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October 15, 2002
What's New
By T&L Editors
Hardware
DVD Creation
The Dazzle DVD Creation Station 200 is a hardware and software tool for creating videos and photo slide shows to play on a home DVD player. The device connects to the PC via USB interface and offers RCA video, S-Video, and RCA audio ports for inputting and outputting video. The DCS 200 package includes Dazzle MovieStar, Dazzle DVD Complete, and OnDVD software for editing video and creating DVDs. $229.99. SCM Microsystems, 47211 Bayside Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94538; (510) 360-2300
Furniture
The Mighty Mo Cable Management Cabinets from Ortronics offer a secure telecommunications closet with a curved safety glass front door, removable side panels, and a solid rear door, as well as ventilation fans, mounting rails for equipment, and cable access at the top and bottom. Ortronics Inc., 125 Eugene O'Neill Dr., New London, CT 06320; (860) 445-3900
Mobile Computing
Palm has announced an Education Purchase Program offering three purchasing categories: classroom level (schools purchasing 30 Palm devices will receive three additional handhelds for free); school project level (schools purchasing 100 devices will get an additional 12 units for free); and campus-wide adoption level (500 Palm devices receive additional 72 units). Palm, 400 N. McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035; (800) 881-7256
Peripherals
Cyber Acoustics now offers two new speaker systems for PCs and personal audio devices: the CA-5001, a six-piece 80-watt speaker with fade control; and the CA-3550, a three-piece 68-watt system that produces rich audio quality for a variety of applications. Prices are $79.99 and $49.99, respectively. Cyber Acoustics, 11700 N.E. 60th Way #4D, Vancouver, WA 98682; (360) 883-0333
Projectors
Hewlett-Packard has introduced two new projectors. The iPAQ MP3800 weighs 3.5 pounds, emits 1,300 lumens of light, and offers 1020 x 768 XGA resolution and a 2-watt speaker. The iPAQ MP1200 is a 6.6-pound XGA projector that features 1,000 lumens and XGA resolution. Prices are $3,499 and $2,299, respectively. Hewlett-Packard, 3000 Hanover St., Palo Alto, CA 94304; (800) 613-2222
Software
Digital Photography
The Internet Coach Digital Photo Activity Kit enables students to combine their own photos with a variety of writing projects to create newsletters, book reports, picture frames, and more. The Bilingual Version allows students to toggle back and forth between Spanish and English; a Deluxe Edition includes a kid-friendly digital camera. Bilingual Version: $64.95. Deluxe Edition: $99.95. APTE, 820 Davis St., Ste. 224, Evanston, IL 60201; (800) 494-1112
Diji Album 4.0 allows Windows users to build albums from their image and multimedia files and distribute them via e-mail, CD-ROM, or the Internet. Add voice or sound effects to a photo album, and export the album directly to HTML or Adobe Acrobat. The new version also offers enhanced image management and indexing features. Xequte Software, P.O. Box 11301, Manners St., Wellington, New Zealand
Inventory
iInventory 5.0 allows you to track hardware inventory and software license compliance on all your Windows, Macintosh, or Linux PCs. Installed on one workstation, iInventory can run agents via e-mail, LAN, WAN, Internet, floppy disk, and more. $220 for an 11-node license; multinode, enterprise, and one-time audit licenses are available. iInventory, Ltd., 575 Lexington Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022; (212) 572-9620
Mobile Computing
Avaion's FatFinger for Palm OS handhelds offers finger-sized keyboards that allow users to input text into any Palm application without a stylus or Graffiti. Free trial version; registered version with enhanced customer support and user manual is $14.95. Avaion, Inc., PMB 579, 4190 Vinewood Ln., No. #111, Plymouth, MN 55442-1735; (763) 559-7037
Professional Development
Project ALERT offers an online training program for middle grade substance abuse prevention teachers. As they teach a virtual class, instructors learn to implement a variety of instruction techniques to foster student engagement and trust. Teachers receive tailored feedback as they progress through the program, and at the end of each module they may download lesson plans, fact sheets, and other classroom materials. Project ALERT, 725 S. Figueroa St., Ste. 970, Los Angeles, CA 90017; (800) 253-7810
Programming
ToonTalk 2 makes programming easy for children to understand by animating familiar objects such as birds, robots, and trucks rather than presenting traditional text exercises. Kids learn to make simple video games, build virtual towns and cities, and play games and puzzles. ToonTalk, 49 Fay Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070; (800) 317-9830
Readiness
School Zone Interactive's Flash Action Colors, Shapes & More teachers preschoolers numbers, positional words, rhyming words, and more with a combination of practice and play. Cheered on by toy characters, kids can move through four Activity Centers: Super Sandbox, Mix & Match Music, Ten Nimble Numbers, and Shape Stack-Up. $14.99. School Zone Interactive, 1819 Industrial Dr., P.O. Box 777, Grand Haven, MI 49417; (800) 253-0564
Social Studies
Entrex Software has announced Living Histories: Multimedia Curriculum Resources for Middle School Social Studies. Nine CDs include multimedia encyclopedias as well as standards-correlated interactive activities and projects from ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian societies through the American Civil War. Also included is a Teacher's Lesson Planner with links to exclusive online resources and assessment tools. Living Histories, P.O. Box 30029, #405-3989 Quadra St., Victoria, B.C., V8X 1J8; (800) 667-0007
Teacher editions
Riverdeep-The Learning Company has introduced Enhanced Educator Versions of some of its popular titles. Each EEV product features printable Class Progress Reports to track student performance, an option to edit user lists, and the ability to disable promotions and other retail marketing links in order to minimize student distractions.Riverdeep-The Learning Company, 500 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94947; (800) 825-4420
Vocabulary
Through pretests, practice sessions, and posttests, Vocabulary Stretch from Merit Software helps students develop vocabulary and recognize words in different contexts. Designed for grades 4-10, the program can also be used with ESL classes or GED prep programs. Merit Software, 132 W. 21 Street, New York, NY 10011; (800) 753-6488
Web Sites
Circusworks online education center, from Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, provides circus-related educational materials to enhance fundamental skills lessons. Kids can study geography through the travels of the circus, learn about animals and their care, and practice writing skills by pretending to be a circus performer.
Federally sponsored AfterSchool.gov connects parents and teachers to government resources that support after-school programs. In addition to advice on getting funding and starting a program, the site offers help with planning activities, links to community programs, and a directory of sites for kids and teens.
iEARN has announced the launch of the BRIDGE program-Building Respect through Internet Dialogue and Global Education. The program will provide opportunities for 3,500 students and teachers from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other countries
to participate in collaborative projects that promote academic, cultural, and community exchange. Visit the Web site for information on participating.
Classroom Connect has announced AfricaQuest: Mysteries of West Africa will begin on February 10, 2003. Participants can log on to take part in the Quest team's exploration of West Africa's archaeology, oral traditions, political reform, and more. Components include real-time content delivery, core-curriculum lesson plans, and e-mail communication with the Quest team. One-year subscription fee (includes two Quests): $249.
CYBERCHASE Online provides free daily content that complements the PBS CYBERCHASE math cartoon show produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and Nelvana. In addition to games and online adventures, the site features streamed live-action clips, a recap of the day's episode, plus instructional resources for teachers and parents.
The Business Software Alliance and Weekly Reader have released Play It Safe in Cyberspace, a free curriculum that aims to help elementary and middle school students become responsible and ethical online citizens. Topics covered include copyright law, piracy, and safe and ethical software use. A downloadable version is available at the Web site.
Children's and Family Literacy Organization Reading Is Fundamental has launched an educator's resource section on its Web site. Resources for Educators includes professional development articles, recommended book lists, compilations of best Internet sites, reading activity suggestions, and more.
SAS inSchool's new Internet subscription service allows anytime, anywhere access to core curriculum content in English, math, science, social studies, and Spanish. InterActivities for students are linked to standards, lessons, and Web resources; the teacher planning environment provides resources for on- and offline activities.
Books
In E-Tivities: The Key to Active Online Learning, author Gilly Salmon describes the frameworks for active and interactive online learning. Learn about the importance of activities in distance learning, the five-stage model of teaching and learning online, and how to design and run your own e-tivities. Kogan Page, 120 Pentonville Rd., London, N1 9JN, UK; +44 (0)20 7278 0433
Bringing the Internet to School: Lessons from an Urban District reports on a five-year NSF study of computer use in one school district. The book describes both the benefits and challenges of Internet use in schools as well as the changing roles of teachers and students in the Internet age. $27. Jossey-Bass, 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256; (877) 762-2974
Multiple Intelligences and Instructional Technology: A Manual for Every Mind shows how theories of multiple intelligences can be used along with educational technology to teach all learners. The step-by-step approach is complemented by sample lessons and classroom activities. ISTE, 480 Charnelton St., Eugene, OR 97401-2626; (800) 336-5191
The second edition of Information Architecture for the World Wide Web describes the principles behind Web sites that are easy to navigate, appealing to users, scalable, and simple to maintain. Web builders will learn how to develop a vision for their site and to organize the hierarchy in ways that are meaningful to users and easy to navigate. O'Reilly, 1005 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol, CA 95472; (800) 998-9938
Dates & Events
October 18-20: Priority Schools, Priority Students, Los Angeles, Calif.
October 23-26: Fifth International Conference of the Learning Sciences, Seattle, Wash.
October 24-25: Virtual High School Symposium, Denver, Colo.
October 31-November 2: National Middle School Association Annual Conference, Portland, Ore.
November 13-15: National School Boards Association's Technology + Learning Conference, Dallas, Texas.
November 13-16: International Dyslexia Association Annual Conference, Atlanta, Ga.
November 17-19: Education Trust National Conference, Washington, D.C.
Correction
The correct phone number for ordering the Soliloquy Reading Assistant, featured in "Ready, Set, Read!" (Picks of the Month, September 2002), is (866) 442-0920.
Read other articles from the October Issue
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