Web Resources
CNN Student News (www.cnn.com/education), a free and commercial-free news program that airs on CNN Headline News and can be streamed for the classroom, has added new features for the 2005-2006 school year. These features include online access to the full version of CNN Student News without a password; 14 days of archived video for educators; and a weekly News Quiz about the entire week's program.
Students at schools that subscribe to BrainPop (www.brainpop.com) can now get access to the site's animated movies, comics, quizzes, and activities from home. For a limited time, a 12-month School + Home Access subscription costs $1,350.
Pearson School Systems' (www.pearsonschoolsystems.com) latest version of its Web-based student- and school-assessment program, Pearson Inform, has been released. Inform 3.3 allows users to customize results folders and demographic attributes for their schools, print reports for multiple schools or students at one time, and import data directly into the program.
Scenario Learning's (www.scenario learninginc.com) SchoolMSDS.com is a Web-based system that helps schools organize material safety data sheets about hazardous chemicals used in the school district.
Software
Vernier Software and Technology (www.vernier.com) has updated its data-collection software, Logger Pro 3. Logger Pro 3.4 features enhanced video analysis and mathematical modeling of data capabilities and is available to users of previous Logger Pro versions for $50.
Wolfram Research's (www.wolfram.com) Mathematica CalcCenter 3 is designed to give math students an affordable alternative to the Mathematica software and can be downloaded in semester and annual editions.
Endeavor Information Systems (www.endinfosys.com) has released the latest version of its integrated library management system, Voyager 5.0. New features added in response to user feedback include increased privacy capabilities and enhancements to circulation services, serials processing, and searching.
DocForm v4.0, from Toshiba America Business Solutions (www.copiers.toshiba.com), allows users to design, create, and deliver real-time electronic documents, forms, and reports. The software has new features like Visual Condition Builder, Expression Editor, and Layout Editor, and it has optional modules for signature pad and tablet PC hardware.
Texthelp's (www.texthelp.com) Lexiflow aims to make the production of electronic textbooks easier for textbook publishers by converting PDF-based instructional materials into NIMAS-compliant, talking Flash presentations for classroom use.
Hardware
Interactive Products Division's (www.interactivewhiteboards.com) PI-1500 is a 15-inch LCD tablet with electronic pen that can be used as a navigation device without the need to install software. It has built-in speakers and front control panels, an adjustable stand, and software for presentation tools. Also, the battery-powered Mobilepresenter BT, compatible with Windows 2000 XP or higher, uses wireless Bluetooth technology to communicate with a computer via a standard USB port.
The PI-1500, from Interactive Products Division, features electro-magnetic technology and an electronic pen.
