The average U.S. household has five remote controls, yet nearly 90 percent of those remotes do not have backlighting. You might think that new televisions come with backlit remote controls. In fact, only about one in 10 new televisions comes with a remote that has backlighting.
Even backlit remote controls are far from a perfect solution because they only illuminate the buttons but not the text next to the buttons. This is why most backlit remote controls have small, cryptic symbols on the buttons that are supposed to represent the function of the button. The main problem with backlighting, though, is that it cannot be added to an existing remote control, thus leaving nearly 450 million remotes in the dark.
However, a new low-cost method of illuminating remote controls is now available. Pop-up Microlites are nickel-sized lights that stick on remote controls to illuminate both the buttons and text. Unlike backlighting, the patented Pop-up Microlite clearly illuminates the entire remote control.
Pop-up Microlites are easy for anyone of any age to use. These little lights are a huge convenience, especially for people with less than perfect vision, or people who enjoy watching television or movies in the dark.
No other light available is designed to illuminate the same surface it sticks to. This makes them uniquely useful all over the house -- illuminating fuse boxes, thermostats, keyholes, telephones, the backside of stereos, televisions and computers, to name just a few.
Enjoy Watching TV in the Dark?
Illuminate
Remotes With New Tech
Are you tired of fumbling with your remote control in the dark because you cannot see it well enough to even use it? Considering the popularity of watching television with the lights off, along with the fact that 75 percent of Americans have vision problems, it is quite surprising that so few remote controls have backlit buttons.
Fun, Exciting Family Time
Moves Indoors
Gone are the days when poor weather outside meant sitting inside with nothing to do but watch television and play board games. The video game revolution known as “motion gaming” is proving to be a great way to boost indoor activity levels while spending time with the whole family -- making quality family time an attainable goal in 2011.
Motion gaming allows children to dance or swing their arms in order to win the games. The newest example of the genre is SingStar Dance, which adds dancing to the traditional vocal gameplay, so gamers can sing along to the hottest new hits and learn how to shake and groove alongside favorite pop stars.
The introduction of motion gaming consoles has brought more active video games into families’ living rooms. Dancing, Disc Golf, Gladiator Duel, Beach Volleyball, Archery, Table Tennis and Bocce games all provide exercise as well as fun.
But video game manufacturers have upped the ante with the latest era of motion gaming: the new Playstation Move Motion Controller for PS3 features more accurate motion control than previous controllers, allowing kids to shoot arrows or aim tennis balls with greater precision. The control system is easy to learn, too; new players can simply pick up a controller and play, although technical skills necessary to beat some of the games’ challenges may take extra time to develop.
One game, Sports Champions for the PlayStation Move, takes full advantage of the controller’s capabilities. Players can compete against each other in six sporting events: archery, bocce, table tennis, gladiator games, beach volleyball and disc golf. The game is fun for all ages and skill levels -- it’s even fun to watch.
These motion gaming sports are providing a whole new
way for families to spend quality time together while also enticing interest with more active entertainment than your typical video game. For more information, visit us.playstation.com/ps3/playstation-move/.
How Technology Can Boost Student Achievement
Parents and educators agree students need to develop learning skills that help them think critically, analyze information, communicate, collaborate and problem-solve.
Technology plays an essential role in realizing these learning skills in today’s knowledge-based society. Consuming, processing and learning from media in many forms simultaneously is how today’s tech-savvy students function. For more than six hours per day--eight when you count exposure to multiple forms of media at the same time--students consume media, the Kaiser Family Foundation found. Building information and communication technology literacy means this country can better compete in a global marketplace. Fortunately, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, just about every school in the U.S. with access to computers has Internet access.
Schools Have The Answers
What’s more, most schools in America today can turn to a scientifically proven, standards-based digital media service that empowers teachers to improve student achievement.
This powerful, dynamic and engaging digital resource can supplement--even replace--traditional textbooks. Called Discovery Education streaming, it enhances curriculum with up to 9,000 videos and 71,000 high-quality digital video clips, as well as articles, images and more. Searchable by keyword, content area and grade level, these videos and other digital assets are easily integrated into school curricula.
Studies And Students Research by Cometrika, an independent research firm, and Dr. Frank Boster, a professor at Michigan State University, found the more this digital learning tool is used, the higher students score on achievement tests, especially for younger students.
“My analyses indicate that Discovery Education streaming positively affected achievement scores,” said Dr. Boster. “The impact that this digital media service had on every level of student achievement was statistically significant.” Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, whose networks include Discovery Channel, Science Channel and Animal Planet.
Classrooms are moving from textbooks to digital content that features up-to-date, standardsbased videos, virtual labs, simulations, e-books and text passages. Leading this shift are s You can learn more online at www.discoveryeducation.com.
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