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October 15, 2001
Trend Watch
By Susan McLester, Amy Poftak, and Kristen Kennedy
Learn how voice technology is helping kids and educators get their points across, and how e-learning is already becoming part of the college tradition.
E-Learning Mandate
Incoming freshmen at Fairleigh Dickinson University will be the first class required to take at least one course per year online as they progress toward their bachelor's degrees. Local and remote professors will co-teach Global Challenge, the first course in the new e-catalogue dedicated to exploring cultural, social, and political issues around the world. The new program is part of the university's attempt to improve students' online collaboration and communication skills so that they are adequately prepared for work in increasingly digital environments.
We Are With You
Editor's note: It was just at press time that the horrific events of terrorism occurred. Below, a message from our staff.
Dear Readers,
"Sometimes life breaks your heart," is a phrase Senator Ted Kennedy once used in memoriam. We at Technology & Learning believe that now, in the cold aftermath of the unconscionable events in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, is one of those very times. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you who have suffered the loss of family members, loved ones, and friends. And though there cannot be even one American life that has gone untouched by the morning of Tuesday, September 11, we recognize that yours is the greatest grief to bear.
As long-time members of the caring community of educators whom we serve, we would like to offer our services as a resource for lesson plans and tips for helping students, parents, and colleagues deal with the recent terrible events. Visit **************www.techlearning.com to access a Coping With Tragedy area, which also contains a Special Editorial written the day after the attacks. We also invite you to share any personal stories, letters, and messages which you may wish to post on our Web site as inspiration or solace to others. You may submit these via e-mail to: techlearning_editors@cmp.com.
During these difficult times, please count on us as a resource. We are with you.
-The Staff of the Technology & Learning Network
Parlez-Vous PowerPoint?
Heads up English language learners, foreign language learners, and animation lovers everywhere. Right Seat Software is out to inject some fun into what they call "the typical boring PowerPoint presentation." Their just-out Vox Proxy software, an add-on to PowerPoint, features 3-D characters who speak multiple languages, respond to voice commands, carry on interactive conversations, narrate slide shows, and more. Users can choose a genie, Merlin the magician, a playful parrot, a claymation-style human, and other figures to bring color and life to any of the 30 million PowerPoint presentations that Right Seat claims are given daily worldwide.
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