Technology & Learning - December 2008 - (Page 25)

W W W.T E C H L E A R N I N G . C O M THINKQUEST ORACLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION An impressive and free product, ThinkQuest is a critically acclaimed education technology program for grades K-12. Its protected online learning platform helps teachers bring Internet technology into their classrooms by allowing students to create Web pages that can be easily monitored. Through ThinkQuest, students also can also participate in projects with classrooms worldwide. One judge found the program to be an excellent tool for facilitating collaborating skills among students. Students can use ThinkQuest projects to get ideas of their own and “encourage them to publish their own projects.” Free, www.thinkquest.org STUDYWIZ SPARK ETECH GROUP Studywiz Spark is a new, online learning tool for K-12 education that provides a dynamic learning environment where teachers and students can upload and create content. It’s a great tool to create a safe online environment for elementary and middle schools and offers users the abilities to start discussions, post assignments, and create collaborative groups, among other options. One judge praised its use of “sound scientific information in an exciting format,” and another found it to be a “highly educational and exciting program” that provides valuable information. The program is easy for teachers, students, and parents to use and offers various multimedia, ranging from attention-grabbing videos to messaging and discussion features to interactive computer games and personal eLockers. Studywiz Spark is especially useful for curricula such as science, English, and history, including tutorials on many different subjects. Pricing varies, www.studywizspark.com TEACHERSITES SCHOOLWORLD The comprehensive Web site product, TeacherSites, was rated one of the best products this year—it is one of the easiest to use and flexible Web page creator tool for teachers. The program allows TURNINGPOINT TURNING TECHNOLOGIES LLC One of this program’s best features is the software’s ability to integrate with Microsoft Office, especially Powerpoint. TurningPoint works with Powerpoint to create questions and with Excel to analyze results. Also, users have the option of using a floating toolbar called TurningPoint AnyWhere if they want to poll outside of the Microsoft PowerPoint environment. Currently the program is also available in a complimentary version for development purposes, so educators can test the tool before they decide whether they’ll benefit from it. Complete TurningPoint systems start at $695 for a 24-seat system, www.turningtechnologies.com teachers to add and edit pages quickly and easily. TeacherSites is a complete package that involves the teacher, parent, and student. Judges were impressed with the product’s usefulness and found it better than similar Web sites they’d used before. Standard $39/year, Premium $59/year, www.schoolworld.com TECH & LEARNING | 25 http://WWW.TECHLEARNING.COM http://www.thinkquest.org http://www.studywizspark.com http://www.schoolworld.com http://www.turningtechnologies.com

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

Technology & Learning - December 2008 Contents Leader of the Year Award Awards of Excellence Portraits of Learning

Technology & Learning - December 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.