Faronics's new Insight program
allows teachers to monitor behavior,
reduce distractions, communicate
directly with students, and encourage
participation from a remote vantage point. It works by enabling
a teacher to control all student computers within a computer-based classroom. Targeted at K– 12, the program maintains
16,000 teacher channels, allowing an organization to control
the same number of different classrooms concurrently. Insight
works with any combination of computers running Windows 98,
Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista, and is optimized
for 800x600, 1024x768, and 1280x1024 screen resolutions.
The hardware requirements are the same as the recommended
requirements for the host operating system. For more information
or to download a free evaluation copy, please visit the manufacturer’s Web site.
MORE INFO: www.faronics.com
Intel has launched Inspire, a new online education community intended to highlight educational experiences that
inspire people and encourage engagement in education
quality. Enabled by social media tools, Inspire is designed
to invite people to four courses of action: to learn more,
to share, to speak up, and to volunteer. Intel’s education
initiative has a 40-year history and a $100 million annual
investment. Intel hopes that Inspire grows organically and
becomes a catalyst for action and a voice for change in
education.
MORE INFO: www.inspiredbyeducation.com
A new Web camera by Plustek allows users to
plug the cable into the computer USB socket and
instantly add live video and audio to IM sessions.
The Plustek OptiCam M1 also allows the user
to move and control its lens. It covers about a
150-degree, horizontal view and a 110-degree, vertical view.
Moreover, a remote user may control the Web camera upon
request. Micro-shooting capability is another feature of the
camera. After adjusting the focus, it can take pictures of images as close as 15mm. The camera is capable of offering
high-quality images, up to 30 frames per second on recommended systems. It is equipped with a USB connection and
built-in microphone. For price, contact the manufacturer.
MORE INFO: Plustek: www.plustek.com
HP announced the release of HP Mobile Calculating
Lab Solutions, designed to help students better connect
mathematical formulas to everyday, physical phenomena
by easily collecting and analyzing real-world data in real
time. The high-performance, plug-and-play MCL solutions
are comprised of a four-port data streamer (the HP StreamSmart 400), a connected, HP 39/40gs graphing calculator,
and a variety of scientific probes. The systems are ideal for
middle and high school math and science classes. The sensors capture physical data, and, when connected with the
calculators, students can use them to analyze collected data
using familiar HP graphing calculator functions. The HP MCL
prices vary by solution. The HP StreamSmart 400 is $99.
MORE INFO: HP, 1.800.474.6836
www.hp.com/go/mobility2008
LEGO WeDo is a new product that facilitates a hands-on, minds-on learning
experience, redefining robotics for elementary school students ages 7 to 11.
It’s designed to involve students in the learning process by
promoting creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving
skills, and to create a clear link between the virtual world
(computers and programming) and the physical world (
represented by LEGO models). To create it, LEGO collaborated
closely with MIT Media Lab and Professor Mitch Resnick.
It will be available in the United States and Brazil beginning
in January 2009. For prices, contact the manufacturer.
MORE INFO: http://www.LEGOeducation.com
Qwizdom Inc. has announced
the release of the Q7 Presenter,
a wireless tablet that combines
advanced, radio-frequency tech-
nology, presenter controls, and response system interactivity
designed to help teachers and students connect and collaborate in new ways. It has the basic functions of an interactive whiteboard in a wireless tablet format, with additional
student response systems. Teachers can use it to draw, annotate, and control computer applications without being tethered to a workstation. For pricing, contact the manufacturer.
MORE INFO: Qwizdom, Inc., 1.253.845.7738
www.qwizdom.com
