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March 15, 2001
What's New
Hardware
Printers
Brother has released the HL-1650 and the network-ready HL-1670N laser printers, which feature built-in automatic duplex printing and an enhanced control panel with built-in three-color LCD display. Both units are fully cross-platform and print up to 16 pages per minute. Priced at $599 and $749. Brother International, 100 Somerset Corporate Blvd., Bridgewater, NJ 08807-0911; (908) 704-1700
Software
Assessment
LeapFrog SchoolHouse announced its LeapTrack assessment and instructional system. Teachers can track student progress, assign activities, and measure results. The system correlates to state standards for K-5 students and is designed to be used in tandem with the LeapPad, a portable electronic notebook. Contact publisher for pricing. LeapFrog SchoolHouse, 6401 Hollis St., Ste. 150, Emeryville, CA 94608-1070; (800) 883-7430
TDA Inc.'s Performance Evaluation Technology is an assessment tool that allows educators to track student performance; develop exams, tutorials, and surveys; perform statistical analyses based on student demographics and performance; and create reports for stakeholders. PET is an open system, so data can be imported from other applications. TDA, Inc., 44 Charles St. W, Ste. 4603, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 1R8; (888) 880-4738; pet@tdcnet.com
Planning
PeopleSoft announced Budget Planning for Education and Government, an Internet application designed to streamline planning, budget preparation, spending, and financial reporting processes for education and government organizations. Contact publisher for pricing. PeopleSoft, 4460 Hacienda Dr., Pleasanton, CA 94588-8618; (800) 380-7638
Web Sites
Bigchalk.com recently released bigchalk Library, a reference tool for middle schools, high schools, and public libraries. The service gives users access to over 1,500 magazines, newspapers, books, and radio programs, along with photographs, maps, and audiovisual resources. Additional new offerings on the bigchalk site include ClassMate U.S. History, which contains primary and secondary sources, Internet content, lesson plans, and more for creating standards-based U.S. History lessons; an on- and offline curriculum for Peter Reynolds' childrens book The North Star; and the semester-long Generation GIT (Girls Issues and Technology), designed to help adolescent girls become proficient in technology skills via topics that interest them.
Brainium Online Educational Bundle contains classroom subscriptions to MathRealm, CountryWatch, Classroll.com, and Science Brainium. Normally selling for $1,000, the bundle, including Web access for up to three teachers, is being offered for $199.99 through March 31, 2001.
DiscoverySchool.com just added Worksheet Generator to its line of teaching tools. Worksheet Generator is a free, teacher-created library of 12 templates and over 900 worksheets in all subject areas. A second new feature, Lesson Plan Creator, will debut this fall.
Edumatch.com's database allows educators to search for software titles, independently handpicked from over 150 educational publishers, by grade level, subject, features, technical specifications, alignment to state standards, and more. Also available: free downloads, publishers' specials, product reviews, and funding updates.
NASA's Solar Events page offers information on Sun-Earth Day (April 27) and the upcoming solar eclipse (June 21) as well as ongoing interactive Webcasts of the sun.
Non-profit NetDay has launched the NetDayCompass, a Web directory of links and resources where educators can get information about technology planning, infrastructure, funding, and classroom support. Site visitors also can sign up to receive an e-mail newsletter and get the latest educational technology headlines.
Contest
National Semiconductor, Wyse Technology, and Citrix Systems are sponsoring the Thin Client @ School Contest. The winner will receive 30 Wyse Winterm 3730LE terminals and Citrix MetaFrame application server software. Entries must be submitted online before March 16, 2001; visit the Web site for eligibility and entry requirements.
Dates & Events
March 29-31, 2001: SchoolTech Expo, New York, N.Y. Learn from the country's leaders and trailblazers in this show for technology-using K-12 educators. T&L-sponsored event.
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