Volume 6, Issue #1 for Week of 1/03/05

Compiled by David Grapka (mailto:David@Trecenter.org)

Technology Resources for Education (T.R.E.) Center TRECenter.org

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Note: Some links are time-sensitive. Access to some may require registration or free subscriptions.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation, which gives happiness."

--Thomas Jefferson

UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html free Adobe reader version 7.0, then visit http://www.colligo.us/ to see how you can use it with Colligo’s “Bookcrafter.”
http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2005/01/03ky/A1-online0103-8529.html Taking State Tests Online! This sounds like a good idea for how to comply with alternate media laws, as well as to model ways of making text accessible to students with disabilities.

ACCESS SOLUTIONS:

http://www.oclc.org OCLC and Yahoo! officially launch a free co-branded toolbar that provides one-click access to Open WorldCat as well as Yahoo! Searchs Web search engine. The free toolbar plugs into Microsofts Internet Explorer browser. A whirligig OCLC logo to the extreme left on the toolbar clicks to a subset of Open WorldCat (currently 2 million of the 57 million records available in the full WorldCat, reflecting the holdings of some 9,000 libraries) (from David P. Dillard)

BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS:

http://www.behavioradvisor.com/ Classroom Management Question - If you are working with teachers on classroom management, an excellent resource is Dr. Mac's Amazing Behavior Management Site that provides 1000's of tips on classroom management.

BiLINGUAL SOLUTIONS:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/weblogging/ Using Weblogs in ESL/EFL Classes Discussion group set up on Yahoo! to support an online class in weblogging in in English language teaching. My guess is that the group will outlive the class. By Aaron Campbell, Barbara Dieu and Graham Stanley, December, 2004 from Stephen Downs

COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/02/technology/circuits/02POGUE-EMAIL.html?ex=1103778000&en=c3ca896eccc8e592&ei=5070&oref=login&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1102009457-ox/s2Wxn6U9kN+VHFpf9lg read the NY Times’ review of Dragon Naturally Speaking.

JUST FOR FUN:

http://www.davidhbdrake.com Teachers protest NCLB with 1960s-style music album A group of teachers has released a CD of songs protesting the federal No Child Left Behind Act. All the songs on the album are set to classic 1960s activist music. (from The Christian Science Monitor)

MATH SOLUTIONS:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2002133046_cognitive29n.html Interactive program helps students who've given up on math. Cognitive Tutor, one of the few math software programs listed in the national What Works Clearinghouse, analyzes students' strengths and weaknesses, then gears instruction to their abilities. Teachers marvel at how the well the program engages struggling students, particularly those taking Algebra 1.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS:

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS:

http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=53200291 Information on the tools you can use to create your own website, easily and almost painlessly.
http://www.connsensebulletin.com/bookherlihy.html ConnSENSE Book Review: IntelliTools Extreme! Extreme IntelliTools Without Extreme Frustration by Jennifer Fritschi
http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/conferences/2004/ The 7th Annual Technology Innovators' Conference Reminder: View summaries and transcripts for all the sessions as well as bios for all conference speakers from the 7th Annual NCTI Technology Innovators' Conference.

RESEARCH SOLUTIONS:

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/internet/6.asp Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994 – 2001 has a section entitle: “Special Hardware and Software for Students With Disabilities,” that is just waiting for someone to use the excellent data therein to land their next big grant.

TEACHING SOLUTIONS:

http://www.bitbetter.com/powertips.htm Improve Your Powerpoint Skills - A Bit Better offers a number of excellent tips and presentation suggestions on it web site. The company sells "add in" graphics for Powerpoint but makes available free the excellent suggestions on using and presenting with PowerPoint.

VENDOR PARTNER WEBSITES AND NEWS:

* http://www.accessiblebookcollection.org Accessible Books

* http://www.colligo.us/ Reading: Access and Comprehension

* http://www.ea-software.com Educational Activities Software