May 10, 2006

  • 05/10/06
T.H.E. Newsletter: May 10, 2006
May 10, 2006
WEEKLY SECTIONS

  • NetDay ‘Speak Up’ Survey Reveals Teacher, Student Technology Attitudes

    K-12 students across the U.S. said they'd find math more engaging if teachers infused more technology into their lessons. They also said they want to explore the sciences through technology simulations, field trips, and "CSI"-like problem-solving exercises rather than textbooks. These are among the insights revealed in the third annual NetDay “Speak Up” survey sponsored by Dell and the BellSouth Foundation. NetDay, a nonprofit organization focused on preparing today's students to be tomorrow's innovators, collected viewpoints from more than 185,000 students and 15,000 teachers from all 50 states in the study, which was held in fall 2005. A few of the highlights from the survey included: 62 percent of students in grades 6-12 said a mobile computer is integral to a 21st century classroom. More than 40 percent of this group said a modern classroom should include cell phones, interactive whiteboards, televisions, digital cameras, video cameras, scanners and CD/DVD burners. Additionally, nearly half (48 percent) of teachers said they've seen technology enhance student achievement, while 59 percent said technology is enhancing students' engagement in school.

    To download the report, visit http://www.netday.org/speakup_2005.htm

  • Campaign Fights to Save EETT Funding

    As reported a few weeks ago, the education technology community has launched a major grassroots effort to gather signatures from education leaders nationwide on a petition that calls for Congress to restore funding for the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program to a minimum of $496 million, its FY05 funding level, to meet the nation's educational needs and help ensure America's competitiveness. In recent years, federal funding for the EETT program has been cut from $690 million to $272 million, while President Bush has proposed its elimination in the upcoming FY2007. The petition will be sent to key members of Congress in late May.

    To read and sign the petition, visit http://www.missioncriticalcampaign.org

  • Nebraska Relies on Proxim to Boost Districts’ Wireless Networks

    Proxim Wireless Corp.'s outdoor broadband wireless products have been deployed to support several school districts in Nebraska, improving access to the Internet and increasing student and staff productivity while cutting costs. Communication Services Inc., a partner of Proxim Wireless, has designed, installed, and maintains services on these networks. The school networks utilize Proxim’s Tsunami MP.11 outdoor broadband point-to-multipoint system to distribute connectivity to all schools in a district, connecting to Tsunami.GX point-to-point links to aggregate and backhaul the traffic. The MP.11 is a field-proven product, comprising ruggedized base stations, subscriber units and accessories, offering the capabilities of WiMAX for license-free frequency bands worldwide.

    For the full story, visit http://www.proxim.com/about/pressroom/pressrelease/pr2006-5-04.html

  • Intel Unveils Mobile PC
    —From USA Today

    The head of the world's largest chipmaker last Wednesday unveiled a mobile personal computer designed to provide affordable collaborative learning environments for teachers and students around the world. Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini said the $400 machines—code-named “Eduwise”—will feature built-in wireless and will be able to run Microsoft's Windows or the Linux operating system.

    The flip-open Eduwise computer includes a handle, light blue accents and snaps shut like a purse. Special software allows students in a classroom to view presentations, take tests, and interact individually with their teachers using a built-in wireless connection. The cheaper PCs are part of a $1 billion investment by Intel over the next five years to promote the use of computers in schools, cafes, and other public spots in developing countries, Otellini said.

    For the full story, visit http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/gear/2006-05-03-intel-mobile-pc_x.htm?csp=34

  • Portland Public Schools Expands Use of Carnegie Learning Math

    Portland Public Schools has purchased Carnegie Learning’s research-based Cognitive Tutor Algebra I program for 12 city high schools. The $184,000 contract delivers a full curriculum that integrates interactive software sessions, textbooks, and student-centered classroom instruction supported by an ongoing professional development program. Carnegie Learning’s Algebra I program was implemented at two high schools last school year with strong results, leading to a phased expansion to 800 students and 12 schools.

    For the full story, visit http://www.carnegielearning.com/company_press_detail.cfm?pressreleaseID=83


PLATO Learning has introduced Straight Curve, a new product line focusing on empowering classroom teachers, supplementing and delving deeper into core textbook lessons, and leveraging technology to bring on-grade-level and advanced instruction to life for students. Currently being beta tested in classrooms nationwide, the first Straight Curve product, Straight Curve Mathematics Series 2, is scheduled for release this summer. Straight Curve Mathematics Series 2 provides in-depth lessons for grades 3-5 in the areas identified by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics as the most complex for students to learn and teachers to teach—fractions, decimals, measurement, probability, and problem solving. Straight Curve Mathematics Series 2 is the first of many products planned for development and release under the Straight Curve brand. Contact the company for pricing information.


Nutri-Link Technologies Inc., a provider of technology for school nutrition programs, has announced Nutri-Cafe, an interactive virtual cafeteria portal application that allows parents and students to easily view and learn about the nutritional content of school meals, leading to healthier eating habits and lifestyle for students. The portal allows parents and students to view menu choices for their school, create meals, and print breakfast or lunch meal plans. This advanced planning helps students arrive for breakfast and/or lunch prepared, resulting in faster moving serving lines, reduced serving time, and increased throughput for a school's food service operations. The portal also provides school districts with an ideal solution to meet some of the requirements of the federal Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. Pricing varies.



http://www.drgoodword.com
AlphaDictionary.com has launched a free interactive language arts Web site called Dr. Goodword’s Word Wizard Club. The site is designed to teach kids ages 7-13 how to read and speak better using the insights of teachers and professional linguists. The central feature of the Word Wizard Club is Goodword Junior, an amusing interactive word-of-the-day, featuring funny examples, cartoons, and sounds.


http://www.teachingheart.net/mompage.htm
This site offers a bevy of Mother’s Day activities, gift ideas, and crafts that teachers can use in the classroom. It also features printable student activity sheets and a list of related Mother’s Day links.

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

Call for Papers!!!

THE Journal is currently looking for the following types of articles as we prepare for our 2006 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 potential article, or questions about the above topics, please e-mail [email protected]

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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THE Newsletter is a bulletin comprised of recent announcements that affect the education community. Our goal is to keep our readers well informed with the most up to date news. In addition, we hope our audience will share with us their opinions regarding educational technology issues so we may be certain we are covering the topics that are of most interest to them. Please direct any questions or comments about THE Newsletter to [email protected]

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