Mr McGowan's Learning Blog

Monday, 16 December 2013

Google buys the creator of the Wild Cat galloping robot

Incredible video of the galloping robot called Wild Cat:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25395989

Enterprise Logo

Our new Enterprise Logo designed by Mr Phee!

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Google's Driverless Car in Action

An inspirational video about Google’s Driverless Cars:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdgQpa1pUUE

My pupils were excited and intrigued by the rather sci-fi idea of Amazon delivering to your house within 30 minutes of delivery by a drone called an Octocopter. We discussed it in some detail about the amazing pros and the all to practical cons. Will it ever become a reality?

Here is an interesting article which covers some of the things we talked about in class, though it also suggests a cynical ploy by Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon!

http://memeburn.com/2013/12/amazon-prime-air-just-another-pipe-dream-or-technological-breakthrough/

Ideas like this fire the imagination of learners both young and old. Who knows what kind of a world we will live in by 2020? Driverless cars, 3D printers, undersea hotels, space tourism, and now parcels delivered by robots…. Maybe Blade Runner was on the money after all?

Festive Cyber Scams

Keep a look out for these cyber scams which appear en masse at Christmas time:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25200338

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Market Research and Surveys

Some detail when it comes to polling and market research of the political kind:

http://news.stv.tv/politics/252342-stv-poll-on-independence-referendum-puts-yes-at-34-and-no-at-57/

Aldi has a success on its hands

Aldi’s discount tablet a sell out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25299602

It is called the Medion Lifetab and was a rival to Tesco’s Hudl Tablet, but is much cheaper. What will be the impact on Apple and its premium product – the iPad?

Monday, 9 December 2013

Supermarket for low income families

A shop in Barnsley has opened up with heavily discounted items for families struggling on low incomes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25264865

Lost in communication!

Ray Kroc did not invent crocs and Donald Trump did not invent Top Trumps! #Entrepreneurs

Odd locations for McDonald's

Here is a link to some of the most unusual McDonald’s restaurants in the world!

http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/09/03/mcdonald-s-international-top-ten-most-unusual-around-the-world/

Business Locations - World's Smallest McDonald's

This is the world’s smallest McDonald’s in the Pudong area of Shanghai.

Friday, 6 December 2013

Amazon Prime Air

Just how will this drone delivery service really work? More details here from Amazon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98BIu9dpwHU

Distribution - Singapore

While discussing delivery and distribution as one of the 4 Ps of the Marketing Mix, my mind went back to this extraordinary scene in Singapore. Cargo ships, in their hundreds, as far as the eye could see. In the USA most freight is by rail, I also recall in South Dakota counting an incredible 244 cargo sleeper cars… which took something like 7 minutes to pass by.

Driverless Cars for the UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25230483

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

The South Korean School Day

The typical school day in South Korea for a pupil…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25187993

It achieves results in PISA tests, but comes at a high price.

Saturday, 30 November 2013

S2 STEM Awareness Day

Our first ever STEM Awareness Day was very successful. Pupils got hands on experiences in Lego robotics, codebreaking, bridge building, tower building, building a PC, forensics & fingerprinting, DNA testing, engineering and the Bloodhound car and other interesting activities. #STEM

Thursday, 28 November 2013

Sony and the 'Smart Wig'

A most unusual product!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25099262

Friday, 15 November 2013

STEM EEP Schools

Please watch Hamilton Grammar’s video entry to the #EEPschoolsentry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe_sXAiHyvc

Scottish Space School

Applications are now on for the Scottish Space School! Hope to have a few applicants from our school to enter. It is an opportunity of a lifetime!

Terms and conditions are here: http://www.scottishspaceschool.org.uk/Pages/GuidanceNotes.aspx

And the application form is here: http://www.scottishspaceschool.org.uk/Pages/ApplicationForm.aspx

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Consumer Behaviour

Yesterday in class we discussed market research methods and pupils were very interested in consumer behaviour. Here is an article that may be of interest.

http://psychology.about.com/od/branchesofpsycholog1/a/consumer-psychology.htm

Five shocking marketing blunders

Great article on marketing mistakes…

http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1176972/top-five-shocking-marketing-blunders

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

It is all in the eyes

The future is here now!

Tesco are installing facial recognition technology just like in the film, Minority Report, which then will tailor adverts to the person.

http://www.theweek.co.uk/technology/55896/tesco-installs-alan-sugars-minority-report-ad-screens

When I first saw this in the movie I thought it was hogwash. How wrong can you be? What other incredible changes will we see in the near future?

Product Failures Video

Good video on famous marketing failures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxRqKgjD3vY

Robot who always beats humans!

Incredible video of a robot who always wins at rock, paper, scissors!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24803751

Thursday, 24 October 2013

Concorde - The Supersonic Plane

10 years ago today Concorde was mothballed after the tragic crash in Paris and other mechanical issues. Here is a great article on the history and possible future of one of the most remarkable pieces of engineering ever:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24629451

I was interested to find out that hardly any of my pupils knew what Concorde was!

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

STEM Club Logo

Here is our new STEM logo for our Young Engineers Club which has now been renamed STEM. Thanks to Mr Phee in Technical for his creative work of genius!