Twitter for Teachers
Posted: May 31, 2010 Filed under: Projects | Tags: ajax, asp.net, c#, education, iphone, javascript, jquery, sms, windows azure Comments OffWhile working at Microsoft I had the opportunity to work on the Text My Class project in the education product group. Modeled after Twitter, this app was designed to help teachers to manage the ever-changing list of contacts in each class. After subscribing to a text message request students would receive short messages from their teacher about upcoming tests, study assignments and anything the teacher wanted to share. Student’s replies appeared in a threaded message view where teacher’s could manage the conversation from a computer or iPhone web browser.
Cool features:
- Hosted on Microsoft’s cloud services Windows Azure
- Integrated with SMS system Upside Wireless
- iPhone web app
- Live update feed built with jQuery AJAX (just like Twitter!)
- Tested at Seattle-area public and private schools
Is Computer Science Still Worth It
Posted: November 8, 2006 Filed under: Notes | Tags: education, money Leave a comment »“Is it a good idea to go into Computer Science? Yes, there are certainly pending labor shortages as Indian companies outsource to the United States, but speakers of Stanford Computer Forum generally agree that it’s a good career choice. From the article: ‘To ensure job security, students must learn business, communication and interpersonal skills, Vardi recommended. The personal touch will become as important as technological expertise, he said. “There are jobs galore,” agreed Suzanne Bigas, assistant director of the Stanford Computer Forum.’”
This is what I’ve been saying about the outsourcing issue for a year
now. People who want to work in technical fields shouldn’t be afraid
of being laid off if they do something creative or interact with
people in a way that can’t be done over the phone or Internet.
Everyone who just pushes buttons is expendable.
So if you’re going to get into software development you should make sure you work on your people skills. It might also be a good idea to minor in a foreign language or communications.
