November 30, 2005

  • 11/30/05
T.H.E. Newsletter: November 30, 2005
November 30, 2005
WEEKLY SECTIONS

  • NWEA, CompassLearning Partner to Improve Education

    Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a nonprofit provider of research-based assessment and analytical tools, and CompassLearning are pleased to announce a new education alliance designed to align student assessment results and appropriate instructional content. Together, the organizations offer the most advanced assessment, curriculum, data management systems, and related products in the education arena. As a first step, the organizations have created a link between CompassLearning Odyssey online instructional activities and assessment data from NWEA's Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). As a result of this new educational alliance, once educators receive a student's MAP data, that student will automatically receive an individualized online learning path through CompassLearning Odyssey.

    For the full story, visit http://www.compasslearning.com/about_us/release.asp?id=49

  • NAAP Launches the ‘Ultimate Photoshop Quiz'

    For the first time, Adobe Photoshop users can test their skills by taking the National Association of Photoshop Professionals' (NAPP) “Ultimate Photoshop Quiz.” Available online at http://www.photoshopuser.com/quiz/, the free quiz lets participants determine their knowledge and expertise of Photoshop in a 20 question, 20-minutes-or-less interactive format. The Photoshop quiz was developed by Scott Kelby, NAPP president and renowned Photoshop guru, along with NAPP's very own Adobe Certified Instructors, Dave Cross and Matt Kloskowski. Once participants complete the quiz, they immediately learn their score as a beginner, intermediate, or advanced Photoshop user. Advanced users are then challenged to take a 10-question Photoshop Expert Quiz with a much higher degree of difficulty. Good luck!

  • PLTW Educators Receive Discount on Dimension Printers to Foster Student Interest in Engineering Careers

    The Dimension 3D Printing Group, a business unit of Stratasys Inc., has been selected by Project Lead the Way (PLTW; http://www.pltw.org), a nonprofit organization that promotes pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students, as a key technology supplier to schools in the organization's nationwide engineering program. Through PLTW, educators will receive a special discount on the purchase of Dimension 3D printers, giving them greater access to advanced tools to promote student interest in engineering careers. From Dec. 1 through Nov. 30, 2006, PLTW educators will be able to purchase a Dimension BST 3D Printer for $21,900, more than $3,000 off the standard retail price. With the purchase of a Dimension 3D Printer, PLTW educators also will receive an educational bonus pack that includes a year's worth of ABS plastic printing material. For more information on the Dimension 3D Printing Group, visit http://www.dimensionprinting.com

  • Call for Papers, Early Registration Announced for 2006 Chancery User Conference

    Chancery Software has issued a call for papers from K-12 school district administrators and technologists at the 18,000 schools and districts currently using Chancery Student Information System (SIS) solutions. Selected papers on topics exploring best practices for school improvement related to student data integration and utilization will be presented at the 2006 Chancery Community Network (CCN) to be held March 8-10, 2006, in San Diego, CA. The conference, which is recommended for all Chancery customers, will showcase best practices in SIS implementations and data management through sessions focusing on topics such as technology project planning and execution, school-home communication, data warehousing, and SIF. Product development and feedback sessions will also be held. In addition, early registration is now available online through Dec. 31, 2005, which saves attendees $50 off the standard registration rate. For more information on submitting a paper or attending the conference, visit http://www.chancery.com/CCN2006, or call Michelle Coleman at 800-999-9931, ext. 4551.

    For the full story, visit http://www.chancery.com/press/releases/05/CCN_User_Conf_2006.pdf

  • Pearson Forms New Achievement Group; Announces Acquisition of Co-nect

    Pearson School Cos. recently announced the formation of Pearson Achievement Solutions (http://www.PearsonAchievementSolutions.com), a new group based on the foundation of LessonLab, Pearson's existing professional development and school change business. Pearson Achievement Solutions will focus on delivering customized solutions for school improvement, including comprehensive teacher professional development aligned with research, assessment, and instructional programs, to schools and districts. Integral to this new organization is Pearson's acquisition of Co-nect, a provider of data-driven professional development solutions that help schools and districts manage and measure effective instructional improvement. Co-nect's content, collaborative tools, technologies, and data analysis are delivered through a nationwide network of certified consultants who directly support administrators and teachers as they work to effectively deliver, manage, and assess all aspects of professional development. Co-nect and LessonLab, which includes the SIOP Institute, will form the core units of Pearson Achievement Solutions, and will work closely with all Pearson School Cos. to offer instructional solutions built around customized implementations and professional development.

    For the full story, visit http://www.pearsoned.com/pr_2005/112805a.htm

Aequus Technologies Corp. (http://www.aequustechnologies.com), in partnership with nonprofit educational research organization CAST (http://www.cast.org), has released AspireREADER 4.0, software that contains accessibility tools for improving learning outcomes of struggling students. Available as stand-alone client software or as a customized version for educational publishers, the software provides students with a multisensory learning experience when reading DAISY digital talking books, browsing Web pages, and when creating and reading Rich Text documents. The program offers features such as reading speed control, and electronic bookmarks and note taking. AspireREADER 4.0 for Windows retails for $229, upgrade versions from CAST eREADER 3.0 retail for $89, and volume discounts are available for multiple-user licenses.


8e6 Technologies (http://www.8e6.com) has announced new features for its flagship R3000 Internet filtering appliance that provide a number of important enhancements to help users manage Internet threats within their organization. Highlights from the latest R3000 feature releases are: Google Web Accelerator Blocking , Yahoo! SafeSearch Enforcement , Wildcard Filtering , X-Strikes Enhancements , and Override Account Improvements . The 8e6 R3000 Internet Filter provides a scalable, high-speed filtering solution that easily integrates into any network without bottlenecks or downtime. Current 8e6 customers can leverage all new R3000 features, including those listed above, by downloading the 1.7 and 1.7.10 releases. Contact company for pricing information.


Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division (http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com/projectors.asp) has introduced two new laptop-sized projectors that are perfect for the classroom. The XD205U is an XGA DLP projector priced at $1,995, while the SD205U is an SVGA DLP projector priced at $1,295. Both models feature 2,000 lumens and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio in a 5.3 lb. form factor. In addition, the projectors are backed by Mitsubishi's exclusive Express Replacement Assistance and warranty programs.

 



http://www.sec.gov/investor/teachers.shtml
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a “Just for Teachers” section on its Web site to assist public school teachers in grades K-12 evaluate and select appropriate investments for employer-sponsored 403(b) retirement savings plans and other savings vehicles. The site explains 403(b) retirement savings plans, provides general information about saving and investing wisely, and includes tips and resources for teaching personal finance in the classroom. While all of the materials are available online, teachers can also request a free “teacher care package” that consists of SEC educational brochures on mutual funds, variable annuities, and other investing topics.


http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us
This Web site from the DeKalb County School System (GA) was recently named the best US K-12 district Web site for 2005 by the Center for Digital Government and Education (http://www.centerdigitaled.com). The district's site, which was originally launched in 1997, serves more than 100,000 students and their parents. According to Craig Liggett, Internet coordinator for DeKalb County Schools, “Our district won this top honor because it constantly looks for and embraces innovative ideas and technology resources to improve community access to information.”


For a complete listing of up-to-date conference information, visit T.H.E. Conference Calendar, T.H.E. Journal 's comprehensive conference database, at: http://www.theconferencecalendar.com

Letter to the Editor
Recently a reader wrote to us with the following question:

I'm responsible for putting together a time capsule for my school and need suggestions for anything computer/technology related that I could put in the capsule.

Please send responses to [email protected]. We'll highlight some of the responses in upcoming issues of T.H.E. Newsletter.

Also, if you have any comments or questions for your fellow educators, please e-mail [email protected]

Call for Papers!!!
Please take a second to look at some of the topics we'll be covering in our fall issues:

  • School Perspectives —discuss a specific topic, trend, or concern about education technology.

  • Wishlist/Shortlist —a simple list of the technology (e.g., wireless, laptops, etc.) you're looking at to solve a challenge in your school/district, and an accompanying “shortlist” of vendors you're looking at to solve those challenges.

If you have a good story that is related to any of the above topics, please e-mail an abstract to [email protected]

T.H.E. Offers Educators Individual netTrekker Subscriptions
T.H.E. Journal has announced an exclusive partnership with Thinkronize, developers of netTrekker, the trusted search engine for schools, which allows educators worldwide to purchase individual (single-user) subscriptions to netTrekker, which previously was available only on a site license basis to schools and districts. With this initiative, T.H.E. and Thinkronize have combined to better serve their customer's needs by personalizing the way educators use the Internet. Educators can purchase individual subscriptions for netTrekker through the T.H.E. Journal's Web site at http://www.thejournal.com/netTrekker. The suggested list price for a one-year subscription is $49.95.

THE Institute and AOL @ SCHOOL Offer New Online Course for Educators  
“Internet Literacy – Making the Most of the Web,” is a new online course for educators interested in using the World Wide Web in teaching and learning. Designed for elementary and secondary school teachers, the course provides tools for educators to integrate technology into their curricula to improve student achievement and meet NCLB requirements. The cost is $79 per person; course moderation and graduate credit are additional options. “Internet Literacy – Making the Most of the Web," is designed to be useful both for educators new to using technology in teaching and learning and for tech-savvy veterans.
For complete course details and to register, go to http://www.thejournal.com/institute/course510.cfm.

Four Integrating Technology Courses from T.H.E. Institute
 T.H.E. Institute is offering four online professional development courses to help educators comply with NCLB requirements and use technology more successfully in the classroom. The cost is $149 per course, which includes a $10 per person per course administration fee for documentation of clock hours and a certificate of completion. Course moderation and graduate credit are additional options; volume discounts are available. Anyone who enrolls in a course will receive individual access to the netTrekker site, as well as free individual access to United Learning's unitedstreaming site. In addition, special pricing is available for educators in districts that have purchased Glencoe/McGraw-Hill's TechCONNECT.

Integrating Technology in the Classroom Courses: Social Studies - Available Now; Science - Available Now; English/Language Arts- Available Now; Mathematics - Available Now

For more information, log on to http://www.thejournal.com/institute/IntegratingTech.cfm.

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