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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/.
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