|
|
LVA-Verizon Technology Project
Resource Link #02-1
During the past few months, many of us have been consumed by national and international news. In this issue, we feature several Internet sites that focus on the news. We will also offer a few articles on things to consider before the purchase of new hardware as well as a software review.
*** News Sites ***
Most of you already know about CNN; here are some additional sites that may not be as familiar.
Scholastic News Zone
Access Scholastic News online to see special reports, top news, games and quizzes, and teacher tips. Designed for students grades three through eight. Two to four special reports are always available. Recent topics include the Middle East crisis and the war against terrorism.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/newszone/index.asp
Newspapers and the 'Net
Created by Sherrye Dee Garrett, Ed.D. with Dr. Betty L. Sullivan, the three areas on the site offer background material for using newspapers with students, 13 student activities, and additional resources including vocabulary terms for the Internet and newspapers. There are also links to sites you will find helpful as you work with students and the news.
http://archive.nandotimes.com/prof/edsvc/teach/niecurric/newsnet/index.html
*** Hardware ***
Purchasing Pitfalls
Thinking of purchasing a computer? In this article, John Riley lists 10 pitfalls. He says the number one problem is making huge purchases of hardware or software with no planning for training individuals, technical support, or hardware maintenance. Another common error is buying hardware before deciding on software. "Big corporations learned a long time ago that information technology should focus on the business problem the technology is supposed to solve -- not on the computers." Review the rest of the list at:
http://www.electronic-school.com/2002/01/0102f5.html
Consortium for School Networking
In a similar vein, the Consortium for School Networking asks individuals to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) before purchasing computers. Although focusing on computer networks in school districts, this site offers good information applicable to literacy organizations. The TCO includes costs of professional development, support, connectivity to the Internet, software, replacement costs, and more.
http://www.classroomtco.org/checklist/
Home PC Network
Organizations with more than one computer may want to consider a network. Networking is becoming simpler, since companies are now encouraging networking of computers in the home. As marketing focuses the home user, prices are also going down.
For a primer on home networking go to the Home PC Network. Of special interest is a question and answer column that discusses "how to connect two PCs," or "how to connect a PC to a laptop." There are also a number of networking articles.
http://www.homepcnetwork.com
Tech Soup
Another resource is Tech Soup. It offers basic information on networks.
http://www.techsoup.org
*** Software ***
Crosscountry USA
Crosscountry USA is an interactive simulation of situations that would be encountered driving a truck across the United States. This highly acclaimed program helps users become adept in map-reading, handling distance and time concepts, anticipating and solving problems, and other practical skills. This program can also be used for ESL and survival math.
Graphics simulate the view from the driver's seat of a truck, as students "transport" commodities between 180 U.S. cities. Also includes digitized sound and mouse interface. Grades: 4 - 9.
http://www.ingenuityworks.com
Basic Skills at Work
This may be interesting for higher level students or workforce education services. Grades 9+ has 72 activities to improve basic language, math, and workplace skills. This software provides up to 140 hours of training. Included in the set are an instructor's manual, a user guide and a cross-platform CD-ROM.
The first program on the CD-ROM introduces users to basic mouse and keyboard control. Then the Factory Mystery game places them in real life situations where they read documents and explore locations. Players move from room to room in the Farmfresh plant, questioning witnesses and searching for clues. Used this way, this game offers a context for problem-solving and incorporates skills such as understanding written instructions and drawing conclusions.
As individuals solve a mystery, they discover objects, some of which open to learning activities. Students can also complete these activities independently through the various learning modules.http://www.ingenuityworks.com
- Karen's Letter - 7 activities in constructing short sentences
- Comma Sense - 11 exercises on punctuation
- Write it Right - 10 exercises on homonyms
- From ABC to Z - 11 activities on alphabetical ordering
- Clear Statements - 9 activities to demystify paycheck statements
- The Automatic Teller - 2 simulated ATM activities
- Getting Informed - 10 activities on filling out forms
- The Numbers Game - 6 activities to simplify arithmetic
World Book 2001 Premium Edition
The four-CD deluxe set includes the Merriam-Webster Reference Library, Information Please, and the Rand McNally New Millennium World Atlas Deluxe, as well as the media-enhanced text of the printed World Book. Homework Wizards guide learners through the steps of creating timelines, charts, reports, and simple three-page websites. World Book users also get a one-year subscription to World Book Online (normally $49.95 per year). This is a bargain, since the software costs $59.95.
The online service provides a wealth of topical features including a daily "Today in History" article and more. These items are richly supplied with links to encyclopedia material, including archive articles from World Book editions dating back to 1922. The site also has free teacher and parent resource centers. Major articles on CD are linked to websites as well.
www.worldbook.com
Start-To-Finish Books
Steck-Vaughn has added new material to this series. Content includes: literature (Red Badge of Courage, Huckleberry Finn, etc.), sports biographies, biographies, mysteries, and science and nature. Each title comes with a book, CD, audiotape, and teacher's guide. Reading level is grades 2-4. Individual titles are $65, but you can also order reading packs with multiple titles.
http://www.steck-vaughn.com
*** Miscellaneous Sites of Interest ***
Adult Basic Education Math Material for the Workplace
Help identify training needs and document mastery of the minimum math skills needed for entry-level workers seeking employment. Each competency has an eight question assessment, some notes to the instructor, and some sample curricula.
http://www.readiowa.org/workplacemath/contents.html
The World Wide Web Virtual Library
This site is an easy and fast way to get to any online museum in the world by clicking on the museum links or doing a search on a topic. It bills itself as a "comprehensive directory of online museums and museum-related resources."
http://www.icom.org/vlmp/
University of Victoria English Language Centre Study Zone
This site features short stories. First, select the level (200, 330, 410, 490, 570, and Extras). Among the materials available for a given level is a reading section with different stories and exercises. We explored level 200.
Students first complete multiple-choice reading comprehension activities to assess comprehension and then recreate the story by placing sentences in order. Grammar exercises and write-a-summary exercises also accompany the texts on higher levels (e.g., 410).
Note that this site does not have audio to aid in comprehension. Though prepared for a given audience from University of Victoria courses, materials can certainly be used by other teachers and learners.
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/index.htm