News of the Latest Products and Technology for K-12
TitleWatch
by Kathie Felix, News Editor
TitleWatch lists recently-released
educational software and electronic media products that relate to the K-12
curriculum. This list is primarily but not exclusively comprised of CD-ROM
products; other electronic formats are noted in the text. Suggestions for
entries and press releases should be addressed to Kathie Felix,
5746 Union Mill Rd., PMB 605, Clifton, VA 20124 or kfelix@infotoday.com.
Cross Curriculum
The Brainchild AchieverPlus! software
series—for grades 3-8 and high school exit level—provides
assessment and interactive, standards-based lessons in language arts
and math. The lessons are divided into state strands, as well as individual
state benchmarks and learning objectives. A total of 14 newstate-specific
titles have been released, among them Arizona, California, Florida,
Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas. Available
in Mac/Win hybrid CD-ROM or network versions. $4,999—Math Achiever
Plus! for elementary (grades 3-6) or middle school (grades 6-8). $4,999—Language
Arts Achiever Plus! (Reading and Writing). $4,999—Achiever Plus!
for high school (includes both Math and Language Arts combined). Brainchild
activity books, assessment subscription, and PLS hand-held devices
are available for an additional charge. Educational Resources, 800/624-2926
or
http://www.educationalresources.com/.
Brainchild, http://www.brainchild.com/.
Take It to the Computer for K-3rd
grade is designed to teach students to use basic computer tools as
they work on activities that integrate literacy, math, and technology.
Program features include an editable text tool, paint and drawing tools,
and slide show tools with music functions. The activities and print
support materials correlate to state standards. Among the print materials
are 26 literacy activity cards and 22 math activity cards, each with
step-by-step instructions for students and teachers. The software is
available in four grade-specific editions. Each edition is priced at
$299. Mac/Win dual platform. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, 831/649-5901
or http://www.evan-moor.com/.
Language Arts
The Academy of Reading, designed
for struggling readers, complements existing reading programs to help
low-level readers to achieve reading success. The software concentrates
on building student phonemic awareness, developing decoding skills,
and improving comprehension. Each skill set can be treated independently
or simultaneously. Students work in a group of virtual rooms, where
they can access specific modules, perform tasks, and view full-motion
animated video guides for help and encouragement. Mac 9.1 or higher.
Windows 98/2000 Professional/NT 4.0. Pricing begins at $940 for stand-alone
purchases. Volume discounts are available. AutoSkill, 613/235-6740
or http://www.autoskill.com/.
Tools for Teachers
Chancery SMS 3.0 updates the Web-based
student management system with customized role-based home pages, an
active alerts real-time event delivery system, and PDA support to search
and view student data. Additional new features include integration
with the company's school-to-home Web portal(K12 Planet), school or
district-wide advanced search capabilities with customizable search
result tables, mass student record changes, elementary resource services
scheduling, and report customization. Chancery Software Ltd., 800/999-9931
or http://www.chancery.com/.
Learning Access! provides online
assessment tools for creating, administering, scoring, and reporting
interactive diagnostic assessments in reading, writing, and math. The
Learning Access! product series includes ReadingAccess, Math Access,
and Writing Access. Each title allows educators to create and deliver
end-of-course exams, periodic benchmark assessments, teacher-created
quizzes, and homework. Reading Access examines 30 different skills
in five essential components: phonicawareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary,
and reading comprehension. Math Access assesses math skills and progress
in grades 4-9 (including algebra). Writing Access for grades 4 and
up offers a prompt-driven writing environment that scores student responses
to prompts within seconds. Vantage Learning, 215/579-8390 or http://www.vantagelearning.com/.
Teacher Works allows K-12 teachers
to manage lessons, appointments, tasks, teacher resources, and state
correlations. The resource planner features five major sections: Lesson
Planner, Personal Assistant, Teacher Resources, Correlations, and Internet.
State correlations can be accessed and created to mirror individual
course content. The Internet component allows teachers to keep all
commonly used Web links in a single place without searching for individual
bookmarks. Specific Teacher Resources updates can be downloaded from
the glencoe.com Web site. CD-ROM for Mac and Windows. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, http://www.glencoe.com/ or
http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.
Tools for Everyone
Macromedia Director MX updates
the multimedia authoring tool for building content and applications
for CD, DVD-ROM, kiosks, and the Web via Macromedia Shockwave Player.
The new features include integration with Macromedia Flash MX products,
use of the streamlined Macromedia MX user interface, Mac OS X support,
newworkflow efficiencies, and the ability to create content accessible
to individuals with disabilities. Localized versions for French, German,
and Japanese will be released. Mac OSX 10.1 or higher. Windows 98SE/2000/XP.
$499—education pricing. CD-ROM or online download. Macromedia, http://www.macromedia.com/go/director/ or
http://www.macromedia.com/go/dirmxnew/.
QuickMind.net, a subscription-based
online product for K-12 schools, provides lesson-planning, homework,
and assessment resources for use at home, school, or any Internet connection
site. The password-protected site includes standards-based curriculum,
interactive homework assignments, project templates, tools, lesson
plans, reference materials, and online professional development. Toll-free
technical support is available daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Eastern
Time. Pricing options include classroom, lab, school site, or district
licensing. Sunburst Technology/QuickMind/
Educational Resources, 800/624-2926 or http://www.quickmind.net/.
SMART Ideas 3.1 updates the concept
mapping software to include five languages—English, French, Spanish,
German, and Italian. New program features include 20 new symbol styles
and picture-based connectors such as stars, globes, footprints, and
math signs. The software creates multi-level diagrams that visually
represent complex ideas. Built-in templates and a clip art gallery
are included. Users can add live Web links, audio clips, photos, images,
documents, movie clips, and presentations. Diagrams and outlines can
be saved as HTML files with all levels of hyperlinks. Windows only.
$199—individual license. Volume discounts available. SMARTer Kids
Foundation grants reduce the price to $59 for one to four copies and
$29 for orders of 100 or more copies. SMART Technologies, 888/42SMART
or http://www.smarttech.com/.
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