News 09-11-2001
Transforming Teaching and Learning through Technology
Kathy Cristoph, Director of Academic Technology Solutions at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, will present a keynote address at Syllabus fall2001 in
the Boston Area, November 30. Christoph's address, titled "Targeting the
Transformation of Teaching and Learning through Technology," will focus
on ways in which educators can analyze their situations and formulate strategies
to target the transformation in teaching and learning at theirs institution.
The address will consider questions such as: What are the driving factors behind
technology-based changes in teaching and learning in higher education? How d'es
institutional culture fit into the picture? Do we have the necessary resources?
Christoph's talk will be one of the many highlights of the Syllabus fall2001
conference, "Next Steps: Moving Forward with Campus IT." The conference,
to be held November 29 through December 2, in Danvers, Mass., panel presentations,
breakout and poster sessions, exhibits, workshops, and seminars. The conference
will bring together leaders in education technology to examine the central themes
and key technologies that have become increasingly important to diverse constituent
groups in higher education as they move forward with strategic technology planning
and innovation.
For complete conference information and online registration, visit http://www.syllabus.com.
100 Most Wired Colleges
The October issue of Yahoo Internet Life magazine includes the fifth annual
100 Most Wired Colleges list. The rankings are based on infrastructure, student
services, Web portal, e-learning, tech support and wireless access. The top
ten most wired colleges are: (1) Carnegie Mellon, (2) Stanford, (3) Georgia
Institute of Technology, (4) Dartmouth, (5) MIT, (6) Drexel Institute, (7) Indiana
University, Bloomington, (8) University of Delaware, (9) University of Virginia,
and tied for (10) the New Jersey Institute of Technology and SUNY-Buffalo.
CD-ROM Uses Innovative Approach
A $136,000 National Science Foundation Grant to Harvey Mudd College has resulted
in the development of a new CD-ROM approach to teaching science. The CD is suitable
for use in introductory biology, cell biology, genetics, and cancer biology
courses, as well as in high school biology (especially AP biology). The CD-ROM
uses goal-based learning and stem cell simulation to teach the biology of the
cell cycle. "StemLab, an Environment for Learning," lets students
set their own pace and make choices to learn about how cells divide, grow, and
change. The students learn by way of a multimedia simulation, in which they
apply stem cell research to create therapies for different medical problems.
The CD uses hypertext links, similar to those on a web browser, to direct the
student to text with pronunciation guide, more than 300 illustrations, and more
than 90 animations. The CD-ROM is offered by the Mona Group at http://www.monagroup.com.
WCET Conference
WCET (Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications) 13th Annual Conference
takes place at the C'eur d'Alene Resort in Idaho on October 31 through November
3, 2001. The conference focuses on policy, practices, and services for e-learners
in higher education. The program features in-depth sessions involving new state
and federal policies, advances in services to students, new costing of technology
methodologies, evolving accreditation and quality assurance issues, new e-learning
projects in the U.S. and from other countries, and new institutional practices.
Registration materials and the entire program can be found online at http://www.wiche.edu/wcet.
PLUS Online Sweepstakes
PLUS Corporation, manufacturer and marketer of ultra-portable digital projectors,
presentation, and communications products launched the online Road Warrior Presentation
Package sweepstakes. To enter, visit http://www.plus-america.com/roadwarrior,
and fill out an online entry form. Entrants will have the chance to win one
complete road-ready presentation solution that includes a PLUS U3 Series digital
projector, ultra-portable pop-up projection screen, collapsible tripod, soft
carry case, a complete set of connector cables, and wireless remote control.
The winner of the $4,495 value presentation package will be selected on January
9, 2002. The promotion program will run through December 31, 2001.
Palm Introduces Mobile Mentor Software CDs
Palm has introduced the Palm Mobile Mentor software--three CDs of organization,
productivity, learning, and teaching applications for educators, high school
students, and college students. The CDs were unveiled during orientation at
the University of South Dakota, whose 1,300 first-year undergraduate students
and first-year medical and law school students received Palm m500 and m505 handhelds
and the Mobile Mentor collegiate edition. The three editions--educator, student,
and collegiateó-will begin shipping Sept. 25. Software applications include
ImagiMath 1.02 combining a mathematics visualizer, a full-featured calculator,
and a mathematical worksheet and equation solver; powerOne, a general calculator
with functions such as statistics, trigonometry, a time/value of money worksheet
to calculate loans and investments, and unit-conversion worksheets; Documents
To Go, enabling users to create and edit Word and Excel documents, as well as
view PowerPoint slides; and Palm Reader to enable users to download and view
more than 2,000 e-books.
For more information, visit http://www.palm.com.
Convert Print to Spoken Words
The recently released Scan and Read family of software scans any printed material
and converts it to spoken words, delivered in a variety of voices through the
computer's speaker. The software also displays the text on the screen and highlights
each word as it's read, a helpful feature for readers of all ages, those with
learning disabilities, and non-English peakers looking for a way to increase
their vocabularies.
The more advanced members of the software family include
word processing capability; the ability to access Microsoft Word files and convert
them to spoken words; automatic image rotation, which allows software to convert
text regardless of how it's positioned on the scanner bed; and the ability to
create MP3 files, which can then be downloaded to other devices.
For more information, visit http://www.premier-programming.com.
Online Presentation Resource
Presenters University is a free, online resource that provides easy-to-use
information and tools for developing and delivering effective multimedia presentations.
The award-winning Web site at http://www.presentersuniversity.com
offers presentation courses, instructional articles featuring technology tips
and advice, online "Ask The Professor" discussion forums, and free,downloadable
templates to create dynamic presentations. Designed for both novice and experienced
presenters, Presenters University addresses all components for a successful
presentation--content, delivery, and visuals. Launched in 1997, the site is
sponsored by InFocus Corporation.
Technical Certification Programs Online
eWebUniversity, an e-learning software platform and content provider, in partnership
with the Silicon Valley's San Jose State University international and extended
studies department, has launched a new distance learning curriculum designed
specifically to meet the needs of information technology (IT) professionals
in the fast-growing Australian tech market. Beginning this month, IT professionals
in Australia will be able to take advantage of a wide variety of technical certification
programs offered by San Jose State University (SJSU) "anytime, anywhere"
using eWebUniversity's e-learning platform.
For more information, visit http://www.ewebuniversity.com.
Scanner has Photographic Memory
Canon U.S.A., Inc. has begun shipping the Canon DR-5060F, its newest digital
scanner with a built-in microfilm back-up system. The scanner can simultaneously
record images to a PC and to obsolescence-proof microfilm, offering document
management and a back-up system in one compact unit. The built-in, long-term
archival recording enables image files to be accessible and readable years into
the future, despite changes in storage technology.
For more information, visit the Canon U.S.A. Web Site at http://www.usa.canon.com.
Waterproof Inkjet Printing
PPG Industries is introducing a silica-based synthetic printing sheet that
provides water resistance with standard dye-based inkjet technology. The Teslin
IJ 1000 WP sheet is a single-layer synthetic sheet for waterproof aqueous dye-based
inkjet printing, and is being marketed for consumer and commercial printing
applications. Available in sheets and rolls, the PPG product is not a multi-layer
sheet and can be printed on both sides.
For more information, visit http://www.ppg.com.
Don't Miss These Upcoming Events from 101communications:
XML One & Web Services One - September 30-October 4, San Jose, CA. http://www.xmlconference.com/sanjose/index.asp
Online registration now open!
Syllabus fall2001 "Next Steps: Moving Forward with Campus IT" November
29-December 2, Danvers, MA. Online Registration Available http://www.Syllabus.com
