 Interactive whiteboards: love or hate them?

VOLUME 31  Can social networking work in schools?

NUMBER 9

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APRIL 2011 | VOL. 31 NO. 9

contents

18 37 40

FEATURES PRODUCTS
32 SCHOOL CIO: The Pros & Cons of
Open-Source Products 16 Put to the Test: T&L editors take some
new products for a test drive.
By Ellen Ullman, SchoolCIO Editor 16 PSS Review360 GenEd
By now School CIO readers know a lot about the 18 Read&Write 10 GOLD
benefits as well as the limitations of using open-source 20 Pearson digits
22 RM Slate
products. So we decided to go right to the source (pun
intended) and ask some of our School CIO advisors
about their experiences.
24 The Long Review
T&L editors follow the stakeholders at Village Charter
School (VCS) in Trenton, NJ, as they implement Pearson’s
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT SuccessMaker software on a 40-seat Dell PC desktop network.
Assistive Tech: May We Help You?
BEGINS ON PAGE 25
By Sascha Zuger 36 Social Workers
By Ellen Ullman
Many teachers who work in While Twitter and Facebook dominate press coverage, these
special needs classrooms find products may not be the best fit for school projects. Here are
that their biggest challenge lies some other options.
in handling students each of
whom has very different needs. What’s New
Here is a sampling of tools
that have put the “assist” in
38 Aspen 3.1 • Atomic Learning iPad Content • Blackboard
Analytics • Campus Mail • DataLink4 • Hitachi StarboardLink •
assistive tech and the teachers HP TouchPad • M86 VuSafe • PolyVision eno flex • TriCaster
who use them. Virtual Set Editor • LabQuest probes and sensors • and more

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Editor’s Desk • Top tweets
The New One-to-One • Blog bits
6 News & Trends • IWBs: Love ’em or hate ’em?
• Next Big Thing: Poll Everywhere • Sites We Like
• Top 10 Web stories • Grants
Tech & Learning (ISSN-1053-6728) (USPS 695-590) is • Spamming the cloud?
published monthly by NewBay Media, LLC 28 East 28th
Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016 • Young children’s media
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to use on the rise
Tech & Learning, PO Box 8746, Lowell, MA 01853
Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY, • STEM education survey chart
and additional mailing offices.
Copyright ©2011 NewBay Media, LLC All Rights Reserved.
• PD Tips: Interviews with the experts
• Great conference apps

TE C H & L E A R N I N G | 3
editor’s desk APRIL 2011 | VOL. 31 NO. 9

Publisher: Allison Knapp [email protected];

(510) 868-5074; Fax: (650) 238-0263

EDITORIAL
Editorial Director: Kevin Hogan [email protected]
Managing Editor: Christine Weiser [email protected]

THE NEW
Editorial Interns: Amir Hardy, Clea Mahoney
Senior Art Director: Nicole Cobban [email protected]
Art Director: Annmarie LaScala

ONE-TO-ONE
Contributing Editors: Judy Salpeter, Gwen Solomon
Custom Editorial Director: Gwen Solomon [email protected]
SchoolCIO Editor: Ellen Ullman [email protected]

ADVISERS
David Warlick, Ryan Bretag, Patrick Higgins, David Andrade,
Dean Shareski, Scott Meech, Kim Cofino, Darren Draper,
Terry Freedman, Cheryl Oakes, Bob Sprankle, Lisa Thumann,
Jen Wagner, Lisa Nielsen, Ben Grey, Michael Gorman, Daniel
My seven years in the education- Rezac, Henry Thiele, Özge Karaoğlu, Kevin Jarrett, Kyle Pace,
Steven W. Anderson, Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano
technology space isn’t much compared to the
TECHLEARNING.COM
experience of many (you know who you are). Assistant Web Editor: Diana Restifo
But as I make plans to return this summer
ADVERTISING SALES
to Philadelphia, the scene of my first ISTE East Coast Sales Manager: Caliann Mitoulis
conference, in 2005, I feel old. I recall the same [email protected]; (215) 370-5813
Account Manager: Katie Sullivan [email protected]
tired promises and arguments that have been
MARKETING AND EVENTS
bandied about year after year: a computer for every child!
Marketing Manager: Jared Stearns [email protected]
Tackle the digital divide! NCLB! (By the way, how’s that 2014 Director of Events: Diana Milbert [email protected]
proficiency deadline looking?) Production Director: Bill Amstutz [email protected]
Production Manager: Nicole Spell [email protected]

While plenty has changed since then, this nagging feeling that CIRCULATION
Group Circulation Director: Denise Robbins
students remain unprepared as digital citizens has not. This [email protected]
sentiment is one of the reasons for the SchoolCIO Summit, Associate Director for Audience Development:
Tracey Dwyer [email protected]
a new event to be hosted by Tech&Learning in Trenton in
September. We will be inviting a small group of visionary REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS
Wright’s Media: (877) 652-5295
CIOs, superintendents, and other district leaders to join us to
EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICES
strategize about the most urgent topics facing school leaders
28 East 28th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016
today. We hope to refocus those redundant conversations by Phone: (212) 378-0400; Fax: (650) 238-0263

giving them a fresh perspective: instead of one-to-one, what For general editorial correspondence:
[email protected]
about “always on access”? Instead of the digital divide, what
NEWBAY MEDIA LLC—CORPORATE
about “high-tech vo-techs”? And NCLB? We might just leave President & CEO: Steve Palm
that alone for the moment. Chief Financial Officer: Paul Mastronardi
Vice President, Web Development: Joe Ferrick

From this meeting we hope to create a manifesto of sorts—a list NEWBAY MEDIA K-12 EDUCATION GROUP
Vice President, Group Publishing Director: Adam Goldstein
of precepts districts can use to reshape policy and disrupt the
Publisher: Allison Knapp
status quo. Before we meet in person this fall, we will be laying Editorial Director: Kevin Hogan
the groundwork at schoolcio.com. What do you feel are the most Editorial/Creative Director: Anthony Savona

significant problems? How do you think that these problems Online Production Manager: Rob Granger
Web Production Specialist: Ashley Vermillion
could be tackled better? Join the conversation there. Web Director: Ragan Whiteside

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To subscribe: (888) 266-5828 or www.techlearning.com

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Kevin Hogan
Editorial Director
N THE WEB
www.techlearning.com

4 | TECH & LEA RN IN G

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news trends by T&L editors

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 top10 WEB STORIES
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TWEETS
BLOG
BITS
1 Why the iPad is Different @tgwynn: Is there a contest A whole lot of attention has
Dean Shareski sees an interesting shift occurring in going on in Washington to see been placed on the vast array
his district, which leads him to think that the iPad which politician can mess up of tablet devices that are on the
is generating more discussion about the role of
Education the most? market right now and, yes, I am
technology in learning than any tool or event to date. going to give you my
“two cents.”
2 Apps to Prepare You for Your Next @nharm #cosn11: How can
—Frank Pileiro
Presentation or Webmeeting schools master the moment? 1.
Shelly Terrell shares her favorite mobile devices and Leverage student owned devices,
I am starting to question and
apps that let you sketch out your presentation and 2. Cloud computing, 3. Web 2.0
rehearse almost anywhere. think like a UDL promoter.
collaboration tools When did this happen, how did it
3 Whiteboards—A Modest Proposal happen? What is the excitement
Gary Stager’s opinions on IWBs and clickers. @jarrett: How far can schools all about?
go in regulating teachers’ —Cheryl Oakes
4 10 Ways Technology Supports 21st social-media use? | Philadelphia
Century Learners in Being Self Directed Inquirer | 03/14/2011 http:// “In the move for education
Lisa Nielsen presents ten ways educators can provide transformation, we need to
ow.ly/4emN0
opportunities for self-directed, passion-driven, listen to many voices, including
personalized learning.
students.”
@garystager: 10 years from
–An interview with Shantanu
5 Top 10 YouTube Extras (and more) now, we’ll be laughing ourselves
Bala
David Kapuler shares his top ways to filter YouTube silly over today’s hyperbolic
to make it safer for educational viewing and to edit
claims of how “mobile learning”
YouTube videos. As educators, we speak of
would revolutionize Ed #cosn Personal Learning Networks
6 What’s New in School Tools (PLNs) for ourselves, and some-
A round-up of the latest edtech releases in software, @ryanbretag: Just mention IWB times our students. But what
hardware, and AV tools. blog discussions and you’ll get all about parents?
the discussion you want. –David Andrade
7 Ten Sites Supporting iPads In Education
Michael Gorman lists 10 great iPad education resource
Web sites devoted to bringing the best ways to use the T&L ASKS READERS
iPad in the classroom. They include resources, apps,
lesson plans, and “apptivities.” INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD:
8 A-Z Web tools: C+D LOVE OR HATE?
Ŏzge Karaoglu’s part two of her comprehensive A-Z What are your impression on one of the most
Web tools. prevalent and expensive technologies for the
classroom?
9 Tablets—We’re Almost There! 13%
Frank Pileiro agrees that the mobile computing platform I’m fine
without one.
is where we need to head, but he thinks that there is a
whole lot of work that needs to be done.
65% 12%
Don’t have one
Have one
10 UDL, What is the Excitement all About? and love it.
but want it.
Cheryl Oakes is starting to question and think like a UDL
promoter. In this post, she tries to figure out what the
excitement is all about. 10%
Have one but
never use it.
Follow us on Twitter (techlearning) and
Facebook (Tech&Learning Magazine) or See more polls at
online techlearning.com techlearning.com.

8 | T ECH & LEA RN IN G

 Join Your Region’s

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continued rich communities of practice. Chicago, IL – May 6
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news  trends

STEM INTEGRATION: GRANT NEWS

Vernier celebrates 30

A PROGRESS REPORT years with $300,000 in

tech grants
Currently integrate STEM To celebrate its 30th anniversary,

6.0% in one or more programs

Very likely to integrate in

Vernier Software & Technology
is providing 30 grants to ten ele-
1–3 years
mentary or middle schools, ten
Somewhat likely to
high schools,
16.9% integrate in 1–3 years
and ten col-
Somewhat unlikely to
integrate in 1–3 years lege or univer-

10.3% 62.1% Very unlikely to integrate

sity science
in 1–3 years departments
to honor the important work that

4.2% science teachers do every day.

Each recipient will receive $10,000
worth of the Vernier technology
equipment of their choosing.
DEADLINE: June 1, 2011
MORE INFO: www.vernier.com/
■ A majority of the respondents (62.1%) reported that their 30years
schools or districts had one or more programs that inte-
grated core concepts of STEM.
Calypso Be Heard
■ Of the respondents from schools or districts that did
not have a STEM program, a majority reported that their School Grant
schools or districts were somewhat likely or very likely to The Calypso School First
integrate core concepts of STEM in the next one to three Foundation 2011 Be Heard School
years. Grant recognizes the importance
of hearing and being heard in
CREDIT: FROM THE 2011 NATIONAL SURVEY ON STEM EDUCATION CONDUCTED BY IESD, INC. IN COLLABORATION
WITH K–12 STEM MARKET EXPERT DAYLENE LONG. FIND FULL REPORT AT STEMREPORTS.COM
the classroom. Four
grants will be award-

SPAMMING ed to institutions
across the United
THE CLOUD? States and Canada.
One campus-lev-
Education is the third most spammed el grant will pro-
industry; 82.6% of all email des- vide 30 SoundPost
tined for the sector is considered classroom portable
spam, according to recent data from voice-amplification
Symantec.cloud. This is higher than systems. Each of three other
the global average spam rate (81.3%). In schools will receive a grade-
January, spam made up 80.6% of all email level grant consisting of three
aimed at the education sector, a significant increase of two percentage points SoundPost systems.
in the past month. DEADLINE: May 20, 2011
MORE INFO: www.calypso
Read the full Symantec.cloud report here: http://tinyurl.com/4unos3s
systems.com/about-us/grants/

1 0 | TECH & LEARNIN G

news  trends
Young children’s media use on the rise
The Joan Ganz Cooney Center and FROM
Sesame Workshop released the report TECHLEARNING.COM
Always Connected, which examines
the media-usage patterns of young
PD Tips: Interviews
children. Key findings included:
with the experts
Nearly 25% of young children
“To be viable going forward, we’ll
need to be much more sophisti-
(aged five and under) use the
cated in understanding student
Internet at least once a week, and
learning and their increasing
slightly fewer than half of six-year-
use of handhelds, tablets, and
olds play video games.
Facebook. That’s where they
want to get their information, so
Media multitasking is becoming predominant; about 36% of children it’s important we provide it to
aged two to 11 use television and the Internet simultaneously. them through those portals.”
—Fred Bartels, technology
Television continues to be the favorite medium. Almost nine out of coordinator at Rye (NY)
Country Day School
ten children over age five are viewers. They watch at least three hours of
television a day. “We have an equity problem
now because kids have more
Digital divides are still prevalent. A gap in access to technologies remains, technology in their pocket than
especially among low-income and ethnic-minority children, as well as they’re being allowed to use
notable differences in usage. in school. We need to be the
leaders on this and ask ‘How do
sync to your Mac or PC. business and politics make good
Best conference MINDBLOWING: Gather audio, use of these tools?’ It’s not just
apps video, and photos in a colorized social. It really does work well
Beyond the usual suspects for mind map. for individualized learning.”
social networking and sharing POSTEROUS: —Jack Leiman, instructional
images, such as Echofon (Twitter), Allows users to blog technology facilitator at
Tweetdeck (Twitter), Facebook, and report on the Tacoma (WA) School District
Flickr, and 4 Square, here are some workshops or pre-
other favorite apps you can take to sentations in the “Teachers no longer cause people
your next conference: same location. to know things. People can know
BUMP: Share busi- DROPBOX: Get things by just looking for them
ness cards phone-to- two free gigabytes of storage. from a variety of information
phone, even Android- iBOOKS: Access documents sources. A teacher, in order to be
to-iPhone, by bumping offline with this free app. valuable, has to help that student
the phones together. USTREAM BROADCASTER: This make meaning of the knowledge
MY NAME IS E: free app allows users to live stream or ask them to demonstrate that
Share business cards phone-to- and make it available online via they’ve made meaning.”
phone or through email with three Ustream Viewer. You can even —Renee Jesness, information
taps. tweet and chat while live streaming and technology literacy integra-
EVERNOTE: Create text, photo, the event. tion specialist at Minneapolis
and audio notes that automatically —Shelly Terrell Public Schools

1 2 | TECH & LEA RN IN G

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news  trends
IWBs: THE GREAT DEBATE
Gary’s recent provocative opinions about IWBs in his
“IWBs and their
clicker spawn are a
terrible investment
that breathes new
article “Whiteboards—A Modest Proposal” inspired a life into medieval
record number of passionate responses on the subject educational
on techlearning.com. Below are some highlights from the practices.”
post (read the complete post here: www.techlearning.
com/blogs36842). –Gary Stager

We’ve known the flaws of this model of education I agree [that IWBs] are not the be-all and end-all and

“
toys masquerading as innovations. Gary has channeled
“
since 1350 (at least), yet it is perpetuated by new they do not do much to change the dynamic. The
biggest gain I see is, it is gateway technology for the
Rugg, Dewey, Lane, and Parker in his insightful
piece! Bravo!

”
—David Thornburg
technophobes in education (of which there are many).

”
—Paul Shircliff

Bad teachers use pencils in bad ways; bad

“ of anyone doing with an IWB that they could

not do more successfully without one.

” “
There is not a single thing I’ve ever seen or heard

—Lisa Nielsen
teachers use smart boards in bad ways.
—George Haine

I have experienced the joys of using interactive

”
“ being cheapened through the use of IWB and click-
“
I believe that constructivist teaching and learning is
whiteboards and clickers to create a highly success-
ful constructivist learning environment while promoting
increased social interaction. Imagination is the key
ers. Far too many school leaders and teachers are looking
for easier (and cleaner) ways to “do” science and
“cover” curriculum.

”
—Brian C. Smith
to the creative use of almost any tool.
—Alan November
”
I find it difficult to make definitive statements about

“
Whenever I read that people use technology
because it makes them teach better, I get suspi-
“ something like technology; how can anyone? A
tool that works for one teacher may not work for
another.

”
”“
cious. It should always be about student learning, —Stuart Posin
not teacher teaching.
—Will Richardson If we can accept that there are moments in a school
day where the best way to help kids learn is to actu-
ally teach them explicitly, then, used well, IWBs can be a
useful tool. The problem is that in far too many classrooms
Sites We Like:
”
where teachers just don’t know any better, this is
the only teaching method that gets used.
http://kidsvid.4teachers.org/ —Chris Betcher
Kids’ Vid provides students

“
and teachers with the tools I have no doubt that teachers do amazing things
and instruction necessary to with these tools, and that their lessons are incred-
plan, script, create, edit, and ibly “engaging.” But you don’t walk into their classrooms
and say “Wow, that’s a really amazing whiteboard.”
show videos in the classroom.
You say “Wow, that’s a really amazing teacher.

”
—Jim Klein

1 4 | TECH & LEARNIN G

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PRODUCTREVIEWS

Put to the Test

T&L editors take some new products for a test drive
PRODUCT: PSS REVIEW360 GENED
www.psiwaresolutions.comPrice: District-wide implementation is priced
according to enrollment and varies from $2.50 to $5.50 per student depending on
selected functionality.
By Ben Grey

Psychological Software
Solutions’ Review360 Gen-
Ed is a Web-based soft-
ware program designed
to support behavior man-
agement of general-education students.
QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS: Review360 provides
support and coaching for teachers and administration
in addressing students’ behavior. In this capacity, it
offers a nicely focused approach to collecting and
analyzing data, as well as overall professional devel-
opment and coaching modules to help educators
understand students’ behavior and find appropriate
responses to potentially troublesome behavior. The
system provides tools for reporting incidents and for
referring students because of frequent behaviors, and
these data are then included in the classroom and
school database for future analysis. This can help
establish a school-wide approach to improving stu-
dents’ behavior.
EASE OF USE: Review360 provides a positive user experi- easy to find and explore
ence, as the resources and data tools are well designed and through the Web-based
nicely implemented. The various sections of the management site architecture.
suite are clearly labeled in navigation headings, and the data CREATIVE USE OF TECH-
tools, professional development, and suite management are NOLOGY: The professional-
development modules are concise and informative.
Review360 may be stronger, especially in this area, if multi-
Top Features media is integrated eventually, but its absence does not
greatly diminish the product’s overall effectiveness.
 Data tools are nicely deigned and
SUITABILITY FOR USE IN A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT:
implemented.
Review360 was created by two psychologists who were
 Embedded professional-development passionate about helping students, staff, and parents
modules use high-interest topics understand and address students’ behavior better. This
presented in a clear, useful manner. passion shows clearly in the final product, as it was built
with the educational environment in mind and is a useful
 System is easy to use and navigate
and effective tool for helping schools address particular
overall. behaviors of concern.

1 6 | TECH & LEA RN IN G

PRODUCTREVIEWS

PRODUCT: READ&WRITE 10 GOLD (WINDOWS)

www.texthelp.comRetail price: Single user, $645. Site license, five-packs, and
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By Carol S. Holzberg

Designed for students who struggle with reading and

writing, the latest version of Read&Write GOLD from
Texthelp Systems offers a feature-rich assistive-technology
tool kit that benefits all students, not just the at-risk or
learning disabled.
QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS: What distinguishes this
product from other assistive-technology software is that
all its tools are accessed from a floating toolbar. The Sounds Like tool to help with puzzling homophones, and
toolbar groups reading, writing, research, and study-skills a Fact Finder that uses the Search tool designated dur-
options according to function. It works with Microsoft ing program setup to locate more information about a
Word, Adobe Reader/Acrobat, and other common, every- particular keyword.
day applications and with popular Internet browsers, like CREATIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY: The software has many
Firefox, Internet Explorer (32-bit only), and Safari. It also tools, so users will appreciate that the program lets you
works with third-party applications such as Study Island, display as many or as few as you need. Another important
NWEA MAP assessments, Accelerated Reader, and DAISY built-in option is a PDF Aloud tool, which lets you open
Reader books. PDF-formatted files so Read&Write GOLD can read select-
Unfortunately, highlighter options for online Web pages ed text aloud. A text-to-speech Speech Maker tool turns as
do not work with Firefox or Safari. Finally, Read&Write Gold many as 20,000 characters of selected text into a WAV or
does not work with Arc90’s Readability, an important free MP3 audio file.
Web tool that removes advertisements, pop-ups, and other SUITABILITY FOR USE IN A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: The
distractions from Web pages. program is costly, but its accom-
EASE OF USE: Read&Write GOLD modations for struggling learners
is packed with helpful tools. Top Features can also benefit mainstream stu-
Read&Write GOLD has a built-in  Product is available for both dents. For example, it makes cur-
Spelling Checker; it also assists Mac and Windows. riculum materials available not only
with writing by integrating a  The feature-rich application is in print form but also electronically,
word-prediction tool that makes multipurpose, offering tools for with text-to-speech access, dic-
helpful words and phrases pop all students, not just those with tionary options, supporting visual
up. There’s a talking calculator illustrations, and the ability to turn
special needs.
for basic math operations and the materials into audio files for
 A Teacher Toolkit allows
a picture dictionary for visual outputting to the Web or a hand-
teachers to tailor features and
reinforcement of meaning. Other held device. These features give
useful tools are a Verb Checker
settings to a wide range of students more flexible control over
to aid in conjugating verbs, a individuals or groups. what and how they learn.

1 8 | TECH & LEARNIN G

 Lesson Planner, from OnCourse Systems, is a web-based program
that allows administrators to “inspect what they expect” about teaching in
their schools. Teachers use Lesson Planner to write their lessons, drawing on
systems for education the built-in bank of state and local standards and the work of colleagues
across the district. Administrators use Lesson Planner to review faculty
lesson plans, ensuring that daily instruction is fully aligned with the district’s
curricular goals.
The Original
Web-Based Lesson With OnCourse Lesson Planner:
Planning Program! r There’s no software to install or update because it’s web-based.
r Lesson-ready state standards are built in; local “power standards”
can be added easily.
r Plans, assignments and curricular resources can be shared across the district.
r Teachers can create classroom websites to post homework, calendars and
For more information and a demonstration, other information for students and parents.
call 800-899-7204 or r Districts save because Lesson Planner is more affordable—and greener—
visit www.oncoursesystems.com than buying planning books each year.
PRODUCTREVIEWS

PRODUCT: PEARSON DIGITS

http://digitsmath.comRetail price: Student subscription, less than $12 a year,
depending on subscription length. Extension years can be purchased for $7.97 a
student.
By MaryAnn Karre

Pearson’s digits is a comprehensive middle-grades math-

curriculum program, written to the Common Core State
Standards, that integrates lesson planning, homework man-
agement, intervention, and assessment, all within a user-
friendly design that encourages class collaboration via
interactive whiteboards.
QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS: Pearson uses a student-
centric approach of integrated assessment, instruction, and
practice, called the InterACTIVE Learning Cycle, to address
students’ needs and offer differentiated study plans, les-
sons, and homework that support grade-level proficiency.
Each content-rich lesson has three parts: launch, dynamic
examples, and close and check. Struggling students are
offered support and scaffolding activities, while accelerated
students are challenged to learn beyond the basic grade-
level material. The program contains a yearlong curriculum
with 15 or more topics per grade level, and six or more les-
sons per topic.
EASE OF USE: Lessons flow logically, in English or Spanish,
with or without audio presentation, and with access to
a helpful dictionary so that students can independently
follow from instruction through practice to assessment.
Teacher-support materials accompany each lesson; some
can be edited to support local requirements or to include
additional materials. Homework is personalized and auto-
matically scored. digits to deliver a multilayered approach to mathematics
CREATIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY: The technology allows instruction: There is point-of-need intervention to get stu-
dents back on track and to prevent on-level students from

Top Features falling behind, and scaffolded homework with immediate

feedback and grading to help students monitor their prog-
Having digits in the classroom is like ress. While some of the assessments are designed to be
having a personalized textbook for each printed, most of the resources mesh digitally, providing a
student that assesses that student’s complete instruction-assessment-support-reporting circle.
progress and addresses his or her Because it is Web based, digits provides anytime, anywhere
deficiencies, and that extends learning access to instruction and feedback and extends learning
for the student who excels. beyond the classroom.
Personalized study plans and homework
assignments provide an effective
school-to-home-to-school connection.
digits allows teachers and districts OVERALL RATING
to adapt to revisions of the Common Designed to be used in a technology-rich middle-grade
environment, digits can enable teachers to easily blend
Core Standards as they move toward
data-driven instruction, assessment, and intervention
implementation.
into an effective teaching tool.

20 | TECH & LEARN IN G

IS YOUR SCHOOL PART
OF THE WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS GENERATION?
In today’s competitive education market, wireless connectivity is no longer an elective.
It’s a fundamental requirement that students expect, and security professionals demand.
With Motorola Wireless Network Solutions, you can give your students, faculty, and
administrators a secure, high-speed network that enhances learning, encourages
collaboration, and boosts productivity. Plus, you can leverage the latest in video
surveillance and emergency preparedness. All at a surprisingly affordable cost.
Choose the wireless solutions provider that’s in a class by itself. Choose Motorola.

To learn how Motorola’s wireless solutions can work in

your educational institution.
Visit www.motorolasolutions.com/education

MOTOROLA, MOTO, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered
www.alturacs.com
trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the 508-804-3940
property of their respective owners. © (2011) Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
PRODUCTREVIEWS

PRODUCT: RM SLATE (WINDOWS)

www.rmeducation.com/usRetail price: $694; $749 with RM Easiteach Next
Generation teaching tools and RM Podium 2.0 podcasting software
By Carol S. Holzberg screen brightness based on
The RM Slate is a Microsoft ambient light. An embed-
Windows 7 touch-sensitive ded lithium-ion polymer
tablet equipped with two-cell battery powers
Windows 7 Home Premium the device for three to five
and a full complement of hours, depending on com-
components, including puting tasks. Battery charg-
a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom ing (when the device is off)
processor, two gigabytes takes about 143 minutes.
of RAM, an 11.6-inch display, The device requires about
integrated Bluetooth 2.1 40 seconds to start up and
and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi reach the Windows desk-
for connectivity, plus a top from a cold boot.
front-facing 1.3 megapixel SUITABILITY FOR USE IN A
Webcam. SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT:
QUALITY AND EFFEC- Schools and districts that
TIVENESS: The RM Slate have standardized on
measures 11.61x7.67x.55 inches and weighs 2.19 pounds, so Windows will appreciate this Windows 7 computer. The
it’s slightly larger and somewhat heavier than either the base unit includes all software that typically comes with a
first- or second-generation iPad. The display has a glossy Windows computer. None of the installed applications are
capacitive multi-touch screen with 1,366 x 768 resolution designed especially for K–12. RM does market an optional
and an accelerometer for screen orientation and is clear, Educational Bundle—RM Easiteach Next Generation, RM
bright, and responsive to touch. Users can rotate the device Podium 2.0 podcasting solution, and RM Sonica for English-
from landscape to portrait and vice versa. language learners.
The touch-sensitive screen supports many intuitive fin-
ger movements, including single and double tapping, drag-
ging, flicking, pinching, expanding, and rotating. A Windows
Pen and Touch Control Panel has options for adjusting
Top Features
 The multi-touch tablet can be used as an
Pen, Flick, Handwriting, Touch, and Panning settings. To
use handwriting options, you must first train the device to
alternative to a Windows PC, because
recognize your handwriting style. Purchasing the optional it will run Microsoft Office, Adobe
stylus for this task is probably a good idea, because it is Flash, and other familiar Windows
somewhat difficult to write with a finger. applications.
EASE OF USE: If you already know your way around  Each user can have their own log-in,
Windows 7, you won’t have any problems transitioning to so teachers can tailor applications and
the RM Slate. Users can grow the keyboard display to make desktop tools to individual users.
the keys larger. Alternatively, they can display the keyboard  USB and mini HDMI connectors make
without the Home, PgUp, End, PgDn, and Insert keys to it easy to link to a host of peripherals,
save screen real estate. Keys light up as they are pressed to
while SD- and SIM-card slots permit
facilitate typing. Word prediction built into the device often
expansion.
shortens the typing task. If users prefer, the keyboard will
swipe out of the way when not in use and display an icon for
easy access in the System Tray. The RM Slate easily connects
to a Wi-Fi network and links to Skype voice and video calls.
CREATIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY: Notable features on this
OVERALL RATING
The RM Slate is a slick, sleek Windows 7 learning
Windows-based PC tablet include support for Bluetooth 2.1 pad with a built-in Webcam and rubberized anti-slip
with EDR. A light sensor on the back automatically adjusts backside. It doesn’t come cheap, though.

22 | TECH & LEA RN IN G

Annotation. Simplified.
1. Plug in a mouse or an AVerPen
2. Draw, write, mark-up
3. Lesson explanation complete - it’s that simple!
With the AVerVision F50 document camera, just plug in a mouse or
AVerPen to enhance your image with illustration and words - all without
a computer! The result? No break in your teaching, and your curriculum
keeps on going.

For more information about the new AVerVision F50 document camera,
visit tl.averusa.com

© Copyright 2011, AVerMedia Information, Inc. All rights reserved.

PRODUCTREVIEWS

The Long Review

Too often, reviews of edtech fall short of reality. Sure, speeds and feeds are important
to consider, but how does this stuff work in the real world? T&L will try to answer that
question this school year when our editors follow the stakeholders at Village Charter
School (VCS) in Trenton, NJ as they implement Pearson’s SuccessMaker software on a
40-seat Dell PC desktop network.

THIS MONTH: CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS: JUSTIFYING improvements within the Pearson system, doesn’t mean
TECH EXPENSES FOR NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET. that scores will automatically improve when it comes to
For VCS, making the initial decision to accept a free test the state testing, which is slated for this month, and what
drive of a costly curriculum program was simple. Including the school will ultimately be judged upon. “The kids have
the program and other hardware upgrades into next year’s been working on the computers, then they are given a
school budget, which adds more than 100k to the bottom pencil and asked to fill in dots on paper. That’s definitely
line, demanded serious contemplation. a disconnect.”
For VCS Head of School Lee Byron, what drove the As far as the hardware goes, VCS has decided to
school’s decision to continue on with the program are extend its relationship with Dell as well. The board recent-
the results. “All but two grades have shown an overall ly approved the purchase of Dell netbooks and tablets
net improvement,” he says. “We have for a pilot program with grades one and five. With the
many students who began this Pearson implementation, the computers are running only
fall performing a year and half one program all day. The netbooks will be used to experi-
below their grade-level pro-
ficiency that have caught up
almost a whole year. That’s
moving the needle in the right
direction.”
A recent tour of the Dell/
Pearson labs showed the pro- ment with a one-to-one initiative based on a learning
gram in full motion. Teachers were management system created by Moodlerooms. It was Dell
hunched over 8th grade student shoul- who brokered the relationship with the software provider.
ders, guiding them on long multiplication and division. This exemplifies what Byron expects from a relationship
Observations were written in large three-ring binders that with a technology provider: “I can get computers from
also hold printouts of the student’s scores. “We take these anywhere, and they should all work well or they wouldn’t
books and use them in routine meetings with the staff,” be in business. What I’m looking for is a partner who can
says Principal Keoke Wooten-Johnson. “The program also help guide us in a more holistic sense. That’s what we have
can take the individual student information and turn it with Dell right now.”
into pie charts or bar graphs when we want to look at the
overall picture.” NEXT MONTH: NEXT MONTH—IMPLEMENTATION
One point to consider: Just because there are marked STRATEGIES: WHAT WENT RIGHT (AND WRONG)?

“We have many students who began this fall performing a year and half below their
grade-level proficiency that have caught up almost a whole year. That’s moving the
needle in the right direction.”

24 | TECH & LEARN IN G

ASSISTIVE
TECH
MAY WE HELP YOU?

S PO NSORED BY
ADVANCED THE SKY’S THE LIMIT: WHERE CA

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“In addition to the lifetime warranty— the fact that our eno board can be a marker
board or an interactive board — is pretty exciting from the budgeting standpoint of 5. Pull u
(earth
schools because we don’t have an infinite amount of money. To have a universal and e
aroun
product that provides both benefits is something positive.”
in on a
—Gretchen Reist, Ypsilanti Public School Technology Director. your le
 Top tips for choosing and using
your interactive whiteboard.

“Learning is easier and more fun

when you can get out of your seat
and interact with lessons! ” www.polyvision.com | 800.620.POLY
- 4th grade student, Lewisburg Area School District

Look inside to access over 30 free resources and lessons ideas.

AN YOU GO WITH YOUR IWB?

hat everyone’s had some time to get used to their whiteboards, take it to the next level.
more advanced projects—which take advantage of today’s web 2.0 tools combined with
nteractive whiteboard—will excite your entire classroom and school.

orate with another classroom. If you have a web- 6. Take an online field
hook it up to the top of your whiteboard. Using trip. Assign a differ-
, your students can chat with their new friends ent museum (or set
udy anything. Here’s an example of a collaborative of museums) to small
t a middle-school class in New Jersey did with a groups of students.
oom in Scotland: www.carteretschools.org/ Have them explore
ages/mfinucane/isle.cfm their sites and then
create presentations
for the rest of the
ect frogs without class. For American
ng your hands history, the Memorial
V-Frog and Hall Museum Online
og 2 from Tactus (www.memorialhall.
nologies (www. mass.edu/home.html) is a terrific place to start.
stech.com) let
explore a frog
out hurting one. 7. At Xtranormal (www.xtranormal.com), your students
e the dissection can create their own movies. If that’s a bit much, stop by
annotate with animoto (animoto.com) and turn your photos and video
s so students understand what is happening. clips into videos. Book reports will never be the same.

n a webquest. Check out this one on World War II 8. TimeToast (www.timetoast.com): interactive timeline.
w.carteretschools.org/webpages/mfinucane/ Create timelines and share them online. Build a graphic
urces.cfm?subpage=263135) and then create organizer for an event and students will learn from the
own for your students.Ask students to create visual depiction on the IWB.
quests and provide digital tools including video,

9. Take posters up 10 notches with Glogster EDU

Jeopardy to review lessons and prepare for exams. (edu.glogster.com). This visual-blogging platform lets you
e your own tem- create glogs, or online multimedia posters,
s or borrow from other that contain text, photos, videos, graphics,
ers at Jeopardy Labs sounds, data attachments, and animations
w.jeopardylabs.com). perfect for whole group instruction.

up Google Earth 10. Toss PowerPoint goodbye and say

h.google.com) hello to Prezi (prezi.com). Teachers
explore geography and students can use this site to drive
nd the world. Zoom information and make presentations
areas relevant to come to life with animation with
lesson. your IWB.
BEGINNERS: Getting Started with Your Interactive Whiteboard

Have the teachers in your district been begging for interactive whiteboards (IWBs)? They
are a great start for interactivity in your class. But, the board is just a tool and what you do
with it is important for student success. So we polled some teachers and came up with
these simple starter lessons that will turn your teachers into whiteboard-savvy pros.

1. 
Go to SAS Curriculum (www.sascurriculumpathways.com)
for tons of free interactive content for grades 8 and higher.
This site has writing lessons, math tools, earth science labs,
Spanish activities, and more.

2. Pull up a world map (www.teacherled.com/category/maps)

and ask students to tap on a country or continent to learn
its name. Drag maps around to show different parts of the
world. Create maps with older students using Map Maker
(www.teacherled.com/2008/06/01/map-maker)

3. 
Use an overlay map of the U.S. to play fill-in-the-blank.
Students can drag the state name into the proper spot.
Or, just visit Place the State (bensguide.gpo.gov/flash/
states_puzzle_lines2.html) for an already created U.S.
mapping game.

4. Open up any word processing software and create a bank

of vocabulary words at the bottom of the board. Ask students
to drag the words into the correct sentences.

5. 
With Microsoft Paint (or another paint program),
students can create murals to accompany lessons.

6. 
Find a short video on YouTube and play it on your IWB. You can pause the
video to highlight key points. Even better, you or your students can write
notes on top of the video and highlight important parts for the lesson.

7. Visit thinkfinity.org and access free lessons. Teach current events

with the videos on the home page and have students pause videos
and write notes or use google maps to visit the sites.

8. 
Display student essays on the board. Have other students use the
highlighter tool on your IWB and highlight the best parts of each essay.

9. 
Type text and create “word clouds” with Wordle (www.wordle.net). At
www.wordle.net/create, students can paste a page from any book to
study each word’s frequency. The larger the word, the more it appears.
Ask them to apply it to their own writing to see which words they are
guilty of overusing.

10. 
Use a brainstorming tool (such as Habits from Creative App Labs;
creativeapplabs.com/apps/habits) to write a fable. Ask students to
choose setting and main characters and write new fables.
 COOL FREE
RESOURCES: Get the Most Out of Your IWB

Have fun!
MATH

A Maths Dictionary for Kids: Explains

more than 600 common math

Terms: www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com
READING & LITERACY
Fractions – A Booster Activity: make frac-
tions on pizzas. www.bgfl.org/bgfl/cus-
ABCya! Fourth Grade: Addition, subtraction, counting Money, and more.
tom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/
www.abcya.com/fourth_grade_computers.htm
fractions/index.htm
Magnetic Poetry: write poems. kids.magpogames.com/playonline.cfm
Financial Football: Teach financial skills
and concepts with this interactive game
about money management.

www.practicalmoneyskills.com/games/
trainingcamp
MUSIC GAMES
MisterTeacher.com: Virtual Math Manipula-
ArtsAlive.ca: Compose PBS:Literacy made fun. Reinforce tives: Math, math, and more more in the
music. Click and drag musi- those skills. pbskids.org/games form of manipulatives. www.misterteacher.
cal notes to make master- com/whiteboard/virtual_manipulatives.html
pieces. www.artsalive.ca/en/ Reading at pppst.com:
mus/activitiesgames/games/ Everything from rhyming words National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
popComposeMusic.html to story maps and folk tales. (NLVM): Award-winning, web-based,
http://reading.pppst.com/ virtual manipulatives and tutorials for
all levels of math. nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/
ReadWriteThink: Comic Creator: vlibrary.html
create your own comic.www.
readwritethink.org/files/resources/ WisWeb: Math applets for 12-18 year-
A LITTLE BIT OF interactives/comic/index.html old students
EVERY SUBJECT www.fi.uu.nl/wisweb/en/

CybraryMan: More than

20,000 links for all grade
levels and subjects. www.cybraryman.com LEARNING GAMES & USEFUL TOOLS
Education World: Lesson planning and more. www.education-
CuePrompter.com – The Online Teleprompter: Help
world.com
out when students are learning to read with this vir-
Harrisville Elementary School’s Interactive Sites for Whiteboards: tual teleprompter. www.cueprompter.com
Math and language arts activities for elementary and middle
Gamequarium: Who says learning can’t be fun?
school students.
www.gamequarium.com/index.htm
www.harrisvilleelem.com/Whiteboard%20Sites.htm
HighlightsKids.com: The magazine we loved as
Teacher LED: interactive whiteboard resources for various sub- children goes online. www.highlightskids.com
jects. www.teacherled.com/all-interactive-whiteboard-resources
smallblueprinter: Build-your-own house plan
Teacher Toolbox: interactive math and reading resources for K-5th and take a 3D walkthrough.
grade. www.learningtoday.com/corporate/teacher-resources.asp
www.smallblueprinter.com/sbp.html
Topmarks: Organized by subjected, age group, and category,
U.S. Map Test: Interactive map game.
these resources include math, science, history, art, music, and
more. www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf

Thank you to the teachers who shared their terrific ideas and resources:
Angela Brotherton, Pittsburg Elementary School, TX | Matt Finucane, Carteret Middle School, Carteret, N.J.
Robert Lee, New Brighton Area School District, PA
Go beyond the board
Maximize return on instruction with the right interactive
whiteboard for your classroom.

Interactive whiteboards are a catalyst to bring learn- 3. Facilitate multi-user collaboration without
ing to life and engage, inspire and motivate students. additional fees. Jump-start lessons, collaboration
Choosing the right interactive whiteboard for your and problem solving by choosing an interactive
school or classroom is an important decision when whiteboard that allows three users to simultane-
faced with the challenge of positively affecting stu- ously interact with the board. Quite a few interac-
dents and empowering teachers. Oh, and managing tive whiteboard companies provide multi-user
that small thing called a school budget is also a factor collaboration, but beware of upgrade charges
when selecting the right technology. or additional software required.

Top 5 tips to ensure you choose 4. Maximize budgets with a warranty that lasts as
the right interactive whiteboard. long as the school building. Customer-centric war-
ranties are unconditional and long lasting. Interactive
1. Choose a board that’s universal and simple. whiteboards are made for classroom environments
Look for a universal whiteboard – one that can be
where students are not the most gentle of users.
used as an interactive board, dry erase marker board
Typical interactive whiteboard warranties are 3-5
and one with multiple configuration options to meet
years, but look for a board with a lifetime warranty
each classroom’s needs. Regardless of training,
and you can use future budgets for other things like
experience or subject area, all teachers can operate
professional development.
universal interactive whiteboards from the first day
of implementation. Adjustability to accommodate
students of any height, projector styles and quick
install options are also key features to investigate.
5. Ensure sustainability with limited power
requirements and responsible manufacturing.
Minimize your classroom’s carbon footprint and

2. Ensure your board is open to software create a safer, less cluttered learning environment

and architecture. When choosing an interactive by choosing an interactive whiteboard that does not
whiteboard, look for one that is open and works with require power. Ensure your interactive whiteboard
any software. The sky – and your creativity – are the is made in the United States and is made with
only limits because you can continue to use and environmentally certified, recyclable materials
teach with software applications you know and love. so you can teach students the lessons our future
Choosing an interactive whiteboard that is open depends on – responsibility and sustainability.
to any software capitalizes on the investments in
digital resources, applications and other tools the
district has already implemented, without requiring Following the 5 tips above helps ensure that your
teachers to learn a new software to use the interac- interactive whiteboard will be durable, flexible
tive whiteboard. and the right choice for your instructional needs.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

ASSISTIVE TECH:
MAY WE HELP YOU?
By Sascha Zuger
A teacher leans over her student, tucks the pencil back into
his hand, and makes her request again. A sentence. One
sentence. She knows he can do it. Frustrated or unfocused
or some combination of the two, he drops the pencil. A
third attempt is met with a resigned effort that nets a few
scrawled and illegible letters.
Same teacher, same student, same calm request: One
sentence. She nods, pleasantly surprised, as he reaches
without resistance for the interactive board. One word is
tapped out; a second joins it. Her smile grows as he moves
on to spell the final word. But he doesn’t stop. She stands,
beaming and holding her breath, until he turns, having writ-
ten his first full paragraph.
Many teachers who work in special needs or in class-
rooms with autistic students find that their biggest chal-
lenge lies in handling a student group that has needs so
particular. Think that the last thing these educators need
is an unfamiliar gadget they must incorporate into a day
packed with too many students and too little time? Teachers
who have uncovered this key to a student’s potential say,
Not so fast!
Here is a sampling of tools that have put the “assist” in
assistive tech and the teachers who use them.

BRIGHT STUDENTS
Brooke Turk was impressed by the impact on her autis-
tic students when she began using the Epson BrightLink
Interactive Projector in January. “It definitely allows me
to see what they’re capable of,” says Turk, who teaches Brooke Turk uses the Epson Brightlink Interactive Projector with her autistic
special ed in Beach Park School District 3 in Illinois. “The students at Beach Park School District 3, Illinois.

keyboard gives them a reason to write, because it’s technol-

ogy. I’ve gotten a greater feel for their abilities because they projector permanently attaches to the ceiling, letting her
are willing to work hard for this incentive.” avoid disruptive transitions to a computer room.
Turk has seen heightened levels of excitement and Turk’s diverse group of K–3 students uses Reading A to
engagement, and through the system one largely nonverbal Z’s projectable book. “We can pick apart the story, working
student has even started to talk more and interact. “We’ve as a group despite the wide variety of learners and abilities:
done a lot with PowerPoint, sorting site words, sharing, tak- circling words, underlining them, drawing things in. The
ing turns—which is huge. They have to sit and wait and pay story might be more appropriate for the younger students,
attention to what the others are doing.” but the higher-functioning kids can dissect it better.”
The tech’s ability to project onto anything means other Turk hopes to take advantage of the tech’s ability to
benefits. It eliminates the need for an interactive whiteboard take photos of lessons that she can then email to parents.
that would eat up classroom space and resources. Turk’s Students are already bringing home stories that she hopes

26 | TECH & LEA R N IN G

 It’s Time To Bring Autism Intervention
And Assistive Technology To A Higher Level.
It’s Time
For

VizZle, the web-based visual learning

software for autism and special needs
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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

TOOLS THEY USE

BEACH PARK SCHOOL
DISTRICT 3
■ 50-inch flat-screen monitor
■ Epson BrightLink Interactive Projector
■ ELMO

The TextHelp Read & Write GOLD toolbar

■ Epson document camera
assists with reading Web sites, graphs, or text ■ DVD/VCR
documents. ■ Mobile computer labs outfitted with wire-
less HP netbooks
will further entice some parents who ■ Study Island
initially saw more value in traditional ■ Education City
■ Renaissance Place
pencil-and-paper writing.
■ Performance Series from Scantron
“If we give the kids technology, look A before-and-after writing
■ TypingMaster
at what they can do,” Turk tells the par- example from a Beach Park School
■ Earobics District 3 student using tech to
ents. “Look what they are capable of!” ■ Learning A–Z help with writing.

KEEP YOUR TOOLS HANDY

Berni Ester uses TextHelp’s Read & dents can draw a box around anything used to need a teacher or parent to
Write GOLD, which reads highlighted and receive immediate text recog- facilitate, he was just another student
electronic text from a Web page or nition, OCR,” Ester says. “They can with earbuds on, sitting in a class-
electronic document, with his special- read emails, advertisements, captions room like everyone else, functioning
needs students. “Because it’s a toolbar,” under pictures; there are no stoppers as one with everyone else, doing his
explains the assistive technologist at anymore.” work independently. It’s very impor-
Forest Lake Area Schools in Minnesota, How does this translate in the field? tant socially.”
“it rests at the top or side of the screen Ester tells of passing a classroom and “It has a great set of tutorials: visu-
that the student is using and gives them seeing an older student working his al, delivered in the same short and
a plethora of tools, readily available, way through a Cognitive Tutor math simple format, available right within
without having to open a new program program on his laptop, using the tool- the toolbar,” Ester says. “The consis-
and pull other things into it.” bar to help himself read the instruc- tency lets kids anticipate how they’re
“With a screenshot reader, stu- tions and word problems. “Where you going to learn about tools, and teach-
ers don’t have to interrupt progress
to access outside support resources.”
TOOLS THEY USE The toolbar’s versatility is demon-
strated by its use in pre-K through 12.
FOREST LAKE AREA SCHOOLS “I think that’s why it’s really impor-
■ Adapted ■ DynaVox ■ Nero tant to have a system solution,” Ester
Trackballs/ Augmentative ■ Olympus says. “The beauty is that you start the
Joysticks Communication Dictaphones kids young, learning basics like word
■ Adobe Pro & Devices and ■ SMART Table prediction and text-to-speech reading
Photoshop software (Maestro, ■ SMARTBoards capability, and they grow to learn more
Elements DynaVox V, ■ SnagIt tools, like the speech-enabled diction-
■ Alphasmart Neo Express) ■ Sound Studio
ary, screen masking, and Audiobook
■ Alternate key- ■ Ebooks & readers ■ Speaking
Maker [MP3]. Last year the district
boards/Intellikeys ■ Garage Band Dynamically Pro
allowed graduating students to pur-
■ Audacity ■ HD Flip Cameras ■ Study Island
■ Audio book creator ■ iPad/Touch and apps ■ switches/switch
chase the license for $99 to take with
■ Boardmaker Plus! ■ Ipeevo document interfaces/switch them to college.”
■ Cognitive Tutor camera software What started as a learning-disability
■ Dragon Naturally ■ Livescribe pens ■ Texthelp Read and solution has broadened into a support
Speaking ■ Living Books Write Gold for Tier 2 response-to-intervention
and a benefit for the general popula-

28 | TECH & LEARN IN G

 Helping All Students Succeed

Why are so many schools choosing Read&Write GOLD

literacy software for their students?
o Cost effective all-in-one solution
with reading, writing, research,
and study skills supports
Non-Proprietary Format o Customizable toolbar integrates
with mainstream applications
o Easy-to-use for teachers and
students
o Access to all digital content and text - even inaccessible
Flash, locked PDFs, and image files!
o UDL design benefits ALL students, including struggling
readers, writers, and English Language Learners
o Provides Instructional support tools across all RTI tiers
o Flexible licensing for school and home use

And the # 1 reason schools choose Read&Write GOLD:

“With Read&Write GOLD, my student was off to
the races. I've never seen her eyes so big and full
of excitement. It brought tears to my eyes.”

Can your school afford not to be one of them?

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Download a FREE 30-day Trial or register Fluency Tutor!
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(888) 248-0652 ‡[email protected] ‡www.texthelp.com/t&l

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

tion. Ester sees it as a prime lot with two students at a time,

example of Universal Design making educational games for
for Learning. “Think of a recess them that involve taking turns.
in a street curb: That was put in I also use Matching Board
place for people in wheelchairs, with coins, setting a target
but we use it with bikes or total amount with three to
roller cases for our computers. ten possible visual choices to
To me there are a lot of styles reach it. They have a large and
of learning, and some people growing game-and-lessons
prefer hearing something to library that you can edit or tweak
support what they’re learn- and even personalize with your
ing. TextHelp meets the need own voice. The kids will do
of whoever sits down at that just about anything for those
computer. It evens the playing A student uses VizZle to match tool images to action images on frequent reinforcements.”
Courtney Monastra’s classroom IWB at Highland Local Schools, OH.
field.”
HAVE YOU GOT TWO MINUTES?
CHOOSING THE CARROT of documenting work in the classroom “Teachers have so much on their
“The main issue with my students you can print out a progress graph.” plates, learning a new resource is
is autism,” says Courtney Monastra, The kids’ love of technology pushes not easy,” says Thor Spangler, assis-
who teaches at Highland Local Schools them to work outside their social com- tive tech specialist at Albuquerque
in Marengo, Ohio. “When a parent fort zone. “Their levels are so differ- Public Schools. “Atomic Learning was
comes in, they often don’t understand ent: One isn’t verbal; one talks all the brought in to help. It develops its own
100 percent of their child’s potential, time, but his skills are lower. It’s been training tutorials, so with a program
because when there’s a challenge to the first thing they can do together. like Dragon NaturallySpeaking, it
communication, it is hard to see the We can practice taking turns using the offers an online tutorial broken down
child’s knowledge. My students are electronic pen.” into two-minute segments for each
unconventional learners, and it’s much Tailor-made reinforcements seemed element or aspect of the program a
easier for them to interpret things they ideally suited to those with autism, but student might want to utilize. The tuto-
can see rather than hear the informa- is it tough to teach? “I have one student rials are readily available, so teachers,
tion from a person.” who goes in and makes his own les- parents, even students can refresh
Monastra’s school turned to VizZle, sons,” Monastra says. “It helps them themselves if necessary.
a Web-based lesson-creating resource generalize their knowledge, which is “WordQ, a favorite we bought
that teaching teams can access important. You can download a video district-wide, has been tremendously
through shared student folders and from YouTube [which Monastra does at successful for our struggling writers
tracked assessment data. home] and put it at the end of the les- who need help with spelling, grammar—
“You can put in the IP goal they’re son, so my student who loves horses the mechanics,” Spangler continues.
working on and drag lessons into that can watch a horse clip. Every one of my Spangler saw little reluctance on
goal so that every time they do that students has a focus.” the part of educators. “The teachers
lesson, it’s measured,” Monastra says. Amanda Deng found similar success are a little bit desperate for some
“When you look at the end of the quarter in piloting VizZle in connection with help. If the student has severe writing
at how they’re identifying letters, on top Pennsylvania’s Competent Learner or communication problems, they’ve
Model program. “One of my students tried all the traditional occupational-
really likes the Matching Board,” says therapy efforts; pencil grips, reme-
TOOLS THEY USE Deng, who teaches at Capital Area dial work, standard computers don’t
HIGHLAND Intermediate Unit 15 in Enola, “so I take always work. At that point the teachers
images from his favorite cartoons and are welcoming of technology, so long
LOCAL SCHOOLS create Scooby-Doo or Sesame Street as it comes with support.
■ DELL computers tile pairs for him to match. Another girl “Teachers are very happy to get that
■ INTERWRITE BOARD
is quiet and withdrawn, but when I put intervention,” he says. “They just don’t
■ Wii
her on the computer with a peer, she want someone to come in and dump
■ Intellikeys
gets very excited, communicates more, a device on them and walk away. The
■ iPads
and comes out of her shell. I use it a devices that are most commonly aban-

30 | TECH & LEA R N IN G

 anxiety associated with knowing that
TOOLS THEY USE
the students will leave the school and
ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS its effective multisensory Slingerland
Approach after eighth grade to join a
■ Prometheum ■ Apple Computers ■ Atomic Learning
general student population fuels the
Interactive ■ Dell Tablets ■ Dragon Naturally
staff’s drive to create independent
Whiteboard ■ IPads Speaking
■ Cisco phones and ■ Blackboard ■ GoQ
users of tools.
networking gear ■ Wimba ■ WordQ “Entering secondary education, all
■ SchoolNet ■ Hot Chalk ■ Boardmaker students are presented with a chal-
■ Avaya phone ■ NBC Learn ■ Audcom Devices lenge of increased workload,” Tom
■ HP wireless devices ■ SAS curriculum says. “Without accommodation, poor
spellers who have trouble organiz-
ing thoughts into written expression,
doned are the communication devices HAND THEM THE POLE, NOT THE FISH or slow readers who have difficulty
that require a lot of initial training. The “When the ARRA stimulus funding comprehending what they read, are at
teachers are busy, their minds are became available, my first priority a triple disadvantage: They have the
occupied with what they need to do was to purchase the SOLO Literacy increased workload; they need help but
next, they are attending to other stu- Suite [Write:OutLoud, Co:Writer, and don’t know what tools are available;
dents, and the kids so easily revert to Read:OutLoud] site licenses for 90
their unintelligible speech and signal- percent of our schools,” says Nancy
ing and grabbing behaviors. Hoppe, assistive tech specialist for TOOLS THEY USE
“Our team of 15 is striving to make the Lee County School District in Fort THE PRENTICE
improvements,” he says, “but it’s dif- Myers, Florida.
ficult to provide direct support with Getting teachers to buy in through a SCHOOL
■ Write:OutLoud
our limited resources in a district with comprehensive training program was
■ Co:Writer
90,000 students in more than 80 loca- key. “In our multifaceted approach,
■ Read:OutLoud
tions. Having that kind of instant sup- we wrote Blackboard training for each
■ Draft:Builder
port and something they can learn at SOLO component, provided mini in- ■ Dragon NaturallySpeaking
their convenience, rather than having service days for our IT department, ■ HP netbooks
to attend a seminar, and having the and set up training for core groups to ■ Kurzweil
parents on board—they can access the provide implementation strategies for
tutorials from home—ultimately lead RTI, intensive academics, and ESOL.”
to success.” Stanley Tom, assistive tech special- and once given the tools, they still have
ist at The Prentice School to figure out how to use them.”
in Santa Ana, California, Obtaining a site license for the
took a different approach Don Johnston SOLO 6 Literacy Suite
and developed a unique ensures that the school’s students
“required assistive-tech- move forward on a par with their
nology course” at the peers, Tom believes. He sees investing
sixth-grade level to equip in launching the program as vital and
students to identify and use praises his administration for creating
appropriate assistive-tech the position in which he works with
accommodations for a life- parents and organically helps teachers
time of learning. evaluate the needs of students, offers
The Prentice School midcourse corrections, and adapts the
focuses initially on remedi- curriculum to the available tech.
ating, and later on accom- “Assistive tech is effective only when
modating, students who all relevant participants play their
learn differently: those appropriate parts: teachers, students,
who have dyslexia, dys- and even parents,” Tom says.
Stanley Tom helps a student with learning disabilities use the Don graphia, and other pro- Tools are great, but how you wield
Johnston SOLO 6 Literacy Suite at The Prentice School, CA. cessing difficulties. The them is the key to success.”

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION TE C H & L E A R N I N G | 31

The Pros & Cons of

Open-Source
Products
By now School CIO readers know a lot about the benefits as well as the limitations
of using open-source products. It turns out that people can find just as many
reasons to fight open source as they can to implement it. So we decided to go
right to the source (pun intended) and ask some of our School CIO advisors about
their experiences and put an end to the debate.

Open source is way one of the districts involved in the that success, when the district opened
CLAIM 1
too expensive. We Indiana ACCESS program (www.doe. a new school in January 2009 and
can’t afford to change everything! in.gov/olt/InACCESS/about_inaccess. another that August, it went with open
The whole story: People who think source again.
open source is prohibitively expensive “We saved $125,000 “We saved $125,000 per building
are looking only at the short term, by going with open source,” says
per building by going
says Jim Klein, director of information Kevin McGuire, director of instructional
services and technology for Saugus with open source,” technology. Here’s how: He bought
Union School District in California. With Kevin McGuire says. 350 to 400 computers for each
respect to the initial transition, he says, school and saved $100 on hardware
He saved an additional
the price of making the switch can for every machine, since Linux can
be high; you have to think about the $100 on software for run on older computers. He saved an
long-term savings for it to make sense. each machine, because additional $100 on software for each
“For starters, add up the licensing fees machine, because he didn’t have to
he didn’t have to buy
you’ll save. Just with that, open source buy Microsoft Windows or Office.
will cost a lot less over time.” Support Microsoft Windows or Like her counterparts in most of
costs will decrease too. Klein no longer Office. the country, Karen Fuller, chief tech-
hires an administrator to handle the nology officer for Klein Independent
mail servers and file servers. html), it started a one-to-one initiative School District in Texas, is trying to cut
Over the past six years, Michigan by rolling out open-source desktops costs. “In the past couple of years,” she
City Area Schools in Indiana has in five classrooms and expanding to says, “anytime we had to upgrade or
invested heavily in open source. As 29 classrooms by 2008. Because of buy new, we approached it by asking

32 | SCHOOL CIO SP EC IA L SEC T ION

 Strategies for K-12 Technology Leaders

(moodle.org)? Thousands of
teachers use Moodle every day.
In fact, Intermediate District
287 in Minnesota has used it
for five years and is hosting it
in-house this year. The district
even boasts a Moodle expert,
who has created MoodleShare
(moodleshare.org), a site on
which teachers develop and
share Moodle courses, says
Chad Maxa, director of informa-
tion technology.
District 287 has also gotten
its teachers to use an open-
source bulletin board, called
phpBB (www.phpBB.com).
Teachers subscribe to forums
and chat rooms to discuss
everything from mobile learning
to standards. “It took a while for
teachers to adopt it, because
it’s a paradigm shift for them to
work together, but it’s a great
product and it’s gotten very
popular. We’ve been using it for
about a year,” Maxa says.
Change doesn’t come
easy, of course. When Coby
E. Culbertson tried to get his
staff to use OpenOffice, “it went
over like a lead balloon,” says
Culbertson, director of tech-
‘What’s out there that’s open source Over the past two years, going with nology at Western Dubuque
or shareware? Can we find something open-source products has trimmed Community School District in Iowa.
that’s free instead of paying for main- Fuller’s budget by 15 percent. “Twenty His schools have classes that teach
tenance and licensing?’” years ago, we wanted the best, the students to use software with step-
When Fuller needed imaging soft- most popular, and to do it right. Now by-step instructions created to work
ware, she found the Linux-based Fog it’s like, ‘How can we do it right and with Microsoft Office, so no one was
(www.fogproject.org), which she uses affordably?’ It doesn’t have to be a willing to make the switch. “Hats off
to image the desktops and laptops on name brand anymore.” to schools that got this off the ground,
some of the district’s large one-to-one Our teachers won’t but it didn’t work for us.”
CLAIM 2
campuses. “We were paying more than use open-source soft- There’s no tech sup-
CLAIM 3
$100,000 for our previous imaging ware. They are accustomed to the port for open source.
software, but with Fog we had to buy products they already use. The whole story: Go online, McGuire
only a couple of servers.” The whole story: Can you say “Moodle” says. Just as the products themselves

S C H O O L C I O S P E C I A L S E C TI O N | 33
 www.schoolcio.com

are open, members of the open- there, it takes on a reputation that it’s “Skills transfer. If you teach people
source community help one another not as good as a paid product.” When to use OpenOffice (www.openoffice.
when necessary. “The nice thing he tells teachers it’s open source, org), they’ll know how to use Microsoft
about open source is that with any their first reaction is often negative Office. Besides, each version of
package, you can go to Google and (“Oh, great, here we go again”). All Microsoft Office changes, so you
find a slew of people with a multitude the open-source products he’s given have to learn each one all over again.”
of solutions to your problems.” Also, them, however, have worked out When Microsoft upgrades Office, the
open-source consulting companies fine. For instance, when his teachers file format changes, but when Klein
are on the rise; McGuire uses one wanted to do audio editing, he found installed OpenOffice, there were no
called Révolution Linux (www. a package called Audacity (audacity. problems with opening documents.
revolutionlinux.com). sourceforge.net). At first everyone Another huge benefit is that it’s free,
Support is easy to come by, Jim complained. Now they use it all the so it can be installed on everything,
Klein at Saugus Union agrees. “The time and would be furious if it went including home computers.
open-source community continually away, he says. Chad Maxa also tells his Minnesota
improves upon the software.” In district that it’s about teaching the
addition, some of the larger open- skills, not the product. In addition,
source developers, including Red Hat the money he saves by not buying
(redhat.com) and Novell (www.novell. McGuire hears a lot of Microsoft Office is put into other
com), have tech-support people on people say that open tools teachers want, including tablet
staff. PCs, document cameras, and 60-inch
source lacks image-
The tech department plasma screens. “These are the carrots
CLAIM 4 management products,
will have to learn a we can offer,” he says.
new way of doing things. but that’s not true, he CLAIM 7
There aren’t any open-
The whole story: “We were going to source administrative
says. “I don’t know any
move to Windows Vista or go with or management products.
open source,” McGuire says. “The network administrator The whole story: McGuire hears a
learning curve to go with the open- who resorts to boxed lot of people say that open source
source operating system we chose was lacks image-management products,
products anymore.”
a little greater, but there would’ve been but that’s not true, he says. “I don’t
a learning curve for Vista as well. It was know any network administrator who
a no-brainer for us.” resorts to boxed products anymore.
Open source is exciting for tech These days McGuire just tells For network management, there’s a
staff, he says, because it expands people, “Here’s a solution” and leaves whole lot of open-source solutions.”
their knowledge and their options. He out the open-source part. Still, he We’re about to launch
CLAIM 8
believes that tech staff who complain knows that open source isn’t always a one-to-one program.
about learning something new are the best fit. “We won’t see Ubuntu We can’t do that and go with open
doing themselves a disservice. “We [an open-source operating system] in source.
go home and read about new tech AutoCAD, and we still have Macs in the The whole story: Talk to Klein. His
and where we’re headed and don’t art classrooms,” he says. “But for the one-to-one SWATTEC program (goo.
think twice about it.” And incidentally, 90 percent of our machines that are gl/2OkT) includes Linux on 2,500
Klein points out, the money you save used for word processing and Internet netbooks and an open-source social
by choosing open source can go into browsing, there’s no need for top-of- networking and media platform. “We
training your staff. the-line hardware and costly software.” have built a system that makes one-
Open-source products But no one uses to-one practical and manageable for
CLAIM 5 CLAIM 6
aren’t as good as Open–Office! Our stu- schools,” he says, “and have shared
their mainstream counterparts. dents and teachers will learn useless the software and program with dozens
The whole story: This belief is software. of districts across the country that
McGuire’s biggest challenge. “When The whole story: Klein hears this replicate our program on thousands
we put an open-source solution out complaint all the time. His rebuttal? and thousands of netbooks.”

34 | SCHOOL CI O SP EC IA L SEC T ION

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PRODUCTGUIDE

Social Workers
By Ellen Ullman

RED MOUNTAIN MEMPHIS (TN) CITY

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOOLS
DEMING, NEW MEXICO

WHAT DO YOU EDMODO GAGGLE

USE? WWW.EDMODO.COM WWW.GAGGLE.NET

“We’ve been using Edmodo for two years,” Memphis City Schools selected Gaggle for its
says Laura E. Oldham, eighth-grade language- third- through 12th-grade students and started
A LITTLE
BACKGROUND arts teacher and department chair. In her using it for the 2009–2010 school year. The
classroom, Oldham says, there are always superintendent wanted to introduce social
laptops with Edmodo open. networking in the middle schools.

WHAT IS THE There’s no specific policy on these sites, but “Our existing acceptable use policy addresses
DISTRICT’S each student has a district email address, and email and other forms of communications,
POLICY ON
SOCIAL-
there are rules about what students can do with which include Gaggle,” says Jason Parrish,
NETWORKING those addresses. Social-networking sites like professional development coordinator.
AND COLLAB- Facebook are still blocked.
ORATION
SITES?

“Almost all our assignments are posted on Students use it to collaborate on projects,
HOW ARE YOU Edmodo,” Oldham says. “It’s a fantastic communicate with teachers, and get
USING IT? resource, especially when kids are absent. I’ve information on e-school, or online courses.
also used it as a back channel.”

“I’d like for the more tech-inclined teachers In five years he’d like it to be a part of
WHERE WOULD
YOU LIKE TO to get access and encourage their students to everything they do, not an add-on. “Some
SEE THIS IN use it. If it expanded into other departments, it of our fifth-grade computer classes work on
ONE YEAR? IN
FIVE YEARS?
would be fun to do cross-curricular projects.” projects and use the chat features.”

The biggest one is that most of her students “It could be faster. That’s partially because
ANY
LIMITATIONS? don’t have Internet access outside class. we’re asking it to do a lot, and our network
may be a factor.”

“I love that when a student is absent, I can tell The site’s digital lockers, which provide online
WHAT ARE ITS him or her to go look at the calendar. I teach file storage, are extremely popular and are
BEST three subsets within each class, and they all replacing flash drives. Teachers really like
FEATURES?
do different things. Edmodo is fantastic for GaggleTube (filtered YouTube).
keeping up with all of that.”

“I wish we could reply to a post and it would “I would love to see additional productivity
WISH LIST look like a discussion board rather than tools, such as video editing and podcasting.”
replying to the main post.”

Oldham hasn’t had any. “I make sure the kids “No. Part of the reason is that we subscribe
always log out when they walk away. The to Gaggle’s HMS [human monitoring service].
ANY SECURITY ability to change passwords really helps too. If On top of filtering, if a Gaggle employee sees
PROBLEMS?
we have problems, I change their password and cyberbullying, potential drug use, fighting, or
there aren’t any problems anymore.” abuse, he or she lets us know about it.”

36 | TECH & LEARN IN G

 W W W . TE C H L E A R N I N G . C O M

When we started looking for districts to talk to about social networking, we

realized that plenty of schools are not there yet. In fact, only a small percentage
are using online collaboration tools. And while Twitter and Facebook dominate
press coverage, these products are not designed for K–12 collaboration and may
not be the best fit for school projects. Instead, why not choose one of the four
products covered here, all of which are meant to be used in the classroom?

MAINE HAUPPAUGE
TOWNSHIP (NY) PUBLIC
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOLS
DISTRICT 207
PARK RIDGE, IL

GOOGLE DOCS EPALS WHAT DO YOU

DOCS.GOOGLE.COM WWW.EPALS.COM USE?

Maine Township started piloting Google Docs “We wanted to build an environment in
in 2007. In the middle of the 2009–2010 school which students could produce video and Web WHY DO YOU
year, the district migrated to Gmail, says Hank content and be active users of technology,” USE THIS
PRODUCT?
Thiele, chief technology officer. says Ken Graham, assistant superintendent and
technology director.
“Almost everything is open,” Thiele says, Graham created a permission form and WHAT IS THE
“unless it’s porn, hate, gambling, or Facebook. information about how ePals fits into DISTRICT’S
POLICY ON
If a teacher thinks something is inappropriate, Hauppauge’s acceptable use policy. Parents SOCIAL-
I’ll make a judgment call.” and students have to sign the form. NETWORKING
AND COLLAB-
ORATION
SITES?

Google Docs has opened the door for The 24 teachers who piloted it use it for
collaborative projects and made everyone, assignments that kids collaborate on after
HOW ARE YOU
even administrators, be more open in how they school and on weekends. “One elementary USING IT?
handle material and projects, Thiele says. teacher says the kids are doing 10 times more
writing, because they love an audience.”
“In five years I’d like to see us reach a point “We want to use ePals as a full curriculum
WHERE WOULD
where all students have access to an Internet- platform and are moving in that direction. YOU LIKE TO
connected device.” We’re creating an environment and refreshing SEE THIS IN
ONE YEAR? IN
our technology so students can continue FIVE YEARS?
working at home.”
Yes, Thiele says. “If you’re expecting a “There were a couple, but they have been
full desktop suite of tools, you may be addressed with the new release. Whenever we
ANY
disappointed. As a set of free collaboration pose a challenge, they come up with a solution. LIMITATIONS?
tools, nothing else matches it.” We’re looking forward to using more apps and
having it continue to evolve.”
“It’s free! That makes a huge difference. “It’s very intuitive, flexible, and easy to use.
Google’s been fast at developing, and what it The kids get their own page and digital locker WHAT ARE ITS
does is amazing. I don’t maintain any servers to store their stuff. Teachers can make groups BEST
FEATURES?
for email.” and subgroups; they can control the level of
communication.”
On the subject of administration, Thiele would “We want to break the barriers of time and
like an easier control panel on the back end. classroom. Teachers talk about authentic
“It’s functional and does what we want, but it’s collaboration with students; they say their best WISH LIST
somewhat complex.” days of teaching came after we started using
LearningSpace.”
None, says Thiele. “The agreement with Google “ePals did a very nice job setting up the
is that our data is our data. Google can’t security. You can make the controls as tight as
ANY SECURITY
see the problem unless we give them a test you want. It is moderated by ePals, who have PROBLEMS?
account. It’s 100 percent private and secure.” rules in place and filtering.”

TE C H & L E A R N I N G | 37
WHAT’SNEW

Hardware/AV

AVS GEAR (www.avsgear.com) recently announced a

new LED backlight keyboard, the ZIPPY BL-741. It has a
512-color level and allows students to adjust colors while
providing brightness. The ergonomically designed key-
board also offers low power consumption and features

triple-color LEDs.

Calypso Systems (www.calypsosystems.

com) has introduced SoundPost, an
outstanding completely portable classroom
A/V solution that was designed as a
wireless microphone system and integrates
additional audio inputs to provide excellent
sound in the classroom. SoundPost also
enables wireless projector control directly
from the teacher’s desktop.


Chief (www.chiefmfg.com) has announced a partnership with Luidia,
Inc., a developer of interactive solutions, allowing Luidia’s eBeam tech-
nology to be integrated into Chief’s line of short-throw projector mounts.
Any Chief short-throw projector can now be upgraded to perform many
functions by installing the interactive wall mount. The solution works on
Luidia’s eBeam interactive-whiteboard system.

Hitachi’s (www.hitachi-america.us/
digitalmedia) first interactive projector,
the iPJ-AW250N, has all the functionality
of an interactive whiteboard but needs
no additional hardware. The projector
allows any suitable wall or surface to
be converted into an interactive display

without the user’s having to mount a
separate whiteboard, so it’s a great
addition to any classroom.

HP (www.palm.com) has released several

new products that provide users such as
educators with the webOS user interface.
The HP TouchPad (pictured), the first
 webOS slate, applies the benefits of the
platform on a larger scale. The HP Pre3 is
a webOS smartphone designed to increase
mobile productivity and connectivity, and
the HP Veer is the smallest webOS phone
to date, about the size of a credit card.

For more of the latest product releases,

visit us online at Techlearning.com.

38 | TECH & LEARN IN G

 W W W . TE C H L E A R N I N G . C O M

Epson (www.epson.com/brighterfutures) now

offers a bright yet budget-friendly projector
that’s ideal for classroom use, the PowerLite X9.
 The projector costs $599 and features 2,500
lumens of color and white light output and
XGA resolution. Additional benefits include
USB Plug ’n Play instant setup and the latest
3LCD technology.

PolyVision (www.polyvision.com) launched a

multi-surface interactive whiteboard solution
at TCEA. eno flex can be configured to include
dry erase, tack/bulletin board surface and
map rails with an eno interactive whiteboard.
With this solution, a school can implement
one interactive board in different ways to
meet many classroom needs. The eno flex is

easy to incorporate and can be purchased
using building capital funds for new-school
and renovation projects; it contains no power
and comes with a lifetime warranty on the eno
interactive surface.

Room with a View...great,

...with Kramer Summitview™
...spectacular!

Kramer’s new SummitView™ system is a

complete and economical solution for the
integration of AV signal distribution and simple,
yet sophisticated media system control in
classrooms, training rooms and presentation
rooms.

For more information please visit

www.kramerus.com or call 888-275-6311.
In Canada visit www.kramercanada.com or call 1-866-726-9921.

©2010 Kramer Electronics, Ltd. All rights reserved. SummitView™

is a trademark of Kramer Electronics, Ltd.
WHAT’SNEW

ELMO USA Corporation (www.elmousa.com) has announced the

release of the CRC-1 Switcher, a solution that helps teachers provide
centralized control of classroom audio and visual equipment through
bidirectional infrared or RS-232C signals with a single device. The
user-friendly switcher can be mounted on a wall or placed on a desk-

top or other surface.

Hitachi Solutions America (www.hitachisolutions-us.com/starboard)

has created StarboardLink to provide educators with an easy
 way to turn their classroom dry erase boards into interactive
whiteboards. The finger-driven, multi-touch solution also offers
free content-sharing Web space, free PD tracking and reporting,
and unlimited teacher training.

Samsung Electronics America Inc. (www.samsung.com) has

announced its newest lines of network duplex printers,
which help educators simplify their classroom solutions. The
multifunction SCX-4835FR, SCX-5639FR, and wireless SCX-
5739FW (pictured) printer series provides added security,
while the ML-3312ND, ML-3712ND, and ML-3712DW models
enable faster output and lower total cost of ownership.


Vernier Software & Technology (www.vernier.com) has created

new probes and sensors for the LabQuest family of handheld
interfaces. The Anemometer, High Current Sensor, 30-Volt Voltage
Probe, and Melt Station measure and collect scientific data, such as
wind speed and melting temperatures, and are easy for students
and educators to use.

Luidia, Inc. (www.e-beam.com) has announced that its e-Beam technology

is being used in the new HP Pocket Whiteboard and HP Digital Sketch
Wireless Tablet. The Pocket Whiteboard can be used as a projector to
transform a flat surface into an interactive workspace. The Digital Sketch
allows users to interact with the projected workspace.


4 0 | TECH & LEARN IN G

 W W W . TE C H L E A R N I N G . C O M

Vaddio (www.vaddio.com) has launched the

Squiggle Video Whiteboard Kit with educators in
mind. The Squiggle can be installed alongside almost
any whiteboard and converts whiteboard notes into
an HD or SD video signal. It requires no dedicated PC,
and the video signal can be connected to any video-
conferencing or video-distribution system.


Intelitek (www.intelitek.com) now offers the latest Cortex controller technol-
ogy for VEX teams and classrooms. Its “Introduction to Competitive Robotics”
curriculum uses the VEX Cortex microcontroller and easyC for Cortex robotic
programming software to introduce students to robotics, competitions, and
engineering. The controller has built-in bidirectional communication and wire-
less capabilities.



MASTER OF EDUCATION
IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

STRENGTHEN YOUR TEACHING

AND THEIR LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY.
EgZeVgZidiV`ZVaZVYZgh]^egdaZ^cVYb^c^higVi^dcVcYbjai^bZY^V ™8aVhhZhVkV^aVWaZ[jaandca^cZ
YZkZadebZci#:cgdaa^ci]ZBVhiZgd[:YjXVi^dcB:Y^c^chigjXi^dcVa ™Cd<G:dg<B6IgZfj^gZY
iZX]cdad\negd\gVb[gdbJc^kZgh^ind[BVgnaVcYJc^kZgh^in8daaZ\ZJBJ8#
™;^cVcX^VaV^YVcYVc^ciZgZhi"[gZZ
I]ZB:Y]Zaehndj^ciZ\gViZiZX]cdad\n^cidXjgg^Xjajb[gdbegZ"@id&'#
bdci]aneVnbZcieaVcVkV^aVWaZ
Ndj¼aaVahdaZVgc]dlidVhh^hi^chiV[[YZkZadebZci!VcYXgZViZbjai^bZY^V
VcYLZW"WVhZYegdYjXihidZc]VcXZndjghijYZcih¼aZVgc^c\#

Enroll now. 800-888-UMUC ™ umuc.edu/learning

Copyright © 2011 University of Maryland University College
WHAT’SNEW

Online & Software

ASPEN 3.1 system that provides K–12 instructors with a cloud-based option for
hosting online courses or incorporating Web-based components into
their curriculums. CourseSites features a variety of social learning, col-
(WWW.FOLLETTSOFTWARE.COM) laboration, assessment, and other tools.
Follett Software Company has Price: free
released version 3.1 of Aspen, a Category: management
student-information system.
Upgrades include improved navigation, scheduling, health
management, conduct, and special-education features. Guided tasks
offers a detailed workflow procedure that guides a user through multi-
CREATELY DESKTOP
step processes, such as rolling over the school year. (HTTP://CREATELY.COM/DESKTOP)
Price: Contact company for pricing. This diagramming application is built
Category: student-information system on the Adobe Air platform and works
on all major operating systems. Users

ATOMIC LEARNING IPAD CONTENT can create just about any type of
diagram, including flowcharts, UML
diagrams, mockups, and mind maps. The desktop version features a
(WWW.ATOMICLEARNING.COM) Diagrams Anywhere feature that lets users work on diagrams offline
Atomic Learning has added new content while the system syncs the work online at creately.com.
to its site that includes iPad and iPod Price: Contact company for pricing.
Touch series tutorials on videos, music, Category: management
and iTunes. Twenty new videos highlight
basic features and functions of the iPad,
including Access and VoiceOver features.
Price: Free to subscribers.
DATALINK 4
Category: professional development (WWW.APPERSONEDU.COM)
Apperson’s newest release of its popu-

BRETFORD COLLECTIONS APP lar test-scoring and reporting DataLink

software features new enhancements.
DataLink 4 instantly downloads state and Common Core standards
(WWW.BRETFORD.COM) in the software, allowing you to tie them to individual test questions
Bretford Manufacturing recently launched to generate item analysis and proficiency reports. The software works
its first iPad app, which helps educators with all data-enabled Apperson scanners.
and administrators choose facility furni- Price: free to Apperson scanner users
ture that meets their needs. The app can Category: assessment
help users visualize how products are
being used in classrooms, meeting rooms,
cafeterias, and other areas.
Price: free
DATAMETRICS SOFTWARE
Category: furniture, apps (WWW.TESTWIZ.COM)
The TestWiz system now comes pre-

CAMPUS MAIL loaded with the Common Core stan-

dards in English and math. The inte-
gration helps teachers view the results
(WWW.LIGHTSPEEDSYSTEMS.COM) of their instruction through the new
Lightspeed Systems has announced standards.
an addition to its suite of K–12 solu- Price: Contact company for pricing.
tions. Campus Mail encourages com- Category: Common Core
munication between students, staff,
and parents through safe, monitored email accounts. It also provides
file storage in the cloud and archives all messages in compliance with
eDiscovery and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requirements.
IGNITE! LEARNING ONLINE
Price: Contact company for pricing. (WWW.IGNITELEARNING.COM)
Category: filtering Ignite! Learning has introduced an online program based on its middle-
school digital-content platform.

COURSESITES BY Teachers will be able to quickly create

and customize assignments using

BLACKBOARD Ignite! multimedia and use new forms

of summative assessments, among
other tools.
(WWW.COURSESITES.COM) Price: Contact company for pricing.
Blackboard has launched a free fully Category: digital curriculum
hosted and supported online course

4 2 | TECH & LEA R N IN G

 Conference: June 11–17 s Exhibition: June 15–17
Orange County Convention Center s Orlando, FL

The center
Of it all

The entire world of audiovisual communications comes

together at InfoComm 2011 with the technology, solutions,
education and connections to put success in your orbit.

Witness the cutting edge of 3D, audio, digital signage,

telepresence & conferencing, projection, and lighting &
staging. Discover new applications for business and IT,
government, education, healthcare, hospitality and worship.
Network with 32,000 professionals and 950 exhibitors—and
learn it all from experts in 300+ seminars—at the largest,
most comprehensive pro-AV event in the world.

Register now for the largest Be sure to enter VIP Code MLM04
when registering for your chance to
pro-AV show in the world! win an Orlando VIP package!
Visit www.infocommshow.org/win for
www.infocommshow.org complete rules.

Incorporating

> Systems Integration Expo®

NSCA Conference June 13-17

WHAT’SNEW

M86 VUSAFE ROSETTA STONE VERSION 4 TOTALE

(WWW.M86VUSAFE.COM) (WWW.ROSETTASTONE.COM)
M86 Security will offer the M86 Rosetta Stone now
VuSafe Web site free to K–12 educa- offers its language
tors in April. The site makes sharing solutions in an
and viewing approved videos and entirely online experi-
streaming video content easy and ence with Version 4
safer, thanks to real-time protec- TOTALe. The activi-
tion against threats to the Web and ties encourage stu-
email. dents to interact and
Price: free use their new lan-
Category: filtering guage skills. Users
can now also access the speech-recognition technology online.
Price: Full 5-level set, $749. Level 1 product, $249. See site for more details.
POSER DEBUT Category: language instruction

(WWW.SMITHMICRO.COM)
Smith Micro Software, Inc. has
launched a global animation software
ROUTE 66
package that helps educators explore
(WWW.ROUTE66LITERACY.ORG)
3-D art and animation. Poser Debut Bookshare/Benetech has introduced an
provides step-by-step project guide online instructional literacy program for
tutorial videos and gets students beginning readers. Route 66 pairs readers with teacher-tutors who
started with 70 premade animated guide the computer interaction. The program’s features include books
characters. grouped by age, interest, and ability.
Price: $49.99 Price: $140
Category: art, animation Category: reading
 o c k i n g p o tenti
u n l a l

register for is
te 2011!
2011 1 Professional developm
ent, professional
development—oh, an
d did we mention…
professional developm
d e lp h ia JUNE 26 –29 ent?
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phil ania Convention Center Choose from hundred
you to take your profe
s of sessions and wo
rkshops to inspire
Pennsylv ssional expertise to the
next level!

2 The opportunity to sh
engaged audience.
are your passion with
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Speak up and share
your ideas with like-mi
Birds of a Feather se nded individuals at
ssions, themed loung
other informal gatherin es, or one of the many
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.

3 It’s a global networki

Rub shoulders with mo
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re than 12,000 innov
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Connect, learn, and gr
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don't 4 If it’s ed tech, it’s at IS

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Presented by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications & Technology (PAECT).

isteconference.org
WHAT’SNEW
ON DEMAND
SAFARI MONTAGE DIGITAL Check out the following resources from our
partner sites:
CURRICULUM PRESENTER PLATFORM
(WWW.SAFARIMONTAGE.COM) ARCHIVED WEBINARS
This teaching platform helps teachers in The What and How of Cloud Computing
K–12 schools prepare a completely digital and 24/7 Learning
curriculum. It employs SAFARI Montage Sponsored by HP and ClassLink
architecture to utilize a school’s exist-
ing wide area network rather than the
Internet. Secrets of High-Quality Interactive
Price: Contact company for pricing. Learning Content
Category: digital curriculum Sponsored by DYMO-Mimio

SOFTCHALK SCORECENTER FEATURED EBOOK

Intel’s Schools of Distinction: Learning
(WWW.SOFTCHALK.COM) from the Star Innovators
SoftChalk ScoreCenter for Sponsored by K-12 Computing Blueprint
Blackboard eliminates the need to
use SCORM to track scoring data
when utilizing SoftChalk content in
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS
the Blackboard Learning System 9.x. School CIO: BYOD and Security
The company is working on mak- Sponsored by Faronics and WatchGuard
ing the ScoreCenter available for
Moodle and other learning manage- Race to the Top Update
ment systems.
Sponsored by Atomic Learning, CTB/McGraw-Hill,
Price: ScoreCenter is included with
ELMO, GlobalScholar, NetSupport, RM Education,
the purchase of SoftChalk, which is
$595 per license for educational pricing. Volume discounts available. SMART Technologies, and Troxell
Category: assessment
Check techlearning.com for updates

TRICASTER VIRTUAL SET EDITOR AD INDEX

(WWW.NEWTEK.COM)
NewTek has released an COMPANY PAGE
editor that allows TriCaster
TCX850 and TCXD300 Avermedia 23
users to customize HD CDW-G 5
virtual sets to fit their
production needs. It lets
EDLINE 15
them replace background FSR Inc 44
images, change the color
General Services Administration 47
and tone of set elements,
and apply custom logos, InfoComm 43
among other features.
ISTE 45
Price: retail, $995
Category: video production Kramer Electronics 39
Lumens 7

TURNING TECHNOLOGIES AND Motorola

NewTek
21
17
BRAINPOP INTEGRATION OnCourse Systems 19
(WWW.TURNINGTECHNOLOGIES.COM/BRAINPOP) Polyvision 24a-f
Turning Technologies has announced Qwizdom 11
an alliance with BrainPOP to enable
that company’s animated content to
Roland Systems Group 35
operate with Turning Technologies’ Tech Forum 9
student-response systems for quick assessment of students’ learning.
Texas Instruments 2
Teachers can ask students interactive formative-assessment questions,
and students can use ResponseCard keypads that integrate with the Texthelp Systems, Inc. 29
system to provide immediate feedback.
Troxell 48
Price: Contact company for pricing.
Category: assessment UMUC 41
Viewsonic 13
Vizzle Learning 27

4 6 | TECH & LEA R N IN G For more information about the advertisers in this issue, please
visit www.techlearning.com and click on the Advertiser Index.
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