Tools for Schools Vol. 2 No. 46 Nov. 17, 2004

[eSchoolNews]

Title: Tools for Schools

$3 million to build 'nation of learners' The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Institute of Museum and Library Services will provide $3 million over multiple years to bring together libraries, public broadcasters, and museums to leverage community assets and create new pathways to learning, discovery, and exploration.... Deadline: March 1, 2005 � Nov. 17, 2004 Vol.2, No.46 � eSN EDUCATOR POLL ... Do you see a place for podcasting in your schools' future? Yes. No. Vote NOW! BEST PRACTICE ... 'Smart' schools cut energy costs With energy costs threatening to reach record levels this winter, a private middle school in Washington plans to use smart-building technology that will, among other things, shut off an air conditioner when a window is opened.... SITE OF THE WEEK ... Sponsored by: Put young readers on a path to success with 'Get Ready to Read!' From the National Center for Learning Disabilities comes a reading resource targeted specifically to young readers. The Get Ready to Read! program delivers research-based strategies to parents and teachers in order to put children on the path to literacy.... READERS' CHOICE AWARDS ... Help us help your colleagues choose the best science software Educators face a wide range of choices when selecting science software products. To help you assess the options and learn which products are most valued by others, eSN has created a Readers' Choice Awards for this important topic. Take the survey now and get a complimentary copy of eSchool News' "20 Free Science Web Sites Every District Should Explore." PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT ... Measure student progress with these assessments from Pearson Pearson Education has launched a series of formative assessment products designed to forecast student growth toward state performance standards. The Progress Assessment Series was developed to provide educators in grades 3-8 with better ways to measure student progress and tie assessment to classroom instruction, Pearson says.... THE FLASH ... Selected announcements from leading providers of K-20 products & services. Baseline Development Group picks ExtremeZ-IP to serve Mac users From Group Logic, Nov. 17--Group Logic announced that Baseline Development Group, a premier full-service developer of instructional materials for the K-12 market, has decided to replace its current resource, MacServerIP, with Group Logic's award-winning ExtremeZ-IP product to manage the resource needs of its Macintosh users.... http://www.grouplogic.com Thousands participate in Lexile Framework For Reading sessions From The Lexile Framework for Reading, Nov. 16--More than 5,000 educators will participate in The Lexile Framework for Reading's professional development workshops this year. In 2005, more than 10,000 teachers are expected to attend the workshops designed to help them use Lexiles to improve teaching and learning.... http://www.lexile.com Denver Connections Academy wins competitive reading grant From Connections Academy, Nov. 16--Denver Connections Academy announced it has been awarded a highly competitive grant from the Colorado Department of Education's Read to Achieve program for its personalized reading intervention approach.... http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/businessbriefs/ Promethean launches Student Edition of ACTIVstudio2 Software From Promethean, Nov. 15--Promethean announced the release of its ACTIVstudio 2 Student Edition, the newest version of the system’s group of teaching software. The student-specific software will be included as a free, standard component of the ACTIVboard system. Current ACTIVstudio software users can receive a free copy by registering on-line at the ACTIVboard website.... http://www.prometheanworld.com Clark County renews tutoring program with SMARTHINKING From SMARTHINKING, Nov. 15--After using SMARTHINKING's online tutors in Spring 2004, the Clark County Public Schools Academic Support and Community Service Center announced the renewal of its contract with SMARTHINKING. Students at Cheyenne and Western high schools will continue to use live, online tutoring to prepare for the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam.... http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/businessbriefs/ Telex Communications now offers premium CD, DVD recording media From Telex Communications, Nov. 10--Telex Communications, known for its SpinWise and PrintWise CD and DVD duplication and publishing solutions, is now offering premium grade recordable CD and DVD media. Telex Premium Media is selected A Grade, and has been quality tested to deliver consistent results-saving time, effort and money.... http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/businessbriefs/ � - Sponsored by - The most important thing to learn in a classroom is what’s beyond it. Online learning and collaboration. Improved communication. Across classrooms. Across campuses. Across America. Consider the dots connected. Learn more. SBC - Click here to travel beyond the classroom. LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS ... Which of these 'must-have' technologies from the CoSN report intrigues you most? 47 percent said "Essay graders." 21.5 percent said "Student blogs." 21.5 percent said "RFID chips." 10 percent said "Datacasting." FREE subscription offer Registered members of eSchool News Online qualify for a free subscription to eSchool News. Become a registered site member now! Already registered? Click here to sign up for your free eSchool News subscription. RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS Controlling Technology Costs With a sophisticated command of what technology is genuinely needed, what's available, and how much it should cost, school leaders just might find they can buy much more of what they really need than they ever thought possible. Stakeholder Communications As technology plays a greater role in education, it can also change the way those inside school buildings address key stakeholders on the outside. The editors of eSchool News have compiled a collection of stories and features about how effective communication through eMail and the web can take weight off an educator's shoulders. Finding Technology Funding Funding for school technology is plentiful. Corporations, foundations, donors, and even local, state, and federal government agencies have funding they're eager to put in your hands. Trick is, you must know where to find it, how to ask for it, and how to play by the rules when you get it. SPECIAL REPORTS IP Telephony IP telephony, a packet-switching technology that transmits phone calls over a data network, reduces the load on a network by minimizing the time a connection is kept open. Schools have discovered that combining voice and data into a single network can be more efficient and help reduce phone costs. Informed Instruction Delivering individualized instruction targeted to meet each student's needs once was no more than the stuff of educators' dreams. Today, this model is becoming a reality. Professional Development The eSchool News Online Store now offers professional-development courses from CaseNEX. Here are just a few of the courses beginning next month: Models and Strategies for Teaching the Gifted Standards And Assessment Teaching Across The Content Areas Educational Leadership There's much more where that came from, and you can order it all from the comfort of your own keyboard. Check it out now!

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