Learning and Leading - September/October 2009

The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies is offering a new series of free online cultural heritage tours that allow educators, families, and students to explore the Smithsonian’s rich array of cultural heritage–related treasures. Explore a dozen of the Smithsonian’s most thought-provoking objects. Featuring art and artifacts drawn from across the Smithsonian’s family of museums, the first two tours in the series focus on African-American and Latino history and culture. Look for upcoming tours on women’s history, American Indian history, and Asian Pacific history.

MORE INFO: www.smithsonianeducation.org/heritage_month

Smart Notebook

Math software

is now integrated with Texas Instrument’s calculator emulator and computer software. This integration allows users to launch installed TI software through Smart Notebook Math, giving them immediate access to TI applications. With TI emulator and computer software such as TI-Nspire Computer Software—Teacher Edition and the TI-SmartView Emulator Software for the TI-84 Plus Family, educators using SMART Notebook Math can more seamlessly use TI software on a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

MORE INFO: www.smarttech.com/SMARTNotebookMath

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Northern Kentucky University has unveiled Creative Thinking, an educational copyright and plagiarism website for middle school through freshman college students. Funded by a grant from the Cincinnati Bar

Foundation, Creative Thinking films, lessons, and activities are designed to educate teens and young adults about plagiarism and copyright law. The website contains original short films that support lessons and student activities. The films also provide pop-up graphical questions and statements to help students follow the content and allow teachers to pause the film for class discussion.

MORE INFO: http://creativethinking.nku.edu

Discovery Education has added a new curriculum alignment service that will advise school districts about integrating digital content into day-to-day classroom instruction. Discovery Education’s team of subject-matter experts will use their library of more than 250,000 digital content assets, including video clips, writing prompts, images, audio files, virtual labs, games, articles, assessment items, and more, to help educators quickly find digital content.

MORE INFO: 1.800.323.9083; www.discoveryeducation.com

Tangent Inc. has unveiled VITA LT, a space- and energy-saving all-in-one PC for the education market. It uses 72% less energy than standard Energy Star 4.0 compliant PCs. The VITA LT is 1. 4 inches thick and weighs 10. 5 pounds. It features a 4-in- 1 reader, integrated webcam, integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics, and a crisp, clear wide-screen display.