NewsWatch, September 2002


	September 2002 Copyright © Information Today, Inc.
by Kathie Felix, News/Reviews Editor

News of the latest products and technology for K-12 may be sent directly to Kathie Felix at 5746 Union Mill Rd., PMB 605, Clifton, VA 20124 or to kfelix@infotoday.com.

NEWS

The School Librarian's Changing Role
As many as 22 percent of school librarians believe they will need more technology skills in the next 5 years, according to a study released by Jones e-global library. A total of 38 percent rely on library-related electronic discussion groups to learn about library technology applications. Only 1 percent of the respondents consider keeping up with technology a challenge for librarians today. Other topics examined by the study include career satisfaction, the most significant role of the librarian, the percentage of reference questions answered with the Internet, and specific questions about working with teachers. An eight-page report is available online. Jones e-global library/Jones Knowledge, Inc., http://e-globallibrary.com/ or 888/235-6637.

Virginia Technology Conference
Nearly 600 technology educators attended the 2002 Technology & Learning Symposium hosted by the Arlington County (VA) Public Schools Office of Instructional Media & Technology. The 2-day event featured keynote speakers Alan November, senior partner, Educational Renaissance Planners, and Chris Moersch, president, Learning Quest, Inc., as well as 120 hands-on workshops and 60 concurrent sessions. The next Technology & Learning Symposium
is scheduled for June 2003. Arlington County Public Schools Office of Instructional Media, http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/symposia/.

USEFUL TOOLS

Sun Microsystems No-Cost Licenses for StarOffice 6.0
The StarOffice 6.0 Office Suite from Sun Microsystems is available with a special no-cost software licensing offer for education and research institutions. Primary and secondary schools (K-12), as well as colleges and universities, can use the suite at their institutions for an unlimited number of users, paying only for the media (CD-ROM) and shipping. No licensing fees apply. Sun is also providing specially priced support options. Sun Microsystems, http://www.sun.com/ or 800/555-9786.

New HP Notebooks
The HP Omnibook notebook PC features processors with up to 1.2 GHz, 1.7 GHz or 2.0 GHz, depending on configuration. Both 30-GB and 40-GB hard drives are available. Also offered are a floppy disk drive, choice of DVD-ROM or DVD+CD-RW combo drive, up to 1 GBSDRAM, 15-inch display, 32-MB video memory, and weights starting at 6.4 to 6.9 pounds. Prices begin at $1,300, $1,700 or $1,900, depending on configuration. The HP Pavilion notebook PC features a processor with up to 2.2 GHz, a built-in DVD+CD-RW combo drive, up to a 40-GB hard drive, a floppy drive, a 15-inch display, up to 32-MB video memory, and a modem/LAN combination Pricing begins at $1,700. Hewlett Packard, http://www.hp.com/ or 800/752-0900.

LIBRARY NEWS

Award to Maryland State Library Division
The Maryland State Department of Education Division of Library Services received a 2002 John Cotton Dana Award for innovation and ingenuity in library public relations. The award is sponsored by the H.W. Wilson Company and the Library Administration and Management Association of the American Library Association (ALA). The Maryland campaign, "It's Never Too Early," provided a statewide initiative promoting reading by connecting parents and caregivers of preschool children with local public library services. The award included a $2,500 development grant from the H.W. Wilson Foundation. Entries for the next round of awards must be received by December 27, 2002. Application information can be found online at http://www.hwwilson.com/jcdawards/jcdrules.htm/. H.W. Wilson, http://www.hwwilson.com/ or 800/367-6770.

CLASSROOM RESOURCES

CNN offers resources for middle and high school classrooms, including on-air programming such as CNN Student News, online resources from CNNstudentnews.com, and hands-on reports from the CNN Student Bureau. September CNN Student News specials include Civics Post 9/11, a series focusing on life and opinion after September 11, including how students view the world, how civics lessons have changed, how the events have affected the public's opinions on voting, and a comparison of other significant moments in U.S. history. From September 15October 15, specials on Hispanic Heritage Month examine topical issues in the U.S. Hispanic community. Cost-free educational materials are available. Turner Broadcasting, http://www.CNNstudentnews.com/.

Technology Handbooks
Making Technology Standards Work for You: A Guide for School Administrators shows school leaders how to plan, implement, and manage systemic reforms with the appropriate use of technology. The book includes tracks for curriculum and technology coordinators and library media specialists, as well as site-based, district- and cabinet-level administrators. This volume is written specifically as a tool for implementing the National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS*A) incorporating the Technology Standards for School administrators (TSSA). Non-member price is $45; 205 pages. The School Network Handbook offers information on best practices for school technology leaders and network managers. The book maps the basics of planning, installing, and maintaining K12 networks while integrating technical information with management practices. For experienced practitioners, the book includes information on newer technologies such as Windows XP. Non-member price is $40; 207 pages. ISTE, http://www.iste.org/ 800/336-5191.

HELPING HANDS

ISTE Ed Tech Award Winners
Michael Hutchisonof Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Indiana, is the 2002 ISTE Outstanding Technology-Using Educator. He was nominated for the honor by the Indiana Computer Educators (ICE) for integrating technology that helps students communicate, consider multiple perspectives, conduct research, construct findings, and report issues of importance to a greater audience. Lydia Wells Sledgeof the Kentucky Department of Education was named 2002 ISTE Outstanding Technology Leader in Education. She was nominated by the Kentucky Association of Technology Coordinators (KATC) for her dedication to technology equity and academic empowerment for all children in Kentucky. Each received $1,000 toward travel to the National Educational Computing Conference 2002, where they received plaques and complimentary ISTE memberships. ISTE,
http://www.iste.org/ or 800/336-5191.

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