Technology & Learning - October 2008 - (Page 28)

PRODUCTREVIEWS PRODUCT: MPC TXTBOOK www.mpccorp.com/products/notebooks/txtbook.html Price: $500 DESCRIPTION: The MPC TXTbook is another new entrant in the netbook ultra-mobile PC product category, which is aimed at students in grades K-6. It is a compact, fully functional laptop. HOW TO USE IN SCHOOLS: Weighing in at under 3 pounds, this machine would work as both an in-class and take-home computer for even the youngest grades. It would also fulfill any school district’s one-to-one initiatives. PROS: The chassis design is rugged and built with a clear understanding of how children will treat this product. A handle strap is attached to the clamshell, which particularly impressed our student reviewer. The small keyboard and raised keys with white lettering cater to smaller fingers. The 1.6GHz Intel processor, 1GB of DDR2 system memory, and back-lit LED display make is easy to access kid-friendly sites like pbskids.org. CONS: The TXTbook is saddled with Windows XP Home Edition, which our student reviewer found unintuitive. Plus, many of the software-based features and functions are unnecessary for students. Primary-level students will proba- bly do better with other software to run on top of XP. OVERALL IMPRESSION: The attention to detail in this netbook’s design makes it a worthy contender for any K-6 classroom. PRODUCT: LS TEST BUILDER www.learningstation.com Retail price: Based on the number of users DESCRIPTION: This Web-based test generator enables K-12 educators to create standards-based tests. Results may be accessed directly in the browser or downloaded as an Excel spreadsheet. LS Test Builder also includes practice self-tests, which students can take on their own. HOW TO USE IN THE CLASSROOM: Teachers can use the site to create questions for both formative and summative assessments. Since students receive immediate feedback on tests, they could use the practice tests to see how much they know, or to sharpen skills in areas where they need more practice. PROS: Teachers create classes, enter student names, and create tests from banks of ready-made test questions. A three-step “custom question wizard” simplifies the task. When viewing test results online, teachers can follow a Thinkronize NetTrekker d.i. link to the actual content standard tested. At the NetTrekker site, they can view other helpful educational resources designed to support teaching and learning. CONS: When preparing custom questions, there is no link to NetTrekker d.i. for viewing state standards or strands. [ED NOTE: when building custom questions, aligning it to a state standard or indicator is integrated into the process. The third step in creating the question is to choose the indicator to which the question pertains.] There are no options for generating "Open Response" questions. OVERALL IMPRESSION: If the product came with a test option with access to all program features and options we would consider it. It’s easy to use. It not only generates questions, it reports on test results. It can be used for both formative and summative assessments. 28 | TECH & LEARNING http://www.mpccorp.com/products/notebooks/txtbook.html http://www.pbskids.org http://www.learningstation.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technology & Learning - October 2008

Technology & Learning - October 2008 Contents Editor’s Desk News & Trends We All Stream for Video Put to the Test Special Needs Guide to Tech Products The New Rules of Copyright Picture Perfect What’s New Leader of the Year Profile

Technology & Learning - October 2008

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