T.H.E. SmartClassroom :: June 12, 2008

RESEARCH

Are Underprivileged Students Better Off Without Computers?

We take it for granted that computers have tremendous potential to transform education. But this potential isn't always going to be realized, especially where support for improving outcomes through technology is lacking. But can access to computers actually hinder education? According to new research that focused on computer adoption among the poor in one Eastern European country, computers at home can actually help to lower the grade point averages of students, distract students from homework, and potentially contribute to behavioral issues....

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Ed Tech News

Free Classroom Capture Platform Adds Blackboard integration, Podcasting Features

Ed tech developer Panopto told us this week that it's releasing CourseCast v2, an update to the company's classroom capture system, and making it available to educators free through its Socrates Project beta program....

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Smart Wireless Classroom Audio System Set for August Release

Smart Technologies this week introduced a new classroom audio system. Dubbed "Smart Audio," the system provides wireless audio (using both microphones and third-party audio devices, such as MP3/4 players), along with integration with Smart interactive whiteboard systems....

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Elluminate Launches Learning Suite, Planning Software for Online Learning

Ed tech developer Elluminate Monday announced new collaborative learning bundles--the Elluminate Learning Suite and the Elluminate Next bundle--and launched a new tool for planning online learning sessions called Elluminate Plan! The company also told us it's revamping its education licensing structure, moving away from a concurrent user model to a structure based on the full-time enrollment of educational institutions....

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Canon To Ship WUXGA LCoS Projector

Canon this week introduced the first LCoS-based WUXGA projector, providing a 16:10 aspect ratio with a native resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 for displaying high-def images slightly beyond 1080p. The company also introduced a new LCoS-based SXGA+ multimedia projector, which is shipping this month....

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SAS Brings Online High School Curriculum Tool to Homeschoolers

Ed tech provider SAS inSchool, a unit of SAS, is bringing its online curriculum tool, Curriculum Pathways, to homeschoolers. The company this week announced that it would make the technology available for home users for a $99 annual licensing fee....

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HotChalk Partnerships Expand Digital Resources For Teachers, Students

HotChalk, an online education resource for teachers, parents, and students, announced partnerships with McGraw-Hill, National Geographic, and PBS. The partnerships will provide HotChalk with curriculum content and video resources from the companies, augmenting the collaborative learning environment currently used by more than 395,000 teachers worldwide....

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iLinc Web Conferencing Tool Updated, Adds 'Green Meter'

iLinc released a new version of its Web conferencing tool, iLinc 10, which bolsters session management and adds a "green meter." The green meter shows cost savings, carbon emissions, and total distance not traveled by using Web conferencing versus in-person meetings. Administrators can also customize several variables in the meter to match their organization's specific policies....

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Events Calendar

Find more events and calls for papers and presentations at THE Journal's online Conference Calendar.

THE Journal Opportunities

Share Your Best Practices

T.H.E. Journal is currently looking for the following types of articles for future issues and for our eNewsletter, T.H.E. SmartClassroom:

  • School Perspectives -- discuss a specific topic, trend, or concern about education technology.
  • Case Studies -- have you implemented technology and learned a lot from the experience? If so, share your efforts about what worked -- and what didn't.

If you have a potential article, or questions about the above topics, please e-mail [email protected]

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EduHound.com

  • EduHound Directory is a highly specialized K-12 educational directory with categorized resource links.
  • EduHound Lesson Plans feature thousands of free lessons that meet state and national standards.
  • EduHound Site Sets are collections of topic-based online education resources.
  • Classroom Tools & Tips: Eduhound's highly popular newsletter that provides valuable ed tech resources to incorporate into K-12 curriculum. Educational topics, preformatted templates, technology tutorials, and practical tips are featured. Published on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month. Sign up for free by clicking here.

Awesome Clipart for Educators
Awesome Clipart for Educators offers educators FREE clipart, backgrounds, fonts, icons, worksheets, wallpaper and more. See how easy searching for clipart can be!

EducatorTemplates.com
Your FREE directory of customizable & printable education related templates.

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Featured

  • laptop with digital productivity and calendar symbols

    September 2025 Tech Tactics in Education Conference Agenda Announced

    Registration is free for this fully virtual Sept. 25 event, focused on "Overcoming Roadblocks to Innovation" in K-12 and higher education.

  • computer science classroom featuring a desktop setup with code on the screen, a large wall display with charts, and a labeled book on a clean desk

    McGraw Hill Expands CTE Offerings

    Education company McGraw Hill has announced a host of new career and technical education courses, designed to help learners gain professional, technical, and academic skills for workforce success.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.

  • ClassVR headsets

    Avantis Education Launches New Headsets for ClassVR Solution

    Avantis Education recently introduced two new headsets for its flagship educational VR/AR solution, ClassVR. According to a news release, the Xcelerate and Xplorer headsets expand the company’s offerings into higher education while continuing to meet the evolving needs of K–12 users.