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May 15, 2001
What's New
Hardware
Digital Photography
Kodak has introduced the PalmPix camera, which can take color digital pictures when attached to Palm m500 and m505 handheld computers-images can be transferred to a PC via the HotSync cradle that comes with the handheld. Features include 800 x 600 resolution, an adjustable focal range, and a four-element glass lens for enhanced picture quality. $129.95.
Kodak, (800) 235-6325
Furniture
Anthro Corporation has added a 10-unit Laptop Storage Cart for Apple iBook computers to the company's storage offerings. Designed with a built-in area for the iBook AC power adapter and a place for routing cords, the cart also comes with two external power and telephone outlets. Available in graphite, tangerine, blueberry, and black. $899.
Anthro, 10450 SW Manhasset Dr., Tualatin, OR 97062; (800) 325-3841
Presentation Tools
Virtual Ink's mimio 1.5 software for the Macintosh allows users to review, edit, and share information created in a whiteboard session; and then export the data to QuickTime and iMovie applications for creating presentations, movies, and more. Available for download on the Virtual Ink Web site at no charge.
Virtual Ink Corporation, 56 Roland St., Boston, MA 02129; (877) 696-4646
The 5-pound ImagePro 8045 LCD projector from Dukane features 800 x 600 SVGA native resolution (compressed XGA resolution), 800 lumens of brightness, digital zoom, a built-in wireless remote, and a 1,500-hour lamp life. Projectors are covered by a five-year warranty; free 24-hour technical support is also available. $5,495.
Dukane, 2900 Dukane Drive, St. Charles, IL 60174; (800) 676-2486
Wireless Networking
Zoom Telephonics has released a new wireless point-to-point bridge, the ZoomAir Model 4130, which offers an unobstructed line-of-sight range of up to 2.5 miles. Components include two wireless LAN-to-LAN bridge radio units, two directional antennas, and all cables, mounting hardware, and software needed for installation. $1,999.
Zoom Telephonics, 207 South St., Boston, MA; (617) 423-1072
Software
MindPlay has released the One-Pick Pack, a bundle of 32 of the company's software programs from which to choose. Although the customer is ultimately required to pick one program, the decision doesn't need to be made until installation. Titles offered include Easy Street, Ace Detective, and Math Magic. Single (for one computer): $49.95. Lab Pack (for five computers): $129.95. Site License (for 24 computers): $449.95.
MindPlay, 160 W Ft. Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ 85705; (520) 888-1800
CD-ROM Yearbooks
Yearbook Interactive offers authoring software for creating CD-ROM-based multimedia yearbooks. The Windows-based software, which is designed to guide students through the yearbook development process, features templates, several navigation options, and the ability to import digital photos, graphics, and videos. The software is available free of charge for the remainder of the school year, with a $1 per disk fee for each CD-ROM yearbook that is duplicated.
Yearbook Interactive, 2681 Parleys Way #101, Salt Lake City, UT 84109; (877) 463-6924
Content Security
The SuperScout Email Filter, a new offering from SurfControl, is a content security program that provides automatic filtering and management of inbound and outbound e-mail, with action taken on any messages that violate an organization's acceptable usage policy. Other features include individual activity tracking with real-time monitoring, anti-virus scanning at the gateway, and reporting tools.
SurfControl, 100 Enterprise Way, Ste. A110, Scotts Valley, CA 95066; (800) 368-3366
Promotion
In honor of Memorial Day, ABC-CLIO is giving out a free companion CD-ROM with the purchase of any of the company's American War Collection books. Educators can choose from seven titles, including the Encyclopedia of the American Civil War and Encyclopedia of the Korean War. For more about the free offer, go to ABC-CLIO Web site.
ABC-CLIO, 130 Cremona Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93117; (800) 368-6868
Training
Savant Interactive recently released webSavant Guide for Newbies, a training program that takes newcomers through the basics of Web site design. For both Windows and Macintosh users, Guide for Newbies leads users through site organization, making links to other pages, graphics creation, photo compression, and animation. Pricing for the 2-CD set is $39.95.
Savant Interactive, Inc., 4708 Main St., Ste. 201, Lisle, IL 60532, (866) 472-8268
Web Sites
Online Books
Early Foundations Learning Company now distributes downloadable children's books online. The site also offers vocabulary sheets and teaching materials. For further information and pricing, visit the Early Foundations Learning Company Web site.
MediaTechnics Corporation recently announced the creation of BookOnWeb.com. BookOnWeb delivers books and content over the Web in either Web or CD format. Free sample titles are currently available at the site. BookOnWeb also delivers text with multimedia accompaniment, such as video, animation, pop-up definitions, pronunciations, skill tests, and eQuizzes. Contact publisher for more information.
Free Online Courses
Massachusetts Institute of Technology will make materials for nearly all its courses available online for free over the next 10 years. Its OpenCourseWare Web site will eventually carry lecture notes, course outlines, reading lists, and assignments for up to 2,000 courses in architecture, planning, engineering, humanities, arts, and social sciences.
Shakespeare in Streaming Video
Onlineclassics.com, a performing arts Web site, recently launched its educational division. Launching in early April is a Webcast of the Royal National Theatre's production of The Merchant of Venice, filmed at Pinewood Studios in London. Educational content will include interviews with cast and crew, a scene-by-scene synopsis, and teacher support materials created by the Royal National Theatre. Teachers may also stream live or on-demand performances and find additional support materials for future theater performances.
Teacher Tools
Econo-Clad Books has launched Reading Eagle Newsletter, an online forum for teachers and librarians who want to share tips on how they motivate students to read. Each published educator will receive $15 per tip they share. Ideas can be submitted via the Web site or sent by regular mail.
iTeach, a division of Tom Snyder Productions, has released version 4.0 of its Web-based instruction and communication tools. New features include Essential Worksheets & Puzzles for creating materials, including vocabulary lists and math puzzles, and for correlating to state and national standards. $14.95 to $29.95 per annual subscription; bundles and site license pricing also available.
Books
Neal-Schuman Publishers offers Introducing the Internet to Young Learners, a compilation of pretested, ready-to-go activities and lesson plans for parents, teachers, and librarians. Includes basic Internet functions, Internet safety, and how to evaluate electronic information. Each chapter also includes a list of related print and electronic resources. $35.
Neal-Schuman Publishers, 100 Varick St., New York, NY 10013; (212) 925-8650; fax (212) 219-8916
Literacy in the Cyberage explains how educators can use technology to enrich students' competencies while electronically interacting with others. The book includes explanations of the nine interrelated literacies, each focusing on a particular online communication skill; case studies; and step-by-step activities to use these concepts in the classroom. $32.95.
SkyLight Professional Development, 2626 S. Clearbrook Dr., Arlington Heights, IL 60005; (800) 348-4474
Dates & Events
May 31-June 2: 5th International Writing Across Curriculum Conference, Bloomington, Ind.
June 23-26: National Media Education Conference, Austin, Texas. (888) 775-AMLA; info@nmec.org
June 25-27: National Education Computing Conference (NECC), Chicago, Ill. (800) 280-6218
October 18-20: SchoolTech Expo, Chicago, Ill. Learn from the country's leaders and trailblazers in this show for technology-using K-12 educators. T&L-sponsored event.
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