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Angel in the Classroom

Assessment_Navigation The latest edition of Blackboard Learn’s ANGEL Edition takes the classroom software to new heights while making it easier for instructors and administrators to use. Version 8.0 includes the ability of teachers to share content, upload a variety of multimedia files and create rubrics with criteria for classroom discussions.

 

 

 

Managing the School

Asap k-12 So far, most of the classroom management programs do several, but not all, things well. ASAP’s K-12 service is hosted online and covers everything from Web-based registration of new students and attendance to surveys and encouraging a staff’s professional development. It can even handle planning and informing parents of upcoming events and help with student ID cards and yearbooks.

A New Classroom Vision

Myvision logo If classroom computer management software seems like a lot of money for a little help for teachers, Netop’sMyVision has a new approach that values price and usability. Simple and basic, MyVision can take control over every PC in a class and even blank their screens so that everyone’s attention is on the teacher. Afree 30-day trial is available and the software costs $200, or $149 if purchased before the end of the year.

FREEBEE FRIDAY: A Classroom with Vision

MVB_BOX_Web_(2) Once you have a class full of PCs and eager faces, what do you do next? Often the hardware ate up the lion’s share of the technology budget, leaving little room for digital curriculum and classroom management software. Netop can help with a line of classroom management programs that can change the way a class learns. Called MyVision, the object is to make teaching with technology as easy and natural as using a chalk board was a generation ago. Based on GenevaLogic software, the program will work with PCs and Macs and let teachers digitally look over students shoulders to see what they’re using their computers for. On top of the Free version, which is currently in beta testing, Netop will offer an inexpensive Basic edition that includes tools for guiding students, blanking screens and turning the Internet on and off for individuals. 

   

 

Education Gets Personal

It's learning With many digital curriculum systems its one size fits all, regardless of individual students’ achievements and needs. it’s learning takes a different approach with a Web-based learning system that not only can be tailored to each student but saves their work in a digital portfolio. Chock full of multimedia options, it’s learning has several different interfaces that are tuned to a variety of age groups. A demo is available online.


 

Making Macs and PCs to Play Nice

Lanschool7.2 For those principals and district administrators thinking using a mixture of PCs and Macs but want to avoid headaches, the final piece of the puzzle has arrived. LAN School’s Classroom Management program not only can control a classroom of computers, but it now supports both PCs and Macs via Parallels. A native version of the software that runs directly will be available later this year. The software can not only blank a class full of screens, show what’s on the teacher’s screen or direct them to a specific Web site, but the teacher’s console can see what everybody is up to. At any time, the teacher can send any student a message or give the class a pop quiz. A free upgrade for current LAN School users, the software costs $200 per classroom with less than 10 computers and $600 for more systems. There’s a guided tour of the application as well as a 30-day trial version of the software so you can try before you buy.

One-Step Classroom Software

Netop_6What if you could integrate everything you do in the classroom into one complete program with a single interface to control everything? Using the ribbon design that Microsoft incorporated into Office 2007, NetOp School 6.0 moves away from traditional pull-down menus to present options and features as a strip at the top of the screen. With the program, teachers can prepare lesson plans, evaluate students and actually teach. The big upgrade involves the ability to create and edit documents from any computer, transfer them via a USB memory stick and incorporate them into the school’s NetOp program. The program is available in a variety of languages and now supports 64-bit Windows. There’s a free trial to try it out.

Push Button Tests

Got_itHow many teachers have thought about incorporating a wireless student response system, but have gotten caught up in the cost and complexity of setting one up? Califone’s Got It! wireless interactive student response system can easily transform a classroom from using paper tests to push-button response. Got It! sends the class’s responses to the teacher’s computer where they are processed and analyzed. It can create six different reports on class progress, including scores, activity and full semester grades. This system can not only show who knows what but which students need remedial help or advanced work. You’ll have to wait until the beginning of the next school year to get Got It!, which will be available in either 24- or 40-person packs.

One-Stop Online Curriculum

Openclassroom_serveraspen_learningIf you’re tired of having curriculum systems scattered across a slew of programs and a bunch of separate servers with little rhyme or reason, Aspen Learning’s OpenClassroom Server can consolidate it all. Based on the Ubuntu operating system and Web 2.0 protocols, OpenClassroom is an online appliance that can support the teaching of up to 200 students, making it perfect for most elementary and middle schools.

Open_classroom_b The system is complete with learning management, collaboration, communication and storage with such activities as wikis, scheduling and room for up to 750MB of files per student. The server costs $1,200 and includes 20,000 images and a hard drive’s worth of lesson plans. Look for a 1,000-student server this fall that is expected to cost $3,500.

Digital Classroom Done Right

Follett_15studentproject Follett Digital Resources can take the confusion out of the digital classroom with a Web-based system that provides access to a school’s curriculum assets on a class by class basis. This hosted service is focused on the K-through-12 teaching environment and relies on using a recent Web browser with Flash software. The Digital Classroom provides a place for teachers to post lessons, assignments, additional online resources as well as a way for students to submit online assignments. At the same time, parents can check on their children’s work. They’ll be showing the program at booth 2176.

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