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Tag: universities

  • Google Adds Street View Imagery To 150 More Universities

    Google announced today that it is releasing Street View imagery for over 150 university campuses globally, adding to its growing list, which is currently about about 275 schools.

    “With classes just getting started, freshman students, transfers and even empty-nesting parents can now familiarize themselves with college campuses around the world, including UCLA in the U.S., Pembroke College in the U.K., McGill University in Canada and Sophia University in Japan,” says Brian McClendon, VP of Google Maps and Earth.

    Here’s a look at Royce Hall at UCLA:

    UCLA

    This is only one of a handful of Google Maps-related announcements the company made. It’s also expanding Google Maps Navigation (Beta) to thousands of towns in India (with live traffic conditions), and rolling out biking directions and Map Maker to New Zealand.

    Google put together the following video in celebration of all of the progress it has made with Maps:

  • Google Maps Enlists Students To Help Map Out University Campuses

    When I was in college, one sight I never failed to enjoy was that of a frenzied (typically younger) student sprinting across campus on their way to a class they were undoubtedly late for. I loved seeing this, but not because I’m really that mean; I enjoyed it mostly because I remember when that was me. Similarly, I also liked spotting the odd college student making their way across campus with map in tow, searching for that seemingly hidden building where their class was being held. Again, seeing this warmed my heart but only out of empathy because, like I said, once upon a time that was me.

    Such awkward coed adventures may soon exist only in the trunks of nostalgia if Google has anything to do with the modern college experience. Earlier this year they announced that they’d given a few university campuses the Street View treatment. Perhaps realizing the scale required to map out each individual university campus in the United States and Canada, though, Google’s decided to call in the experts on college campuses: the students themselves.

    Through their Google+ page, Google Maps announced the inaugural Map Your University competition for all students in the U.S. and Canada. Through the use of Google’s Map Maker, Google is asking current students to create detailed maps of their campuses that will be viewable on Google Maps and Google Earth. Winners of the competition will be award fun Google-y prizes such as Android tablets, phones, GPS devices, and more.

    Full details of the event can be found on the official Map Your University page. Entries are only being accepted February 13 through March 9, so attention interested students: here’s your hot plans for Spring Break 2012!

  • Students Missing Out On Jobs Due To Poor Info

    Students Missing Out On Jobs Due To Poor Info

    With unemployment numbers sitting where they are, you would think that schools and universities would be doing all they can to help place students into jobs upon graduation. But, despite having the skills employers want, nearly half of young people are missing out on career opportunities due to a lack of information from schools and universities.

    New research reveals that 41 percent of students do not feel well-informed about the range of careers open to them. Only 13 percent feel their education institutions have fully equipped them to make career decisions. CompTIA surveyed more than 1,000 students to understand what motivates them.

    The vast majority of respondents showed themselves to have skills employers want. They are hard working (89 percent), quick learners (79 percent), good at solving problems (76 percent), have communication skills (71 percent) and are able to work in a team (78 percent). Furthermore, most students are ambitious with a clear idea of what they expect from their future professions. A good salary (85 percent), variety (66 percent) and ongoing development (62 percent) are the most important considerations.

    Respondents in the CompTIA survey want schools and universities to do a lot more to help them understand career options:

    • 55 percent want information integrated into school lessons about what careers different subjects can lead to

    • 61 percent feel they need more information about careers other than those directly related to their field of study

    • 51 percent want better careers advice at school or university.

    This trend is particularly notable in IT and technology, which is struggling to attract the 110,400 new entrants a year it needs to keep up with the industry’s growth.

    According to Kevin Streater, executive director for IT Intelligence at the Open University:

    “For far too long there has been a false assumption that IT is too technical for most people to get into. The reality is that anyone who is educated, motivated and passionate about technology should consider a career in the industry. At its core, it is very much a career where you can keep learning, keep developing and keep your hands on technology. Contrary to popular opinion there are plenty of unfilled vacancies for young people, and plenty of young people with exactly the right aptitude and ambitions to fill them. The problem is largely one of making young people aware of these opportunities and how to get into them.”

  • Google TV Goes to School

    Google TV Goes to School

    Google has announced a program called Google TV for EDU, which is described as a seeding program to support university research. Google essentially gives Google TV devices (Logitech Revues) to university faculty for the purpose of carrying out in-classroom research. 

    The Google TV team has been working with Google’s Student Ambassador Program and University Programs to give students and faculty around the country access to Google TV. 

    Google TV in Universities"This initiative began last semester when Google Student Ambassadors hosted Google TV study breaks on over thirty campuses," explains product marketing manager Miriam Schneider. "The ambassadors had students compete to win Sony Internet TVs for their friends and school. They hosted pizza breaks, tech challenges, YouTube marathons and of course, college football viewing parties. The top seven most creative study breaks won two Sony Internet TVs to give back to their college as a reward for their school spirit and enthusiasm for Google TV." 

    "The momentum from the Google TV study breaks has carried over into the classroom," says Schneider. "Already, the web on TV has proven itself as a great platform for early education and reading skills with web apps like PBS Kids and Meegenius. However, professors have expressed interest in expanding these opportunities to all levels of learning."

    Google says it is asking faculty how their research could generate new interest in TV engineering, make computer science tangible for students, help in the development of smart TV curricula/new education tools, contribute to in-classroom/distance learning over TV, and/or reach a wide audience.