RioVida Networks news you can use and trends you want to watch
Education
You can have your kids enjoy educational games for free by visiting http://www.funbrain.com
Breakthrough
On March 6th the National Tech Center reported that SMART BrainGames provides a link between NASA’s sophisticated neurofeedback technology and off-the-shelf racing video games, like the Sony PlayStation® and Microsoft XBOX®, to measure brainwave patterns coming from the player and feedback this information during game play.
S.M.A.R.T. Brain Games is designed to improve focus, concentration, memory and learning skills in any individual while having fun playing regular off-the-shelf video games.
Using the signals from a specially designed Sony PlayStation® game controller, the system ‘modulates’ and governs the speed and maneuverability of the race car depending on brain wave patterns picked up by the sensors.
This neurofeedback ultimately guides and measures brain activity in individuals with attention, cognitive and learning problems.Dr. Judith Pokorni, now a researcher for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), learned of the Grecos’ research and neurofeedback technology system while participating in a PIRE group discussion led by Henry Harbin, a consultant for CyberLearning Technology. Judy was fascinated by the use of neurofeedback in video games to improve intervention strategies for high-risk children and youth. Judy immediately began designing her next research project with SMART BrainGames in mind. As a prelude to a more formal study, she spent two months working with the technology considering possible populations and research designs with which it might be useful. We are excited to continue to be an important part of future research that exposes diverse populations of children and adults to SMART BrainGames Technologies and neurofeedback. Further examining a school based model for both special needs and even mainstreamed children is of great interest to us as well. We are also very interested in participating in autism research, recognizing that although practitioners around the world are having tremendous success with using our technology with this population, there exists no true research with neurofeedback. SMART BrainGames Technologies was also the winner of the first-ever Bright Ideas Peer Award at the Technology Expo portion of the 2007 NCTI Technology Innovators conference.
Policies
“The ACTION Act recognizes that our national security and competitiveness depend to a large degree on the United States’ ability to maintain and enhance its openness to international students, scholars, exchange visitors, scientists, and business travelers,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene M. Johnson. “We greatly appreciate the leadership of Senator Coleman and Senator Bingaman on these significant issues, and we urge Congress to support this important legislation.”
“We welcome the introduction of this important piece of legislation, which is essential to U.S. economic competitiveness,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “The United States must ensure that America’s doors are secure, but remain open to international business travelers and the best and brightest minds, if we are to remain the world’s leader in innovation and the center of global commerce.”
“Our visa policy is in need of reform, and the ACTION Act is a step in the right direction,” said USA*Engage Director Jake Colvin. “The United States’ diplomatic efforts abroad are best served by delivering a message to the rest of world that America is open to international visitors.”
In order to better coordinate the efforts of various government entities to attract international talent to the United States, the centerpiece of the ACTION Act is the establishment of an International Education Coordination Council in the White House. The legislation also calls on the President of the United States to submit to Congress a strategic plan for increasing U.S. competitiveness in this area.
