This section organizes resources into three parts:

1. Good Examples of Technology Use by Classroom Teachers

2. More Digital Content to Explore

3. More Software and Solutions

 

 

3. More Software and Solutions

 

Data Analysis for Students

 

Inspire Data

This application from the makers of Inspiration and Kidspiration allows students to collect data through an easy to use survey tool. In addition students can use more than (100) pre-loaded sets of data. Once students collect the data, the product presents the information in a variety of visual formats so that students can analyze it. This is an excellent tool that can be used in just about every subject area. It gives kids a wonderful chance to use their higher order thinking skills to be able to make predictions, to find patterns, and to make sense of information. This is also a great product to use with hands-on and visual learners. The downside to this product is that it is not web-based.

 

 

 Survey Monkey

This application has an open ended survey creator, several methods of distributing surveys, and extensive reporting system to analyze data. Unlike Inspire Data, Survey Monkey is not primarily designed for use by educators; it is used widely in the business community.

 

 

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Visual Organizers

 

Inspiration & Kidspiration

 

 

Inspiration and Kidspiration are visual organizers. They are wonderful ways to get students to brainstorm ideas before writing. Inspiration is a useful product for planning. After brainstorming students can subordinate ideas, add details, hyperlinks, notecards, images, etc. Once again, this product is appealing to visual learners. It's downside is that it is not web-based.

 

 

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Online Application Training

 

Atomic Learning

 

Atomic Learning provides web-based software training for more than 110 applications that educators use every day. This product uses short, easy to use, screencast movies to provide anytime, anywhere learning. This is product can take the place of some of the 'skill-based' professional development that is offered today. It's strength is that it does not require that teachers leave their classrooms. They can access particular training on specific aspects of a product, when they need it.

 

 

 

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Data Probes

 

Vernier

 

Probes can be used in the context of the math or science classroom to collect, predict, and analyze data. Probes can come in the form of equipment that attaches to a computer or they can be stand alone and portable. Students can make hypotheses and then use probes to see if their ideas were correct. Students can engage in real world, active learning that utilizes their higher order thinking skills. Probes allow students to Do science and math, not just learn science and math.

 

 

 

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Visualizing Mathemetical Concepts

 

Geometer's Sketchpad

Applications like Geometer's Sketchpad and Mathematica permit students to explore concrete representations of abstract algebraic equations and geometry. These applications are like word processors for mathematics. They are great for visual and hands on learners and allow experimentation and deeper understanding of math concepts.

 

 

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Math and Science Simulations

 

Gizmos

ExploreLearning offers a catalog of modular, interactive simulations in math and science for teachers and students in grades 6-12. Simulations allow students to do things that would be impossible in the real world.

 

 

 

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Student Safe Internet Searches

 

 

Nettrekker

 

Nettrekker is an Internet search engine designed for educators. Every resource is carefully selected by educators to insure it is safe, age appropriate, and related to the curriculum. With over 100,000 resources aligned to state standards Nettrekker has features which make using the Internet much more productive.

 

 

 

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Classroom Microscopes & Computers

 

By attaching specialized cameras to the classroom microscope it allows students to make videos of what is going on in their science slides. They can make these videos in to movies that allow annotation, labeling, and stop action. These movies are excellent ways for students to present and explain the organisms that they are observing.

 

Bruce Alhborn's Creative Examples

 

 

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Access to Remote Electron Microscopes

 

Classes submit slides to the Imaging Technology Group at the Beckman Institute of the University of Illinois. The scientists prepare the slides and notify the class of their scheduled "virtual visit" via the Internet. On the scheduled day, the class actually controls the electron microscope and chats with the scientists.

 

 

Bugscope

 

 

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Access to Telescopes via the Internet

 

Students have access to a telescopes that are operated robotically via the Internet. The telescopes are equipped with cameras that allow students to take photos of specific locations in the universe.

 

Seeing in the Dark Internet Telescope

 

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Access to Webcams Around the World

 

Students can tune into webcams that are available 24x7x7. There are webcams at waterholes in Africa and at locations around the world.

 

National Geographic African Webcam