The idea being that repetition builds muscle memory, and you’ll improve faster.

You’ll need to email for pricing, but it does look like the included software works with any MIDI file. Less certain is if there’s an evil teacher mode that turns up the voltage when you misbehave. [Concert Hands via The Raw Feed via DVICE]

As school goes back, it’s a fun reminder that the laptop wasn’t always the essential piece of tech gear that you needed to survive uni. And with e-book readers and tablet PCs taking on more and more textbook duties, maybe they’re next in line after all. Time will tell. [PC World]

Blurring the lines between animation and real life, Evelien Lohbeck redefines the word “notebook” and attempts to “confuse the reality” by challenging illusions and expectations.

Through illustration, digital animation and live action on YouTube clips, Lohbeck does everything on her old-school notebook from xeroxing her face, making toast, checking her make up, jamming out to the White Stripes and producing cheese. Pretty cool, but can it play paper Crysis? [EvelienLohbeck via PSFK via Switched]

When you have walking, talking Teddy bears with homemade computer chips showing up to a 2nd grade science fair, you know parental involvement has gone too far. Welcome to the seedy world of parent-sanctioned cheating.

Speaking with the Chicago Tribune, one parent sheds light on the situation:

Her son wanted to build a hockey game, so Rosenstock helped him affix magnets to the bottoms of figurines and rig a light that illuminated when the puck hit the goal.

They proudly took it to school only to find an even more impressive “parent project” displayed alongside theirs.

“They literally had a walking, talking teddy bear. They had made a circuit chip. A circuit chip! You’re talking about 2nd graders,” Rosenstock recalled with a laugh.

A science teacher named Bill Gillespie recalled giving high marks to a student that built a device that distilled crude oil into gasoline. It probably used $US30,000 worth of parts, but it was only after the science fair that they discovered her father was a prominent engineer. Who would have thought?

Some teachers feel that parental involvement in student projects and homework can be a positive bonding and learning experience—but on the other hand it can lower a child’s self-esteem, create an environment of unhealthy competition, and spark a steroids-esque witch hunt among teachers and judges in schools. Obviously, parents need to know where to draw the line—but I only say that because I’m bitter about not having engineers in my family with a moral flexibility about cheating. Think of all the science fairs I could have won! [Chicago Tribune via Fark]

Teachers can customise activities on the tablet by using the SMART Table Toolkit on their PC or Mac. The new activities are then saved onto a USB bracelet and plugged into the table for activity synchronisation. Smart Tech is also offering free apps and activities for download on its education website.

Not a bad buy if you’re a teacher (the education website also helps you request grants to buy one), or if you’re just a parent that wants to seriously one-up that little Leapfrog Crammer the Jones’ got their kid. [Smart Tech]

Step 1: Get on a Schedule

Even if you set your own class schedule, chances are you are going to have to get up before noon. So, you are going to need an alarm clock that gives you that jump start you need in the morning. I can guarantee that no clock will satisfy on more levels than the Orgazmo. Just set the alarm and an invigorating female orgasm will gently coax you from your slumber. Available for US$30. [Gobaz via Link]

Step #2: Dress For Security

If you go to a public school, you will probably find yourself caught in a crossfire at one point or another. Therefore, It is essential that you come to school with the appropriate bullet-proof protection.

Defender Hoodie: Features 2mm of Type IIA bulletproofing in the torso, which is enough armour to stop a 9mm full-metal-jacket round at a velocity of 1,090 feet-per-second. Too bad its only for police officers and security personnel in the UK. And the US$845 price tag sucks pretty hard too. [Bladerunner via Link]

Backpack Shield: Made from 13 layers of K-29 Kevlar that could stop a round from a .44 Magnum. Available on a Back to School sale for US$155-US$180. [Backpackshield via Link]

Step #3: Dress for Success

Dressing up for school isn’t all about personal style and deflecting bullets, it is also about getting an edge. No matter what subject you are in, there is an article of clothing that can help you cheat like a champ.

Math Equations Shirt: Available for US$15. [Sanchez Circuit]

Calculator Belt Buckle: Available for US$10. [BeWild]

Science Crib Sheet Shirt: Available for US$25. [Computer Gear]

US History Cheat Shirt: Available for US$17. [Snorg Tees]

Step #4: Get the Right Supplies

Sure, you need a decent laptop, calculator, notebooks and the like but may I also suggest:

Doggy Style Pencil Sharpener: Those pencils aren’t going to sharpen themselves people. Might as well have a good time doing it. [Link]

LiveScribe Smartpen: This high-tech pen records the audio in the classroom then syncs it with the notes you take. All of that information can be indexed on a PC or you can play back specific portions of audio by tapping the corresponding section on your notepad. Available in 1 and 2GB sizes for US$149 and US$199 respectively. [Livescribe via Link]

Step #5 Manage Your Time More Effectively

You know all that sleep you are losing by getting up earlier? Catch up in class using some of these sneaky eyelid stickers. Your teacher would probably have to be legally blind to miss it in a small classroom, but in an auditorium you are golden. [Link]

According to the DA and the Orange County Sheriff, Khan and fellow student Tanvir Singh committed their crimes between January and May 2008, breaking into the school on numerous times using a stolen key. The brilliant Khan also attempted to steal a teacher’s password to push his grades and those of 12 other students. All of this while both were exchanging text messages discussing their activities the whole time.

Apparently, the smartymorons pushed their C, D and F grades to As and Bs, hoping that nobody would notice. But when Khan got denied admission to the University of California, he went back to school to ask for a new transcript.

Being a bad student, the school administrators noticed the new stellar grade record, starting the investigation that has ended in this court case, and Khan’s potential 38-year degree in laundry systems, cooking and inter-personal communication, with a second major in shower plumbing, sponsored by California’s state prison system. [CRN via The Inquirer]

But then again, I was like Calvin when the snow paralysed the life of the city, like it is happening now in some parts of the US: I just loved to stay at home with Hobbes, playing with toys, constructing LEGOs or watching movies while having hot chocolate and cookies. What’s going to be for you?

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[International Herald Tribune]