http://thejournal.com/rss-feeds/all-articles.aspx America's schools, colleges, and universities are making limited progress toward providing technology-rich environments for students. According to the results of a benchmark study released this week at the 2009 National Educational Computer Conference (NECC) in Washington, DC, schools improved most in the area of broadband adoption in the last year but are still weak in the use of technology for assessments and creating educational equity. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Research-Shows-Schools-Making-Small-Progress-Toward-Technology-Rich-Environments.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:50:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Research-Shows-Schools-Making-Small-Progress-Toward-Technology-Rich-Environments.aspx The Alabama Department of Education has announced a partnership with data management solution provider STI for a Web-based system to manage statewide scheduling and enrollment of its online learning program. Using STI's Information LIVE (Learning In a Virtual Environment) system, the state DOE will manage all student enrollment, as well as class and staff scheduling, for its entire ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide) Program. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Alabama-DOE-Turns-to-Web-Based-Enrollment-and-Scheduling-for-Online-Learning.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:45:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Alabama-DOE-Turns-to-Web-Based-Enrollment-and-Scheduling-for-Online-Learning.aspx Education technology developer Promethean this week introduced a range of hardware and software for the ActivClassroom, the company's lineup of classroom learning tools. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Promethean-Refreshes-ActivClassroom-Lineup.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:30:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Promethean-Refreshes-ActivClassroom-Lineup.aspx InFocus has debuted a new system for interactive whiteboards, the InFocus LiteBoard, which is currently undergoing beta testing. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/InFocus-Debuts-LiteBoard-Interactive-System.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:15:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/InFocus-Debuts-LiteBoard-Interactive-System.aspx Sebit has launched two new additions to its Adaptive Curriculum series: Adaptive Curriculum High School Math and Adaptive Curriculum High School Science. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Adaptive-Curriculum-Comes-to-High-School-Math-Science.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Adaptive-Curriculum-Comes-to-High-School-Math-Science.aspx At the 2009 National Educational Computer Conference (NECC) in Washington, DC, Adobe announced the winners of the 2009 Adobe School Innovation Awards. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/2009-School-Innovation-Award-Winners-Announced.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:55:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/2009-School-Innovation-Award-Winners-Announced.aspx At the 2009 National Educational Computer Conference (NECC) in Washington, DC, 28 schools received awards and prizes in Sony Creative Software's second student digital video contest. Their schools will receive $400,000 in software and equipment. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Technology-in-Motion-Student-Films-Garner-400000-in-Technology-for-Schools.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:35:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Technology-in-Motion-Student-Films-Garner-400000-in-Technology-for-Schools.aspx At the 2009 National Educational Computer Conference (NECC) this week, Discovery Education announced it has entered into three new partnerships that will allow it to expand its already substantial library of digital media for the education market, specifically increasing the number of post-2000 copyrighted streaming video titles it offers to more than 5,000. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Discovery-Education-Expands-Digital-Media-Library-via-Multiple-Partnerships.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:20:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/02/Discovery-Education-Expands-Digital-Media-Library-via-Multiple-Partnerships.aspx The United States Department of Education reported recently that it's found some evidence to support the notion that blended learning is more effective than either face to face or online learning by themselves. Further, between online and face to face instruction, online is at least as good and may even have the advantage in terms of improving student achievement and potentially expanding the amount of time (and quality time) students spend learning. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/Meta-Analysis-Is-Blended-Learning-Most-Effective.aspx Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:35:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/Meta-Analysis-Is-Blended-Learning-Most-Effective.aspx CTB/McGraw-Hill (a unit of McGraw-Hill Education) has released Acuity UnWired, a new tool that allows the company's Acuity InFormative Assessment to integrate with interactive classroom response systems (also knows as classroom clickers). http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/Acuity-UnWired-Ties-Formative-Assessments-to-Classroom-Clickers.aspx Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:59:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/Acuity-UnWired-Ties-Formative-Assessments-to-Classroom-Clickers.aspx Educational game developer Tabula Digita, maker of the immersive 3D math game DimensionM, has introduced its first educational science, and it's being offered free for use by students in grades 3 through 5. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/Tabula-Digita-Debuts-Free-Science-Game.aspx Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:40:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/Tabula-Digita-Debuts-Free-Science-Game.aspx A new social learning site has launched, one that's focused on sharing teaching strategies and other ideas surrounding the use of interactive classroom response systems. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/Social-Networking-Site-Focuses-on-Teaching-Strategies.aspx Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:35:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/Social-Networking-Site-Focuses-on-Teaching-Strategies.aspx The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) this week announced the new makeup of its board of directors and officers. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/SETDA-Names-New-Directors-Officers.aspx Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:30:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/SETDA-Names-New-Directors-Officers.aspx Instructional material publisher McGraw-Hill Education has introduced a new teacher-led digital math curriculum for K-6. Dubbed CINCH Mathematics, it's designed as a central online hub to help teachers "plan, teach, assess and differentiate instruction." CINCH was unveiled at the National Education Computing Conference (NECC) this week in Washington, DC. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/McGraw-Hill-Launches-K-6-Digital-Math-Curriculum.aspx Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:25:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/01/McGraw-Hill-Launches-K-6-Digital-Math-Curriculum.aspx The federal E-rate program has seen a spike this year in its approval among applicants, according to a new report released this week by Funds For Learning, a firm that provides consulting services to E-rate applicants. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/Erate-Sees-Surge-in-Support.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:43:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/Erate-Sees-Surge-in-Support.aspx The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has teamed with the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council for Geographic Education to launch the latest in its series of 21st century roadmaps for core academic subjects, in this case K-12 science and geography. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/Partnership-Releases-21st-Century-Skills-Maps-for-Science-Geography.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:39:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/Partnership-Releases-21st-Century-Skills-Maps-for-Science-Geography.aspx The Project RED coalition has launched a new initiative this week, one aimed at change the way the United States "looks at technology as part of teaching and learning." The announcement came at the National Education Computing Conference (NECC) being held this week in Washington, DC. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/Project-RED-To-Tackle-the-Impact-of-Technology-on-Education.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:35:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/Project-RED-To-Tackle-the-Impact-of-Technology-on-Education.aspx Netop has released PrintLimit Pro 9.4, an update to the company's print management software that's geared toward more efficient printing and helping school environments save on three heavily used commodities: paper, ink, and time. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/New-Version-of-Print-Management-Software-Aims-To-Help-Cut-Costs.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:18:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/New-Version-of-Print-Management-Software-Aims-To-Help-Cut-Costs.aspx Tangent has introduced Vita LT, a PC aimed at the education market and notable for its energy-saving capabilities. The system boasts a low-voltage CPU that claims 72 percent lower energy usage than standard Energy Star 4.0-compliant PCs. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/Energy-Saving-Green-PC-Targets-Education-Market.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:16:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/30/Energy-Saving-Green-PC-Targets-Education-Market.aspx Gartner reported a better-than-expected first quarter for PC shipments and is now forecasting a healthy market recovery in 2010, according to a statement. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/29/Gartner-Forecasts-Better-Than-Expected-PC-Shipments.aspx Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:17:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/29/Gartner-Forecasts-Better-Than-Expected-PC-Shipments.aspx "Technology is core and essential to the strategies we are using to reform education,” according to two top Obama administration representatives, who spoke about the importance of technology in education this weekend at a packed meeting of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA). http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/29/Obama-Administration-Technology-at-the-Heart-of-Education-Reform.aspx Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/29/Obama-Administration-Technology-at-the-Heart-of-Education-Reform.aspx Business software maker SAP has introduced a new application that directly addresses the budget needs of public entities in the United States and Canada, including schools and districts. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/29/SAP-Offers-Cross-Platform-Solution-for-Public-Budget-Management.aspx Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:16:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/29/SAP-Offers-Cross-Platform-Solution-for-Public-Budget-Management.aspx Aldine Independent School District, located in the northern section of Houston, TX, has announced it will implement Pearson's Chancery SMS as its new student information system (SIS). http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/29/Texas-District-Moves-to-Web-Based-SIS.aspx Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:15:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/29/Texas-District-Moves-to-Web-Based-SIS.aspx Zoho Office for Microsoft SharePoint is now available, the company announced this week. It's the latest online productivity suite offering from Boston- and Pleasanton, CA-based software-as-a-service provider Zoho. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/25/Zoho-Bypasses-Microsoft-Office-With-SharePoint-Integration.aspx Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:41:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/25/Zoho-Bypasses-Microsoft-Office-With-SharePoint-Integration.aspx The United States Department of Education is looking to give girls a boost in science and math. ED revealed this week that it will fund projects from 13 organizations to help high school girls improve their proficiency in STEM subjects. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/25/13-Groups-to-Pursue-STEM-Equity-with-ED-Funding.aspx Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:45:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/25/13-Groups-to-Pursue-STEM-Equity-with-ED-Funding.aspx Alaska's Lake and Peninsula School District has deployed a remote monitoring solution to help deal with IT problems in its 14 schools, which are scattered across an area about the size of West Virginia. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/25/Remote-Alaska-District-Deploys-Remote-Network-Monitoring.aspx Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:30:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/25/Remote-Alaska-District-Deploys-Remote-Network-Monitoring.aspx In an effort to give students a "portal" to real-world volunteer service, the federally operated Corporation for National and Community Service has announced a partnership with Microsoft's U.S. Partners in Learning to establish a virtual helpdesk, an online tool aimed at helping tech-savvy students help teachers using technology in the classroom. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/25/CNCS-Microsoft-Partnership-Gives-Students-a-Chance-To-Teach-Educators-Technology.aspx Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/25/CNCS-Microsoft-Partnership-Gives-Students-a-Chance-To-Teach-Educators-Technology.aspx Texas Governor Rick Perry signed HB 4294 June 19, and the world of textbooks will never be the same in Texas or across the country. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/The-Disruption-of-the-Traditional-Textbook-Model-Continues.aspx Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:11:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/The-Disruption-of-the-Traditional-Textbook-Model-Continues.aspx Five states have committed to developing green career and technical education programs, including high school programs designed to lead to careers in green industries. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/5-States-Developing-Green-Curriculum.aspx Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/5-States-Developing-Green-Curriculum.aspx NEC recently introduced four new LCD-based installation projectors in its NP series. The models are stackable, allowing them to overlap images and project a combined total of 20,000 lumens. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/NEC-Launches-Stackable-Installation-Projectors.aspx Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:45:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/NEC-Launches-Stackable-Installation-Projectors.aspx Epson has introduced several new LCD projectors, including several sub-$800 multimedia classroom models and a new high-light-output HD model that blasts 6,000 lumens in color and white light output. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/Epson-Debuts-Classroom-and-High-Def-Projectors.aspx Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:30:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/Epson-Debuts-Classroom-and-High-Def-Projectors.aspx Casio has debuted several new models in its lineup of "Super Slim" micro portable DLP projectors, including a new WXGA model that weighs in at 3.96 pounds. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/Casio-Revamps-Projector-Lineup-Intros-WXGA-DLP-Projector.aspx Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/24/Casio-Revamps-Projector-Lineup-Intros-WXGA-DLP-Projector.aspx When a district has a nuclear power plant not two miles from one of its elementary schools, concerns about disaster recovery are bound to surface in technology discussions. Yet it took Mathew Swerdloff, director of technology for Hendrick Hudson School District, three tries and three years before he found a system he could trust for maintaining and archiving data. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/23/Fail-Safe-Data-Security-at-Hendrick-Hudson-School-District.aspx Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:05:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/23/Fail-Safe-Data-Security-at-Hendrick-Hudson-School-District.aspx El Paso Independent School District has completed emergency preparedness training with school administrators and local first responders with assistance from Prepared Response. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/23/El-Paso-ISD-Trains-Administrators-First-Responders-for-Emergency-Response.aspx Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/23/El-Paso-ISD-Trains-Administrators-First-Responders-for-Emergency-Response.aspx Mississippi's Pass Christian School District is using Axis Communications network cameras for security in its public schools. About 150 Axis network cameras will be deployed inside and outside of the four schools, the central office, and a new daycare center. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/23/Pass-Christian-Installs-Surveillance-Cameras-in-Rebuilt-Schools.aspx Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:45:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/23/Pass-Christian-Installs-Surveillance-Cameras-in-Rebuilt-Schools.aspx Four school districts in Texas have gone public with their implementation of SchoolReach Instant Parent Contact system this year. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/23/Use-of-Emergency-Notification-Growing-in-Texas-Tapped-for-Swine-Flu-Calls.aspx Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:30:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/23/Use-of-Emergency-Notification-Growing-in-Texas-Tapped-for-Swine-Flu-Calls.aspx School districts in Tennessee, Michigan, California, and Ohio are overhauling their student information systems, moving to Web-based technology. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/22/Schools-Revamp-Student-Information-Systems.aspx Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:41:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/22/Schools-Revamp-Student-Information-Systems.aspx MySQL originator Monty Widenius and Percona CEO Peter Zaitsev have recently formed the Open Database Alliance (ODA), a vendor-neutral consortium that aims to become a hub for the MySQL open source database community and its associated eco system. The ODA said it is also seeking to be a forum for derivative code, binaries, training, and support. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/22/MySQL-Creators-Move-to-Keep-MySQL-Open.aspx Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:35:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/22/MySQL-Creators-Move-to-Keep-MySQL-Open.aspx West Branch Area School District of Morrisdale, PA, has chosen Pearson's PowerSchool Premier as its new student information system (SIS). http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/22/PA-District-Rolls-Out-New-SIS.aspx Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:26:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/22/PA-District-Rolls-Out-New-SIS.aspx Glen Ridge Public Schools of Glen Ridge, NJ, has deployed the MXsense e-mail archiving system to organize its district e-mails. The four-school district located 16 miles west of New York aims to make its substantial archive easier to manage and search. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/22/NJ-District-Overhauls-E-Mail-Archiving-System.aspx Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:19:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/22/NJ-District-Overhauls-E-Mail-Archiving-System.aspx IBM has unveiled cloud-based services for enterprises that can be hosted or run on a customer's premises, or a hybrid of the two. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/IBM-Launches-Enterprise-Cloud-Services.aspx Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:30:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/IBM-Launches-Enterprise-Cloud-Services.aspx Smart Technologies this week debuted a new widescreen interactive whiteboard system and widescreen interactive pen display. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Smart-Debuts-Wide-Format-Interactive-Whiteboard-Pen-Display.aspx Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Smart-Debuts-Wide-Format-Interactive-Whiteboard-Pen-Display.aspx At the InfoComm 2009 show in Orlando, FL, Christie Digital Systems debuted two new high-light-output projectors using single-chip DLP technology, including one that blasts out 7,500 ANSI lumens. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Christie-Shows-Off-High-Light-Output-HD-Projectors.aspx Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:55:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Christie-Shows-Off-High-Light-Output-HD-Projectors.aspx Safari Montage has introduced version 4.0 of its video on demand and digital content system for schools, expanding integration with whiteboards and adding support for a wide range of file types. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Safari-Montage-4.0-Expands-Support-for-File-Formats-Whiteboards.aspx Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:50:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Safari-Montage-4.0-Expands-Support-for-File-Formats-Whiteboards.aspx Sharp this week debuted six new models in its lineup of projectors, ranging from a high-light-output, three-chip DLP model to a short-throw projector that can display images up to 100 inches from a distance of 4.3 feet. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Sharp-Intros-9-Projectors.aspx Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:45:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Sharp-Intros-9-Projectors.aspx Candace Hackett Shively was helping teachers maximize technology before anyone had even coined the title, "technology education integrator." The year was 2000, and Shively had already spent several years figuring out ways to bridge the gap between rapidly evolving technological applications and the educational field. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Helping-Educators-Bridge-the-Technology-Gap.aspx Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/18/Helping-Educators-Bridge-the-Technology-Gap.aspx Teaching deaf students involves more than scholastics, especially in areas where the deaf population is much smaller than the national average. In Kentucky, for example, only 3 percent are deaf, compared with 10 percent nationwide, which makes it difficult for students to interact with deaf people outside of the perimeter of the school. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/17/Videoconferencing-Broadening-Horizons-for-KSD-Deaf-Students.aspx Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:20:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/17/Videoconferencing-Broadening-Horizons-for-KSD-Deaf-Students.aspx Buffalo Public Schools in New York is introducing educational gaming to thousands of students across dozens of schools. The district is adopting Tabula Digita's DimensionM educational games as a supplement to its math curriculum. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/17/Buffalo-District-Adds-Gaming-to-Math-Curriculum.aspx Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:00:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/17/Buffalo-District-Adds-Gaming-to-Math-Curriculum.aspx ViewSonic this week debuted three new projectors feature DLP-based 3D projection capabilities, the PJD6211, PJD6221, and PJD6381. The new models are part of the first generation of projectors with Texas Instruments' new 3D DLP technologies, which were announced today at the InfoComm 2009 show in Orlando, FL. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/17/ViewSonic-Debuts-3D-DLP-Projectors.aspx Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:10:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/17/ViewSonic-Debuts-3D-DLP-Projectors.aspx At the InfoComm 2009 show in Orlando, FL, Mitsubishi this week introduced its first 3D-ready DLP projector, taking advantage of Texas Instruments' new DLP Link technology. Further information can be found here. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/17/Mitsubishi-Intros-3D-Ready-DLP-Projector.aspx Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:05:00 GMT http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/06/17/Mitsubishi-Intros-3D-Ready-DLP-Projector.aspx