students Archives

AppWizard

July 11, 2025

New ICE reporting app sparks national debate over safety, free speech

A new app called ICEBlock alerts users about nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity by allowing them to report sightings of ICE officers. The app has quickly gained popularity on the Apple App Store and is designed to track location and send push notifications when ICE is reported within a five-mile radius. Users can report sightings anonymously, with reports deleted within four hours, and can only report once every five minutes. The app developer, Joshua Aaron, created it to protect vulnerable communities and insists it is not intended to obstruct law enforcement. Critics, including U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, argue that the app undermines law enforcement and endangers ICE officers. Aaron has faced criticism for not making the app available on Android due to concerns about user anonymity. He emphasizes that the app is legal and protected under the First Amendment.

Tech Optimizer

July 10, 2025

EDB Returns to Goodwood with Sovereign AI and Data Platform for Intelligent Mobility

EnterpriseDB (EDB) has returned to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, focusing on the impact of advanced AI data systems in the automotive industry. A global survey by EDB of 190 automotive executives revealed that only 13% of organizations are successfully leveraging agentic and generative AI, with these companies achieving a fivefold return on investment through a focus on data sovereignty. The automotive sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with the U.K. automotive AI market projected to grow from £8 million in 2024 to £2 million by 2030, reflecting a 21.7% CAGR. EDB is also fostering future talent through initiatives that encourage students to propose innovative data and AI solutions, with a £2,000 prize for the winning idea. The U.K. STEM workforce is expected to grow by 10% by 2030, while many tech firms face challenges in filling roles. EDB has received multiple recognitions for its innovation and workplace culture, including listings in various industry awards. EDB Postgres® AI is described as an open, enterprise-grade sovereign data and AI platform that integrates various workloads while ensuring compliance and security.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

The power of game-based learning with Minecraft Education

Game-based learning through Minecraft Education effectively engages students across various subjects, promoting critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity while equipping them with essential digital skills. The platform offers ready-to-use, standards-aligned resources in subjects like coding, AI, science, history, and math, transforming education into an enjoyable experience. Minecraft Education prepares students for a digital world by providing hands-on experiences that enhance digital citizenship, responsible AI usage, and coding fluency. Specific programs include "CyberSafe AI," which focuses on digital citizenship and AI literacy; "Hour of Code," which involves solving coding puzzles in a theater setting; and "GameCode," where students create their own mini-games. The platform also addresses core subjects and STEM education through immersive experiences like "Ocean Heroes," which teaches marine conservation; "Data Explorers," which emphasizes data collection and analysis; "Ratio Riddles," which engages students with foundational math concepts; "Peter is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage," which explores architectural history; and the "James Webb Space Telescope Challenge," which invites students to explore the universe. Minecraft Education fosters creative classroom environments through activities like "Wheel of Steve," which enhances collaboration and critical thinking, and "Renewtopia," which teaches about renewable energy sources. The platform supports educators with resources and a community to integrate game-based learning effectively.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

7 viral AI apps every Android users should try in 2025

AI applications are gaining popularity among Android users in India, transforming content creation, communication, and leisure activities. A list of seven notable AI applications includes: 1. CapCut AI Tools - Evolved from a video editor to a tool for content creators with features like script-to-video conversion and automatic captioning. 2. Picsart AI Photo Studio - Offers AI background removal, text-to-image generation, and various filters, catering to digital artists and marketers. 3. Reface AI - Known for face-swapping and animated avatars, utilizing advanced AI face-tracking technology. 4. AI Mirror - Converts photos into stylized anime or fantasy portraits, popular among Gen Z users. 5. Lensa AI - Features intelligent retouching and portrait enhancement, particularly for profile pictures and dating apps. 6. YouTube Summarized - Summarizes lengthy videos into concise bullet points, useful for students and news enthusiasts. 7. Pi AI - Engages users in a conversational style with emotional intelligence, suitable for journaling and self-reflection.

Tech Optimizer

July 2, 2025

CompTIA State of the Tech Workforce 2025 released, Meta joins Kotlin Foundation, Percona launches Transparent Data Encryption for PostgreSQL

CompTIA's State of the Tech Workforce 2025 report shows a 1.2% growth in the tech workforce in 2024, totaling 5.9 million professionals, with projections of reaching 6.1 million by 2025. California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Virginia are the leading states in tech employment, while Texas, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, and Tennessee have seen the most growth. Major cities with advancements in tech job opportunities include New York City, Orlando, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Baltimore. Meta has joined the Kotlin Foundation to promote Kotlin within its development ecosystem and will contribute to a grants program for open-source library authors. Percona has launched an open-source Transparent Data Encryption extension for PostgreSQL, allowing organizations to secure data at rest without licensing fees or vendor lock-in. The extension supports deployment without application changes, multi-tenant environments, control over encryption strategies, and centralized key management.

Winsage

June 29, 2025

Windows seemingly lost 400 million users in the past three years — official Microsoft statements show hints of a shrinking user base

Windows currently powers over a billion active devices worldwide. Microsoft's annual report for 2022 indicated that over 1.4 billion devices were operating on Windows 10 or 11, suggesting a decline of around 400 million users over the past three years. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11 as support for earlier versions wanes. Despite the decline in Windows users, there has not been a corresponding increase in MacBook sales, which now contribute 7.7% to Apple's revenue. The market has many Chromebook options, particularly in educational institutions, which may lead future buyers to favor Google over Microsoft. The rise of free, web-based applications like Google Docs has prompted users to reconsider their loyalty to Microsoft.

AppWizard

June 29, 2025

At CTC, students build skills and imagination through Minecraft

Central Texas College is hosting a summer program called College for Kids, featuring a Minecraft course for elementary and middle school students. The course, led by instructor George Lander, focuses on creativity and collaboration, allowing students to build characters and environments while developing skills in design, planning, and teamwork. Participants engage in STEM learning and creative problem-solving through the game, demonstrating how gaming can be an effective educational tool.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Drawing out the abilities of elementary school students! Reservations are now being accepted for “City Planning with Micra! -Summer Free Research 2025 with 1,000 Elementary School Students” Reservations are now being accepted!

The event "Town Building with Minecraft! ~Summer Project 2025 with 1,000 Elementary School Students~" will take place from July 19, 2025, to August 17, 2025, at e-Stadium Izumi and Izumisano Ochi Arena. It is aimed at elementary school students and will be guided by YouTuber Kiokio (@kiokio_coc). Reservations opened on June 27, 2025, on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is organized by KUL Corporation and co-organized by e-Stadium Co., Ltd. Activities at Izumisano Ochi Arena will occur on August 2 and 3, 2025.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

BBC Earth Debuts Building With Dinosaurs on Minecraft

BBC Earth has collaborated with Minecraft Worlds and Minecraft Education to launch a gaming experience called Building With Dinosaurs, inspired by Walking With Dinosaurs. Players take on the role of paleontologists, excavating to find dino-blocks to construct models of Spinosaurus, Lusotitan, and Triceratops. A downloadable fact sheet provides educational details about these dinosaurs, including height, weight, diet, and habitat. The experience is available to schools worldwide. The original Walking With Dinosaurs series has returned after 25 years and is available on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. and PBS platforms in the U.S.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

BBC Earth and Minecraft Education bring new Building With Dinosaurs gaming adventure

BBC Earth and Minecraft Education are launching a new gaming adventure called Building With Dinosaurs, inspired by the series Walking With Dinosaurs, which will be released on June 24th. This initiative allows students to act as palaeontologists, excavating dino-blocks to construct models of Spinosaurus, Lusotitan, and Triceratops. A downloadable fact sheet will provide information about these dinosaurs, including their height, weight, diet, and habitat. The project aims to integrate STEM skills into education and enhance students' understanding of palaeontology.