WHAT’Snew
Freelance writer Sharleen Nelson compiled this information from press releases sent to the L&L editorial office. The L&L staff does not
review the products and resources, and they are offered here without recommendation. Send press releases to products@iste.org.
Scientific data
collection supplier
Vernier Software &
Technology is accept-
ing applications for
its 2014 engineer-
ing contest that
recognizes the con-
tributions of middle,
high school, and college STEM instructors who introduce
their students to engineering concepts and practices using
Vernier sensors. Winners receive cash prizes along with ex-
pense-paid opportunities to attend either the 2014 National
Science Teachers Association STEM conference or the 2014
American Society for Engineering Education conference. The
deadline for entries is January 15. Vernier will announce the
winners on March 5.
MORE INFO: vernier.com
N-trig has released
DuoSense2, its next-generation family of high-resolution pens for use with
mobile computing devices, such
as smartphones, ultrabooks, and
notebooks. Available in rechargeable
or battery-operated models, the pen
comes in three sizes: 9. 5 mm, 8.0 mm and 5. 5 mm diameter. The pen’s palm rejection and pressure mechanism features supply 256 levels of high-pressure sensitivity to provide a natural feel of pen on paper. Other features include
cursive and block-letter recognition, hover capabilities, accurate tracking, and two configurable side buttons that can
be programmed to serve as a right-click, eraser, or other
custom function.
MORE INFO: www.n-trig.com
Read Conmigo, a bilingual literacy program, has updated its
website. Parents and teachers who sign up for the free reading program can now download PDF versions of its free library
of bilingual children’s storybooks. Parents may also register to
receive free books in the mail every other month, and teachers
can register for a one-time shipment of free children’s books
for their classrooms. Read Conmigo has also added a variety
of games and educational activities designed for PK– 5 students. In the Kid’s Corner, students can play memory games,
create personalized coloring pages, print flash cards, fill out
reading worksheets, and practice drawing. Read Conmigo also
offers publishing opportunities and exposure for Latino authors
and illustrators.
MORE INFO: www.readconmigo.org
Common Sense Media
has launched Graphite,
a free web-based service
for educators designed
to improve the effective use of technology in K– 12 classrooms. Graphite uses a
learning rating system to help teachers discover, share, and
use the highest quality and most relevant digital learning
products, which are evaluated across a broad range of core
academic subjects, such as English language arts, math,
science, and social studies, as well as deep learning skills,
such as creativity, thinking and reasoning, and collaboration.
All learning products are easily searchable by subject, skills,
and grade bands and mapped to Common Core and other
standards. Educators can share their personal reviews and
field notes about how they use each app, game, and website, and what works best with their students.
MORE INFO: www.graphite.org
