News of the Latest Products and Technology for K-12
NewsWatch
by Kathie Felix, News 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
National School Library
Media Programs of the Year
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) presented the National
School Library Media Program of the Year Award to schools in three categories. Millard
Public Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, received the 2003 Large School District
award. Liberty Public Schools in Liberty, Missouri, received the 2003
Small School District award. Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village,
Colorado, won in the Single School category. The award, sponsored by the Follett
Library ResourcesCompany, honors excellence in school library media programs.
A crystal obelisk and a cash award of $10,000 is presented to each winner.
AASL, 800/545-2433 ext. 4386, aasl@ala.org, or http://www.ala.org/aasl/.
ISTE/PBS TeacherLine NETS•T Certification
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and PBS TeacherLine
are collaborating to develop a certificate program that recognizes educators
who have met the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers
(NETS•T). Teachers will be able to earn the Certificate of Proficiency
by completing a series of performance tasks. The online program allows teachers
to demonstrate their use of technology for assessment and evaluation, curriculum
and instruction, planning learning environments, and professional development.
The certificate, to be housed on the PBS TeacherLine site [http://www.pbs.org/teacherline],
will be offered nationally in early 2004. ISTE, 800/336-5191 or http://www.iste.org/.
Data in Decision Making
"Vision to Know and Do: The Power of Data as a Tool in Educational Decision
Making," a paper from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), focuses
on the successful practice of school districts that have transformed their
organizations to respond to the needs of all students and provide community
accountability. The paper highlights school districts using data analysis
systems to improve student outcomes, identifies factors for successfully
integrating data into decision-making processes, and calls for more emphasis
on data-driven decision making as a way to prepare students for the 21st
century. The document is available online. CoSN, 866/267-8747 or http://www.cosn.org/.
Library News
AASL National Conference
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will hold its 11th National
Conference and Exhibition October 22-26, 2003, in Kansas City, MO. The theme
of the conference is "Information Matters." The education programs will
focus on three strands: Information Access, Learning and Teaching,
and Program Administration. Registration fees before Sept. 19 are $275/AASL
members and $375/non-members. After Sept. 19, the fees are $325 for members
and $475 for non-members. A one-day pass is $175 for members and $275 for non-members.
Exhibit-only access is $25 for all. AASL, 800/545-2433 ext. 4386, aasl@ala.org or http://www.ala.org/aasl/.
Senior High School Library Catalog
Entries for 5,400 new books and a new section on Web resources are featured
in the 16th edition of the Senior High School Library Catalog.
The catalog includes more than 10,000 entries for fiction and nonfiction works,
recommended CD-ROMs, listings of review sources, and other aids for librarians
and school media specialists. The entries provide complete bibliographic data,
price, subject headings, a descriptive annotation, and evaluative quotes from
a review when available. The catalog is available in print as a 5-year ongoing
service or online as an annual subscription on WilsonWeb. $200—print edition.
Call for online pricing. A free online trial is available. H.W. Wilson, 800/367-6770
or http://www.hwwilson.com/.
Classroom Resources
Inspiration Lesson Plans
Two new lesson plan books designed for use with Inspiration visual learning
software each provide access to collections of more than 30 step-by-step, standards-aligned
lessons for middle and high schools. Inspiration in Language Arts covers
analysis, persuasion, narration, and expression. Many of the lessons, such
as "Literary Content," can be used with different content. Inspiration
in Scienceexamines life, physical, and earth sciences with lessons
such as "States of Matter" and "DNA Fingerprinting." Each book is priced at
$40. School and district
volume licenses are available in electronic format. Inspiration, 800/877-4292,
CustomerService@inspiration.com, or http://www.inspiration.com/.
Look, Listen, and Speak
The five book series Look, Listen, and Speak introduces students
in grades 1-3 to new vocabulary through interactive multimedia. Each book in
the series includes an interactive CD-ROM, a full-color print poster, and 48
picture cards for games and language development. The CD features an interactive
e-poster that allows students to scroll over images to hear specific words
pronounced, used in sentences, and seen in print. The CD also includes songs
and chants, an electronic storybook, and three electronic games. An 80-page
reproducible book models strategies for introducing concepts and vocabulary
through student activities and games. $30—each book
in the series. The books can be previewed online at http://www.realread.com/.
Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, 800/777-4489 or http://www.evan-moor.com/.
Helping Hands
Adobe Master Teachers
The Adobe Master Teachers Program for K-12 teachers recognizes the innovative
use of Adobe education solutions and provides mentors and role models working
to engage, motivate, and inspire students and other teachers. The first Adobe
Master Teachers are Susan O'Connor and Colette Stemple from Coral
Reef High School in Miami, FL; Barbara Delikaris from Jonathan Dayton
High School in Springfield, NJ; Steve Adler from Northern Valley Regional
High School in Demarest, NJ; Don Wass from Northwestern Regional High
School No. 7 in Hartford, CT; Betsy Kopmar from the Academy of Art College
in San Francisco; and Lee Carter from Pampa Independent School District
in Pampa, TX. Adobe Master Teachers are selected through a referral process.
The company plans to honor up to 25 educators as Master Teachers this year.
Adobe Systems Inc., http://www.adobe.com/education/.
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