Strong Silent Type

Almost immediately after a school’s worth of notebooks arrive, they start breaking, but the latest version of the rugged RM Mobile One Classbook can last longer because it can stand up to abuse by inattentive students and clumsy teachers. The system has not only been designed to survive being dropped from a desk, but its sealed keyboard is spill-proof and removable. With prices starting at $1,375, the RM One Mobile comes with an Intel Celeron processor, 15.4-inch screen and built-in wireless networking.  More information is available at RM Education's Web site.

Whiteboards Increase Student Participation

St. Gregory the Great School in Hamilton Square, New Jersey says they have seen student participaton increase since adopting the Hitachi Software FX-77 StarBoard interactive whiteboards in its K-8 educational facility. Hear about results from Jason Briggs, vice principal in this short video: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzDVRTJokTA

Calculator Two for One

Sharp doubles the potential of its EL-9900 scientific graphing calculator by equipping it with a unique two-sided keypad that has a simple side for basic operations and a complex side for advanced algebra and statistics. To change the calculator’s keypad, just remove it, flip it over and snap it back in place. The EL-9900 a powerful device with 827 built-in mathematical functions, 132-by-64 dot screen and 64KB of memory yet it weighs less than 9 ounces and sells for under $100.

AVerMedia Launches New Teacher Forum

Schools and ed tech vendors have discovered that teacher forums are one of the best professional development tools going. Peers learning from peers is a good way to hear technology trials and tribulations straight from the user’s mouth. AVerMedia is the latest to join the club with the announcement of a new forum, available on their Web site. The goal here is like most forums: a central area where teachers can access resources, share ideas, find out about new technologies, and more. The AVerMedia Forum covers a variety of topics, from Helpful Discussions, Classroom Experiences, to AVerMedia Contests.

Whole School in Your Palm

With modules covering assets, inspection and maintenance, Pervidi can help a school systematize how and when it maintains its facilities. The key is that all instructions, schedules and lists of property and assets fit onto a handheld computer, pushing maintenance into the 21-st century. A demo of the software is available online.

New Reading Curriculum for Students with Significant Disabilities

The Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters is an interesting new reading curriculum that combines the efforts of Don Johnston, AbleNet, and the Center for Literacy and Disabilities Studies. The AbleNet MEville to WEville program uses activities like art projects, writing activities, and games to build a classroom community. The Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters blends this MEville to WEville program with Don Johnston’s Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters paperback, computer, and audio books. This result is a unique curriculum specifically for students with moderate to severe/profound intellectual disabilities.

Lock Out Peripherals

For those administrators who want to lock out the use of flash memory keys and other peripherals on school computers, PC Guardian’s USB Port Security System is the ticket. The system physically covers the PC’s small rectangular port with a lockable metal plate. Deceptively simple but effective, the PC Guardian port cover locks in place, blocking the connector and making as many as four USB ports off limits. Just use the included key to remove the port blocker. The port covers start at $13 each.

Copy Cat

Epson’s Stylus CX9475FAX is so versatile that it belongs in every classroom. On top of being a fast copier, the CX9475FAX delivers superb color and monochrome output and has a 1,200 dot per inch scanner, fax machine, wired and wireless networking as well as a 30-page document feeder. The $180 printer can even print photos right off of a digital camera’s memory card and produce borderless snapshots.

Web Watcher

Danware’s NetOp 5.5 makes it easier for teachers and administrators to not only block offensive Web sites on school comptuers, but to track which students are doing what on the Internet. The program follows students surfing the Web and records every stop along the way. NetOp 5.5 works on all recent versions of windows, but not Macintosh computers. A free demo is available at www.danware.com

Projector Two-For

Epson has introduced a pair of identical looking classroom projectors that put the emphasis on value. The PowerLite 83+ sells for $899 and produces 2,200 lumens of brightness while the 822+ model sells for $50 more but outshines its brother by pumping out 2,600 lumens. Both projectors pile on the features with wired networking, 10-watt speakers and are up and running in five seconds. To help cut expenses, the projectors have lamps that have been designed to last for 3,000 hours of use

Texas Instruments offers educators training for newest math, science learning tool

Need a quick refresher on the latest TI technology? TI is offering one-day local workshops for their TI-Nspire math learning products during the spring semester and summer break. The TI-Nspiration Tour will show teachers how to maximize the interactive features of the TI-Nspire technology in math classrooms, including ways to increase student achievement. The TI-Nspire products includes two handhelds and two computer software offerings. See website for workshops in your area.

Cable Disappearing Act

Tired of seeing networking, video and electrical cables taped to the wall or, worse, just tangled in the corner? WireTracks’ CM kit lets you hide them where the wall and ceiling meet with snap-on crown molding. The best part is that the $200 kit comes with 80-feet of cable covers and doesn’t require a contractor to install.

Type and Teach

The facts of life in today’s classroom are that the best teachers just can’t sit still and teach at their desks. They roam around the class to help students with work, look over students’ shoulders and nudge them in the right direction. The best part is that with a large screen monitor and a wireless keyboard, teachers don’t have to sever the connection with their computer to put in some well-needed face time with kids.

We put three of the latest wireless keyboards through their paces and found that each was able to stay connected more than 30-feet from the PC, giving the teacher a wide assortment of remote abilities. The one you choose depends as much on your budget as on how mobile you want to be, proving that you really can be in two places at once.

Adesso 2.4GHz RF Wireless Mini Keyboard with Optical Trackball
At just $60, the Adesso wireless keyboard is a bargain that can bring teacher and student closer together. It not only lets a teacher roam around the typical classroom while staying online but has a trackball and a variety of controls.

Weighing 1.75 pounds, the Adesso wireless keyboard is the lightest and smallest of the three, yet has keys that measure a spacious 19.6mm. Its rounded shape and grips on the sides make it the only one that seems to have been designed to be carried around and used while standing. On top of typing, the keyboard can change volume, start applications and control a video.

The bonus is the keyboard’s trackball. Located in the upper right, there are actuation buttons in front as well as on the left side. On the downside, like the Logitech diNovo, it doesn’t work as well for southpaws as for righties. A bonus is a scroll wheel that helps glide through long Web pages. 

The Adesso wireless keyboard, unfortunately, uses a proprietary USB transmitter rather than the host PC’s Bluetooth transmitter. It took all of 30 seconds to install and stayed in contact with a PC up to 40-feet away. Unlike the Logitech diNova’s rechargeable battery pack, the Adesso wireless keyboard uses four AA batteries, and it’s only battery gauge is a light when the batteries are low. All in all, it’s the perfect keyboard for those on a tight budget and need to be on the go.

B
$60
www.adesso.com

Sony VAIO VGP-WKB5
Of the three keyboards we looked at, the Sony VGP-WKB5 leads in design but lacks a built-in pointing device. Its $159 price tag is higher than the Adesso but less than the Logitech keyboards, and provides excellent range of movement and a dash of style.

As expected from Sony, it is elegantly designed and the wrist rest folds over to cover the keyboard when not in use. The silver and white keyboard is a tad heavy at 2.2 pounds and has a 106 key layout with a separate numeric keypad, the only of the three to include this numerical creature comfort. With 19mm keys, it’s comfortable to type and the VGP-WKB5 has buttons for volume, application launch and putting the keyboard to sleep. Like the Adesso keyboard it uses four AA batteries, but provides an excellent gauge on its small LCD screen.

Unpacking the keyboard from the box took longer than setting it up. Unlike the Adesso’s tiny transmitter, the Sony uses a hockey-puck sized radio that plugs into a PC. It connected immediately and had a range of 34 feet. While Sony sells a matching optical mouse, the VGP-WKB5 has no built-in pointing device, making it more appropriate for sit-down use. 

B
$159
www.sony.com

Logitech diNovo Edge
Easily the biggest and coolest of the three, Logitech’s diNovo Edge is a masterpiece of technology that at $200 is expensive, but for roaming teachers it’s worth it. It may be a budget buster, but the diNovo Edge is the most advanced keyboard we’ve ever seen.

Weighing in at 2.1 pounds, it’s a hair lighter than the Sony VGP-WKB5, but quite a bit wider and longer; it makes the Adesso keyboard look downright puny. The 18mm keys are quiet and comfortable to use, but it lacks the numeric keyboard of the VGP-WKB5 despite being nearly an inch longer. In addition to the expected alphabet, the diNovo Edge can control volume, start applications and zoom in and out. It has a round touchpad with a pair of actuation buttons, but it takes some time to get used to.

The diNovo Edge has two big things going for it. To start it uses a built-in rechargeable battery pack, so you’ll never need to buy batteries for it. It comes with a charging cradle that beeps when the keyboard is inserted. Plus, it relies on Bluetooth technology to connect to a PC, so you don’t have to use up a USB slot for the keyboard’s transmitter, as is the case with the other two systems. It comes with a USB transmitter and connected with the Bluetooth radios in two different notebooks. It has a range of 35 feet.

With all this going for it, the diNovo Edge goes to the head of the class, then gets picked up and moves around the room.

A-
$200
www.logitech.com
   

Both Sides Now

Microtek’s ArtixScanDI 4020 is a high speed scanner that not only can process up to 40 pages per minute but is the rare device in its class that handles both sides of originals. The duplex scanner has an 8.5- by 14-inch scan bed, automatic document feeder and comes with a copy of Adobe’s Acrobat Standard 8.0 for turning sheets of paper into Web-ready files. At this point, the scanner only works with Windows 2000, XP and Vista, and not Macintosh computers. The ArtixScanDI 4020 sells for $1,000.

Lumens Donates 100 Visual Presenters to Teach for America

Teach for America is a unique program that takes some of the country’s best college graduates and professionals, and asks them to commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools. To reward these noble efforts, Lumens has donated 100 visual presenters to the program to help them level the technological playing field in these challenged classrooms. Instead of crowding a handful of kids around a desk, the visual presenters lets corps teachers display texts, photos, and 3-D objects by placing them under a camera and projecting the image onto a nearby surface. This gives 100 classrooms a better chance to beat some of the challenges facing low-income schools.

New Fluency Titles

Dr. Timothy Rasinski, a leading authority on reading fluency, has created a new library of books designed to help students become accurate and fluent decoders of words. Published by Scholastic Classroom Books, Tim Rasinski Presents…Fabulously Famous Books for Building Fluency is a library of high-interest books like Charlotte’s Web and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs connected to a research-based strategy for building students’ reading fluency -- complete with information for teachers on how to use reading aloud, paired reading, recorded materials, radio reading  -- even “mumble reading.” For K-8.

Image Interactions

The Eiki XIP2000 interactive projector is more than a way to put an image on a classroom screen because with the included pen and pointer, a teacher can annotate and draw right on the screen. The 2,000-lumen projector uses 3 LCD panels to create a bright and vivid image up to 12-feet wide. It comes with everything needed, including software, but the system only works with Windows PCs.

Next Gen HD Projector

The pre-show buzz for next month’s CeBit tech fair in Germany is Acer’s ColorBoost H5350, which could quickly become the budget choice for high definition classroom projectors. Powered by a digital light processing chip that delivers a 1,280 by 720 pixel image, the H5350 is perfect for putting a lesson on screen or playing an HD movie in the cafeteria on a rainy day. The H5350 can pump out 2,000 lumens of brightness with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, yet weighs just 5.1 pounds. No pricing available yet.

Innovative Learning Conference 2008 Call for Speakers

Gain exposure for your good work by becoming a speaker at Innovative Learning Conference 2008, October 14 - 16, in San Jose, CA. You can share successful classroom practices, creative teaching and learning solutions, research, policies and products that show current or future promise for K-12 education. Presented by CUE and FETC.

Do Whiteboards Make a Difference? New Study Thinks So

Can interactive whiteboards increase student engagement and keep teachers? A new study released by Promethean indicates the answer is yes. Henrico County Schools (Virginia) participated in a Fall 2007 study to decide if Promethean’s Activboards have a positive impact on the teaching/learning process. The study included both the interactive whiteboard and Activote student-response pads. Study details can be found on the site, but in a nutshell, the study found that:
1.      Students were more engaged in classes with teachers using Activboards when compared to their match classes.
2.      Teachers in classrooms with Activboards asked students questions more frequently than their match classroom. They also were able to simultaneously monitor the learning of all students in the classroom more frequently than their match teacher.
3.      Teachers with Activboards incorporated 21st century skills in the area of communication, problem solving, and collaboration more often than their match teachers.
4.      Students in classrooms with Activboards had a slightly higher pass rate on the Standards of Learning tests than their match class.

Out of Orbit

The Toshiba Satellite U305-S2816 notebook is a down to earth notebook and a great way to get laptop computers into the hands of teachers and the backpacks of students. The system is about as complete as a notebook gets these days with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 250GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM and a 13.3-inch screen. With all that, it still weighs just 4.6 pounds. Prices start at about $1,350.

Elementary Science Lessons

Finding appropriate resources to engage elementary school children in scientific inquiry can be a challenge. Enter Discovery Education Science for Elementary, the new digital service from the creators of Discovery Education streaming that is basically an extension of Discovery Education Science for Middle School, launched in 2007. The service is organized into four areas: Learn, Explore, Demonstrate, and Extend. This provides a well-rounded approach to elementary science, giving students and teachers plenty of opportunities to understand tricky concepts using a variety of tools.

And the Codie Finalists Are…

The votes are in! The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) has released the list of finalists for the 23rd Annual Codie Awards. More than 250 judges from the trade press, consulting, educators, and IT specialists reviewed more than 1,000 nominations from more than 600 companies. Products from these finalists will go before SIIA members for a vote to determine the winners in each category. The 2008 Codie Awards will be presented on May 20th at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, Calif.

One-Stop Admininstration

EDGear’s School Administrative Systems is all most institutions will need to track students and make any institution run smoother. The software has modules that cover everything from attendance and lateness tracking to health, counseling and discipline. There’s even a module for monitoring at-risk children that allows secure access to counseling information.

Free Blogging Workshop in February

Come on… you know you want to hop on the blog bandwagon, right? Don’t you want to squeeze just one more obligation onto that crazy calendar? Okay, maybe not. But – if you want at least a peek into the blog world, here’s a chance to do it for free. Atomic Learning is offering a FREE blogging workshop for the month of February. Who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired?

On a Roll

With Nomad Technologies’PS3000 presentation cart, a school can put its multimedia resources where they’re needed – everywhere. At 27- by-32-inches, it has room for a projector, computer, DVD player monitor, document camera and full stereo sound. With fold out work surfaces, heavy duty wheels and a built in power distribution system, the PS3000 is all a teacher could wish for.

New Math Software Adds Flexible Implementation and Assessment Tools

We know it’s all about the math and reading scores, so Carnegie responds with their next generation Cognitive Tutor software that now works with their other programs like Bridge to Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Integrated Math. The new program offers tools like: flexible sequencing that allow administrators to build a custom curriculum; onscreen interactive examples that show students step-by-step instruction of math examples; and Automated Assessment to deliver pre- and post-tests that automatically tie to custom-sequenced curricula. Administrators can also now monitor and analyze progress of the program at multiple levels including class, building, and district. Reports can filter by curriculum and date range, and may be exported to Adobe PDF and Microsoft Excel for distribution.

Little Big Book

The Fujitsu LifeBook 1620 mini-notebook may weigh less than 2.5 pounds, but the mini-notebook is big on versatility and value. With 8.9-inch wide-screen displays that swivel and fold flat, teachers and students can either type on the LifeBook 1620 keyboard or use the stylus to draw on the screen. Priced from $1,750 to $2,225, the system comes with a fingerprint reader for security conscious schools.

GlobalScholar.com Acquires Excelsior Software

With this latest acquisition in the education market,  GlobalScholar.com say they will combine their curriculum and instructional management tools with Pinnacle Education Solutions suite of products that include Excelsior Software’s gradebook, reporting, and analytics technology. They hope that the resulting application will be a one-stop shop for teachers and administrators looking for tools that drive student achievement.

Califone Enters the Reading Game

Known best for their sound systems, Califone has introduced an interesting new reading tool called the AV Tutor -- a handheld player/recorder that lets students compare their pronunciation of words with prerecorded model examples. The device would make a good fit for speech-language therapies and ESL applications – and no computer required. A built-in eight-second memory enables students to compare Programs include Picture Words, Phonics, Readiness, Everyday Words #1, Survival Signs, and Basic Vocabulary #1.  $185 for the Tutor; digital cartridge$30. 

Low Key Monitor Stand

Later this month, Macessity will introduce the perfect monitor stand for Macintosh desktop computers. Made of powder coated aluminum, the stand not only matches the Apple look, but hides the company’s slim keyboard underneath. The low stand is sturdy, supports a display and has a four-port USB hub that’s front and center, ready for a variety of peripherals. 

Kidspiration 3 Launches Today

Kidspiration -- the classic visual learning concept-mapping software -- released its latest version today. Kidspiration 3 for K-5 students adds new tools like the Kidspiration Pattern Blocks, where students move and stack geometric shapes to explore shapes. The library now has more than 3,000 symbols to create graphic organizers including webs, concept maps, and Venn diagrams to organize information. Free 30-day trial available.

Spring Cleaning

Spring not only brings rain and green growth just about everywhere but a new series of Vernier Software & Technology’s seminars on how to best use the company’s  handheld sensor units in science and math classes. The four-hour classes cover the basics of data collection and analysis as well as how to integrate Vernier’s LabQuest hardware with PCs, TI graphic calculators and Palm handheld computers. This semester has 41 workshops in a variety of cities and ends in early May.

Picture Perfect Labels

CDs and DVDs of all kinds can become works of art with Dymo’s DiscPainter, a printer that can put any design on any disc. With 1,200 dot-per-inch resolution logos, images and lettering are sharp and picture perfect every time. The DiscPainter uses a USB connection, and works with Windows XP and the latest Macintosh OS. Priced at $280, the printer’s replacement ink cartridges sell for $40.
More info is available at Dymo's Web site.

Program Helps Students Read Faster

Research shows that faster readers are better readers, so MindPlay has introduced FLRT – a fluent reading trainer designed to increase reading speed, improve fluency, enhance visual memory, and build silent reading skills and comprehension. Students read stories which the teacher either hand-selects by category or presents at random. Accompanying questions test comprehension. Single line reading improves eye-tracking and reading speed. Multi-line activity translates newly acquired reading speed to a full page of text. The program lets students read at their own pace by providing assignments that are individualized to match each student’s unique abilities.

Best Buddy

EarthWalk’s EBuddy EB 14 series of rugged notebooks just might be an administrator’s best friend because it's strong and powerful enough to outlast standard laptops. Built around a magnesium frame and rounded rubber corners, the 6-pound notebook has a 14-inch screen, up to 160GB hard drive and the choice of an AMD or Intel processor. It can not only stand up to drops and vibrations, but is resistant to spills.

Talking Politics

Looking for a good source for classroom election discussions? Now students can submit questions about Decision 08 to NBC political reporters via email to or text message, and Each Thursday, the NBC News political team, including Meet the Press host Tim Russert, and Chief White House Correspondent David Gregory, will answer one question and make the video available at www.hotchalk.com. Ask NBC News is a feature of NBC News Archives on Demand, a compilation of thousands of primary source video resources created specifically for the classroom. The Archives on Demand are available on HotChalk, a free web-based learning management system for k-12 teachers and their students.

Safety Resources Online

Every school needs an emergency plan, and the JustNet Web site can help with a variety of online advice and resources from crisis communications to tips for preventing school violence. A service of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center, the site has videos, case studies and a virtual library. In other words, JustNet contains everything needed to make any school safer. It’s all available at www.nlectc.org/assistance/ssres_emergencyplan.html