developing countries.

MUSIC technology implementation plan for EL SALVADOR!!!

MUSIC is our universal language.  It is the one language that we share and to which we continuously contribute to developing from diverse places across the world.  Teaching music in the classroom is often what helps to preserve this link between citizens of the world.  Music theory, playing instruments, practicing vocals, and composing music are all vital parts of musical training- all of which have been revolutionized by new music technology capabilities.

Music technology allows a teacher to present information about music in a stimulating manner.  Ph.D. Bruce Perry's research has shown that the human brain has a 'genetic bias' for visual information and representations.  Movies, videos and computer programs are often the media associated with this type of enhanced visual learning, all of which are implemented by new methods of music technology training in the classroom.  Dr. Perry stresses that "technologies that benefit young children the greatest are those that are interactive and allow the child to develop their curiosity, problem solving, and independent thinking skills,” and believes computers to be the top interactive technology for educational enhancement.

Music technology is staring to be more frequently implemented in the United States, but could arguably be more effective, in terms of cost-effectiveness and overall benefits if implemented overseas in developing countries.  The obstacles to its implementation though are often a lack of financial resources on the part of the developing country to even secure the computers or other software technology to implement music technology in the first place.  EL SALVADOR, among other developing countries could benefit enormously from implementing musical technology in the classroom.  The following is a structured plan on how to bring this beneficial technology to the developing country in Central America, and what kinds of potential benefits could arise from its implementation...

The first step to developing these successful music programs in El Salvador is to assess the country’s current ‘technological situation’:

Due to the exorbitant cost, the vast majority of Salvadorans do not own personal computers, but instead seek to access the Internet from cyber-cafés, where computers are provided and a small Internet access fee is paid per hour of usage.  Those using the services of cyber-cafés tend to be under the age of 30 and are mostly young, often university aged-students, as the Internet is a relatively new technology that has not been adopted by many members of the adult community.  This data supports the targeting of younger school-aged children in efforts to utilize music technology.  The classroom would be an extremely effective place to use this music technology, as it is proven that young Salvadorans are the most receptive to technology and technological training in general.

The Global Information Technology Report of the 2010-2011 year provided a comparative insight into the progress of El Salvador’s technological development.  One of the most significant indicators included in the report is the “Network Readiness Index” (NRI).  The NRI assesses the degree to which countries across the world leverage information and communication technologies for enhanced competitiveness.  The NRI framework consists of assessments of a country’s market, political and regulatory infrastructure, as well as individual, business and government usage of these technologies.

Interestingly, El Salvador is ranked 92nd out of 139 countries according to the 2010-11 Network Readiness Index.  It is citied as an example of a country that has failed to “keep up with its peers.”  El Salvador is among the six countries that have declined significantly in rank since the 2006-7 report (where it ranked 61/122) and at which time it belonged to the same decile as China (ranked 59th).  This information further supports the goal of the development of music technology in classrooms in El Salvador.  By educating Salvadoran youth in technology use while simultaneously developing their musical prowess and creativity, learned, technologically savvy citizens will eventually contribute more directly to the enhancement of the country’s overall competitiveness in the global market.

With the help of United States foreign aid agencies, or through programs instituted by the Funes (president of El Salvador) administration, the country, of a mere population of 6 million, can definitely acquire a sufficient number of computers for use by students in classrooms.  Assuming the Salvadoran government decides to more actively prioritize technological advancements in the classroom, music programs can be designed for the classroom…

Music technology implementation in El Salvador would mean utilizing computers and other electronic devices to record, playback, compose, store and perform musical pieces.  This technology includes aspects of acoustic science, psychology, and sociology.  One can also play musical instruments and create new sounds without the physical instrument itself, but by utilizing computers.  MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface is one of the outstanding programs that allow the user to record audio or musical sequences.  The sequences that are created can be copied, moved, and edited, duplicated, and re-sequenced at the click of a mouse. 

Music technology implementation in El Salvador is a diverse way to foster educational and technological development in a country that is seeking to advance itself in the world order.  Using this technology in the classrooms will foster creativity, technical skills, and allow Salvadoran youth to express themselves in a way that is also educationally valuable.  The youth would learn a variety about music, which is an invaluable experience in and of itself, all the while developing the technological skills that will help to aid the country in creating a new generation of thinkers and innovators. 

UPDATE: Science technology finds a cure for BAD ACTING!!!

Gemenoid 4, aside from being an emerging star, is a highly sophisticated android robot built and programmed by Hiroshi Ishiguro, an engineer and professor at Osaka University and his associates at Japan's Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International.

Advancements by robotics experts in science technology are incredible and promote innovation in the fields of biology, engineering, cognitive science, computational neuroscience, speech recognition, cognitive robotics, and numerous other scientific fields.  David Hanson, Ph.D and founder of Hanson Robotics argues that building human-like androids such as Gemenoid 4 creates "a cross-pollination among the sciences, as [humanoid robotics, and the androids created] represent a subject of scientific inquiry themselves."  

Other advocates of innovations in humanoid robotic technology cite the beneficial aspects of these robots as reasons to promote the further development of robotic technology.  Studies have been conducted that conclude that children with autism respond favorably to humanoid robots.  This could lead to the use of said robots in treatments, therapy, and social training for children who have cognitive or social struggles. Hanson also notes that NASA's Robonaut, a human-like robot capable of performing a variety of human functions in space provides a safer alternative to sending actual human beings into orbit.  In addition to these more practical usages of robots, the use of robots as entertainment should be recognized as well.  Gemenoid 4, along with numerous androids in Walt Disney World, and other theme parks provide an interactive, awe-inspiring form of entertainment.  


Although the benefits of humanoid robotics go beyond those enumerated, and seem to be viewed positively by the public, there is also an group that opposes this development.  Those who are against humanoid robotic development argue that these robots look 'grotesque' and seem to mock us.  It is argued that these robots are trying in a dangerous way to replace humans, which will only end up being a catastrophic venture as androids are not (yet) capable of experiencing emotions.  


It seems incredible that the development of the field of humanoid robotics could inspire a fear of science in many individuals, who might fear that they will succumb to the fate of many victims of human-like robots in various science-fiction movies.  David Hanson is among the scientists who deny that humanizing robots is dangerous to the human race, and even counters this argument by claiming "if we do not humanize our intelligent machines, then they may eventually be dangerous...to be safe when they gain free, creative and adaptive general intelligence, then machines must attain deep understanding and compassion towards people."

Hanson's argument seems convincing, but would be more so if the benefits of humanoid robotics were skillfully marketed to the public in scientific journals, and through other medias.  Movies like "A.I" (Artificial Intelligence, 2001) and Surrogates (2009) are exciting, yet fear inspiring depictions of robots over taking the human race.  We need to promote more realistic, beneficial aspects of robots, such as their large capacity for utility, and embodiment of enormous scientific progress in a variety of fields.  
Journalists have been helping in Japan, where Gemenoid 4 was built and revealed, by snapping pictures, writing articles, and providing extensive coverage of the development of the android, and posting it all over the media.  While this has been majorly positive for the enhancement of funds going to the humanoid robotic research field, it is not enough.  Journalists and media experts can take the vanguard in this movement, by talking about the proven benefits of humanoid robotics, and explaining how they can keep real humans safer, more informed, and entertained.  We can also promote the development of this science by letting robots star in more positively viewed roles in plays and movies, in which they are not cold, blood-thirsty machines, but instead relatable, physical evidence of praiseworthy scientific accomplishments and successes.

Photo/Video Journalism & Technology in BURMA

Professor David Johnson's view that "it is impossible for journalists to be objective," inspired the following investigation of photojournalism, video-journalism, and technology and their collective global impact in Burma.

An unaltered, un-indoctrinated photo or video is arguably the most objective account of an event that has transpired.  It is tangible evidence that the particular situation occurred and provides a momentary glimpse into said specific situation, from which one who views it can autonomously make her own deductions about what the photo depicts.

Adding captions to a photo is the first step toward its indoctrination.  Any preconceived notions that one may have had are influenced by the strength or debility of the photo's caption, and inevitably shape the viewer's perception about what has been depicted in the photo.  In the case of a video, the presence of dialogue, commentary or the addition of background music can also influence the viewer. Despite these caveats, photo- and video- journalism appear to be the most objective forms of journalism that exist...

Burma, also referred to as Myanmar, emerged onto the global news scene in 2007, when monks led a peaceful revolt against the violent, oppressive leadership of the Burmese military dictatorship.  The protests against the government that ensued ended in numerous shootings and other brutal acts documented by journalists.  The Burmese government has long been corrupt, but it seemed that the world did not notice, or care to act until the prolific release of photos and videos taken in secret, and openly (as seen below) by journalists during the peaceful protest.

The Japanese journalist in this photo was trampled and gunned to death by soldiers who were pursuing a crowd of anti-government protestors.  Journalism is highly frowned upon in Burma, as the government censors much of what transpires within the country. The media in Burma merely ignored the uprising against the government not issuing any reports or updates on it.  

Although fatally wounded, the journalist continued to take photos until he succumbed to death. His camera was then taken and both the camera and the film inside of it was destroyed by Burmese soldiers.

These images are evidence of the danger of practicing journalism in countries where governments are corrupt and are control of the media within their country.  The Burmese government wanted to restore order to the country through extreme, violent means without drawing international attention, or being internationally sanctioned by other global actors.

Although in this case the Japanese journalists' large, conspicuous camera was destroyed along with his film, the photos above are photos and still images from videos taken stealthily by Burmese journalists.  The 2008 award winning documentary "Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country" shows the footage, and tells the story of these brave journalists who put themselves in grave physical danger to document and disseminate information about the abuses being perpetrated by the Burmese government. 

These journalists, referring to themselves as "The Democratic Voice of Burma," relied on technological innovation: small video cameras that were portable and easily concealed, as well as the Internet.  If caught with recording devices the journalists would be arrested and most likely killed, but they deemed the reporting of the horrific events transpiring in Burma to be worth the danger to their physical security.  The men videotaping the peaceful protests and government reactions often put their portable video cameras in bags under their arms, and would march with protesters in the streets of Rangoon.  The journalists would then smuggle their videos to colleagues in Thailand, who would upload the videos and photos taken on the Internet, and would also disseminate them to news sources across the world.

Joshua, one of the protagonists of the film, who worked in Thailand uploading the videos taken onto the Internet, relied heavily on his mobile phone for access to important contacts abroad, as well as sending instant messages on g-chat to important contacts and collaborators with the Democratic Voice of Burma who were abroad.  These conversations were crucial to the release and dissemination of the footage, and Joshua was able to maintain these contacts due essentially to technological innovation.  Messages that he would write to his contacts were expeditiously returned by Blackberry or Smartphone users in Europe.  

The footage, after being uploaded and disseminated to various news sources would end up all over the Internet, as a topic on radio talk shows, as well as on cable television across the world. This use of technology was certainly new to Burma and some other parts of Southeast Asia.  The photo- and video- journalism combination was successful, as Burma became a hot topic for debate during G20 meetings and the U.S., among other countries decided to not only to maintain their existing sanctions on Burma, but to expand them.  

After the release of the documentary about the Burma VJ, the Democratic Voice of Burma gained a much wider, global following.  It is possible to stay updated on the work that these men and women are doing in Burma by subscribing to their Twitter newsfeed (http://twitter.com/#!/burmavj), as well as following their progress through their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/dvb.fanpage) or going to their website (http://www.dvb.no/). 

Through their basically objective photo and video reporting, and skillful use of technology, the Democratic Voice of Burma helped to bring the issues of their country to the global stage.  With new advances in social media, the group continues to gain better financing, allowing them to purchase new technologies and to continue to report from the ground in Burma.  Although I sincerely hope that similar events do not occur again in Burma, in the case that they do, the group is ready to continue with its mission to provide updates and seek help for the Burmese people.

Photo and video journalism in Burma should inspire those with more advanced forms of technology: such as smart phones, personal computers, small and nearly undetectable video and voice recorders to reach out to journalists in developing nations who are struggling and putting their security at risk to tell the story of their nation.  A way to reach out to these nations, such as Burma would be to supply them with these new technologies.  Yet another, less expensive way to provide support to grassroots journalists is to help them to spread the news that they report- whether on a blog, news article, tweet, or Facebook status, promoting awareness is of paramount importance.

Photo and video journalism tend to be particularly influential in society, as a photo or video can often express what is much more difficult to describe with the written word.  Also, on a more practical note, these forms of journalism tend to be more captivating, as one is not forced to read an entire essay, but instead can gleam the news by merely viewing a video clip or picture.  

National Geographic magazine is a great example of a work that uses picture media to captivate its audience.  We should follow in the steps of this renowned magazine and the Burmese journalists by making cheaper digital and video cameras, and creating programs to disseminate them in places like Burma.  With access to technologies like the Flip-video, a small, relatively cheap video recorder, we will probably learn an unprecedented amount about other countries, cultures, and global issues.

Cell phones: have benefits, cause distractions

Not only can we jet across the globe and maintain contact with our friends, but we can also stream movies, use the internet, calculate the tip we should leave the waiter on a restaurant bill, purchase clothing, take pictures, play games and do various other activities all using our cell, or mobile phones.

It's difficult to imagine a life without my blackberry phone.  I routinely send emails, check the time, or send text messages about 20 or more times an hour.  This use of this technology has become ingrained in my everyday life.  While I value my cell phone for helping me to stay in contact with siblings, family members and friends who live in various parts of the U.S., there are others who depend on their cell phones for their livelihood.

Banking transactions done on mobile phones are a striking way in which the evolution of cell phone technology has had unprecedented impacts.  This is demonstrated by new functions that allow money transfers to be sent via cell phones.  This is especially important when it comes to the remittances that immigrants, notably in the United States, send to their families back home.  Its estimated that with the use of this new system of money transfer that fewer than 10% of remittance recipients in Latin America have bank accounts.  This eliminates banks fees, processing and other sources that, in the end can diminish the amount of the remittance.  

The U.S. State Department estimated that in 2010 $3.5 billion dollars in remittances were sent from Salvadoran immigrants in the U.S. to their families back in El Salvador.  Cell phone technology undoubtedly played a significant role in this process.  Lowering the transaction costs, which is often done if remittances are sent via mobile phones, means that billions of dollars flow directly back to those who are the recipients of remittances, mainly economically struggling members of developing countries.  

While mobile phones are positive forces in the instance of remittance sending, they do have qualities that are less attractive.  These devices can be a large distraction.  They are often the co-conspirators or culprits of car-crashes and unintelligible conversations.  As mobile phone technology continues to develop and evolve, we become increasingly more dependent upon it and less aware of the harms that it could inflict on ourselves and others.  

It is nearly impossible to find a public space (in many countries) where a mobile phone is not clearly visible or in use.  Teenagers, who have been familiar with mobile phone technology basically since their infancy, send text, video and picture messages to one another, without lifting their eyes from their phones, or engaging in their surrounding environment.  A conversation with those who are engrossed in reading or writing a text message often involves a lot of repetition and frustration on the part of the speaker.  I have admittedly been the culprit, but more often the victim of these unintelligible conversations.

Dr. Frank Ryan, noted for being a plastic surgeon to the celebrities, died in 2010 while driving on the California highway as he sent a "tweet" from his mobile phone.  The surgeon drove off a cliff, most likely due to the fact that he was using Internet applications on his phone at the time and not paying attention to his surroundings.  This tragic death is related to the irresponsible use of mobile phones.

As we praise revolutionary mobile phone technology, we need to remind ourselves not to abuse it.  Mobile phones can be liberating in the way of sending remittances in a less complicated, expedited manner, but they can also captivate our attention so much as to a fault.