NewsWatch, January/February 2002


	January/February 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

Technology Standards Issued
The Collaborative for Technology Standards for School Administrators has issued new guidelines to help school administrators provide the leadership required for the success of educational technology programs. The guidelines are a distilled consensus of contributions from more than 2,000 educators on what leaders should know and be able to do to become effective leaders and managers of technology in schools. The technology standards and additional information on the project are available online. Technology Standards for School Administrators, http://cnets.iste.org/tssa/.

Technology Forecast
The District Technology Forecast 2001-2002 from Quality Education Data projects total technology spending among U.S. public school districts at an estimated $7 billion for the 2000-2001 school year and projects expenditures of $7.05 billion for the 2001-2002 school year. Among the report's hardware findings: the Mac is the single most common brand of instructional computer in schools today, but "Wintel" computers (from all makers combined) constitute two-thirds of the installed base. A total of 22 percent of U.S. school districts buy personal digital assistants (PDAs) for staff use; most are frequently given to technology coordinators and principals. Quality Education Data, 800/525-5811 or http://www.qeddata.com/.

LIBRARY NEWS

$51,000 Available from AASL
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is offering a total of $51,000 in awards, grants, and scholarships for 2002. The application deadline for the majority of the awards is February 1, 2002. Scholarships available include the following: the AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award, the AASL/Highsmith Research Grant, the ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant, the Distinguished School Administrators Award, the Distinguished Service Award, the Frances Henne Award, the Information Technology Pathfinder Award, and the Intellectual Freedom Award. The application deadline for the National School Library Media Award is January 4, 2002. The deadline for the School Librarian's Workshop Scholarship is March 1, 2002. AASL, 800/545-2433, ext. 4383 or http://www.ala.org/aasl/awards.html/.

The Library of Congress Documentary Project
The American Folklife Center has launched a nationwide project to document on audiotape the thoughts and feelings expressed by citizens following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The recordings and supporting documentary materials will become part of the Center's Archive of Folk Culture, the largest and most significant archive devoted to the folklore and traditional culture of Americans and of the many cultural groups from around the world that have enriched American life. The September 11, 2001 Documentary Project will present the personal experience stories of average Americans in the wake of the terrorist attack. Copies of interview release forms and additional information can be obtained from the American Folklife Center, 202/707-5510 or folklife@loc.gov. Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/.

HELPING HANDS

SMARTer Kids Foundation Grants
The SMARTer Kids Foundation is accepting applications for the 2002-2004 Connections program, a collaborative learning program for 5th and 6th grade classes from across North America. The program equips upper-elementary schools with leading-edge technology, provides teacher training, and promotes collaborative projects between schools. Teams of 5th and 6th grade teachers from schools in Canada and the U.S. are eligible to apply. Applications must be received by February 28, 2002. Applicants will be notified of their application status by March 29, 2002. Full program details and requirements are available online. SMARTer Kids Foundation, 403/802-2549 or http://www.smarterkids.org/k12/connections/.

Vivendi Universal Donates $5 Million and More
Vivendi Universal, parent company to Knowledge Adventure, Curriculum Advantage, and Educational Resources, has made a $5 million contribution to The September 11th Fund. In addition, the company is matching on a two-to-one basis every contribution its employees make to the fund. Every full-time employee in all divisions worldwide is eligible for the match. The Fund is equipped to receive donations from around the world and to direct the contributions to the city of the donor's choice--New York City, Washington, D.C., or other affected areas. Vivendi Universal, http://www.vuinteractive.com/.

CLASSROOM RESOURCES

Palm's Regional Training Workshops
Palm, Inc. has launched a series of regional professional development workshops on effectively integrating Palm hand-held computers into teaching and learning. The regional workshops, designed to meet the needs of administrators and teachers, are located in California, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Texas. Two 1-day sessions are available: Basic Palm Skills for Educators and Curriculum Applications for Palm Hand-Held Computers. The workshops can be scheduled to be held at a school site or off-site; customized programs also are available. Palm, Inc., http://www.palm.com/education.

Ultra-Light Portable Projector
Boxlight's new XD-17k portable projector weighs 3.3 pounds and is as portable as an average-sized hard cover book (8.9 inches x 2 inches x 6.9 inches). The projector offers true 1024 x 768 XGA resolution (compressed 1280 x 1024 SXGA) and is compatible with most laptops. The monitor loop-through simultaneously projects images onto a screen and onto a desktop computer. The unit includes audio, computer, component, S-video, and composite video inputs, as well as dual digital/analog connectivity. Additional features include a laser pointer remote, digital keystone adjustment, digital zoom imaging, and HDTV compatibility. The price is $3,699. Boxlight, 800/762-5757 or http://www.boxlight.com/.

Information Today Home Page

Home Page

Current Issue

Top