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TITLE EPIEgram: The Newsletterof Systemic Change, 1992-1993. INSTITUTION Educational Products InformationExchange Inst., Hampton Bays, NY. PUB DATE 93 NOTE 146p.; For the 1991-1992 issue,see ED 353 959. AVAILABLE FROMSterling Harbor Press, P.O. Box28, Greenport, NY 11944 ($65.00/year). PUB TYPE Collected Works Serials(022) Book/Product Reviews (072) JOURNAL GIT EPIEgram: The Newsletterof Systemic Change; v19n1-9 1992-93

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC06 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Computer Networks; Computer Software Evaluation; *Courseware; Educational Change; Educational Innovation; Educational Resources; '*Educational Technology; Elementary Secondary Education; Ethics; Hypermedia; Information Networks; Multimedia Instruction; Research and Development IDENTIFIERS Information Age; Information Infrastructure

ABSTRACT The EPIEgram newsletter contains information about educational materials and technology for elementary secondary education. In addition to the continuing feature, "The Educational Software Selector" (TESS), the nine issues contain articles on evaluating educational technology; school reform; publishing; multimedia; hypermedia; the information superhighway; the national information infrastructure; educational ethics; and computer networks. (JLB)

Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. * ******************;.********************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educationar Researcn and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER IERICI C TOM document has been reproduced as received I rom tne person or organization originating it C Minor changes nave peen made to improve reCor0OUCLOO Qualify

Points of view or opirnons stated in thi5d0Co men) CO not necessarity represent official OEM position or O0r.cy

EPIEgram: The Newsletter of Systemic Change, 1992-1993

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"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS r.11; P.Pr1"1 MT1 MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY J. Dolinar 444';( tiAlk

TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES 2 INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." The Newsletter cr Systemic Change Earl L. Fultz, Editor & Publisher 1 9rarn Volume 19, Number 1 October 1992 Value & Values: Evaluating Technology in the Schools

(The following excerpts are from a work Whereas once the textbook industry was pri- in progress by Ken Komoski, Executive vately and/or family owned with dozens of compa- Director of EPIE Institute, which the edi- nies, in recent years the industry "imploded" until tor of EPIEgram ha.s been privileged to only a handful of publicly-held corporations are left, discuss with him.At this time, Mr. many with other businesses as large or larger than Komoski is preparing a visualized pre- textbook publishing. Some of these have moved into sentation on the subject for showing to becoming software and/or multimedia producers, groups and organizations interested in but growth in these areas has not been as dynamic doing a better job of evaluating technol- as anticipated by managewent with attention fixed ogy in schools.) on the bottom line. The implosion of the print-based educational Mr. Komoski's opening premise "When a school is materials has significantly lessened the variety of buying high-tech technology, the primary concern values available. Textbooks are written to appeal to is whether or not they are getting good value (e.g., the broadest possible market with the result that a price, service); in other words, their `moneysworth.' "one size fits all" philosophy has resulted. "However, in order really to get their In high-tech technology, on the other hand, moneysworth, the decisionmakers should be con- Komoski says, there has been a proliferation of cerned about the values promulgated by the tech- producers of educational software, many of them nology ( e.g., the educator might have a concern quite small. As an example, Komoski poinfs to the about equitable representation of women and mi- fact that when EPIE Institute first launched TESS, norities.)" its comprehensive database of information on soft- Komoski points out that values have always ware, in 1981, there were barely 100 software pro- been important even in low-tech technology such as ducers and only a few hundred programs. a textbook. However, the textbook is primarily a teaching tool for the teacher, and there is consider- continued on back page able room for interpretation by the teacher regard- ing the values imbedded in the material. SCISS/TESS Update "The situation is quite different with high-tech Begins on Page 5 technology," Komoski says, "for it is a tool for the learner. The teacher is no longer the primary channel of communication, but assumes the role of More of The Latest mediator or facilitator, and the values embedded in Software from the software go directly to the student without TESS! intervention or manipulation." Values have always been important, Komoski Five Big Pages Crammed wtth notes, but the scope of what is being offered has changed tremendously. Program Data and Descriptions page 2 ebttortat Teacher/Administrator Ratio.Any school that has A lot of people are mad at Ross Perotand they should be. appreciably increased the ratio of administrativepersonnel to For one brief, golden moment, there wasthe promise of teaching personnel in the past 20 years isshortchanging the "Truth" without the hyperbole of politicsand special interest. students. This is worsened because schoolstend to pay more And 'ne finked out. When the going got tough,Perot got gone. for non-teaching positions than does theprivate sector for Of course, he had set himself animpossible task because similar occupations (e.g, custodians,secretaries, food-ser- all the Perot enthusiastsand they rangedfrom arch-conser- vice workers). The budget gets a doublewhack: unnecessary vative to ultra-liberal---expected him to voicetheir versions people who get paid higher than theprevailing wage. of the Truth whereas he was really interestedonly in voicing his own. Curriculum Articulation and Alignment. Itis unlikely The ultimate business pragmatist, Perotbegan to realize,that any school in America actuallyteaches and tests its belatedly, that he didn't have the RightStuffto be the conduit official curriculum. Educators who ignore thisfact and who for so many differing opinions, so hescooted. But he left apretend they have the educational materialsand tests which vacuum, one which reminds ushow much of the time we align with a well-articulated curriculum are achief obstacle submerge our own beliefs and feelings.We do what isto education improvement. expedient, not what we believe. We join in onthe politics of This is a subtle problem and generallymisunderstood if our immediate environment,decrying the idiocy of it all innot actually ignored; but thesimple fact is that the teacher private but playing the game in public,doing what's smart,can't teach the curriculum unless theschool's educational not what's right. materials and testing programs alignwith an agreed-upon What Ross Perot has done for us, inadvertently,is remind curriculum. us all how much we yearn tobe honest in our relationships, Voucher System. While many fear thatpublic schools aligned with truthful in our beliefs, dedicated in our work and will suffer if vouchers become the law ofthe land, we are a the American Dream, not inter it. a future that can expand bit more sanguine. Currently, the parent, thestudent, and the And that' s what So it's time to be honest with one another. community are relatively helpless to forcechange in the more than before. we at EPIEgrani intend to promulgate even schools because there is no inexpensivealternative to the few things that So let's start the process right here by listing a school to which their child is assigned. really annoy us. The voucher gives the parents and students some power, Sports.Schools should emphasize health, not sports,some control.The arguments surrounding it inevitably individual activities, not "winning teams." It bothers usthat create a focus on the kind of educationthe local schools are organized sports has such a hold on ourschools and ourproviding. With a voucher in hand, the parentsand students nation. The purpose of school is to prepare the youngfor adultare given a direct and democratic way tovote on whether they life; I learned nothing playing football (three-yearletterman) feel they are getting what they want. except that knees bend only one way,(it still hurts 50 years Can vouchers be abused? Of course. Almostanything that later) and that a broken nose tends to impairbreathing. you can think up will probablyhappen. including a total School reform could have no better starting pointthan todisruption of the educational establishment. Butchaos is a take a considerable portion of the phys-ed budget andbeginprecursor of change. As we said atthe outset, comfortable spending it on instructional materials and technologyuntil atbureaucracies don't reform as long as there is a remotechance least 5% of the school budget is allocatedfor learningof hanging on to the status quo. materials instead of the current 1%. If we do this,there is A voucher is economic and a componentof educational some hope that the 50% of graduateswho have no marketabledemocracy. You take your money and votefor what best job skills might begin to be reduced. serves your needs. It isn't quiteAdam Smith's invisible hand Computers. No student should be allowed to graduateof the marketbut it has some of the elements, enough of without a working knowledge of the computer. Itis a gravethem, to provide the basis for reform. disservice to students to let them go out into acomputerized The educational establishment has had at least15 years world without basic computer skills. Many of theseskills can and billions of additional dollars to bringabout improve- be learned by having the older, more computer-savvykidsment. Little has been accomplished. It'stime to begin the teaching younger students. revolutionnot from the top down but from thebottom up. Make computer skills (along with proficiency inreading Aux armes, Ciioyens! sports. Earl L. Fultz and math) a prerequisite to any involvement in team Editor & Publisher Get coaches to support this.

Me Newsletter of 5Vsternic Change -71::GRPTI page 3 We can see this in the dismal results of The Director's Column school reform which started with a "redesign" focus in the '80s and which has yet to show any Ken Komoski significant change or real improvement in teach- Executive Director ing and learning. EPIE Institute We are seeing it again in the '90s in the official response to the problem. Get some money, ask lots of bright people to send in Power to the Powerless ideas for school reform, pick 20 or 30 of the best ideas and put them in practiceTop-Down If I understand the difference between tradi- thinking. We can't get away from it. tional American management and that which I have a firm belief that American education has grown up in postwar Japan, it is that one will eventually get better (in the meantime, we believes in top-down change. the other be- will have raised a generation or two of children lieves that bottom-up is the surest and best who will never be adequately educated), and approach. while I can't say exactly how it will happen. I To be more specific. American management know it wffi happen because of change starting believes in making broad, sweeping decis!ons at the local level and moving upward rather at the top level (this is why, presumably, some than that some grand scheme will magically CEO'S get 20-40-60 million a year) and then appear which gives us World Class graduates seeing that these are enforced down the line, a in every subject technique which needs more middle managers I think it will occur soon and it will come and is almost guaranteed to annoy the worker. about when teachers, parents, and students The Japanese approach is built on the prin- have access to educational ideas and materials ciple that the person doing the work is best which they choose to meet their own needs. qualified to suggest improvements and in- The elements are already in place.For ex- crease productivity. ample: there are more computers in homes Top-down change tends to be disrupting in than in schools: whatever a school does not part because no need is seen until it reaches provide a student is increasingly available crisis proportions. Then the change is like a electronically. tidal wave sweeping everything before it. Bot- In other words, no longer must a parent or tom-up change can be very orderly.Small a student depend on traditional schooling to changes are not disruptive and can be easily become educated. fine-tuned. And small changes are like small And teachersfrustrated as I know so many streams, which when joined together make are by the strictures and lack ofvision of school bigger streams, then rivers, that flow to the sea. districts and administration and school American-style change has a certain air of boardsare also freed to help bring the kind of derring-do that we evidently like.It's a crap teaching materials needed into their own class- shoot and it can be exciting: the whole nation contimsed on following page working together to build a better America. The other approacha little here, a little there is...well...borrr-rrring. EPIEgram We are rapidly approaching a point where there must be change. Everyone is putting Affiliated with EPIE Institute forth grand, well thought-out plans which try to imagine every conceivable problem and pro- vide a solution. It's an exercise in futility, of EPIEgram is published in cooperation with EPM Institute by course. No one can foretell the future well Sterling (Harbor Tress, P. O. Box 28, Greenport, New York enough to anticipate all the problems and 11944. provide all the solutions. The basic subscription rate for nine issues a year (October It's a real problem, this attitude of ours that through June) is $65. Additional subscriptions to the same someone, somewhere has The Answer. We address are $30. The basic rate for subscribers in Consor- can't seem to realize that change is a process. tium (SCISS) States is $45. not a Big Bang, that constant tinkering is better than total redesign.(The constantly Earl L. Fultz, Editor & Publisher improved VW Beetle was a better car by far than P. Kenneth Komoski, Execulive Director, EPIE Institute the rabbit which replaced it.) Pat Lutzky, Manager, SCISSUESS

Volume 19, No. 1 October 1992 5 page 4 rooms.All that is needed is a computer and the The Rights Saga Continues.... knowledge of where to find the right software.* When it comes to intellectual property, the copyright laws are Home learnin' is about to happen. Prodigy (1.5 from the 18'm century; and the technology from the 21' is well million homes) is beginning to deliver softwareelec-advanced toward making a mockery of them. tronically to concerned parents. We hear whispers With the advance of digital technology, all the world's informa- that various large companies are recognizing thetion, theoretically, will be available electronically, a concept pent-up need for electronic delivery of software tothewhich sends fear and trembling through executive suites. home. For example, Apple's already-announced "Newton," a hand- The headlines will be going to the great new plansheld personal information system due in 1993, will be able to for saving American education, but the work is goingtransfer information to another system with the push of a button to be done in hundreds and thousands ofclassrooms creating the potential for copyright infringement every time and millions of homes where parents, students, andthat happens. teachers will turn to electronic learning through Of particular concern is that copyright infringement prob- appropriate software to provide young peoplethelems may put the brakes on new technology. Some publishers kind of educational supportwhich bureaucratic lead-and producers are putting such high fees on reprint rights that ers" in schoolswith their top-down orientationthey effectively ban the use of the material. Others are merely will not offer for another generation or two, and onlyproposing that users be educated to behave ethically; not too after endless prodding. promising an approach in an era of rapid ethical decline. (The Constructive revolutions never start at the top. Software Publishers Association does haYe a rap music video They start at the bottom with peasants picking up entifted"Don't Copy That Floppy." However, it has yet to make their pitchforks and saying "enoughr the Top 40.) Numerous techno-whizzes are searching for an America is at that point now in politics, inelectronic solution to an electronic problem. business, and most certainly in education. Once the (Editorial comment: What's the solution? Prob- revolution is in progress, once it is a success, leaders ably none if I eh-Century copyright laws are the will emerge to take credit for it. But we'll know where starting point. But ifinformation in an Information it began. In homes and classrooms all over America. Age is seen as a national resource, then access to If you want to know more, write usl that information should not be denied to citizensjust Aux armes. citoyensi because they can't afford to pay for it The library, for example, allows both protection of copyright This is, of course, whyEPIEinstitute began building The Educational Sort-ware Selector (lEss) over a decade ago. and use of the information at little or no cost. With TEM, the teacher or parent or student can find the Similarly, in the music business, ASCAP protects the needed software within minutes from among the more originator when the recording is used for commer- than 12,000 educational software programs described cial purposes but an individual can listen to a and rated. recording repeatedly at no additional cost. "Digi- tal libraries" are already being created. The an- swer lies in bringing copyrightable material to- gether in a controllable area rather than in keeping it splintered with little hope of policing its use.) Addendum: A recent court ruling states that the "behavior" of a computer program is not copyrightable. This was viewed NEWS restricting as a victory by those who feel software publishers are innovation and limiting competition. Beggars Can Be Choosers When budgets are short and community interest in education Guys Luv Preschool Program high, don't overlook corporate, foundation, and personal gifts. Citing a recent study by the Carnegie Foundation for Ad- IBM, which leads corporate donors, gave S150 million last year, vancement of Teaching, the National Governor's Association including product donations; Hewlett Packard is a not-so-close has called for a new emphasis on getting preschool children second with 1i76 million.RJR Nabisco is spending a much ready to be educated. publicized $30 million. The survey of 7,000 kindergarten teachers, completed in Perhaps the best way is through organizations set up to channel 1991, showed that more than halfthe teachers reported that their corporate goods and services to not-for-profits. The best known is students were hindered in learning by health, nutritional, and "Gifts In Kind," set up and administered by United Way. Contact your local United Way, or Gifts in Kind, 700 North Fairfax Street, family problems. Suite 300, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, telephone 703 836-2121. Copies of the Governors' report are available from The Also: National Association for the Exchange of Industrial National Governors Association Publications, P. O. Box 421, Resources (NAEIR), P.O. Box 8076, Galesburg, Illinois 61402, Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701. telephone 309 343-0704.

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states and that Texas, which has done an admirable job of getting some version of TESS into every school in the state Hoosiers Hooked (6,300 in all) can well serve as a model. The Texas Educational Agency has volunteered tocon- on TESS sult with any state which has recently joined SCISSor wishes to do so, and wants to learn how Texas did it and Indiana's Educational Service Centers moved rapidlyto share their experience. Contact Karen Kahan (scISs this past summer to distribute the TESS software databasePresident) in the Office of Technology, 1701 North Con- statewide. This included making copies of the diskettes,gress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701. 512 463-9064.Pat promoting the concept, and training key personnel. Lutzky, Manager of SCISS, is another excellentsource of Although Indiana firstjoined the States Consortium lastinformation and can be reached through EPIE Institute, 516 year with assistance from Purdue University, the ESCs are 728-9100. working together to fund second-year membershipon their own. With the ESCs on theirown, the drive to distribute TESS to constituent schools has been strength- Windy City ened and accelerated. Since the ESCsare somewhat au- tonomous, there is no statewide mandate to utilize TESS, Breezes Into SCISS but most centers are actively involved. "One of the ESCs is already using TESS for curriculum work," noted Dr. John Soudah, Executive Director of the While TESS is usually distributed on a statewide basis Northwest Indiana ESC in Highland. "They hadno train- ing; they just sat down and played with the database andthrough the States Consortium, the City of Chicago is figured out how to use it and put it right about to join SCISS without waiting for the State of Illinois to work."to become a member. According to Dr. Soudah, previously the ESC staff had A key factor has been the MacArthur Foundation's only catalogues and magazinesas sources in their search willingness to provide the fmancing for the first-year for software. "One of the surprises," hesays, "is how much software there is that no one knew existed." membership. More on this in next month's EPIEgram. Volunteer State Tech Notes Signs Up for SCISS Techoology Provides Yoke for fie /loth& A promising new approach to autism, termed "facili- In August, Tennessee officially became the sixthstate totated communications," has also drawn its snare of critics. join the Sates Consortium for Improving SoftwareSelec-The disorder is characterized by, among other things,a tion (SCISS).Funding came from the Tennessee Stateseeming inability to form social attachments, feel affection, Department of Education. as well as a lack of self-awareness. There can also be At press time, plans were being developed fortheuncontrollable physical movements and difficulty inun- dissemination of the database and the trainingnecessaryderstanding or communicating. (Remember Dustin to help educators fully utilize TESS. Nonames or detailsHoffman in Rain Man?) were yet available. Using a hand-held keyboard, a facilitator helps guide "It always takes time to createa new structure," saysthe autistic individual's finger to spell out words. The Ken Komoski, Executive Director of EPIEInstitute, thetechnique, developed in Australia for patients withcere- manager of the Consortium, "but some of the states havebral palsy, has been tried with autisticpersons with con- worked through the process quite well and, throughthesiderable success, according to its advocates. (Remember Consortium, are able to share with other states."He notedRobin Williams in Awakenings?) that Michigan had been particularly helpfulwith other continued on following page SC1SS \TESS Update May-lune 1992 7 page 6 Critics of the approach suggest the facilitator uncon- Tidal Wave of Software I. Get Bigger sciously determines the result (the Ouija Board effect), New educational software is pumped out at a rate of 150 something enthusiasts vigorously deny. If proven valid,to 200 new programs a month (see the blue section for the facilitated communication will force an entirely new evalu-latest additions to the TESS database) and it is going to ation of basic assumptions about autism. come even faster because of "FlashPort," a new product developed by Bell Labs and Apple Computer. A Custominable Alicroproceuor is Tour Future The program lets software writers easily port programs Apple's new Newton may not be the breakthroughmade for one computer's architecture to other designs. product so simple that anyone can use it, but critics say itAccording to the developers, it normally takes from eight takes a giant step in that direction due to a "multitaskingto twelve months to perform this function, whereas with operating system" and complex "recognizers" that makethe Echo System it can be done in two or three weeks. it easier to use than other computers. The software, which will be marketed by Echo Logic, The breakthrough is Newton's customized micropro-Inc., the most recent spinoff of AT&T Ventures Corp., a unit cessor which, in all likelihood, will be showing up in aof AT&T, has been in development since January, 1991. variety of new products which don't look like computersOther deals are in the works but no one is talking. but are, dedicated to a specific function such as address books and telephones and appointment books. The Price is Eight Less futuristic are portable offerings from Gateway and Thanks to Adam Smith's "invisible hand" of the mar- Dell which exploit DOS-compatible hardware for a newket, the cost of microprocessor chips keeps going down high in portability.Also on the horizon is Phoenix'sand so does the cost of computers and computing. Some Companion PC and others as yet only being whisperedof the direct sellers (e.g., Dell, Gateway) are offering 386s about. with VGA color monitors in the $1200 range. Advice to educators: get your students into computers Naturally, there is a dizzying array of choices which fast or they won't recognize the world they will be gradu-reflect variations in power and price: 386SX,386SL, 386DX, ating into. 486SLC, 486SX, 486DX, 486DX/2. Our editorial advice: Buy what you can afford but don't Swart Then worry about getting the top of the line with all the bells and Another glimpse of the world of tomorrow is containedwhistles. It's better to have two stripped-down models in an announcement from Goodyear Tire and Rubber thatthan one deluxe because the objective is tc get students they have developed a smart truck tire which will monitorworking at computers. (And if there's a choice between its own durability and, on command, give a detailednew band uniforms and new computers - do right by the account of performance. kids, get the computers.) The secret is a computer chip embedded in the tire which will give a readout on a hand-held digital reader or The Envelope, Please a display built into the dashboard. Already tested for four Do you keep the old Selectric going just so you can years, the smart tire extends tire life about 10% and will aidaddress envelopes easily? If so, you can now send it to the in detecting tire theft, a not uncommon problem. In timemuseum. A new program called Addressmate from the the chip will be able to report on tire wear, air pressure, andpublisher of the same name has the ability to remember the when it is time to recap. name and address from the letter being printed as well as remind you to print out the envelope. Add ress mate works Multimedia for The Masses with most word-processing programs and all but the With a modest expenditure of $2,400, anyone with aearliest HP Laserjet printers. It also does bar codes and Macintosh can create high quality video using nothinglabels. For more info: Addressmate, 6715 Canyon Trail, El more than a pair of standard VCRs. Cerrito, California 94530. 510 237-7460. (Note: We have The key is a product from Radius, Inc. (San Jose,also seen free shareware programs which do this; get a California) called Videovision which can produce flicker-catalog from The Software Labs, 3767 Overland Avenue, free video output in true color at up to 30 frames a second,Los Angeles, California 90034.) the same as broadcast TV. According to experts, Videovision is unique in that it The Dikter is I. converts 24-bit video output to 16-bit TV video in real time, The doctor is always in when you have "Dr. Schueler's saving a step which in other systems can be a source ofHome Medical Advisor," a medical encyclopedia in a trouble. computer. More than 40 physicians combined their skills Editor's suggestion: if you find this all too difficult, askunder Dr. Stephen J. Schueler, a board-certified emer- some of the Nintendo crowd in your classroom to getgency medicine physician, to create a database divided involved. into seven files: symptoms, diseases, injuries, poisons, tests, drugs, and health and diet. SCISS TE.SS Update October 1992 page 7 The Home Medical Advisor is not intended to be arized. Students work at their own pace, select areas for substitute for professional medical care but to help thespecial emphasis, and evaluate their own progress. user be a more informed consumer. It is particularly good Available for MS-DOS and Macintosh computers, Cliff s for emergencies such as what to do when children swallowStudyWare costs $49 each, $349 for the set. Order from home-use products such as detergents or OTC medicines.Moonbeam Publications, Inc., 18530 Mack Avenue, Grosse Price is a modest $69.95 from Pixel Perfect, MerritPointe, Michigan 48236. 800 445-2391; fax 800 334-9789. Island, Florida. 800 788-2099. Tricky UM? nappy Beaks Sure, the P9/2 is compatible with other DOS machines; The up-front costs for publishing multimedia can getexcept for the keyboard and disk drives! Disks formatted pricey ($100,000 and up), whereas books can be publishedon a PS/2 will not be recognized by other DOS computers; on floppy disk for only a few hundred dollars. and if you want to use a different keyboard, you'll need an Look for small publishers to get in the act, bringing outadaptor that runs about 25 bucks. A classroom or office low-volume books for specialized markets. With costs thiswhich has "PS/2ed it" is cut off from the rest of the low, publishers can bring out titles that sell only a fewcomputing world. Marketing-wise, is this IBM's attempt to hundred copies. And with digitized compression, a largeAppelize its products? book can be put on a single 3.5" disk and even leave room for color illustrations. Dow Grecs Is lig Talley Douglas Englebardt may not be a household word like The Digital wars Walt Disney, but they have something in common - both invented a mouse. Philips announces it is introducing a digital version of Walt's mouse went to Southern California and helped the audio-cassette tape (DCC for Digital Compact Cas- make Hollywood famous. Englebardt's mouse, invented sette). SONY, which has been riding the wave of compact in the 1960s as a pointing device for his pioneering infor- discs, announces it is bringing out a "mini-disc" which, mation retrieval system, helped make Silicon Valley the unlike CDs of the past, can be rerecorded at home. greenest in all California. The new Philips cassette format needs its own player Now LOgitech (Fremont, California), the world's larg- (around $800) but it also plays any cassette, analog or digital, that was ever recorded. SONY's mini-disc alsoest maker of mouses (mice?) has introduced "Kidz Mouse" for the Macintosh ($79), a mouse designed for use by needs its own $6-700 player; but these can't play back otherchildren, smaller and with two "ears." Since Apple, the CDs. Both have a built-in guard against piracy. Copies can foremost proponent of the mouse, decreed some time ago be made only from the original, which would tend to put a damper on pirates' ability to mass produce. that a mouse should have only one button, is there a Who will win the war? Audiophiles are the obviousproblem with a mouse with two buttons? Not to worry; whichever button/ear is pushed, the result is the same. winners - if they can afford it. &laying Chair Erearautos Patemtial The QUERTY keyboard, relatively unchanged since the E-Mail, the ability to send private messages to anyonemanual typewriter, may at last give way to the science of on a network, is the third most popular networking fea-ergonomics and the ubiquity of lawyers filing suits for ture, following closely file and printer sharing. The futureR.S.I., repetitive-stress injuries. looks even better, so much so that some of the bigger While manufacturers have long resisted any radical players are getting into the act with the necessary software,change in keyboard design, the incidence of R.S.I. is rapidly including: Lotus, Novell, Microsoft, Compaq, IBM, Apple, rising, reflected in a growing loss of productivity, rising and HP. insurance and workers compensation claims, and a series of lawsuits against keyboard manufacturers. Beth* Up As always seems to happen, when the need arises, the The motivated student can now study for standardizedinvention is there...in this case, quite a number of them. tests with new interactive software from Cliff sStudyWare.Keyboards are being broken in two (to make a straight line The Test Preparation Series covers such standardized testsfrom shoulder to hands), made convex (to make all fingers as Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), American College Testequal). More radical are the "chordal" keyboards, on (ACT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Law School Admis-which letters are typed with two or more buttons; the user sion Test (LSAT), Graduate Management Admission Testcan write with one hand. This is particularly attractive to (FMAT), National Teachers Exam (NTE), and Californiadesigners and others who need one hand for the mouse or Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). trackball. All answers, correct or incorrect, are explained, and the The new boards won't be cheap ($300 to $690) but if they student's results are automatically tallied and summa-reduce R.S.I. to the degree promised, many will consider them a bar ain. SCISS \ TESS Update October 1992 9 par

INTERACTWE NOVk RACE TO SAVE 71-1E PLANET The Latest of TESS Scholastic Science: Ecology and Environment Grades 5-12 Assorted Educational Helps student understand concepts of global ecolov. Water and air pollution, waste disposal, global-warming theory, and other Programs topics are presented as worldwide issues and as case studies that illustrate howweare confronting issues in specific parts ofworld. Learn about interrelationships between environmental and economic decisions. Requires videodisc player. from Apple Macintosh 512E. Hu; SE, IL $395

INTERACTIVE PHYSICS Instant to People Knowledge Revolution Science: Physics; Motion, Force, and Energy Grades %College Powerful. easy-to-use Newtonian erector set for physics. Create mechanics experiments by drawing objects on screen and defining properties, such as mass, velocity, friction. Click "Run" and watch experiment tomato life.Analyze resu Its with number tools, graphs, live INSTANT SURVEY SAMPLER vectors. Includes 340-page curriculum guide, 100+ experiments. MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) Network version available. Comprehensive Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE., II, $249. Grades 7-12 Designed to be used with MECC's Instant Survey. Provides model INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING surveys for use In various curriculum areas and general-interest Wings of Learning surveys.Wkh pre-written surveys to seven models and guide survey Computer= Computer Programmins Logo and Turtle Graphics construction and anatysls, Instant Survey Sampler serves as an initial Grades 4-8 step before teachers begin using Instant Survey. Copy protected. Traces the history of number systems and computing. Employs Turtle Apple 11+MenkI1lga. Graphics to introduce students to LOGO and higher-level computing concepts. INSTRUCTIONAL DIAGNOSTICIAN Apple 11-6/11e/lIcIllgs. Exceptional Innovations Teacher Tralninv Comprehensive Class Management Aids; Miscella- INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICITY neous Aids Shopware Educational Systems Grade K-College This menu-driven software program will equip the teacher with industrial Arts: Electronics and Electricity Grades 9-College practical suggestions for adapting group instruction to student learning Includes lessons on electric force, direct current circuits, resistance characteristics. and resistors, and power voltage. Keeps records. Network version 181A PC and compatibles, Apple 11+/1 lea and compatibles, $50.50. available. IBM PC and compatibles, $320. INTERACTIVE NOVk ANIMAL PATHFINDERS Scholastic KATIE'S FARM Science BiOIO Animal Organisms Broderbund Software Grades 5-12 Early Learning and Preschool Multimedia science library links full-motion video from Nova television series to database of text. Includes an hour-long Nova video; 15 short Grades Preach- I Introduces children to the computer. Reinforces object/shape recog- films; more than 600 text and graphics cards; and three extensive nition, spatial relationships, eye/hand coordination, cause and effect, activities ranging from a fleld-study simulation to an ecological adven- and story-telling. ture. Copy protected. Requires videodisc player. IBM PC and compatibles, Apple Macknosh 512E, Plus, SE,11Ill+IllellkIllgs, Macintosh Plus, $395. Commodore Amiga, $39.95. INTERACTIVE NOVk THE ?Amax OF LIFE KID FIX Scholastic Brodarbund Software Health: Sexuality Grades 5-12 Fine Arts: Art Students explore human reproduction and sexuality at thel r own pace. Grades Presch-8 Lets students use the compater in a playful way to create art that's Featured topics indude female and male reproductive systems, egg and u nlqu sly their own.An easy-to-use, fu 1 I-faceted paint p rograrn. 1 ndudes sperm development, fertilization, fetal development, and birth. Sensi- a talking alphabet, dozens of "rubber stamps," magical screen transfor- tive issues of birth control and sexually-transmitted diseases are mations and more than 20 Wacky Brushes. Every brush and tool has available on an included extra disk. Requires videodisc player. a different sound effect Apple Macintosh S l 2E, Plus, SE, II, $395. Apple Macintosh Sl2E, Plus, SE, II, IBM PC and compatibles, $69.95.

SC1SSITBS Update October 1992 i0 KNOWLEDGEADVENTURE pat* 9 Knowledge Adventure LEARN ABOUT: Comprehensive: THE HUMANBODY Grades Generalized Tool Wings of Learning 4-Conege Programs; DatabaseManagers Science: Anatomy Usa thetechniques of and Physiology; mukimedia and Grades 1-3 Biology; AnknalOrganisms explore art endlessmaze of Informationhypertext to allowusers to literature, music, covering art, history, Students willstudy the malor nature, architecture. science, this animated organs of the body.As they interact text, pictures, All interrelated.In database, program, the students with sounds, andgraphics are ail heart, the lungs make blood to a timeline. All linked to one breathe, and the flow throughthe is controlled another and skeleton by muscles flex. screen. by pointingto different oblects putting the bones They constructa on the Apple in place. IBM PC and 11+111eIlkillgs. compatibles, $79.95. LEARN ABOUT: KRAFT. PULPING:A KEY TO ANIMALS TAPS QUALITY PRODUCTION Wings of Learning Industrial Arts: Early Learningand Preschool Business Grades Grades 9-College K.2: Covers batch Animal homes,food, and Lebies digesters, are studied, along continuous digesters, of animal sizesand motion. with a comparison delatotting,brcwstock washing. pulp grades,deltbering. Students match screenin& clsaning, eat, And the ankneks with the Students complate and thickening. parents of lathyanimals. and foods they course with an In Masks, students count the numbersof tables. differentaress of a pulp milt. understanding ofoperations in the get to print out Rental of App/e Macintosh and create theirown animal masks. records. Videodisc. courseware available.Keeps 512E, PIA SE,II, $79; Apple IBMPC and 11+111ellkIligs, $75. compatibles, IBM LEARN ABOUT: InfoWindow, SonyView System, INSECTS $9000. Wings of Learning KRAFT PULPING SIMULATION TAPP! Science: Biology;Animal Organisms Grades 1-3 Business: industrial Arts A program with Grades 9-College lots of bugs. Asksstudents to identify parts., dissect and insecu and their To be usedafter Kraft Pulping reassemble insects, Students A Key to match insects sequence Insect growth, operate a pulp mill Quality Productionby TAPPI. with their homesand foed. A simple, and from startto finish making provides assistance on-disk fled guide necessary to geta top quality pulp. all the decisions and informationas students have opportunities If quality is stimulating activities. move through these to improve using not reached, students Apple of courseware a help information available. Keeps menu. Rental Apple MacintoshS 12E. Plus, SE, IBM PC and records. Videodisc. It $79. compatibles, IBM InfoWindow,SOW VIEW LEARN ABOUT:PLANTS System, $3000. Wings of Learning KRAFT RECOVERY Science Biology; TAPPI Piant Organisms Industrial Arts: Grades 1-3 Business In this eight-part Grades9-College program, students garden and begin by plantingan on-screen Covers recycling watching theirseedlings grow. chemicals, blackliquor, the plant by matching They'll discover green to white recovery furnace, and and labeling, parts of a liquor. Rentalof courseware discover how place plants intheir proper Videodisc. available. Keeps plants heip habkats. and records. people. Part ofthe Learn About . IBMPC Apple Macintosh series. and compatibles, 512E, Plus, SE,It$79; Apple IBM InroWindow, 11+111efildligs, $75. Sony View System,$6000. AIA POURSUITE LEARNING SYSTEM DE CARMEN Word Associates Broderhund Software SANDlEGO DANSLE MONDE Social Sciences: Comprehensive Drilland Test Geography; Foreign Grades K-College Generators Grades 7-12 Language; French;Vocabulary Create and print Introducing Wherein the World multiple choice,fill-in, and is Carman as lesson material column-matchtests, as wel SoftwareIn French! Sandiego/ byBroderhund and hints that French. Clues...dossiars...even takes the testin an Instructionprepare studenu forthe tests. Student the referencebook Is In or test mode via IBM PC and mode gives hints computer. Instruction compatibles, Apple and helps theuser; test m- 'a Macintosh 5 I 2EPIA SE, It Separate teacher'sand learner's tests, maintainsscores. $89.95. Apple disks. Ke LEARN ABOUT: orecords. DINOSAURS and compatibles,$50. Wings of Learning Science: Natural LETTERS, PICTURESAND WORDS History; Englishand Language Queue WITH THE BOARS Composition andWriting Arts; BasicSkille Grades 1-3 Early Learningand Preschool: Reading Reeding Introduces students Grades Presth-1 Readiness to world of dinosaurs Presents the alphabet out. In this highly and how they and early words. Interactive may have died Binkle, a tiny fairy, program students the detailedpicture screen flits around the environmentIn which dinosaurs can recreateon screen pointing her a simple word Ilved and write to specific oblects, teensy-weensytwinidingwand processor. stories about iton teaching visual App/e When the child discrimination andlabeling skills. 11+111efikIllgs. makes acorrectselection, the familiar childhoodtunes. Boars comealive to SCISMTBS Update Apple 114.111ellkillgs,$39.95.

October 1942 page 10

MACWRITE 11 MCGEE GOES TO THE FUN FAIR Claris Broderbund Software Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Word Processors Early Learning and Preschool Grades 5-College Grades Presch-1 Word processor which allows direct import/export of MS Word, MS Pre-readers can run these programs by themselves. Introduces com- Write, MS Works, and Write Now; multiple documents and columns; puter and helps children develop their early-learning skills. To make mail merge; footnotes and end notes; font sizes from 2 to 500 point,choices, child simply uses mouse to click on one of small pictures at custom styles; direct insertion of Mac Paint/PICT files, and more. bottom of screen. Each leads to a different place or activity, with Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, 11. realistic animation, speech and sound effects. Part of the McGee series. IBM PC and compatibles, Apple Macintosh 51 2E, Plus, SE, 11111+IllellIcalgs, THE MAGIC FLUTE Commodore Amiga, $39.95. Warner New Med la Fine Arts: Musk; Musical Terms and History MEET THE COMPUTERI SER/ES I Grades %College Focus Media Papageno goes high-tech. Explore the opera through a sophisticated Early Learning and Preschool: Computers; Computer Literacy; Familiarization HyperCard stack with extensive annotation, music commentary, Grades Presch-2 educational examples, in-depth analysis, an opera map of the music on Introduces children to computing. Integrates computer literacy and the CD, extra narration and musical examples, excerpts from other important reading- and math-readiness skills. Includes the following recordings, a full Index, and even videodisc control. Copy protected. subjects: Surprise Boxes. Plugs and Ports, An Elephant's Memory, The Requires CD-ROM player and speaker-amplifier. Jugglers, and Seesaw with Lamb. Requires power pad. App/e Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, Apple 11+111ellIcIllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, ;249.

MAKE TEST MEET THE COMPUTE1t1 SERIES 2 Mountain Lake Software Focus Media Comprehensive Drill and Test Generators Early Learning and Preschool; Computers; Computer Literacy; Familiarization Grades K-Coilege Grades Presch-2 Enables teachers to create their own exams. Use.a can write andIntroduces children to computing. Integrates computer literacy and organize questions us ing grap hics and equations; enter .'opics, difficulty important reading- and math-readiness skills. Includes the following levels, and notes; select questions randomly or manually; scramble subjects: Shape Mover, Which Key Is Missing?, Magic Shapes, How question order; and print out tests. Site licensing available. Many?, and Computer Rules. Requires power pad. Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $1 19. Apple 11+IllellIcIllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $249.

MAKING THE GRADE: TROLL COMPUTERIZED GRADE BOOK ME TO01 Troll Associates William K. Bradford Publishing Company Comprehensive: Class Management Aids; Grades and Recordkeeping Comprehensive: Generaltzed Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Grades K-I 2 Grades Presch-6 Teacher's grade book for up to 99 students per class. Uses spread-A software utility program for students who control their computers sheet-style layout. Uses student names or Identification numbers. via Adaptive Firmware Card. Loads scanning routines on all Explore- Copy protected. Network version available. a-Series screens, for switch users. Includes two different custom Apple 11+/Ile/Ildllgs, $39.95. overlays for expanded keyboard users. Offers a touchscreen calibrator for more precise touchscreen operation. Part of the Explore-a-Series. MAMMALS: A MULTIMEDIA ENCYCLOPE.DIA Apple 114-Illelligs, $95. Science: Biology; Animal Organisms Grades 4-12 MICKEY'S 123'S National Geographic Society Waft Disney Educational Media National Geographic's two-volume Book of Mammals on CD-ROM. Early Learnirg and Preschool: Mathematics; Basic Skills; Number Systems and Counting Includes entries on 200 animals in 20 orders, 700 full-screen color Grades Presch-K photographs, 155 animal vocalizations, 150 range maps, 45 full-motion With Mickey and friends, children learn about numbers and counting movie clips, fact boxes and in-depth essays, a classification game, and in this easy-to-use program. With 4 separate locations, I 8 background a pop-up glossary. Co py protected. Requires CD-ROM player, sp ea ker- screens, and 60 responses from Mickey and friends, children control amplifier. Mickey's actions as he travels around town to plan a party. IBM PS/2, $99. IBM PC and compatibles, $39.95.

MCGEE MICKEY'S ABC'S Broderbund Software Walt Disney Educational Media Early Learning and Preschool Reading: Reading Readiness; Early Learning and Preschool Grades Presch-I Grades Presch-K Provides an easy way with no words for children to become familiar Preschoolers learn letters and words with Mickey. At the fair, Mickey with the computer while they make McGee do whatever th ey want him loins In many events and visits the animals. With 10 colorful background to. Includes sound effects. Part of the McGee Series. screens and more than 80 humorous responses, children learn the IBM PC and compatibles, Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, H/11+111ellIcillgs, alphabet at their own pace. Commodore Amiga, $39.95. IBM PC and compatibles, $39.95.

SCISMTESS Update October 1512 12 Page I I

MICKEY'S COLORS AND SHAPES MORE hirms, MAGIC AND MONSTERS Walt Disney Educational Media Word Associates Early Learning and Preschool Readinv Reading In Content Areas; Comprehension Skills Grades Presch-K Grades 4-8 Children help Mickey perform his 3 magic acts as he juggles, pulls With emphasis on Greek myths, develops the skills of recall, sequenc- animals out of his hat, and magically creates pictures made from 5 ing, defining the main idea, identifying the speaker, figurative language, shapes and 8 colors. Features 130 objects, 150 responses; children can drawing conclusions, and recognizing mood. The tutorial mode gives print up to 35 pictures. Compatible with disney's Sound Source. explanations end help for every answer choice, correct and incOrrect. IBM PC and compatibles, $39.95. Network version available. Apple 11+IllellIc and compatibles, IBM PC and compatibles. MICKEY'S CROSSWORD PUZZLE MAKER Walt Disney Educational Media MORE POW, ZAPI KER-PWNKI ART ALBUM Reading: Vocabulary Queue Grades K-6 Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Children, teachers, and parents can create, print, and solve crossword Grades 4-8 puzzles using Disney characters and backgrounds. Word and picture A double-sided disk packed with an assortment of more backgrounds clues help solve the puzzles while building children's vocabulary and and dip art to create new comic book stories. To be used with Pow! reading skills. Compatible with Zap! Ker-Plunkl The Comic Book Makerl by Queue. Disney's sound Source. Apple 11+IllelliclIts, $24.95. IBM PC and compatibles, Apple 11 Series, $29.95. THE MOVING CRUST MICKEY'S JIGSAW PUZZLES Focus Media Watt Disney Educational Media Science Earth Science Early Learning and Preschool: Logic and Problem Solving Grades 7-12 Grades K-3 Students seek out evidence suggesting that the contintents were once Mickey and his friends are featured in 15 colorful, animated puzzles. joined. The "Institute" provides maps, tools, a library, and even Children can choose from multiple skill levels using 4 to 64 puzzletransportation. As students travel around the world, studying the pieces. All puzzles can be made from square, silhouette, or standard ocean floor, fossil distribution, rock formations, and glacial striations, jigsaw shapes for added challenge. Compatible with Disney's Sound they collect evidence to prove or rebut the theory of plate tectonics. Source. Apple 11+Illeilk.Illgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95. MURPHY'S MINERALS MICKEY'S MAGIC READER MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) Sunburst Communications Science: Earth Science Reading: Reading Readiness Grades 3-9 Grades 1-2 A discovery/learning simulation. Students conduct a variety of tests on Students read a sentence composed of words and a key picture for unknown minerals to learn about their characteristic properties and which students must choose the correct word. Then they decide what identify them by their physical properties. The test results can be happens next in the story. Copy protected. recorded. Copy protected. Apple 11+IllellIc and compatibles, $65. Apple 11+111ellIdllgs.

MICKEY'S MEMORY CHALLENGE NATURE GRAPHICS Wait Disney Educational Media . Creative Pursuits Early Learning and Preschool Science: General Science; Comprehensive; Generalized Tool Pro- Grades K-3 grams; Graphics Generators Concentrating Is kid's play. Students are challenged to see If they can Grades 2-8 match up words, objects, or Disney characters. Offers helpful memo- A collection of over 100 color graphics includinv Forest, Jungle, rization and vocabulary building exercise, visual recognition exercise, Dinosaurs, Ocean, Astronomy, Desert, Farm, Earth and similar and non-similar exercise. Compatible with Disney's Sound Science, Prehistorit Life, Coastal, Marshland, Reld, Prairie, Source and Windows 3.0. and Decorative Borders. A teacher's handbook includes lesson IBM PC and compatibles, $29.95. plans and student activities. Apple 11+IllellkIllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $29.95. MICROZINE JR. Scholastic THE NEW PRINT SHOP Logic and Problem Solving: Computers; Computer Literacy; Applica- Broderbund Software tions Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programa; Graphics Generators Grades 1-4 Grades K-12 A magazine on computer. Each issue includes four programs to help An all-new version of The Print Shop by Broderbund. Features students develop critical thinking skills and learn key curriculum Increased resolution; greater design flexibility; and new-drawn graphics concepts. (including mu iticolor and full-panel designs). Network version available. Apple 11+111e/lkIllgs, each Issue $19.95. Apple 11+111e/1101gs, $59.95; IBM PC and compatibles, $69.95.

SCISSTESS Update October 1992 BEST COPY AVAILABLE 1 3 page 12

THE NEW PRINT SHOP GRAPHICS LIBRARY: PARTY EDITION ONE OF A KIND Broderbund Software Sunburst Communications Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Reading: Vocabulary Grades K-I 2 Grades 3-College Users can create party accessories ranging from personaltted Invita- Designed to expand students' vocabularies and to enhance creativity. tions to place cards, banners, posters, gift tags, and wrapping paper. Presented with three different catgories, students are asked to enter Includes more than 100 graphics, borders, and fonts for every party four words. The more original and unique the answer, the greater the occasion...many of them multicolor,full-page designs. Requires the score. Copy protected. New Print Shop or The New Print Shop Companion. Apple 11+IllellIc and compatibles $75. Apple Il+lIleJlWllgs, $24.95; IBM PC and compatibles, $34.95. PAPER.MAKING: THE PROCESS AND THE PRODUCT 77-IE NEW PRINT SHOP GRAPHICS LIBRARY: SCHOOL EDITION TAM Broderbund Software Industrial Arts: Business Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Grades 9-College Grades K-I 2 Provides a basic or thorough introduction to papermaking. Covers the Ccs mor -J-an 100 graphicsnearly 25% of them multicolorentire process of producing paper form the woodland operation to rr.vslngjeand multicolor full-panel designs. Includei chalkboards, pulp and paper mill procedures to finishing process. Keeps records. ch, beaker3, fail leaves, schoolbuses, cheerleaders, and dozens IBM PC and compatibles with videodisc player, IBM InfoWlndow, Sony View mot; mires New Print Shop or New Print Shop Companion. System, $9000. Apple Ili tile/kills; $24.95; IBM PC and compatibles, $34.95. PC GLOBE THE NEw PRINr -..HOP GRAPHICS LIBRARY: SAMPLER EDITION PC Globe Broderbund Software Social Sciences: Geography Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Grades 7-College Grades K-I 2 A computerized atlas offering instant profiles of 177 different coun- More than 100 additional borders, graphics, and fonts for posters, tries. Provides an integrated package of maps, graphics, and data.Allows memos or flyers.Graphics Include Easter eggs,a honey bear, a flamingo, userto cross-compare all data between countries. Includes time zones, baby bottle, bicycle, carousel, butterflies, burgers and many more. currency conversions, point-to-point distances. About 25% of the graphics are multicolor. Requires The New Print IBM PC and compatibles, $69.95. Shop or The New Print Shop Companion. Apple $24.95; IBM PC and compatibles, $34.95. PC USA PC Globe NEWSPAPER LITERACY Social Sciences: Geography Educational Activities Grades 4-12 Reading: Reading In Content Areas Integrated package of maps, graphics, and data providing instant Grades 3-4 detailed profiles of the 50 states and Puerto Rico. Maps of the country, Familiarizes students with all parts of a newspaper and how it is individual states, and major regions as defined by the U.S. Census organized through a tutorial lesson which describes the various parts Bureau are included. Database information includes crime rates, of the newspaper, how to locate them, and what information they climate, history, education, and more. contain. Keeps records. Copy protected. Network version available. IBM PC, Apple Ilgs, Macintosh Plus, $69.95. Apple 11+IllellIc and compatibles, $119. PEOPLE AND PLACES GRAPHICS THE NEWTONIAN SANDBOX Creative Pursuits Sunburst Communications Social Sciences:Comprehensive; Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Science: Physics; Motion, Force, and Enerv Grades 2-8 Grades 10-College A collection of more than 100 color graphics including Maps; Land- Provides students with a new approach to studying such motion marks; 20th Century; Fashion; Small World; Careers; Community, phenomena as ballistic trajectories, one- and two-dimensional oscilla- Ancient Worlds, and U.S. History. A teacher's handbook includes tors, and planetary orbits 2nd comets. Users may prepare a model of lesson plans and student activities. forces and, after specifying initial conditions, see resulting trajectories. Apple 11+111e/11c/11gs, IBM PC and compatibles, $29.95. Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE,11+IllellIcIllgs, Commodore 64/128, IBM PC and compatibles, Tandy 1000/1200. PERCEPTION, INC. IRI Skylight Publishing 1-2-3 ORDONNE MO1 Logic and Problem Solving Sunburst Communications Grades 3-5 Foreign Language: French; Vocabulary Focuses on concept development, concept demonstration, hypothesis Grades K-2 testing, and logical problem-solving skills. Teacher management system Helps beginning readers make the transition between pictures and allows monitoring the progress of all students as they work. their corresponding words while it teaches sequencing skills. Trak, an Apple Il+/Ileffic/llgs, $59.95. Cl animated dog, helps young readers. Contains three levels of Instruc- tion. No word on any upcoming cat version. Apple ll+filefilc/llgs $65.

SCISS \TESS Update October 1992 ! ,.4 page 13

Best Elementary Education Program: The reviewer from Technology &Learn- Research "Reader Rabbit," The Learning Company. ing found it fun but wished math errors Best Secondary Education Programwere explained; also, students compete (tie): "What's My Angle?," Davidson & only against aliens, not one another. Also, Reports Associates; and "Interactive Nova: Thebetter students jaded by same Scrabble Miracle of Life," Scholastic. format. Best School Productivity/Creativity Pro- Overall: Good for stronger math stu- gram: "The Bank Street Writer for Macin- dents who respond to arcade format; weaker As The Wig Is Bent. Nearly everyonetosh," Scholastic. students may need occasional encourage- agrees that children should be read to; but Best Education Tool Program: "SimAnt ment. how about computer programs that willThe Electronic Ant Colony," Maxis. engage them at a young age? Parents can Best Special Needs Program: "Talldng do worse than subsa*e to Prodigy where,TypeQuick for the Blind," TypeQuick. for $9.95 a month, young folks can have Best Home Learning Program: "Where unlimited access to "Reading Magic Li-in America's Past is Carmen Sandiego?," RE: Radiation. While studies by OSHA brary" by Tom Snyder Productions, cus-Broderbund Software. and others show little reason for concern tom-created for Prodigy-with a new story about health risks from computers (includ- added every month. 800 776-3449. ing pregnant women), those who are not convinced may want to try a radiation detector that measures very low frequen- Reviewing the Reviewers. We don'tcies: The Tracer TR-100 from the Shield know if this is the route to that "worldCorporation, 450 Valley River Center, From Broderbund: "KidPix," a graphicclass" math we are promised from Wash-Eugene, Oregon 97401, 800 543-3444. arts program just for kids, $59.95, best withington, but some publishers take the viewAnother approach is the NoRad radiation color and mouse. Just out "Kid Pix Com-that a marriage of math and arcade gamesshield from NoRad Corporation, 154911th panion," $39.95, so far only for the Mac,might do the trick: Street, Santa Monica, California 90401, which lets young folks become producers 800 262-3260. using their own graphics and sound FX. Operation Neptune. Math and prob- Also,"Playroom," for kindergarten throughlem solving, fourth grade and up, The second grade, where a click of the mouseLearning Company, for MS-DOS, supports animates various objects. 415 492-3900. AdLib, Sound Blaster, Roland sound cards. Price $59.95. Picture It! A foreign language is made Says Technology & Learning: "De-easier when the student can both see and signed to challenge the most dedicatedhear and Picture It! does this quite ad- Nintendo freak...a shoot-'em-up arcadeequately.Available for Macintosh and For better graphics and sound andgame with interludes of math problems640K MS-DOS, Picture It! has more than animation, try "A Silly Noisy House" ondisguised as navigation questions...cleverly500 pictures with digitized pronunciation CD-ROM from Voyager, $59.95 for Macin-written, exciting...encourages creativein either Spanish or English. The user can tosh. 301 451-1383. thinking...superlative example of the bestalso enter pictures, text, definitions, and that arcade action can offer education." even audio (if a speech digitizer is avail- Mutanoid Math Challenge.Math,able). grades 2-9, for MS-DOS with CGA or better Electronic Learning recommends. Pub- lished by Penton Overseas, 800 748-5804. Software Publishers' Top Picks. Al-graphics; Macintosh version available soon. Legacy Software, 800 532-7692. $69.95;$69.95. though announced in March, the SPA Ex- lab packs available. cellence in Software Awards merit a re- minder. The judging is in seven education The Mutanoids are a group of aliens made up from cast-offjunk (to give you an software categories with a special "critics' idea, Little John is mostly porcelain toilet) choice" award for overall excellence. The Great Solar System Rescue. If and the player represents the planet Earth. Critics ' Choice Award for Best Education there are hints of Star Trek in this offering The formatowes a nod to Scrabble but with Program (tie): "Geometer' s Sketchpad," Key from Tom Snyder Productions, it is prob- the tiles used for mathematical symbols. Curriculum Press, and "Interactive NOVA: ably impossible to avoid. There are the The "player" alternates turns with the The Miracle of Life," Scholastic. usual crises of probes lost in space; and aliens to see which side gets "slimed." Best Early Education Program: students, organized as expert teams, have Strategy, as well as accuracy, is important. "KidPix," Broderbund Software. Alsore- to get them back. Lots ofwisecracks and wordplay. Three ceived a General Software Award for Best This videodisc simulation can be used levels allow the player to customize diffi- User Interface in a new program. with or without a computer. culty plus various options. continued on following page Volume 19, No. 1 October 1992 page 14

2MB Macintosh Plus are minimum com- puter specs, and also needed are a laserdisc player, hard drive, and interface cable, Starlight Star Bright. Trendspotters Limited English, Limited Help. Ac- with barcode reader or remote control op- note Jostens Learning's recent investmentcording to a Department of Education re- tional. Grades 5-8. in Starlight Networks, a developer of mul-port, disadvantaged children with "Lim- Everyone seems to like this. Electronictimedia networking technology. Starlightited English Proficiency" are routinely Learninggave it a"highlyrecommended;"already has products which allow largedenied remedial help under Chapter I ser- Technology& Learning said, "Sets a stan- workgroups simultaneous access to net- vices. This is because, the report suggests, dard of excellence that could very wellworked video and video applications that their tmchers are operating on the assump- result in an increased level of quality incan coexist with desktop computer appli-tion that their pupils must first attain pro- interactive multimedia materials." cations on the same network. ficiency in English. This may not happen Package includes videodisc, two flop- Meanwhile, Bright Star Technology,until students are older, and at that time pies, teacher's guide, 28 student manuals, Inc. (Bellevue, Washington) has become they will no longer be eligible.under Chap- blackline masters. $299.95 fromTom Snyderpart of Sierra On-Line, a leading publisher ter I. Productions, 90 Sherman Street, Cambridge, ofentertainment and educational software, The report is available (free) from the Massachusetts 02140. 800 342-0236. one of several acquisitions and new rela-Office of Policy and Planning, U.S. Educa- tionships designed to launch Sierra moretion Department, 400 Maryland Avenue, firmly into educational software. S.W., Room 3127, Washington, D.C. 20202. 202 401-0590. Advice on Partnerships. Anyone in- A separate report, by the Latino Com- mission on Education Reform in New York terested in promoting partnerships with the community should read: 1)School to Work The Interactive Multimedia Child.City schools, noted that because of the language difficulties which Hispanic stu- Connections: Formulas for Success, a 29-Lights, camera, action. Narration, music, dents face, the dropout rate for Hispanic page booklet from the Department of La-sound FX."Interactive Storytirne," the ninth graders is about one in four, which is bor about ten school-business partnerships.first interactive multimedia CD-ROM-based some 40% higher than for other students. Free from Office of Work-Based Learn-product from Multimedia Products Corp., Barely half of Hispanic students read at or ing, Employment and Training Mminis-uses all media to keep kiddies interested as tation, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W.,they click on any object and hear it pro-above grade level in English. Washington D.C. 20210. Telephone 202nounced, spelled, and explained. $49.95, 523-0281. 2) The School-Community Cook- Multimedia Products Corp., Spring Val- book: Recipes for Successful Projects inley, New York. 914 426-0400. the Schools, a 234-page book featuring All Alone by the Telephone. For trav- advice from 43 Maryland administrators, elling Macintosh freaks, here's the picture, teachers, parents, and various profession- als on how to tap into community re- the problem, and the solution: sources. $6.90 from Fund for Educational More Dots, More SSS. Laser printers, The picture: Apple's notebook Excellence, 605 North Eutaw Street, Bal-which already do a creditable job at the 300 "Powerbook" computer provides Macin- timore, Maryland 21201. dpi (dots per inch) industry standard, maytosh lovers with a highly portable road be moving to a 600 dpi standard in thewarrior. Its software, "Appletalk Remote future if the costs of manufacturing comeAccess," allows the Powerbook to connect down. Lexmark, Inc., of Lexington, Ken-to another Mac or a network of Macs and tucky, a privately-owned spin-off fromuse any files, programs, or peripherals. IBM, and QMS of Mobile, Alabama, are Golden Oldie. "Mammals: A Multi-both offering a 600 dpi for about $5,000. The problem: to provide such access to a home computer requires the services of a media Encyclopedia," a CD-ROM offering(The heavy-duty 11Ps and Apples are dedicated Mac which just sits and waits for from National Geographic and IBM, has$2,500-3,500 for 300 dpi and the slower been out awhile (since 1990) but remainsmodels are under $1,000.) the phone to ring. Cumbersome, costly, impressive ("Every library that has CD- The 600 dpi technology has four timesand unlikely. ROM should buy one"Library Journal).as many dots as 300 dpi (360,000 dots per The solution: Shiva Corporation ofCam- Needs CD-ROM drive, of course, mouse,square inch compared to 90,000) and hasbridge, Massachusetts, is bringing out the MS-DOS with 640K RAM, speakers. 800been around for awhile but at $10,000 andLanrover/L, a stripped-down computer 368-2728. Canada 800 638-4077. Fax 301 up per printer has not gained wide accep-(no disk drive, no monitor, no keyboard) 0921-1575. tance except with graphic artists. which provides the Appletalk connection Way to bet? Better technology almostat a reasonabe list price of $699. always wins out. 16 The Newslettef of SAternic Change page 15 All=111M11111111111 the dropout rate is 40% higher than for all other students.Problem: by the "r,time they enter high school, Latino au%students are already far behind in aca- Penitentiary U. Statistics are cited SIM 111 %Sae demic achievement. to support the idea that criminal recidi- vism is reduced by education. Prison inmateswhoearnacollegedegreewhile fth incarcerated return at a significantly Sex and the Single Girl. Number of lower rate (26.4%) than those who do families headed by single women: 6.7 School Spending. The highest pernot (44.6%). Obviously, however, only million, up from 5.5 million in 1980, anpupil expenditure is in Alaska (overthose who wanted to do better in the increase from 17% to 20% $22,000 in the North Slope Boroughfirst place, and only the more intelli- Poverty rate of women with singleSchool District), the lowest in Montanagent prisoners, would have gone after children in 1990: 42%, up 2% from 1980.($1,975 in the For line Elementary Schoolcollege degrees at all; when this is con- Poverty rate for single women withDistrict). The lowest in Alaska ($5,605)sidered, the difference seems discour- children under six:57.4%, up from 56%is higher than the highest in Alabama,agingly small. Significant statistics: in 1980. Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Four or five of every ten adult Total number of persons rated be-Mississippi, North Carolina, Southprisoners in federal and state prisons low the poverty level: 31,740,000, aboutCarolina, Tennessee, West Virginia; yetcan neither read nor write. 1 in 8. Hawaii has an unusually large number gar Ninety per cent of all adult pris- - U.S. Census Bureau. of EPIEgram subscribers, third amongoners are dropouts and half have less all states on a proportional basis, be-than an eighth-grade education. hind ally Alaska and Oregon. States in which the highest spent is four times or ckt, more than the lowest include Califor- Quick Quiz: nia, Washington, Mcntana, Utah, North How many Americans are nativeDakota, Illinois, Texas, and New York. Elementary, My Dear Watson. The born? 228,900,000. In some states, the spread is enormous:call for "World Class" math and sci- How many Americans were foreignNew York, $19,238 to $3,127; Califor-ence skills has not been heard in half born? 19,760,000, or 7.9%. nia, $11,740 to $3,692; Illinois, $14,316the fourth-grade dassrooms. National How many Americans entered theto $2,253; Montana, $10,495 to $1,975;Assessmentof Education Progress says US. between 1980 and 1990? 8,660,000.Texas, $14,514 to $2,150; Washington,only 50% of fourth-grade students get How many speak a language other$14,229 to $3,375. some science education "almost every than English at home? 31,840,000. day." As many as a third get none at all How many speak Spanish at home? or only "about once a week." 17,345,000. How many speak an Asiatic or Pa- e4, cific Island language at home? Trimming the Fat. 4,471,000. Number of Federal government em- Which states have the smallest per-ployees in 1980: 16.4 million. Mathbuster States and Why. Most centage of foreign born?Alabama, Number of Federal government em-everyone knows that students in six Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Westployees in 1992: 18.6 million. more or less contiguous states, all north Virginia - fewer than 1% of total popu- Number of manufacturingjobs as ofand central, lead the nation in scores on lation. June, 1992: 18.2 million. standardized math tests (Montana, WIfich states have the smallest per- - Department of Labor. North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Min- centages of high school graduates? nesota, Wisconsin). Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mis- (ke What no one knows for sure is why, sissippi, West Virginia - about 65% but there are some interesting indica- compared to national average of 75%. tors: North Dakota also leads the na- U.S. Census Bureau. The New Segregation, tion in parents who are college gradu- Percentage of African-American stu-ates with 49%, and there are almost no dents in the Northeast attending pub- ekb, dropouts among parents in the lic schools where enrollment is 95%"mathbelt." Money does not appear to non-white: 43. be a factor since per capita incomes in El Dropouts. Studies in New York Percentage of black childrat in theall the states except Minnesota are be- City show one in four I ,"ino ninthSouth attending such schools: 20. low national average. Some suggest graders don't finish high school and "Harper's Index." the work ethic plays a large role. 0

Volume 19, Number 1 October 1992 By 1983, there were 300 publishers and 2,700 programs.In In schools as in factories, we are finding that people work the 1987-88 edition of TESS, some 625 software publishersbetter, learn better, and attain more, when they are not were listed with more than 7,700 programsavailable. In thestandardized and made to fit in with an assembly line, when , current electronic database (available throughthe Stateswork is not broken into such small segments that any worker Consortium for Improving Software Selection) there are can be quickly trained. The 214 Century isgoing to be much nearly 1,200 software publishers and almost 12,000 softwaremore demanding. We can see it already asthe marketplace programs in just the K-12 market.This provides an unrivaledcalls for better trained workers, people able to work with menu of products for learning. minimum supervision and who can be trusted to think cre- Paralleling the growth in producers of individual softwareatively and see the totality of their function. It has become programs, Knmoski notes, are the companieswhich produceobvious that the individual is more productive in congenial Integrated Learning Systems. Prior to the advent ofthegroups and our education must reflect this.Until now, the microcomputer, there were two integrated systems compa-American education system has been a kind of Procrustean nies. Two years ago, when EPIE produced its first report onbed, trying to make everyone learn the same things the same 11.8, there were 11 companies. (Note: there has been someway. It hasn't worked very well for quite sometime. consolidation recently.) The truth, according to Komoski, is that individuals learn A key message from Komoski: educators must be aware ofdifferent things in different ways, have strengthr and weak- the tension between the old soft tech (epitomized by thenesses which make them vulnerable asindividuals but fully standardized, one-eize-fits-all textbook) and the new high-functional as part of a group. There one's strengths are for tech technology (computers, multimedia, CD-ROM)whichallowed to emerge and one's weaknesses are compensated provides a variety of options and products custom-tailored toby the strengths of others. the learner's needs. Choosing software is not made easy if one stays mired in In soft tech (and this includes filmstrips and NV)thea 19th-Century approach, for thevalues in educational tech- technology was largely used in a group environment withthenology are not always immediately clear and obvious. The teacher there to interpret and direct and support the media.choice, broadly speaking, is whether you are buying the 19th Most teaching in the past essentially put all students-Century exploitive technology or are able to move philosophi- turough the same experience. The child was the raw material,cally into a new and emerging concept of what hecalls tho school the processing plant. The teacher was allowed"cooperative technology:" technology designed to car lerate considerable latitude but the students basically worked withwith the learner's needs, interests, style, and so on, as well as standardized texts and were measured by standardized tests.technology designed to be used cooperatively. (Since good grades reflect glory on both student and teacher, The beet guides, Komoski suggests, are the learners them- this often encouraged teachers to teach the test.") selves. Today students make many media decisions on their All this can be remarkably changed when educators go highown and they are uniquely qualified to helpdetermine what tech and students work individually or in collaborative groups, programming teaches them best. The researchers at EPIE .vith the technology, not the teacher, delivering the informa-Institute began to realize this some years ago when a 12-year- tion. Since there is so much room for individual differences, old complained about an 'Why do they have to use the even if student:: use the same software, theywill experiencesame algorithm over and over?" Thislevel of sophistication is it in different ways. not unique among a generation raised on technology every- Without being actively involved, the teacher does not havewhere but at school. a good measurement of what the student doesand does not The truth, says Komoski, is that the ulimate evaluator is know. Inspired aesesement will be needed in the future,the learner. It is the learner who must be motivated to open everything from tests .(hich adjust the questions to thethe receptors and partake of the product. Without the opening student's knowledge of th( subject, to the same sort of testingup, learning is a dismal punishment; but whenit happens, the doctoral candidates undert, ), an oral defense in a peer-grouplife and future of the student can suddenly change...forever. setting. It is "values," notjust "value," that educators must look for In any case, the model of t imology we have been using isas they evaluate educational technology.By doing this they the model of exploitation, noted earlier as fitting the assem-can help foster a revolution in educationthat has been bly-line mentality of the late 19th Century and too much of thebuilding slowly for the past quarter centuryonly now there 20th. Here work was broken into such small segments thatis a new urgency, lest America miss the promise of the very even uneducated workers could learn a repeatable processtechnological age it did so much to bring about. quickly. The inevitable result was that work became repeti- tive, boring, and dehumanizing. To Be Continued....

EFIEgr am BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE The Newsletter of Systemic Change PAID P. 0. Box 28 PERM1T NO. 38 GREENPORT, Greenport, New York 11944 NY 11944

Ms. Nancy R. Preston, User Services ERIC Clearinghouse on Information Res Schl of Infor Studies, Schl of Educat 030 Huntington Hail, SyracuseUnivers Syracuse NY 13244-2340 The Newsletter of Software andSystems =PE9ram for Learning Volume 19, Number 2 November 1992

One in Three New York Times Computer Dollars Columnist Lauds Lost to Bureaucracy EPIE's TESS In the battle for available dollars for school Peter H. Lewis, whose weekly column"Per- computers, management somehow diverts about sonal Computers" is one of the most widelyread a third of them to administrative purposes. Ac- in the industry, devoted an entire column cording to the Software Publishers re- Association. cently to the problem parents have offinding U.S. schools spend $2.7 billionannually on suitable software for their children touse on the computer hardware and software, of which only home computer. $1.9 billion is used in instruction andnearly $800 Mter noting his own experiences million for administration. in going to software stores (he found Egghead to be the Of the remaining one billion nine, most the median cooperative). Lewis spent much of therest of the spent by each school on softwarewas between column quoting Ken Komoski, Executive Direc- $1.000 and $2,500. a ratherinsignificant sum. tor of EPIE Institute. Median spending on both hardware and software Among Komoski's thrustswas the fact that the was between $5.000 and $10,000,or less than average expenditure for software in schools is but $10 a student. (Fewer than 10%of school dis- $6 per child. Yet parents with tricts spent over $100,000.) computers are likely to spend between $300 and $800on edu- Another statistic--that schools spendmore on cational programs, Mr. Komoski said. hardware than software, the ratio being about 4 Judging by the flood of calls to EPIE inresponse to 1 for senior high schools and3 to 1 for to the Lewis column, there elementarywould suggest that are pl,,nty of frus- even when there trated parents out there trying to findout how to are computers, they are greatly underutilized. get the right software for their children. Most As noted in EPIEgrarn previously, of schools in the callers left the impression that theywere not general spend only about 1% of totalbudget on getting mucL. help from the local schools. educational materials, including textbooksand In Peter Lewis's opinion, the best computer hardware and software. EPIE way to find Institute, good software was to turn to EPIE'sTESS database which has studied the problemextensively, says - no news to anyone who has read an issue of a figure between 3 and 5% is required. EPIEgram. Part of the problem is thatmany educators still don't know where to look forinformation on software despite The EducationalSoftware Se- SCISS/TESSUpdate lector (TESS), the database ofeducational soft- Begins on Page6 ware created by EPIE Institute. However,the growth of the States Consortium for Improving More of The Latest Software Selection (SCISS), which distributesTESS in member states, shows that Software from a new class of ,,.L., educator is emerging. .'TESS The electronic version of TESScontains com- plete information onmore than 12,000 educa- Five Big Pages Loaded.with tional software programs, making it easy for Program Data and Descriptions teachers to find needed softwarequickly, often within a minute or two. page 2 Cbttortat

Can Any Human little fiefdoms as the whole gummy stew slides toward oblivion. Institution Reform Itself? I've begun to believe that overall reform is im- possible and that it may not even be desirable. The short answer is, "No." Revolution never comes from above but from be- The longer short answer is, "No, not without thelow. To legislate reform from above is to move impetus of crisis or calamity or outside pressure."another step closer to some sort of fascistic regi- The longer answer ts that change seems to takementation, another version of the Procrustean at least one generation for the simple reason thatbed, another arena for ignorant armies to clash by most people can't or won't change, even whenthenight. need is obvious and close at hand. Case in point: The usually astute Albert Shanker A retired teacher I know was telling me how(President of the AFT) wrote a column recently on much he enjoyed his leisure and the computer histhe low level of mathematics teaching, how few children had given him as a retirement present.teachers were really trained to teach math. etc.. "It's terrific," he said."I spend hours at it, I'metc. Yet nowhere did he suggest that mathematics learning ail kinds of things and the time just flies."can be taught other than by fully trainedteachers I asked him if he had ever used the computer inin a classroom. It is as ff the computer and several his teaching. No. I asked him, lithe computer wasthousand programs on math and science did not so great for him, did he not think itwould haveexist; it was as if the only solution to better math been equally absorbing and useful and motiva-teaching was something that isn't going to happen tional for his students? "Well" he said, his rational-in the foreseeable future: better math teachers. ization firmly in place, "the school didn't have the One thing educators know how to do is obfus- money." I asked him if they had a football team. Hecate.Anyone who has an idea for improving changed the subject and I haven't been invited toeducation that iequires change immediately gets his house since. jumped on by everyone who thinks his ox might get He sensed my growing frustration with thegored, somewhere, somehow. status quo, this disinclination or inability of the My wife, an ex-teacher, has a very simple answer educational establishment to set about any mean-to teaching."If the teacher believes." she says. ingful reforms. "any approach works." We have considerable contact with Texas edu- Mr. Whittle wants to run schools at a profit. cators through the States Consortium for Improv-Fine. People want to teach their children at home. ing Software Selection. I'll come out and say it: ofOkay by me. People want to start buying computer all the states in the Consortium, Texas is movingsoftware for kids to use at home and on weekends most briskly toward meaningful change. and during vacation so they learn some of those H. Ross Perot eiridently gets some credit forthings they don't get in school. Terrific. some of the reform that is taking place down there, In fact, anything which puts pressure on schools though there are those who downplay it.Ourto change, anything which threatens the compla- remarks on Texas are not meant to be an endorse-cency of bureaucracy, anything which rattlestheir ment of Mr. Perot. But it does seem odd that thecage and speeds up the process of reform is a plus. two strongest opponents of Perot's reform efforts in And, whft the school systems continue to fail Texas (according to an article in the New Yorkthe kids, the most promising instrument of change Times) were the teachers' union and the coaches'in my book ithe use of the computer in the home. association. I wish I had school-age kids.I'd see they got Looking at America todayend the educationaleducated in spite of the system! bureaucracy in particularone gets glimpses of what the U.S.S.R must have been like in its last Earl L. Fultz days. Bureaucrats desperately hanging on to their Editor & Publisher

Tam The Newsletter of Software and Systems 2 0 page 3 Yet for all the attention and approbation that Guest Columnist innovation is receiving at present, the respon- sible professionals know that there are pitfalls awaiting them if they engage in innovation sim- ply for the sake of being "up-to-date." To avoid (Back to the Future) these pitfalls means finding out as much as possible about the nature and effectiveness of (Editor's note:While rummaging specific technological advances and the hard- through the files, we found a column ware and software by means of which they are written in 1967 by Ken Komoski, Ex- carried to the student ecutive Director of EPIE, the year the When these three responsibilities (teaching, Institute was formed. We believe ,the innovating, evaluating) are at work within the following excerptsoriginally written educator, they can create dynamic, professional for EPEE Forum, a predecessorpublica- integrity which will greatly increase the prob- tion to EPIEgrammay be instruc- ability that changes in education will be based on tive.) specific changes in educational facts rather than on superficial shifts in educational fashion. Director's Column November, 1967 (Mr. Komoski then noted that the pur- pose of EPIE Institute is to provide The talk about innovation, technological revo- educators with impartial information lution and enlightened action in American schools about innovative products and to help can be heard everywhere. It is a promising time them evaluate these products.4) to be a professional in education. To transcend The responsibility of educators is not only to the talk, to translate the promise into action, to teach but to teach well. To meet this responsibil- approach what John Goodlad has called "the ity, they must innovate. But to identify innova- more sobering business of determining where we tions of value, they must also evaluate. This is are, assessing what needs doing and why," may the purpose and the promise of ENE Institute require nothing short of a complete rethinking of (Educational Products Information Exchange).C1 the educator's professional responsibilities and particularly those responsibilities related to the * EPIE's TESS (The Educational Software Selector) selection and use of technology in education. database has proven to be especially valuable to edu- We cannot continue to teach, to make do with cators intent on innovation in the classroom. EPIE's a conglomeration of "aids° and to hope that our other database, the Integrated Instructional Informa- tion Resource (MR) is used to evaluate educational teaching is somehow improving. There is a real materials in relation to their degree of alignment with need for an empirical approach to the effective local school curricula. In addition, EPIR's evaluation of integration and systematic improvement of edu- so-called integrated learning systems (HBO has helped cational innovations. This is the need which the many schools make informed decisions about these EPIE Institute hopes to help educators fulfill. high-end, high-cost systems. Teaching has always been the educator's ma- jor responsibility. In fact, for centuries itwas his/ her only clearly recognized responsibility. How- EPIEgram ever, toward the end of the last century, educa- Affiliated with EPIE Institute tors in European schools began to introduce uni- form general examinations as a means of evalu- ating educational progress, and with it, they drew attention to the educator's responsibility to EPIEgrarn is published in cooperation with EPIE Institute by evaluate. Sterling (Harbor Tress, P. O. Box 28, Greenport, New York 11944. Originally, this new responsibility meant one thing onlyevaluation of students.In time Basic subscription rate for nine issues a year (October (spurred by the thinking of doctor-journalist, Joseph through June) is $65. Additional subscriptions to the same Mayer) a new facet was added to educational address are $30. The basic rate for subscribers in Consor- assessment, the evaluation of teaching methods. tium (SCISS) States is $45. (AtthispointMr.Komoskiestablishedthat Earl L. Fultz, Editor & Publisher the educator has three responsibilities: P. Kenneth Komoski, Executive Director, EKE Institute teaching, innovating, evaluating) Pat Lutzky, Manager, SUSS \TESS

Volume 19, No. 2 2 November 1992 page 4 districts are turning to private compa-duces academic success and lessens nies for necessary management skills.peer pressure. The home-school move- Among the latest to do so is the Balti-ment now has more than 300,000 fami- more school system, which has con-lies, despite the enormous commitment NewWays tacted with Education Alternatives,of time and effort required of parents. Inc., a publicly-held company based inThe author covers legal obstacles and (Editor's not& If you believe Minneapolis, to manage nine of itscommunity resistance lying in wait for (as we are inclined to do) that schools. The firm, formerly a subsid-the unwary. While homeschooling stil school reform will come more iary of Control Data Corporation, anddoes not seem like a general antidote readilyfrom thebottom up than which has some ten contacts for thefor the ills of American education, from the top down, educators private management of public schools,Guterson makes some telling points should start sharing their good ran into a bit of a buzz sawin Balti-which will be of value to the educator ideas. EP1Egranuoill serve as more. The problem is the one whichconcerned with making public schools a forum if you just send your faced their fellow-revolutionist Lenin,work better. ideas in. Here are a few we when he was quoted as saying, "You And let us not forget C-Span, with really like.) can't make an omelette without break-a copyright policy which willbe most ing some eggs." Change causes prob- In Hull, Massachusetts, the high refreshing to the weary educator being lems such as losing one's job or hav-hassled over rights and payments, school has established a "Saturdaying to do things differently. namely: C-Span programs are copy- School" for freshmen and sophomores Despite the critics, enthusiasts having trouble keeping their grades up right-free for educational use. abound: schools have been painted, Teachers may air the network live, to par. At Hull High, anyone with arepair work gets down in hours in- for record programs at school or home, failing grade isineligible stead of years; even the 8,000-member extracurricular activities, including assign students to watch programs, or Baltimore Teachers Union has gonecreate videotapes for use in the class- sports. Students like the informal envi-along with the deal, anticipating a more ronment, the 10 to one student to teacher room. cost-effective operation due to a And get this: Tapes of programming ratio. No discipline problems, teacherssmaller, more efficient administration. report. Parents like it, too. may be kept indefmitely! And listen to this: the budget for edu- If you don't know C;Span, correct In Phoenix, Arizona, a variety ofcational materials has been upped fromthat now. Write C-Span; Department programs under the banner of "Think$60 per student to $150. EPIEgram isof Educational Services, 400 North Tank" (winner of the 1991 Andersoninclined to forgive a lot when the bud-Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., Medal of the Business-Higher Educa-get for educational materials rises by20001; or call 202 737-3220, or 800 523- tion Forum), help at-risk students by 150%. 7586. getting them to take college-level The drug problem in schools is so Warning: If you have an addictive courses while still in high school. Bypervasive, some are starting education personality, C-Span can become be- breaking down the barriers that sepa-programs in kindergarten. Anew pub-come habit-forming. rate levels ofed ucation, the transitionlication from the U.S. Department of beginning just with the idea that itisEducation highlights some of the pro- "At the rod of such attempts lat an possibleis greatly enhanced. grams that have worked. It contains Educators fearful of computers findhow-to information and winning tac- educationsystemthatguarantees a that by enlisting the help of studentstics from more than a hundred schools. certainoutcome]is thenotionthat who are already deeply involved inFor free copies of Success Stories from educationkasa missiontoperfect technology, there are a number of im-Drug-Free Schools: A Guide for Educa- mediate and long-term benefits: they tors, Parents & Policymakers, write: Na- human nature which usually means get over the technology barrier, theytional Clearinghouse for Alcohol and trying to matte the instructed resemble motivate often bored students, findDrug Information, P. 0. Box 2345, the instructors. Ites this very notion fk it they have more free time for the prob-Rockville, Maryland 20854; or call 800 in pedagogical failure: the lem students, and the class gets the729-6686. builds relentless effort to oversee what and how advantages of programs that fit their A public high-school teacher who all this without having to dis- needs not only advocates homeschooling but people learn, thus destroying learniN play a lack of skills to the class. practices it for his three sons is the dself." When budgets keep soaring...andlively premise for Why Homeschooling revenues don't, and local administra-Makes Sense by David Guterson - ClariceBrown, novelistand tions seem unable or unwilling both to(Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, $22.95.) teacher of English ai California State cut costs and improve education inGuterson, who teaches in Washington University al Chico. these recessionary times, some schoolState, believes thathomeschooling pro- November 1992 Volume 19, Number 2 2 FOR IMPROVING So

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cn =-- rn rn THE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE SELECTOR

Services to finalize plans for the efficient distribution ofte chnol- Texas Sets Up "Preview Centers" ogy services to the state's public schools. High on the list was how to promote TESS throughout the state to Help Promote and make it easily available to educators in all 6,300 schools. Education Technology and TESS Those attending shared experiences and laid plans for coopera- tive efforts to speed up the acceptance and use of TESS at the classroom level. The Texas State Education Agency isn't just talking technol- Three ESC technology contacts were recognized for their ogy for its 6,300 schools, it's backing it up with sufficient fundscontributions to the TESS project: David Altus from ESC Region to make certain that educators get the word. XIX (El Paso), for an excellent job as the TESS duplicator/ In addition k regular statewide support, Texas is providingdistributor for the state; and Randy Purdy and Thom "Device" an additional technology allotment of $30 per student, the Driver from ESC Region II (Corpus Christi) for assisting with the money to be used by the schools to acquire computers andelectronic helpline. educational software. Two other ESC contacts were awarded costly TESSIEPIEgram To make certain that the schools have the proper guidance,T-shirts for their contributions: Jon Pomroy from ESC Region X a portion of the state technology allotment is to be given to each(Richardson) for training the most educators in the use of TESS, of the more than twenty Regional Education Service Centers toand Nancy Little from ESC Region XII (Waco) for promoting set up "Preview Centers" and personnel to staff the facilities. TESS and EPIEgram most energetically. The Preview Centers will provide educators with orientation Plans were also discussed for a video to be produced for on both hardware and software and access to state-of-the-artshowing on PBS channels in other states which are members of technology for demonstrating and previewing applications con-the States Consortium for Improving Software Selection (SCISS) sistent with the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology. , aswell as states which are interested in joining. In addition, each ESC will have individuals with primary responsibility for implementing the distribution and use of TESS. ESC staff will provide the following services to Texas And the Family Keeps on Growing public schools: gr technical assistance for TESS and The Latest and Best of The 1992-93 school year kicks off with a great start for the TESS; States Consortium for Improving Software Selection. Ear information on updates and maintenance; The State of Tennessee, which officially joined the Consor- lar training in utilization of TESS and The Latest and Best oftium in July, has initiated steps for distribution and use of the TESS; TESS database to educators throughout the state. Tennessee lir searches of TESS and The Latest and Best of TESS uponbecomes the sixth member of the Consortium, joining a list of request. states that currently also includes Michigan, New York, Geor- The Texas Education Agency began the roll-out of TESS at gia, Texas, and Indiana. the end of the 1991-92 school year through the Office for In October, the Chicago Public Schools became the first large Technology. The Education Service Centers worked through-urban school district to join the States Consortium, thanks to a out the summer training teachers in the use of TESS and variousgrant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. other elements of the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology. Not a state, but a large urban district encompassing many The Preview Centers are expected to expedite the process andschools, it is the first education agency to qualify as a Participat- appreciably shorten the learning curve. ing Member of the Comortium, w ith license for the use ofTE SS restricted tc Chicago-area schools. ESC Managers Plan The strategy of the Chicago Schools for implementing the TESS plan throughout the district is unique in that it involves TESS Promotion district high-school students. The Jones Metropolitan High School of Business and Commerce is a student-training enter- prise which will serve as the TESS distribution center. Students The technology contacts for twenty Texas Regional Educa- at Jones Metropolitan will be trained to duplicate and package tion Service Centers attended a meeting on October 13-14th with the staff of the Texas Education Agency's Technologythe database for distribution and to prepare documentation materials.

SCISS\TESS Update November 1992 page 6 learning into a generation capable of spending mindless hours at Nintendo and similar dead-end fruits of technology. The plot goes something like this: Dr. Dread (we still think Software equating scientific intelligence with power-mad "doctors" is anti-intellectual) is determined to change world history. Only the Time Riders, of which the player is conveniently in charge, can foil his dastardly disinformation. The Time Rider has five and high-tech tools to keep history accurate, including the Time Riders droid, KAT (Knowledge Access Terminal), which can be sent back through the holographic TimeTube to conduct inter- Technology views with real people who can tell what actually happened. Are you still with this? Dr. Dread's minions don't give up easily, but with more than 2,300 clues about 145 historical White Paper Targets Software Accessibility events and 114 famous people, the player, age 10 and up, has for Handicapped Users plenty of ammunition. Value? Well, we can't help but feel young folks are better off with the likes of Ben Franklin and The Information Technology Foundation this week releasedGeorge Washington than with the Mario Brothers. a white paper aimed at making computer software more acces- Ages 10 to adult. IBM and compatibles, DOS 3.0 or greater. sible to people with disabilities. Color monitor, hard disk, 640K, Soundblaster. $59.95 list. Developed under a three-year grant to the Trace Center at the University of Wisconsin, "Making Software More Accessible For Mac Lovers Only for People with Disabilities" identifies the design considerations software developers need in order to understand and accommo- One of the oddities of the electronic age is that you still izet date the special needs of physically disabled users. The studyyour best information about your computer from print. And offers six basic approaches to making software more accessible.curmudgeons might ask why it is, if the Mac is so easy, that the Foundation Director James Geletka said the white paper willhow-to books for it reach the size of dictionaries. However, if help the IT industry make more usable products and servicess. you want to get more from your Macintosh, consider the "That's a win-win situation for everyone," Geletka said. "Withfollowing tomes: fewer barriers built into a software program, the disabled end sir The 700-page Dvorak's Inside Track to the Mac, by John user can gain proficiency and, as a result, build a more fulfillingC. Dvorak, covers just about everything and includes a disk of career. IT companies can use the document to better understand shareware and freeware chosen by the Berkeley Macintosh how to comply with federal and state accessibility requirements. Users Group. Dvorak Osborn McGraw-Hill, $39.95. They can view more accessible software as a strategy for sr The 900-page Everything You Wanted to Know About tiw expanding the marketplace. And, perhaps more important, theyMac. And Some things You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know. can view adoption of these design considerations as the rightA collection of 29 essays by various authors, edited by Larry thing to do." Hanson. From Hayden, a division of Prentice Hall Computer A single copy of the 74-page white paper is available to thePublishing, $29.95. public at no charge. Telephone 703 284-5333. sw Also from Hayden, a series ofbook plus disk releases: C Mac Sounds by Craig O'Donnell tells how to take advantage of WordStar Unveils the Works for Writing the Mac's audio potential and includes a disk of sounds, some of which are freeware, some shareware (nominal fee); Cool Mac WordStar International of Novato, California, has come outAnimation by Clink Hicks; and Cool Mac Quicktime by Steve with The Works for Writing, a bundle of seven ofthe company's Sanz. Each Cool book, including disk, a modest $19.95. DOS programs, including a word processor, five writing tools, and a paint program for a list price (which of course means Messless Frog Dissection nothing anymore) of $495. Leading the bundle is the venerable word-processor WordStar, followed by the American Heritage Operation Frog, from Scholastic Software, removes contro- Dictionary, Correct Grammar, Correct Writing, Correct Lettersversy about frog dissection in school labs; and no more formal- and Correct Quotes; and rounding out this somewhat obses-dehyde either. The computerized frog can be taken apart and put sional bundle is ZSoft's PC Paintbrush IV Plus, a tool that letstogether again and again; both dissections and reconstructions users scan, edit, enhanc4, and create images. can be saved to disk or printed out, and text and gtaphics can be exported into word-processing or paint programs. A color From the Learning Can Be Fun Company monitor is advised, and teaching aids are part of the package: diagrams, two fihns, and more. $124.95 for the Mac; $89.95 for While anathema to the ruler-on-knuckles school of instruc-DOS; $79.95 for the Apple II. Available from Scholastic dealers tion, programs such as The Learning Company's new "Timeor Inquiry Department, Scholastic Software, P. 0. Box 7502, Riders in American History" are probably the best way to injectJefferson City, Missouri 65102; telephone 800 541-5513. SCISS \ TESS Update November 1992 page 7

Virtues of Electronic Books Tandy is Dandy

Expanded Books (The Voyager Company) has a dozen If you're looking for one-stop shopping, Tandy may be part electronic books on the market and intends to publish at least 40of your future with its new Computer City concept, a superstore more in the year ahead. Among the virtures of electronic books:with more than 5,000 items that will offer IBM, Apple, AST. the reader can carry ten books as easily as one; there is anCompaq, and Tandy, as well as other name-brand computers, automatic bookmark when you close the book; a search function printers, software, accessories, and office equipment. will track down minor characters that get lost for several But the real vision of the future is Incredible Universe, stores chapters; and they change type size if you've misplaced yourwith 160,000 square feet (compared to 25,000 in Computer City) glasses. You can read without a light ir bed without botheringand a $9-million inventory. Included will be interactive dis- your bedmate; and when you fall asleep, the book shuts itse If off.plays, a recycling center, a supervised children's play area, and And, of course, the publisher can add sound and graphics at will.services such as training, repair, installation, and delivery. Oh, yes, it also saves trees. Kidsnet Kismet The Learners in the Dell If you didn't know about Kidsnet before, perhaps it was your In an effort to simplify buying decisions, Jostens Learningdestiny to read about it here. A ,..:omputerized clearinghouse for Corporation and Dell Computer have joined forces to providechildren's television and radio, the monthly bulletin is a must for educators with DOS computers designed specifically for educa- anyone interested in sifting the wheat from the chaff. Includes tional use. specific copyright information (e.g., all ABC programming is Based on either 386 or 486 chips, the Jostens computers willstandard, two-use rights; CNN Newsroom may be taped off-air be able to handle up to 64 student stations from a single fileand kept in perpetuity). Don't, however, confuse non-profit server and will be able to run all Jostens products designed forwith free; the voluminous monthly information will cost $155 DOS compatibles. to $585 depending on how you want it delivered, by post or electronically, and whether you are non- or for-profit. Write Rising Sony Kidsnet, 6856 Eastern Avenue, N.W., Suite 208, Washington, D.C. 20012, or call 202 291-140. Sony, ever on the prowl for another Walkman, has introduced the first portable, self-contained, Multimedia CD-ROM Player. The unit is compact (2 x 7 x 6 inches) and light (2 pounds). It has Let ERIC Be ERIC audio jacks for headphones or speakers, and a serial port for outputting to a printer or even a modem, and works with ERIC has a new information number: 800 LET-ERIC. If you compatible PCs. Industry appears to be buying the concept: find words instead of numbers confusing (and slightly irritating more than 60 multimedia software titles are in the works, 50 ofas we do) try 800 538-3742. them from Compton's NewMedia. Titles will include dictionar- Evidently ERIC/IR's monograph, Libraries for the National ies, encyclopedia, language courses, travel guides, and medical Education Goals is a best seller, and only $10. ERIC also has reference sources (e.g., Home Remedies). oodles of freebies, how-to's, advice for parents to help children learn, wnat to do with a gifted child; publications on computer Big Blue Means Business software copyright, educational technology, automation for school library media, the impact of microcomputer-based in- The wolld's largest computer company has been strugglingstruction on teaching and learning, CD-ROM in the library, with world-class problems, such as 40,000 employees let go; apromotion of reading, television and children. stock price which drifts downward only when it isn't plunging; You name a subject and ERIC/IR will not only have something hordes of high-powered and low-priced competitors; and aon it, it will have 4 lot of somethings. corporate reorganizing for tough times ahead, including the complete splitting off of its PC division. There has been some fumbling and stumbling in the redeploymentand the educa- Deutsche PresseAgentur reportsthat a Bavarianinventor named tional divisice. EduQuest, seems particularly slow getting out of the Bruno Gniber has patented an ''agent dispenser," a small device which chocks, but there's -plenty of life in the old girl yet as attaches to a television or radio and releases appropriate odors. "The evidenced by the this fall's announcement of a completely new smallest amounts are enough to give viewers theright effect," enthused family of IBM Personal System/1 computers: 21 new models in the passionate Gruber. Torinstance, a perfumesmell for a love scene.' all, including three notebook computers. The computers come He said thatJapanese companies were alreadyinterested in the idea. with everything to go; the desktop models are Novell certified, Meanwhile we can only hope that wind of this never reaches the people and are preloaded with DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1; software for listed in TESS who develop those wood-pulping and paper-making Prodigy, Promenade, and WinFax is also included. simulations.

SCISS \TESS Update November 1992 pat. 8

The Latest of TESS PHONICS PRIME TIME INITIAL CONSONANTS MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) Reading Reading Readiness Assorted Educational Grades K-1 Young children master initial-consonant phonics skills with the aid of frogs and puppeteer Waldo Grizzy. When students correctly match Programs consonants with illustrations that represent words starting with those consonants, they are rewarded. Not recommended for use with Apple ik Plus. from Apple Il+IlleIlkfilgs, $59.

THE PHYSICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY Personal to Stress Focus Media Science: Physical Science Grades 5-10 A series of physical-science simulations designed to help students better understand science concepts. Covers: finding elapsed time. measuring length and width, finding area, using a map to find distance. finding seasonal temperatures, finding refrigerator temperatures. and PERSONAL SCIENCE LABOMTORY STARTER PAK pendulum motion. Requires EGA graphics IBM Apple Ilgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $259. Science Grades 6-12 PHYSICS EXPLORER: ACIDC CIRCUITS A microcomputer-based laboratory. Helps students build skills in Wings of Learning science and scientific method. Students explore, analyze, learn through Science: Physics; Electricity and Magnetism; Industrial Arts; Electronics participation. Curriculum areas include temperature, pH, motion, andand Electricity light. Requires temperature. light, and pH modules, temperature Grades 9-College probe, cables. Copy protected. Network version available. Students can design and operate their own electrical circuits and IBM PC and cornpatibks, $357. analyze the results. Circuit elements include resistors, capacitors, inductors, switches, and AC/DC voltage sources."Light bulbs" are also PFS: GRAPH included for qualitative studies. Up to three circuit branches can be Computers: Computer Literacy; Applications built with up to four electronic elements each. Part of the Physics Gradu 7-12 Explorer series. Network version available. Scholastic Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $125. Enables students to display data they have compiled using Scholastic pfs: plan or Scholastic pfs: file. They can select bar, line, or pie charts; PHYSICS EXPLOREk ONE BODY change from one format to another with a few keystrokes; and make Wings of Learning comparisons by using various charts simultaneously. Science: Physics; Electricity and Magnetism Apple 11+IllelIkfils $79.95. Grades 10-College Explores the motion of one body in a wide range of inertial systems. PPS: PLAN StUdent can give body an electrical charge. add a magnetic field, an Scholastic electric field, gravity, and frictional forces. Can be used over and over Computers: Computer Literacy; Applications; Business; Accounting/ again throughout the year to explore many topics in mechanics and Bookkeeping Mathematics; Consumer Math electromagnetism. Part Grades 7-12 of the Physics Explorer series. Network version available. Analyze figures, develop budgets, create balance sheets, and design a Apple Macintosh 5I2& Plus, SE, II, $125. variety of "real-life" financial models. Analyze output from data in Scholastic pfs: file. Features single-keystroke entry of headings and PHYSICS EXPLORER: GRAVITY column widths that adjust automatically. A series of lessons leads Wings of Learning students through sample applications of program. Science: Physics; Motion, Force, and Energy Apple 11+111e/lIcIllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $79.95. Grades 9-College Lets students explore the motion of a body under the influence of a PHONICS PRIME TIME FINAL CONSONANTS centrally gravitating planet. They'll qualitatively and quantitatively MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) observe Kepler's Laws and apply them to the sun, earth, planets, and Reading: Reading Readiness satellites. Part of the Physics Explorer series. Network version Grades K-2 available. A dachshund and monkey help students get the last word on final Apple Macintosh 512E, Pius, SE, II, $125. consonants while getting some additional review of initial consonants. When kids recognize the final consonants of everyday words, they are rewarded. Not recommended for use with the Apple Ilc Plus. Apple 11+/I1eIlkillgs, $59.

November 1992 SCISSNTESS Update ?,6 Page 9

Students manipulate variables such as a population's type and size, its PHYSICS EXPLOREk 'IWO BODIES fertility, its relationship with other populations, and its adaptability to Wings of Learning various habitats. Allows students to create niches and investigate the Science: Physics; Motion, Force, and Energy influence of ecological catastrophies. Students enhance their under- Grades9-College standing of basic concepts which underlie today's environmental Students explore conservation of energy and momentum in two-body issues. Network version available. interactions. Add frictional forces, control gravity, and modify elastic- AppleMacintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $ 125. ity. Study Gal Mean relativity by doing experiments In moving or accelerating laboratories. Get a different view of things, change the POSITIVELY REWARDING frame of reference at any time during experiment. Part of Physics Tom Snyder Productions Explorer series. Network version available. Home Economics: Personal Development; Guidance Counseling Apple Macintosh512E, Plus, SE, !I, $125. Grades 1-12 Complete program for reinforcing positive behavior. Teachers can PICTURF.PARADE tailor a behavioral plan for the whole class or for individual students. Hartle) e,:ourseware Behaviors can be chosen from a list on the Teacher Disk or created Early Learning and Preschool by the teacher to suit a particular student and his or her problem. Grades K-2 Apple8+1110k/11gs, $59.95. Helps young students conceptualde the time order of events. Lets students manipulate on-screen pictures to form logical sequences. POW1 ZAP! KER-PLUNK1 THE COMIC BOOK MAKER! Contains 48 sets of 2-, 3-, 4-, and 6-part stories. Students number the Queue pictures, see them instantly rearranged in the order selected, check Comprehensive: Generalded Tool Programs; Publishing and Printing their own work, and get feedback. Requires Unicorn Board adaptive Tools; Graphics Generators; English and Language Arts; Basic Skills; card. Keeps records. Composition and Writing Apple11+/IlellkIllgs, $39.95. Grades 4-8 Students design their own comic books and share them with the class. PLAYING WITH SCIENCE: MOTION Users choose from a variety of panelled backgrounds and hundreds of Sunburst Communications pieces of clip art to begin their design. The new sequential printout Science: Physics; Motion, Force, and Energy option has a variety of page layouts. Grades 4-9 Apple 11+IllellIdllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95. As objects roll or bounce in front ofthe motion detector,their position is displayed graphically on screen. Walk slowly toward detector and PRESCHOOL PLANNER line on graph goes down; walkaway from it and line goes up. Students Exceptional Innovations wili discover the concrete relationship between movement and lines Early Learning and Preschool on a position vs. time graph. Requires motion detector (included). GradesPresch-K Apple II/11+IlleIllc, $165. Designed for use by teachers, aides, and child-care workers. Analyzes typical classroom routines such as play, teacher-directed instruction, THE PLAYROOM transition between lessons, maintenance tasks, and instructional Broderbund Software activities; provides practical suggestions how to adapt instruction to Early Learning and Preschool meet the needs of young children with learning difficulties. Gradespreschool-2 IBM PC and compatibles, Apple 11+IllellIc and compatibles, $50.50. A program of games and activities built around the theme of a child's playroom. Child can select any object in the room and something fun PRIMARY EDITOR PLUS will happen. Teaches counting, simple addition and subtraction, letter IBM recognition, beginning phonics, spelling, telling time, art and creativity,Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Multi-Function Tools beginning keyboarding, and more. GradesK-6 IBM PCand compatibles, $44.95;Apple11+Ille/lIcIllgs, $39.95; Flexible entry-level word processor offers a spell checker, 40- to 80- AppleMacintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II,$49.95. column modes, eight-color selection, paragraph reflow, and mark, move, and copy functions. Includes picture editor, banner maker, POINT OF VIEW: SCHOLASTIC HISTORY PROCESSOR online tutorials, text-to-speech voice capability, and various teacher Scholastic management options. Copy protected. Network version available. Social Sciences: History; United States History IBM PC and compatibles, $95. Grades 8-1 2 An authoring and research program which combines a large amount of PRINCIPLES OFTECHNOLOGY historical information with a set of powerfu I tools to explore, interpret, Shopware Educational Systems and present history. Chronicles more than 2,000 historical milestones Science: Technology Education; Industrial Arts arranged in 24 topical lists. Network version available. Grades 10-College Macintosh Plushard disk, videodisc player: Overview of U.S. History, Designed to assist students in conceptual understanding of formulas. $199.95; ail War and Reconstruction, $149.95. Covers force, work, rate, resistance, energy, power, force transform- ers, momentum, waves and vibrations, energy converters, transdu cers, POPULATION ECOLOGY radiation, light and optic systems, and time constants. Keeps records. Wings of Learning Network version available. Science: Ecology and Environment AppleMacintosh 512E, Plus, SE, 11111+Illeillc and compatibles, IBM PC and Grades 9-College compatibles, $99.50.

SCISSNTESS Update 97 November1992 page 10 Zug the megasaurus leads children through a graphic playground. THE PRINT SHOP Ilgs Children build graphic scenes through a library of graphic icons and Broderbund Software change the scene into two types of puzzles to solve. Children can also Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators choose to complete a picture and write a story to accompany the Grades K-I 2 scene. Students can print out creations from greeting cards to banners - in up IBM PC and compatibles, Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, 11, Commodore to eight colors! Over 120 unique, multi-color graphics utilize thecolor Amiga, $39.95. and screen resolution of the llgs. Full panels, borders, backgrounds, and a powerful graphics editor are all Included. PYWARE CHARTING AID Apple 11+Illefik/ligs, $69.95. PyGraphics Comprehensive: Class Management Aids; Miscellaneous Aids; Com- THE PRINT SHOP COMPANION Ilp prehensive; Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Broderbund Software Grades 9-College Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Includes full animation, curves, mirror, line drawings, compound Grades K-12 maneuvers, and use of more than 64 symbols. User may view from all Students draw on Quick Page's graphic capabilities to create a variety sides of field, print and edit charts at any count in show. Copy of hems. Includes full-featured Font, Border. Graphic and Panel Editors protected. with a complete array of tools for creating custom Print Shop Design Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE,11111+Illellk and compatibles, IBM PC and elements, plus an Import option, a Cataloger utility, and Creature compaales, $870. Maker and Tile Magic for creating custom graphics. Does not require Print Shop Ilp. QUOTEMASTER PLUS Apple 11+111ellkillgs, $69.95. PennComp Software Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Database Managers PRINT YOUR OWN - CALENDAR Grades 5-College Hartley Courseware An information-retrieval system which includes more than 3,000 Comprehensim Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools quotations in its database. Cross-search functions allow pinpointing be Grades 4-College passages by author, topic, word, and era. Selected quotations can User can create multiple databases of calendars by the month and by saved to disk for later retrieval or copied directly into another e year. Can print a calendar from scratch or select any data from user program. Additional quotebases are available. calendar databases. Puts any overflow at the bottom of the sheet, or Apple Macintosh S 2E, Plus, SE, II, $89. user can edit each day. Copy protected. Network version available. Apple 11+Iliellklllgs, $49.95. RAILROAD SNOOP Sunburst Communications PROTECTING THE UNBORN CHILD: ALCOHOL AND PREGNANCY English and Language Arts: Basic Skills; Composition and Writing Focus Media Grades 5-7 Health: Health Care and Hygiene With this writing program designed for use with Magic Slate II, students Grades 7-College become authors of intrigue. They discover strange happenings in a Examines Fetal Alcohol -Syndrome, its prevention, blood alcohol railroad yard, and must place themselves in the position of the railroad concentration, the maternallfetal exchange, and critical periods ofsnoop, making entries into a detective's journal. Copy protected. -exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. Students input personal data Network version available. and then watch the impact of alcohol on the fetus. Teaches that the Apple 11+Illellic and compatibles, $.59. mother's lifestyle greatly affects the unborn child. Apple 11+Illelliclilgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. READING A RULER - METRIC Shopware Educational Systems Sdence: Scientific Methods and Measuremen Industrial Arts; Drafting and Mechanical Drawing Mathematics; Easic Skills; Measurement and Metric PUPPETMAKER Grades 6-10 Sunburst Communications Covers introduction to the metric system in measurement, the Comprehensive Games, General-Purpose; Fine Arts; Art different types of metric measurements used with rulers, and drill and Grades K-6 practice on reading a metric ruler. Keeps records. Network version Students make their own puppets. They create dozens of characters available. by simply pressing a key to select the desired hairdo, mouth, eyes, and Apple !Wile/11c and compatibles, $89.95. clothing for their special puppet. A variety of puppets is available, from finger puppets and animal marionettes to paper-bag puppets. Copy RECORD BREAKER! 11213 protected. J. Klein/Grade Busters Apple 11+111ellk and compatibles, $75. Comprehensive:Class Management Aids; Grades and Recordkeeping; Administrative Software; Student Records; Attendance THE PUZZLE STORYBOOK Grades K-College First Byte A gradebook and attendance program. Has 10 categories, 160 grades, Logic and Problem Solving; Early Learning and Preschool; English and 80 students, 215 attendance dates, 999 points, drop and undrop grades, L2nguage Arts; Basic Skills; Composition and Writing undo, expert mode, save Y/N selections, 3-digit grades (A++), and Grades preschool-3 more. Copy protected. Network version available. Combining language arts activities with visual discrimination projects, IBM PC and compatibles, $99.95.

SCISSWESS Update November 1992 8 page II

Grades 10-College THE RESUME WRITING ACTIVITY KIT A variety of problem-solving puzzles and challenges in a fantasy island J. Weston Walch, Publisher scenario. Students make their way across the island and escape back Guidance: Career Information to everyday life by collecting tools, solving puzzles, and overcoming Grades 9-12 challenges. Can be used with Ad Lib or Ad Lib-compatible sound introduces resume components and fu nctions, shows how to tailor the boards. resume to the lob, and provides job-search simulations. Includes 28 IBM PC and compatibles. reproducible worksheets. Apple 11+/Ilellk and compatibles, $52.95. SIM CITY Maxls/Broderbund RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS: PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING I Social Sciences: Civics and Government Shopware Educational Systems Grades 7-College Business: Accounting/Bookkeeping Allows students to design and build their own city as they play the part Grades 9-College of the mayor or the city planner. They do this amid natural disasters, Includes introduction to accounting, accounts and transactions, andcitizen uprisings, tax problems, and a large variety of the day-to-day transaction and journals. Keeps records. Network version available.occurrences that happen in any city. Keeps records. Apple 11+/Ilellk and compatibles, $89.95. IBM PC and compatibles, Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, Commodore Amiga, $49.95; Commodore 64/128, $29.95. SAFETY WITH ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS Shopware Educational Systems SIM EARTH Industrial Arts: Shop Safety; Indurzrial Arts; Electronics and Electricity Maxis/Broderbund Grades 7-College Science: Ecology and Environment; Earth Science Teaches the basics of safety when working with electricity. Includes Grades 9-12 safety with electricity, safety with electronics, first aid, and fire safety. Based on James Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis, this simulation lets Keeps records. Network version available. students take charge of entire planet to see how various earth sciences Appe 111411e/1k and compatibles, $109.95. are interrelated. SimEarth covers four time scales: Geologic, Evolution, or Biologic. Civilization, and SCHOLASTIC Al. Technologic. Students can load in a particular scenario; for instance, Scholastic Earth during Industrial Revolution. Computers: Computer Science; Logic and Problem Solving Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, IBM PC and compatibles, $99.95. Grades 6-12 Takes students on a journey into the "mind" of the computer to see SLIDE SHOP how it learns. Students begin by designing a game to play with the Comprehensive: Generaltzed Tool Programs; Publishing and Printing computer. A series of problem-solving modules guides students Tools through the "thought process" the computer uses to develop its Grades 4-12 decision-making capabilities. Network version available. Scholastic Apple 11+Illellidllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $79.95; Apple Macintosh Enables teachers and students to create interactive computer slide 512E, Plus, SE, 11 $89.95. presentations; self-booting slide shows will run on any compatible computer. Screens can be copied to overhead transparencies and SCIENCE PROJECT MYSTERIES presentations can be transferred from disk to videotape. Offers more Focus Media than 40 special effects transitions. Includes "Guide to Effective English and Language Arts: Basic Skills; Composition and Writing Presentations." Network version available. Reading Comprehension Skills Apple Il+IllellkIllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $79.95. Grades 3-4 Children join Lucas and Sandy at the Science Fairand learn all about the SMOKING mysteries thay have created with their science projects. Students can Learning Multi-Systems write stories abouttheir own projects and their own mysteries, as they Health: Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco; Guidance Counseling expand their universe of language. Contains teacher management. Grades 6-12 Apple 11+111e/11c/11gs, 1BM PC and compatibles, $55. Teens clarify feelings and beliefs about smoking, learn more about the effects of smoking, and find out how to quit, how to support others SEARCH AND SOLVE who want to quit. and how to say no to smoking. Part of the Body K-12 MicroMedia Publishing Awareness Resource Network (BARN). Comprehensive: Generalded Tool Programs Apple 1Wile/1101gs, $120. Grades 4-8 Teaches students to use reference materials available at home. SOCIAL STUDIESTOOL KIT: OURWORLD Students answer questions and picture forms on screen. If the studentTorn Snyder Productions cannot answer a question, help is given In the form of suggesting Social Sciences: History; Current Events; Social Sciences; Geography reference books. Network version available. Grades 5-12 Apple 11+IllellIcllIgs, $29.95. Includes 80 separate data files covering 151 nations of the world for analyzing global Issues, with ability to highlight different areas of the THE SECRET ISLAND OF DR. QUANDARY world. Current with data up to 1991. Part of the Social Studies Tool MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) Kit series. Logic and Problem Solving Apple 11+IllellIcIllgs, $99.95.

SCISSNTESS Update 9 November 1992 page 12

SPELL IT PLUS - FRENCH SOCIAL STUDIE.S TOOL KIT: HELLO USA Tom Snyder Productions Davidson and Associates Foreign Language: French Social Sciences: History; Geography; Sociology Grades 5-12 Grades 4-12 An animated arcade-style game. Reinforces spelling rules and spelling Inckides all the features of Our Nation as well as pull-down menus and patterns. Can be personafized by adding own word lists in English, Innovative map graphs. Lets students view information and manipulate French, German, or Spanish. Keeps records. Network version avail- it. Part of the Social Studies Tool Kit series. Network version available. IBM PC and compatibles, $99.95. able. Apple il+IllellIcIllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95. SOCIAL STUDIES TOOL KIT: OUR NATION Tom Snyder Productions SPELL IT PLUS - GERMAN Social Sciences: Geography; Sociologr History; Current Events Davidson and Associates Foreign Language: German Grades 5-12 Students explore the country graphically, analyzing information, calcu- Grades 4-12 An animated arcade-style game. Reinforces spelling rules and spelling lating correlations, and mapping relationships. 280 separate data files patterns. Can be personalized by adding own word lists in English, cover everyth ing from population and climate to health and economics for each of the fifty states. Current with data up to 1991. Part of the French, German, or Spanish. Keeps records. Network version avail- Social Studies Tool Kit series. able. Apple 11+Illellkillgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95. Apple il+IllellIcIllgs, $99.95.

SOCIAL STUDIES TOOL KIT: HELLO WORLD SPELL IT PLUS - SPANISH Tom Snyder Productions Davidson and Associates Social Sciences: History; Current Events; Social Sciences; Geography Foreign Language: Spanish Grades 4-12 Grades 5-12 Includes all the features of Our World by Tom Snyder Productions as An animated arcade-style game. Reinforces spelling rules and spelling well as pull-down menu and a map graph feature. Up to date, giving patterns. Can be personalized by adding own word lists in English, students an introduction to the new world order. Part of the Social French, German, or Spanish. Keeps records. Network version avail- Studies Tool Kit series. Network version available. able. Apple !Wile/tic/figs, IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95. IBM PC and compatibles, $99.95.

SPELUNX AND THE CAVES OF MR. SEUDO SOLVE In Sunburst Communications Broderbund Software Logic and Problem Solving: Comprehensive; Games, General-Purpose Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs Grades 4-12 Grades K-4 Students Solve Itt by using and/or logical operators to unravel Many of the activities center on real-world themes such as ecology, mysteries involving spies, caves, sunken treasure, haunted house, and astronomy, biology, reading, music, and art. more. Copy protected. Network version available. Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $39.95. Apple 11+Illefilc and compatibles, $75. SPREADSHEETS FOR GENERAL BUSINESS CLASSES SOLVE Ill AMERICAN HISTORY MYSTERIES I 492 - 1865 J. Weston Walch, Publisher Sunburst Communications Computers:Computer Literacy; Applications; Business; Office Practice Logic and Problem Solving: Social Sciences; History; United States Grades 9-12 History Gives practical application problems in business, consumer issues, and economics. Provides practice activities using the AppleWorks spread- Grades 4-12 Based on Solve Itl by Sunburst. Students play the role of detectives, sheet. Requires Appleworks. choosing a mystery and reading the case history. They then identify Apple 11+Illellk and compatibles, $59.95. appropriate key words In order to retrieve clues from the database. Copy protected. Network version available. STRESS MANAGEMENT Apple Il+Illellic and compatibles, $75. Learning Multi-Systems Home Economics: Personal Development; Health; Health Care and SPACE STATION FREEDOM Hygiene; Guidance Counseling MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) Grades 6-12 Reading: Comprehension Skills Definitions and examples show how stress can affect people. Through Grades 4-5 various techniques, teens examine stressors in their lives, receive Focuses on the processes of reading, reading comprehension, fact- Instruction on managing stress, and learn why it is Important to talk finding, problem-solving, and other language arts-based skills. Keeps about problems with others. Part of the Body Awareness Resource records. Copy protected. Network (BARN). Apple 11+Illellkffigs, Apple Il+Illellk/Ilgs, $120. 0

SCISSITESS Update November 1992 30 page 13

Potatoes (Couch) noted that the technology area is growing ye Freshest Have High Cholesterol so rapidly it has become mandatory even According to a recent study of a state-for established professionals to continue to funded research and training project ateducate themselves, particularly in com- News Michigan State University, forty per centputer software. of children in the 5-8 age group already show signs of at least one risk factor for and Advices heart disease: a) obesity; b) elevated blood "Da, da, but what channel is pressure; c) high cholesterol. Ghilligan's Island?" The problem is the lack of exercise; the Russian citi7Ans will soon be instructed culprit, the report says, is the emphasis onin the principles of democracy through a team sports and winningInevitably, anjoint effort ofThe Russian Federation, The elite emerges and many children are "dis-Center for Democracy, and The Discovery enfranchised;" unable to compete well,Network. An agreement was announced Dial Me a Story they avoid sports altogether. Further, therecently by Russian Education Minister Teachers or parents with a computerreport notes, in most school sports, theEdward Dneprov of a master plan to de- and one or more of the online services havestudent is in motion less than 25% of thevelop programming, primarily television, instant access to an increasingly broadtime, an inefficient use of the time allotted.to help educate Russians in both theory and range of software for children. While Solution: Emphasize play, not win-practice, including free-market econom- CompuServe, AmericaOnline, Dialog, andning; individual improvement, not superi- ics, human rights, environmental concerns, Genie all offer features for children (asority. Train coaches to be more like teach-as well as democratic principles. well as for adults), Prodigy appears to beers, concerned with all the children and making the big play for this market. their development, not with building a While Prodigy's computers are locatedwinning team of an elite few. Another DAK Bundle in White Plains, New York, (not far from DAK Industries has a new software of- Armonk, home of IBM, a partner with fer World Atlas and U.S. Atlas for $39.90 Sears in Prodigy), customers in most larger When High Tech Needs Low Tech plus Chessmaster 3000 as a free bonus. cities can dial a local access number, out- Need a gift for a computer obsessive?The programs, for Windows or DOS, are of-towners dial the nearest city. Go low tech. Soft wrist rests ($15 in a store published by Software Toolworks. Besides educational games and re- or make them yourself); a telephone head- World Atlas is said to feature VGA color sources ("Where in the World is Carmenset, to prevent rigor mortis of the neckmaps ofmore than 200 countriesperhaps Sandiego," "Nova," "Reading Magic Li-($50); humidifiers, to cut down the chancethey are including some on Neptune, be- brary" to name a few), Prodigy offersof static electricity wreaking havoc withcause there aren't that many on Earth, as articles of general interest as well as theprecious data; an air filter, to keep dust well as 4,400 reference, political and topo- latest national and international news. Itaway; and an air pillow or foot rest can dographical maps also has an electronic mail service whichwonders, as will a really good chair, and a The obsessive Drew Kaplan, president increasingly is used by schools as a simple,table big enough to get the screen at leastof DAK Industries, was quoted in his own inexpensive way to coordinam projectstwo feet away. press release, apparently incoherent with with other schools. enthusiasm: "Today Soviettanksblasted For info: Prodigy Information Services, the city of Sarajevo. With World Atlas you 800 776-3449. Hot Careers can instantly find Sarajevo in Bosnia- Career advisers would do well to con-Hercegovina and discover its close prox- sider the list ofhot careers compiled by theimity to Yugoslavia." But he goes on to Thirtysomething Rochester Institute of Technology. Theirmake a good point: "Electronic maps are A computerized literacy system, "Solu- picks: information technology, environ-the only way to keep up with all the tions ," from Educational Activities, Inc., mental management, imaging science, changes...The world moves fast and paper has been designated one of the top educa-microelectronic engineering, packagingatlases can't keep up. I recently visited a tional products of the year by Curriculumscience, telecommunications, biotechnol- large bookstore and not one atlas had up- Product News. ogy, travel management, allied health sci-to-date maps and facts on the 15 new "Solutions" integrates more than 30 ofences, electronic still photography, bio-Republics of the former USSR. World Educational Activities' highest-rated soft-medical photographic communicationsAtlas has this information and much ware programs into a system to improve...and food marketing and distribution.more." skills in reading, language arts, writing,Computer geeks eat a lot of piza Call 800325-0800 or write DAK Indus- and math. While the choices may reflect a certaintries, 8200 Remmet Avenue, Canoga Park, Available for free 30-day preview. 800 bias for local industry (such as Kodak,California 91304. 645-3739. (In New York, 516 223-4666.)Xerox, Bausch & Lomb), the Institute Volume 19, Number 2 November 1992 31 page 14 lion of data with computer viruses, andtheir gaping maws, including more than entering private computer systems. three out offour of the I 8-to-24-year-olds. EDUCATION Along with teaching computer literacy,Remember too that these are confessions, some experts believe schools should alsonot actual observations. BABYLON teach computer ethics and aver that ille- Of the respondents 29% admitted that gally copying a computer program pricedthey fall asleep with the set on, more than at $295 is ethically the same as stealingone in three admitted that they leave it on Universities Kill the Goose $295 in cash. (Our courts, one suspects,merely for background noise, 42% admit- treat the crimes differently.) ted that they switch it on whenever they To the cynical, the Federal Government enter a room; and 45% said it would be fine is the ultimate layer of golden eggs - as with them if the broadcast networks dis- well as other kinds. Now universities have Diploma No Ticket continued their national news programs. been added to the long list of those who see What the actual figures are, one does not Uncle Sam as an easy mark The U.S. Department ofLabor's SCANS care to surmise. Among those institutions which have(Secretary's Commission on Achieving Is it possible to maintain a civilization ended up with (golden) egg on their face:Necessary Skills) reports that more than under such conditions? Stanford, which spent research money onhalf of all young people leave school with- bed linens and a yacht and may owe theout the skills needed for productive em- government as much as $232 million; ployment; and that since high schools aren't Carnegie-Mellon, which charged a cruiseteaching skills needed for today's work- down the Nile to Uncle Sam; and Syracuse place, a high-school diploma is no longer The American Way: Talk It to University, which passed along an $11,000a ticket to a decent job. Sample statistics Death bill for a St. Patrick's Day party. for 20 years from 1969 to 1989: No one seems able to solve our educa- Only the tip of the tip of the iceberg tional crisis but just about everyone knows some say, noting that government expen- Rise in percentage of men between its there. According to Paul De Hart Hurd, ditures on research with universities has 25 and 54 with 12 years of schooling professor emeritus of science education at grown from $500 million in 1961 to nearly who earn less than enough to support Stamford (writing in Education Week), in $10 billion in 1991. One reason for aca- a family of four above the poverty the past decade there have been more than demic dipping may be a formula which line: 350 national reports by panels, commis- gives the university reimbursement for White from 8% to 22% sions, and committees on the condition of "indirect" costs on top of the research Hispanic from 16% to 36% education in America, all full of resound- award, a loophole large enough to drive Black from 20% to 42% ing calls for change. a...well...a yacht through. Since universities do almost two thirds of all research, any disruption of the rela- SCANS suggests that one reason jobs are "If the group is under 40 tionship will have serious consequences in shipped overseas is that American workers the future. Sign of the times: A research and I wish to make a histori- lack the skills needed in a modem manu- cal referenceFDR and the organization working with the Nationalfacturing environment. New Deal, for example, I Science Foundation on a rush job tells us SCANS's recommendation: Since the make certain I tell the history that new guidelines are so strict that it hasworld keeps changing and reinventing it- first, otherwise they Just won't been waiting five months for a contract toself, schools must do the same. know what I'm talking about." be approved- and this for something which Gus Tyler, writer and con- everyone involved has already agreed needs sultant who lectures frequently to be done as quickly as possible. Survey Reveals Americans on politics,the labor movement, Would Rather Be Brain-Dead and ethics. than Wealthy Computer Crimes A survey ofmore than a thousand Ameri- *It used to be 'Don't trust "Society prepares the crime," read the can adults found that a quarter would spurn anybody over 30;' now it's fortune cookie, "the criminal commits it." an offer of a million dollars to give up 'Don't ask anybody under As the computer becomes more ubiqui- gaping at television. Commissioned by TV 30,- tous, computer crimes also are on the rise. Guide and carried out by Peter D. Hart - Martin P. Wattenburgy, po- The cost to Americans, according to theResearch Associates of D.C., the study litical scientist at University of Justice Department, may be as high as $5further revealed that it would take at least California In Irvine, comment- billion a year.Crimes range from the that much dough to get 46% to give up their ing on the ignorance of young people fraudulent use of telephone services, dis-electronic drug. about politics andgov- ernment. tribution of stolen credit-card numbers, The survey found that 63% often gawked embezzlement, software piracy, destruc- at the big box while shoveling dinner into Volume 19, Number 2 32 November 1992 page 15

Macintosh/Random House Litigation U. Bundle Encyclopedia. Two hundred years after the signing of Publishing The only electronic encyclopedia thalthe Constitution, individual rights are still does not require CD-ROM can now 1,4being defmed, including those of students. New and eth obtained bundled with Macintosh compt-A short book, Student Rights Under the ers available through certain resellers.Constitution: Selected Federal Decisions Apple will transfer the Random HouseAffecting the Public School Community, addresses these and many other constitu- California Likes Britannica Eacyclopedia to the hard disk before ship- ping.For more info: Mike Weiner attional issues. An elementary science program by the Microlytics, Pittsford, New York, tele- For example, can students be threat- Encyclopaedia Britannica Education Cor- phone 716 248-9150, fax 716 248-3868; orened with expulsion if they refuse to com- poration has been recommended for adop- Connie Connors, Connors Communica-ply with a school regulation requiring them tion for grades 3 to 6 in California by a state tions, New York, New York, telephoneto salute the flag and recite the Pledge of curriculum and materials commission. 212 431-9300, fax 212 431-1146. Allegiance?Must a student submit to EBEC calls its product a "revolutionary random urinalysis tests for drugs in order to marriage ofvideodisc technology and state- participate in interscholastic athletics? of-the-art, hands-on, process oriented sci- Written byJ. Devereaux Weeks, an ence education." (Apparently, however, Instant Textbooks As the world turns digital, new tech-attorney and legal research associate, the the program will not teach students when book is short (50 pages) and to the point. to hyphenate.) nologies will be coming before educators have begun to utilize the ones alreadyCases are summarized, with appropriate The Britannica Science System inte- legal citations included. grates the videodisc-based Science Essen-available.Example: the "custom" text- book.McGraw-Hill is already testing Student Rights is available from Publi- tials program with the Full Option Science cations Program, Carl Vinson Institute of System, a program developed at the"Primus," a system for providing text- books to be fitted to the curriculum at theGovernment, University of Georgia, 201 Lawrence Hall of Science at Berkeley, by touch of a button. North Millege Avenue, Athens, Georgia author and professor Dr. Lawrence F. 30602. $11.95 plus 5% S&H for orders Lowery and a team of developers armed "On-demand" publishing, as some call under $50. with a National Science Foundation grant. it, is already being tested at the University EBEC says the Britannica Science Sys- of California, San Diego, using printing tem is unique in wedding technology tosoftware and hardware developed with Light Up Their Life "hands-on" activities which encourage stu-Eastman Kodak. dents to work in collaborative groups The benefits are many: instructors can Sylvania Electric, a division of GTE, is promoting 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. as "America' s something Ken Komoski likes. choose exactly the material they wish to Official Reading The program is Dr. Helen Quinn, a research ph ysi cist at cover in class; textbooks can be updated designed to help ta, something to reverse the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. easily; publishers no longer have to invest "It is my observation when working with heavily in inventory, nor incur the consid-these dismal numbers: 23 million U.S. adults are fimctionally illiterate (lacking teachers in the Oakland schools who have erable costs of printing and shipping and basic skill., ocyonu fourth-grade reading been using the FOSS materials that thosethe inevitable remainders; boc'.. -es avoid teachers were excited by using FOSS andthe cost of inventory and ovcrt- cocking; level); an, ..er 35 million are semi-literate (can't read beyond an eighth-grade level). that they understand the importance of aprices are expected to go down, particu- According to RIF (Reading Is Funda- hands-on approach to learning science." larly since students may need only one mental), more than one million teens drop K-2 materials are slated for 1993, stuffcustomized book which will contain the out of school each year, 85% functionally for grades 7-8 later. Other states consider-information currently scattered through illiterate. Another 700,000 graduate un- ing the system are Indiana, New Mexico, three or four textbooks. able to read their own diplomas. A recent and West Virginia. Call 800 554-9862 for a sales pitch. study offifth graders showed reading books First Step for Computophobes occupied less than 1% of the time between Confucius say, "Longest journey beginthe end of school and sleep, compared to Print Classics to Go Electronic. with single step." If learning to teach using more than 2 hours of gaping at television. It is essential that a specific period of For 75 years the Modern Library im- computers seems a daunting journey, this might be an acceptable first step, a booktime be set aside just for reading. Without print has provided low-cost hardcover ver- this, the reading habit will not become sions of the classics; now it is issuing 25 with the rah-rah name of Teaching with ingrained. key part of the promotion, a titles for the "Expanded Book" series to be Computers: Yes, You Can!Originally free booklet entitled How To Get Your Kids read on the Apple Powerbook Computer,designed for use in undergraduate com- Excited About Reading, was developed in as well as in print. $12.50 to $22.50 forputer education courses for K-12 preservice cooperation with the national non-profit prim; $19.95 to $24.95 for the electronicteachers, it covers the basic skills needed RIF and contains suggestions for getting version. for using computers in the classroom. $19.95 from Kendall-Hunt Publishing Co.children interested in reading. Volume 19, Number 2 33 November 1992 (Further Editorial Comment: American College Testing was recently awarded $ 1.4 million to study student workforce readi- ness.That amount would buy 14,000 TP computers.) Ckt,

Teachers: Female and White The National Center for Education Information reports that women continue to dominate among teachers. 71% female to 29% male. Ninety-two per cent of teachers are white, 5% are black, and 3% Investment in Technology Hispanic and "other." Lagging in Schools The investment in technology per worker in the U.S. averages about $50,000. High-tech workers get (4, as much as $300,000; for service workers it can be as low as $7.000. And investment in technology per $$$/College Ratio the Same educational worker is a pitiful $1,000. If you attend a four-year college, chances are your family has money. A recent study showed that 20% Ctt. of students at four-year colleges came from the lowest-income group, while 40% were from the high- est. Further, there was a higher drop-out rate among Computer Ratio: 1:18 those low-income students who did begin at four- Despite all the hoopla about technolgy, 40 yearsyear colleges. after the computer v, as invented and more than a decade after PCs became ubiquitous in the real world, there are on average only 2.5 computers in C4, elementary and secondary schools, or about one for every 18 students.. More than half of these are over Recession Hits Children Hardest four years old. Further, while the number of computers in public More than one-fourth of America's children are schools increased by only 9% over the year before, theliving in poverty, according to Census Bureau data. figure for Catholic schools went up 16%. For privateIn some large cities (Detroit, New Orleans, Atlanta. schools it surged by 24%. Miami, Cleveland) it can be as high as 46%; but the rate is just about as high in many smaller cities. e.g., (EditorialComment: Recent surveys show Laredo (46.4%), Flint (44.6%), Fresno (36.9%). that 50% of high school graduates are not The culprit is the faltering economy, the loss of qualifiedforemployment. Whenwill educa- manufacturing jobs to other countries, the rise of tors begin to suspect they are not preparing single-parent families, and the decline of anti-pov- students for the high-tech world awaiting erty programs. CI them?)

EFEgram BULK RATE Software and Systems for Learning U.S. POSTAGE PAID P. 0. Box 28 PERMIT NO. 38 Greenport, New York 11944 GREENPORT, NY 11944 Ms. Nancy R. Preston, user bervices ERIC Clearinghouse on Information Res Schl of Infor Studies, Schl of Educat .4C; Nt4AtQton 11,a1;4 Syracuse NY 13244-2340 3 4 The Newsletter of Software and Systems .F1=9ram for Learning Volume 19, Number 3 December 1992

Despatches from the Front: The 90's: Decade Big Doings at of Multimedia?

Comdex An intensive study by Market Intelligence of Mountain View, California, shows how Multime- The gargantuan Comdex/Fall trade show, the dia will begin rapidly to change the way the entire computer industry's World Series, is held every nation communicates during the 1990s. While yearperhaps appropriately, for users as well as initially to be felt most strongly in corporate and venture capitalists, in Las Vegas. This year's educational markets. itwill gain acceptance even PC jamboree began on November 17, and besides among low-end users later in the decade for the polyester frivolity such as pop concerts, chili interactive books, games, and lessons. cook-offs, armadillo races, and some primitives Interactive video will emerge on computer net- at IBM PC Co. bringing a live cougar onstage, works during the decade ahead. (Read about the here's some of the stuff that went on that might nitty-gritty in the accompanying article on be of interest to we of the EPIEgram community: Comdex.) Applications with multiple media ele- lir The fresh multimedia jam was held at ments such as voice-annotated spreadsheets Bally's. At last, IBM, Microsoft, and Apple were and video electronic mail will emerge in corporate showing their cards, pledging common allegiance environments. Multimedia will increasingly be- to a single video compression standard, and come an integral part of the ever-proliferating promising, at least, ffie transfer compatibility. computer networks as the ability to send voice Meanwhile, lesser giants such as Digital Equip- and video across both LANs and WANs increases. ment, Texas Instruments, and Tandy were ea- EPIEgrarn believes this can give an entirely new gerly pitching their own multimedia products, dimension, for example. to Distance Learning. each reputedly the "first complete systems solu- While high prices have constrained the market tion for multimedia." DEC's stresses networking; for years, recent price reductions are likely to TI's includes all components and peripherals; spur more rapid market development and user and Tandy's is designed for a home office. adoption. Multimedia will explode if prices con- IBM previewed its multimedia displays the tinue to drop as projected, and nothing in turn night before the show opened, and revealed its can bring prices down further and faster than a strategy for the technology: networking. "It has mass market. to be connected," pronounced IBM Assistant V.P. continued on page 13 Michael Braun in his Bally's keynote spiel. Big Blue brought in a mainframe and hooked it up to a horde of PS/2s, running dozens of applications SCISS/TESS Update on the show floor. One hour of full-motion video Begins on Page 5 would take up 1000MB of disk space; big users 4.4. would need thousands of gigabytes in storage, with many employees accessing it at the same More ofThe Latest time. With a mainframe delivering that kind of Software froth' power, an IBM exec said, "You can train hundreds TESS of employees at once."IBM is working with Ameritech (see page 3) on entertainment applica- Rve Big Pages Stuffed wtth tions, such as delivering movies over telephone lines to homes and video stores. IBM hopes also Program Data and Descriptions continued on page 13 35 page 2 structural abnormalities in the region ofof cognitive function. Physicians may be In the the brain which governs language. able to use these biological markers to help Dr. Christiana M. Leonard and co-re-diagnose and classify individual patients, searchers at the University of Florida stud- and to help develop new methods oftherapy NEWS ied detailed MRI scans of the brains of 31 targeted at specific cognitive disabilities." people from professional families: nineDr. Leonard went on to say that the next dyslexic, 10 nondyslexic close relatives,step will be to find whether children with and 12 persons with no family history ofspecific brain abnormalities have specific Channel One Knows dyslexia. They detected "striking differ-behavioral profiles. "If so, we can use our Way to San Jose ences" in the structure of the brain' s cortex anatomical findings to improve teaching in most of the dyslexic subjects and instrategies that tap the cognitive strengths many of their family members, from whatof children with particular cortical pat- A California judge recently declined to Theterns. However, many more studies will ban Channel One in William C. Overfeltthey found in the control group. differences were detected through com- have to be performed before we reach that High School in San Jose. The State Super- puter-assisted analysis of the cortical re-stage." intendent of Public Instruction, the state PTA, and two teachers from the school had gion. joined in a suit to declare it in violation of Dr. Leonard and her co-researchers ob- Tracking Lacking served that members of dyslexic families the state compulsory-education laws.It ain't necessarily so, said Judge Jeremyhave areduction in a language-processing In a report sure to cause controversy, the Fogel, but left the lawsuit open whilearea of the brain's right hemisphere: thecurrent and former heads of the Center for planum, composed of the temporal bank, evidence is gathered, pro and con. Research on Effective Schools for Disad- which translates sounds into meaningfulvantaged Students (Johns Hopkins Univer- language, and the parietal bank, whichsity) found "there is little reason to con- Court Allows Clergy Voice processes visual and spatial information.tinue the between-class ability grouping in AIDS Curriculum In all 12 of the subjects who lacked apractices so prevalent in American middle family history of dyslexia, the temporaland high schools." bank was longer than the parietal bank in Evidence exists, the researchers report, The Supreme Court has declined with- both hemispheres; but in most the dyslexic out comment to review New York State's that students placed in a low track did group a mismatch was found: longer tem-"significantly less well" than similar low- policy of requiring religious figures to take poral banks on the left and longer parietal part in advising public school districts on achieving but untracked counterparts. banks on the right. Further,"There appears to be no consistent their AIDS curriculum. "We believe the disparity between the A 1988 regulation requires school dis- corresponding benefit of ability for high or two groups results from a shift of tissue average achievers either." tricts across the state to set up AIDS advi-away from the language-processing area in sory councils to make recommendations to dyslexics," Dr. Leonard said. "We de- school boards on what to include in AIDS- tected this shift in both the dyslexics and aespair awareness curricula. An advisory councilsome of their nondyslexic families. It's our Sixty-five Connecticut students-20 must comprise "parents, school boardhypothesis that this abnormality may en-from Norwalk and 45 from surrounding members, appropriate school personnel,hance the individual's visuospatial skills attownstake courses in Japanese at the and community representatives, includingthe expense of language processing." Japanese Center at McMahon High School representatives from religious organiza- The group also found that many diag-in Norwalk.The Center for Japanese tions." nosed dyslexics have other brain abnor- Studies Abroad, financed by state and cor- The New York State School Boards malities such as a duplication or absence ofporate donations, arranged for some of Association opposed the policy, claiminga structure called Heschl's gyrus that pro-them to take a two-week trip to Japan. it violated the First Amendment clause cesses sound signals and sends them to theThey learned what Japanese know about against an establishment of a religion. But language area: "Our fmdings indicate thatAmericans: that they eat chiefly beef, are the state courts had found that the role ofthese abnormalities in the brain cortex may pro wrestling fans, and constantly flash the the religious figuresadvisors with nolead to a scrambling of the nerve cellpeace sign. Every American girl wears direct responsibility for the curriculumconnections that integrate visual aniaudi-boy's clothes and acts like Madonna. One did not constitute an imposition of reli-tory sensations, producing confusing sen-returning young lady was asked by a New gious beliefs. sory representations of letters and makingYork Times reporter for her impression of reading difficult," said Dr. Leonard. Oth-cultural differences."Japanese kids are Basis of Dyslexia Sought ers have suggested that somewhat the samereally into, like, Guns 'n' Roses, you know? basis may lie behind certain speech disor-McMahon's kids are into rap. And in Neuroscientists have found new indica-ders. Westport, it's more Michael Bolton and tions that dyslexia, also called develop- "The anatomical findings are importantU2." mental reading disorder, may be linked tobecause they provide a biological marker It's a small world after all. -Errtrn The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning 36 Page 3 get working at computers or workstations on cam- Business pus, directly connected to the campus network. "College campuses today are data-intensive en- vironments," Warren Pyles was quoted in a press release. He's the Bell Atlantic market manager for higher education. "The problem is that access to Education information through a campus network is pretty much confined to PCs and workstations on campus, but a growing number of students are living off campus because of a scarcity of dormitory space." Pyles said the variety and complexity of the curriculum at many institutions demands more The Bells Are Ringing frequent collaboration between teachers and stu- dents and immediate access to the resources they Helping Schools Find New Ways need whether they're working off campus or on Ameritech, the Chicago-based parent of the Bell campus in their library or computer lab. He said companies in lllinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and that ISDN, with its higher bandwidth, provides the Wisconsin, has unveiled a $750,000 awards compe- ideal solution. tition that will encourageschools in the Midwest to Bell Atlantic is seeking colleges and universities find creative and innovative ways tuse electronic interested in participating in ISDN trials of telecom- communication to improve the quality of educa- munications and distance learning applications tion. The announcement was made in connection during the 1993 spring semester. with the debut of Ameritech's travelingSuperSchool For more details, call the sanguine Pyles at 703 exhibit, a hands-on display showcasing communi- 974-3209 or Pat D'Innocenzo, ISDN Applications cation services to enhance learning. Manager, at 301-236-1885. "Our fundamental interest is to demonstrate Bell Atlantic is the parent of New Jersey Bell, Bell how communications can impact education," Barry of Pennsylvania, Diamond State Telephone (Dela- Allen, president of Wisconsin Bell, was quoted in a ware), and the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele- press release. "Many schools have the know-how phone Companies serving Maryland,Nirginia, West and creativity, but lack the funding. Ameritech Virginia, and D.C. wants to give them the fmancial and technical support to improve the learning process by im- NAB Extols BellSouth proving their use of information." The National Alliarvle of Business (NAB) has se- Grants will be awarded in each of Ameritech's lected BellSouth Corporation as the Company of five states. Principals and school district superin- the Year for outstanding and innovative leadership tendents representing more than 7,700 schools in in workforce development and education reform. the Ameritech region will soon be sent more details amtinued o n following page of the competition.Schools will be invited to describe their plans to use networked telecommu- nications technology to improve education. Applications will be accepted beginning in Janu- ary; winners will be announced next May. Public EPIEgram and private schools at all levels are eligible for the Affiliated with EPIE Institute grants. For more: Ameritech, Steve Ford at 312 750-5205, or Mike Brand at 312 750-5219. EPIEgram is published in cooperation with EPIE Institute by Sterling qiar6or Tress, P. O. Box 28, Greenport, New York Short Distance Learning 11944. Meanwhile, Bell Atlanfic is teaming up with Basic subscription rate for nine issues a year (October Gandalf Systems and Sun Microsystems to provide through June) is $65. Additional subscriptions to the same distance learning and telecommuting applications address are $30. The basic rate for subscribers in Consor- for colleges and universities using ISDN (Integrated tium (SCISS) States is $45; for our Canadian buddies, $75. Services Digital Network): an all-digital network which integrates voice, data, and image services on Earl L. Fultz, Editor & Publisher a single telephone line. ISDN would give users the P. Kenneth Komoski, Executive Director, EPIE Institute same capacities at their homes off campus as they Pat Lutzky, Manager, SCISSUESS

Volume 19, No. 3 December 1992 3 7 page 4

The company has partnerships with more than 200 Other IBM employees work with schools on a regular schools in southeastern states and provides managementbasis, and on any given day about 22,000 IBM volunteers training for school administrators. In addition, it workswill be working in schools around the country. Contact with 36 "adopted schools" in Alabama on programs whichyour local IBM Ed Rep for more information. address issues such as academic excellence and dropout prevention. Other activities include a grants program forHarsh Critic of Business/Education Alabama teachers to explore innovative classroom activi- ties. Connection The BellSouth Foundation recently invited Alabama In Winter Dissent, excerpted in the September Harper's, educators to a seminar to explore ways to tie education toRobert B. Reich lays about him regarding the much touted Informalion Age communications. A Principals' Leader-contributions of business to education. Reich, feisty pro- ship Program, begun in 1989, allows secondary schoolfessor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at principals to attend, tuition-free, the same managementHarvard, is a leading member for economic policy on the classes taken by managers of its South Central Bell subsid-Clinton transition team. His ideas may prove influential iary. during the next four to eight years. AskDeborahC.HughofSouthCentralBellat205972-3766. While American business says it spends $30 billion on education (some sources have put it at as high as $65 billion), the truth is that money spent, whatever the figure, Microsoft and 30 Other Software Firmstends to go for those who already have college degrees Endorsed Clinton (50%), while a mere 8% is spent on training to improve Before the election, corporate honchos of the largestreading and writing skills. Reich says a similar ratio holds software makers in the Northwest, including Microsoftin direct donations, most of it flowing to elite unive,sities exec VP Steve Ballmer, said they had formed a political(such as the one employing the professor). alliance called "Northwest Software Company Executives To make a bad situation worse, corporations drain local For Clinton and Gore." Moreover, they saidat leasttax revenues by demanding (and getting) tax breaks and according to the sometimes semi-literate UPIthat theirsubsidies as a condition for remaining or for locating anew companies also had endorsed Bill Clinton for president. Aplant. Corporations now pay less in local taxes than ever, statement issued by the group read, "The, organizationwhich means that ordinary citizens get hit with onerous supports the technology policy endorsed by the Clinton/school taxes. Gore campaign and seeks additional emphasis on issues that Corporations make up for the brain deficit by hiring particularly affect the software industry, such as intellectualfrom overseas. Reich quotes the Bush Administration's property,distancelearningandnaticnalcomputernetworks."1990 Economic Report: "With projections of a rising de- Then on November 6th the Associated Press reportedmand for skilled workers in coming years, the nation can that computer-industry leaders who supported Billachieve even greater benefits from immigration." Clinton's drive for the presidency were already being Reich also points out that foreign-owned firms do more considered for top cabinet positions. Apple Computereducating of workers. Japanese-owned firms (which you Chairman John Sculley and Hewlett-Packard Chairmanmay be surprised to know now employ almost 2 million John Young were both said to be in the running forworkers) spend an average of $1,000 a year more than Secretary of Commerce. American firms to train low-level workers. (Consumer Should it make us uncomfortable when developers ofReports, by the way, says it can fmd no difference in the educational materials involve themselves in politics? quality of Japanese cars produced in America from that of cars produced in Japan.) Tapes from Funk Food Czars Instead of preparing to invest the $1 trillion or so needed Safeway, Pepsi, and Frito-Lay now have a "Tapes forto get American education up to speed, the government, Education" program designed to help schools stressed byaccording to Reich, appears to be going in the opposite direction: Head Start, child nutrition, and other preschool budget cutbacks. Call 301 386-6900. programs are under-financed and per-pupil spending through high school lags behind that of every other indus- IBM Continues Loaner Program trialized nation. Government help in training workers has Since long before business/school cooperation wasbeen cut in half since 1980 and grants and loans to college fashionablefor 21 years, in fact, IBM has been loaningstudents have shrunk almost 15% in the past decade. employees to teach science and engineering. In the 1992- What to do? France has one answer: laws that require 93 school year, there will be 34 full-time participants in theevery business to devote 1.5% of its total payroll to the Faculty Loan Program. The participants are on loan fortraining of non-supervisory workers. one year (at full pay) and are targeted to help and encour- Another step, EPIEgram believes, is for schools to start age "minority" and disadvantaged students in collegesteaching what students need to know. and universities. tin 38 The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning FOR IMPROVING $0 171L-- = = = =

cn =E4 r-m = 0m T HE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE SELECTOR 0I

The 1991-92 edition, originally listing for $49.95, is spe- Indiana ESCs Moving Swiftly cially priced at $10 (plus $5 shipping and handling) to schools with TESS participating in the States Consortium. The next edition of The Latest and Best of TESS is now being prepared for publication., is expected to come off the presses in March 1993, and may be The process of distributing the TESS database throughoutordered from EPIE Institute, 103-3 West Montauk Highway, Indiana is taking on new strength this school year, tbrmlcc to theHampton Bays, New York 11946. Telephone 516728-9100; fax state's regional Educational Service Centers. 516 728-9228. Indiana, whose initial membership in the States Consortdum was made possible last year by Purdue University, will provide copies of the database to Indiana schools that belong to the ESC statewide Consortium. Dr. John Soudah, Director of the North- Software Demo System west Indiana ESC, has arranged with EPIE on behalf of all Indiana ESCs to make TESS available, also, to Indiana schools Established at USC Site that are not yet a part of the ESCs' consortium on an individual -fee basis. Apple Computer and the Intellimation Higher Education A participating Indiana school is one which subscribes to theLibrary for the Macintosh have come up with an interesting services provided by its regional ESC. system for helping educators choose curriculum-based soft- ware.It is at once far superior and far inferior to the EPIE Institute's Educational Software Selector. Superior because it operates as a designated system which New PC and Mac TESS actually allows the user to "test-drive" software demos; inferior Ready to Roll Out because it is a selling system restricted to 200 titles for the Macintosh, compared to the more than 12,000 in TESS, from all publishers and for all makes of computers. EPIE is rolling out a new version of PC TESS and Mac TESS Intellimation's research revealed that higher-ed faculty tend (the winter update). to make curriculum decisions based on materials available During this recent updating process, EPIE and its consulting through college bookstores. Accordingly, when they chose a staff at Data Crafts, Inc., contacted more than 1,000 software site for the first "Courseware on Site" kiosk, they settled on the suppliers nationwide to find out what new educational software bookstore at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles programs have been produced since the last TESS update. - with the university's blessings and assistance. This new version of the TESS database will offer more than Thom Hill, the Project Manager for Courseware on Site, 500 new software programs for the Macintosh and about 400 writes in T.H.E. Journal: "Dr. Kenneth Green, director ofUSC's new products for DOS computers. One of the enhancements in Center for Scholarly Technology, believes that the Intellimation this new version will offer users an easy means to save informa-kiosk and related efforts on the part of software and print tion about "owned" products, and import that data into new publishers provide an important opportunity to break the tradi- versions of the database as they become available. tional calendar-based curriculum cycle. Instead ofselecting and ordering course materials four to six months prior to the And for the Bibliophiles.... beginning of a term, faculty and students can try out and purchase software resources when neededin the middle of a 'The print version of TESS, The Latest and Best of TESS, is also term, before or after a critical class, or the weekend before a available to States Consortium members. Schools wishing tomajor exam or final." purchase a copy of this subset of the full TESS database may do The system is housed in a kiosk and features a touch-sensitive so through EPIE Institute at a substantial discount afforded toscreen so that even chowderheads will be able to run the demos. Consortium members only. Like TESS, programs can be sorted by any combination of The Latest and Best of TESS (1991-92 edition) containssubject, title, key words, or hardware and memory requirements. information on more than 2,000 programs. Among them are [Technosprite:And with only 200 emries, it will be quite a while before the disk drive weirs0111.1The user can select which applications to "launch," more than 500 of the most highly rated by 41 different software- review sources, including EPIE Institute. continued on following page

SCISSUESS Update December 1992 page 6 and then after deciding on a purchase can have the kiosk printData is viewed on a 5-line LCD, with variable fonts and even out a bar-coded slip to take to a cashier and have theordergraphics. In addition, up to 60 lines of text can be entered into quickly filled. This is, of course, a sales device; and surely itthe DBS-1's built-in notepad, which is independent of the must be seen as the wave of the future in educational software installed books. Connectivity and communication cards are also marketing. Courseware On Site does not even use CD-ROM: itplanned. consists of two Macintosh rigs and a whopper 1601%113 hard disk; For more information, call Mindy Fendrick of Franldin and with the spread of multimedia technology, may we not hopeElectronic Publishers at 609 261-4800. to see such a demo system, but one with thousands of titles, in every school library? And will software publishers not recog- Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia nize that it is in their enlightened self-interest to have such access Supports Video for Windows available to all schools, and for all software? Grolier Electronic Publishing, the CD-ROM czars, have For more information from Intellimation: "Kiosk Depart- announced a version of their best-selling CD-ROM encyclope- ment," P. O. Box 1922, Santa Barbara, California 93116-1922. dia, the New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, developed Telephone 800 346-8355. using Microsoft Video for Windows. The Video for Windows technology allows motion video clips of historical events, famous people in history, NASA Software missions, major sporting events, and so forth to be added to electronic reference works. and Other new features include animated sequences of aircraft technology, weather, the human body, the solar system and Technology more; the Timeline, which allows users to conduct ajourney from prehistory to the present; the Knowledge Tree, which can be used to explore broad categories before branching out to specific areas; thousands of pictures; more than 250 high- Digital Book System resolution color maps, including all regions of the world, all countries and all 50 U.S. states; and high-quality audio, includ- Franklin Electronic Publishers, the electronic book czar, ing excerpts from famous speeches and musical compositions, have begun shipping the world's first PDA (Personal Digital as well as animal sounds, bird calls, andaudio-supported video Assistant), called the DBS-1 (Digital Book System). clips. Franklin says that by the end of the year the DBS-1, with a list The product is currently shipping and is available from price of $199, will be in 10,000 retail outlets, including Radio Ingram Micro, Soft-Kat, Software Resource, and the Bureau of Shack and Sharper Image. Electronic Publishing, at a (probably meaningless) list price of The basic package will include two digital books. Merriam- Webster's Dictionary Plus dictionary and thesaurus, with moreS395. For more: Maryanne Piazza of Grolier Electronic Publishing than 274,000 definitions and 496,000 synonyms; and Word at 203 797-3365 or 800 356-5590. Games, a collection of ten...er...word games. Also available is the Video Companion, a guide to 7,000 movies on videotape, and, grotesquely, The Medical Letter Handbook of Adverse Newsweek on CD Drug Interactions. Newsweekhas announcedit will publish a quarterly CD-ROM The company plans to publish over 50 books within the nextversion of the magazine. Newsweek Interactive will be sold by year, including the Physicians' Desk Reference, travel andsubscription, with the first disk available in January. buyer guides, telephone directories, and reference books on investments, nutrition, health, emergency information, enter. Where No Screen Saver has Gone Before tainment, cooking, and gardening. Prices will range from $29 Star Trek: The Screen Saver has hit local screenscomputer to $129. screensto save them from the calamity of phosphor burn-M. The future of PDAsVechnosprite:But change the stupid name, okayl (A screen saver is a program which displays images on a seems vast. There are thousands of business and government computer monitor after a period of inactivity, safeguarding it agencies where directories, rate cards, instruction manuals andfrom burned-in images.) other databases are critical to productivity in the field. And here The Screen Saver features the original crew of the U.S.S. is an inexpensive technology for putting dictionaries, encyclo-Enterprise.Captain Kirk, Spock, Bones, and Scotty make pedias, and so forth, at every school desk. digitized and animated guest appearances on the new Berkeley The 4.6-ounce, index-card-sized DBS-1 is a hand-held, 16-bitSystems program, which even features their digitized voices. computer powered by lithium batteries which will operate for asThe delighted enthusiast can now hear Spock's beloved, "Fas- long as a year. Using Franklin's data-compression technology,cinating," and Dr. McCoy's classic, "He's dead, Jim," over and the DBS-1 can store up to 90MB of information in two removable, over again while he's on the phone with a client. It also features digital books. Users may conduct"fuzzy searches," which allowtheme music from the television series. At press time we had not ou to retrieve information b the first few letters of a word. December 1992 SC1SS \ TESS Update 4 0 page 7 been able to determine whether the program or its updates will Russian (and its translation in English) 50-100 Kb long. The possible i nclude Yeoman Rand or the Salt Vampire; but it sounds like just terms are as follows. The charge about $2000 for each text with your the sort of real productivity-buster we like. unlimited right to copy, sell and distribute diskettes, or $10,000 with Berkeley Systems are the producers of the strangely yet your exclusive write to sell and distribute. These terms are temporary hugely successful After Dark screen-saver program, with its and may be changed during negotiations. We n7 41 discuss your orders also for other language pairs. celebrated Flying Toasters.(Technosprite.Alsoin MU you want to be Perhaps you will fmd useful to receive regularly some review of the hippest dude in South Dakotathey sell a Flying Toasters T-shirt too.) Russian periodicals in form of Smart Book Diskettes. For example the shortened mouth review of "Moscow News" weekly could be such Starter Set Smart Book Periodical. Want to move your child along on computers a bit faster than At the moment our interests in USA are represented by it looks like the school is going to do it? Check out Tic, Tac, Mr Jim Salter, president of Type: A Child's Computer Writing Kit. As an introduction to COLOR QUICK professional printing computers and word processing on any DOS computer, it is 770 Walnut St, Macon, GA 31201 designed for children over eight but can serve well for adults, tel 745 5501, fax 742 0121 too.It even has a disk with a not-so-bad word-processing Thank you for the attention to our proposal. program. Written by Marta Partington, the price is right: $19.95. Sincerely yours From SAMS of Carmel, Indiana, a division of Prentice Hall. It's Alexander Gofen not WordPerfect; but then, for most users, WordPerfect isn'tRepresentitives: Alexander Go fen, tel. (095) 433 8477, 390 8452 WordPerfect either. Mr. Nickolai Anatcky, E-mail: nick©ipian15.ipian.msk.su The firm produces TIM SMART ELEC1RONIC BOOKS, i.e. specially packed bilingual texts of well-known fiction written on diskettes for IBM PC. The purpose is to make the process of reading Now Is Software from Moscow and words learning as easy as possible. Such Electronic Booksreading may be a part of any language teaching process. (Russia has a lot of great programming talent, the THE SMART ELEC1RONIC BOOKS make the studying of for- fruition of which is frustrated first ofall because of eign languages easy and pleasant. When a student is reading such a lack of access to computers and advanced pro- books either tiresome searching in the dictionary or difficult selecting gramming software. However the following promo- of the convenient meaning from the different usages is no more tion. here faithfully transcribed, suggests certain necessary. (Searching a word in Russian dictionary may be especially other difficulties Russian computer firms may face difficult for foreigners who doesn't know different forms uf the same as they struggle to break into the vast American word). market: and we can only hope that users or associ- While reading the user can: ates will find ways to overlook or overcome them, - look the context-dependent translation for every unknova: word; and find the real value they may obscure.) - add the larger context if needed; Smart Book Ltd - scroll the text in the native or foreign language, in the traditional 12-3-135 Zaharova str or in special format, when any text line on the screen represents a 115569 Moscow Russia closed phrase or logically finished part of it; tel (095) 390 8452, 433 8477 - collect unknown words in files for farther studying. (Draft proposal and motivation of contract for preparing user's texts This system does not aim to provide for the reader all possible in form of Smart Book Diskettes) usages for an unknown word. Instead the reader has as a prompt just Dear Sir, that single meaning that is actual for the context (it is the reason why the reading process is so easy). Nevertheless if the full article of the Please fmd on the next page the prospect of our company and dictionary entry point is also needed, the user may purchase one of explanations what a product the Smart Electronic Book diskettes are. electronic dictionaries systems available on the market and use both You may also ask for DEMO diskette of Smart Electronic Book at our systems concurrently. representative Mr Jim Salter (the address is below). It is our hope that such diskettes with various texts and language pairs may be useful as Suppose, some resident program providing access to full enough part of any language training. At the moment 3 samples of classical bilingual dictionary is loaded. Running the SMART BOOK after it the Russian prose are available ($20 for each): user can call also the full article from this dictionary for any unknown word and therefore learn the ALL usages of this word or expression. "The Queen of Spade" by A.Pushkin; The same way if a program for pronouncing words highlighted on the "The White Poodle" by A.Kuprin; screen through the internal speaker is available, it adds the option to "Kashtanka" by A.Chekhov. make the prompt sounding. These texts have universal value and that is why we have chosen Some future electronic resident dictionaries based on CD ROM them first.But they are useful for rather experience students of technology may inc loud many pictures and animation. Then the Smart Russian. Book reading process also will provide prompts with video clips. To meet the needs and specifics of the training courses in your Such systems are much more expensive in comparison with the office, we are ready to prepare in form of the Smart Electronic Books Smart Books. However the user should purchase them only once for the texts you would like to order. To start with it may be any texts in many purposes and for different Smart Books.

SCISS \ TESS Update December 1992 41 Pag 8

SUN LAB The Latest of TESS Wings of Learning Science: Astronomy Grades 4-8 Assorted Educational Students study and explore the astronomy of earth and sun. Supports a broad range of curriculum objectives and combines game-like Programs qualities of simulation with open-endedness of tool software to let students explore and discover concepts in astronomy. Part of the Second Voyage of the Mimi series. from Apple II+IlleIlkIllgs, $75. SUPERMUNCHERS MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) String to Young Comprehensive: Games, General-Purpose Grades 8-College Learn facts In scores of subject areas including animals, sports, famous Americans, food and health, geography, and music. Covers more than 4,000 facts in 130+ categories, and allows user to select game topics, criteria, and difficulty levels. Levels of play become more challenging as user progresses. IBM PC and compatibles, Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $49.95. THE STRING QUARTET Warner New Media SUPER SIGN MAKER Fine Arts: Music; Musical Terms and History Sunburst Communications Grades 9-College Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Publishing and Printing Contains a digital recording of Beethoven's String Quartet No. 14 on a Tools; Graphics Generators CD-ROM disc, which Is enhanced by thousands of pictures, additional Grades K-12 audio, commentaries and historical information, plus a glossary and A tool for creating banners, signs, handouts, transparencies, and much Index, all Interactively accessible with a Macintosh computer. more. Featu res a variety of typestyles and letter heights 1/2" to 8", along Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, IL with special fonts such as block, digital, stencil, and foreign language characters.Offers a choice of special borders: hearts, beads, bricks, and STUDENT'S DREAM TOOLS more, which can also be used for filling in letters. Copy protected. Slippery Disks Apple 11+IllellIc and compatibles, $75. Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Grades 5-College SUPER SIGN MAKER L1BRARY DISK #2 Contains three stacks plus HyperCard 2.0. Stacks include: Events Day Sunburst Communications by Day, births and deaths of famous people, 4,000 events in history, and Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Publishing and Printing more; Stack of Lists, 600 lists of people, places, and things worldwide; Tools; Graphics Generators and Stack of Decades, a card for each decade from the 1650s onward. Grades K-12 Apple Macintosh .512E, Plus, SE, II, OS/2, $89. Contains two new fonts, ten new patterned borders, and more than thirty new pictures. The pictures are for special days of the year. To SUGAR SCIENCE PHOTOSYNTHESIS TO FOOD be used with Sunburst's Super Sign Maker. The Sugar Association Apple Il+/IleIlidilgs, $49. Science: Biology Grades 4-8 SUPER SOLVERS: MIDNIGHT RESCUE Gives students the opportunity to explore photosynthesis, the way The Learning Company plants make food; respiration, the way plants use food; and the food Reading: Comprehension Skills chai n, the way grass b ecomes a steak.Teaches students basic chemistry Grades 3-5 by showing them the functional roles sugar plays in many everyday Morty Maxwell has taken over Shady Glen School! Disguised as a robot foods, including bread, preserves, and Ice cream. he and his team are painting the entire school with disappearing paint. Apple Il+Illefildligs, IBM PC and compadbles. As Super Solvers Club members, students have only until midnight to explore the school, read for clues, and collect facts to out-think their SUN AND SEASONS clever opponent. Contains over 200 readings. Part of the Super Solvers MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) series. Reasons why they will want to keep school from disappearing Science: Astronomy not included. Grades 3-9 IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95. An astronomy learning tool designed to help students understand the regular and predictable events they see happening in our daytime skies as the seasons change. Students learn to visualize the spatial relation- ship between the earth and sun as the earth travels In its annual orbit around the sun. Keeps records. Copy protected. Apple ll+IliellicIllgs.

SCISSNTESS Update December 1992 pate 9

A SURVEY KIT TEST DESIGNER PLUS William K. Bradford Publishing Company Super School Software Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Comprehensive: Drill and Test Generators Grades 7-12 Grades K-College Students can use this software tool to create and print their own Allows teachers and students to make and take tests. Additional surveys. They can then administer them directly on the computer or features include graphic integration, foreign languages such as Spanish. by the traditional paper and pencil method. Offers students help with French, German, Italian, and Vietnamese, timed tests and questions. analysis of the data. Data can be analyzed using descriptive statistics, User can choose from multiple-choice, true/false, completion, fill-in- cross tabulations, and scatter diagrams. the-blank, and essay questions. Keeps records. Network version Apple 11+111e/tidily, $51. available. Apple Macintosh S 1 2E, Plus, SE, II, $99.95. SURVIVAL FINANCES J. Weston Walch, Publisher TEST DESIGNER PLUS: MACINTOSH TEST MAKER Home Economics: Consumerism; Mathematics; Consumer Math Tom Snyder Productions Grades 7-12 Comprehensive: Drill and Test Generators Simulation in which students get a job and receive monthly paychecks Grades K-College which must be budgeted and used to pay expenses. They learn to keep A test-making program which provides multiple-choice, true/false, a checkbook register, maintain savings accounts, purchase on the completion, fill-in-the-blank, and essay types of questions. Teachers installment plan, buy insurance, and complete income tax forms. can add diagrams. For all areas of the curriculum. Includes ESL and Apple 11+111e/Itc and compatibles, $59.95. bilingual modes which support Spanish, French, English, German, and Italian. TALK TO ME Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $99.95. Educational Activities Early Learning and Preschool: Readin& Reading Readiness THINK AND WRITE Grades K-3 William K. Bradford Publishing Company Students learn to associate spoken words with written words by seeingComprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Word Processors; Mufti- the text and graphics on the screen, hearing the words or phrases, and Function Tools repeating the words into a microphone. Students can then listen to Grades 5-12 their own voice recordings and the teacher's words to compareA tool for organizing and drafting research papers or original creative pronunciations. Keeps records. Copy protected. Network version works. Uses an Index card metaphor to assist In notetaking for available. research report writing.Students can use their notecards to create the IBM PC and compatibles, $169. outline of their project. A single command will drop all notecard headings and merge the text into an Integrated document. Revise or TEACHER OBSERVATION WRITER edit. Network version available. James Stewart and Associates Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE,11, $51. Administrative Software: Employees; Permanent Records Automated system that allows administrators to prepare a report of THINNING OF THE OZONE LAYER classroom observations. Built-in responses make it simple to use. Full Circle Media IBM PC and compabbles, Apple It+IlleIllcIllgs, $195. Science: Ecology and Environment Grades 6-12 TEACHER'S TIMESAVER Students investigate information to create a convincing presentation Tom Snyder Productions on this environmental issue. Requires MindMap by Full Circle Media Administrative Software: Student Records; Comprehensive; Class with videodisc and CD-ROM support, Version 2.2. Management Aids Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $80. Comprehensive classroom management system. Includes templates for databases used for scheduling and attendance; a word processor 3-2-1 CONTACT: WILD THINGS for letters, notes, memos, or progress-report writin& and a spread- Wings of Learning, Division of Sunburst sheet for-calculating budgets, purchase orders, and student progress. Science: Biolorf; Animals; Plants Includes a step-by-step tutorial. For use with AppleWorks 2.0 or Grades 3-8 Microsoft Works 2.0. Students use a combination of their own knowledge plus research in Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, 11/11+/11011cIllgs, $99.95. the Guide to the Wild Student Book. Goal is to choose a pair of species and then determine what attributes they have In common, using TESGEN CHEMISTRY: A MODERN COURSE classifications ranging from diets to habitats to life cycles. Network Towers Educational Services version available. Science: Chemistry Apple 11+111e/11c/11gs. Grades 9-12 1600 questions correlated to the textbook Chemistry: A Modern Course, Merrill Publishing Company, 1990 edition. Built- in text editor for multiple-choice, essay, true/false questions. Each question tied to performance objectives. Apple 11+Illellk/lIgs, IBM PC and compatibles, Tandy 1000/3000, $89.

SCISS\TESS Update December 1992 page 10

30 IMAGES TRANSPARENT IANGUAGE- LATIN William K. Bradford Publishing Company Transparent Language Industrial Arts: Drafting and Mechanical Drawin& Fine Arts; Art Foreign Language: Latin Grades 5-12 Grades 5-12 A drawing tool that allows user to construct, develop, and manipulate Enables English speakers to read and understand foreign language figures in space. Using fou r basic objectslines, circles, rectangles, and literature immediately. Uses proprietary technology to capture and polygonsalong with the program's drawing tools, users can modify record student's knowledge of each word, phrase, and sentence in a the objects in various ways. Network version available. story. Student reads along, getting Instant vocabulary, grammar, or Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $149. other hep needed to continue reading the story with understanding. IBM PC and compatibles, $99. TIMELINEk AFRICA.N-AMERICAN HISTORY Tom Snyder Productions TRANSPARENT LANGUAGE - FRENCH Social Sciences: History; United States History Transparent Language Grades K-I 2 Foreign Language: French Covers slavery, the civil rights movement, and notable African- Grades 5-12 Americans in politics, science, the arts, education, and more. Requires Enables English speakers to read and understand foreign language TimeUner program by Tom Snyder Productions. Part of the TimeLiner literature immediately. Uses proprietary technology to capture and series. Network version available. record student's knowledge of each word, phrase. and sentence in a Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, 11111+111eIlldllgs, $19.95. story. Student reads along, getting instant vocabulary, grammar, or other help needed to continue reading the story with understanding. TIMELINER: SPACE IBM PC and compatibles, $99. Tom Snyder Productions Science: Astronomy; Social Sciences; History TRANSPARENT LANGUAGE - SPANISH Grades K-12 Transparent Language Covers early astronomy to modern space exploration. To be used in Foreign Language: Spanish with Tom Snyder Productions videodisc, The Great Solar System Grades 5-12 Rescue. Part of the TimeUner series. Network version available. Enables English speakers to read and understand foreign language Apple 11+Illeakillgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $19.95. literature immediately. Uses proprietary technology to capture and record student's knowledge of each word, phrase, and sentence in a TNT TEMPORARIES: OFFICE KEYBOARDING SYSTEM story. Student reads along, getting instant vocabulary, grammar, or J. Weston Walch, Publisher other help needed to continue reading the story with understanding. Business: Typing IBM PC and compatibles, $99. Grades 9-12 As "employees" of TNT Temporaries, students practice their word- THE TREEHOUSE processing skills on real-life documents for a variety of businesses. Broderbund Software Students create and correct business letters, outlines, reports, tabular Comprehensive: Games, General-Purpose material, and itineraries; merge form -letters; and perform jobs that Grades K-4 require creative formatting. Designed for elementary-age students and covers an even wider range Apple li+Illellic and compatibles, IBM PC and compatibles, $59.95. of subjects. As students explore the on-screen hideaway, they learn about music, animals, mathematics, sentence structure, money and TOUCH TYPING FOR BEGINNERS place value. In addition, the games encourage creativity, exploration, IBM deductive reasoning and strategic thinking. Business: Typing IBM PC and compatibles, $69.95. Grades 3-12 Designed to teach touch typing and help students improve their typing TYPE TO LEARN GRADEBOOK DISK skills. Emphasizes proper typing technique and finger placement. Sunburst Communications Lessons and exercises provide practice for every letter and numeid Business: Typing on the keyboard. Enhanced graphics, games, and activities. Copy Grades 2-12 protected. Network version available. For teachers working with computer labs where many students are IBM PC and compatibles, $84. using Sunburst's "Type to Leasrn" simultaneously. Simplifies and unifies record-keepingbygathering the records for all the disks on one master TRANSPAREN7 LANGUAGE- GERMAN gradebook disk. Includes stickers. Transparent Language Apple ll+illellIcIllgs, $65. Foreign Language: German Grades 5-12 Enables English speakers to read and understand foreign language literature immediately. Uses proprietary technolou to capture and record student's knowledge of each word, phrase, and sentence In a story. Student reads along, getting instant vocabulary, grammar, or other help needed to continue reading the story with understanding. IBM PC and compatibles, $99.

SCISS \TESS Update Ncember 1992 page 11

1 U.S. HISTORY DATEUNE: COMPUTER TIMEUNES WAGON TRAIN 1848 J. Weston Welch, Publisher Social Sciences: History; United States History Social Sciences: History; United States History Grades 5-9 Grades 7-12 MECC (Minnesota Educational Computing Corporation) Provides timelines and qutaes covering the Revolution, New Nation Interactive cooperative-learning adventure that puts kids in shoes of Expansion and Development, Civil War, and industrialization and 19th-century pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail to survive mishaps Reform Periods. Allows students to make connections between and other random events. Players work together; one wagon's troubles people, events, discoveries, inventions, and judicial decisions from can affect everyone else. Works with groups of Macintosh computers specific periods of American history. Keeps records. (Macintosh Plus or later models), connected via an Apple Talk-based Apple 11+/1 le/lIc and compatibles, $39.95. network. Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, 11. VENTURE THE STOCK EXCHANGE IN ACTION J. Weston Waich, Publisher WHALES DATAMSES Business: Investments Sunburst Communications Grades 7-12 Science: Oceanography; Biologi; Animal Organisms Investment simulation in which students are given $200 to $30,000 to Grades 4-12 invest in any of 15 profiled companies. At end of "stock year," five Used with the"Bank Street School Filer" to explore, gather, and analyze realistic events, randomly selected from 75 possibilities, affect stock data, answering all kinds of questions about whales. The Teacher's prices. Students then analyze the impact on the market and their Guide contains activities that focus on database information such as portfolios. Keeps records. taxonomy, features, fins, and behavior of marine mammals. Apple 11+111e/11c and compatibles, IBM PC and compatibles, $39.95. Apple 11+111eIllc/Ilgs, $59.

VERY FIRST DISKETTE WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE INVERTEBRATES Sunburst Communications Tom Snyder Productions Early Learning and Preschool: Reading Reading Readiness Science: Zoologn Biology; Animal Organisms Grades K-2 Grades 7.12 Allows students beginning their study of letters and numbers to A classification tool covering similarities and differences among inver- practice in a context that helps them sharpen classification and tebrates. Includes an online glossary and comprehensive database, as categorization skills. For students who are already reading, includes well as visual representation of each step in the classification process. data files on color names, animals, articles of clothing, means of Covers eight major phyla of invertebrates and common characteristics, transportation, and simple arithmetic. and has a section on arthropods. IBM PC and compatibles, Tandy 1000/1200, $65. Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, 11, $79.95.

THE VIETNAM WAR 2.0 WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE VERTEBRATES Regeneration Software Tom Snyder Productions Social Sciences: History; World History Science: Zoology ; Biology; Animal Organisms Grades 7-College Grades 7-12 A HyperCard-based history. Materials include text cards covering 6 I A classification tool covering similarities and differences among verte- topics, animated charts and maps, interviews with veterans, movie brates. Includes an on line glossary and comprehensive database, as well reviews, etc. Provides a full history of the war through use of sounds, as. visual representation of each step in the classification process. animation, and graphics. Covers seven classes of vertebrates and common characteristics and Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, II, $24.95. representatives of each class. Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, 11, $79.95. VOLKSWRITER 4 Volkswriter WHERE IN AMERICA'S PAST IS CARMEN SANDIEGO? Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Word Processors Broderbund Software Grades 7-College Social Sciences: History; United States History Includes a fully integrated grammar corrector that can analyze sen- Grades 6-12 tence structure and correct errors in grammar, usage, punctuation, Comes with Penguin Books' What Happened When, aI ,300-page and style. Features include an integrated I 70,000-word spelling checker, encyclopedia of American culture and history. Over 1,200 clues point-and-pick file retrieval, undelete, case conversion, word count, contain information about folkways, philosophy, science, the arts, automatic envelope printing,mail merge, notepad, and on-line tutorials. theater, sports and more. Game play has 45 destinations available at Network version available. any time, covering 5 regions of the United States and 9 time periods IBM PC and compatibles. (from AD. 986 to the present). Keeps records. IBM PC and compatibles, $69.95.

SC1SS \TESS Update Chocember 1992 4 5 page 12

WHERE IN TIME IS CARMEN SANDIEGO? progress through this simulation. They research the geography and Broderbund Software resources, become familiar with conditions of the time, and deal with Social Sciences: History; World History the unexpected. Grades 6-12 Apple ll+IlleIlkIllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. In the form of a detective chase, highlights important people. events and inventions of the past I ,500 years. Carmen and her gang get their hands WORLD CONFLICTS SERIES: THE FIGHT FOR TEXAS on a time machine that allows them to transport themselves back In Focus Media drne, from 400 A.D. to the 1950s. Keeps records. Copy protected. Social Sciences: History; United States History IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95; Apple Macintosh 512E, Plus, SE, Grades 7-12 $49.95; Apple II+IllefildlIgs, $44.95; Commodore Amiga, $49.95; Com- Students must make informed and thoughtful decisions in order to modore 641128, $39.95. progress through this simulation. They research the geography and resources, become familiar with conditions of the time, and deal with WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO? DELUXE EDITION the unexpected. Covers 1836 with Mexico determined to retain Texas. Broderbund Software Students gain a true appreciation of what fighting for independence Social Sciences: Geography really means. Grades 4-12 Apple 11+111ellklUgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. Same as Where in the World is Carmen Sandlego/ but adds high- resolution digitized graphics from slides provided by the National WORLD CONFLICTS SERIES: THE WAR ON THE INDIANS Geographic Society, five times more animations, more than 2,000 Focus Media clues, digitized sound, and newly composed music. Also contains 20 Social Sciences: History; United States History villains and covers 45 countries. Keeps records. Grades 7-12 IBM PC and compatibles, $89.95. Students must make informed and thoughtful decisions in order to progress through this simulation. They research the geography and WHO WAS BORN ON YOUR BIRTHDAY? resources, become familiar with conditions of the time, and deal with K-I 2 MicroMedia Publishing the unexpected. Students choose either the U.S. Cavalry or Native Social Sciences: History; World History Americans in order to understand the impact this war had on both Grades 3-10 sides. A database containing the birth dates, occupations, and nationalities ofApple 11+IllellIdllgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. more than I 0,000 famous people with header files that can easily be customized. Can be used for fund-raising activities. Network version WORLD CONFLICTS SERIES: THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC available. Focus Media Apple 11+111ellIcillgs, IBM PC and compatibles, $29.95. Social Sciences: History; World History Grades 7-12 WORD I.D. SYL*IAB*I*CA*TION Students must make informed decisions in order to progress through Educational Activities this simuiation. They research geography and resources, become Reading: Decoding Skills familiar with conditions of time, and deal with the unexpected. They Grades 1-6 choose sides, Japanese or Allies, in an attempt to maintain cohtrol of An interactive tutorial that helps students learn to divide words into oil supplies, as well as a majority of ports, and more. syllables. Emphasizes word Identification strategies plus the context Apple 11+111elllags, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. and the memory of words in their listening vocabularies. Apple 11+111e/IkIllgs, $59.95. A WRINKLE IN TIME Sunburst Communications WORLD CONFLICTS SERIES: AXIS OR AWES? Reading: Comprehension Skills; Vocabulary Focus Media Grades 4-8 Social Sciences: History; World History This adventure story, presented in an interactive format, encourages Grades 7-12 students to place appropriate vocabulary words in sentences and Students must make informed decisions in order to progress through remember main ideas and specific details in the proper sequence. this simulation; research geography and resources; become familiar Apple 11+111ellkIllgs, Commodore 64/128, $65. with the conditions of the time and deal with the unexpected. Students choose sideseither commander of defending England attempting to THE YOUNG LEARNERS SYSTEM capture Gernr.n supplies or Axis leader attempting to control the Focus Media continent after Poland's fall in 1939. Early Learning and Preschool Apple 11+111e/1k/11gs, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. Grades K-2 Promote reading and math readiness for young children (with or WORLD CONFLICTS SERIES: CASTLES AND KINGS without special needs). Integrated learning approach that combines Focus Media stories, discussions, song, and art projects with computer-based Social Sciences: History; World History learning. Explores abstractand symbollcthinking. Materials are picture- Grades 7-12 andtor color-coded to allow nonreaders to select or change activities The year is 1066 in medieval England. William the conqueorer has alone. Power Pad required. Invaded Britain and Is fighting King Harold. Students choose sides.Apple 11+111ellIcIllgs, $249.95; IBM PC and compatibles, $234.95. El Students must make Informed and thoughtful decisions in order to

SCISMTESS Update Decombor 1992 page13

continued fromfront page to provide 'truckloads of extra features, delivered to use this technology in public kiosks. Where doesseparately by CD-ROM or online. this leave the educational user? Obviously schools gar Awards Galore: Gateway 2000, the South Da- will need to be hooked up to some well-endowedkota direct seller, won six of the eight Computer regional or national provider. With multimedia aboutShopper Best Buy Awards for Systems, determined to take off, we recall with even more regret the nowfrom a survey of Computer Shopper readers. Other apparently moribund project of the Educational Util-systems winners were Standard Computer for their ity. Without some such system. schools simply don'tWindows Workstations, and Dell Computer for Com- have the resources to make use of any but theplete Network Systems. Fast Micro bagged the Best clunkiest and least interactive multimedia. Overall Software Vendor trophy, and Midwest Micro Newsbytes was told that Intel got the leadingclaimed the Best Overall Hardware Vendor honors. vendors to agree on its new compression algorithm IBM's OS/2 2.0 advanced operating system re- by "Diplomacy, and invisible royalties."Unfortu-ceived two awards. PC/Computing named OS/2 2.0 nately, the algorithm will not work for broadcast-co-winner of the operating system/environment prize quality applications. in its annual Most Valuable Products ceremony. In selecting OS/2 2.0 for this honor, the editors of PC/ (With current multimedia likely to be blown Computing said, "this is the operating system Win- away later in this decade by the arrival of dows 3.1 should have been." digital television, buyers even for leading- OS/2 2.0 is an advanced 32-bit operating system edge school systems will be reluctant to that supports DOS, Windows and OS/2 applications. sink el nuicho dinero into early multimedia It offers true multitasking, allowing many programs technology likely to seem outmoded, not to to run at once. say primitive, by the end of the decade. On the other hand, this has been the trouble (However, some points of extreme caution all along with buying electronics in the for any of us lowly non-high-powered- computer age: the rate of advance has been psycho-postyuppie-state-of-the-art users so rapid, that if you had kept putting off who might be drooling for a true purchases until some plateau had been multitasking system which lists at only reached, you'd still be using pencils and $149: 1) OS/2 is said to be infested with composition books. And maybe you are.) bugs; 2) it takes up a whopping 20MB of disk space; 3) it is a sluggard even on rigs gir His nibs Bill Gates remarked in his keynote with a dizzying 8MB of RAM.In short: address for the whole big show, that the tax( driver Forget about it for now.) who had just dropped him off had pointed out a few The radical design of IBM's nameless new desktop problems he was having with Windows 3.1.(He snobbishly wondered what the taxi driver couldrig received the Best System laurels presented by possibly use it for, we'd like to know what Gates wasBYTE Magazine and The Interface Group. The machine doing riding in a taxi). He (Gates) predicted we'll soonhas an "energy efficient and flexible space-saving" design see products with specialized, limited versions ofin a 12" x 12" x 21/2" package weighing four pounds. With Windows, such as communications devices. He alsoa 10" color LCD display, it uses a mere 20% of the energy talked about the changes in computer supply andused by a PC. It runs a 486 chip as fast as 50 MHz. (Isn't installation. He cited a need for what he called third-this what Captain Picard uses?) party "Solution Providers" who are skilled in particu- ir New Products: Kubik Technologies showed off lar user areas and can advise on, install, and main-a "Jukebox" CD-ROM player which can hold 240 tain systems. These would range from one-mandiscs. The company says the unit can be used for specialists to large companies, who would have a continued on following page special relationship with users, and who would be crucial to the advancement of the industry. The top ten best-selling educational software titles last month: 1) (By the way, Hugh Roome, publisher of New Math Blaster Plus, Davidson;2)Where in the USA is Carmen Home Office Computing, writes in an edito- SanDiego?,Broderbund; 3)Reads,- Rabbit 2,The Learning rial on computers and education this Company; 4) PCGlobe(the leader with seventeen weeks on the month: "...here is also the prospect of avast charts), Broderbund;5) The Oregon Trail,MECC; 6)Where in opportunity for small businesses that can the World is Carmen Sandiego?,Broderbund;7) Super Solvers Treasure Mountain(first month on the charts), The Learning guide school technology.") Company;8)Mavis Beacon TeachesTyping, Software Toolworks; 9)The Secret Island ofDr. Quandary(first month on the charts), Gates also said that while software programs must MECC; and 10)Bodyworks,Software Marketing. become "leaner," there will still be great opportunity Egern 47 The Newsletter of Softwre and System for Learning page 14 medical-image storage and retrieval, library refer- ence CD-ROM.s, library microfiche replacement,auto- Hello, Mr. Chips mated multimedia, and map systems. Four CD-ROM drives allow disc access in under 10 seconds. The Educators waiting for no-brainer computers may yet be company said the unit is designed forunattendedrewarded for their procrastination. Computer systems you can operation and offers fault detection and self correc-talk to have been here for some time; and now prices for the tion. It ain't cheap: the unit with four drives is pricedvoice-recognition peripherals are getting down to what will be at $20,000 while the single-drive rig is$8,000.considered affordable even in these budget-concious times. In Contact: Karen Johnson, Kubik Technologies. telfact, IBM this month unveiled three products to enable its 604 273-0400. fax 604 273-7237. computers to respond to spoken commands, including twothat re And last and least, WordPerfect Corporationwill run on PCs and a third for workstations. Meanwhile Apple announced its first-ever television advertising cam-is rumored to be working on an advanced system. paign. premiering three 60-second commercials in Industry experts are predicting a proliferation of computer support of the company's "Beyond Words" campaign. voice-recognition applications within the next two years, some also introduced at Comdex. of which will replace workers, perhaps even teachers. Some of The commercials will show ineffective, inept, andthe uses: backward ways of doing business (they were not. The U.S. Postal Service, long a symbol of technological however, filmed at Sterling Harbor Press), and thensloth, now has people reading aloud the ZIP codes on mail which illustrate the difference WordPerfect technology cancan't be machine sorted, and the voice-recognition technology make. does the rest. The commercials will begin to air nationwide early A third or more of long-distance phone operators will be in 1993. Perhaps your school board will be watching. 0replaced by computers that can recognize phrases such as "person-to-person" as quickly as a human, and will never become snippy. Infant IBM PC Co. Quality-control inspectors and other tasks where one must communicate while hands are busy. Looks to Build Market Share Stockbrokers making trades, doctors filling out medical reports, lawyers adding boilerplate to contracts, all will find "We're doing everything we know to regain market share,"voice recognition faster and more accurate than keypunching. pronounced Robert Corrigan, president of the newly established The technology will be used in pay phones and automatic IBM Personal Computer Company. This was during a pressteller machines to speed transactions and provide security; briefing at Comdex which focused on IBM's recent attempts tosomeday, one's "voice-print" will foil thievery completely. regain its feet in the savage PC marketplace. The market is growing rapidly-40% a yearand as systems According to the eager Corrigan, IBM was knocked for a loop learn to handle ever larger vocabularies, growth will be even in the 80s by fierce competition from the clonemasters, but the faster. Leaders in the field include: Dragon Systems (Newton, corporation is struggling upright again with the PC Company itMassachusetts), Verbex Voice Systems (Edison, New Jersey), split off in September during the corporate reorganization. and Voice Control Systems (Dallas, Texas). Entries in the product line so far the PS/I , for home use; a revamped PS/2, for big business; the ThinkPad pen computer, the ValuePoint, a generic PC for peasants; and the new Model 85Disney Releases Reading Software just announced, with a three-year warranty. Corrigan explained that IBM is diversifying its PC line this with Still More of Mickey Mouse way from a belated recognition that the PC marketplace draws many different kinds ofpeople, each with its own needs. "In the Walt Disney Computer Software has entered the elementary- past, IBM assumed that everyone wanted Cadillacs, withoutschool level of children's software with the release of Follow realizing that some people want Chevrolets instead." (Technosprite: The Reader, a reading program for children aged 5-8. Now You mean, instead of a Cadillac with a Volkswagen engine.) shipping for DOS computers, Follow The Reader has a "no Each of the new lines is managed by a separate team, towrong answer" approach and lists at $49.95. provide the advantages of a small vendor while retaining the In this sequel to the beg-selling Mickey's ABC's, children enter resources of the mighty parent company. The teams are furtheran interactive story book featuring the ubiquitoas and increasingly divided into separate units for different areas of the globe. irritating rodent and his colorful friends. With this talking software The brand-team concept is enabling PC Company to respondadventure (a supported sound device is required far speech), chil- more flexibly to market changes, Corrigan explained. As much dren are meant to develop and sharpen their reading skills as they authority as possible is being delegated to the teams, enablingcreate stories, print them out, and read along. them to take action quickly without having to go through Children build their own stories by deciding what Mickey multiple levels in the corporate hierarchy. School buyers maywill do from sunrise to nightfall: Call Goofy on the phone, scarf hope this will prove to be good news. CI a =a, and so on. Video action follows the created story.CI The Newsletter of Systemic Change r_cyarn 48 page 15 hours of sound, 100 animations, 800 color maps, Multimedia continuedfrom page one 7,000 photographs, and a 20-foot historical timeline. Tomorrow's multimedia machines will feature ad- vanced data compression for high-qualityvideo, fasterVenus processors, and cheaper and larger mass storage. Fourteen more Magellan CD-ROMs (volumes 53 Workstation vendors are trying to deliver low-cost,through 66) have now been released by NASA's Magellan high-performance machines to compete with micro-project. A total of 77 Magellan CD-ROMs are now computer vendors, while Microsoft and Apple increas-available: 66 CD-ROMs containing radar images, and ingly integrate multimedia capabilities into their sys-11 CD-ROMs containing altimetty data. Volumes 1 tems software. Video products will expand from 4% ofthrough 52 contain the radar images taken by the the total market in 1992 to more than 20% of a muchMagellan spacecraft during Cycle 1, the first 8-month larger market by 1999. mapping of the planet Venus. Volumes 53 through 66 The multimedia market has until now disappointedare the first release of the Cycle 2 radar data. early predictions of rapid consumer-market success. The CD-ROMs can be obtained from the National Consumer applications have been slow to emerge andSpace Science Data Center at the Goddard Space are still too costly for widespread adoption.MostFlight Center. The price is $20 for the first CD-ROM, consumer playback systems entering the market inand $6 for any additional CD-ROM in the same order. 1992, for example, were still too high-priced to stimu-However, "teachers who are unable to pay may be late dramatic growth. So far, corporate users andhelped on a case by case basis, and/or as resources educators have employed multimedia mainly for train-permit." ing and presentations. Interactive multimedia-based NSSDC also provides the following software to dis- courses have enhanced training in corporations andplay the images: IMDISP (IBM PC); Browser, Pixel Pusher, schools, and multimedia tools have transformed theTrue Color (Macintosh). nature of many business presentations. Write the National Space Science Data Center, Multimedia is a flood the waves of which will soonGoddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland begin to lap at educational shores. But will it really go20771.. Telephone 301 286-6695.Internet Email any further in the near future? EPIEgram believes thataddress: requestenssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov. before multimedia can have any impact in education, manufacturers must resist rushing to the market with every new whiz-bang toy, and work much harder at Cosy Minions of Apple flexible, yet easy-to-use systems, with compatible environments and peripherals. The situation so far has been exactly the reverse; but at this fall's Comdex Apple personal computers and the Apple LaserWriter (see accompanying story) we saw harbingers of majorprinters received the highest marks in overall cus- changes ahead. tomer satisfaction by business users, according to two new J. D. Power and Associates surveys. Users were (Market Intelligence is an international high-technol- asked to grade their personal computer by five factors: ogy research firm specializing in micro computing and information technologies. All Market Intelligence re- ease of use, storage capacity, speed of operation, ports are based on extensive interviews with market- quietness and repair service.a'echnosprite: On the other ing and technical experts from selected companies in hand. Apple users In the business world tend to be florid designer/ layout types, as well as people who if they were comfortable with real each market segment. Primary research is validated computers wouldn't have bought an Apple in the first place. So this by thorough analysis of available secondaty research.) survey is a little like asking artists if they're satisfied with paint or five-year-olds how they like their parents.) New CD-ROMs

Music and Everything Less Angst for You Microsoft Musical Instruments is a CD-ROM disc Rumor has it that it's no longer necessary to: 1) Batten down which lets the user hear more than 1,500 sound the hard disk before moving your computer. Most hard disks samples - about ten hours altogether.Microsoft, today automatically park their heads when not in operation. which published the best-selling Microsoft Bookshelf, Moreover, all late-model hard disks use rock-hard metallic a reference work for writers, has also announced the media, not the squishy ferrous-oxide surfaces that could be Multimedia Encylopedia, which it describes as the carved up by a bouncing head. 2) Keep your PC dust-free. "first multimedia encyclopedia designed on a com- Most of today's systems are robust enough to remain un- puter to run on a computer." The Encyclopedia will harmed by the onslaughts of even the most savage dust bunnies. contain 21,000 articles, 6,500 audio piecesseven

Volume 19, Number 3 December 1992 4 9 only 74% of students have completed high school by age 19, but 86% finish by age 22. From 1972 to 1992 the completion rate for white stu- dents rose from 85 to 90%, for black students from 74 to 81%, and for Hispanic students from 55 to 61%.

ckt, Older, Not Better Though the majority of fourth graders say they visit the library at least weekly or monthly, only 12% of twelfth graders do so. Most twelfth graders visit the library no more often than yearly, often never, accord- SAT Scores Better ing to a report from the NAEP. Incurable optimists will be heartened by the an- nouncement that average Verbal SAT scores improved by 1% this year and Math scores by 2%. Students from urban and rural areas, however, lag behind those from Ec Stats Unknown suburbs and small cities; and a warning label needs to Fewer than four in ten 12th graders, college seniors, be attached which would point out that "the test-takingand members of the general public have any real grasp population represents a self-selected pool of college-of economicsthis according to a survey by the Gallup bound students, not representative of all high schoolOrganization, which found that only 3% knew the rate seniors." (Meanwhile, Harper's Index reports that theof inflation, fewer than 25% could peg the expected $400 average SAT score has declined by 49% since 1970,whilebillion dollar deficit, and awareness of unemployment the average spending per pupil in public school hasfigures was not much better. increased by 427% during the same period.) This however may be a little like saying that because Nolan Ryan doesn't know George Brett's current bat- ting average, he has no real grasp of baseball. For more info: National Council on Economic Educa- Math Still Dismal tion, 432 Park Avenue South, New York, New York The bad news is that only about one in ten high school 10016. seniors have sufficient math skills to begin the study of college-level calculus (according to the American Col- lege Testing Program) and one in four will need reme- dial math. The good news is that the figure (11%) has Schools Costly remained stable for four years so at least the level of State governments lavished more than a third (35.4%) math skills doesn't appear to be getting any worse. of their general expenditures on education in 1991. This makes education the largest item in state budgets, and 22.4% Ckti compares with 8.3% for health and hospitals, and for public welfare. Some $116 billion of the total spent High-School Grads for education went to precollege schools. The Education Department reports in a national study Meanwhile, state revenues from sales, income, and of high-school dropout rates of 16-to-24 year-olds, thatlicense taxes have decreased.

EFEgram BULK RATE Softwore and Systems for Learning U.S. POSTAGE PAID P. O. Box 28 PERMIT NO. 38 GREENPORT, Greenport, New York 11944 NY 11944 Ms . Nancy R. Preston, UserServices ER IC Clearinghouseon Information Res Sch1 of Infor Studies, Sch1 of Educat 030Huntington Hall, Svracuse Univers yacuse HY 13244-2340 5 9 The Newsletter of Software and Systems i 9r am for Learning Volume 19, Number 4 January 1993

ADVICE! HELP! from Educators to Hypermedia Enhanced Lesson Planning Big Bill and Friends by Frank M. Betts, Ed.D., Director, and Vicki E. Hancock, Ph.D., Assistant Director. ASCD Curriculum/Technology Resource Center (Editor's note: We asked educators around the country what they would say to Bill Computer guru Ted Nelson is believed to have Clinton and AL Gore about education if they coined the term "hypertext" to describe text that managed to get 60 seconds of their time. The can be gathered and accessed according to the people we talked with seemed even more reader's needs and interests. Traditional text is ready for change than the electorate and organized in a linear sequence according to the more than a few said: help teachers under- author's scheme, and read from the first page to stand technology so they will use it in their the last, from top to bottom, left to right. Hypertext classroom.) computer software, on the other hand, allows California. Janis Kessler. Director of Instruc- readers to pre-define their interests so they can tional Resources, Bakersfield City School Dis- hop around text, following ideas in a nonlinear trict, wants a fair shake for all students and fashion. Chunks of text can be linked or gathered thinks she knows where some money can be intogroupsfor retrieval, even when they are found: "It is totally wrong for children in some widely dispersed throughout the document. Typi- areas to be provided a better education than cally, these chunks contain at least a sentence. children in less affluent areas. I want leadership more likely a short paragraph, with enough infor- [at a national level, for equitable funding," and to mation to make them individually useful. reevaluate whether expensive federal programs such as school busing and other controls are still What Is Hypermedia? required. The next step beyond hypertext is Hypermedia. Joan Blades, who's with Berkeley Systems in Hypermedia is information from multiple Berkeley, points to her company's great success sourcessound, text, still and full-motion im- with disability software: but despairs at having to justify creating products for a school market that continued on page 13 accepts technology at such a slow pace. She is in favor of vouchers. "But a voucher big enough to sassfrEssUpdate provide a complete annual cost, as high as Begins on Page 5 $4,500." Also a requirement that schools have to accept nonpaying students so there is equity. The Latest Software Also in California, we spoke with Don Means, for Teachers a software publisher out of San Rafael, who has taken a keen interest in education, and who has and Administrators an updated version of hammering swords into from TESS! plowshares: 'The defense industry understands systems and is very skilled at training. Teachers Five Big Pages Filled to Burstin' with need to be trained and quickly. The defense Program Data and Descriptions continued on page 15 51 page 2 Cbitortat

peasants revolt and storm the ramparts, pitchforks at Choice Cuts the ready. Don't look now, but that's about to happen. The technology which is rapidly changing our world The editorial in the November EPIEgram ("Can Anyhas yet to reach the classroom to any considerable Human Institution Reform Itself?") has kicked up a bitextent. There are a meagre 3.5 million computers for 45 of a response."Paranoid" said one writer, whichmillion students; and having a computer isn't worth surprised me, for I thought I was complimenting allmuch anyway unless you have the right software to go users of TESS and members of the States Consortiumforwith it. It's there; educators just have to pick it up. their forward thinking and contributions to change in The educational software industry is immensely education. creative, something EPIE Institute recognized more than Perhaps I did not write carefully enough. I thought10 years ago when it created The Educational Software the editorial a reasoned comment on the human condi-Selector (TESS). It hadand hasa simple premise:to put tion, not an attack on educators.I made the mildall known information about software into one data- observation that those in power tend to resist change base; and a single objective: to make that database either because they don't recognize the need for it, can'tavailable (through the States Consortium) to every figure out how to do it, or cling to their percs and powerteacher. while the structure disintegrates around them. The number of educational software programs is This is not a terribly original or sophisticatedimmense more than 12,000 in all, programs that can fit commment; it's what happens with any human institu-into every class, every subject, every curriculum. How- tion. What better example of hanging on to percs thanever, far from embracing this cornucopiaof software, Britain's Royal Family, who live royally as the Empireeducators have largely ignored it. And the job of getting sinks, don't pay taxes, and whose prime function seemsTESS to teachers and decision makers has been an uphill to be to sell newspapers. Here at home, our corporatebattle. Fortunately, the Consortium is beginning to roll. royalty such as General Motors and IBM, to pick justTennessee and Chicago have just come in; three more two examples, are losing billions while playing catch-states are close to joining and others are beginning to up because the market changed and they didn't. understand that choosing software is not so difficult To pick an entirely different environment, the headwhen you have the right tools. of United Way was bounced because he had forgotten Which brings me to my fmal point. Change appears his job was to help poor people, not feather his nest.difficult because it means moving from the known to And how has education fared? Well, it's an extremethe unknown. It means overcoming inertia; it means example, perhaps, but an education administrator intaking a chance. How to begin? As the Chinese proverb New York State made headlines recently because hissays: "The longest journey begins with a singlestep." retirement package will be close to $1 million, and hisIt's a cliché but, like most clichés, admirably accurate. pension is expected to be $300,000 per year. Take a step. Buy a computer. Learn by doing. Get In the best American tradition, we all try to do theyour students to help. Expect to make mistakes.And best we can with what's available to us, whether it'sbe intelligent about your search for software. Look to corporate America, welfare, S&Ls, or education. WhyTESS and the States Consortium for Improving Soft- should educators be any more self-sacrificing thanware Selection. Call us. Fax us. Write us.We'll help doctors or lawyers or editors of newsletters? (Perhapsyou get a copy of The Latest and Best of TESS, 2,500of the my problemisnotparanoia,as thewritersuggested,butenvyIa test and the best educational software programs. And I haven't been clever enough to retire cct $300,000 a yEar.) look in the blue pages of EPIEgram for more of the My point is a simple one: we've known for 25 yearsnewest releases, up to a hundred in every issue. that education was in trouble (e.g. "Nation at Risk"); The times are changing and the rate of change is we've thrown billions at the problem, and by mostaccelerating. As Lee Iococca likes to say: "Lead, follow, standards of measurement it is difficult to see where the or get out of the way." money changed anything. Who will bring the needed change? History would suggest that those in power will not bend much until the Earl L. Fultz Editor & Publisher

-ern 52 The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning Page 3

a worldwide audience the best examples of How to Submit Tapes. Send tapes to: video storytelling produced by the stu-Turner Educational Services, One CNN In the dents who watch CNN:' Thus speakethCenter, 100 International Boulevard, Dock Brian Todd and Cassandra Henderson of5, Atlanta, Georgia 30348. For more infor- CNN. mation, call 800 344-6219. Participation. Limited to schools en- NEWS rolled for licensed use of CNN Newsroom. Family Devalued To enroll your school, call 800 244-6219. In 1990, only 26% of children lived in Telecast. Generally, reports submitted a home with a traditional breadwinner and by participating schools will be featured in a stay-at-home patent More than 60% of the "Our World" segment of CNN News- Homework women with children under 6 years of age room. The program producers are under nowere in the workforce and 64% of all Maine West High School in Des Plaines, obligation to telecast any of the reports children did not have any parent at home Illinois, has a hotline to give students theirsubmitted. Each submission will be evalu- full time. In five states (Arizona, Califor- homework assignments. Students call 708ated according to the standards of profes7 nia, New Mexico, New York, and Texas), 827-PLAN from home, then punch a three- sional journalism and decisions to air re- digit code for the teacher whose homework more than 20% of school-age children ports will be based solely on the judgment spoke a language other than English at they want to hear about. The recordedof the program producers. home. Some 11% of 16- to 19-year-olds voice of the teacher then talks about it. Format. All submissions must be made were not enrolled in school and were not Thus, students who are out sick or malin-on 3/4-inch tape or 1/2-inch VHS with no high-school graduates. More than 20% of gering can keep up with their classwork,story to exceed two minutes, thirty seconds Hispanic students were dropouts. These and others who can't find or did not write in duration. (Technosprite: So theyll learn to be as findings are contained in a report from the down the assignment can be rescued, and shallow and facile as possible.) Each report must Center for the Study of Social Policy. still others who say the teacher does notbe tagged with "Reporting for CNN News- give enough information have less of aroom,I'm in , ." Parents Uninvolved Some teachers put the assignments for Guidelines for Students. Tell the story. Parental involvement may be the most the whole week on tape, and eager-beaverIf there are varying points of view, give allimportant factor in determining a child's scholars telephone to get ahead in theirsides a fair and impartial presentation; letsuccess in school, but many parents either work or simply plan their work for theall sides have a chance to speak the prosdon't know this or don't care. Only 52% of week. To encourage calls a teacher may and CMS of the issue. (Technosprite: In two parents of eighth-graders contacted their include the answer to a test question or minutes, thirty seconds.) child's school about academic performance provide an extra-credit assignment not Let the pictures "speak" the story; don't arecent year. Fewerthan35% contacted mentioned in class. The hotline also isover-narrate what viewers can plainly seethe schools about academic programs. Only used by martinet parents to check up onfor themselves in the video, the fallacy of32% of parents belonged to the PTA, and their children's claims that they have beendescribing your own pictures. 19% served as school volunteers. Parents given no homework. Write short and precise sentences. Letofprivate-school students weremore likely The school has 1,600 students. On onethe story 'breathe' and flow but keep it toto be in touch with their children's schools day alone the hotline received 1,464 calls. a maximum length of two and one halfthan parents of public-school children. In Principal James Coburn and teachers minutes (Technosprite: At all costs.). private schools, more than half of the said that about 90% of students finish their Write visually. Let the narration giveparents belonged to PTAs and attended homework this year, compared with about direction to the eyes and ears ofthe viewersmeetings; more than 53% of Catholic,- 70% the year before, when no system wasas they follow the presentation ofthe story.school parents volunteered at school. in place. So now it's in like flint. Make good use of natural and ambient sound to take the audience to your story Tests Flunk Very Brief School Videos and make them feel a part of it. Standardized tests and textbook tests Wanted by CNN Use no music unless it is live musicemphasize low-level thinking, and exert a "Bemuse reporting has expanded be-necessary to the story such as a passing profound negative influence on classroom marching band during a report on school yond the written word with portable televi- teaching, according to researchers at Bos- athletics. sion equipment adding sight and sound to ton College. Among their findings. 95% of what we know, CNN Newsroom School All reporter standups and bridges shoulditems on math tests required recall of infor- Videos offers students and teachers thebe brief and not used to open a story. mation, computation, and the use of for- Tell the truth. It is the noble challenge opportunity to learn the skills required for mulas and algorithms in routine problems, of professional journalism. Understand- the next century. We welcome you to the while only 5% measured higher-level skills; ing depends on correct and factual infor- challenge and we will be delighted to show 75% of items on science standardized tests mation. continued on following page Volume 19, Number 4 January 1993 5 3 page 4 and 90% of those in science textbooks Yob divides the students' studies intowere trucked to the school from Brewster, tested students' recall of facts and routineunits that allow them to earn credits as eachNew York, by the Green Chimneys application. Halfor more of math teachersunit is completed, and uses a computer to Children's Services Agency, a residential said that what they taught was influencedkeep track of their progress . Technologytreatment center for children, as part of its by the content of standardized math tests. also helps Yob effectively teach individualeducational extension program irritatingly In 'minority' classrooms, 75% of teachers lessons to all of his students. called "Farm on the Moo-ve." The P.S. said they were under pressure to raise test Yob is using his second grant to acquire 146 exhibit was the twentieth at a New scores. additional computers and software pack-York City school under Woolworth aus- ages. He is also using the new technology pices since the start of the program last to record important personal data for theApril. Yob Bags Second Do It studentsbirth certificates, travel records, Woolworth has also been working with Grant from Sneaker Kings social security numbers, inplace ofdocu-the American Humane Education Society ments which are often lost as the studentsof Boston to bring to New York City Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ron Yob, amove back and forth between cities. schools the Society's nationwide educa- teacher in Westbridge Academy's Native tional campaign, Operation Outreach USA. American Learning Center, is one of 20 You can call Ron Yob at the Native American Learning Center, 616771-3242. The Operation Ountach program works to teachers across the country to receive aJust develop reading skills through classroom Do It Teachers' Grant from the National studies of books about animals, and dis- Foundation for the Improvement of Edu- tributes free copies of these books to par- cation and NIKE, the upscale sneaker kings. Citizen Coors ticipating students. A key objective of the The grant of $6,500 will fund Yob's Drop The Adolph Coors Company, purvey- program is to have children learn compas- In/Not Out Program, a stay-in-school ini-ors of potables brewed with water fromsion for animals by reading about them. Rocky Mountain streams, believes the one tiative. The reading and book distribution at out of five American women who can't Just Do It Teachers' Grants are awarded P.S. 146 began the second series of such read should be encouraged to learn. men to educators who design programs that programs planned for New York City el- million copies of an eight-page brochure, motivate students to stay in school and ementary schools. This series will extend "Why These Women Are Outraged," will anhieve academic success.This year's through the end of the school year in the be inserted in Hearst Magazines(Good grants, ranging from $3,000 to $18,000, spring of1993 and is expected to reach 127 Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Country are funding teachers in 17 states. Yob is a schools. The first series of classes was held Living,andRedbook).Hearst's Avon Books two-time winner, he received a grant of in 79 New York City public schools last $10,236 in 1991. will carry ads promoting literacy. Coors also maintains a strong literacy programMay and June. In advance of each series, Woolworth funds workshops for teachers Family responsibilities and ties in sur-for its employees. rounding cities frequently remove the who volunteer to give added instruction for school's Native American students from students in the program. Grand Rapids for weeks at a time. When Can't Afford CD-ROM? The reading and book distribution they return, overwhelmed with catch-up classes last spring were attended by about work or bored and frustrated, many drop Try Barnyard 3,000 pupils, each of whom received a free out of school, joining the melancholy 80% Pupils at New York City's Public School book about animals. Among the titles of Native American students who spit the 146, on East 106th Street at First Avenue, distributed wereBlack Beautyby Anna bit nationwide.The Drop In/Not Out spent an entire day this fall learning aboutSewell,William's Storyby Debra Duel, program provides a culturally-sensitive animules. Lobo the Wolfby Ernest T. Seton, and learning environment that's challenging, Beautiful Joeby MarShall Saunders. supportive, and keeps 'em in school. In the morning, the children chilled with farm animals brought to their Other books to be distributed in the Drop In/Not Out allows Yob to create schoolyard from an upstate farm. Later, current series include: for kindergarten,If an individualized, computerized curricu- students in kindergarten through fifth grade A Seahorse Wore a Saddle,by Dr. Mary lum for each of the 35 seventh- through read or discussed books about animals. Jane Flynn; first grade,The LostandFound 12th-grade students attending the Center. Puppy,also by Dr. Flynn; second grade, Both the farm-animal exhibit and the "The students vary in their academic William's Story;third grade,Beautiful Joe; classroom-reading exercise were sponsored achievement from third-grade reading and fourth grade,BlackBeauty;and fifth grade, by the F. W. Woolworth Company as a part math levels to post-high school. Because by Marshall of its continuing effort to encourageCousin Charlie the Crow, their cultural and family obligations re- Houts. quire them to come and go, we needed achildrens' appreciation of, and compas- For more information call Frances E. way to keep track of where they are in theirsion for animals. Trachter at F. W. Woolworth, 212 553- studies. That way, when they return they The farm animals, including ponies, 2394. can begin where they left off," Yob said. pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, and chickens, -Larern The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning ;IUM FOR IMPROVING So

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T HE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE SELECTOR

While the debut went well, some problems remain to be solved. For example, only two of the educational service centers New TESS Update: currently have directors of technology. Also, plans have to be 25,000 Changes and a Lot of Keystrokes worked out to fund TESS for public libraries and institutions of higher learning since the budget available to the Office of Consortium members get ready! The next TESS update is on Educational Technology won't stretch that far. its way, bringing more than 25,000 individual revisions involv- While TESS is easy to use, like all technology it can be ing product information and supplier data. intimidating to a beginner. For that reason, Tennesseehaving With 10,797 educational software program entries, includingprofited from the example of Texasis planning extensive more than 1,700 for the Macintosh, this winter '93 update offers teacher training so the classroom teacher can take part in users even more information than ever before. The product software decision-making. description field in this version has been expanded to enable TESS to provide more of the information you require to select Reference Tools on CD-ROM and use software that best meets your instructional and admin- istrative needs. About 25% of the product-description entries in by TESS have been expanded for this update. Carolyn Home We've also increased the list of review sources, adding 25 new reviewers to the database. Now among the existing list of Carolyn Horne is a recent MLS graduatefrom Long 40 review sources are these computing magazines:MacWorld, Island University's Palmer School of Library and Mac User, PC World, PC Magazine,andAmiga World.Also Information Science. added to the list are such educational magazines and journals as If your school has enough money to buy a CD-ROM player, School Science and Mathematics,andComputers in Education, or around $650, a librarian will fmd it is well worth it to beg for among others. TESS grew by more than 400 new reviewor borrow the money to install at least one in your media center citations in this winter update. or library. The benefits of having a CD-ROM player will quickly Other enchancements include an increase in informationmake up for the initial cost when students line up, anxious to use supplied by producers relating to networkable versions of their the computer to do research for term papers or book reports that software products, site-licensing arrangements, lab-pack avail- are due tomorrow. When they discover it takes minutes instead ability, and back-up provisions. As part of their intense effortof hours to fmd the right reference, abstract, or even the to gather product information from suppliers, the TESS staffcomplete article, they will keep coming back. And when the tripled the number of suppliers for whom this kind of informa-librarian concludes that the CD-ROM player takes up far less tion is now available. space than shelves of expensive encyclopedh.., indexes, and out-of-date reference materials, there will be more space for more current printed materials or CD-ROMs. Searching elec- Volunteer State tronically helps students quickly improve spelling and reason- ing skills. Instant results motivate them to take further action Enlists for TESS and risk making mistakes. Maps, pictures, music, even correct pronunciation involve and entertain. The most basic reference tools are available on CD-ROM: TESS has just had its debut in Tennessee and was greeted with enthusiasm. The Tennessee Office of Educational Technologydictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, direc- tories, magazines, and newspapers. Face it: even entire libraries demonstrated TESS's capabilities before representatives from will be on CD-ROM eventually. Books, if not on CD, will be six educational service centers and everyone received a copy of available online directly from publishers. Publishers are already The Latest and Best of TESSwith the electronic version to follow shortly. providing custom-designed textbooks and other teaching tools, One of the prime objectives of the meetingheld in mid-a result of mix-and-match electronic files requested by educa- tors. Decemberwas to discuss plans for the roll-out in early spring. Where are the first places students look for information on a Gary Calfee, Director of the Office ofTechnology, expects TESS topic? Magazines and newspapers are most up to date, but for to be in place throughout the state by fall.However, many schools will be using TESS well before. continued on following page

SCISSVIESS Update Januazy 1993 5 3 page 6

depth, encyclopedias and books are the best source. Reader'sstudents with new ways of gathering ideas, formulating mean- Guide to Periodical Literature, Grolier's Electronic Encyclo-ings and working with other students." pedia, Compton's Multimedia Encyclopedia, American Heri- According to Professor Tiemey, with the use of multimedia tage Dictionary, Webster's Ninth New Dictionary, Oxford En-(dynamic rather than static), the students' approach to ideas is glish Dictionary, Magazine Index, Rand-McNally Atlas, The no longer linear and unidimensional. The result of using the new World Almanac, Barlett's Quotations, Roget's Thesaurus, Thetechnology is that the students were able to pursue multiple lines Chicago Manual of Style, Facts on File are among hundreds ofof thought and entertain different perspectives, something dif- classic resources available. College guides such as Barron's ficult to do in traditional settings. Profiles ofAmerican Colleges and Peterson's College Database A problem, however, is that standardized tests don't show are available on CD-ROM as well. Other popular resources such this expanded capability because conventional paper/pencil as Books in Print, ERIC, even the Government Printing Office tests are not able to measure the advantages gained by students Monthly Catalog, are available on CD-ROM. who use technology. "By the eleventh and twelfth grade," says If you can't afford to buy a CD-ROM player, ask your most Tierney, "their skills had transcended the classroom; all saw persistent database publisher/salesperson to lend you one on a their expertise in terms of college or employment and some had trial basis. Then subscribe to research materials on a semi-already begun to use their skills to help family members or for annual basis just to whet your appetite. Once students andtheir own profit." teachers discover the ease of use, currency of the data, and the sheer fun of searching, subscribe to more frequent offerings, Parts Suppliers Directory quarterly, even monthly. Soon, you and your students will be The 1993 Directory of Parts Suppliers, which lists more than . hooked. 0 300 vendors currently providing spare parts, components, whole units and systems, new and refurbishedin short, anything and everythingis now available from Coordinated Service, Inc. Software (510 486-0388) for $75. A bit pricey, but worth it if you can get away from dependence on a single source. and EDBUG Info Anyone interested in barcode would do well to contact the Technology EDucators' Barcode Users Group (EDBUG) (telephone 402 472-8685; fax 402472-6234) at the University of Nebraska. The organization needs money and invites your tax-deductible con- tribution, which entitles you to a fairly hefty newsletter. The Minuteman Missile Technology Used address: EDBUG Fund, UN Foundation. P. 0. Box 82555, to Improve School Systems Lincoln, Nebraska 68501-2151. Decision-support softivare technology first used by Boeing to "failsafe" Minuteman missiles is being marketed by Sage Feedback on SONY Data Discman Analytics International to help schools identify problems and The Discman is probably not for curling up with for a "good provide remedies in areas such as attendance, discipline, and read" on a rainy Sunday afternoonthe small (3.5") liquid- performance. Based in Provo, Utah, Sage Analytics has con-crystal display is a bit like reading with a magnifying glass, but ducted studies in almmt 200 schools across the country, and has it is fast for tracking down info. ThiS appears to have been recently signed contracts with school systems in Chicago andrecognized by SONY, since two of its first three offerings on the Virginia. The company not only evaluates the learning environ-teensy-weensy discs are the New Grolier Electronic Encyclope- ment, but also provides training for principals in decentralizeddia and Passport's World Travel Translator. Other drawbacks management techniques. include short battery life, a keypad for pixies, and a high price: To learn more, go right to the top: Jon Stephens, President and$550. But all this will surely improve. CEO, 801 374-8070. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Computers Create New Kind of Learning Supports Video for Windows A professor of literacy education at Ohio State University, who has been involved in Apple Computers' Classrooms of Grolier Electronic Publishing, the CD-ROM czars, have announced a version of their best-selling CD-ROM encyclope- Tomorrow (ACOT), believes that standarized tests do not mea- sure the true effectiveness of technology in the learning process.dia, the New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, developed using Microsoft Video for Windows. Robert L. Tierney believes computers influence learning to The Video for Windows technology allows motion video a much greater degree than previously expected."Just as reading and writing provide a society with ways to record,clipsof historical events, famous people in history, NASA communicate and study ideas, so computer technology providesmissions, major sporting events, and so forthto be added to electronic reference works. SCISS \ TESS Update January 1993 56 page 7 Other new features include animated sequences of aircraft technology, weather, the human body, the solar system and McGraw Hill & Grzimek more; the Timeline, which allows users to conduct a journey McGraw-Hill's CD-ROM version of the acclaimed five- from prehistory to the present; the Knowledge Tree, which can volume Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals is au impressive be used to explore broad categories before branching out to accomplishment. It features more than 3,500 illustrations, pho- specific areas; thousands of pictures; more than 250 high- tographs and charts, and nearly 500 maps, as well as video and resolutiod color maps, including all regions of the world, all sound from the archives of the BBC natural history film library. countries and all 50 U.S. states; and high-quality audio, includ- There are authoritative essays on life and behavior of mammals ing excerpts from famous speeches and musical compositions, by more than 200 leading international naturalists. A full as well as animal sounds, bird calls, and audio-supported video glossary of terms is included. "Browser" windows allow new clips. users to begin using itimmediately,,and all data can be printed or saved to disk. Starter Set The Multimedia Encyclo2edia of Mammalian Biology re- Want to move your child along on computers a bit faster than quires an IBM compatible, 386SX/DX, 25MHz; SVGA color it looks like the school is going to do it? Check out Tic, Tac,monitor and video card. It can be used on PC networks (up to Type: A Child's Computer Writing Kit. As an introduction to 16 users) and lists for $995 ($1,250 for network version). computers and word processing on just about any DOS com- puter, it is designed for children over eight but can serve well for Feast for Lotus Eaters adults, too. It even has a disk with a not-so-bad word-processing Educational Technology Specialists (Edutech) has announced program. Written by Marta Partington, the price is right: $19.95. an agreement with Lotus Development Corporation to distribute From SAMS of Carmel, Indiana, a division of Prentice Hall. It's the full academic line of Lotus products to education. The not WordPerfect, but then, for most users, WordPerfect isn't products will be available immediately through the Edutech WordPerfect either. evaluation program. In this formal software-review program, Edutech works directly with the decision-makers in education to Good Deal on Newest Print Shop evaluate software for use in the classroom, in research labora- Current owners of Broderbund's New Print Shop have untiltories, and in campus-wide bundles. March 1, 1993, to get The Print Shop Deluxe School Edition, Edutech will distribute the Lotus education product line newest member of the Print Shop family, for half price: $54.95,through its network of resellers to colleges and universities as compared to list of $109.95.Print Shop is used to create well as the 15,000 school districts throughout the United States. everything from bulletin-board signs to class calendars, certifi- Edutech will offer Lotus's full academic product line at cates, bookmarks, newspapers, and banners. The School Editioneducation discounts of up to 80% off list. For example, Lotus 1- of Print Shop Deluxe, for grades 2-12, contains a variety of2-3, which lists for $495, will be available at $99. reproducibles and some 40 activity plans spanning the major Founded in 1987, Edutech is a distributor of commercial subject areaslanguage arts, social studies, mathematics andsoftware to educational institutions. science. Contacts: Marcel Mendoza of Edutech at 408 372-8100; or Bryan Simmons of Lotus at 617 693-1697. Small World Sparcom Corporation of Corvallis, Oregon, which points up Tenth Annual Software Awards from the growing importance of the Northwest by noting that it is Technology & Learning headquartered in the "Silicon Forest," is betting on handhelds or palmtops. Its recent software productsall for the HP 95LX The editors of Technology& Learning have announced their include the Podium Pal, an aid to speakers, and five of thetenth annual K-12 software awards. Of the 37 awards, six programs received Top Awards, 24 received standard Awards of world's more popular games (chess, checkers, backgammon, etc.) which can be engaged without closing your productiveExcellence, and seven were sequels to previous winners. The Top Awards were: apps.

Arthur on CD-ROM Living Books: Just Grandma and Me, Broderbund Software. The second in Broderbund's Living Book series of CD-ROM programs features Arthur's Teacher Trouble. Based on the Science 2000, Decision Development Corporation. many Arthur books by Marc Brown, this newest in the well- Columbus: Encounter, Discovery, and Beyond, received series from Broderbund (the first was Just Grandma EduQuest/IBM. and Me)is designed for K-3 students. A copy of the book is Illuminated Books and Manuscripts,EduQuestal3M. included in the package and both English and Spanish versions Microsoft Bookshelffor Windows, Microsoft. are included on the CD; students can switch back and forth with MediaText, Wings for Leamings/Sunburst. a keystroke. Cost: $59.95. 0 SCISS \ TESS Update January 1993 57 Page 8

networks; offline mail composition and address book; flash mail, which provides automatic sign-on, send mail, and file downloading at specified The Latest of TESS times; and more. Macintosh Plus. Programs ASK-1T for Tests and Tutorials (Chiefly for the Macintosh) True BASIC for Comprehensive: Author Languages Authoring program lets teachers create tests and interactive tutorials from the same master question files. The authoring program is as easy Teachers and to use as a word processor or a free-form database. A "Reporter" program captures each user's test results and allows teachers to analyze their questions. Can be used with any subject. Included in each Administrators package is a "Tutor Engine" teachers can distribute with each of their from interactive tutorial files which allows users to create or modify question files. Can be used for multiple choice, true/false, or fill-in-the- Access to MacLang answer format. Can select questions by key work and subjects.Answer fields are provided for each answer option. Fields are also provided for reading references, hints, and notes. System 7 compatible. Keeps records. Macintosh Pius, $99.95.

Authotware Professional Access PC Authorware Insignia Solutions Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Muitl-Function Tools Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools A utility for managing MS-DOS files on the Macintosh computer. User Enables non-technical subject matter experts to build applications can mount and view MS-DOS volumes just like Mac volumes. without scripting. Allows the incorporation of text, graphics, sound, animation, and video to create applications for learning and simulation. Macintosh Plus, $99.95. Enables reedy linkage to external interfaces, databases, and networks. Maantosh Plus, IBM PS12. Address Book Plus ZO Power Up Software Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools A-V Online Organize 2nd print names, addresses, telephone numbers, and other Silver Platter information contact information. Produces an assortment of quality output, Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools including InstaBooks, address-book pages, mailing labels, rotary-cards, A complete database on CD-ROM disc of audiovisual materials from the and envelopes. Prints in popular formats such as Day-Runner, Day- National Information Center for Educational Media, Requires CD-ROM Timer, Avery, and others, or in custom sizes. Dials phone numbersdrive. Updated annually. Contact supplier for price. using Macintosh speaker or modem. Can transfer data to or from other Macintosh 512E. applications. Includes a separate desk accesso ry for editing, adding, and dialing. Calendar Creator Macintosh Plus, $9.95. Power Up Software Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools AEC Information Manager Keeps calendars neat, accu rate, and up-to-the minute. Merges separate AEC Software lists of events into daily, two-day, weekly, two-week, monthly, six- Admtistruttie Sarbvarg General-Purpose Sofiwam Database Systents week, and yearly calendars. Handles all events including appointments, A project-oriented database which provides a project manager the birthdays, board meetings, and more. Enter recurring events, such as means to automate, schedule, organZe, and track correspondence,the first or third Wednesday of the month, and keep separate event transmittals, suppliers and vendors, subcontractors, clients, equip- lists for work, home, birthdays, and holidays. Users can update ment, proposals, and more. Designed to organize project Information calendars easily by simply editing activities and printing again. from start to finish. On-screen status and professional-looking reports Macintosh Plus, $69.95. can be created and printed out at anytime. User-defined reports allow unlimited content options, and all fields can be searched and included CanOpener 2.0 In any order in any number of reports. In addition, program reports are Abbott Systems dynamic; as data or times and dates change, so do the reports. Other Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools program features include a project log, work calendar, submittal log, Provides user emergency access to all files. Allows user to browse any note pad (mini word processor), global alarms, and more. file and copy the contents (text and pictures) no matter what the Macintosh Plus, $173.75. formatwithout needing the creator application. For use in opening documents Mac cannot open, searching files to locate missing informa- Amerka Online Tffrninal Program tion, or recovering text from damaged documents. Quantum Computer Services Macintosh 512E, $79. Comprehenske Generakzed Tod Programs; Telecommunications Tools Provides a standard Macintosh interface for using the America Online public-access service. Features Include automatic dial-up of telecom

SC1SS1TESS Update January 1993 Pag° 9

Click Paste DocuComp ii Mainstay Advanced Software Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Word Processors Provides a simple. convenient way to store and retrieve frequently Compares any two documents and highlights all of the changes in used text, graphics. ant; other objects. VVith a keypress and a click of seconds. Reports changes as small as an inserted comma and as major the mouse, users can save almost anything: text, any type of graphic, as a complete rearrangement of text. Changes can be seen I ) on a split even HyperCard buttons and the script behind them. Program stores screen which shows both documents at the same time;.2) in a printed these objects in files and folders which can be reorganized through the composite (redlined) drafg 3) In a composite draft stored; and 4) in a Finder. Objects maintain the intelligence added In an application. For summary report listing every change by page and line number.The most example, Page Maker text keeps its "window blind" form and size. To popular word-processing formats are supported, and the files being paste a saved object, users perform the same simple operation. compared can be in dissimilar formats. Macintosh Plus. Macintosh 512E, $179.95.

Commtact Educational Budget Management System (EBMS) Campagne Associates Precision Computer Systems Administrative Software: Financial Accounting Administrative Software: Financial Accountlnv Budgets Advance donor and alumni management software designed for col- Gives administrators the power to develop school-based program leges, universities, and private schools. Stores detailed information on budgets quickly and accurately. Program plans are created for each each donor/alumnus and has complete contribution tracking and operating division. When these program plans are grouped, they reporting capabilities. Campagne Associates offers full services to provide fund, location, function, program, and object budgets. Admin- implement Commtact. including training, ongoing support, and data istrators can make budget changes easily and quickly. Districts and conversions. school budgets can be simulated for determining the best allocation of Macintosh Plus, $2,990. funds to each operational program. Macintosh Plus, $998. Commtact ELS Campagne Associates Educator Homecard Administrative Software: Financial Accounting Intellimation Entry-level donor and alumni management software designed for a Comprehensive: Class Management Aids small or new development office with a limited budget. Stores detailed An educator-developed program for HyperCard which includes three information on each donor/alumnus and has complete contribution facilities: "Student Management" allows teachers to create their own tracking an d reporting capabilities. A development office can start small student management system with stacks that help with everyday with Commtact/ELS and then upgrade to the more advanced Commtact. classroom organization; "Lesson Management" allows teachers to Campagne Associates offers full service to implement Commtact/ ELS, create and store lesson plans and includes a daily planner and a including training, ongoing support, and data conversions. presentation tool to enhance speciC_ lessons; and "Ideas" includes Macintosh Plus, $795. stacks of ideas and database templates to help manage day-to-day information. CSL Precis Macintosh Plus, $29. Chancery Software Administrative Software: Student Records; Mu 18-function Programs Fast Forms A simplified student-information system designed for public and private Power Up Software schools with fewer than 75 students. The system is available in single Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools or multi-user versions, and takes advantage of the Mac's graphic Enables users to create, fill, print, and save custom office forms, from interface. The basic system includes "Student Demographics," "Dis- simple office memos to complex invoices and order forms, quickly and cipline," "Attendance," "Gradebook," "Report Cards," "Query," and easily. Makes it easy to design and fill out forms, including pre-printed, "ASCII Import/Export." Individual add-on modules are also available to instantly and accurately. Saves, edits, searches, imports, 2nd exports enhance the system, Including "Health and Immunization," "Library data, and organizes user's business information. Includes a wide array Cataloging and Circulation," "Report Manager," and "Activity Ac- of drawing and page-layout tools. counting." The fully-integrated database is protected by a multi-level Macintosh Plus, $179.95. password system. Network version available. Macintosh Classic FastTrack Resource AEC Software DeltaGraph Professional Admkgstathee Software: Gen eral.Pwpose Softvgrg Project Managers DekaPoint A simple resource-allocation tool for managing people, rooms, equip- Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Multi-Function Tools ment, time, and activities. It gives managers the information necessary A comprehensive charting, graphics, and presentation tool. Providesto enable them best to allocate resources to meet deadlines. Gives 40 chart types, including business, text, scientific, and technical charts answers to typical management questions such as: which resources are enhanced by drawing and slide-show presentation capabilities. Offers qualified to work on the project, where are the rest of the resources, formatting options, custom chart templates, integrated drawing tools, and which resources are available/ and access to imported graphics and clip art. Macintosh Plus, $62.75. Macintosh Plus, $99.

SC1SS \TESS Update January 1993 pais 10

FastTrack Schedule AEC Software Fitness Reporter Admirisautive Softmare General-Purpose Software; Project Managers RK Solution A simple "timeline" or Gantt chart scheduling tool. Within minutes, Physkal Education users can visualize all of the projects, tasks, activities, and events in an This template for Filemaker Pro (from Claris) will bringphysical educa- elegant timeline format that can be enhanced for presentation power. tion classes to the computer lab. Its highlights are wide age applications; Allows users to painlessly draw activity bars right on a chart. Allows fitness reports for parents and students which denote areas needing users to type In dates and durations to generate bars. A powerfulimprovement and how to Improve; comparisons of fall and spring database tracks start times and dates, finish times and dates, durations, scores against test standards; fall and spring worksheets for data and even percent complete. Can display scheduled vs. actual activities, collection; and generation of fall and spring averages by sex and age for slips or shifts in schedules, and activity dependencies and links. each activity. Useful for setting goals. Easy data entry and operation. Macintosh Plus, $69.95. Macintosh 512E.

FederalRegister Footage '91 Dialog Information Service Highlighted Data Social Sdencer History; United States History Comprehensive: ClassManagement Aids; Miscellaneous Aids Provides the full text of the US. government publication which notifies A comprehensive directory of stock film and tape footage. Includes the public of official agency actions, including regulations and legal more than 35,000 source items classified by subject. Requires CD-ROM notices. Includes presidential documents, rules and regulations, pro-driveand HyperCard. posed rules, and notices. Indicates issue dates. Configured like aMacintosh Plus, $199.95. newspaper. New users may retain annual disks. Requires CD-ROM drive. 4th Dimension Macintosh 512E, $750 yearty. Acius Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Database Managers File Force (9-20) A relational database which allows school systems to keep track of Aclus their students, maintain an inventory system, and implement an Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Word Processors accounting system. Relationships established immediately by dragging A file manager for organizing information. Templates included provide between fields. Allows data entry into multiple files. a variety of ready-to-use filing solutions. Can relate files automatically Macintosh 512E and create forms, graphs, or columnar reports. Macintosh 512E. Gateway AuthoringSystem Don Johnston Developmental Equipment File Force (K-I 6) Reading.. Reading Readiness Acius Teachers can create lessons and stories using the Gateway Stories AdministnatIve Software General-Purpose Software; Database Systems format. Students then select, listen to, and turn pages with mouse click A file manager for organizing information. Templates included provide Teachers may add graphics using a scanner or drawing tools. Requires a variety of ready-to-use filing solutions. Can relate files automatically HyperCard. and create forms, graphs, or columnar reforms. Macintosh Plus. Macintosh 512E. Grade MachineAttendance Module File Maker Pro Misty City Software Claris Software Class Management Aids. Grades and Recordkeeping Comprehensive:Generalized Tool Programs;Database Managers Expands the capabilities of Misty City Software's Grade Machine by Database manager includes spelling checker; automatic indexin& allowing a teacher to design up to seven unique attendance codes as multiple layouts to view, enter, and print data; graphics tools and color well as a variety of seating arrangements. Extends Grade Machine's capability; mail merge; Instant updating of multi-user files; multi-user file progress reports by including either the attendance spreadsheet or the server; variable field length; custom field formats, scripts and buttons; seating chart, and both can be individually printed. Students can be and calculation capabilities. randomly selected for drills and questions through the seating chart. Macintosh 512E, $299. Macintosh Plus, $29.

Fllevislon IV, Version 1.1 Grade MachinePersonal Attendance TSP Software Misty City Software Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Database Managers ClassManagement Aids: Grades and Recordkeeping A hypergraphic database system in which drawing page objects can be Allows teachers to take attendance using an attendance spreadsheet directly attached to database records. Ideal for desktop mapping and ora seating chart.Attendance data can be sent to Misty City Software's facilities management applications. Uses standard drawing tools or bit- gradebook software Grade Machine for printing in student progress mapped symbols to create graphic objects. Imports and exports reports. The attendance spreadsheet and the seating charts can be standard graphic and data formats. Powerful report generator. Ca n use printed. The seating charts can be arranged alphabetically, randomly, standard forms and do mail merge (does not require external word or manually In any configuration by dragging icons. Teachers can design processor). Provides flexible forms design with computed fields and up to seven of their own attendance codes, and can set up the automatic data entry. Graphics supported In any field (PICT I and 2, spreadsheet for a 5-, 6-, or 7-day week The seating charts can be used EPSF, and bitmapped.) Provides color support. to select students randomly to call on for drills. Macintosh Plus, $195. Macintosh Plus, $29.

SCMTESS Update January 1993

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Grade Qukkl HyperCard Videodisc Tutorial Authoring Tool Compu-Teach Sunbelt Technologies Class Management Aids: Grades and Recordkeeping Comprehensive: Author Languages A gradebook program which allows teachers to enter all data on aAn authoring -tool for educators enabling them to Lreate original spreadsheet. Instantiy computes and assigns standard or user-defincd lessons which include nine specific instructional events. May be used grades; calculates. displays, and prints more than I 7 statistics; imports to control a videodisc player. No programming or i-lyperCard expertise and exports student names and scores;and merges files and drops low required. Keeps records. Network version available. scores. Allows weighting of each assignment, category, and grading Macintosh 512E. period. Accepts numbers, letters, words, and symbols for grades. Prints versatile reports by student, class, or assignment Displays and HyperTalk for Educators: An Introduction prints attendance records and missing work lists. Allows entering of up International Society for Technology in Education to 1,000 students or 200 tests per class. Sorts students and assign- Computers: Computer Programming ments in more than 20 ways. Designed by a teacher for teachers and emphasizes open-ended Macintosh Plus, IBM PC and compatibles, $79.95. learning and exploration. Classroom-tested, this text is appropriate for self teaching, teacher training, or use by secondary students. Short Hyper-Abledata chapters present simple, accessible examples leading to major con- Trace Center cepts. Each chapter has a debugging and testing section to help users Comprehensive: Generakzed Tool Prograrng Aids to Learning Disabled solve HyperCard problems and ends with projects and activities for Complete database of assistive technology products for people with further practice. disabilities. Includes descriptions of more than 17,000 products. plus Macintosh Plus, $29.95. pictures and sound samples. Updated every six months. Keeps records. Requires CD-ROM drive. ldeaRsher Macintosh 512E, $278. Fisher Idea Systems Comprehensive:Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools HyperCard for Educators: An Introduction A productivity tool designed to turn into a brainstormingand problem- International Society for Technology in Education solving partner. Uses two databases, Q Bankand Idea Bank.which work Computers: Using System and Application Programs synergistical ly to assist users in maximtzingthe number of options they For users who know basic Macintosh computer skills. Users learn the can develop. basic elements of HyperCard (version 1 or 2). Macintosh Plus, IBM PC and compatibles. Macintosh Plus. Informed AutoForm HyperCard in a Hurry Shana International Society for Technology in Education Administrative Software: General-Purpose Software Teacher Training An innovative data-entry and collection tool; turns any form crea:ed Six sessions present HyperCard as a tool for information storage andwith Informed Designer into standalone applications called autoforms. retrieval and illustrate essential techniques and tricks for building a The autoforms make use of all the intelligent features provided by variety of HyperCard stacks. Concise appendices help troubleshoot Informed Designer, such as defaults, formatting, calculations, lookups, computer and HyperCard problems, and point the way to more error checks, and choice lists. This means that the data will be entered advanced topics such as scripting, animation, and sound. accurately and quickly. Informed Manager can import autoform data Macintosh Plus, $18.95. easily for quick compilation of results. Macintosh Plus, $97. HyperCard Projects for Teachers Ventura Educational Systems Informed Designer Teacher Training Shana Learn to develop interactive HyperCard stacks by completing these Administrative Software: General-Purpose Software step-by-step projects. Topics include HyperCard Basics, Creating Enables users to create professional-looking forms with form-specific Stacks from Scratch, Graphics Techniques, Animation, and Word drawing tools or to import scanned images of existing forms. Features Games. Start each project by loading a shell. Users can follow thedefinable grids, guides, and rulers, pen and fill patterns from 0 to I 00%, instructional guide and add buttons, fields, graphics, scripts, and more. varied line widths from .25 to 999 point Specialized tools make the Network version available. creation of fields, tables, check boxes, rounded corners, and combs fast Macintosh 512E, $29.95. and efficient Includes a variety of Intelligent features such as calcula- tions, formatting, error checking, choice lists, lookups, and links to HyperCard database or accounting systems (under System 7). Includes samples and Claris Software clip-art disks. Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Macintosh Plus, $191. An easy-to-use and -learn software system built on the simple model of the card file, but with a scripting language powerful enough to use in developing courseware, controllingvideodiscs, retrieving mainframe data, or creating simulations. Includes comprehensive documentation; tool stacks; ready-to-use stacks; and ready-made buttons, fields, and templates. Macintosh 512E, $199.

SCISS\TMS Update January 1993 61 page 12 informed Manager MacCare Shana SofterWare Administrative Software: General-Purpose Software Administrative Software: Student Records Fills out forms created with Informed Designer. Saves unnecessary An easy-to-use solution for all the major administrative needs of a typing and ensures accuracy by utilizing intelligent features such as private school or child care center. System handles registration and calculations, defaults, formatting, error checking, and choice lists. data management, billing, scheduling, and attendance management. Looks up Information from other forms or accounting or database Network version available. systems. Completed forms are automatically stored in a database and Macintosh 512E, $1,295. can be searched, sorted, mailed to others, or viewed as lists. Imports or exports data to integrate Manager with other applications. Mails Mac Dewey single or multiple forms across any network using Microsoft Mail. Adds Mousetrap Software typed or voice message notes to any form. Includes password security. Administrative Software: Library Administration; Circulation Macintosh Plus, $127. A library catalog program for small libraries. Uses the Dewey Decimal System with integer specifications. Searches on subject and author. H as In/Out check-in/check-out features. CE Software Macintosh Plus, $79.95. Administrative Software: Employees An electronic in/out board which allows users to know instantly who MacFiscalFund Accounting on the Macintosh is in or out, where they are, when they are returning, and why they're Turner Data Systems gone. Can also be used to track the availability of vehicles, conference Administrative Software: Financial Accounting rooms, and other school, institution, or company resources. A budgetary fund accounting system designed specifically to meet all Macintosh 512E, $199.95. of the financial accounting requirements for district administrators. A modifiable 27-digit account number satisfies each district's account IMP Software number structure and provides connectivity with purchase orders, SAS Institute encumbrances, expeditures, stores inventory, payroll writing and Administrative Software: Planning fringe benefits, income, general ledger, and reports. Reports are A statistical visualization and exploratory program. Presents statistics selective within the account number and they are date sensitive. Special in a graphical way so they can be visually understood. Has a simple, yet features include multi-user, modifiable programs and Appletalk net- powerful data table for managing data. Capabilities include univariate work compatibility. statistics and graphs; analysis of variance and multiple regression; Macintosh Plus. quality-control charts and statistics; business graphs; nonlinear model fitting; multivariate analysis; group processin& nonpararnetric tests; MacFlow and more. Contact company for volume pricing. Network version Mainstay available. Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Macintosh Plus, $347.50. Provides a simple and effective means for developing ideas in organized flowchart form. Users simply drag chartobjects lino place and connect KidDesk them with flow lines. Flowcharts can be drawn up to ten times faster Edmark than with drawing programs or pencil and paper. Provides ANSI Comprehensive: Class Management Aids standard flowcharting symbols as well as the ability to create custom-

Enables teachers to manage instruction by choosing which programs . ized symbols. All aspects of charts can be in full color. Charts can be and files each student can launch frcm a personaltted desktop, while hierarchical. Double clicking on a symbol in the chart can bring up a preventing children from getting access to the main desktop. Designed linked subchart. Charts can be printed on a LaserWriter or ImageWriter, to make computing easier for children and worry-free for teachers. or exported to any desktop publishing program. Includes an assortment of desk accessories for children, including Macintosh Plus. personahed working calendars, a clock, and a calculator. Sound in options provides fun. Requires 2MB RAM for color; double the memory MacLang requirement for System 7. Gessler Publishing Macintosh Plus, $49.95. Comprehensive: Author Languages A flexible, easy-to-use, two-disk authoring system which allows Laplink Mac Ill teachers to create computer lessons. It can be used with English, Traveling Software French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Comprehensim Generakzed Tool Programs; Tekcommunkadorts Took and Spanish. The various exercise formats include vocabulary equiva- Provides everything users need for fast Mac-to-Mac and Mac-to-PC file lency drill, fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, reading comprehension, transfers. Lets users choose the way they want to transfer: with the scrambled sentence, and doze. The activity can include listening and enclosed cable, with a modem, with AppleTalk cables, or with SCSI cable. reading comprehension and grammar and vocabulary drills. Network If users are moving files between Macs and PCs, they can control the version available. Requires HyperCard. file transfer from either computer. Over AppleTalk, they can transfer Macintosh Plus, $79.95. files with an unlimited number of users. A sophisticated password protection system lets user decide who has access to which files. Macintosh 5 I 2E, $ /49.95. To Be Continued....

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SCISS\TESS Update January 1993 R2 page 13 The scene shows a one-computer classroom in which Hypermedia continued from front page a HyperCard application is used as a lecture aid by the teacher as the students sit passively. ageswhich can be searched, organized. and re- Until quite recently, building a hypermedia appli- trieved by the users according to individual needs. Acation was best left to experts. The learning curve for typical hypermedia "document" might contain expla-available authoring packages was steep and the nations in text, line drawings, animated graphics, arequired technology was expensive. However, the narration or music track and one or more full-color,development of HyperCard for the Macintosh and full-motion video segments. A chunk of informationGziirI for IBM computers signalled the beginning of in such a hypermedia document could contain infor-a hypermedia explosion. These tools enabled anyone mation in any or all of these forms, plus link tokens,with a Mac Plus or a PC to author hyperware. In early icons, or buttons that direct you to other chunks the1992. Apple jumped to the forefront with its System author deemed related. 7 operating system and guickTime technology, soon Hypertext is a subset of hypermedia Like hypertext.followed by IBM's hypermedia enhancements under information in hypermedia can be accessed ran-the title linkway Live! which will bring similar domly or in any order specified by the user. Earlyhypermedia capability to IBM users. versions of hypermedia software depended heavily In their earliest stage, hypermedia products consisted on the author creating the links between chunks ofprimarily of text and line-art graphics - the ubiquitous information. More recently. increased computingHyperCanistacks. In the second stage, animation, video power, data compression, and better software designfrom CD-ROM and laser videodiscs, and digital sound have allowed users to describe information needswere added. In the third and current stage of develop- interactively using fast search-and-retrieve algo-ment, we are seeing greatly increased ease of use rithms for full-text searches. and Boolean connec-through better authoring software and better system tors, such as AND. OR. NOT, and exclusive OR modifiers. integration. The next stage promises decreased costs and an even greater degree of system integration with What's the Difference Between Hypermedia high-quality sound and video capabilities built into and Multimedia? the basic computer system. Although the terms "hypermedia" and "multime- As hypermedia advances occur, the industry is dia" are used interchangeably, with multimedia be-making an effort to develop a set of standards to ing used most frequently, there really is a substan-increase compatibility of the many components found tive, conceptual difference - interactivity. in a typical hypermedia/multimedia application. The Like hypermedia, multimedia presentations com-Multimedia PC Marketing Council is playing a central municate information from multiple sources. includ-role in this effort for IBM-compatible systems. Hard- ing sound, text, and graphics.But multimediaware and software labeled with the Multimedia PC doesn't necessarily allow for user interaction. Alogo (MPC) are supposed to offer "plug-and-play" point-of-purchase display might involve a multime-compatibility. However, in a curious anomaly. the dia presentation that the viewer watches or listens topre-packaged multimedia system offered by IBM passively without control of the order of presenta-departs from the MPC standard inn several ways and tion. A multimedia presentation is analogous todoes not guarantee software compatibility of IBM listening to a lecture, reading a book with illustra-products with MPC-labelled products. tions, or watching television; that is. the information is presented in a fixed sequence determined by the Appropriate Teaching Technology author, not the viewer. To be truly useful in the classroom, a hypermedia Hypermedia presentations allow the viewer totool, like any other teaching tool must meet certain interact directly with the content; that is. to changecriteria: the sequence and format of the presentation as it is 1) The toolmust beworkable that is, its use must contribute being experienced by actively engaging the viewer in directly to the attainment of the desired outcome. a two-way communication process. A hypermedia 2) Itmustbe feasible. The required technology mustalready presentation is better suited for use by individuals, exist or be able to be produced without requiring the whereas multimedia can be used effectively with invention of new technologies. large groups. Often, an application with hypermedia 3) It must be socially acceptable. Aversive conditioning potential is reduced to a multimedia application using pain is a workable and feasible instructional because the teacher controls its use rather than strategy; however, it is generally regarded as not so-

allowing students individually to work with the ap- cially acceptable. . plication. An example of this kind of teacher behavior 4) Its use must be virtually self-evident. If it takes more is presented in the Apple /1ICSS videotape "Making than 15 minutes to learn to use the tool effectively, it is Connections: Social Studies Through Technology." probably too complicated for classroom use. Volume 19. No.4 January 1993 3 page 14

5) Use of the tool should be transparent The tool shouldenter or convert data before it could be used in a not get in the way of the learning process. The toolsecond application. Capturing and encoding data should enhance the deliveryof content as unobtrusivelywith a general markup language, such as Standard as possible. General Markup Language (SGML), which identifies 6) It must involve interactive communication; that is, athe structural characteristics of the data (heading, two-way exchange of information. For example. class-body text, graphic image, and so on) as well as the room discourse is necessary to make the textbook anformat (type style, size, and so on), increases flexibil- effecttve tool. ity of use and ease of data exchange. Markedup data 7) It must allow for corrective feedback. A spelling testcan be used in a text document or on optical.media is not an effective learning tool until it is corrected andwith much less pre-production effort. At present, the the results shared with the learner. federal government is the chief proponent of the use 8) It must be transformative. Use of the tool should change the learning process by making it more effective.of SGML for data preparation, but standard markup more efficient, or. ideally, both. languages are rapidly gaining favor in the book 9) It must be cost-effective. The ratio between the costpublishing industry as well. of instruction and the value of the learning outcome Data Compression. Sound. graphic imAges, and should be relative to that of other instructional alterna-full-motion video images, in contrast with text files, tives.Don't forget to include the development costrequire very large amounts of memory when con- unless you are restricting your applications to off-the-verted to the digital form necessary for use with shelf programs. computers. Until now, this has increased the cost of 10) It must be context sensitive in two ways: Form mustuse of these media well beyond the budget of most follow function; and the technology tool must be appro-school districts.However, new data compression priate to the user. A chainsaw in the hands of a six-year-algorithms, which allow data compression ratios of old will out a lot of wood fast, but it is a poor match toas much as 100:1, will make it feasible toinClude the child's ability to use it. sound and full-motion video in useful amounts in Until recently. most hypermedia tools failed mis-floppy disk-based applications. Apple'sQuickTime erably on one or more of these criteria. However,program available with System 7.0 is an effective recent innovations in hardware and software designimplementation of data compression for video cap- are making multiple sources of information in digitalture and display, and users can expect to see major form more accessible. As a result, hypermedia hasgains in this area in the months ahead. become a more useful tool for the classroom. Simul- Low-Cost Sound and Video Capture. To develop taneous advances in five technologies make thisoriginal hypermedia instructional materials, it is possible. necessary to capture sound and video information Graphic User Interface (GUI). The Apple Macin-from multiple sourcesscanners, video cameras, tosh pioneered user interfaces that use graphic im-and audio sources, as well as to merge text and ages rather than text, based on work done at thegraphic files.Since early 1991, the cost of high Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Icons, point-quality video capture has dropped from around $4,000 and-shoot item selection, scroll bars, pull-down orto under $500 per authoring workstation. Audio pop-up menus and the desktop metaphor have allcapture is now being included as original equipment become the industry standard for graphic user inter-in new Macintosh computers, which suggests it will faces. Variations on these graphic elements appear insoon become standard for all similar computers. the Windows. GeoWorks Ensemble, New Wave and Processing Speed. Improvements in design and DeskView user interfaces for IBM-compatible sys- tems. At present. the Apple Macintosh system re-manufacturing techniques that allow hundreds of mains the industry leader with the most highlythousands of transistors to be placed on a single chip, plus the use of electronic cache memory and developed, consistent, stable, and tightly integratedparallel processing, have increased the speed of hardware-software solution. IBM users will have toprocessing large digital sound and graphic files so shift from DOS to the OS/2 operating system to getthat full-motion displays are feasible on the new equivalent functionality and ease of use, althoughgeneration of classroom grade computers, such as the Microsoft Windows 3.1 upgrade with a fast 386 orthe Mac LC, at half the frame speed we are used to 486 PC with at least 1MB of video memory and a videoseeing on television or film. Though the motion is accelerator comes close. somewhat jerky, it is surprisingly good for a com- General Markup Languages (GM). hi order forputer application. applications to exchange information freely, the data needs to conform to a common set of specifications. Don't Miss Next Month's Tkrilling Conclusion: Until relatively recently, there was little conformity in the way data was saved; making it necessary to re- 'What to Look for in a hvermedia 59stem!"

The Newsletter of Software and System-4"er Learning 6 4 page 15

Advice continuedfrom front page single-handedly got TESS accepted in Michigan, also thinks teachers need training and wants to see more industry needs non-military work - why not put them to thebudget for that. Applauds parental involvement; would task of training teachers how to use technology in educationTlike to tell President Clinton he also won in a statewide Colorado.Robert A. DeBlauw, Ph.D., Director ofmock election in which 160,000 schoolchildren cast their Information and Technical Services at Littleton Educa-little ballots. tion Services Center. was very much aware that the Ohio. Ben Davis, who is a professor with Union citizens of his state had turned down two initiativesInstitute of Cincinnati, wants the new administration to which would have increased funding for education. "Helpmake a number one priority out of narrowing the gap us deal with underfunding of K-12," is his message tothebetween the technology that's available and schools' slow new prez. Equally important: -Better use oftechnologyacceptance of it."The gap keeps widening," says Ben, in education...has yet to reach a critical mass where itnoting that "multimedia is the strongest educational tool makes any difference (in how students are taught)." we'll ever have.* Oklahoma, for a vocational teacher's point of view. South Florida, where the ravages of Hurricane An- Ralph Barnett, Network Manager of Central Oklahomadrew are still felt: an educator who preferred we didn't use Area Vocational Technical School, is asking for realhis name said he's still sleeping on the floor of his direction from the top - and for jobs. "In vocational, we'reshattered home and found long-range thinking difficult moving the kids toward computers as much as possibleat this time. Gave high praise to the army, once they were because everything's done that way now. We're trying toordered in, for help in getting the schools up and running. teach what industry needs; but if there's no industry, if Connecticut. (Mrs.) Angie Lincoln, secretary to five there are no jobs, what do we teach?" media coordinators at South Windsor school (also a Iowa. Ronald S. Fickler, Ph.D., ChiefAdministrator of themother), wants anything which will help get parents Grant Wood Area Educational Agency in Cedar Rapids, isinvolved.(Implication was that teachers as well as concerned that teachers are getting a bum rap. He wants theparents need help in working together.) "Leadership" was Sandia Study released, which he feels was suppressed by theher rather plaintive request. Bush administration and which shows the education com- New York. And, finally, we talked to Ken Komoski of munity is not as bad as people think EPIE Institute, who would like to see Vice-President Missouri. James Tice, Superintendent in Strafford,Gore's enthusiasm for NREN (National Research Educa- thinks America's future rests on a restructuring of thetion Network) fulfilled. -The promise of NREN is that in school system and would start with massive retraining ofthis decade we would see the electronic delivery of all teachers. Of present staff: "Some can be retrained, butkinds of mediated learning, not just to schools but to some good people just aren't going to change and Ihomes as well."Komoski pointed out that most of the wouldn't waste time trying."Stop creating low-techimportant decisions on education are made at the state teachers; colleges of education are ill-equipped to pro-and local level, but the funding of the "electronic high- duce teachers that have technological savvy. Nationalway" would show federal leadership at its best. leadership to get the Boards of Education and the state Late word from insiders in the Clinton camp indicates legislatures to have a vision of what can and should bethe new President hopes to take quick action on legisla- done...1ike Gore's support of a national electronic highway. tion dealing with national education standards and Illinois. Mike Hill, Director of Media Services, Schoolstudent-aid programs; there is a definite feeling that we District 303, in St. Charles, has the good fortune tomay yet get an "Education President." benefit from a partnership with the Arthur Andersen As some have pointed out, Mr. Clinton, a po' boy from Company, which has an educational facility there. Mikea small town, owes just about everything to the superior says it's not money that's needed at first, it's a change ineducation he received - including Yale and Oxford. U thinldng about public education. If we understood his point and we think we did: if the attitude is right, the money will be found; if the attitude is wrong. throwing money at it doesn't do a bit of good. Mike is for puttingEPIEgram emphasis on teacher education. "If we want teachers to Affiliated with EPIB Institute use technology, then we have to train them." Also noted that 7% of Arthur Andersen's net profit is plowed back EPIEgram is publishedin 000perationwithEPIEInstitute by,Serfine into educating its employees. Michigan. Dr. Ed McKeehan, Computer Coordinator (liceflor Tress, P. O. Box 28, Greenport, New Yak 11944. at Grosse Pointe Schools admits he's in an affluent Basic subscription rate for nine Issues a year (October district and knows the usefulness of money, but that it's through June) is $65. Additional subscriptions to the same not enough. "I am tired of so much rhetoric and so little address are $30. The basic rate for subscribers in Consor- action. I want a real commitment, including resources, tium (SCISS) States is $45; for our Canadian buddies, $75. to provide the technology tor education on an equitable basis. We need leadership - not just at the national level, Earl L. Fultz, Editor & Publisher but at state and local as well." P. Kenneth Komoski, Executive Director, EPIE Institute Barbara Harper. Project Specialist in Education and Pat Lutzky, Manager, SCISS \TESS Learning at Genesee Intermediate in Flint, who almost

Volume 19, No. 4 January 1993 65 U.S. No. 1 in Productivity Despite all the handwringing about lowered productiv- ity, the U.S. worker is still the world's most productive. According to a study by McKinsey Global Insfitute, in 1990 the full-time US. worker produced $49,600 worth of goods and services a year compared to: German workers at $44,200; Japanese at $38,200; and British at $37,100. The U.S. secret weapon appears to be the laissez-faire environment which allows management to change prod- uct lines, realign the workforce, and otherwise stay flex- ible.Since three out of four workers are in a service category, it was urged that the US. push for more freedom in this area as well as more open trade. For example, the US. is more than twice as efficient in retailing as the Computing Thrives Japanese, and the deregulated American telecommunica- The value of computers and software sold annually intions industry is twice as productive as Germany's gov- the US. is now twice the size of the defense budget.ernment monopoly. Despite the recession, the annual growth rate of the 100 The report pointed out two areas ripe for improvement: largest software companies is more than 20%. health care and education. Health, education, govern- ment and non-profit organizations that are not subject to Libraries market pressures employ 28% of America's workers. This Visits per year per person to libraries serving fewer thancompares with 22% in Germany and only 12% in Japan. 1,000 people: 6. However, whether the extraction of every last percent- Visits per year per person to libraries serving more thanage point of productivity conduces to the welfare of the 1 million: 2.25. workers, is another matter. Total volumes in public libraries nationwide: 613 mil- lion. Imperilled Children Total number of video materials: 3.8 million. tt Nearly half of all children not covered by health insurance in the US. live in the South, 13 million in Texas One in Five Illegals alone. The Software Publishers Association announces good 4.6 Dishonesty is on the rise among high-school stu- news: software piracy is down from an estimated loss of $2 dents. A recent survey found that one-third of high-school billion in 1990 to $1.2 billion in 1991. The bad news remains students say they would lie on a résumé or job application; that 1 in 5 computers run on illegal software. three out five high-school students and three out of ten college students admit to having cheated on an examina- Teacherh4obility tion at least once in the past year; but at least they re honest Chances are better than eight to one that an elementary-about it. The survey is available for $15 from the Josephson or secondary-school teacher will remain in teaching, andInstitute of Ethics, 310 306-1868. at the same school, in any one year; only five to eight per cent change schools; while between five and seven per Amidst all the hullaballo about intensive sex educa- cent, on average, leave teaching altogether; this accordingtion and frantic condom campaigns during the 1980s, the to the National Center for Education Statistics in a studypregnancy rate for teenagers remained at just about the of public-school teachers during 1988-89. same level as before: 110 pregnancies per 1,000 girls.0

EFIEgram BULK RATE Software and Systems for Learning U.S. POSTAGE PAID P. 0, Box 28 PERMIT NO. 38 Greenport, New York 11944 GREENPORT. NY 11944

Ms. Nancy R. Preston, UserServices ERIC Clearinghouse on Information Schl of InforStudies, Schl F 030 Huntingto of Educ n Hall, SyracuseUnive SyracuseNY 13244-2340 6 The Newsletter of Sofiware and Systems

for Learning I 9r am Volume 19, Number 5 February 1993

Software Publishers Strung Up stalled on their computers in an effort to become software-legaL Last year SPA distributed nearly Record Number 25,000 copies of It's Just Not Worth the Risk, a 12- of Digital Buccaneers in '92 minute videotape, as well as 20,000 copies of an 8- minute video for computer-using schoolchildren called Don't Copy That Floppy. Anti-Piracy Their Dreadful Trade Is For more information.call Terri Childs of the Software Publishers Association at 202 452-1600. Campaign Described The Anti-Piracy Hot Line is 800 388-7478. 0 The Software Publishers Association says that Home-Learning Networks Ramify 1992 was the most active year yet for its anti-piracy activities. The SPA investigates cases of software Here's One in Michigan.... copyright infringement. Illegal copying of software supposedly cost the A new home-learning network in Michigan software industry more than $1.2 billion in the called ThinkLink is harnessing telecommunica- United States in 1991; of course this figure is based tions technology to bring the classroom into the on the ridiculous premise that every pirated pro- home. Michigan Bell and Warren Consolidated gram would otherwise have been purchased. Schools debuted the network on January 28th. It Most investigations begin with an informant's will connect the classrooms of 115 fourth-grad- call to the SPA anti-piracy hotline.Information ers to their homes with fiber-optic cables. gathered from these calls is then reviewed by the The childrenat Thorpe andJefferson elemen- SPA's litigation staff. Depending on the strength of tary schools in Sterling Heightswill have online the information and the severity of the case, legal access through their home television sets to action can be taken using cease and desist letters, educational programming selected by their teach- corporate audits, or seizure orders. ers to complement classroom teachings. In 1992, up to 30 phone calls per day poured into Using a remote control, students can interact the hotline. Based on these leads, the SPA took with the programming; an online encyclopedia action against 747 organizations. This included and self-paced computer learning programs are 529 cease and desist letters, as well as 218 audits in the planning stages. and lawsuits, resulting in the payment of $3.9 About a third of the children's homes have million in fines and penalties. Of the audits and already been hooked to the system; the remain- der will be connected by the end of February. lawsuits filed, 95% were corporate cases; the rest For more information: Michigan Bell at 313 were bulletin boards, training facilities. and schools. During 1992, the SPA lobbied for legislation 223-7194, or Warren Schools, 313 825-2422. 0 which elevates the willful copying of computer software from a misdemeanor to a felony. The new SCISS/TESS Update law was passed by Congress last October, it targets Begins on Page 6 professional software pirates who make many cop- ies of software and resell them at low prices; illegal bulletin board operators who distribute pirated The Latest Sofiware software; and PC dealers who offer free but illegal for Teachers software to hardware purchasers. and Administrators The SPA also runs a public awareness and from TESS! prevention campaign. More than 90,000 copies of SPAudit, a free software inventory management Four Big Pages Packed Like Sardines tool, have been distributed; this allows an organi- zation to take inventory of software already in- with Program Data and Descriptions

6 7 page 2 Cbitortat

The Indian River Idea is built around the premise that Good Morning, all learning environments can be strengthened by tying them together in what is called "IRENE" - the Ind ian River Educational Network, a community-wide telecomputing IRENE system that is open to everyone: schools, of course, but also businesses, churches, senior citizens, housewives, Pessimists are right more often than optimists, unfor-organizations such as the Scouts, the NAACP, other tunately, since a high percentage of any new ventures faiLpolitical groups, clubs, parents - in a word, anyone who This is offset by the fact thatoptimists have more fun, even needs and uses information. if illusory, whereas pessimists never have a good day. As Rech Niebuhr, generally recognized as the force And when optimists win, which they do, they change thethat got the Indian River Idea started, has stated: "For world, or their little part of it, forever. There are those whothe first time since the invention of the personal com- think Ben Franklin, an incurable optimist should haveputer there is now an overriding imperative for every been the Father of Our Country.' household to have one." All the information of the As we head into 1993, pessimists about the ilitroduc-world will be instantly available to everyone - whether tion and use of computers in K-12 education have reason it's a recipe for angelfood cake or the climate for the last to say "I told you so." According to a recent survey by100 years or the latest stock market quotations and Quality Education Data of Denver, only 6% of schoolairline schedules. districts are expected to double or better their expendi- Elements of this idea have been around for awhile. tures on hardware. Most of the largest districts wereSome of the seminal thinking surfaced in "The Battle planning to spend the same or even decrease their invest-Creek Plan," funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, inent Overall, of the 217 school districts responding,which never quite saw the light of day. The idea of almost 23% said they would be spending less, a trifle moretreating information like electricity, available to all and than 28%will stay the same, and another 23% will increasemetered, has been the &lie fixe of Jack Taub and the budgets less than 10%. Education Utility. And there are many others. The statistics are not unexpected, of course; for one We like it and evidently we're not alone. Even before depressing figure that just doesn't seem to change is thatthe Indian River Idea is complete, even before IRENE is no matter what the budget, the average school districtin place, educators and business people and commu- spends a constantand miserly-1% ofbudget on educa-nity-minded citizens from Maine to California are ask- tional materials. So if the total budget is the same or downing how they can get a similar system started. V ice a little, the rest follows as night follows day. President Al Gore is an enthusiastic advocate, seeing it Optimists that we are, however, we are cheered byas a natural for the "electronic highway" he was pro- news coming out of the Indian River County Schools inmoting while still in the Senate. Vero Beach, where some thing new and important and far- We like the idea so much we're going to take a trip to reaching is happening. Indian River and see for ourselves. It sounds like the Big 'The Indian River Idea" is based on the premise thatIdea we've all been waiting for, one that responds "Learning occurs in many settings, that all are important,directly to local support. It's recognition that schools and that all need to work together." In other words, it iscan't, won't, or shouldn't do it alone. Education is for the recognition that schools can't do it all; that educationeveryone and it doesn't stop with graduation. With the is notjust for young people; and that the entire communityentire community involved, the Indian River Idea, we must be involved in the learning process.2 predict, is going to be the best idea of the 20th Century. And just in time for the 21st. World Class schools? No - World Class Communi- Considering that Ben was what was euphemistically called ties with World Class education for everyone for the "a hand with ladies," there is some suspicion that he nearly was. rest of our lives. 2 Only 19% of a learner's waking time is spent in school, and studies suggest that only about one third or less of that time is Earl L. Fultz spent in learning. Editor & Publisher 68 The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning Page 3

The Time Bank also allows volunteers diets; the study will cover several popular who don't need the credits the opportunitygame sets and a representative selection of In the to donate them to those who do. software. Flashing lights from television screens Panicked MECC were believed to have induced the epileptic Impounds Freedom! seizures. The one case cited in news reports NEWS involved an 11-year-old boy "who lost con- MECC (Minnesota Educational Com- sciousness after being o:arcome by epilep- puting Corporation), has pulled the plug on tic symptoms three times while playing a its educational software program, Free- game," whatever that means. dom!, aboutthe Underground Railwaywhich Meanwhile the Epilepsy Foundation of Time Dollars New helped runaway slaves escape, apparentlyAmerica said that parents, including par- Currency for Schools? because of a fuss in a single school. School ents of most children with epilepsy, need officials had already decided to yank it from Volunteerism in many communities is not prohibit use of these games unless the the elementary school in Merrillville, Indi- child is known to be photosensitive. Photo- getting a shot in the arm from the concept ofana after it elicited protests fium parents "Time Dollars," a way to earn credits for sensitivity is a susceptibility to seizures and others. One young lady, whose sister is good deeds which can then be "spent" for induced by flickering light or patterns. a student at the school, expressed her dis- About 1% or 2.5 million Americans one's needs. It would appear that schoolspleasure: "You're a slave and you're run- could benefit greatly from such a program. have epilepsy, but only 3 to 5% of those are ning, trying to get free. If you're captured, Here is how it works: photosensitive; the prevalence drops to about you get beaten, chained, and taken back to 1 in 10,000 for those without other epileptic Person A (who bas difficulty walking)the master, or you can be killed." The helps tutor students in, say, computers or sympmms. program was said to be demeaning; one of math or reading, and earns Time Dollars "We'd like to see research conducted to the complaints was that it depicted slaves as which then are spent on person B who helps determine more precisely the number of speaking poor English. people affected," said William McLin, a vP A with shopping. B then spends these Time MECC then announced that it would Dollars on baby-sitter C who uses the Time at EFA. "As society becomes increasingly discontinue Freedom!.The company'sman- dependent on video images of all types, Dollars to get home repairs done by D whoager of corporate communications, Dean is learning English and spends the Time fium computers, television, video phones, Kephart, was quoted in a press release thus: Dollars on A for English lessons and other devices, it also would be useful to and on "There has been some concern from parents and on, like a chain letter that works. be able to predict who might be predisposed and schools surrounding our product Free- Time Dollars is the brainchild of Edgar to these episodes." dom! While MECC has also received some S. Cahn, a professor at the District of Co- Ile Epilepsy Foundation of America is very positive feedback about Freedom!a national non-profit voluntary organiza- lumbia Law School, who points out thatparental concernsspecifically in Time Dollars helps 1it a community to- tion devoted to research, public and profes- Merrillville, Indianahave recently caused gether by making it possible for neighbors sional education, and help for people with us to reevaluate this product. ... A letter seizure disorders. In addition to serving 80 to help neighbors, things that people used tofrom MECC will be sent to all schools do for free. A Time Bank is usually run by local and state affiliates, EFA operates a currently using the product to tell them to a consortium of volunteer organizations; nationwide toll-free information service discontinue use of the product and to return the bank has an account for each volunteer (800-EFA-1000). You can also call Peter copies to MECC." and regularly sends out account statements Van Haverbeke or Miriam Dowtin of EFA Mr. Kephart of MECC may be reached at on hours earned and spent. at 301 459-3700. 612 569-1572. Ile concept is spreading rapidlyit's already in 30 statesbecause it combines Kids Greening Parents the sense of self worth which comes from Seizures from Video Games More than half of parents in a recent helping others with a way to get help for Two groups of Japanese physicians re-environmental study admitted they had one's own real needs. People are able toleased reports in 3amary which said thatchanged buying and shopping habits be- convert personal time into purchasing power. over the last seven years a dozen youngsters cause ofsomething their children had taught In Washington, D.C., for exatnple, a hospi- had developed symptoms of epilepsy while them, according to studies by Environmen- tal program allows people to exchange two playing video games. Similar cases have tal Research Associates of Princeton, New Time Dollars and $13 for $30 worth ofbeen reported in the United States andJersey. Girls, they say, are slightly more groceries. Britain; Nintendo has placed warnings onlikely tban boys to influence parents, but In some communities, people testingits products in the U.S. that epileptic sei-both can have considetable effect in recy- HIV-positive help care for AIDS patients, zures may be caused by the games Japan'scling, in buying products with recyclable earning and saving up Time Dollars againstHealth and Welfare Ministry recently an- containers, and even in getling parents to the time when they will need help. nounced it would study the physical andstop smoking. mental health of young video-game ad- continued on following page Volume 19, Number 5 February 1993 69 page 4

Mc Tutoring and multi-skilled, able to work in teams or Awards in the $2-million range went to Indicative of growing parental concern alone, with the ability to acquire new skills six telecommunications partnerships inCali- about education is the rapid growth ofas needed. fornia, Massachusetts, Michigan, South tutoring franchises. Sylvan Learning Sys- To minitni7e boredom, team membersCarolina, Washington State, and Washing- tems, the current leader, expects thewill have interchangeable skills; to increaseton, D.C. Sm I ler awards went to help areas company's revenues to increase tenfold inproductivity, workers must be able to usenot yet served by telecommunications part- the next five years, to a billion dollarsinformafion technology (computers, that nerships in California, Colorado, Missouri, annually. Huntington Learning Centers isis) as part of their tool kit. and South Carolina. A grant of $500,000 already operating in 23 states, and the Japan According to the National Alliance ofwas awarded the Southwest Regional Edu- KumonInstituteofEducation,whichopened Business, corporations can't wait until work-cational Laboratory in Los Alamito, Cali- its first math outlet in Los Angeles in 1983,ers are 27 or 28 to him them. The current fornia, to pay for the first year of a two-year aims to have two million students. Smallexperience is that younger workers are toostudy to evaluate the effectiveness of the classes, increased use of technology, andmwskilled and too immature, hence too ex-Star Schools Program. parental involvement combine to give thepensive to train; but the shortage of labor Anyone interested in getting a piece of tutoring industry high marks for gettingpredictedfor aresurging American economythe pie should contact: Office of Educa- results. will force hiring at an earlier age. tional Research and Improvement, U.S. According to asurvey at Boston Univer- Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Mattel Sidesteps Brouhaha sity, business executives placed the trainingAvenue, Washington, D.C. 20208. and retraining of workers fifth in impor- Over Dimwitted Barbie tance (compared to tenth two years ago) on Camel Will A Teen-Talk Barbie Doll introduced last a list of what they can do to improve Walk a Mile forYou July caused a furor because one of itsperformance. phrases was "Math is tough." Manufacturer This can also be seen in industry's con- RJRNabisco, purveyor ofhigh-fat/high- Mattel solved the problem, sort of, by hav- tinuing interest and growing support ofsugar snack food and #2 in the productionof ing Barbie say nothing at all about theeducational changes, especially in youth-cigarettes, is investing $30 million in help- subject; doubtless even more accurate thanapprenticeship programs, which businessing key schools confront their inadequacies the original. groups see as the best way to make youngand do something about them. people productive employees at an earlier (Editor's Note.Will it do any Put Sheepskins age. good? Very probably in the schools Out to Pasture? that have been so blessed. And it certainly is better publicity than the Many economies, experts say, can't uti- Ready, Fire, Aim: shenanigans that surrounded former lize more than 25% of a workforce that is A report from the RAND Corporation CEO Ross Johnson's grab to get con- college trained in the traditional sense. Inurges reformers to take more time with trol and $100 million plus for his own Europe, there is considerable emphasis onschool personnel to plan, implement, and apprenticeship programs, with Germany,refine educational improvement programs. pocket. for instance, enrolling two-thirds of itsThe report, Time for Reform, found many We admit to being ambivalent, higher-ed students in such alternate educa- reforms put a cumulative burden on admin- however; for, as an ex-smoker, it tion. Advocates in America point out thatistrators and teachers for which reformers really angers us to see young girls and boys smoking. How can they be half of high school graduates do not have a have not prepared. Copies of the report are so stupid?, we think Joe Camel has marketable skill with dropouts, of course, available for $4.00 each from RAND Corpo- evidently been a great advertising even less likely to fmd and hold a decentration, P. 0. Box 2138, Santa Monica, coup. Singlehandedly, Joe's turned job. California 90407-2139.Telephone 310 393-0411, ext. 6686. the sales curve up. Wonder where the Learning and Working new sales are coming from?) Educators Star-Struck Synonymous Honored Teachers for $18 million Henry Ford's manufacturing revolution Head for Exit depended on reducing work to such simple Uncle Sam, not Santa Claus, delivered It is reported by people who watch such units that illiterates could perform the func-the year-end goodies, $18.4 million, to be things that a surefire way to end a teaching tions. No more! The long,relentless produc- exact, in Star Schools programs, The big- tion line of standardized toil is about togest recipient was the Iowa Distance Edu- career is to nominate someone as "Teacher of the Year." The problem is that job or become a thing of the past and the "workercation Alliance, in cooperation with the career offers pour in from industry and as machine" with it. Iowa Public Broadcasting Board and the associations, which provide better remu- The factory of the future must be able to Iowa DOE, to establish a statewide learning switch products with little loss of effi-network via two-way interactive fiber op- neration and opportunities than staying in ciency. Workers will need to be flexibletics. the classroom.

-7.73ETISTI The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning IUM FOR IMPROVING So

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cn 2- - °;-:( r- c-) THE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE SELECTOR 0

display units, which contained cameras to send signals as well CCC Guarantee Questioned as video screens to display them. Blue Springs is the first Missouri school district to be certified by EPIE and Others as an America 2000 district. Southwestern Bell's Zeke Robertson says schools could Call it marketing, call it "one-upping" the competition, call it educating; but Computer Curriculum Corporation is guaran-enrich their curriculums through distance learning. "Imagine the impact it would have on students to follow a study unit on teeing that students who use a new multimedia product called science with a distance learning phone call to the botanical SuccessMaker, one of CCC's integrated learning system prod- ucts, will meet performance goals in reading and mathematics.gardens, zoo or science center, providing additional sights and Critics generally ask: Whose performance goals? sounds to reinforce what the class just covered. Says Ken Komoski of EPIE Institute: "Both parties have to Under the plan, all public junior highs, high schools, colleges, agree on some very clear, objective measures of what thatand universities served by Southwestern Bell would be linked to a fiber-optic "superhighway" that would increase distance- guarantee will be. That usually means standardized tests, but more and more people are questioning their value." learning possibilities. The Missouri Public Service Commission will consider the TeleFuture 2 proposal later this year. Competitors in the growing ILS market generally downplayed CCC's money-back offer. Jostens, the largest supplier of ILS, For more info, you can call Scott Hilgeman of Southwestern questioned the value of getting money back for those studentsBell in St. Louis at 314 247-4613. who don't measure up and have lost a year. One recurring criticism is that ILSes of the past were just Computers Designed for Schools sophisticated versions of pencil and paper worksheets. "Gener- EduOuest, an IBM Company, introduced a new line of ally the software in these systems is not as good, imaginative, orpersonal computers this January, developed specially for the challenging as much ofthe standalone software," says Komoski,school environment: the EduQuest Models Thirty, Forty, and noting that savvy school districts will want only those lessons on Fifty. They can be customized to fit the needs of a specific the ILS that are in the school's curriculum. district, school, or classroom. EduQuest says it made an effort to get input from its . customers, to produce a new generation of computers with the functions educators and students find most valuable. Software Educators can order computers which are customized for their particular school and classroom needs. For example, with and up to 20MB of memory; with or without a CD-ROM drive; with Token Ring, Ethernet, or no networking capabilities; with or without a 128MB optical drive; with or without the audio Technology subsystem; and with a choice of 85, 129 or 212MB hard disk. Since most options are offered as built-in features, the need for external peripherals and excessive wiring and cabling is elimi- Distance Learning Demo nated. Responding to inquiries from the Blue Springs School Dis- The new computers have special features to suit them for the trict in Missouri, Southwestern Bell Telephone hosted a three-school environment. For example, a diskette dustshield helps city demonstration of "distance learning" technology this Janu-ensure that chalk dust does not enter the computer and cause ary, using the telephone network to transmit audio and videodamage. The mouse features a roller-guide ball which cannot signals for enriching education. be removed without a special tool, and a variety ofkeyboards are The three-way videoconference connected Southwesternavailable, including the popular space-saver keyboard, as well Bell's headquarters building, One Bell Center in downtown St. as one with an integrated trackball. Louis; James Lewis Elementary School in Blue Springs; and The front panel design includes two headphone jacks, one officials from the Missouri Department of Education in Jeffersonmicrophone jack, volume control, and a built-in speaker. Each City, the state capital. computer has bolt-down capability as a security measure. Representatives from education, government, and business The new series is compatible with IBM's PS/2 computers, took turns transmitting and receiving through the interactivewhich means it may not be fully compatible with other IBM continued on following page

SCISSGESS Update Febtuary 1993 page 6 compatibles.The Models Thirty, Forty and Fifty will be Apple Printers for Big Bucks available to educators in April starting at the following "national Apple's new entries in ink-jet color and 600 dpi laser printers educator discount prices:" Model Thirty, starting at $987 with are not for the average school budget even though the results are paltry 1MB RAM and no audio; Model Forty, starting at $1,469 impressive. The Apple Color Printer lists at $2,349; it has some with 4MB and no audio; and Model Fifty, starting at $1,634 withgood features (ability to print 11x17, for example) but has not 4MB and no audio.For the name of the nearest EduQuest solved the slowness of the process and works only with Macs. representative, call 800 769-TEAC. On the laser side: the Apple LaserWriter Pro 600 (list $2,099) and the LaserWriter Pro 630 (list $2,529). Sound Investment Audio-visual experts have long contended that the two Docs Love Palmtops elements are equally important for maximum retention; and With 25% or more ofmedical costs coming from administra- certainly sound is becoming an essential part of many newtive paperwork, there is hope that clipboards and papers may be software programs. Most audio systems in DOS-based comput-on the way out in hospitals. Doctors are being provided with ers sound like spring frogs; to get the most out of the softwarepalmtop computers that not only provide instant updates on the it is necessary to add a sound card. patient but also give the doctor instant access to medical As you know from your stereo, you get what you pay for.information which can be used to diagnose and prescribe right Highly popular is Sound Blaster at $149.50 list, and Soundat bedside. Blaster Pro at $299.95 list; and if you pay list, we'd like to sell Information about the patient can be quickly downloaded you a used car. For more info, you can call Creative Labs ininto a desktop PC so detailed information is available to all who Milpitas, California at 800 998-5227. need it. Anyone who has ever worked in a hospital can tell you how difficult it is to keep the truckloads of information accurate, The Incredible Shrinking Pager up to date, and flowing. Computers save lives! Productivity is the word for the nineties and a big part of increasing productivity in an institution is being able to reach A Second Opinionthe Patient's key people instantly. The pager is an inexpensive way to avoid Interactive videodisc programs are coming on the market playing "tewhone tag" and Motorola is making it easier withwhich will provide patients with the pros and cons of various a pager the size of a credit card and only 1/4" thick. Motorola types of medical treatment; e.g., therapy vs. surgery. Prelimi- currently has 80% of the pager market in the U.S. and is thenary studies suggest some patients do better when they know the leader even in Japan. alternatives and have some feeling of control.

Interactive Couch Potatoes Anti-Mischief Software Nine cities will be guinea pigs for anew interactive video and For the 15 million parents who have a computer in the home data service (IVDS) which its enthusiasts suggest will help(compared to 3.5 million in the schools), the desire to have their eliminate TV's reputation as a mindless and passive medium (orchildren learn from the computer is tempered with a fear they "Chewing gum for the mind," as someone put it). will tamper or destroy important files. The uses mentioned, however, seem far from challenging. Edmark of Redmond, Washington, has come up with a Interactive video, we learn, will allow viewers to test themselves solution for owners of Macintosh Plus with hard disk, System against others in game shows like Jeopardy or to try to out-think6.0.7 or later, or for IBM compatibles that run DOS 3.1 or later. the coach in sporting events. And unfortunately not mentionedCalled Kid Desk, it effectively seals off your rig from little yet is Saturday morning baby-sitter programming that mightexploring fingers while also providing interesting things for kids help the kids learn something. to do. Price: $39.95. Telephone: 206 556-8484.

Tandy Splits Trends in Technology The Tandy Corporation has just split in two parts, Tandy gar Newer, faster chips will increasingly be introduced in Retail (nearly 5,000 company-owned Radio Shack stores) andconsumer and educational technology rather than for large TE Electronics, the new name for its computer and electronicsbusiness and goverment applications. The reason: the cost of a manufacturing side of things. new chip demands an immediate mass market.Good for Behind the split is a belief that superstores such as theireducators since the price gets driven down. experimental Computer City and Incredible Universe are the ar More than 10 million cellular phones are in operation, wave of the future in retailing. At the same time, the surge ofseven years head of predictions. Newer, lighter, cheaper phones interest in pen-based systems and multimedia (Grid and Zoomerand increased emphasis on fiber-optic technology will make are Tandy's entries) present an opportunity for TE to have someinstant communicationsincluding computer networking and exponential growth. online availability of s oftwarepart of the education revolution in the 21st Century.

SCISS \ TESS Update February 1993 72 page 7

Travel Online A Thousand Points of CD-ROM Where in the world do you want to vacation? Worldwide Proofo f sorts that CD-ROM is on its way, is that there is at least Brochures has a new electonic bulletin service which can beone CD-ROM drive installed in every public library in the U.S. used by anyone with a computer and modem for a $12 member-with an annual budget of $100,000 or more - 1,021 of them, to ship fee. The database has everything from travel advisories to be exact. special events and offers of free maps. The bulletin board Market Data Retzeival, Shelton, Connecticut. number is 218 847-3027. For more information: call 800 852- 6752 or write Worldwide Brochures, 1227 Kenneth Street, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 56501. Ethnic News Watch Database Celebrates First Birthday Travel on Disk While some ichool districts are still white bread, urban PC USA and MacUSA, computerized collections of maps,schools are increasingly nam, pita, tortilla, rice noodles, and charts, and data, grades 4-12, are now available from Broderbundchbz (phonetic Arabic), to name but a few. With changing Software. immigration patterns, the number of cultural and ethnic origins The new software features detailed onscreen maps of theto be found in even an average classroom can be considerable. U.S., including instant profiles of all 50 states. A 141-pageOne L.A. school reportedly had some 60 different languages Teacher's Guide includes lesson plans, reproducible worksheets,with which to contend. and suggestions for a variety of creative projects, activities, and For educators face.i w:th the need for accurate, timely exercises. School editions list at $69.95; Lab Packs, $139.95.information on ethni. r ..itters, a recently formed database, Site and network licenses: Mac, $695.00; IBM, $595.00. Ethnic News Watch, is helpful.The complete 1992 ENW database on CD-ROM contRins more than 40,000 full-text ar- Bookshelves on Disc ticles, in both English and Spanish, compiled from more than 75 sources. Currently only U.S. sources are used, but this will be Walnut Creek CD-ROM has a new item entitled Desktopexpanded to include Latin American and Canadian publications Library which includes the complete text of 2,334 works ofas weil. Typical titles: Armenian Reporter, Irish America, La literature. Priced at a modes: $39.95, it contains more literary Voz Hispaiia, Seminole Tribune, Jewish Exponent, Sho Ban classics than any other CD-ROM disc produced so far. News, Polish-American Journal and Navajo Nation Today. As the publisher points out, it would take a small fortune to The publishers assure us the search has been simplified and get all the books contained in Desktop Library. Fully indexedthe CD-ROM discs are updated monthly. A unique feature is that and loaded with ASCII files, the disc is compatible with virtually the service can be purchased in monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly every computer platform. In addition to hundres of novels, thesubscriptions; at considerably less cost, of course, than to disc includes dictionaries, the complete text of the Bible and the subscribe to all the publications themselves. Koran, important speeches, historical documents, U.S. Supreme For more information, contact SoftLine Information, P. 0. Court decisions and thousands of Internet text files. Box 16845, Stamford, Connecticut 08905. Telephone 203 968- For more info on this and other titles from Walnut Creek CD- 8878 or 800 524-7922. ROM, call 800 786-9907. Virus Cure Sensei Adds Algebra Anyone concerned with virus elimination might check into Another in Sensei's math and science series, Algebra has the newest from pioneer virus-killer Digital Dispatch. DDI' s toll been added to Geometry, Calculus, and Physics, programs free number is 800 221-8091. which are published and marketed by Broderbund. Data Physician PLUS!, first sold in 1985, has undergone Algebra is a self-paced tutorial which contains more than continual enhancement and is now recognizing more than 1,800 1,500 problem sets and covers a full year's coursework. Two real-world viruses including variants. features distinguish Algebra from the usual textbook and chalk- According to Eric Hansen, Director of Development, virtu- talk, note the publisher: animated explorations and immediate ally all other major virus hunters use simple string searches to feedback. Since it moves at the student's own pace, Algebra can locate viruses, an approach which causes false alerts and unre- be used as an extension of classwork, a refresher course, or a liable virus removal. private tutor, and is particularly useful with students who need To overcome this limitation. DDI completely disastembles remedial work or for those who want to accelerate learning. each new virus and runs it within a proprietary virus-testing Two special packages are available to educators: School environment where it is completely mapped, including modifi- Editions (Teacher's Guide and one set of backup disks) for cations. Hansen also notes that Data Physician PLUS! has the 599.95; and Lab Packs (Teacher's Guide and five sets of ability to restore original files, after viruses have been removed, program disks) for $199.95. Telephone 415 382-4400. without deletions or damage.

SCISS \ TESS Update February 1993 Page 8

(Second ofTwo Parts) Mac School District Student Management Chancery Software The Latest of TESS Administrative Software: Student Records Provides a balance between central control and site-based manage- Programs ment. Within the district, each school site operates independently using Mac School Student information System and connects to DSM by (Chiefly for the Macintosh) modems or by a wide-area network. Compiles individual school's data into a consolidated distr ict database, providing central office personnel for with immediate access to complete student, teacher, and course information. Price depends on number of schools; contact supplier for Teachers and details. Network version available. Macintosh Plus. Administrators from Mac School Fund Accounting Chancery Software MacroMind to Work Administrative Software: Financial Accountin& Fund Accounting A powerful single- or mutti-user district system which meets the accounting needs of public and private schools. Modules are available individually or as a complete solution: General Accounting, Purchasing, Remote Requisitioning, Invoicing, Personnel. Payroll, Budget Develop- ment, Activity Accounting, Asset Register. Cash Management, and Financial Statement Generator. The fully integrated database is pro- MacroMind Director tected by a multi-level password system. Initial data entry is easy with Macromedia the ASCII Import/Export utility, which allows the chart of accounts, Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators vendors, debtors, and student files to be transferred to and from other A multimedia authoring tool for creating distributed interactive mini, mainframe, or micro platforms. Network version available. app lications, presentations, and animation that 5e. controlled by the Macintosh SE user or viewer. Includes QuickTime capabiltties. Supplementary CD- ROM available for which CD-ROM drive is required. Tutorial included. Macintosh Plus. MaC School Library/Advance Booking Chancery Software MacSchedule Administrative Software: Library Administration; Circulation Mainstay Mac School Library is a calendar-based integrated catalog and circulation Administrative Software:General-Purpose Software; Project Managers system designed specifically for school libraries. The user-friencIty Automates the design and creation of Gantt-type schedule charts. interface of the Macintosh makes it easy for both staff and students to Users work directly with the schedule graphics instead of working wit h utilde the library's resources. The multi-user version enables libraries a classic numeric Interface. Facilitates status tracking: work progress, to concurrently run multiple online public-access stations and check early and late starts, and schedule slips are automatically handled. out books at circulation stations. Mac School Advance Booking provides Schedules can be quarterly, monthly, bimcnthly, weekly, daily, or free-a date-based reservation and checkout system for school and district form. lime-to-go and elapsed tim e can also be displayed. Sta ndard stop, resource centers. It offers all of the features of a cataloging and start, and milestone symbols are provided, or users can create custom circulation system and generates daily picking lists and shipping labels symbols. Includes an integrated spreadsheet capability which allows automatically. user to enter and graph resource or financial data on the same page Macintosh Plus. as a schedule. Macintosh Plus. MacTAG MacSchedule PLUS Nisus Software Mainstay Class Management Aids: Grades and Recordkeeping Administrative Software:General-Purpose Software; Project Managers Can process class files for up to 1,000 students. Has a powerful built- Automates the design and creation of Gantt-type schedule charts. in editor and can compute grades based on assignments, test scores, Users work direcdywith the schedule graphics instead of working with or points in less than a minute. Various grading options allow item a classic numeric interface. Facilitates status tracking: work progress, weight adjustment to determine final grades. Generates random, early and late starts, and schedule slips are automatically handled. confidential ID numbers. Schedules can be quarterly, monthly, bimonthly, weekly, daily, or free- Macintosh 51 2E, $65. fo rm. Time-to-go and elapsed time can also be displayed.Standard stop, start, and milestone symbols are provided, or users can create custom symbols. Includes an Integrated spreadsheet capability which allows users to enter and graph resource or financial data on the same page as a schedule. Charts can be printed on a LaserWriter or ImageWriter, and can be exported to any desktop publishing program for Inclusion In proposals and reports. Macintosh Plus.

SCISSWESS Uixlate February 1993 7 4 Page 9

MetaDesign Microsoft PowerPoint Meta Software Microsoft Administrative Software: Generalded Tool Programs Comprehensive: Generalded Tool Programs; Multi-Function Tools A powerful flowcharting tool that helps users to think, plan, and A complete desktop presentations program. Users can create black produce diagrams, flowcharts, and organizational charts quickly and and white or color overheads and flip charts or full-color 35mm easily. Understands when objects in a diagram are related. When the slides. Creates hard copy. Allows users to view and rearrange user connects one object to another, they stay connected. When presentation. Includes full-featured word processor and spelling objects are moved or resized, automatically recreates all associated checker. text, connectors, and subordinate objects. Hierarchical structure Macintosh Plus. enables the transfer of detail to subpages, thus providing the ability to link specific objects to hundreds of logically-linked pages. Users can create or edit text anywhere in their diagrams. Every object. Including MindUnk Problem Solver connectors, can contain text. Even hypertext links can be established MindLink across pages. Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Macintosh Plus, $250; IBM PC and compatibles, $350. A creadve problem-solving and idea-generation package. Includes Aha Bag, a bag of creativity objects, and the Innovators Handbook. hYperCard is included. Micro Phone 11 4.0 Macintosh Plus, IBM PC and compatibles, $299. Software Ventures Comprehensive Generalized Tool Programs; Telecommunications Tools An advanced telecommunication package used to retrieve information Mock Package Macintosh Plus Utilities from online services, participate in office-to-office business reporting, CE Software and exchange data with other computer users. Includes a powerful Comprehensive: Generalded Tool Programs; Multi-Function Tools script editor and supports HyperCard 2.0 XCMDs and XFCNs. The A professional desk accessory set that includes I 0 useful programs; program supports XMODEK YMODEM, YMODEM-G, ZMODEM, Kermit,MockTerminal Is a complete terminal package, MockWrite is a text and CompuServe's Quick-B file-transfer protocols and supplies termi- editor, MockPrinter will print files in the background, MockChart nal emulation for TTY, VT52, VT100, VTI02, VT220. VT320. and IBM PC- converts tables into charts, EZ-Menu provides an alternative to ANSI. A new showcase front end called Loran is also included. ContaCtpulldown menus, Aask will selectively turn on and off startup utilities, company bor volume pricing. Control-I enables the user to specify which Control Panel device is Macintosh Plus, $85. active when the Control Panel is opened, FolderShare changes the privilege default settings when creating new folders in AppleShare, LoserStatus monitors the use of LaserWriter and PostScript printers, Micro Planner KeyPlan and Widgets is a potpourri of utility functions. Micro Planning International Macintosh 512E. $49.95. Administrative Software: General-Purpose Software; Project Managers A feasibility/proposal writing tool. To get started, a user jots down a few ideas with the Integrated Outliner. Information put into the More Outliner is instantly transformed into a Gantt chart or a PERT chart. Symantec The user can then click and drag tasks into place. User can enhance Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators reports by cutting and pasting text or graphics, or customizing GanttAn organdation tool with full presentation capability. Can easily create symbols. KeyPlan's Optimizer tells instantly the schedule and cost bullet, tree, pie, and bar charts from an outline. Notes and ideas can impact of any changes made. Fulty compatible with Micro Planner quickly be turned into overheads, reports, 35mm slides, or even on- Manager. Allows import and export of all fields and is System 7 screen presentations. Integrated outlining, word processing, and compatible. desktop presentations help with every aspect of organizing and Macintosh Plus, $149.40. communicating ideas.Advanced stylesheets maximize designs that may later be recalled from a library. Macintosh Plus, $99. Micro Planner Manager Micro Planning International Administrative Software: General-Purpose Software; Project Managers Peachy Gradebook Mac For the management of projects of up to 1,000 tasks. Builds projects Rutledge Computing from PERT, Gantt, outline, or table formats. Customizes screens, Class Management Aids: Grades and Recordkeeping reports, and chart symbols. Users can click and drag on Gantt to modify A gradebook for the Mac. Students identified by name or number. durations or enter progress, and the change is automatically reflected Versatile reporting of grades. Graphical analysis of grade distributions. in all project views. Features graphical work breakdown structure; Keeps records. Trial copy $5. multiple project analysis, including subproject roll-up, Inter-project Macintosh 512E, $30. links, and u-ue multiple-project resource analysis, as well as earned- value costing. Can exchange data with X-pert, MP1's project-manage- ment software, both DOS and Windows versions. Reads MacProjectand InstaPlan files; System 7 compatible. Macintosh Plus, $417.

SC1SS\TESS Update February 1993 page 10

Podium Curriculum Manager Project Scheduler 5 Ideal Learning Scitor Comprehensivc ClassMarragementAids;InstnictionalManagementSystems Administrative Software: General-Purpose Software; Project Managers A flexible and open management system. Provides management of An interactive CPM project-management system which provides sched- courseware developed by Ideal Learning as well as third-party soft- uling, resource, and cost planning capabilities through a high-resolution ware. Will manage software for Macintosh and Apple II studentgraphical user interface with full mouse support. Features include stations. Teachers can create their own scope and sequence to meet Gantt charts with annotation options; network diagrams; tree struc- the needs of their students. Standard or custom reports can be tures; resource histograms; cost curves; WBS and FF.SS. FS predecessor displayed or printed to meet the needs of teachers, administrators, and relationships with lead/lag; free, total, and leveling; resource holidays; parents. Each student works Independently, and the program maintains baseline; actual start and finish dates; actual units/costs; filtering; a complete record of all work done on the system. sortinv block editing; batch reporting; plotter support; PostScript Macintosh Plus, $6,500. support; and importing/exporting of data. $695. Precision Fund Accounting System (PFAS) Precision Computer Systems Qu:sitor Test Generator Program Administrative Software: Financial Accountin& Fund Accounting Prentice Hall A fully Integrated, easy-to-use fund accounting system for school Mathematics: Algebra districts. Provides financial managers with control, analysis, p ower, and Grades 7-12 flexibility while following traditionally accepted accounting principles A program which correlates with the Prentice Hall secondary text- and procedures. Modules included are: General Ledger, Accounts books. Usually part of a teacher's resources, it is used to create student Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Purchasing. Can be integrated with tests from a database of questions, with the capability to create the the Precision Personal Management System for automatic payroll general teacher's own files. ledger updating. Encumbrance accounting is a major feature. Many Macintosh Plus, $159.99. reports are already defined. Additional user-defined reports can be created using a criteria selection process. School Work Request/Maintenance Macintosh Plus, $1,995. AD/C Solutions Administrative Software: Buildings and Grounds Precision Inventory Management System (P1MS) Specifically designed for school districts within the state of California. Precision Computer Systems Will manage and track work requests, automatically generate requisi- Administrative Software: Purchasing tions, and schedule preventive maintenance. The budget code field Provides a fast, comprehensive, and organized method for maintaing matches the format used by the state, and all activity can be tracked current records of school district inventory and fixed assets. Tracks by school. Work requests can be monitored by status, in-house and inventory items for an entire fiscal school year. Makes updating this vendor work assignments, start and completion dates, and in-house information quick and simple. Tracks inventory maintained in one or labor and vendor costs. Reduces equipment downtime through more warehouses. Many pre-defined reports. Additional reports can scheduled preventive maintenance with automatically-generated work be created using a criteria selection process. orders. The system comes with a very flexible, easy to use, ad hoc Macintosh Plus, $795. reporting capability. Macintosh Plus, $1,595; Preventive Maintenance Module, $995. Precision Personnel Management System (PPMS) Precision Computer Systems SchoolWorks: Department Head Administrative Software: Employees MicroMedia Publishing Provides an easy-to-use, comprehensive personnel database for cer- Administrative Software: Employees tified, classified, non-contract, and substitute employees. IncludesThe most appropriate templates for a department chair. Templates many useful features such as personnel absences, substitute work included are: inventory, teacher observation, evaluation, and syllabus. records, and personnel evaluation. A payroll module is integrated in Comes with free site license. Requires Microsoft Works. Network PPMS for use with the Precision FundiAccountIng System. Many reports version available. are already defined In PPMS. Additional user-defined reports can be Apple 11+IllellIcIllgs, Madntosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $75. created using a criteria selection process. Macintosh Plus, $995. ScreenShare 1.1 White Knight Software Precision School Management System (PSMS) Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Precision Computer Systems A network utility for demonstrating computer programs and tech- Administrative Software: Student Records niques in a Macintosh computer lab. When activated by the instructor, Maintains records for students, classes, employees, attendance, sched- the program temporarily suspends the programs running on student uling, discipline, standardized test scores, special education, language computers and freezes their keyboards, allowing the instructor to gain assessment scores, Immunization history, and free/reduced lunch. the attention of students. It then "broadcasts" in real time the Daily updating of these records Is simple and instantaneous. Provides instructor's computer screen to the screens of all the other lab a comprehensive and organized method for maintaing student records computers, enabling students to see on their own screens exactly what relating to the management of schools. Many reports are already is displayed on the instructor's computer. Price shown is for a defined, Additional user-defined reports can be created using a criteria classroom complement selection process. of computers. Macintosh Plus, $995; with scanner input program, $1,245. Macintosh 5 1 2E, $329.

SCISS\TESS Update February 1993 ."! n C.) page 11

37m - Student Information Management System trACE CalGen Computer Solutions trACE Development Center AdmMistrative Software: Student Records; Multi-function Programs Administrative Software: Planning A complete system designed for managing student informaton and for The trACECalGen program is a planningtool forthe generation of school assisting schools in making wise decisions. Provides a system for calendars. To create a calendar, the user selects the year the school managing a master schedule, student data, grades, attendance, and calendar is to start. A series of 24-month calendars are generated discipline incident records. Allows scheduling of students as individuals starting from January of the year selected and ending with Detember or groups while maintaining even class loads. Multi-term, allowing of the following year. The user can scroll through the calendar months. schools to do course planning for students into future terms. Includes Individual days can be easily marked as minimal day, teacher day, flexible reports. multiple formats for report cards, analysis of course comment, comp day, holiday, vacation, term begin, or end-of-year.After requests, student credits and goals, summary and statistical reporting marking the beginning and ending of the school year, a days-in-year field of attendance, grades, enrollment, student body profiles, and much is automatically updated, allowing the user to try out various school- more. Contains multiple security levels. Network version available. year configurations. As terms are added, an additional scrolling field Is Macintosh Plus, $1,799. activated listing how many days are in each term. Comments can be added to the days, and may be printed vertically into columns of the Surfside Solution rollbook reports. Designed to handle the needs of traditional as well as Surfside Software year-round schools.Will support up to six tracks Ina year-round school Administrative Software: Student Records calendar. Will print three types of calendars: one month to a page, two A complete school administration package made up of six modules: months to a page, and a bar-type calendar for year-round schools. Database, Scheduling, ReportCard, Attendance, Discipline, and Tran- Network version available. scripts. Modules are available as separate units or as a complete Macintosh Plus, $99. package. Network version available. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatible& trACE RollBook trACE Development Center Teacher's Roilbook Administrative Software: Student Records; Attendance Current Class Productions Assists teachers or a central office with marking and reporting student Class Management Aids: Grades and Recordkeeping attendance. Special attention has been given to meeting the reporting A comprehensive student record-keeping and gradebook system. needs of year-round schools and special education. Student and teacher Records student contact information, calculates grades, reports stu- information can be entered manually or imported from tab delineated dent attendance, documents special assignments and disciplinary text files. Can export data to lab delineated text files. Reads a calendar actions, tracks materials checked out to students, and generates file created by the trACE CalGen program. Can be used either as a central numerous reports and form letters. Each data file can handle 693 office tracking tool or as a teacher tool. If It Is used as a teacher tool, students and 99 grades per student. Information is available from 20 rollbook files from many teachers can be merged together to create a reports including class size, birthdays, and reminders. Prompt screens central office rollbook file. throughout the program make this utility easy to use, especially for Macintosh Plus, $300. teachers with large numbers of students. Macintosh 512E, $44.95. trACE System trACE Development Center Test Designer Supreme Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Lesson Planning Super School Software Consists of several management progrms for teachers: Curriculum Comprehensive: Drill and Test Generators Navigator is an electronic curriculum authoring and distribution tool Comes complete with automatic math question generator, foreign which allows teachers to look up teaching strategies in the trACE languages, and sample graphics. Included are all the tools for test-making Strategy Bank; GradeBook provides teachers a tool to gather assignment and test-taking. Imports sounds and graphics; printing, page layout, and information, monitor student progress and demonstrate proficiency print preview included. Question types include group, dynamic, true/ with respect to educational objectives; RoliBook assists teachers or a false, multiple choice, completion, and short answer. Keeps records. central office with marking and reporting attendance; Test Generator Network version available. enables teachers easily to create paper tests and keys; and Calendar Macintosh 512E, $199.95. Generator assists the administrator in creating a school calendar up to two years long. Also includes programs that print student activity TimeMaker sheets: PT Spell, PT Math, and MathSheet. These programs support each First Wave other and Interact with the K-I2 set of educational outcomes provided Administrative Software: General-Purpose Software on a CD-ROM disc as modified by the district or school. Macintosh Plus, A time and contact management system which replaces manual $1,000; site license, $2,000. organizers. Prints calendars, prioritzed daily schedules, and address lists on plain paper, ready to place In a zipper binder. Automatically creates The Voyager Videostack optimized schedules based on time estimates and assigned priorities. The Voyager Company Uncompleted Items are automatically rescheduled. Auto-dialing, mall/ Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools merge with form letters, envelope and label printing, and comprehen- User can develop educational Interactive applications that access the sive correspondence histories Improve contact management. Notes visual and audio information on any off-the-shelf videodisc. Comes with regarding meetings and action items may be entered and printed. May 35 ready-made buttons that can be custorr*zed or added directly to be used effectively with PowerBooks, or reports may be placed In zipper user's stack. Includes suggestions on how to create interactive work, binder which the administrator may take anywh ere. HyperCard included. as well as solutions to common problems. Macintosh Plus, $149. Macintosh, $99.95.

SCISSVTESS Update February 1993 77 page 12 home or business.Because all the hardware and software Work Request and Asset Management applications and drivers are pre-installed, the systems are said AD/C Solutions to be easy to set up. Upon booting, the user is presented with Administrative Software: Buildings and Grounds Windows icons for each installed applicationwhether loaded Allows school maintenance departments to manage and track work on the hard drive or CD-ROMand can immediately launch any requests and to schedule preventive maintenance. Work requests can be monitored by status, in-house and vendor work assignment, start of them. and completion dates, or in-house labor and vendor costs. Provides the Tom Martin, Dell's vice president of marketing, said, "Our capability to report on historical activity and perform cost analysis by customers have impressed upon us that setting up multimedia work order, equipment, project, cost center, building, or vendor. systems can be an overwhelming task, even for the most Reduces equipment downtime through scheduled preventive mainte-technically adept user, so being truly ready-to-run is one of the nance, with work orders being automatically generated based on most valuable features of our multimedia stations." procedures and cycles set up by the user. Information: 800 289-3355. Macintosh Plus, $2,585. IBM Debuts Three New PS/1 Models IBM has added one new model for each of the company's Cool Toys three lines of PS/1 computers: the PS/I Essential line, aimed at the small business market; the PS/1 Expert line, for the more advanced buyer who may already own a PC; and the PS/1 New Library Retrieval System Consultant line, for those who do business or schoolwork at Information Access has announced a new reference systemhome. called TOM Junior designed for the junior and middle school The new desktop systems, all Model 78s, are powered by a library. TOM Junior provides students with the same technology486DX/33 chip and come standard with 8MB of RAM and a found in the TOM General reference system, which is availablebehemoth 211MB hard drive. The new systems come with SVGA for senior high school libraries. color Photo Graphic monitOr(Technosprite. Which is not to say they have The new TOM Junior provides these features: an index toan SVGA cud installed so you can make full use of it1), Selectric keyboard, every article from 57 magazines which junior and middle schoolmouse, and modem. librarians have determined most important; index coverage for They also come pre-loaded with DOS 5.0, Windows 3.1, the most recent three full years of the selected magazines; fullMicrosoft Works, Prodigy software, and Promenade. The text on CD-ROM for all articles from 35 of the indexed maga-various Models 78 also come with software to meet the pre- zines. Both the index and full text are updated monthly. sumed needs of its purchasec the Essential with QuickBooks, Celeste M. Alleyne, public relations manager of InformationQuickPay and Express Publisher, the Expert withAddress Book Access, can be reached at 415 378-5249. Plus, Calendar Creator Plus, and Text Appeal; and the Consult- ant with Quicken for Windows and The New Print Shop. Dell Comouter Premieres Its ::irst Integrated Multimedia System New Multimedia The new Dell OfficeStation, StudentStation, and KidStation Processing Technology are designed to arrive "ready to run" and are based on the In January the 3D0 Company demonstrated a new system, company's recently announced 333s/L and 433s/L personalcalled the Interactive Multiplayer, based on a new graphics/ computers. Prices begin at $1,499 for a complete multimediaanimation architecture, which processes images at 50 times the system. speed of conventional personal computer and video-game ma- "Dell customers can now get pre-packaged multimediachines, using Hollywood techniques to produce realistic, three- solutions with aminimalinvestment of time and money,"dimensional graphics and animation. crowed Joel Kocher, president of Dell. "Factory installation of Designed to be a worldwide standard like VHS, 3D0's all the software and hardware components and our compatibility technology will be available in fall 1993 in a CD version which guarantee will also mean that setting up and using the system attaches to a television set and will offers interactivity options will be as easy as plugging it in and flipping on the switch."for adults and children. A network version is planned. (Technosprite. Yeah. right.) 3D0 says that with its Multiplayers, interactive software will Each system comes standard in a basic hardware configura-have a higher level of realism. They will play music CDs, Photo tion that includes 4MB of RAM, an 80-170MB hard drive, a 3 VP CDs, and motion-video CDs. The technology is said to offer diskette drive, Super VGA monitor, a Sound Blaster or Soundunprecedented processing speed to make on-screen objects look Blaster Pro card and, stereo speakers. This is almost less than more realistic and allow interaction in real-time; the Multiplayer minimal for multimedia, but customers cun add a factory- can animate up to 64 million pixels per second to help images installed CD-ROM drive. move smoothly without any jerkiness or interruption. 16-bit Dell says it has tailored its multimedia rigs for three types ofsystems operate at about one million pixels per second. users: school-age children, students, and adults working in a 0

SCES1TESS Update February 1993 Page13 data path by segmenting data into linked 16-bit chunks; the 80386DX uses a true 32-bit path; hence, it is potentially faster if the software supports a 32- bit bus. At the present time, a 32-bit data path is preferable, but the majority of software and hardware enhancements for multimedia support a 16-bit data path. Consequently, the less expensive 386SX sys- Continued frorn last month tems are satisfactory for presentations, although less satisfactory for development work. What to Look for in a Hypermedia System Video Display. The higher the video resolution, If you are serious about supporting multimedia/the better the quality of the display, but generally the hypermedia applications, you should have the fol-slower the video refresh rate.Full-motion video lowing minimum components: requires fast video processing and more video memory se A relatively fast, powerful computer, for ex-on the video-display controller card. A multimedia ample, a Mac Hsi or an IBM-compatible 386SX/20, orsystem needs a high-resolution video card with at better. least 1 megabyte of onboard video memory. IBM- air Fast, high-resolution color video display with acompatible systems should use color VGA displays: refresh rate of 72MgH or better, and 256-color, VGAthe higher resolution SVGA is preferable. resolution. Drive Access Time. An internal hard disk is still the An 8-bit sound board with a MIDI interface andfastest data source available with seek times as short support for waveform audio.Sixteen-bit soundas 15 milliseconds. CD-ROM drives, by contrast have boards for CD-ROM quality audio are beginning toseek times between 300ms and 1000ms. To run many appear and will set the new standard. of the newer programs with full-motion video and or A large, fast hard disk, at least 80M13, and ideallysound from a CD-ROM drive, the drive seek time must as much as you can afford. Serious developers willbe around 350ms or less. While it is possible to run require 300+MB hard drives. full-motion video from your hard drive, unless you have a fast hard drive with a capacity of around 200 mar Some form of optical storage such as a CD-ROMmegabytes or more, it isn't practical. New data com- drive or laser videodisc player, preferably both. Optpression algorithms and hardware, with software such for the CD-ROM if you can afford only one, but be sureas Apple's Quirialrne, will greatly improve the ability to the "seek time" is less than 380ms. use video from an internal drive. Wir A mouse or other pointing device. Each of these features comes with a price. The Be sure you have enough expansion slots or serialbetter the system, the higher the price. Many of the ports already installed for all of your peripherals; afeatures required for hypermedia applications are mouse, modem, and printer may take as many asincluded in the new color Macintosh systems, mak- three serial ports or slots in addition to the portsing them attractive choices. However, much of the needed for the CD-ROM drive and/or videodisc player.development work for multimedia and hypermedia Any hypermedia-capable system includes bothapplications has been done in the IBM environment, hardware and software components. The most im-so there are many third-party enhancements and portant considerations for hardware selection aremore software products for IBM-compatible PCs. The processing speed, access to sources of digitized infor-choice of a base system is a toss-up and will only mation, and options for displaying presentations.become more complicated as special-purpose multi- Processing speed depends primarily on four factors:media workstations enter the market. If you have an the speed of the central processing unit (CPU); theIBM-compatible 386, stay with your IBM compatibil- bus (data path) width; the video display; and theity: if you have an 030 Macintosh, stay with Apple. If access time of the mass storage drive. you are buying a new system and want a plug-and- Central Processing Unit. Processing the massiveplay package. the IBM PS/2 Ultimedia Model 57 amounts of information used in a hypermedia pre-appears to be a better choice than the comparable sentation requires a fast CPU.[Chip prices haveTandy 4033 LX Multimedia model, because of the fallen so dramatically that now even 486 machineslatter's poor CD-ROM drive performance. If you are are quite inexpensive.) not afraid to open the "box," and have a generous Bus Width. The bus is the data path over whichbudget, opt for a high-end Macintosh with a 100+NI8 information is carried; the wider the path, the fasterhard drive and plenty of expansion slots needed for data can travel. Typical bus widths are 8-, 16-, andall of the third-party interfaces and special purpose 32-bit. The Intel 80386SX CPU supports a 32-bitcards to enhance the basic system. continued on following page

Volume 19, No. 5 February 1993 page 14 In addition to the base system and monitor, you Hypermedia and Multimedia will need some special-purpose peripherals, notably Applications in the Classroom some form of optical mass storage. Your best choice is CD-ROM. The Sony "jewel case" CD-ROM carrier for Arts Videodisc loading disks is widely copied by other manufactur- (excerpted from Schwartz, 1991, 'The Power and ers. Seek time appears to be the primary variable to Potential of Laser Videodisc Technology for Art Edu- be considered in CD-ROM player selection. An inter- cation in the 90s," Art Education, pp. 9-17.) nal CD-ROM is somewhat more convenient for port- ability and slightly less expensive than an external You want to enrich an art lesson by showing your drive, but significantly more difficult to replace. class three or four artworks. You select these from CD-ROM players are on the verge of becomingamong a possible 108.000 artworks which are in- commodity products and are available bundled withcluded on your laser videodisc. Originals of these a wide array of CD-ROM-based products. Currently,artworks can be found in the world's great museums an NEC player and seven CD-ROM disks are being soldand among private collections. This disc costs your as a bundle for $499 by mail order.If you areschool under $100, but would normally cost several considering an NEC player, buy the NEC Intersecthundred thousand dollars if the artworks contained 73M or 83M model, currently the fastest drives avail-were to be purchased as the typical commercially able on the consumer market. Most CD-ROM manu-produced 35mm color slides. facturers also supply interface cards and cables that Afteryou discuss these selections, the equipment, allow their drives to connect to either IBM or Appleconsisting of a TV and a laser videodisc player, is systems. Just be sure you order the one compatiblemoved to a corner of the art room where a small group with your system. of students examine other related artworks in the Pioneer has set the de facto standard for laserfully lighted room, while the remainder of the class videodisc players; the CLD-V2400 is an attractivecontinues with their studio activities. In the after- choice at a reasonable cost. It comes with a remotenoon, individual students will use the published control unit and is compatible with the widely usedcatalog accompanying the disc to retrieve their own 2-of-5 barcoding standard.An infrared barcodechoices of artworks from the disc to prepare a written scanner and remote controller provide limitedreport and audio-visual presentation to their class. Interactivity, which Pioneer calls Level 1.5. The 2400Later in the week you will hook up a computer to this also allows the user to play 12" and 8" laser video-equipment to present to your entire class an episode discs, 3" and 5" CD audio discs, and 5" CD video discs,consisting of still images of artworks, film clips. making it the most flexible system on the market. narration, text, and music. You have created this Video camcorders and videotape players mustepisode by programming various resources with a incorporate SIMPIE coding for multimedia produc-simple computer authoring system using Hyper- tion work to allow accurate frame recognition andCard. A number of students who are away on a field easy editing. If you expect to use television images,trip will be able to view and interact with this episode either from live broadcasts or videotape, the videoat their own pace upon returning to your class. card must accept NTSC and PAL format input. Simi- Alberta Education is the only provincial or state larly, sound cards should accept and recognize MIDIdepartment of education in North America that, to coding. Developers of multimedia materials usingdate, has produced a laser videodisc to assist teach- images from videotape often find a system builters in implementing new school art programs. around the Amiga computer to be the most cost-Sightlines: A Visual Encyclopedia for the Arts, Sci- effective solution. ences, and Humanities includes original and copy- New hardware and software products useful forrighted materials as a resource for teaching art, multimedia and hypermedia applications are arriv-dance, social studies, sciences, language arts, and ing on the market daily. Hypermedia still remainsother subjects. As a database. Sightlines provides a more of an adventure than most classroom teacherswealth of information that can be used as a primary will be willing to tackle. The technology push willcomponent in a presentation, as a complement or continue to dominate the market for another three tosupplement to other media, for personalized interac- five years until the hardware platform matures andtive use, or as research and reference material. stabilizes.Nevertheless, there are a number of Side One (CAV format) contains 26,000 images outstanding hypermedia/multimedia applicationsconsisting of world art, Canadian art, Alberta art, in use in school districts. The three following ex-student art, earth and earth sciences, flora and amples provide a look at the variety or applicationsfauna, people and the manufactured environment, available. space (including outer space, microscopic space and molecular models), and photographic processes. continued on following page -72rjrarn The Newsletter o f Syskmic Change a . page 15 4111=MIP Side Two (CLV format) contains running segments Distance Learning Sourcebook with sound consisting of film, video, and slide/tape If Distance Learning seemeth but a distant dream, this on several subjects along with the well-known BBCbook with the snappy title The U.S. Distance Learning flim series Ways of Seeing by John Berger. Association Funding Source Book, might be right for you. The disc sells for approximately $75 to AlbertaAuthoritative and complete, it discusses developments in schools and has a companion published accessdistance learning and telecommunications; and, most catalog (about the size of a city telephone directory)importantly, lists funding sources for projects. that permits retrieval of disc materials through cross- The call is free: 800 829-344)0; the book is not: $39.95. referenced documentation. A separate HyperCard stack, available commercially, has been developed to Yearbooks Dying permit interactive instructional use. For additional According to Jostens, the largest producer of school information, contact the Director. Curriculum Sup-yearbooks, technology and ennui are killing off the busi- port Branch. Alberta Education, 11160 Jasper Av-ness. Videotapes are becoming a preferred medium in enue, Edmonton. Alberta T5K 0L2. Canada. tele-some schools, and desktop publiglying by students is doing phone 403 422-4872. away with the need for professionals. Also, magazine formats seem to have more appeal to students than once- a-year bound volumes. U.S. Remainders Official Publications Tagooki School districts can get official government books at low cost under a new program established to sell surplus publications to the highest bidder. These books include Golden government publications in international relations, com- Want to feel old? This is the 50th Anniversary of themerce, law, space exploration, and history. Little Golden Books and twelve of them are being reis- The scope is extremely varied and includes official sued, including the all-time favorite, The Poky Littledocuments of U.S. treaties and relations with other coun- Puppy (14 million copies). tries, reports to the President from many agencies, and Originally priced at 25 cents eachcompared to $3 andtitles designed for the Foreign Service to help develop $4 for most children's books thena boxed set of twelveskills in foreign languages. (six of the original and six classics) will now go for $19.95. For more information and to be placed on the bid list, Single copies still go for under a buck. call Joel A. Hettger at 202 512-0937 or write Surplus Publications, Materials Management Service, U.S. Gov- Helping Handbook ernment Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20401. Handbook for Principals and Teachers: A Collabora tive Approach for Effective Involvement of Volunteers is a It's Not Just Killing Zomboids useful guide which provides training models on how to Everything you always wanted to know but were too involve volunteers for maximum contribution with mini-bored to ask about why kids play video games is contained mum stress. $15 from the National Association of Part.in a new book by Eugene Provenzo from Harvard Univer- ners in Education, 209 Madison Street, Suite 401, Alexan-sity Press. dria, Virginia 22314. Telephone 703 836-4880. Some highlights: Kids at arcades spend less than half their time playing; the rest is spent just hanging out. Mining the Money Sources Males dominate video games, both as pluers and charac- The $6 price for the 1993-4 edition of The Ambitiousters. Of 100 games analyzed, 92 had no female roles, six Student's Guide to Financial Aid could be a very goodhad "damose Is in distress," and only two had female leads. investment. Written by Ann and Robert Leider, it's a no-If girls go to arcades, it is usually to admire their boy- nonsense look at how and where the ambitious studentfriends' prowess. can get help. 117 pp., $6 paper, Octameron Press, P. 0. Violence is the prime ingredient of most video games Box 2748, Alexandra, Virginia 22301. and there is a definite relation between the games and short-term increased aggression on the part of some Voice of the Teacher players. However, there is little evidence that playing Teachers: T h e Missing V o i c e in Educational Policy andcontributes to long-term deviant behavior. Practice, by Marilyn M. Cohn and Robert B. Rottkamp. As to why they are so hypnotic, no one knows for sure. Frustration and struggle in teachers' own words. 358 pp.,Part of the appeal may be that there are clear goals, $19.95 paper, State University of New York Press, Statevariable difficulty, randomness and surprises, and con- University Plaza, Albany, New York 12246. structive feedback plus instantaneous measurement of performance. Volume 19, No. 5 February 1993 81 The states with the five lowest per capita incomes in 1991 and ese are rose their ranking by percentage of income spent on education: 50) Mississippi, 13th; 49) West Virginia, 9th; 48) Utah, 5th; 47) 011111111.. Arkansas, home of the latest Education President, 30th; and 46) New Mexico, 6th. rei Many Kids As U.S. population increases from the current 255 million to a projected 383 million by the year 2050, the estimated number of Americans under age 18 will increase by 5 million by the year 2000 to a total of 70 million; and this will increase an additional 18 million by 2050 to almost 90 million. By the year 2000, the count ofelementary school-age children will reach 32 million (up 4 million), with 44 million by 2050. High-school population will be up to 17 million by 2005 and Parents Important nearly 20 million by 2050. Tne 18-21 age group, which will enter Young people from single-parent families or stepfamiles are college, workforce, or the military, is expected to reach an all- two to three times mare likely to have had emotional or behavioral time high of 17.8 million by 2010.U.S. Census Bureau. problems than those who have had both oftheir biological parents present in the home. In past 30 years, the divorce rate has tripled; Achievers Imperilled out-of-wedlock births have quadrupled even as fertility has Alarming stats from survey by Who's Who Among American dropped almost 50%; and parents spend ever less and less time High School Studaus of students with A and B averages, 97% of with children. whom intend to go to college: 31% have considered suicide; 40% have reported incidents of violence in their school; 25% are French Windows sexually active; and 41% would engage in sexual intercourse European sales of North American software increased 33% in without protection. the third quarter of 1992 to a total of $380 million, a 20% growth rate for the year. Windows applications accounted for 58% of Principals Depart sales, while plain DoS applications declined to 32%. Macintosh For those who consider administrators one of the barriers to held steady with a pitiable 8%. By contrast, Windows accounted educational reform, the news that some 25% of the nation's for 32% ofthird quarter sales in North America, compared to 46% 76,000 secondary school principals have retired in the last five for DOS and 17% for Macintosh. years may seem like an opportunity to change this traditional bastion, whose minions are mostly drawn from physical educa- States Soaked tion departments (an estimated 70% nationally). According to the Census Bureau, on average states provide According to the National Association of Secondary School 48% ofsupport to elementary and secondary schools, with county Principals, normal attrition coupled with "golden handshakes" to and city governments a close second at 47%. Federal support is speed early retirement, have caused the departure. a vanishing third with 6%.Amounts ranged considerably, however, with $9 out of every $10 coming from local financial support in the District of Columbia, compared to $ I of every $25 Mediocre Safeguarded in Hawaii. A recent Gallup Poll indicates three in five Americans (61%) feel schools should do more to challenge the smarter student. Big Spenders However, 77% don't want to lose support for the slow learners and this included parents of gifted children. Another survey, this The states with the five highest per capita incomes in 1991 and by the National Association for Gifted Children, found 84% their ranking by percentage of income spent on education: 1) would support funding for the gifted as long as it did not reduce Connecticut, 45th; 2) New Jersey, 39th; 3) New York, 10th; 4) support for average and slow children. Maryland, 47th; 5) District of Columbia, 40th. 0 EFEgram BULK RATE Software and Systems for Learning U.S. POSTAGE P. 0. Box 28 PAID PERMIT NO. 38 Greenport, New York 11944 GREENPORT, NY 11944 M. Nancy R. Preston,User Services ERIC Clearinghouseon Information F Schl of Infor Studies,Schl of Educ 030 Huntington Hall,Syracuse Unive Syracuse NY 13244-2340

C. The Newsletter of Software and Systems EFE9rarn for Learning Volume 19, Number 6 March 1993

superhighway for dataall datawould do what Electronic the transcontinental railroad did for the flow of goods more than a century ago and the interstate highway system did in the past fifty years. Superhighway With such a network, not only schools but entire communitiesindeed, the entire nation Needed Now! would have access to all information. Everything can be digitizedall educational material, fea- When history looks back on the Clinton ad- ture-length movies, complex blueprints, all known ministration, one of its most important achieve- medical information, music, games, and other ments may well be the building of the "electronic entertainment. Everything. superhighway" for data.If it happensand it The ramifications of such an electronic super- mustit will also be a tribute to the single- highway would create a revolution in how we live mindedness of Vice President Gore, whowas far greater than the invention of the automobile championing its construction during his days in or the transistor. Health care, to pick but one Congress. (Interestingly, it was his father who area, would become immensely more efficient, was behind the national interstate system of since X rays and other images would be instantly superhighways of the concrete and macadam available for diagnosis by faraway specialists. variety.) Actually, an information highway, car ;c1 Scientists and corporations would soon learn to Internet, already exists. use it as an electronic blackboard. National priorities being what they are, the The data highway can be expected to change Department of Defense put up the original money the way manufacturers work with customers and in the 1970s for an experimental network called suppliers through reducing inventories and Arapanet. designed to survive such large-scale speeding up product design in response to accu- disasters as a nuclear attack. rate analysis of consumer needs.It is also In the late 1980s, the National Science Foun- expected to create entirely new industries. dation, building on lessons learned from Arapanet, One big problem is that the project might get developed Internet, a prototype network to link talked to death. The battle lines are forming colleges and universities to supercomputer sites already. Some want it to be government-spon- and to one another. Even though Internet isa sored; some want it in the private sector. Vice difficult system, it is estimated thata million President Gore, who can be expected to be the people worldwide make use of it daily. voice of the Clinton Administration in this area, Efforts are underway to make Internetmore believes the government should build the elec- accessible by treating it as the world's largest tronic superhighway but have it operated as a library. Texas. Colorado, and Virginia are begin- continued on page 14 ning to make an effort to link schools to the network. Some want to promote its electronic- SCISSTTESS Update mail potential.Others are concerned that the Begins on Page 5 system could soon be overloaded. Indeed. Internet has grown exponentially into The Latest Software a matrix of more than 9.000 interlocking net- forTeachers works working over (slow) telephone linesin more than 100 countries. and Administrators. Perhaps the prime virtue of Internet for most from TESS! educatorsthe network is considered rather primitive in terms of today's technolog1esis that Five Big Pages Saturated it shows what can and must be done. A national wtth Program Data and Descriptions page 2 Cbttortat

On Productivity software applica tons may finally be showing throughin a significant increase in laborproductivity." and Innovation A key indicator is that, for the first fime,productivity has increased without an increase inemployment. As we go to press, there are numerous expertsAlso, profits have made a strong comeback without any predicting the '90s may be a growth decade...If. similar leap in sales; and this is as true in the service area The "if" seems to be whether or not we areable toas in manufacturing. be a key integrate our technological innovationsandtheir po- it seems to us that productivity is going to tential to increase productivityinto our society.Themeasurement for everyoneincludingeducatorsfor reasoning is that it takes longer for us to get used to newthe rest of the decade and beyond. As notedelsewhere technology than optimists might hope. (No argumentin this issue, only 25% of adults havechildren going to the bill from we who wait impatiently for education tojoin theschool; that other 75% who are helping to pay productivity in Informafion Age.) have begun to question the lagging An earlier period of intense innovation, forexample,education. of Joe the 1860s to 1880s (telephone, typewriter,electric light Perhaps this is a good time to recall the quote and power) did not affect productivity untilthe lateLewis before his title bout with a fighternamed Conn. he can't 1890s and early 1900s. "He can run," said the slow-talking Lewis, "but In a somewhat parallel fashion, the trillion dollarshide." which industry has invested in computers andother high-tech equipment, is the engine which is propelling us out of the recession. Earlierthis year, no less a guru Earl. L. Fultz than Alan Greenspan told the Joint Economic Commit- Editor & Publisher tee of Congress: "A new synergy ofhardware and

The change in design from piston to jet-poweredaircraft ....anbotter opinions engines is a close analogy to what we need to do ineducation. Instead of admitting, as engine designers did, thatthe old About a deca& ago, while I was living in Oxford, banksbegandesign limited what they could do, we keep trying toimprove installing automatic cash machines, the type now found on a design that cannot be improved. every streetcomer. But the first ofthese were placed in the William Glasser, M.D., California psychiatrist and bank lobbies themselves.Anyone familiar with English education authority, The Quality School. banking hours will realize at once that such a strategy rendered the machines essentially worthless. Some machines eventu- ally were installed outdoors, but they shut down at 9 p.m. dailyEducation today involves learning how to unlearn.It is and completely on Sundays, onthe theory that computers mustprobable that today's workers will change jobs severaltimes observe the Sabbath. It was a classic case of a technological in their lifetime, so they know more, and forget more,than society that didn't know how to use technology. any worker in history. - Tony Rothman, "ReaderRip-Off," The New Republic. - Carol Orlock, TheGoddess Letters.

Public schools started to go wrong as bureaucracies built up I basically believe my job as president is to try toadjust and control fell under a large, central administration. Today think ofAmerica in good ways so that we can win in the 2 l st Century. we think of schools in some of the same ways we biggest hospitals or prisons, as buildings housing scores of people but We live in an era of constant change and America's problem is that for too many peOple, change is an enemy, not with only a very limited connection to the world outside their a friend. President Clinton, to employees at Silicon Graphics, a David Guterson, Family Matters: Why Home.schooling high-tech fum near San Jose. Make Sense.

The Newsletter of Software and Systerns for Learning -7E-9-em i5 4 Page 3 The first in the series of raids came Many classes cannot be offered at some down on a San Jose printing companyof the career centers because of low atten- In the believed responsible for the illegal manu-dance; however, with two-way interactive facture and duplication of several versions courses, one teacher can lead several classes of OEM counterfeit DOS 5.0 and Windowsat remote sites. Thus, more students will 3.1. Later locations raided included addi-have access to more classes and informa- tional counterfeit duplication, production,tion. In addition, Columbus State Commu- NEWS and storage sites, as well as the homes of at nity College can now provide basic and least two of the principals involved in the advanced courses to career-center students, counterfeiting. The third and final seizureand Franklin University can extend its came at TT Litho in Concord, where somebusiness and management courses to all 18 tons of counterfeitmanuals, disks, prod-the sites. 9:45: Raise Taxes uct components, business records and art- Ohio Bell will invest about $656,000 in work was sei=d. the project and will work with the centers Here's the Endorsement ofthe Year: we Microsoft pointed out that counterfeitand institutions to develop training pro- learn that President Clinton uses Ontimefor products are often defective and can carry grams. Stephen H. Eibling, Ohio Bell vice Windows to lay out the schedule for his viruses. Users should be on the alert forpresident of engineering and support ser- hurly-burly workdays. Rumor has it, though, possible counterfeit versions of Microsoftvices, said Ohio Bell is committed to im- that Lotus Organizer is more intuitive. products sold on a standalone basis. Whenproving education in Ohio by encouraging in doubt, users can call the Microsoft Pi-new uses of technology. Business from Disaster racy Hotline, whose irritating number is For Ohio, Eibling said, the telecommu- When the explosion rocked the World800 NOCOPYN. nications network holds great promise in Trade Center on February 26th, the stock the form of advancements in education, of SunGard Data Systems shot up: the Academe to Share health care, and economic development. Wayne, New Jersey firm provides disas- An advanced telecommunications network ter-recovery computer services and your Woes of Big Blue is the link to an improved quality of life for bad news is their good news. SunGard's When mammoth corporations such asevery Ohioan, he said. stock also rose in 1989 after the San Fran-IBM and Digital start retrenching, among For more information you can ring Mary cisco earthquake, as well as after the Chi-the first to feel it are university proggamsLou Ringle of Ohio Bell at 216 822-2311. cago flood last year, along with the shareswhich had come to depend on corporate of a competitor, Comdisco of R.osemont,largesse. It's not just the pullback from Not Just Geeks Anymore Illinois. grants of equipment and R&D funds. The high-tech services industry, which Just as Captain Kirk was always beamedWhereas IBM once donated two dollars for off the enemy vessel just before it ex-every one employee dollar donated, thataccounts for some 800,000 jobs worldwide (about 500,000 in the U.S.) is one industry ploded, SunGard promises that if catastro-has now been trimmed to one-to-one; while that shows a worldwide growth pattern at phe wrecks a company's mainframe com-in a program in which an employee dona- least 12% annually.Executives in this puter, it will move the software to its owntion of one dollar was matched with five growing field say that the scope of their computers and graft the company's tele-dollars of equipment, the ratio has been business has changed dramatically in the communications network onto its own. trimmed to one to three. past ten years, and their requirements for personnel have changed accordingly. Bogus Windows 3.1 Buckeye Bell Strings Many of the executives are members of Seized in Raids Fiber-Op for Vid'Net the Association For Services Management Microsoft announced on March 2nd Ohio Bell has announced that it will useInternational, a global professional asso- that recent government raids in Californiafiber-optic cable to create a two-way inter- ciation with some 6,000 executive and had uncovered large amounts of counter-active video system that will link fourmanagerial members. In a recent issue of feit Microsoft MS-DOS 5 and Windows 3.1career education centers in Columbus withthe AFSMI Professional Journal, industry operating systems. The busts, in San Joseother educational resources in the city. executives gave their views on the educa- on January 20, 21, and February 3, and in The Columbus Distance Learningtional requirements in the years ahead. Concord on February 18, had yielded coun-Project is part of Project BEST: BetterThey suggested that the industry will be terfeit items produced under the trade namesEducation Through Telecommunications.looking for entry-level employees whose OEM, Spring Circle, and DTI. The raidsProject BEST currently uses two satelliteskills go beyond technical training involved the local police departments, thedishes to receive training programs and Dean Beckwith, an offier of ROLM, a FBI, and the IRS, "with assistance" frominformation; the fiber-optic network willSiemens sub inNorwalk, Connecticut, said, Microsoft counsel and investigators; giv-allow the data to be shared among BEST"Skills are changing, Twenty years ago, ing some idea of the software behemoth'sparticipants and be more accessible towe had mechanical skills. Ten years ago, awesome influence Ind ruthless clout. students. continued on following page Volume 19, Number 6 March 1993 page 4 moni- we had electronic skills. Today, managersUniversity. Toronto and Kitakyushu, Ja-ers; and even top gunswho are and technicians need communicationpan had also been on the shortlist.tored like star athletescan see their ca- reers nosedive when fashionschange. ski113." Strasbourg as the site had been promoted Nicholas Jarsulic, managing director,by France, European industry, and the Education is considered a lifelong pur- Kepner-Tregoe of Princeton, New Jersey:universities of the Rhine region in Ger-suit in Japan. All major corporations run "The most important trend we see for themany and Switzerland. their own colleges for employees and con- stantly upgrade their education at all lev- future is the growing gap between work- The ISU will be holding its 1993 Sum- ers' skills and the growing complexity ofmer Session at the University ofAlabamaels. With 250,000 executives living over- particularly im- technology. It is no secret that the U.S.in Huntsville, and intends to maintain itsseas, English classes are faces an education crisis. Declining tc...tpresence in the United States throughtheportant, and it is not uncommon for execu- tives to attend language schools at the end scores and poor preparation for thework-establishment of the headquarters of its place point to a diminished ability to com-Summer Session operations in the Wash-of a 12-hour workday. pete effectively. ington, D.C. area. "Aside from the concerns about subject The ISU plans a Permanent Campus Tutoring content areas, our schools are clearly notsystem (the Central and Affiliate Cam-Growth Industry in the U.S.? puses) as a global network of facilities for teaching students a more marketable skill Sylvan Systems, America's largest chain the ability to think incisively, individu-graduate-level multidisciplinary and in- ternational space education and researchof tutoring franchises, is predicting mam- ally and in groups, to solve problems and moth growth, estimating a tenfold expan- resolve organizational issues. There areto be linked by ISUnet, an electronicinfor- sion in the next five years to a billion-dollar mation and communications network. signs of school curricula improvement. A company. The firm's statedobjective is to number of innovative changes are being Students at the ISU Central Campus will follow one-year Master of Space Studiessearch out the causes of the students ' learn- advocated. However, it will take time to ing problems, rather than the traditional implement these structural changes and(MSS) degree program, embracing all space-related fields. MSS graduates mayapproach of focusing on test preparation. longer for them to bear fruit. Japan's Kumon Institute of Education "Also impacting the skill set of workerscontinue their studies at ISU Affiliate Cam- puses at leading space universitiesandCompany has already landed. is the reduction in military training...long Known in Japan as the McDonald's of a provider of high-tech training forfutureresearch centers around the world. school in Founded in 1987, the ISU is committedcram schools, it opened its first service workers. This indicates even fewer Los Angeles in 1983 and has already gar- skilled workers will be entering the high-to the international cooperative develop- nered 77,000 American students. Their tech services area." ment of space and for the last five years has held Summer Sessions at universities andstated goal is 2 million students. Rawlin A. "Pete" Fairbaugh, director of Parents generally have good things to Graduate Business Programs and Associ-research centers in the United States, say about tutoring, reportinghigher mo- ate Professor, Sacred Heart University,France, Canada and Japan. rale as well as higher grades. Fairfield, Connecticut "The evidence that For more data, call Goldie M. Eckl of I have from several years in service with athe International Space University at 617 Fortune 500 company and from directing354-1987. Signs of the Times and teaching in a graduate business pro- The school board in East Palo Alto (Cali- gram is strong enough for mst to endorse Japan's Yen for Learning fornia) is exploring the possibility of pro- the need for management training for tech- Japan's version of a meritocratic soci-viding poor students free accident and life nical personnel. Courses in basic manage-ety makes entrance into the county's topinsurance to cover burial expenses. Last ment, behavior leadership, ethics, change475 universities essential, since only gradu-year the municipality's 42 murders among a population of 23,350 gave itthe highest and conflict resolution, human resourceates of these schools are considered first- murder rate in the U.S. Meanwhile, stu- and management could assist the techni-rate by corporate employers. cian with eventual people problems in The resulting scramble has createddents in Westlake, also in California, are management." "cram schools" in which parents pay morebeing taught how to duck for cover when a What's needed, he says, "Is a basicthan $200 a month per child for supple-drive-by shooting starts. business education in finance, accounting,mentary education five and a half days a economics, budgeting, marketing and in-week (the half is on Sunday). iHabla Ingles! ternational business." While public-school teachers earn on A recent survey of Hispanic parents average the equivalent of $30,000 and getshowed them highly supportive of bilin- Space U. Lands a raise each year until mandatoryretire-gual education, but especially so if the in Strasbourg ment at sixty, cram-school teachers with aemphasis is on learning English. Accord- reputation can make up to $400,000 a year. Strasbourg, in the Alsace region of ing to the Latino National Political Survey, Without a rep, however, a cram teachertwo-thirds of those born in the U.S. consid- France, has been selected as the site for the may make far less than public-school teach- ered their English better than their Spanish Central Campus of the International Space continued on page 13

The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning E-riern 6 IUM FOR IMPROVING Se) _4 ..,-)

:n = r- .... SI '7t rn = = = 7-3 o --i T HE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE SELECTOR -± 0 Z

TESS Update Special Note to TESS Users Copies of the newest release of the TESS database are now Please be advised that the parameter originally labelled being rushed to members of the States Consortium for Improv-"Curriculum Function" has been changed to "Target Audience." ing Software Selection. The February 1993 winter updateThis renaming was done better to reflect types of users. provides information on 766 new educational software prod- ucts, bringing the total of products in the full database to 10,756. The products of 118 new suppliers were added in this update, raising the total of companies with products in TESS to 1,060. Software As part ofthe updating process, TESS staffcontacted the more than 1,000 suppliers, including extensive telephone follow-up when necessary, in order to identify new products and to and determine which products are no longer commercially avail- able. As a result, about 85% of the program and supplier articles Technology were verified or updated. The remainder could not be updated because either the supplier failed to respond, discontinued pro- ducing the particular program, or could not be located. Articles Public-Domain Software not updated are retained in the database in an "archived" status, Schools, agencies, and parents working with special-needs which allows schools to use TESS to catalog and fmd informationchildren can now obtain public-domain programs at low cost about software products which they may already own. from Technology for Language and Learning, a not-for-profit With the addition of 430 new review citations, the TESSorgani7ation in East Rockaway, New York. database now contains 10,233 total review citations, frommore Programs are appropriate for those with language impair- than 40 respected review sources. In all, 503 titles are designatedments, aphasia, learning disabilities, physical handicaps, and "highly rated." visual and hearing impairments. Power Pad, Touch Window, Echo synthesizer and single-switch devices are supported. Platforms are Apple He, IIgs, and emulation card-equipped Mac Latest and Best Too LC. Accompanying the release of the newly-updated full TESS database is the abridged version, The Latest and Best of TESS. This version contains information on 2,195 products published No One Does It Better by 293 suppliers. Of these products, 474 are designated "highly The 1993 educational services catalogue from National rated." Geographic is top-heavy with visual media and gives barelya nod to computers and multimedia. As might be expected, NG has a hefty 260 titles on film and MacTESS & PC-TESS Offer More video, 231 filmstrips, an impressive 841V specials but only 28 Expansion of the product-description field in thenew Febru-titles of software/multimedia. The catalogue lists thesame ary 1993 TESS update means users get even more valuablenumber of Wonder of Learning Kits, and 38 books. information about educational software products. Additionally, For sheer visual impact, no one can touch Geographic and the information contained in supplier reports has been increasedthey are making it easier to buy with discounts reminiscent of significantly, including information related to site licenses, lab post-Xmas shopping malls: 25% on orders of $1,000 or more; packs, networking, etc. 67% on multiple copies of videos; and an extra 10% when Owned product records can now be merged into the updatedbuying a complete set of products. No one ever got fired for database with ease, so that users who have cataloged theirchoosing National Geographic. Call 800 368-2728. school's software in the previous version need not re-flag those products in the new update. CD-ROM World Among the other enhancements to the MacTESS and PC- Indicative of CD-ROM growth is that CD-ROM World, billed TESS databases is the capability to store the programs ina folderas the only monthly magazine in the field, is now being or directory separate from the data files. By so doing, a user can distributedthrough selected newstands.Six to eight new access either full TESS or Latest and Best data from a single releases are reviewed each month for content and ease of use. access point. This facility also saves disk storage space. continued on following page SC1SS\TESS Update Match 1993 7 page 6

Also available is an annual database directory of some3,600 Some Like It Hot CD-ROM titles. In an age of instant everything, the "hot line" hasemerged as More info: Alan Meek ler at 203 226-6967. a transitional technology while wewait for national and local information "highways." Buy One Get One Free For those who want instant information on grammarand available. While you might quibble over the name, Aesop° lis, a newspelling, there is now a catalog of grammar hotlines Commu- interactive CD-ROM from Quantum Leap based onAesop'sSend SASE to Grammar Hotline Directory, Tidewater Virginia fables, you can't argue with the deal. Buy Aesopolis for$99 andnity College, 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach, you can get any of Quantum's otherCD-ROMs, most of them 23456. higher priced, for free. Included are System 7 Super CDfor Macintosh and MEGA-ROM, which has more than10,000 Wagner Festival shareware and public domain programs, art files, QuickTime Roger, not Richard.The creator of HyperStudio ("the movies, sounds, utilities, games, fonts. Quantum Leap Tech-multimedia softare for muhitalented minds") is holdingthe first nologies, 1399 SE 9th Avenue, Hialeha, Florida 33010-5907. HyperStudio Festival July 8-10 in El Cajon. Attendees willhave Call 800 762-2877. the opportunity for in-depth exploration of multimediahard- ware options: scanners, video digitizers,laserdisc players, still- Not Too Late video camera, MIDI instruments, VCRsthe whole spectrum. is that If you missed Black History Month, Public Media Home Roger Wagner Publishing's fundamental concept just a Video can help you catch up with an array of videos onimportantmultimedia "is for personal creativity and expression, not 800 421-6526; fax 619 African-Americans from writer Toni Morrisou, to a seven-hourway to repackage encyclopedias." Call examination of African-American musical legacy; also Alvin442-0525. Ailey, Leontyne Price, an eight-part cultural walkthrough the history of Africa, and much more. Call 800 262-8600. Compensating for improvement Interactive voice-response won't necessarily make computer Optical Polishes Science Windows use simpler for everyone, and AT&Thas announced plans to hearing impair- The first Update on Windows on Science, OpticalData'smake its IYR systems accessible to callers with machines. The superior videodisc series, features information aboutnice sci-ments as long as they have access to TTY/rDD businesses and government ence topics on two single-sided,eight-inch videodiscs. The newcompany said the move will help Act of program documents the oil-spill cleanupof Prince Williamagencies comply with the Americans with Disabilities Sound, the unearthing in Montana of the most complete1990. Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton yet discovered, the zebra mussel AT&T will use a patented technology developedby DiRAD invasion of the Great Lakes, the eruption of Mount PinatuboinTechnologies to work with its CONVERSANT Voice Informa- the Philippines, images of Venus from the Magellan spacecraft,tion System to give hearing-disabled callers access to a wide and lesser stories on rainforest research and a new impact craterrange of automated information servicesvia TTY/TDD termi- keyboard, found in the Yucatan. nals; in other words, to get back to where you can use a The complete Windows on Science program for grades onethey have had circumvent the advanced technology and by using through six includes 11 videodiscs and more than 6,000 pages even more advanced technology. of print materials, including teacher lesson plans and student The CONVERSANT system enables callers to use their tele- hands-on activities. The set is now used as a "textbook" in 65%phones to transact business, such as obtaining bank orutility of the elementary schools in Texas, chosen after a head-to-headaccount balances, placing a catalog order, orgetting a student's shoot-out with traditional textbooks. homework assignment.Callers typically respond to audio prompts by pressing keys on a telephone'stouch-tone pad or speaking responses which are recognized by the system. Laser Mag from TV Station MAD' s Ultra-Silent processing capability enables callers to WGBH, the ever-creative PBS affiliate in Boston, has a new transact business or receive information as text ontheir TTY one: a magazine written by students in 21 highschools (with 16 terminals or specially-configured personal computers; the ar- affiliate stations cooperating) which will be reproduced 'onrangement works simultaneously with the standard voiceappli- laserdisc. cations on the system. While the idea was originally expected to appeal to the same Travel services, accounting firms, insurance companies, students who worked on the school newspaper, coordinatorsbanks, hospitals, places of recreation and entertainmentand report that math, computer science, and art students have alsoother public accommodations can use this application tooffer responded enthusiastically. This, they point out, is not the usual24-hour access to services. Both voice and TN callers canhave mix of students. equal access to place orders, make account inquiries, and request Oh yes, there will also be a print version. materials. continued on following page

March 1993 SC1SS \ TESS Update 8 page 7 However, of the 22 million Americans with hearing impair-tors, has more than 350KB of memory, and is capable of ments, only two to three million use 17Y devices. And whatperforming 20 billion simple operations a second, which com- should people with speech but not hearing impairments do?pares favorably with todays most powerful supercomputers. Move to Russia. More info: Marilyn Dunsworth of AT&T Business Commu- Open Sesame nications Systems at 908 658-2089; or Laura Williams of same Forget keyboards, mice, and spoken commands for control- at 908 658-2604. ling computers: research shows you can tell a computer what to do just by thinking it. Apple Launches Six New Macs The New York State Department of Health has developed a Along with the 10-millionth Macintosh produced since 1984system that allows the user to move a cursor up and down or side displayed at the MacWorld show in TokyoApple also intro-to side merely by thinking it. duced 6 new Mac models and two new laser printers. Psychologists at the University of Illinois have a way to type While the premium price for Apples over IBMs and com-by spelling out the words in theirr minds, slowly to be sure, a patibles of comparable performance continues, the margin islittle more than two characters a minute. defmitely shrinking as Apple competes more aggressively to Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation reports its hold its position in the market. Apple and IBM have roughlyresearchers have worked out a way to tell which direction a equal shares oc the microcomputer business, about 14% each. person will move a joystick with a fairly high degree of The new Laserwriters are listed at $819 and $1,000, Apple'saccuracy. A similar project is well advanced at Graz University least expensive laser printers; made possible, the company says,of Technology in Austria. Fujitsu, Japan's largest computer by the use of a new printer engine from Fuji-Xerox. company, is also developing ways to control a computer merely by thinking about what one wants it to do. Power to the PC Early attempts in "biocybernetics" occurred in 1970 and Anything electronic needs power protection, especially fromwere financed by (who else?) the Department of Defense with spikes and interruption, and Best Power Technology ofNecedah,the hope a computer could determine the state of mind of a Wisconsin has made this their specialty. Starting in 1983 withfighter pilot and assist him in flying the plane. It didn't work but its first UPS (Uniterruptible Power System), they are now the has led some to question whether technology can be developed world's largest manufacturer of single-phase UPSs, and produce which will "read minds." a full line of power-protection devices. Call 800 356-5794. Experts say the big challenge is just to determine whether the thought waves say "yes" or "no," since there are many other activities and signals coming from the brain at any moment. The Can You Copy the Video? New York State group got around that by teaching the brain to As noted last month, the Software Publishers Association,emit signals that were easily understood by the computer. following the adage that "as the twig is bent," etc., is using rap One thing certain to keep use down is the cost, about a million and hip-hop in rn 8-minute video to warn 4th to 8th gradersdollars worth ofequipment plus a special magnetically shielded against stealing intellectual property. Entitled Don't Copy That roomand it doesn't look like technology that will be mass Floppy, the videotape uses segments from top-selling softwareproduced any time soon. and brief interviews with programmers who discuss why copy- right laws protect their work. Oddly, the SP A expects you to pay $10 for the honor of using their promotional materials. Order For Whom the Dell Toils from: SPA Education Department, Suite 700, 1730 M Street, Dell Computer, the upstart company from Texas, has beer N.W, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036. chosen by Jostens Learning to provide 386 and 486 computers specifically designed for education use. The machine will run all Jostens products that currently run on IBM or Tandy and are Scarecrow, Call Your Office totally DOS compatible. A Jostens executive noted that they are Word comes from Intel, the big chip maker, that it has begun making this move to help schools with technology decisions, shipping a computer chip that imitates the circuitry of the human leaving the educators time to focus on education. brain. Researchers have been experimenting with systems that simulate "biological computers" for more than a decade without any clear idea of the market to be served. It is expected that MacBlue? artificial neural networks will allow computers to learn and IBM & Apple are involved in a joint venture the object of recognize objects and speech in some of the same ways as thewhich is to bridge the gap between their different computing human brain. standards. That progress is being made can be shown by the Developed in partnership with Nestor, Inc., of Providence, introduction of a software program that allows Macintoshes to Rhode Island, from technology initially developed by Interswork on IBM-based networks. memory division, it took only $1.6 million of DARPA (Penta- Apple's new emulat on software package enables Macintosh gon) money, $1. 1 million from Intel, and $400,000 from Nestor.desktops and notebooks to behave like IBM terminals and access Each chip, known as the Ni1000, contains 3.7 million transis-about 20,000 applications available for IBM systems.

SC1SS \ TESS Update March 1993 sz4 9 Page get answers, related to database or map information.User can enter data directly into the spreadsheet, input ASCII data from any ofseveral database programs, or create live links to external databasesand The Latest of TESS spreadsheets via System 7. Gives users the ability to create a wide variety of presentation maps that reveal important geographicrelation- Programs ships and bring out the meaning in their data. System 7 users can use QuickTIme to attach movies to map featu res. Maps can be saved as PICT (Chiefly for the Macintosh) or Paint files for further modification andused In drawing, painting, presentation, spreadsheet. and word processing programs. Contact company for volume pricing. Tutorial included. Macintosh Plus, $595. Social Azknuth Graphsoft Science Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Grades 7-College A non-clip-art world-mapping program. Users draw global viewsof all from American toWorld the countries in the world and all the states in the United States from any distance or angle in nine mapping projections orin 3-D perspective mode. Lets users produce maps of the world or any portion of it. Includes nine map projections, which can be placed on different layers and overlaid for comparison. Further, any line, circle, symbol, text, or polygon entered into the base map layer becomes data that can be projected onto other map layers. Symbols. objects, and text can be American History used to edit the base map, then plotted onto an "illustration" layerfor Computer Vistas Unlimited the further editing needed to produce a finished map. Maps maybe Social Sciences: History; United States History saved as PICT or EPS files and ported into any program that reads PICT Grades 7-College Includes more than 400 photographs, 150 graphics, 100 maps, 50 or EPS. Requires separate plotter driver. historical documents, original sound recordings, and presidential Macintosh Plus, $395. addresses. Covers American Indians to Desert Storm, including Immigration. Technologx, Women in America, and more. InteractiveThe CIA World Facthook software enables students to access Information in many ways and to Quanta Press Social Sciences learn at their own pace. CD-ROM version requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 512E, on CD-ROM $79.95, on disk $49.95. Grades 5-College A database of the government's own World Almanac of facts and figures for 249 countries and territories worldwide. Topics i nclu de geography, American History Pack government, economics, communications, military, theenvironment, Tom Snyder Productions illicit drugs, claims, treaties, and more. Requires CD-ROM drive. Social Sciences: History; United States History Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. Grades 5-12 A social studies data disk. Covers all major units in American history, including Colonial Times, World Wars I andll, the Cold War, and many Code: EUROPE! others. To be used with MacTimeUner by Tom Snyder Productions.Compu-Teach Network version available. Social Sciences: Geography Grades 6-1 1 Macintosh 5 I 2E, $1 9.95. Students learn about history, geogaphy, trade, arts, and culture as they solve crimes across Europe. In this game students gain knowledge of Atlas Explorer people, place:, and events while earning promotions from agent to Queue Social Sciences: Basic Skills; Map and Globe director. Network version available. Macintosh Plus, $59.95. Grades 4-12 Detailed maps with pull-down menus take students from continents to countries to states and provinces. Students learn about population,Communism and the Cold War area, language. capital cities, and currencies, as well as geographic and Optical Data political boundaries. The built-in tutorial lets students move at their Social Sciences: History; World History own pace. Quizzes students on any location. Keeps records. Grades 4-College Covers the history and politics behind the Cold War and events that Apple 11+IllellIcllIgs, Macintosh 5 / 2E, IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95. led up to the collapse of communism. Puts the U.S.-Soviet rivalry Into context. Narrated In English and Spanish and closed-captioned forthe Atlas Pro hearing-impaired. Software is used to create reports and presenta- Strategic Mapping Social Sciences: Geography tions. Macintosh 512E, $495. Grades 7-College A geographic data analysis and presentation program. Features a built- in spreadsheet that links database files to maps (down to the street level) and includes query features that allow users to ask questions, and March 1993 SCISSNTESS Update 0 0 Page 9 Countries of the World Macintosh Plus, $189. Bureau of Electronic Publishing Social Sciences: History; World History Engines of Change Grades 5-College Intellimation Includes the full text of all 106 Country Series Handbooks prepared bySocial Sciences: History; United States History the U.S. Army; maps (covering population, climate, politics,oceans, and Grades 9-College geographic terrain); flags; anthems; and detailed bibliographies. Topics A rich supplement to U.S. history courses, based on the Smithsonian's on each country include historical setting, society, environment, American Industrial Revolution exhibition. Period drawings, photo- economy, geography, population, religion, health, welfare, and more. graphs, documents, and sound effects bring this period alive. Coordi- Network version available. nates with the textbook Engines of Change: The American Indusrial Macintosh Plus, $495. Revolution, 1790-1860 by Brooke H indle and Steven Lubar (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1986). Excellent reference resource for student Desert Storm: War in the Persian Gulf papers and classroom presentations. Single copy includes exhibit Warner New Media catalog. Lab pack includes 10 program disks and four exhibit catalogs. Social Sciences: History; World History Requires HyperCard. Grades 7-College Macintosh Plus, $49; lab pack $196. Covers key figures, maps of the Gulf area, glossary of high-tech weapons, and an active timeline ofthe war.A1 lows users to see and hear Events Day-by-Day synopses of all events. Includes 400 photos in both color or black and Slippery Disks white, and original reports filed by correspondents. Requires CD-ROM Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools driVe. Grades .5-College Macintosh 512E A HyperCard stack covering daily events from 1905on with data on famous people, 4.000 of the most important events in history, and The Dickens Web holidays around the world. Contains infbrmation on politics, govern- Eastgate Systems ment, aviation, business, industry, war, science, space, the arts, and Social Sciences: History; World History more. Part of the Student's DreamTools series. Grades 9-12 Macintosh 512E, $35. A hypertextual exploration of the society of Charles Dickens and the history of the Victorian era, by critic and hypertext authority George Geography Challenge Landow. Requires Storyspace by Eastgate Systems. Copy protected. Regeneration Software Macintosh Plus, $49.95. Social Sciences: Geography Grades 4-College IDonde esta Carmen Sandlego? Teaches or tests geography skills at any level. Has three levels of Gessler Publishing difficutty.Covers location/direction,land/climate,resources/economy. Social Sciences: History; World History and culture/population. Requires HyperCard. Grades 7-12 Macintosh Plus, $24.95. Ex-secret agent Carmen Sandiego's antics will entertain, bedevil, and educate students as their computers track her and hergang of master Geography Challenge thieves all over the world. Along the way, they will learn about Intellirnation geography, history, currencies, and of course language in this fast-paced Social Sciences: Geography program. Includes both English and Spanish teacher's guides anda Grades 8-12 Spanish atlas. Network version available. A skill-building program that challenges students at three difficulty Macintosh Plus, $59.95. levels. Hundreds of maps and thematic artwork reinforce geography basics. Hints throughout each game guide learners, whocan play solo Economic Indkators or in teams. Requires HyperCard. Holzer Software Macintosh Plus, $35. Social Sciences: Economics Grades I I-College Global Recall 2.0 HyperCard stack of 25 years of annual U.S. economic data, covering50 World Game Institute data series. Drawn from the following categories: employment,unem- Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools ployment, and wages; production and business activity; prices;money, Grades 4-12 credit, and securities markets; federal finance; totaloutput, income, Includes interactive world atlas with global-problems encyclopedia and spending; and international statistics. Mostrecent year also has coupled with Problem SoMng Engine. More than 200 maps including the monthly and quarterly data. Requires Microsoft Excelor Works. world, every continent, and every country. More than 300 indicators Macintosh 512E IBM PC and compatibles, $25. (statistics) for every country including food, energy, environment, economy, military, health, education, leaders, etc. On-screen help, Electronic Map Cabinet animation, and "What Can I Do?" suggestions for every problem. Highlighted Data Requires HyperCard. Social Sciences: Geography Macintosh Plus, $75. Grades 7-College A comprehensive data source that studentscan use to draw detailed The Government Disk maps of most of the populated areas of the U.S. Users can choose only Highlighted Data the features relevant to their own projects. Requires CD-ROMdrive. Social Sciences: Civics and Government

SCISMIESS Update March 1993 91. page 10 Allows userto print easy-to-read single-page or banner-length timelines Grades 7-College A complete directory of the U.S. federal government, coveringon any topic with dot-matrix or laser printer.illustrate timelines with Congress, the executive branch, and the judiciary. Includes pictures. the graphics included or with those which user creates in popular paint programs, or copytimelines into other desktop publishingdocuments. maps, charts, descriptions, addresses, phonenumbers, and job titles of people in the federal government. Quarterly updates availablefor Network version available. $350. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 512E, $69.95. Macintosh Pfus, $200. Martin Luther King Jr. The Great Quake of '89 Optical Data Corp The Voyager Company Social Sciences: History; United States History Social Sciences: History; United States History Grades 4-College A two-sided interactive videodisc which presents the issues and events Grades 5-12 Combines a videodisc and HyperCard stacks to provide coverage of the that shaped the life and contributions of America's foremost civil-rights 1989 San Francisco-area earthquake. Provides news materials to create leader. Covers King's philosophy of non-violent protest, commitment videodisc player. an interactive special report. Network versionavailable. Requires to equal rights, and battle to end segregation. Requires videodisc player, CD-ROM drive. and HyperCard. Macintosh 512E, $395. Macintosh 512E, $99.95. Point of View: Civil War and Reconstruction Hidden Agenda Scholastic Edition Scholastic Scholastic Social Sciences: History; United States History Social Sciences: Political Science Grades 5-12 Provides the backbone for a complete unit on the Civil War.A timeline Grades 9-12 The fate of Chimerica is in students' hands. As the newly elected enables students to explore thousands of events from the period. I,nders, they must lead this emerging Central American nation to Conmins hundreds of primary source documents, photos, lithographs, the spirit of the times. political, economic, and social stability within three years. A coupormaps, and political cartoons that help to capture worse, assassinationis always imminent asthe leaders strive to Fully compatible with any CAV videodisc. Part of the Point of View series. maintain control, form coalitions, set government priorities, andmake Network version available. policy decisions. Macintosh Plus, ;199.95. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $59.95. Powers of the US. Government HyperAtias Optical Data MicroMaps Software Social Sciences: Civics and Government Social Sciences: Geography Grades 7-College Provides a comprehensive and contemporary review of the judicial, Grades 7-College A set of maps and information stacks linked together that make it easy legislative, and executive branches of the government. Narrated in to manage information about countries, states, and U.S. cities.Comes English and Spanish and closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired. with general population and political information. Allows users to addSoftware is used to create reports and presentations. Requires their own information. Requires HyperCard. videodisc player. Macintosh Plus, $99. Macintosh 512E, $1,185.

In the Holy Land Presidential Candidates Optical Data Heizer Software Social Sciences: History; Current Events Social Sciences: History; United States History Grades 4-College Grades 7-College A two-sided interactive videodisc that presents the issues and events A complete database of more than 400 presidential candidates from at the roots of conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. Covers I 789 to 1988. Includes names, running mates, parties, popular votes, religious, political, historic, and geographic issues. Requires videodisc electoral votes, percentages of votes, campaign slogans, and party player. platforms. Includes all parties. Requires Microsoft Excel or Wcirk.s. Macintosh 512E, $395. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $15.

Iraq Stack Presidential Databases Techware Fleeter Software Social Sciences: History; World History Social Sciences: History; United States History Grades 7-College Grades 5-College A complete hypermedia course designed to help students cope with Includes more than 40 fields of data on all U.S. presidents. Requires the issues and information involved in the war with Iraq. Includes wall Microsoft Excel or Works. map. Keeps records. Network version available. Requires HyperCard. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $10. Apple 11+111e/8c/11gs, Macintosh 512E, $39. Presidential Election Project MacTimeLiner Intellimation Tom Snyder Productions Social Sciences: Civics and Government Social Sciences: History; World History Grades 10-12 Grades 5-12 With this compYehrinsive reference resource, students can access

March 1993 SOW \TESS Update 92 Page II historical election environments, learn about the electoral college, and State-Smart HyperCard Stack track political trends in American history from I 789 through 1988. Platypus Software Stacks include state-by-state participation in presidential elections and Social Sciences: Geography election .-esults. Requires HyperCard. Grades 4-9 Macintosh Plus, $79; lab pack, $316. An expanded version of the State-Smart Electronic Atlas. Teachers may easily customize this HyperCard 2.0 resource to fit their lesson plans. Presidential Inquiry Students may use it to test their knowledge, to locate information, or MECC as a basis for a project. Generates three types of quizwith arcade-game Social Sciences: History; United States History scoring and reporting; includes current Congress Journal data; and Grades 5-12 plays state songs, Including lyrics. Includes customizable placename- A set of HyperCard stacks that provides access to information about locating feature; a module to display numeridtext data as map gra p h ics; our nation's 41 chief executives. Includes biographical facts, historical expanded stack of project ideas; more than 200 high-quality natural- events, and significant issues relative to each president's administra- feature, contour, and city-ma p grap hits; more than 1,200 city locations; tion. Includes card game and controls for videodisc player. Network and intuitive navigation. Requires HyperCard. version available. Requires HyperCard. Macintosh Plus, $49.95. Macintosh Plus, $59. States of the Union Database Quick Map Heizer Software Micro Maps Software Social Sciences: Geography Social Sciences: Geography Grades 7-College Grades 7-College Database covers more than 30 fields of information for all fifty states: A geographic analysis tool that allows the user to represent data on a geography. government, economy, etc. Updated to the 1990 elections. map. User imports data into Quick Map and chooses classification Requires Microsoft Excel or Works. ranges. Program generates a map from user's data. Covers the U.S. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $15. Mathematical functions allow users to calculate ratios, percents, sums, and more. Requires HyperCard. StudentAtias Macintosh Plus. $99. Intellimation Social Sciences: Geography Rise and Fall Grades 7-12 Heder Software For Independent study or group projects. Point and click on maps to Social Sciences: History; World History give students details about countries and regions. Students can build Grades 7-College their own databases and research Information fof term papers. A HyperCard stack displays a sequence of maps of Europe between Teachers can create customded maps beforehand, then project them 1933 and 1945, showing Germany's expansion before and during overhead, to illustrate classroom disCussion, and more. Requires World War 11 and its eventual defeat. Each screen has pop-up fields HyperCard. with explanations of relevant military and political events. Requires Macintosh Plus HyperCard. Macintosh 512E, $12. Time Treks Earthquest Shakespeare's Life and Times Social Sciences: History; World History Intellimation Grades 4-12 Social Sciences: History; World History Enables students to experience world history through an adventure Grades 1 1-12 game. They can browse the extensive Archives section with thousands With graphics of the stage, the dress of the period, and the schematic of historical facts (3400 B.C. to present), 176 timelines, and dozens of Renaissance view of the world and the universe, students will gain historical themes. Users can customize their screen colors as they deeper understanding of Shakespearit's plays, his life, and the social, explore history. Requires HyperCard. political, and literary context of his time. Students can choose their Macintosh Plus, $89.95. level of study and topics via interlinking HyperCard stacks. There's also a reference section with an extensive bibliography. Requires Hyper- Treaty of Versailles Card. Intellimation Macintosh Plus, $69; lab pack, $276. Social Sciences: History; World History Grades 9-12 The Stack of the Decades Students play the roles of diplomats who drafted treaties ending World Netter Software War I. Students must consider "their" countries' past alliances, Social Sciences: History; World History economic viability, sea access, and future balance of power as they Grades 5-College make decisions affecting their future. Builds critical thinking, question- Includes a card for each decade going back to I 650. Covers Who was ing, and decision-making skills. in, what was out, major events, deaths, and important things that Macintosh 512E, $29.95. happened In art, music, literature, entertainment, media, religion, science, medicine, mcmory, and fashion. Requires HyperCard. U.S. History Macintosh Plus, $35. Bureau of Electronic Publishing Social Sciences: History; United States History Grades 5-College

SCISS\TESS Update 93 March 1993 page 12

Includes the full texts of 107 books relating to U.S. history, from the arrival of Native Americans to the present. Includes more than 1,000 What's the Story: 20th Century America photos, maps, and tables of historical events. Network version Wings for Learning/Sunburst available. Requires CD-ROM drive. Social Sciences: History; United States History Macintosh Plus, IBM PC and compatibles, $395. Grades 5-12 Students gradually unlock the hidden text until the entire content is The USA State Factbook revealed. They read about Cesar Chavez, FDR, or Amelia Earhart. From Quanta Press Houdini to Helen Keller, students discover role models and person- Social Sciences: History; United States History alities. Part of the What's the Story series. Grades 7-College Macintosh Plus, $79; IBM PC and compatibles, $75. A multimedia database of U.S. states, territories, and protectorates. Includes geography, vital statistics, state governments, economics, What's the Story: Black Americans communication, and other Information. Requires CD-ROM drive. Wings for Learning/Sunburst Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. Social Sciences: History; United States History Grades 5-12 USA Warr Civil War Students gradually unlock the hidden text until the entire content is Quanta Press revealed.They b ecome active participants in revealing facts about Rout Social Sciences: History; United States History Parks, Thurgood Marshall, and other influential black Americans. Part Grades 7-College of the What's the Story series. A multimedia database of the Civil War and covering the period 1860 Macintosh Plus, $79; IBM PC and compatibles, $75. to 1866. Includes biographies, chronology, campaigns, battles,and foreign involvement. Requires CD-ROM drive. What's the Story: Early America Macintosh SI 2E, IBM PC and compatibles, $129. Wings for Learning/Sunburst Social Sciences: History; United States History USA Wars: Korea Grades 5-12 Quanta Press Students gradually unlock the hidden text until the entire content is Social Sciences: History; World History revealed. Active readers uncover little-known facts about key people Grades 7-College and events from the time of the Mayflower to the American Revolu- Database which covers U.S. Involvement in the Korean conflict of the tion. Part of the What's the Story series. 19S0s. Includes biographies, chronology, campaigns, glossaries, and Macintosh Plus, $79; IBM PC and compatibles, $75. U.N. forces. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh Si 2E, IBM PC and compatibles, $129. World Atlas Software Toolworks USA Wars: Vietnam Social Sciences: Geography Quanta Press Grades 7-College Social Sciences: History; World History A multimedia database which includes more than 240 color maps plus Grades 7-College information. Maps include all countries and dependencies, along with Multimedia database which covers U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia world and regional topographic and statistical maps. Requires CD-ROM from 1946 to 1976. Includes biographies, statistics, order of battle, drive. equipment, missions, bibliography, chronologies, and glossaries. Re- Macintosh .512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $109. quires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $129. World Country Database Heizer Software Wayzata World Factbook 1991 Social Sciences: Geography Wayzata Technology Grades 7-College Social Sciences: Geography More than 30 fields of data covering the people, geography, govern- Grades 7-College ment, and economies of more than 160 countries. Compiled from U.S. Based on the CIA World Factbook. Includes examinations of 246 government sources. A research tool for projects and education. territories, countries, protectorates, and disputed land claims world- Users can add their own fields of interest. Requires Microsoft Excel or wide. Socioeconomic, geopolitical, demographic, and other country- Works. specific data is included. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $20. Macintosh Plus, IBM PC and compatibles, $49. World History - Mac What's the Story: 19th Century America Tom Snyder Productions Wings for Learning/Sunburst Social Sciences: History; World History Social Sciences: History; United States History Grades 5-12 Grades 5-12 A social studies data disk. Covers world events from the age of Students gradually unlock the hidden text until the entire content is exploration to today, including Imperialism, Modern Africa, and the revealed. They take a trip through history, from Harriet Tubman French Revolution. To be used with MacTimeLiner by Tom Snyder leading slaves to freedom to the Levi Strauss and his now-famous leans. Productions. Network version available. Students meet some of the interesting figures that shaped the course Macintosh 512E, $19.95. of our nation. Part of the What's the Story series. Macintosh Plu; $79; IBM PC and compatibles, $75.

SOSSNTESS Update March 1993 Page13 News continued from page 4 Hidden Valley Satellite School, an ex- "This is really a different kind of alli- perimental project for IIP and the schoolance for business one with K-12 educa- and spoke either all English or a mixture district, is believed to be the firsttion," said Shanahan. "But it is absolutely of English and Spanish in their homes. essential, because without a suitably edu- The survey's fmdings, "Latino Voices""worksite" school in the western U.S. The school will at first offer a kinder-cated woik force, HP and other U.S. com- are available for $29.95 from Westview panies will lose ground to international Press, 5500 Central Avenue, Boulder, garten and a first-grade class, and is sched- uled to add a second- and a third:gradecompetitors." HP gave the school district Colorado 80301; call 303 444-3541. class in September. In time the schoolan $89,000 grant to cover first-year costs will serve some 115 students. Most of theassociated with opening a new school, Teachers Uncaring? 47 students &riving for classes onthe firstand a ten-year lease of the school site for Acconling to a recent survey, one inday of school were the children of HP$I. The company also funded all phases seven parents feels that teachers don'temployees. of site preparation, from groundbreaking care about their children as individuals. One of the goals of the school is to getto fmal landscaping. Too often overlooked, say experts, is thatparents more involved in their children's The school district covers all other there's a natuml rivalry between parentseducation. "Students are usually moreexpenses, including the modular school and teachers, especially in the early grades. interested in schooland therefore typi-buildings, utilities, building maintenance, Unhappy parents are advised to talk to cally do betterwhen parents demon-teacher salaries, classroommaterials,play- the teacher first, not go directly to a higherstate the importance of education byground equipment and other furnishings. authority. The survey did not ask whetherspending time in the classroom," saidCurriculum also is the responsibility of teachers feel thatparents don't care aboutLew Alsobrook, Santa Rosa City Schoolthe school district. their children. District superintendent. "But with the Administration of the worksite school hectic pace of life today, it's tough foris handled by the principal and staff at Rocks and Hardplaces parents to fmd enough time to get in-Hidden Valley Elementary School, the worksite school's "parent" facility, lo- School officials who try to update poli-volved. We're making it more convenient cated about a mile away from HP's Santa cies against harrassment find themselvesby bringing the school to the parents." Rosa site. However, the new school has being challenged on First Amendment The school district, with 11 elemen- its own part-time secretary and two full- grounds. The Courts have tended to favortary schools numbering some 5,000 stu- time teachers. The opportunity to teach at childrens' welfare over freedom ofspeech,dents, offers licensed childcare before the worksite school generated great inter- but many see any restrictions as fiist steps and after classes. Many HP parents said toward censorship. they planned to take advantage of theest among the faculty at the main school, A unanimous decision by the U.S.childcare program."Having qualityand the district had a sizable list of job Court of Appeals states schools have achildcare available at the school will helpapplicants. "duty" to protect schoolchildren fromsimplify life for a lot of parents," said More info: Lew Alsobrook ofthe Santa Rosa City School District at 707 528- lia7ards school officials know or shouldEllie McGovern, a marketing employee know about. (The case had to do withwhose son is in the new school's kinder-5181; Jeff Weber of Hewlett-Packard at sexual abuse by a teacher.) The rulinggarten class. "It'll mean one fewer place707 577-2845. also said children harmed by negligenceto drive to after a long day." (accident, gang violence, etc.) have the Alsobrook proposed the worksite Canadians Sickened by right to sue, something any school budgetschool to HP in 1990, recognizing that the Violent U.S. Television could do without. Meantime, gay rightsschool could help the district encourage greater parental involvement and forge a 1.3 million Canadians recently signed activists have tried to influence policy a petition calling for a limit to violence on against verbal harrassment (some homo-constructive alliance with HP, the largest private employer in Santa Rosa. HP'stelevision.Canadian communications sexual students have left school due to minister Perrin Beatty presented the peti- disparaging remarks), but find themselveslocal management team responded favor- ably, and a survey of the site's 2,300tion at a recent press conference and said, opposed by parents who feel this will "As a parent, I am convinced that vio- appear to condone homosexuality. Ex-employees showed strong interest. "Some employees like the idea prima-lence has reached and exceeded its rea- pect the Supreme Court to be asked for a sonable limit of daily television fare," and reading. rily because they can be closer to their children," said John C. Shanahan, general announced that he had been working with First Worksite School manager of the Microwave TechnologyIllinois U.S. Senator Paul Simon on a Division, one of three HP entities at thecampaign to have the three major Ameri- in Western U.S. can networks reduce the amount of vio- Hewlett-Packard and the Santa RosaSanta Rosa site. "But other employees, even some without elementary school-lent programming. City School District have opened an el- Beatty said most programming avail- ementary school at HP's vast 190-acre age children, are enthusiastic because they believe this icind of joint effort benefitsable in Canada is generated in the United manufacturing facility in S anta Rosa, Cali- business and education. States, "So we better look south," for fornia. continued on following page Volume 19, No. 6 q 5 March 1993 page 14 solutions to the problem. Beatty said curb-purple and feathered; and Dirty Dan, a This would, in effect, create yet ing violent American programming is onebad-guy perpetrator ofheinous electronicanother long-distance company, of a group of five Canadian governmentcrimes. and opposition from AT&T and initiatives. The other four: a strong uni- The jolly puppet shows are meant toother long-distance carriers has form code on television violence for allillustrate security topics in unthreatening been immediate and vocal. Lobby- elements of the industry; ápublic educa-ways. For example, in one sketch Goose- ists in Washington are promoting tion campaign in concert with the Cana-berry chooses for a password her firstthe idea that phone companies dian Association of Broadcasters and thename; Chip the computer talks her into ashould be permitted to provide digi- National Film Board; the encouragmentbetter choice for a password, but thental services through something ofmajor Canadian advertisers not to placeGooseberry writes her password down oncalled the Integrated Services Digi- ads on violent television programs; and ana note and sticks it to the side of Chip'stal Network (I.S.D.N.), which would award to recognize those whose contribu-monitor! Oh no! Then, of course, whileuse existing copper telephone tions help make television less violent. Gooseberry is at lunch, the vicious Dirty cables to reach every home in Dan slithers in and erases her work. InAmerica. Critics say this moves All the News another segment, loathsome Dirty Dandata too slowly and too expen- spills coffee onto the abused Chip's key- sively. About Fits We Print board, causing Chip to cry. The battle lines are being drawn. On a family day at Livermore Labs, aTop levels of the administration The last issue of EPIEgram had apieceparent saw the presentation and asked iffrom Clinton & Gore on down favor about Japanese findings of video game-Warfahawsky could come to hislong-term government investment induced seizures. Now Deutsche Pressedaughter's school, Emerson Elementary,in infrastructure.The regional Agentur reports that a French study hasand do a show for the students. It wentBell phone companies, whose com- also revealed a possible link betweenover so well that Miss Warfahawsky and petition with AT&T grows stronger playing video games and seizures, citingcolleagues are now planning to visit local each year, are giving it cautious 30 cases of epileptic fits. schools once a month. support. The big hardware com- The study was carried out by a com- One of the puppeteers' concerns is thatpaniesIBM, Apple, and Digital mission which was detailed last month bythe glorification of teen hackers will have are calling for a government entity. the government, following reports of chil-kids growing up thinking that there isA clamor is building from business dren suffering seizures while playingnothing really wrong with stealing infor-and educational leaders that some- "video computer games." mation. In the show, Dirty Dan's theft ofone should do it, and quickly. The commission is to report back inthe gentle Gooseberry's data is likened to Yet to be heard from are those April with more detailed fmdings on the someone stealing a student's bicycle. (Ofwho stand to have their applecarts effects of the games' strobe effects andcourse, data can be copied; bicycles can-upset by easy access to a data quick-changing pictures on the brain. not; thus the metaphor, however wellsuperhighway, the traditional intentioned, fails.) guardians of information: the li- SysOps in Puppetland The Livermore employees who are braries, the schools, hospitals, and The Lawrence Livermore Nationalinvolved in the program are doing it onother public institutions. There Laboratory in Livermore, California, willtheir own time. They have designed ahas not been too much reaction be spreading the gospel ofcomputer ethicscomic book featuring Chip, and producedyet. to schoolkids with puppets and song. Gale a leader's guide for use in the presenta- The American Library Associa- Warfahawsky, director of programs fortion. The team is scheduled to begin theirtion has suggested that there was the Livermore Lab said that she and Com- school presentations this March and an-a "danger of public interest being puter Security Manager Lonnie Mooreticipate full booking into 1994. lost" and that libraries need to developedaprogramusingpuppets,video, More info: Gale Warfahawsky,continue to exist to provide a and overhead transparencies to teach secu- Lawrence Livermore National Labora-"safety net" for those who can't rity and define computer crime for em-tory, 510 422-1100; fax 423-0913. afford access. ployees; now it' s the turn of local elemen- Once the electronic superhigh- tary schools. Miss Warfahawsky, an ama- Superhighway from front page way begins to become a reality. teur puppeteer, had the help of a puppet one can expect the "Luddite fac- company, Images in Motion of Sonoma,private industry.He sponsoredtor" to emerge more strongly, but if California, in developing the edifying ex- legislationthe National Researchhistory teaches us anything, it is travaganza. and Education Network, known asthat new technology is an irresist- Three main characters for the securityN.RE.N.which created five Fed-ible force. The problem of access presentations evolved: Chip, a puppeterally-financed test centers wherecan be solved if one of the starting made out of a computer case; Gooseberry,industry and university research-objectives is to make it accessible a naive computer user, very appropriatelyers are developing technologies forto everyone. the superhighway. The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning F.4 6 page 15 News for Kids iSooto Publishers and producers have found an emerging market: news for kids. Tomorrow Morning for 8- to 12-year-olds, is like USA Today, splashy and colorful and full of news. Thirty- three issues for $16.17; fifty-two for $29.95. Call 800 365-2881. journals ZuZu (7 to 12) is aimed at New York kids who live in lower Manhattanwith parents who readbut actu- ally has much broader appeal (even as The New Yorker sells better out of town).It's published by Restless Youth Press, 271 East 10th Street *64, New York, New Windows on Books on Windows York 10009. Six issues for $12. Call 212 477-6756. More than half of new personal computers come with American Girl (6 to 10), published every two months DOS-Windows already installed as the primary operat-by the Pleasant Company, Middleton, Wisconsin, is ing system (about one million a month). That meansheavy on girl things and barely admits the existence of that even as you read this, thousands of folks are tryingboys. Six issues for $19.95. Call 800 845-0005. to figure out what it's all about. And since there are Real News for Kids, a half-hour news show from endless combinations of computers and software andTurner Broadcasting, featuring current events culled versions, there are bound to be situations where tweak-from CNN with teenage and younger correspondents. ing is required. Print to the rescue: Also features an 800 call-in for viewers to voice their From Microsoft Press: Running Windows 3.1, Thirdignorant opinions. Edition, by Craig Stevens, and its fraternal twin, The Concise Guide to Microsoft Windows, by Kris Jamsa, $27.95 each. Both include lots of information you may Parents Interested in Kids: or may not w&nt to know, but explain well. Kids Interested in School From Prima Publishing, Rocklin, California: Win- The National Education Longitudinal Study states dows 3.1: The Visual Learning Guide, $19.95. Authorsunequivocally that students in grades 8 through 10 are Grace Joely Beatty and David C. Gardner both have amuch less likely to drop out when their parents take a Ph.D. in psychology (can't hurt) and are also computerdirect interest in their schooling. Their recent report trainers. Their book avoids theory; has lots of visualshows this to be especially true of youngsters lower on learning with step-by-step guides. the socioeconomic scale, where the risk of dropping out From IDG Books, San Mateo, California (415 312-is greatest. 0650): Windows 3.1 Secrets, by Brian Livingston, a While this all may seem rather obvious, corrobora- mammoth 990 pages for $39.95. Comes with a disk withtion may be useful. The complete report, A Profile of nearly 50 shareware programs, including a virus detec-Parents of Eighth Graders, by the NELS is available tor and database manager; some are free, some on thefor seven dollars from Superintendent of Documents, ho no r system. U.S. Government Printing Office, P. 0. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15250-7954. It is document Nader's Readers number 065-000-00512-3. Citizen Ralph Nader hopes to make waves in the classroom with a new 250-page teaching guide to supple- ment history, social studies, or civics courses. NaderEPIEgram theorizes that high-school civics has been so stripped of Affiliated with EPIE Institute proper names, real examples, and practical informa- tionall in an effort not to offendthat nothing is left EPIEgramispublishedincooperalionwithEPIEInstiuitebyaerrne but a tedious skeleton of government structure. "Very (Haim Tres, P. O. Box 28, Greenport, New York 11944. dull, very rote, very unempirical, and very remote," says Nader. "It's part of the general curriculum syndrome, Basic subscription rate for nine issues a year (October which is 'make no waves.'" through June) is $65. Additional subscriptions to the same If you agree, it's $15 for the 250-page Ralph Nader's address are $30. The basic rate for subscribers in Consor- Civic Curriculum, Center for the Study of Responsive tium (SCISS) States is $45; for our Canadian buddies, $75. Law, P. 0. Box 19367, Washington, D.C. 20036. Earl L. Fultz, Editor & Publisher P. Kenneth Komoski, Executive Director, EPIE Institute Pat Lutzky, Manager, SCISS\TESS

Volume 19, No. 6 9 7 March 1993 Paper Cuts With 60% to 90% of all nonspoken communications still paper-based, software companies are bringing out products that ease us into the electronic medium. Essential to the operation see., is a digital scanner and a computer with plenty of storage TP memory and a high-resolution screen. Amor.?, the products: Acrobat from Adobe Systems; Com- mon Ground from No Hands Software; Fetch fromAldus; Recollect from Rebus Technology; and Watennark from Water- mark Software. On the subject of paper the contents of a five-drawer file cabinet can be stored on just one computer disk. A CD-ROM disc can hold up to 300,000 pages. A Navy study found that one of its cruisers carries more than 26 tons of maps and documents - so the Navy has bought more than 3,000 CD-ROM players and School Sizes expects to buy many more. Save a tree, buy a CD! Most public schools average around 500 students; 10% have 1,500 or more. Only 1% of students attend schools with fewer Bad Students than 100 pupils. The type of school tends to determine the The National Education Association estimates that every day student population: 430 on average for primary grades, 560 for 100,000 students carry a gun to class; another study reports that middle schools, and 700 for high schools. 13% of all incidents involving guns in the schools occur in - National Center for EducationStatistic-v. elementary and preschools. Every school day, 6,250 teachers are threatened with injury and 260 are actually assaulted. Taking Attendance - Time, February 8, 1993. Current U.S.: Total students: 47 6 million. More Use Public school: 42.2 million (up 200,000 from int year). Home computer users spent more time at their PCs and Private school: 5.3 million (little change). worked with a broader spectrum of applications in 1992 than Total teachers: 2.8 million; 2:5 in the public sector. they did a year ago. These are among the findings from an in- Teacher to pupil ratios: public schools 172; private schools: 14.8. depth survey of 2,500 PC owners conducted for Packard Bell by Average cost of public education: $5,372 per student California Research Tabulations. Some 42% of all home users polled say their primary use for Summer Data the computer is personal (e.g. writing a letter) or pleasure (e.g. The School District Data Book, the most comprehensive setplaying a game); another 37% say their PC is used primarily for of data on students and schools ever produced, will be availablebusiness; and 21% say their PC is used by household members by summertime. A federally-funded project (costing a merefor school work. $5.2 million), the Data Book will include vast stores of informa- Time in front of the screen is up, with almost 50% of the tion from the 1990 Census and the Education Department's respondents reporting they spent more than 10 hours per week Common Core of Data. at the computer, compared with 30% in 1991. "Power" home But don't let the name fool you. The "Book" willfor theusers are also growing in numberalmost 10% of the respon- first timebe released on CD-ROM. It is expected the entiredents use their computers more than 30 hours per week. More package will contain from 9 to 20 discs (a disc carries the than eight out of 10 respondents classified themselves as having equivalent of 300,000 pages) and will cost $35 per disc. It willat least some computer knowledge, and half of that group said be particularly helpful for educators and government agenciesthey are relatively knowledgeable or power users. which must plan many years in advance.

EFEgram BULK RATE Software ond Systems for Learning U.S. POSTAGE PAID P. O. Box 28 PERMIT NO. 38 Greenport, New York 11944 GREENPORT, NY 11944

Ms. Nancy R. Preston,User Services ERIC Clearinghou-, onInformation Res Schl of Infor Stu:Aes,Schl of Educat 030 Huntington Hall, Syracuse Univers Syracuse NY 13244-2340 The Newsletter of Software and Systems EFF9ram for Learning Volume 19, Number 7 April 1993

want and need anytime, anywhere and in any Conflicts Already Evident form." He said this could broaden classroom-learn- at Data Superhighway ing opportunities; enhance delivery of health- Hearings care services; link worldwide business opera- tions further to improve their productivity and efficiency; serve researchers, even those using AT&T Trashes Baby Bells supercomputers; enable travelers to stay in con- stant touch; and provide visual and data ser- Silicon Valley Dissenter Sees vices, as well as video entertainment on demand, to the home. Bureaucracy as the Problem Allen urged the government to "articulate the vision" of a new information infrastructure "that Bigwigs from the communications industries, goes beyond but builds upon the systems already testifying to Congress in late March in support of in place." He recommended government efforts President Clinton's plan for a "national informa- which would help drive the communications tion infrastructure," quickly fell into vicious turf industries toward a common purpose: creation of fighting. a fully competitive information infrastructure; To begin with, however, everyone at the packed allocation of more of the spectrum for wireless Congressional hearings, both execs and lawmak- services; resolve technical-standards issues; and ers, agreed on the need for the giant digital create incentives for research, development, and thoroughfare, and even on what government's investment throughout the information indus- role in getting it built should be: as referee rather trY. than player. Honchos from the telephone, cellu- It became apparent, however, that technologi- lar, and cable television industries all advised the cal advances have placed the various existing government to let the private sector do most of the communicatioas industries on a collision course work; and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and disagreements showed up as soon as the endorsed this view, agreeing with the executives tnIk verged on turf. that many elements of the network were already Allen teamed with cellular and cable execs in in place. "The private sector should bemust arguing that local phone firmsthe Baby Bells bethe primary source for meeting our commu- will prove to be bottlenecks and should continue nications needs," said Edward J. Markey, Demo- to be kept out of the long-distance and cable crat of Massachusetts, and chairman of the House industries entirely; that they have been slow to subcommittee on telecommunications and fi- offer an interim digital technology; and that they nance. 'The government's role largely should be confined to setting goals and facilitating improve- continued on page 13 ments." Executives and lobbyists from AT8e, Bellcore, sass/TESS Update Sprint, Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, Cin- Begins on Page 5 cinnati Bell, GTE, MCI, NYNEX, Pacific Telesis, Southwestern Bell, Southern New England Tele- The Latest Software phone, and US West have all signed a statement for Science endorsing the plan's goals. from TESS! Robert E. Allen, chairman and CEO of AT&T, said, "We envision a seamless web of competing but interconnected networksboth wire and Eight Huge Pages Slopping Over wireless--that will enable people to have easy wtth Program Data and Descriptions access to each other and the information they

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The current public school system is really areal estateLifelong learning must benefit not just young high market - you can get good schools if you haveenoughschool graduates but workers, too, throughout their money to buy an expensive home. career. The average 18-year-old will changejobs seven - Alan November,technology consultant times in a lifetime. Unless we have the courage now to start building our More and more, scientific and technological issuesfuture and stop borrowing from it, we're condemning dominate national debate, from the greenhouse effect toourselves to years of stagnation...we will be condemn- the economic threat from foreign technology.Beinging our children and our children's children to alesser able to understand these debates is as important aslife than we enjoyed. being able to read. Robert M. Haazen and James Trefil, authors of President Clinton's Address to Congress. Science Matters:Achieving ScientificLiterarcy (Doubleday,$12), arguing that all students need a good grounding inscience.The real purpose of education should be toguide children in the process of personal growth - not to Like most other countries, the U.S. must worryaboutindoctrinate them or fatten them up for sacrifice on the productivity - not only in industry but in schools asaltar of The State. A school has no more businesstrying well. Historically, technology has been the meansofto make a dull child intelligent than it has trying togive improved productivity.It's essential we promotea blind child sight. The slow learner,also a valuable [schools' use of] technology. Another essential part ofhuman being, must be helped to find individual fulfill- education reform is using technology to extend thement. Character development and artisticachievement school day.... Schools need to support technologies thatshould be encouraged, as they will contribute to happi- can enhance what children do inthe classroom withness in later life. learning at home. Let's unlock the cages and open the doors. We cannot Jcan Ganz Cooney, Chair of Executive Committee allow our youngsters to be penned up like criminals. for Children's Television Workshop and originator of SesameThey need room to stretch and grow. Street. - Sachiya Hiro, A Buddhistscholar. larger schools require a much more substantial mana- gerial and support apparatus than smaller schools. The assumption has been that you would need the sameThe first thing [we need to do] is we must develop a kind of bureaucratic structure if a school got smaller. Inconcrete vision of a home-based learning center. The fact, although you do need a head of school, you needsecond is that we must recognize our current educa- less middle management, less security, less deans [sic],tional institutions...are probably incapable of making less guidance, because teachers are enabled to performthe kinds of decisions needed to make a home-based more of those functions as part of theirdaily life. system. Jeanne Silver Frankl, Executive Director of the Senator Bob Kerry (D., Nebraska) speaking to Public Education Association, citing a body of research whichinvestment bankers and money managers on the need to help has found that children who attend larger schools tend tothe federal government "invigorate" the American commit- perform less well academically than their counterparts inment to public libraries and education by developing home- smaller schools. based electronic learning centers.

We have to ask more in our schools of our students, ourEvery intellectual revolution which has ever stirred teachers, our principals, our parents. We have to recog-humanity into greatness has been a passionate protest nize that all of our high school graduates need someagainst inert ideas. Then, alas, with pathetic ignorance further education in order to be competitive in a globalof human psychology, it has proceeded by some educa- economy. So we have to establish a partnership betweentional scheme to bind humanity afresh with inert ideas th *less and education and the government for appren-of its own fashioning. ticeship programs in every state in this county. Alfred North Whitehead, The Aims of Education.

0 The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning page 3

people get it a couple of hours late. But For one thing, foundations and funding hundreds of new computers are on order,agencies are putting information about In the and White House telecommunications spe-themselves online. ciaiists are even thinking of going for The National Science Foundation al- multimedia. lows potential applicants to dial into its online Science and Information Technol- NEWS Study Shows Student ogy System (SITS).It also has an NSF telephone book online. Contact NSF, Of- Achievement Grows fice of Information Systems, 1800G Street, with In-School Use of PCs N.W., Room 401, Washington, D.C. 20550. A report released Monday by the Soft-Telephone 202 357-7555. ware Publishers Association (SPA) sug- Dialog Information Service (Palo Alto) FCC Disputes Flintstones' gests that personal computers can make ais a commercial database system which Claim to Be Page big difference in the way students performprovides access to the NSF's database of private and corporate grants. Telephone Right Out of History in school. Based on the findings of 86 independent 800 334-2565; in California415 858-2700. A suddenly hard-nosed Federal Com-research projects, the Report on the Effec- For beginners,.everything from tips on munications Commission announced intiveness of Technology in the Schools, writing proposals to a list and newsletter on March that television stations may no longer 1990-1992 provides an overview of thepotential funders, K-12, can be found on .:ount cartoons or shows such as Leave It to specific ways in which computers helpAppleLink at 20525 Mariani Avenue. 'leaver as educational programming. students learn faster, feel better about theirCupertino. California 95014. Telephone 3roadcasters are required by law to dem- work, and interact more productively with408 974-3309. onstrate their commitment to education astheir teachers. There is also an easy-to-use software a condition of renewing their lucrative The findings apply to students of allprogram, GrantSearch CFDA (S375) from licenses every five years, and many sta-ages and skill levels, with the most dra-Capitol Publications, Alexandria, Virginia, tions would present such fare to a winkingmatic results occurring among lower-skill i which allows keyword searches of the FCC as evidence. The tougher FCC lineand low-motivation students. The studyCatalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. came a week before a congressional com-also emphasizes the significant role of the ; Contact Michele Thrasher at 800 847- mittee was to hold a hearing on whetherteacher in establishing an effective com- 7772. broadcasters are trying to skirt the educa-puter-based learning environment. Contact local telephone company fowl- tional requirements. Officials may have According to the report. students re- ' dations, especially if part of the Bell Sys- been worried that, gosh, the guys mightspond more effectively to softwaie pro-tem. Ameritech: 312750-5000; U.S. West: think they were creeps or somethin'. grams which incorporate learning con-303 793-6356; Bell Atlantic: 215 963- trols, informative instructional feedback,6000; Bell South: 404 249-2000; NYNEX: White House Needs embedded instructional strategies. and ani-212 370-7400; Pacific Telesis: 800 637- Technology Initiative mated graphics. In addition. educational6373; Southwestern Bell: 314 235-9800. Schools having trouble catching up with software tools help to generatemd are the information age, take solace. Whilealso strengthened bycooperative learn- To Fee or Not to Fee Bill and Al streak around the country push- ing environments with a high degree of Whether or not libraries should charge ing their -national information infrastruc-teacher-student and student-student in-a fee for high-tech usage and customized teraction. ture" and data superhighway, many phone services is fast becoming a key question in calls in the White House are still being For more information and an order form, the nation's capital and elsewhere. connected manually by operators plunging write to: Report on Effectiveness of Tech- The Information Industry Association, jacks into a switchboard.Young staffnology in Schools, SPA, 1730 M Street, which represents purveyors of information members are stunned and baffled to fmd N.W., Sui:e 700, Washington, D.C. 20036. such as Mead Data Central (Lexis and :ypewriters on their desks. What PCs the Telephone 202 452-1600, extension 207. Nexis) are concerned that it would put White House does have are several genera- some companies out of business; and even tions old, brought in during the closing While You're Up, the head of the Library of Congress. James years of the Reagan Administrationthe Get Me a Grant Billington, felt the library should not be- Bush Administration seems to have found come a profit-making concern. However, Most educators have learned tohe also noted that the Library of Congress computers awfully distastefuland are ar-scrounge. Tight budgets and increasing rayed in a spaghetti-like tangle of 21 iso- with its 100-million item collection is a demands for technology have made some lated networks. The President's schedule vast national asset which is vastly administrators adept at finding additional is still printed on paper and distributed by underused. dollars from a variety of private and public hand instead of by computer, so some sources. Some tips that might help follow. continued on following page

Volume 19, Number 7 April 1993 1 01 page 4

The idea of a high-tech library would Billions Squandered Ten o'Clock Scholars seem to be in line with the administration's Managing the Federal Government: A What's It Worth? Educational Back- plan for a national data superhighway, andDecade in Decline, a 334-page report pro-ground and EconomicStatus: Spring, 1990, there are those who feel it can't be provided duced by the Democratic staff of the Housea report on the relationship between edu- free and that there ought to be a way toGovernment Operations Committee, iden-cation and income, is now available from assign reasonable costs.Meanwhile,tifies more than $300 billion in wastedthe Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Billington pointed out that inmates in Cali-funds across the government. Government Printing Office, Washing- forniajails will have easier access to library The report alleges that during the presi-ton, D.C. 20402. resources than will high-school students. denciesofRonald Reagan andGeorge Bush, The report notes that as of 1990, one the Education Department mismanagedfourth of American adults had earned a Feds Buying some $14.7 billion, much of it in the federal degree beyond high school (up from 20.7% Federal purchases of computers andstudent-loan program. in 1984), with a parallel increase in pay. associated products currently exceed $20 Among the objections raised in the re- Those who had a degree beyond high billion annually; estimates are that figureport is that while the agency's budget in-school earned an average of $2,231 a will be $26.5 billion by 1994. creased a whopping 85% between fiscalmonth compared with $1,077 for those years 1981 and 1991, the number of pro-with only a high-school diploma. High- Schools Milked grams it managed increased by "only" 47%.school dropouts earned an average ofjust Among the errors cited: too large a subsidy Thirty-five corporations and 40 indi- $492 per month. Doctoral degrees boosted to lenders participating in the federal loanearnings to $3,855 and a professional de- viduals have paid more than $35 million in program; failing to scrutinize properly the fmes and penalties for conspiring to rig gree was good for almost $5,000, more postsecondary institutions for program eli-than 10 times the dropout's earning. bids in the sale of milk to public schools gibility; permitting students who defaulted Computer-readable versions of the re- and other institutional clients. In one of the on loans to continue to receive aid; usingport are available from the bureau's data- most recent cases, Borden has agreed to unreliable accounting and information sys- user division at 301 763-4100. pay $8 million dollars for alleged impro- tems; failing adequately to monitor proc- prieties in Texas; in the late 1980s, Bordenesses for awarding and closing-out the paid a $5.5 million fine for rigging bids in C-S PAN grants. F lorida. A Renewable Resource America's Highest-Paid Because much of C-Span's program- Notes from AAAS Meeting ming is decided on a day-to-day basis, it Highlights from the recent annual meet- Educator isn't easy for teachers who would like to ing of the American Association for the His name: Edward J. Murphy. His job: use it in the classroom to plan ahead. They Advancement of Science: Superintendent of the Board of Coopera- may therefore be glad to learn that there is Mathematics and science instruction istive Services (BOCES) III in New Yorka toll-free Educators' Hotline they can call changing only slowly to meet On goals ofState. to learn the latest schedules: 800 523- several school-reform blueprints. Scope of job: 28 centers and training7586. Despite wide dissemination of standardssites. C-Span is funded entirely by America's developed bythe National Council ofTeach- Compensation at time of retirement:cable television companies as a public ers of Mathematics, the lecture and recita-salary, $229,870; cash for 812.5 days ofservice and has a very liberal copyright tion mode still dominates in most classes. accumulated unused leave: $848,900 (Basedpolicy. Educators have the right to tape Some progress is being made in follow-on 101 personal or sick days annually plusany C-Span program without receiving ing the NCTM's recommendation for less44 vacation days or 145 out of 365);prior permission as long as the recording emphasis on teaching of facts, but there is retirement incentive: $114,900; paid-up lifeserves an educational purpose. Further- no corresponding evidence of more empha-insurance: $1,000,000; lifetime health ben-more, C-Span programs may be retained sis being placed on "problem-solving." efits for Murphy and his wife; an automo-in perpetuity for classroom use; thus, stu- More sophisticated (graphing) calcula-bile; University Club membership. dents can be assigned to assemble their tors are beginning to take the place of what The BOCES III fund of $13.7 million was own videotapes from material aired on C- educators expected computers to do, chang-equal to 20% ofthe agency's budget. Nearly Span, with the better ones becoming part ing teachers' and students' roles, almost$1 million has been promised to six otherof a school's archives. forcing teachers to teach differently. administrators still work at BOCES (Also, the Purdue Public Affairs Video High-school students appear to be tak- Commentary: Archives has compiled highlights of the ing more math courses but increases come "If they (New York State) had beennew faces pouring into Washington (lur- in algebra and geometry. Boys still tend tomonitoring, they would have known." ing the change in administrations.For outperform girls. "Everybody's got a little bit of a badmore information, call 800 423-9630.) 1:1 Overall analysis: little progress towardtaste in their mouth." reform.

The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning 1 1) 2 IUM FOR IMPROVING So

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0--o THE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE SELECTOR

Animal Behavior The Latest of Optical Data Science: Biology; Animal Organisms Grades 4-12 A collection of movie clips providing an encyclopedic guide to 700 species of animals. Focuses on the behavioral pattern of each species TESS and how the species interact within their environment Part of the Multimedia LibrarySeries. Requires videodisc player andHyperCard. Programs Macintosh 512E, $995. (Chiefly for the Macintosh) Astronomy of E+MSoftware Science: Astronomy Grades 5-12 Science Produces star plots in separate windows. Solar System plots a view of the solar system from the Pole Star for a given date and time. Sky View plots an image of the heavens as seen from Earth for a given date, time, longitude, and latitude. Users can generate detailed enlargements of either plot by using the zoom features. Macintosh 512E, $19.95. All about Science CD-ROM Queue Audubon's Birds of America Science: General Science CMC ReSearch Grades 5-9 Science: Biology; Animal Organisms This collection of forty-eight programs covers virtually all elementary Grades 5-College through intermediate science topics in a high-interest, low-reading- A multimedia program containing precise replicas of Audubon'sBirds ability format. Titles included are: Elementary Science II, Investigating ofAmericawith nearly 500 color lithographs and CD-quality sounds for Our World Package, Investigating Matter and Energy Package, and The many birds. Requires CD-ROM drive. Science of Living Things Package. Requires CD-ROMdrive. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles,$49.95. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $395. Audubon's Mammals Amazing Animals crICReSearch WINGS for learning/Sunburst Science: Biology; Animal Organisms Science: Biology; Animal Organisms Grades 5-College Grades 5-12 Contains a precise replica of the John James Audubon textQuadrupeds Students gradually unlock hidden text until entire content is revealed. of North America, includingmore than 150 color lithographs as well as They read about the Bolas spider capturing its prey with a silken lasso. animal sounds. Requires CD-ROM drive. or the archerfish using its mouth as a water gun. Eight selections offer Macintosh 512E,IBMPCandcompatibles, $49.95. fascinating animal facts and lead students through an active reading investigation. Part of theWhat'sthe Story series. BeakerAn Expert System for Organic Chemistry Macintosh Plus, $79; IBM PC and compatibles, $75. Brooks/Cole Publishing Science: Chemistry; Organic Chemistry Anatomist Grades9-College Folkstone Design Allows students to explore organic chemistry principles, study and Science: Anatomy and Physiology solve problems, sketch and analyze molecules, and more. An active- Grades 9-College learning tool that invites students to think like chemists. Network A reference that can be used to explore the details of human anatomy. version available. Provides spoken pronunciations of anatomical names. Based on Macintosh 512E,$29.95. material from The Anatomy Coloring Book by Kapirand and Flagg. Incorporates illustrations, human speech, reference text, and personal 81010f/Tutor Package One annotation with hypermedia access. Requires CD-ROM drive and Mindplay HyperCard. Science: Biology Macintosh Plus,$295. Grades 9-College

SC1SS\TESS Update April 1993 Page 6

Package One of a two-parc series by Kastia Bergman and Robert Package One of a three-part series by Kastia Bergman and Robert Stickgold; begins by laying the groundwork for future chemistry Stickgold; lays the foundation for students by teaching them about the learning. Five disks include Quantities and Measurements, Atoms and building blocks of biology. Four disks include Biological Principles, Elements, Molecules, Molecular Weight and Moles. and Empirical Biochemistry, Cells, and Genetks. Stimulates interest through realistic Formulas. Self-paced, the program encourages students "to open their simulation and experimentation. Offers extensive feedback on prob- minds to learning about the intricacies of our world." It features lems and questions. Provides help with the Disktionary, a target detailed animation, simulated experiments, and interactive sessions. vocabulary with complete definitions. Part of the Biology Tutor Series. Offers extensive feedback on problems and questions. Part of the Copy protected. Network version available. Chemistry Tutor Series. Macintosh Plus, $349. Macintosh Plus, $429.

Biology TutorPackage Two Chemistry TutorTwo Mindplay Mindplay Science: Biolort; Animal Organisms Science: Chemistry Grades 9-College Grades 9-College Package Two of a three-part series by Kastia Bergman and Robert Package Two of a two-part series by Kastia Bergman and Robert Stickgold; builds on Package One by teaching about the living creatures Stickgold; moves on to more advanced concepts and provides the of the world. Includes two disks on Plants and three on The Animal student with a thorough knowledge of chemistry. Five disks include Kingdom. Stimulates interest through realistic simulation and experi- Chemical Reactions, Acids and Bases, Oxidation-Reduction, Ideal mentation. Offers extensive feedback on problems and questions. Gases, and Solutions. Self-paced, the program encourages students to Provides help with the Disktionary, a target vocabulary with complete open their minds to learning about the intricacies of our world. It definitions. Part of the BiologyTutor Series. Copy protected. Network reatures detailed animation, simulated experiments, and interactive version available. sessions. Offers extensive feedback on problems and questions. Part Macintosh Plus, $399. of the Chemistry Tutor Series. Macintosh Plus, $489. Biology TutorPackage Three Mindplay Clip-Art for Science Teachers Science: Anatomy and Physiology Ventura Educational Systems Grades 9-College Science Package Three of a three-part series by Kastia Bergman and Robert Grades 5-1 2 Stickgold; completes the series with a look at humans and their unique Provides science teachers with a wide variety of detailed diagrams that environment. Three disks include two on The Human Body and one can be added to tests, reports, o, .:rhead transparencies, and worksheets. on Ecology. Stimulates interest through reaiistic simulation and experi- Categories include biology, earth and space. microorganisms, science mentation. Offers extensive feedback on problems and questions. lab, frogs,whales, clams, and worms. Requires paint program. Network Provides help with the Disktionary, a target vocabulary with complete version available. definitions. Part of the Biology Tutor Series. Copy protected. Network Macintosh 512E, $29.95. version available. Macintosh Plus, $249. Comprehensive Review in Biology CD-ROM Queue Bio Sci 11 Science: Biology The Voyager Company Grades 9-College Science: Biology A collection of programs which offers extensive review and practice Grades 5-College in biology for high school and college. The titles included are: Enables students to explore the biological world, its habitats and life Comprehensive Review in Biology Package, Advanced Placement forms. Provides scientific classifications, an index of biological topics, Biology Test Preparation, CBAT Biology, SEI Biology, ancl Biology I and and world maps showing distribution of biomes. Requires CD-ROM II. All are interactive tutorial programs which branch to an explanation drive, videodisc player, HyperCard. after every wrong answer. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 512E, $99.95. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $295.

Chemistry at Work Stacks Cosmic Chemistry Videodiscovery Optical Data Science: Chemistry Science: Chemistry Grades 9- 1 2 Grades 7- 12 Access any image on Chemisuy at Work videodisc by instructional Reviews the chemical principles critical to understanding the role of concept, chemical formula, frame number, or scientific name. Create chemistry in everyday life. Four double-sided videodiscs include slides, custom slide shows or use pre-written lessons and text overlay. Keeps computer graphics, movies, and animations. Safe lab procedures are records. Copy protected. Requires videodisc player, HyperCard. reinforced throughout the program. Requires videodisc player. Macintosh 512E. $150. Macintosh Plus, ;1,995.

Chemistry Tutor One Data Logger Mindplay Vernier Software Science: Chemistry Science: Physics Grades 9-College Grades 7-College

SCISS \TESS Update April 1993 Page 7

User may link Macintosh computer and the Universal Lab interface by 1version available. Requires HyperCard 2.0. Vernier Software with a number of sensors and probes, including pH Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $18. electrodes, thermocouples, magnetic field sensors, light sensors, and pressure sensors. Data collected are displayed graphically on screen Sernentary Data: Periodic Table and can be manipulated, saved, or transferred to other Mac programs. RockWar Macintosh 512E. $15. Science: Chemistry; Atomic Structure and Periodic Table Grades 10-College Destination: Mars! A reference program for the science student. Includes Information on Compu-Teach each element and features an interactive periodic table. Works with Aviation and Space Flight MultiFinder and System 7. Grades 7-12 Macintosh Plus. Takes students on an action-based pace adventure where their knowledge of science is the key to success. On their journey to Mars, Elements Madntosh Plus they will learn NASA space data, critical thinking skills, and applicable Flight Engineering areas of astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. The Science: Chemistry; Atomic Structure and Periodic Table database, mission book, and maps provided will assist them as they Grades 9-College perform crucial missions, experiments, and emergency operations. No A HyperCard database stack of all the known elements of the periodic giant rat-spider. table with descriptions of their properties. Includes the concentration Macintosh Plus, $59.95. of the elements in the earth's crust, a history of the periodic table, a description of how the elements were made in the universe, alchemy Doing Chemistry symbols, and an explanation of how the periodic table works. American Chemical Society Macintosh Plus, $20. Science: Chemistry Grades 1 0- 1 2 Event Counter Provides HyperCard stacks for teachers to use to create handouts and Vernier Software lesson plans to go with the videodisc program of the same name. Science: Physics: Nuclear Physics Encourages hands-on activities by offering teachers instruction on how Grades 7-College to present and perform demonstrations and experiments in the Collects nuclear radiation data from an RM-4 Radiation Monitor, which classroom. Requires videodisc player and HyperCard. connects to the Universal Lab Interface by Vernier Software. The data Macintosh Plus, $595. is graphed in real time as it is collected. Both counts/interval and distribution graphs can be saved or transferred to other applications. Earthquest Explores Ecology Macintosh 512E, $15. Earthquest Science: Ecology and Environment Event Timer Grades 4-12 Vernier Software Brings the science of ecology to life through animation, sounds, Science: Physics: Motion, Force, and Energy simulations, and graphics. Students explore the major ecosystems on Grades 7-College earth and learn about the vital relationships and cycles that sustain all Allows user to take measurements of motion using Universal Lab life. They also explore the mystery and wonder of the Bratlian Interface by Vernier Software and a photogate system. These measure- rainforest. Includes simulation of cause-effect relationships and trying ments are displayed graphically on the screen and can be manipulated to understand what keeps an ecosystem going. RequiresHyperCard. and saved. Use a homemade photogate system from a Vernier Software Macintosh Plus, $89.95. Photogate System Parts Kit, or an assembled Photogate System available from Pasco Scientific. Ecodisc Macintosh 512E, $ 1 5. Living and Learning Software Science: Ecology and Environment Explore and Discover: Voyage of the Mimi Videodisc Grades 7- 1 2 WINGS for learning/Sunburst Students explore a nature reserve in different seasons, solving prob- Science lems, experimenting, viewing species,and analyzing data projections for Grades 4-8 up to 50 years. Comes in nine languages: Danish, Dutch, English. Teachers and students will be able to look even closer at the themes French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish. Requires introduced In The Voyage of the Mimi by using this computer software CD-ROM drive. along with the videodisc collection. For each side of the videodisc, Macintosh 512E, $249.95. students can look at a summary of the episode or expedition; work through a variety of Investigations dealing with themes introduced in Ecomap the video; and access a glossary. A special feature allows teachers to Save the Planet Software create their own reports. Requires The Voyage ofthe Mimi and videodisc Science: Ecology and Environment player. Grades 8-College Macintosh Plus, ;99. Displays maps of 14 major ecosystem complexes covering the earth's land surface. Maps can be of a single continent or of the entire world. ExplorerLab Single ecosystems or groups can be displayed. Includes a 300-word WINGS for learning/Sunburst glossary, bibliography, and tutorial lessons to stimulate thinking about Science: Physics global ecology and land use. Average lesson 10 minutes. Network Grades 8-College

SC1SS\TESS Update April 1493 1:15 page 8 Controls experiments automatically or manually from the computer. The Great Solar System Rescue Enables user to collect experimental data with a full range of commer- Tom Snyder Productions cially-available sensors including temperature, light, sound, pressure, Science: Astronomy pH, and motion. User can create and save customized experiment Grades 5-8 setups, inputs, buttons, and switches; create analysis displays which Small groups of students make up teams of experts (astronomers, include line graphs, bar charts, or pie charts; and use full-featured meteorologists. geologists, and space historians) searching for lost spreadsheet (with graphing capability) for detailed manipulation and probes in our solar system. Students must work together, analyzing analysis. The system supports multiple simultaneous measurements. visual data from the videodisc, to form theories about each probe's The five multi-function connectors provide analog, digital, and high- location. Keeps records. Copy protected. Requires videodisc player. speed digital input/output. Includes a light sensor, a lab interface Macintosh 512E, $299.95. module, temperature sensors, and a reference manual. Macintosh Plus, '495. GTV: Planetary Manager National Geographic Society Facts on File News Digest Science: Ecology and Environment Facts on File Grades 5-12 Social Sciences: History; World History A comprehensive exploration of major environmental issues impacting Grades 7-College the earth, including topics from global warming to deforestation and A multimedia subscription database that gives a comprehensive water pollution. Through this multimedia program, students can grasp overview of world current events. Includes news articles, maps, and connections between the environment, science, and society. Copy interactive tutorials. Covers from 1980 to 1990. Updated annually. protected. Requires videodisc player. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh Plus, Apple llgs, 80386-based PC, $595. Macintosh 512E.18M PC and compatibles. Invertebrates The Fetal Pig Ventura Educational Systems Ventura Eductional Systems Science: Biology; Animal Organisms Science: Biology; Animal Organisms Grades 7-12 Grades 7-12 Covers the structure of four invertebrates: sponges, sea anemones, Provides a comprehensive investigation of the anatomical structures clams, and starfish. Includes a database of information, a quiz, and two and biological functions common to mammals. Topics include skeletal games. Keeps records. system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, Macintosh 512E, $49.95. and musculature. Keeps records. Network version available. Macintosh S 12E, $59.95. KaleidaGraph Synergy Software Frog Anatomy and Physiology Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Optical Data Grades 9-College Science: Biology: Animal Organisms A data analysis and graphing application. Uses pull-down and pop-up Grades 9-College menus. Data entry is made through screen editing and file processing. Contains more thanI SO slides, SO diagrams, and 34 movie clips Allows data transformations and numerical calculations. providing a comprehensive review of amphibian anatomy and physiol- Macintosh 512E, $249. ogy. Includes a detailed sequence illustrating a dissection. Part of the Multimedia Library Series. Requires videodisc player and HyperCard. Laser TechFonts Macintosh 512E, $595. Nisus Software Industrial Arts: Electronics and Electricity Geolov and Meteorology Grades 9-College Optical Data A collection of Type I and True Type fonts for scientific-equation Science: Georogy writing and circuit schematics. Program supplied on tape. Grades 9-College Macintosh 512E, $139. Provides 34 clips in English and Spanish, more than 7,200 slides, and a 400-term glossary in earth geology. Students identify landscape fea- LEAP-Systeni Microcomputer-Based Lab tures and work with topographic maps. Covers volcanoes, earth- Quantum Technology quakes, glaciers, and fluvial processes. Part of the Multimedia Library Science: Physics series. Requires videodisc player and HyperCard. Grades 7-12 Macintosh 512E, $995. A microcomputer-based laboratory consisting of courseware, hard- ware, and software. Lets user collect data and graph the experiment GraphPaper as it happens. The data may be printed in graphical or numerical format Daedalus Scientific Software or exported to a database or word processor. Allows switching Comprehensive: Generaltted Tool Programs; Publishing and Printing Tools between experiments in various disciplines. Allows multiple student Grades K-College groups to use up to 16 probes simultaneously. Probes include Produces custom-made graph paperrectangular, polar-coordinate, temperature, light, pH, dissolved oxygen, pressure, and more. Can run or logarithmic. The rectangular paper may have any number of lines per short-term, high-speed experiments. inch, either horizontally or vertically. The logarithmic paper may have Apple 11 series, Macintosh Plus, $870. any number of cycles on either axis. Macintosh Plus, $19.95.

SC1SS \TESS Update AprIl 1993 Ii 6 Page 9

Life Story following each system. At the end of the procedure, the Frog Test gives WINGS for. learning/Sunburst learners a comprehensive review. Science: Biology: Heredity Macintosh Plus, $35; color $39; lab pack $140; color lab pack $156. Grades 8-College The human drama behind the discovery of DNA comes alive with Life MacMotIon Story. Segments from the drama The Race for the Double Helix offer Vernier Software students a unique look into the hopes, fears, and daily struggles of Science: Physics: Motion, Force. and Energy researchers Francis Crick, James Watson, and Rosalind Franklin. Grades 7-College Students pursue accompanying documentary interviews, molecular Instant analysis tool of complicated data on one-dimensional motions animations, and historical photographs. Quick Time video segments and and forces. Distance, velocity, acceleration, and force data can be videodisc are used to produce this award-winning exploration. Re- collected, graphed, and stored. Allows up to 4 graphs to be displayed quires CD-ROM drive and videodisc player. and plotted. Motion and force sensors connect to the Universal Lab Macintosh LC, $299. interface by Vernier Software, which interprets data and relays it to Macintosh via the modem port. Mac Anatomy Macintosh 512E, ;15. Mac Medic Publications Science: Anatomy and Physiology MacStronomy Grades 9-College Edon Software An electronic atlas of human anatomy. Includes four volumes: I) head, Science: Astronomy neck, abdomen, and pelvis; 2) heart, lungs, thorax, and nervous system; Grades 5-College 3) upper limbs and lower limbs; and 4) bones, joints,and cross sections. Allows users to view the sky for any date and time in any direction from Students can use the program in conjunction with textbooks to anywhere on earth. Includes more than I ,700 celestial objects, phases provide a convenient memoriration tool. The drawings may be printed of moon,two sky-map orientations,a separatemap of the solar system, out and used for constant reinforcement with or without the legends. and more. User can add own objects to database, zoom into maps, Students can merge drawings with MacWrite documents to provide select object groups, and more. illustrations in various projects. Teachers can include the drawings in Macintosh 512E, $75. handouts with customized comments and instruction. The illustrations are in MacPaint format and can be easily modified. Each of the volumes MacTemp contains 80 to 120 drawings. Volumes may be purchased separately for Vernier Software $95 each. Science: Physics; Heat Macintosh 512E, $350. Grades 7-College Allows temperatures from two probes to be collected, graphed, and MacChernatics stored. Data is graphed in real time as temperatures are read. Readings Daedalus Scientific Software may be taken over short periods or spread out over many days. Once Science: Chemistry: Stoichiometry data is collected, it can be saved or transferred to another application. Grades 9-College Temperature sensors connect to the Universal Lab interface by Vernier A wholly self-contained tutorial for stoichiometry. Asks questions and Software. explains how to answer them. Covers chemical mathematics. Requires Macintosh 512E, $15. HyperCard. Macintosh Plus, $19.95. Mechanisms of Stability and Change Optical Data MacFly Science: Ecology and Environment Intellimation Grades 7-12 Science: Biology; Heredity Explores the natural processes found in physiology, genetics, ecology Grades 10-12 and evolution. This double-sided videodisc contains 47 movie clips Teaches the basic principles of genetics with minimum set-up time and narrated in English and Spanish and more than 2,000 slides. Requires expense. Simulates a genetics lab, complete with breeding fruit flies. videodisc player. Students will complete three lab experiments using computer-gener- Macintosh Plus, $995. ated Drosophila, ten times larger than their real-life counterparts. Pre- and post-lab activities enhance the learning experience. A built-in Molecular Edit, glossary defines the necessary terms. Intellimation Macintosh Plus, $29; lab pack, $116. Comprehensi.fe: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Grades 10-College MacFrog Users c2n construct ball-and-stick, wire-frame or space-filling models Intellimation and manipulate them in 3-D. Then they can explore symmetry Science: Biology; Animal Organisms properties, steric hindrances, connectivity, crystal unit cells, and more. Grades 10-12 Will open up to 20 files simultaneously. Includes built-in commands Simulating actual frog dissection, thls Interactive laboratory applicationwhich compute atom-to-atom distances, bond angles, and bond displays information about each organ as it's removed. Animation torsion angles. With this program, teachers can introduce students to illustrates functions that are normally hard to view and understand. every 3-D aspect of chemistry short of macromolecules. Students begin with pre-lab information on the structure, function, and Macintosh 512E, $45; lab pack, $180. location of parts from the frog's five systems. Students can receive answers to their questions. A quiz reviews and reinforces learning

SC1SS \TESS Update April 1993 1:17 page 10

Mystery Fossil: A Physical Anthropology Lab Enables students to explore the motion of a body under the influence Mayfield Publishing ofa centrally gravitating planet. They will qualitativelyand quantitatively Science: Natural History observe Kepler's Laws and appty them to the sun.the earth, the planets, Grades 11-College and satellites. They can investigate centripetal force, conservation of Simulates a lab experience to help students solve genuine energy, escape velocity, and more. Part of the Physics Explorer series. paleoanthrc.pological pales. Students are asked to determine the Macintosh 512E, $125. species and phylogenetic position of unknown (to them) hominid fossils by comparing them to known fossils. Top, side, and front views Physics Explorer: Harmonic Motion of these three "mystery" fossils have been scanned into the program. WINGS for learning/Sunburst Keeps records. Requires HyperCard. Science: Physics: Motion, Force, and Energy Madntosh 512E, $15.95. Grades 9-College Explores the harmonic motion of a body, from simple one-dimensional National Geographic Kids Network oscillations to complex Lissajous patterns. Includes a variety of National Geographic Societ damping, driving, and constant force options to investigate. In addition Science: Ecology and Environment to its intrinsic value for mechanics, it complements the study of planets, Grades 4-6 electrons, waves, and AC electricity. Part of the Physics Explorer series. Kids conduct original research, use a computer to record data, and Macintosh 512E, $125. then share their findings by modem with "research teammates" in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. Students choose from particular Physics Explorer: Ripple Tank units which are online for eight weeks several times a year. They do WINGS for learning/Sunburst research, experience the scientific process, and more. Requires Science: Physics; Waves and Particles modem. Grades 9-College Apple llgs, Macintosh 512E. Explores interference, diffraction, reflection, and refraction of waves in a two-dimensional medium. Multiple point sources can be placed Neuroancrtomy Foundations independently in experiment tan kto demonstrate how source position Intellimation and wavelengths combine to cancel or reinforce wave intensity. Science: Biology ; Organ Sr..tems Straight, parabolic, circular, and elliptical barriers may be added. Part Grades 11-12 of Physics Explorer series. A HyperCard-based computer atlas of the brain. Digitized three- Macintosh 512E, $125. dimensional brain dissections, diagrams, and text present the brain's architecture with drama and clarity. Covering the cerebral hemi- Physics Explorer: Waves spheres, cerebellum and brainstem, major fiber tracts, and subcortical WINGS for learning/Sunburst structures, the program's "atlas" format gives students the flexibility Science: Physics; Waves and Particles to pursue special topics of interest or use the program as a reference. Grades 9-12 Requires HyperCard. Students can observe the motion of waves along a string and connect Macintosh Plus, $45; lab pack, $180. several different media to observe velocity changes, reflection, and transmission at boundaries. Students investigate superposition, stand- Perkhart ing waves, harmonics, damping, and driving forces. Intellimation Macintosh Plus, $125; network version, $500. Science: Chemistry; Atomic Structure and Periodic Table Grades 9-College Physics Modules: Acceleration, Projecticie, Waves Drill and practice for students learning the details of the periodic table. Intellimation Includes three levels of difficulty. There are three areas of concentra- Science: Physics; Waves and Particles tion: names and symbols; positions; and valence electron configura- Grades 10-College tions. In three animated modules, students can graphically adjust constants Macintosh 512E, $29. of motion. Acceleration displays the time and position of passing objects. Projectile provides targets and tracks post-launch motion, Physics Explorer: Diffraction showing position and velocity. Waves shows the traveling waves. WINGS for learning/Sunburst Includes line help index, which explains screen items. Science: Physics; Waves and Particles Macintosh Plus, $29. Grades 9-College Investigates diffraction and interference of light and other waves in a Physks of Sports Stacks wide range of frequencies. Use up to three light sources simultaneously Videodiscovery and wavelength and amplitude of each source. Can add up to 20 slits Science: Physics of varying widths and separations, "intensity detectors," control Grades 9-12 distance from slits to a "projection screen," and more. Part of the Access any image on Physics of Sports videodisc by name or concept; Physics Explorer series. create custom slide show; or use 6 prepared lessons. Work through Macintosh 512E, $125. labs taking measurements from video screen. Keep computerized log book. Copy protected. Requires laserdisc player and HyperCard. Physics Explorer Gravity Macintosh 512E, $125. WINGS for learning/Sunburst Science: Physics; Motion, Force, and Energy Grades 9-College

SCISS \TESS Update April 1993 page II

Physics Simulation 11: Electromagnetism Magnetism, Light and Mirrors, and Lenses. Stimulates students with Intellimation realistic experiments and simulations. Encourages participation through Science: Physics; Electricity and Magnetism its interactive, self-paced format. Part of the Physics Tutor Series. Copy Grades 11-12 protected. Network version available. Five programs introduce electricity and magnetism. Coulomb displays Macintosh Plus, $399. the electric field pattern for point charges on a plane. Laplace calculates and displays the solutions to Laplace's equation on a two-dimensional Principles of Biology square lattice. Radiation simulates the time evolution of the electric' Optical Data field of an accelerated point charge. Ampere shows the magnetic field Science: Biology pattern for coaxial current rings. Monopole demonstrates the passage Grades 9-College of a magnetic monopole through a superconducting ring. Includes Offers a survey of life science with molecular, cell, plant, animal, and utilities.for printing specific screen displays on an ImageWriter. human biology. Includes 2,700 slides, 150 diagrams, 163 movie clips,and Macintosh 512E, $45; lab pack, $180. a 650-term glossary. Movie clips are narrated in English and Spanish. Part of the Multimedia Library series. Requires videodisc player and Physics Simulation 111: Modern Physia HyperCard. Intellimation Macintosh 512E, $1,495. Science: Physics Grades 11-12 Principles of Physical Science Covers the fundamental concepts of modern physics. Gas simulates Optical Data the thermal motion of particles in a box. Brownian simulates the Science: Physics random thermal motion of a particle. Wave demonstrates the con- Grades 9-College cepts of group and phase velocities. Fourier performs the Fourier Offers a survey of chemistry and physical science including matter, transform and inverse transform. Hydrogen generates electron den- motion and forces, waves, electricity, and magnetism. Provides 2,500 sity gots for each of the quantum states of the hydrogen atom. slides, 300 diagrams, 90 movie clips, and a 325-term visual glossary. Part Diffraction generates density plots for various diffraction geometries. of the Multimedia library series. Requires videodisc player and Hyper- Transition shows the semi-classical transition between the I s and 2p Card. states of the hydrogen atom. Macintosh 511E, $1,495. Macintosh .512E, $45; lab pack, $180. Science and Technology Physics Simulation 1: Mechanic.: Tom Snyder Productions Intellimation Science: General Science Science: Physics Grades 5-12 Grades 11-12 A science data disk. Covers science, invention, and technological Five programs introduce elementary concepts in mechanics. Ballistic advancement. To be used with MacTimeliner by Tom Snyder Produc- simulates two-dimensional motion in a constant gravitational field. tions. Network version available. Potential simulates the motion of a particle in a one-dimensional Macintosh 512E, $19.95. potential as well. Oscillator simulates simple damped and driven harmonic oscillators. Kepler uses pre-defined orbits or variable Science ToolBox parameters to demonstrate planetary motion and study Kepler's laws. Craft Robot Einstein demonstrates special relativity. Science Macintosh 512E, $45; lab pack, $180. Grades 3-College A turnkey desktop laboratory consisting of a rugged box the sze of the Physics Tutor 1 PowerBooks. The cover for STB contains the circuit board. Probes plug Mindplay into it using familiar phone jacks. STB works with a data acquisition card Science: Physics and the Macintosh. STB uses (and includes) the run-time version of Grades 9-College LabV1EW from National Instruments as the base software. More than Package One of a two-part series by Kastia Bergman and Robert a dozen probes such as pH, Hall Effect, thermocouples, thermistors, Stickgold; it starts students off with mechanics to give them a general etc., are included. Has optional sensors for robotic motors, radioac- understanding of the basics of physics and then continues with the tivity, air quality, conductivity, acceleration, etc. Sensor packs witn principles of energy and waves. Four disks include Force and Motion, curriculum project sheets are available to supplement basic materials. Momentum and Work, Heat, and Waves and Sound. Stimulates Requires 5MB RAM for System 7. students with realistic experiments and simulations. Encourages par- Macintosh SE, $900. ticipation through its interactive, self-paced format. Part of the Physics Tutor Series. Copy protected. Network version available. Sensornet Macintosh Plus, $399. AccuLab Products Science: Biology Physics Tutor 2 Grades 7-College Mindplay An integrated multi-channel probewa re interface and software package Science: Physics; Light and Optics which enables the recording and display of data from various sensors Grades 9-College common to the chemistry, biology, and physical/earth science lab Package two of a two-part series by Kastia Bergman and Rebert courses. With pre-calibrated Plug & Go sensors, students make Stickgold will electrify students with a study of charges and magnetism, measurements quickly, easily, and accurately. System 7-savvy; supports continuing through light and mirrors. Four disks include: Electricity, color, saves, prints and exports data. User has full command of data-

SCISSYTESS Update April 1993 1 ':+9 BEST COPY AVAILABLE page 12

collection sequence by setting measurement parameters; measured every total solar eclipse on Earth from 1940 to 2040; and gives an data is presented in tabular, digital, and real-time graphical formats. interactive chronicle of eclipse sightings throughout history. Requires Graphs can also be recorded as Quick Time movies for insertion Inword CD-ROM drive. processor programs for creating lab reports and tests. Macintosh Plus, $79.95. Macintosh Plus. Voyager 11: Dynamic Sky Simulator Sky Gazer Carina Software Carina Software Science: Astronomy Science: Astronomy Grades 10-College A major re-write of the desktop planetarium program Voyager 1.2, this Grades 5-12 An introductory astronomy program designed for the young student, is a complete simulation of the sky. It includes color, high-resolution the adult novice, or the casual backyard astronomer. Illustrates printing, about 50,000 objects (expandable to about 250,000), pictures constellations, seasons, and eclipses. Animates the motions of the of astronomical objects viewed from within the program, numerous moon, planets, and some spacecraft. Shows colorpictures of astro- improvements to the interface, many feature enhancements, and nomical objects and can print high-resolution star maps. significant performance increases. Macintosh Plu4 $79.95. Macintosh Plus, $159.95.

Sound Voyager: The Interactive Desktop Planetarium Vernier Software Carina Software Science: Physics; Sound Science: Physics Grades 7-College Grades 5-College For use with the Universal Lab interface by Vernier Software. Allows the This interactive program recreates the sky at any time and from any user to display sound waveforms and do Fourieranalysis. Requires location. User can see a total eclipse of the sun, observe orbits of microphone. Venus, Earth, and Mars from Jupiter, follow a newly discovered comet. Macintosh .512E, $15. and more. Database includes: 9,100 stars, 3,000 deep-sky objects, 88 constellations, 1,600 binary stars, and more. Space Macintosh 512E, $124.50. Tom Snyder Productions Science: Astronomy Weather Modelling Kit Grades 5-12 Intellimation A science data disk. Covers from early astronomy to modern space Science: Meteorology exploration.A partner to Tom Snyder Productions new videodisc, The Grades 7-College Great Solar System Rescue. To be used with MacTimeLiner by Tom Introduces students to the concepts of weather prediction and Snyder Productions. Network version available. analysis. Includes a comprehensive manual which explains the history Macintosh 512E, $9.95. and practice of meteorology. Also includes three programs to create and animate weather models: the Macstorm Barotropic Model, a Stargazer Macintosh version of meteorology's first prediction model; Atrnos Mousetrap Software Translator, which translates and prepares data for animation; and Science: Astronomy Atmos Animator, which analyzes weather data and creates a graphic Grades 6-12 weather movie. Also included are Meteorologica, which explains how Displays the night sky as it would appear at a specified time and from science and meteorology have coevolved with the aid of computers, a specified location (by latitude and longitude). Highlights theconstel- and The Gallery of Storms, a database of some of the most severe Mac lations. storms to affect the U.S. over the past 40 years. Does not run on Macintosh Plus, $24.95. Ilci or Ilsi. Macintosh Plus, $45; Lab pack, $180. Stella High Performance Systems The Wonders of the Animal Kingdom Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools Unicorn Software Grades 7-College Science: Biology; Animal Organism ns Provides tools to facilitate student understanding of science through Grades 1-6 the process of model building and simulation. Modeling begins as the Teaches students about the wonders of the animal kingdom while students use Stella's generic building blocks to create a diagram of thedeveloping language arts, reading comprehension, and discrimination system of interest. Stella automatically creates the equation structure and memory skills. Depicts animals from various zoological species, necessary for simulation. Allows user to test assumptions via simula- including prehistoric, jungle, fish, insects, amphibians, birds, and more. tion. Commodore 64/128, $29.95; Apple $34.95; Apple IIgs, Macin- Macintosh 512E, $200. tosh 512E, Commodore Am iga, $49.95. CI

The View From Earth Warner New Media Science: Astronomy Grades 7-College Based on Voyage Through the Universe from Time-Ufe Books. Covers solar eclipses, why they occur, and what makes them so rare; tracks

April 1993 SC1SS \TESS Update pagel3

Superhighwaycontinued from front page executive officers are in accordalready wired into; and FCC re- with the Clinton administration'sstrictions block companies from technology agenda." Rodgers toldproviding wireless connections to used their dominance in local com-members of the Subcommittee:existing fiber networks. munications to stifle competition"The administration would have Rodgers offered the following ex- from more advanced services. "Theus believe that the business lead-amples to underscore his position fact is," he said, "information-ageers of Silicon Valley stand unani-on the administration's data su- services that could have been de-mously behind its program. Theperhighway initiative. livered to customers have beenimage ofJohn Scully. CEO ofApple stalled." Computer, sitting beside the First air "The regional Bell operating Lady and applauding the State ofcompanies would gladly hook fi- These sentiments were sec-the Union address has beenber optics from the long-haul net- onded by Brian L. Roberts, presi-beamed far and wide by Whitework to the home. But they are dent of a Philadelphia cable TVHouse political operatives. prevented from doing so by regula- company, who said that if limits on tions that make the huge capital local phone companies are re- "I am here today in strong oppo-investments uneconomical." moved prematurely, 'Believe me,sition to the administration's eco- it will be the death of competition."nomic program in general and its rar "Cable operators are already technology agenda in particular. Ihooked into 60% of American But Richard H. Brown, viceam not alone." While approving ofhomes. They too could make the chairman of Ameritech, thethe administration's move towardconnection with existing long-haul midwestern Baby Bell. said thata high-technology vision. Rodgersdata superhighways, but they are local phone firms were under as-criticized its plan to spend billionsprevented by regulations that de- sault from a host of competitorsin taxpayer money to fund tech-clare them a 'natural monopoly' and needed to be allowed to com-nology programs. He argued thatand restrict them to television and pete in the coming market for so-these programs, such as the datamovie business." phisticated video transmission.superhighway initiative, could be Other supporters of the BBs ar- ur "The long-haul superhigh- funded by the free market withoutway could be hooked into the home gued that they cannot invest inany cost to the taxpayers. "Mul- fiber-optic lines which can bring a through wireless circuits. But the cornucopia of new services totiple, competing highways are be-frequencies required are currently schools and homes unless theying built day by day across thebeing held up by the Federal Com- United States.MCI, AT&T, andmunications Commission." are freed from rules which barSprint already have three inde- them from getting into long-dis-pendent, coast-to-coast, fiber- Rodgers's overall recommenda- tance and cable transmissions. based long-haul networks. Thetion:"Washington should stay These are old debates but havereal issue is extending those net-away from the intricacies of high- acquired a special urgency becauseworks into the home. The role fortech competition - whether the of the administration's data su-government is to untangle theissue is the data superhighway, perhighway push: and some pun-morass of bureaucracy and regu-high-performance computing, or dits see the wrangling which re-lations that prevents private com-advanced manufacturing.It sults as perhaps the biggest road-panies from hooking up the lastshould focus instead on the infra- block to the data superhighway. mile of fiber to the home," Rodgersstructure of competition...." 0 Meanwhile, T.J. Rodgers, presi-said. dent and CEO of Cypress Semicon- Rodgers said that government's ductor, insisted that the entire su- "Advanced telecommunications role should be in getting the bu- are increasingly being recognized perhighway should be privatelyreaucracy out of the way of compa- built. by states as a competitive weapon According to a companynies such as AT&T which are al- m economic development and press release. Rodgers' testimonyready chomping at the bit to con- was meant to convey "the growing business retention and attraction." nect all homes directly to their fiber - L. C. Mitchell, telecom- mood of discontent among manynetwork. AT&T, he says, is blocked munications consultant at the ac- of Silicon Valley's prominent lead-by rules that make the investment counting firm of Deloitte and Touche, ers regarding President Billuneconomical: while cable-TV noting that New Jersey is committed Clinton's recently unveiled tech-companies face regulations pre- to border-to-border fiber optics, and nology policy, including the dataventing them from supplying any- that although such an investment is superhighway initiative," and thatthing other than television signals costly, ignoring fiber optics will cost he meant to "challenge the percep-to the 60 million homes they are even more. tion that all high-technology chief Volume 19, No. 7 April 1993 111 page 14 Designed for the Macintosh, the pro- Software National Geographic has condensedgrams take advantage of the click-and- 23 interactive primary-level books into 5drag power of the mouse to create an . and CD-ROMs that are about as good as one environment in which the students set will find for beginning readers at school their own focus for exploration.The or in the home. objective is to reduce the abstraction of Technology The Wonders of Learning CD-ROMlearning algebra and geometry and to Library explores the wonders of naturalmotivate students to investigate math- science and geography in A World ofematical concepts. Animals, Our Earth, The Human Body, A Each program includes a teacher's World of Plants, and Animals and Howguide, a disk, and a back-up disk. $129. They Grow. For more information or a free 45-day CD-ROM technology entices childrenpreview, call WINGS for learning/Sun- to read, National Geographic says, byburstat 800321-7511. Fax 408438-4214. Millie's Math House (Pre-K to1, putting them in control. With a click of a Macintosh or MS-DOS) gets high ratingsmouse, children can tour the human body, Since planning for SMARTLINE began for the quality of graphics, music, andwatch a plant sprout from a seed, orin 1991, OERI has awarded contracts for understandable digitized speech, as well marvel at the metamorphosis of a butter-requirements analysis, prototype database as concepts which appeal to the young. fly as they follow the narration or easy-to- development, and a pilot test on INet Typical activity: tit small, middle, andread text. They can slow down the narra- (0ERI's Institutional Communications big characters with the right size shoe. tion, insert a de lay between phrases, pause Network). Build-a-Bug uses numbered body parts toto learn the meaning of words, and hear The prototype SMARTLINE databases build unique bugs.In Mouse House,words translated into Spanish. will be available on 1Net to the test group children use geometric shapes to build The text's font, size, style. and line this May and to a wider pilot group before houses that match blueprints. Sound cardspacing can be customized to suit eachthe end of 1993. recommended. $64.95. child's needs. In addition to its role as the SMARTLINE From Edmark. Redmond, Washing- For teachers or parents each CD-ROM pilot platform. INet is designed to facili- ton. Telephone 800 426-0856. features activity guides which can be tate information sharing between OERI easily accessed and printed.Designed and the major education research, devel- Encarta a multimedia encyclopediaspecifically for the Macintosh. the Li-opment. and dissemination institutions it on CD-ROM contains articles, animation, brary requires at least 2MB RAM (system supports. sounds, illustrations, graphs and photo- ' 6.0.5 or higher) with Macintosh-compat- For information about SMARTLINF, graphs, an atlas, a dictionary, a 20-footible CD-ROM drive: a color monitor is contact _lames A. Mitchell.202 219-2050. historical timeline from 15 million B.C. advised. $99.95 list per CD-ROM. S89.95 For INet, contact Keith M. Stubbs. 202 to the present, and more than 100 histori-to educators, $395 for the set. Order from219-1547. cal maps with accompanying sound andNational Geographic at 800 368-2728 animation to explain subjects such as theweekdays or fax anytime to 301 921- There may be light at the end of the C ivil War and the Crusades. For MS-DOS. 1575. carpal tunnel, as well as for other syn- $249. dromes related to the repetitive, awkward From Microscoft, Redmond, Wash- Anyone interested in a history of themovements demanded by traditional key- ington. Telephone 206-882-8080. world on CD-ROM for a pricey S795 may boards: a new keyboard design from Ki- want to take advantage of the publisher'snesis Corporation, Bellevue, Washing- The San Diego Zoo Presents...The Ani- offer to try it first. Produced by Bureauton. The Ergonomic Keyboard conforms mals, a multimedia CD, which presents De ve I opment. to the shape and movements of the hands more than 1,250 photographs and 2.500billed as a "complete and authoritativeand wrists, with the traditional key layout pages of information, more than an hourcollection of works from the dawn ofon separate. concave alphanumeric key- of video clips, and two hours of aud io withcivilization to the present day,- includes pads for each hand.Reprogrammable special sound effects for hundreds of ex- several hundred authoritative works and keys allow for customization, and sepa- otic mammals, birds, and reptiles. Macin-provides an annual update for S125. Arate thumbkey keypads redistribute the tosh or MS-DOS, $119.95. little caveat emptor may be appropriate.load from the normally overworked little From Software Toolworks, Novato,Call 201 808-2700 to get a password and fingers to the thumbs. Palm supports, California. Telephone 415 883-3000. instruction. closer placement of keys, and optional foot pedals are all designed to reduce The Oregon Trail, one of MECC's more New from WINGS for learning/Sun-injury to wrists and hands. Call 206 455- popular releases, is now available in aburst, high-school math courseware: Math9220 for more information. deluxe edition. Call 800 685-MECC. Connections: Algebra I and Algebra II, and Geometry Inventor. EPS:Jr-am The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning 112 page 15 Rib Attufs f3ookz Along with commercials in classroom comes word of solid news media for young folks. Included are: Tomorrow's Morning, a weekly newspaper for 8- to 12- year-olds, modeled along the lines ofLeJournaldes 3ournatz Enfants in France, with a definite USA Today look. $16.17 for 33 issues; a more expensive per issue $29.95 for 52. Telephone 800 365-2881. AmericanGirl, 6 to 10 year olds, published every two months by Pleasant Company, Middleton, Wisconsin. fretbito Six issues. $19.95. Telephone 800 845-0005. Free from OERI, Department E1B, 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20208-5641: Rau Can't ink 'ern, join 'eni Performance Assessment (OR 92-3056). Discusses a form of testing which requires students to perform a task IMedia-Literacy Comic Book rather than select an answer from a ready-made list. Big Noise, a 24-page media-literacy comic book, is Reading Recovery (OR 03,3058). Discusses an early-aimed at developing more media-savvy teenagers by intervention program to help low-achieving 6-year-oldsdeconstructing advertising, music, videos, and television learn to read. programs aimed directly at this age group. Subscriptions Directory of Library Research and Demonstrationto the bimonthly newsletter are available for $8 from: Big Projects 1976-86 (LP 92-4760).Abstracts of FundedNoise, 1243 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Colum- Projects an analytical and chronological history of thebia VZ6H 1B7, Canada. Telephone 604 736-9401 Higher Education Act, Title II-B, Research and Demon- stration Program from OERI. II Teacher's Guide The Family Television Research Center at Yale Uni- Free from ACCESS ERIC, 1600 Research Boulevard,versity has created a teacher's guide, Creating Critical Rockville, Maryland 20850-3166: ERIC Review, FallTV Viewers, tohelp students make better use of their TV 1992 (ERIC 92-5024). Discusses partnerships betweenviewing. The book breaks television down into basic schools, colleges and universities, businesses and com-elements such as message, visual and aural ingredients, munities. and edited sequences. The guide suggests strategies for properly identifying fact, opinion, and appeals to emo- tion in programs, and for interpreting a program's Rintrita (Paint guibt intent. A 77-minute videotape illustrates some of the points made in the book. Creating Critical TV Viewers The America Online Membership Kit and Tour Guide,costs $15.95, with the video an additional $39.95, plus MS-DOS and Macintosh versions, provides operating$4 S&H. Telephone 800 228-4630. software and 10 hours free online time for new and current users. All you need to know about electronic mail, interactive forums, computing support, online classes, software files, news, and more. $34.95 from Ventana Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Telephone EPIEgram 919 942-0220. Affiliated with EPIE Institute

EPIEgramispublishedincooperationwithEMInstitutebySterOne Caooettt angle glar6or Tress, P. O. Box 22, Greenpott, New Yodc 11944. Basic subscription rate for nine issues a year (October R. R. Bowker, loyal to print, is offering a 2,000-page through June.) is $65. Additional subscriptions to the same book with information on more than 50,000 audio cas- address are $30. The basic rate for subscribers in Consor- settes from some 1,000 producers.Listings include tium (SCISS) States is $45; for our Canadian buddies, $75. fiction, non-fiction, contemporary works, classics, en- Earl L. Fultz, Editor & Publisher tertainment, education, and business. $135 from R. R. P. Kenneth Komoski, Executive Director, EPIE Institute Bo 0 ker, New Providence, New Jersey. Telephone 908 Pat Lutzky, Manager, SCISS\TESS 464-6800.

Volume 19, No. 7 April 1993 113 en%ore, Brain Dead ,, DOE polls show that as of 1990, 9% of 17-year-olds watched suI. television at least six hours a day; as did 17% of 13-year-olds; 1 iIIi and a terrifying 23% of 9-year-olds. Asians Doubling According to a 318-page report, the nation's school-age population of Asian and Pacific Island heritage will more than double by 2020. Based on existing census data, the nation's Asian-Pacific population has doubled each decade since 1970 to about 7.3 million in 1990. This will increase to 20.2 million or 8% of the U.S. population by 2020, according to the Asian American Studies Center of the University of California in Los Teachers'Pay Angeles and the Asian Pacific American Public Policy Institute, According to the NEA, the average annual salary for public-a think-tank established last year. school teachers rose from $9,268 in 1970, to $17,644 in 1980, Copies of the report, The State of Asian Pacific America: to $32,977 in 1990. According to the DOE, the average will be'Policy Issues to the Year 2020 can be obtained by calling 213 $40,092 in 2002. 485-1422.

Pupils' Cost According to the DOE, the nationwide expenditure per pub- Educational Software lic-school pupil was $911 in 1970; $2,502 in 1980; and $5,243 According to the Software Publishers Association, parents in 1990. spent far more on educational software for schook -e children in the first nine months of 1992 than during the sam, -Pliod a Harper's Index year earlier: $81.5 million compared to $58.5 million. This is Average amount of own money a U.S. public-school teaciera 39% increase, compared to only 18% for all types of software spends on teaching materials each year: $500. in the same period. (However, Nintendo and Sega sales topped 10 million units last year and are expected to increase to 13 Ratio of the number of Americans employed by government million in 1993.) to those employed by manufacturers: 1:1 Chances that a child in the U.S. public-school system has been classified as mentally or physically disabled: 1 in 10 TechnologyUsed Rank of basketball among sports contributing to the largest Viewed statistically, the acceptance of technology in schools number of fatalities among players each year: 1 is increasing rapidly: the incidence of satellite dishes is up 87%; computer networks, 64% (with Apple having a slight edge over Change, since 1970, in the percentage of elderly Americans IBM); CD-ROM, 48%; and videodisc, 45%; with modems at living in poverty: -13. 26%. Change in the percentage of American children living in According to Quality Education Data, more than half the poverty: +7. nation's students now attend school in districts which have satellite dishes, videodisc, and cable television. Math Atectude But statistics can be misleading. There are still more than 13 DOE polls show that in 1978, 27% of 17-year-old studentsstudents for every computer, many of the machines are old, few agreed with the statement, "I am taking mathematics onlyhave software which aligns with the curriculum, and the chances because I have to." Twelve years later, in 1990, the figure are pretty good that one can graduate from high school with little was...27%. or no computer skills.

EFEgram BULK RATE Software and Systems for Learning U.S . POSTAG E P. O. Box 28 PAID PERMIT NO. 38 Greenport, New York 11944 GREENPORT, NY 11944

Ms. Nancy R. Preston,User Service; ERIC Clearinghouseon Information Res Schl of Infor Studies,Schl of Educat 030 Huntington Hall,Syracuse. Univers Syracuse NY 13244-2340 114 page 2 pinton

for administrators are not uncommon, with many back- Nobody Asked Me, door percs such as personal loans and mortgages, payment for hundreds of days of accrued sick leave, So.... paid-up life insurance policies, plus, of course,. pen- sions. Do educators ever agree on anything? Must educa- Parkinson, whose famous law decreed that work tors forever keep proving the first law of physics thatalways expands to fill the available time, also found that any force in one direction has an equal andoppositebureaucracies grow at a constant rate of about 5% whatever the government, in good times or bad, and force in the other direction? Take Head Start. Some studies suggest that the Headwhether there is more work or less work for them to do. Start children are less likely to fail a grade or to needIt is almost a truism that a government project, once special education. Others say that after three years, onestarted, can never be eradicated - and some $5 million Bush's can't tell a Head Start child from any other. was recently appropriated to keep President Everyone agrees on one thing at least: the cost ofPoints of Light Foundation going. Would anyone have education keeps rising, the results keep falling. missed it other than those in its employ? We think the time for tinkering is past. Change of a Draconian nature not only seems inviting but neces-Different Kinds of Intelligence sary.Just as war is too important to be left to the Having scored high on the Stanford-Binet test long military, education is too important to be left to educa-years ago, we naturally had a certain affection for it;but tors. we have come to recognize what we always sort of Bureaucracies have their own built-in failure sys-knew: that there are many different kinds of intelli- tems. The purpose of the bureaucracy is to assure itsgence, and it is time those concerned with the education own survival; but the single-minded pursuit of that goalof children recognized it. Although ours is a country diminishes the justification for its existence. which presumably exhalts individuality, our schools New York was rocked recently by the million-dollarappear to want to make everyone appear made from the benefits for a retiring education official. Subsequentsame mold. Earl L. Fultz investigations show that salaries of more than $100,000 Editor & Publisher

"Anyone who wants to be chancellor of the New York"They have taken our money, betrayed our trust, failed City schools should be automatically disqualified." our children, then lied about the failures with inflated - Felix Rohatyn, financier. grades and pretty words." 'Er Thomas Sowell, Inside American Education, The "You could draw a 'Keystone Cops' image here ofDecline, The Deception, The Dogmas. people charging off indifferent directions and bumping into each other and, in some instances, having a conflict with one another. There's no sense of where the prob-"The strongest force in the school-finance world is lem is and how we should work together to get there."inertia. Everything is based on what happened before." - Ernest L. Boyer, President, Carnegie Foundation - John Augenblick, school-financeconsultant. for the Advancement of Teaching, commenting on many efforts for school reform.

"It would be a great irony at this moment if we central-"]At present] people are essentially retrieving archival ize the school system into a single national system. Weinformation; but the technological capabilities are there are coming to understand that you can't run the systemand fairly quickly people will realize that you don't with top-down rule-making. The actual coordinationneed the public school system to access the best minds has to be closest to kids." in the world." - Lauren B. Resnick, Director, Learning Research Lewis J. Perelman, School's Out: Hyperlearning, the and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh. New Technology, and the End of Education.

-Egern The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning The Newsletter Of Software and Systems

for Learning 1 gram Volume 19, Number 8 May 1993

Ethical Use of Some Scenarios Dealing with Ethics: Par Elementary school with tight budget. Teach- Information Technologies ers make illegal copies of commercial, educa- tional software programs which they distribute to in Education colleagues. U.S. Department of Justice sar Middle-school students are encouraged to practice writing skills by sending electronic mail Study Addresses Important to one another over the school network. One Ethical Issues for America's Schools student sends an obscene story to several friends; the story is given wide distribution on the net- (Excerptedfrom report preparedfor the work. When confronted by school authorities, National Institute of Justice by Jay P. the student maintains he has the right to send &yin and Ellen R. Maio of Interactive personal mail of any sort to his friends. Educational Systems Design ()MD) of sir High-school teacher sets up an electronic New York.) . bulletin board. Over time a network of students From the Foreword learn how to pull off various "pranks," including Plato posed the central ethics issue addressed in distribution of stolen long-distance phone ac- this publication in The Republic: *Suppose you had cess codes, and introduction of a virus program a ringwhich, when you turned the stone, made you which destroys data on the system and eventu- invisible. Why, then, should you act justly?" ally causes it to crash. Before reinstalling the The same question faces today's computer user bulletin board, teacher and students must set up who, with technology's aid, can effectively become rules for future users and ways to enforce the invisible. How do we best assure the just and rules. effective use of the new technologies that are an ssr A teacher shows her students how to com- increasingly vital part of both our personal and bine text, graphics, video segments, digitized professional lives? voice and music to create computerized multime- The increasing use and importance of comput- dia presentations that can then be transferred to ers has resulted in the rapid growth of such video tape. The students capture music from practices as piracy, fraud, information destruc- audio CDs and use graphic images from books tion, and telecommunications abuse. Computer without obtaining rights. The, teacher distributes crime is generally on the rise, creating increasingly copies of the video tape to colleagues from other serious problems for law-enforcement officials. schools - then worries that she may be in viola- We believe the ethics issues need to be ad- tion of copright laws. continued on page 13 dressed from kindergarten through graduation- and computer-ethics education programs need to SCISSITESS Update involve students, teachers, administrators, school- Begins on Page 5 board members, parents, and community and business leaders. The Latest Language Software Jay P. &yin and Ellen R Maio are fonner Directors of from TESS Software Evaluation for EPEE institute (1984-88) and Plus Some Eady-Leaming Programs contributors to EPIE1nstitute's 1LS evaluations in 1990. Issues and Practices in Criminal Justice is a publication of the National Instih tro of Justice. This Eight Colossal Pages report appeared In the May 1992 Issue. of Program Data and Descriptions Page3

Money Must Reach Classroom lions of dollars. Account-review compa- Says C of C nies such as Tele-Review (Jericho, New In the York) are finding big discrepancies be- "Unless the money is reaching the class-tween real usage and the bills. A brc kerage room, the child, the teacher," says Dr.company in New York found that iz had Bruce Cooper, "it's not reaching the re- lost $5 8 million between 1984 and 1989 to NEWS source." Dr. Cooper is professor of educa-bill errors; and the New York City Depart- tion at Fordham University and the chiefment of Housingusually something less researcher on a U S Chamber of Com-than a paragon of efficiencyhauled in a merce study on school budgets. $1.7 million refund from New York Tele- The recently released study, known asphone. Had the statute of limitations on the Lilly School Finance Project, is anearlier overcharges not expired, the refund "Many a Slip... undertaking of the Chamber's Center forwould have been larger yet. With some ...twixt cup and lip," is the prognosis forWorkforce Preparation and Quality Edu-auditors finding errors on almost half of the Clinton Administration's plans to es-cation. Researchers examined the finan-their clients' phone bills, phone-bill audit- tablish a full-blown youth apprenticeshipcial records of eight school districts anding looks like agrowth industry. Atpresent, system during the next two years.Justorganized their expenditures using a simplemuch onerous drudge work is required in about everyone thinirl the idea has meritspending model. Most schools, it found,auditing the bills; but more and more com- and figures show that today's high-schoolfall far short of the ideal goal of 75% topanies will begin using computers to dial graduate without any post-secondary edu-80% of school spending reaching the class-routine telephone calls, making automatic cation earns an average of 15% less than aMOM. reconciliation possible. Many communi- 1979 graduate. Nationally, the figure is 61%. In thecations programs and even PIMs will dial a Critics note that for even 15% of stu-study, classroom expenses ranged fromphone number for the user, but few will dents age 16 to 20 to participate in an54% to 63%. The model is a refinedkeep a record of the calls. Industry pundits apprenticeship would require one of everyversion of one used to track spending insee this as a growth area in utility pro- five employers nationwide to offer at leastNew York City public schools; in thatgrams. one apprenticeship slot. Another aspect ofstudy only 33% of available budget was Besides actual errors in telephone bills, the problem is that labor organizations arefound to reach the classrooms. schools, government agencies, and busi- afraid that a system of apprenticeships Somewhat typical was the Charlotte-nesses whichhave leasedhigh-performance could create a reservoir of non-union em-Mecklenburg County School District inlines may be routinely handing over sacks ployees. North Carolina, where the study identifiedof money for lines which they stopped However, many states won't be waitingmore than $4 million in administrativeusing years ago when, as modem technol- for a federal program. Five (Arkansas,costs that could be moved into academicogy advanced, their need for special cables Georgia, Maine, Oregon, and Wisconsin)programs. In Nashville, the study revealed to move their data evapoiated.Other have enacted legislation to create theirthat 25% of the budget went to maintain theorganizations have found to their horror own youth-apprenticeship systems; andsystem's old and dilapidated buildings. that the order to remove the leased line was ten others, including California, Texas, The other districts in the study were: ignored; or that they are still being charged and Vermont, are expected to considerAlameda County, California; Bartlesville, buckets o' gold for leased lines which were such bills this year. Oklahoma; Great Falls, Montana; Jefferson indeed removed in actuality but not flom Secretary ofEducation Richard W. RileyCounty,Colorado; and Spartanburg County,the cyberspace of the automated billing considers youth apprenticeship essentialSouth Carolina. The study was funded by aprograms! to "radically rethinking and restructuringgrant from the Lilly Endowment, a chari- the high-school years. Most young people,"table foundation in Indianapolis. Virtual Library he notes, "can only be motivated to take For a free copy of the report, fax a The Columbia University Law Library academically challenginig courses if theyrequest to: Larry Maloney, Center for can see a connection betwen the classroomWorkforce Preparation and Quality Edu- has begun creating a"virtual library" which can find and display on a computer screen knowledge and its application in the widercation, U S Chamber of Commerce, 202 world." 887-3445. the image of an actual printed page, re- Robert B. Reich, the tiny but brainy trieved from a database of millions of such Secretary of Labor, is concerned that the images. The system, which is called Project Bungled Phone Bills Janus, is the first library application of the United States is creating a "two-tier soci- Suck Millions ety" of skilled and unskilled workers. He search and retrieval of "full-text" images. The researcher can have the computer considers the federal role should be one from Trusting Pigeons churn through its entire database for any which provides direction but is not so Communications Week reports that er- word, phrase, or text and then retrieve an inflexible that it deters innovation at therors on telephone bills are costing organi- local level. zations ei macho dinerosometimes mil- continued on following page

Volume 19, Number 8 117 May1993 Pig* 4 eluding math and science; and academic image of the actual printed pages or docu-learning, and teacher teams that stay with support, such as using computers for read- ments in which the string occurs. the students for two or three years. Kentucky mandaied in its somewhating, writing exams, and taking notes. $10,000 to the Evelyn Aronow-Dolan Alibi Eyes radical 1990 reform law that all schools should establish multi-age, multi-abilityFoundation, Hackensack, New Jersey, for Student excuses from the the AmericanK-3 primary units by 1994. California isexpansion of the Disabilities Electronic Psychological Society magazine, the APSpushing to retain its image as the trend-Network, a multi-line computer bulletin Observer setting state; Missouri's Project Construct,board and interactive communications net- "My paper is late because I lost a pair of centered at the University of Missouri, iswork operated by and for people with eyeballs and I couldn't do anything until I promoting the new framework in Missouridisabilities, to include a national network found them." (Turned out to be true: the and other states. Nebraska and Iowa areof high-school computer clubs for stu- student worked in an eye bank.) drawing on materials developed by thedents with and without disabilities. The "I had an accident The police im-Ministry ofEducation in British Coltunbia. network will include a teleconference for pounded my car and the paper was in the Not all is without turmoil. Experts notethe math and science teachers of partici- glove compartment." that the new vision ofelementary schools ispating schools. "I'm too happy to give my presentation coming in fits and starts; however, to quote $30,000 to the Foundation for Technol- tomorrow." (The teacher managed to re- one observer "Even if people are teachingogy Access, Albany, California, for exten- move that obstacle.) m the old way, they Imow they shouldn'tsion of Models for Integration: Science & Two students, after sitting together dur- be; eventually, their teaching may catch upTechnology to additional schools. The ing an exam, were asked to explain why with their perceptions." project tests and demonstrates new ways their answer sheets had identical responses of integrating secondary-level students to different versions of the test. "Obvi- with disabilities into mainstream science ously," said one, "it's because we studied 99.9% Not Good Enough programs through the use of computers. together." Students who settle for "good enough" instead of zero defects might benefit from Information Technology NASDC Faltering knowing what life would be if things were done right only 99.9% of the time: 16,000 Boosted The resignation of Ann D. McLaughlin pieces of mail lost by the U.S. Postal .Ser- "Innovation in Education: Information as president and CEO ofthe New American vice every hour (sounds about right); 500Technology Opportunities," a study by Schools DevelopmentCorporationpointedbotched surgical operations every weekKillen & Associates, examines public edu- up the difficulties of that organization. (but will settle for that); 50 newborn babiescation and the application of information Created during the Bush Administration as dropped by the obstetrician every day (thattechnology to a newly defined national a private, not-for-profit foundation to cre- might explain math scores); and 22,000education program of lifelong learning. ate agenerationof"breakthemold" schools, checks deducted from the wrong bank ac-The study proposes that new measures in the NASDC has fallen far short of its goal to counts every hour. education and information technology can raise $200 million from private sources reduce our nation' s "opportunity gap" and ($48 million thus far). One problem is that stem the drain of human and financial business leaders are waiting to see the Grants for Technology resources. Clinton administration 's view ofNASDC 's for Disabled The study stresses the education of chil- Mire. NEC Foundation of America has an- dren as the nation's highest priority."Noth- Meanwhile, in Gastonia, North Caro- nounced grants totaling $185,000 to sevening less than a 'Manhattan Project' or 'Man lina, the "Odyssey Project," an effort to organizations to support programs that share on the Moon' commitment is needed to restructure three ofthe district's 54 schoolsa common focus on science and technologyattack all aspects of this problem," said with a $2 1 million grant from NASDC (one education and assistive technologies forMichael Killen, president of the research of eleven such projects), has run into con-people with disabilities. The grants in-firm. "But that isn't likely to happen." siderable opposition. Among the changes: cluded: So, the next best and most promising a longer school day and year, coordinated $20,000 to EDUCCM in Washington,approach is to apply information technol- education, health and social services, and D.C. toward completing development ofogy to the national education challenge. early-childhood schooling. the Project EASI (Equal A:xess to Software "Children from varied economic and and Information) Seminar Series to helpsocial backgrounds can learn on their own, Reform Schools colleges and universities use adaptive com-even at home, if they have the needed The movement to reform schools isputer technology in support of students andtools," said Killen. "The limits of schools happening all over America. The state offitculty with disabilities. Project EASI fol-to solve today's problems are creating a Oregon, for example, has some well-ad-lows EDUCOM's agenda for integratingmulti-billion dollar opportunity for infor- vanced programa, some launched as earlytechnology into classrooms, curricula, andmation technology. We see major busi- as 1985. Typical reforms include multi-research. It addresses general facilities andness opportunities for applying IT to edu- age clasaes, .team-teaching, cooperativesupport, discipline-specific computing, in-cation." The Newsletter ofSoilmsre and System for Leaming ,z IUM FOR IMPROVING So O

:-z.. Aa -...... - . ...,-...... a a =.... E E 1-r",1 = = = = ...... o [Fa-1 THE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE SELECTOR

order, and letter pronunciation. As each letter is presented, a The Latest of digitized voice names it. On the screen, a word beginning with that letter appears, along with a graphic description. Requires HyperCard. TESS Macintosh Plus, $29

Programs The American Heritage Dictionary WordStar International (Chiefly for the Macintosh) Canprehensive Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Tools of Grades 5-Co1iege Dictionary and thesaurus which is the electronic version of the Language dictionary by Houghton Mifflin. Contains 116,000 definitions and the complete Rogers Thesaurus. Operates as a desk acces- From Aesop to Latin sory on the Macintosh. Students get immediate access to defmition, spelling corrections, pronunciation, and more. Offers a reverse search capability called SearchText Macintosh Plus.

Aristotle's Greek Tragedy Construction Kit Intellimation Aesop's Fables Foreign Language: Other Languages Discis Knowledge Research Grades 9-College Reading: Comprehension Skills Works as a nonlinear, non-sequential tutorial and reference Grades 1-5 guide to Aristotle's Poetics. Students can use it to explore Covers the tales traditionally attributed to the legendary Aesop.character, plot, verbal exiiressions, thought, song, staging, and Student can ask the book to read" favorite passages, to explain lexicon in lab, lecture, and individual study. Quotations from the or pronounce unfamiliar words, and even to identify objects intext are included. With click of a button, can translate Greek to the accompanying pictures. Provides interaction with the tales English or English to Greek. Requires HyperCard. to improve understanding. Program includes both English and Macintosh Plus, $45. Spanish. One of the Discis Books. Average lesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. A+ Spanish Tutor Macintosh 512E, $79.95; Commodore Amiga, $49.95. Queue Foreign Language: Spanish A+ French Tutor Grades 7-College Queue A complete tutorial package in Spanish, including interactive Foreign Language: French lessons in vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. Grades 6-College Forty-two programs on one CD-ROM provide excellent feed- A complete French grammar course, plus coverage of Frenchback on incorrect answers, good online help, and intuitive vocabulary and reading comprehension. Special bonus programs accenting of letters. Requires CD-ROM drive. in German, Latin, and Italian. The programs offer students a high Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $295. level of interactivity, immediate feedback, and remediation after each wrong answer. Requires CD-ROM drive. At the Zoo Macintosh 512E; IBM PC and compatibles, $195. Gessler Publishing Company English and Language Arts: English As Second Language The Alphabet for Everyone Grades 1-10 Intellimation An interactive picture book, ',Ns HyperCard program combines Early Learning and Preschool spelling, visualization, and pronunciation by native speakers. Grades K-2 Students can click on an object to see its name spelled and hear A HyperCard stack to help teach letter recognition, alphabetic the name pronounced. They learn the vocabulary of animals and

SCISSWESS Update May 1993 paga 6

Ditto masters included. Requires CD-ROM drive. objects At the Zoo. Requires HyperCard. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $195. Macintosh Pius, $39.95. Big Thesaurus Autoskill Component Reading Subskills Deneba Software Autoskill International Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Word Processors Reading Grades 3-College Grades K-12 An interactive thesaurus desk accessory that can display more Includes an assessment and profile analysis of a student's reading than 1.4 million combinations of synonyms and antonyms, and skills in terms of subtypes of reading difficulties. Lesson content related, compared, and contrasted words. Includes more than is tailored to address subtypes. Online word processor gives 100,000 words, organized by meaning as opposed to parts of students opportunity to learn writing and editing skills. Keeps speech, and includes a separate definition for each group. records. Macintosh 512E, $49.50. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles. Blank-Itl Au Zoo Intellimation Gessler Publishing Company Reading: Comprehension Skills Foreign Language: French; Vocabulary Grades 4-6 Grades 1-10 Students read a story with selected words and letters blanked An interactive picture book, this HyperCard program combines out. Context clues help them fill in the blanks. Students can write spelling, visualization, and pronunciation by native speakers. original stories or select previously saved stories. For use with Click on an object to see it spelled and hear its name pro- individual students or groups; teacher can list relevant questions nounced. Viewers learn the vocabulary of animals and objects Au and rules of grammar for each story on a pop-up menu. Requires Zoo. HyperCard. Macintosh Plus, $39.95. Macintosh Plus, $29.

Bailey's Book House Book Report Series Edmark Corporation Intellimation Early Learning and Preschool Reading: Vocabulary Grades Presch-1 Grades 7-12 Designed by early childhood experts, offers children six acvities Illustrated, interactive programs which encourage young read- to help them build key early reading skills. Interactive, multi- ers to explore the classics. They meet the main characters ard sensory, animated, and full of characters to enrich children's enjoy engaging illustrations. Teachers can add comments about reading education. Requires 4MB RAM if using a color Mac. the plot. Helps build vocabulary and comprehension, because Macintosh Plus, $59.95 difficult words are defined. Includes an optional vocabulary quiz. Answers to embedded questions are automatically formatted Berlitz Think and Talk into a detailed book report. Includes The Adventures of Huckle- HyperGbt Software Company berry Finn, Animal Farm, The Call of the Wild, Cyrano de Bergerac, Foreign Language: Spanish; Vocabulary Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet. Requires HyperCard. Grades 9-College Macintosh Plus, stories $39 each, lab pack $156. Helps students learn Spanish, French, German, or Italian the way they learned their native language. Users listen to native speak- Chinese Writing Tutor ers and repeat what they hear. Lively dialogues and scenes from HyperGlot Software Company SO lessons filled with sound effects, witty graphics, and audio Foreign Language: Other Languages cues help students learn more than 1,000 words. Can even Grades 9-College record user's own voice into the program to compare with the Extensive tutorial on Chinese writing systems, both standard teacher's voice. Requires HyperCard and CD-ROM drive. and simplified. Covers basic strokes for composing characters. Macintosh Plus. Animated stroke-order rules. Fifty-two important radicals in tutorial with variant forms and simplified versions. Pronuncia- The Best Literature Workbook Ever tion presented in Pinyin. Extensive notes throughout More than Queue 250 common characters. Exercises and illustrated practice drills Reading: Comprehension Skills for radical and character recognition. Requires HyperCard. Grades 4-12 Macintosh Plus. A collection of reproducible student worksheets and software tutorials which offers a comprehensive survey of literature. Questions test and reinforce comprehension a the reading passages as well as critical reading and evaluative thinking skills.

SCISS11ESS Update May 1993

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Cinderella Das Haus Discis Knowledge Research Gessler Publishing Reading: Comprehension Skills Foreign Language: German: Vocabulary Grades K-3 Grades 1-10 Provides interaction with the story to improve understanding.An interactive picture book, this HyperCard program combines A poor but beautiful young girl wins the heart of a prince with spelling, visualization, and pronunciation by native speakers. the help of her fairy godmother. Students can ask the book to Students can click on an object to see its name spelled and hear "read" favorite passages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliar the name pronounced. They learn the vocabulary of objects in words, and even to identify objects in the accompanying pic-a home. With a second disk, students can test themselves. tures. One of the Discis Books. Average lesson 30 minutes. Requires HyperCard. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh Plus, $39.95. Macintosh 512E, Commodore Amiga, $49.95. Developing Writing Skills Conference Writer Queue Research Design Associates English and language Arts: Basic Skills; Composition and Writing English and Language Arm Basic Skills; Composition and Writing Grades 6-12 Grades 5-12 Hundreds of hours of interactive lessons help learners of all ages A HyperCard p rogram that establishes collaborative peer writing fine-tune their writing skills. A variety of question formats groups on a Macintosh network Allows instructors to create upmaintains students interest. Immediate feedback tells students to twelve writing groups and assign group members. Each their answers are correct. Titles includes: Learning to Write, member of a group sees everything everyone in the group writes Basic English Composition Package, Developing Writing Skills, as it appears in a Transcript Window. Network version avail- Practicing Writing Skills, Practical CompositionSeries, Dictio- able. nary Skills, How to Do Research, and Usage. Requires CD-ROM Macintosh 512E, $249. drive. Macintosh 512E, $295. Correctamente Medina Software A Discis Book: Heather Hits Her First Home Run Foreign Language: Spanish; Vocabulary Discis Knowledge Research Grades 7-College Reading: Comprehension Skills Spanish-language dictionary. Checks spelling of 80,000 Spanish Grades 1-4 words, including accented words. Documentation comes in Certified P.C., this is a story of how children feel in life's crucial English and Spanish. Requires Microsoft Word. moments. Students can ask the book to "read" favorite pas- Macintosh Plus, $2636. sages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliar words, and even to identify objects in the accompanying pictures. Provides interac- Correct Grammar for the Macintosh tion with the story to improve understanding. Program includes WordStar International both English and Spanish. One of the Discis Books. Average Comprehensive Generaked Tool Programs; Word Processorslesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. Grades 5-12 Macintosh 5 12E, $89.95; Commodore Amiga, $49.95. An interactive grammar, spelling, and style-checking application. In a single pass through a document, it will highlight phrasesA Disds Book: Journey Emergent Level One containing questionable grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation,Discis Knowledge Research and style, and suggest alternatives. The context-sensitive tuto- Reading: Comprehension Skills rial provides grammatical rules and examples which explain to Grades Presch-1 students the suggested corrections. A variety of stories, poems, and songs with illustrations and Macintosh Plus, $99. photographs. Students can ask the book to "read" favorite passages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliar words, and eynn to Correct Writing identify objects in the accompanying pictures. Provides interac- WordStar International tion with stories, poems, and songs to improve understanding. Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs Part of the Journeys Series. One of the Discis Books. Average Grades 4- 1 2 lesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. An online reference tool that offers comprehensive guidelines Macintosh 512E, $79.95. for proper style, punctuation, and writing techniques. Appears on the student's screen like a spiral-bound notebook. StudentsA Discis Book: A Long Hard Day on the Ranch merely click on the subjects they want to learn more abou Discis Knowledge Research there are no commands to learn and nothing to type. Reading: Comprehension Skills Macintosh Plus, $59.95. Grades K-5 Tale shows how a young boy imagines his days at the ranch, while

SC1SS\T6S Update May 1993 121 Patt 8 accompanying illustrations show more mundane reality. Stu-objects in the accompanying pictures. Provides interaction with dents can ask book to "read" favorite passages, to explain or the poems to improve understanding. Program includes both pronounce unfamiliar words, and even to identifyobjects in English and Spanish. One of the Discis Books. Average lesson 60 accompanying pictures. Provides interaction with story to minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. improve understanding. Program includes both English and Macintosh 512E, $89.95; Commodore Amiga, $59.95. Spanish. One of the Discis Books. Average lesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. A Discis Book The Tale of Peter Rabbit Macintosh 512E. $74.95; Commodore Amiga, $49.954 Discis Knowledge Research Reading Comprehension Skills A Discis Book: Moving GWes Me a Stomach Ache Grades Presch-2 Discis Knowledge Research The dassic tale of naughty Peter Rabbit, written and illustrated Reading: Reading Readiness by Beatrix Potter. Students can ask the book to "read" favorite Grades 1-6 passages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliar words, and even to Explores children's feelings about moving. Students can ask the identify objects in accompanying pictures. Provides interaction book to "read" favorite passages, to explain or pronounce with the story to improve understanding. Programs include unfamiliar words, and even to identify objects in the accompa- English and Spanish or English and Cantonese. One of the Discis nying pictures. Provides interaction with the story to improveBooks. Average lesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires understanding. Programs include English and Spanish or English CD-ROM drive. and Cantonese. One of the Discis Books. Average lesson 60 Macintosh 512E, $89.95; Commodore Amiga, $59.95. minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 512E, $89.95; Commodore Amiga, $49.95. A Discis Book: The Tale of Benjamin Bunny Discis Knowledge Research A Disds Book: The Night Before Christmas Reading Comprehension Skills Disth Knowledge Research Grades K-3 Reading. Comprehension Skills Beatrix Potter's story about the raid by the rodents Benjamin Grades 1-4 Bunny and Peter Rabbit upon Mr. McGregor's garden, where Covers the classic poem of Santa Claus and his Christmas Eve they are confronted by a stalwart cat. Students can ask book to ride by Clement Moore. Students can ask the book to "read""read" favorite passages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliar favorite passages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliar words,words, and even to identify objects in accompanying pictures. and even to identify objects in accompanying pictures. Provides Provides interaction with the story to improve understanding. interaction with the story to improve understanding. Program Program includes both English and Spanish. One of the Discis includes both English and Spanish. One of the Discis Books. Books. Average lesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires Average lesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM CD-ROM drive. drive. Macintosh 512E, $74.95; Commodore Amiga, $59.95. Macintosh 512E, $79.95; Commodore Amiga, $49.95. A Discis Book Thomas's Snowsuit A Discis Book The Paper Bag Princess Discis Knowledge Research Discis Knowledge Research Reading: Comprehension Skills Reading: Comprehension Skills Grades K-2 Grades 1-3 Everyone tries to get Thomas into his detested new snowsuit, A tale of a heroine who outsmarts a fierce dragon and learns anand everyone ends up wearing it instead! Students can ask book important lesson about love. Students can ask the book to to "read" favorite passages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliar "read" favorite passages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliarwords, and identify objects in accompanying pictures. Provides words, and even to identify objects in the accompanying pic-interaction with story to improve understanding. Programs tures. Provides interaction with the story to improve under- include English and Spanish or English and French. One of the standing. Program includes both English and Spanish. One of the Discis Books. Average lesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Discis Books. Average lesson 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 512E, $79.95; Commodore Amiga, $49.95. Macintosh 512E, $74.95; Commodore Amiga, $49.95. Drills in Kona A Discis Book Scary Poems for Rotten Kids HyperGlot Software Company Discis Knowledge Research Foreign Language: Other Languages Reading: Comprehension Skills Grades 9-College Grades 3-6 Tutorials on stroke order with animation. Students hear syl- Students are introduced to poetry through humorous, scarylables pronounced by native speakers. Flash drills for learning poems. Students can ask the book to "read" favorite passages, quick recognition of kana and association of sound and shape of to explain or pronounce unfamiliar words, and even to identify characters. Drills in random order. Word pronunciation drills

SCISSITESS Update May 1993 122 Page 9

consist of kana students have already learned. Reading dnlls English Express exercise students on their ability to recognize words written in E. David & Associates kana and to test oral comprehension of words. Words are English and Language Arts: English As Second Language illustrated so student may recall them without seeing them Grades 3-12 written. Difficult words may be marked for redrill. Worksheets Combines interactive software with speech, visuals, sound, an.cl can be printed so student can practice writing the kana when text for ESL students. Offers students opportunities for listen- away from computer. Requires HyperCard. ing, speaking, reading, and writing English. Includes 60 categories Macintosh Plus. of words, 1,500 color images, and teacher training materials. Contact supplier for price. Requires sound digitizer. Editorial Advisor Macintosh 512E Petroglyph Comprehensive: Genera1ized Tool Programs; Word Processors English Grammar Computerized 11 Grades 9-Colkge International Software A set of HyperCard stacks designed as a comprehensive online English and Language Arts: Basic Skills; Grammar and Usage reference for writers. Covers grammar, punctuation, style, Grades 7-12 usage, composition, citations, indexing, capitalization, treatmentContains 15 review and practice lessons on grammar struc- of numbers, hyphenation, use of italics, and other editorialtures. Lessons reinforce standard textbook presentations on conventions. Provides guidance in thousands of matters impor- verb tenses, modals, nouns, pronouns, interrogatives, tant to writers. comparatives, and indirect objects. Each lesson contains 50 Macintosh 5 I 2E practice items with answer-judging capability and easy access to help screens. Network version available. The Elements of Style Apple 11 Series, Macintosh 512E, $49.95. Microlytics Corp English and Language Arm Basic Skills; Composition and Writing French Flash Grades 9-College International Software A grammar and structure reference tool based on the work ofForeign Language: French; Vocabulary William Strunk and E. B. White. A tool to help make writing Grades 7-12 crisp, succinct, and powerfully effective, and not like thisVocabulary drill with unlimited space for teachers or students to description. add their ovm custom vocabulary entries; can provide synonym, Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles. definition, and sentence context. Offers scoring and printed tests. Network version available. Emergent Level Two Apple liSeries, Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $39.95; Discis Knowledge Research site license or network version, $150. English and Language Arts: Comprehension Skills Grades K-2 French Reading Lab 1: Three by Maupassant A variety of stories, poems, and songs with illustrations and HyperGlot Software Company photographs. Students can ask the book to "read" favorite Foreign Language: French passages, to explain or pronounce unfamiliar words, and even to Grades 9-College identify objects in accompanying pictures. Provides interaction Offers three very different but representative short stories by with stories, poems, and songs to improve understanding. Partthe acclaimed nineteenth-cesitury author Guy de Maupassant of the Journeys Series; one of the Discis Books. Average lesson The product includes everything the user needs to begin reading 60 minutes. Copy protected. Requires CD-ROM drive. French masterpieces. Features on-screen French-English dictio- Macintosh 5 I 2E $79.95. nary, extensive glosses, font enlargement buttons, interactive exercises, audio-cassette tape read by a native speaker of En el Zoologico French, background notes, biographical information on author, Gessler Publishing and a variety of printing options. Requires HyperCard. Foreign Language: Spanish; Vocabulary Macintosh Plus. Grades 1-10 An interactive picture book, this HyperCard program combines Gateway Stories spelling, visualizttion, and pronunciation by native speakers.Don Johnston Developmental Equipment Students can click on an object to see its name spelled and hear Reading: Reading Readiness the name pronounced. They learn the vocabulary of animals and Grades Presch-2 objects At the Zoo. Requires HyperCard. Student or teacher can select a story. Students listen to text and Macintosh Plus, $39.95. turn pages with mouse click. Includes the book Mouse Tales by Arnold Loeb!. Requires HyperCard. Macintosh Plus, $125.

SCISSNTESS Update May 1993 Q par 10

German ContestlAchlevement Prep 'The House International Software Gessler Publishing Foreign Language: German English and Language Arts: English As Second Language Grades 7-12 Grades 1-10 Contains several hundred multiple-choice questions with an-An interactive picture book, this HyperCard programincludes swers and commentary from standard exams.Included are bothspelling, visualization, and pronunciation by native speakers. grammar and culture. An online dictionaryprovides vocabulary Students can click on an object to see its name spelled and hear help. Items are in ASCII format, making this program accessiblethe name pronounced. They learn the vocabulary of objects in themselves. to teachers who wish to add or modify questions or comments. a home. With a second disk, students can test Network version available. Requires HyperCard. Apple II Series, Macintoth 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $49.95; Macintosh Plus, $39.95. site license or network version, $180. Wollner German Flash Intellimation International Software Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; M iscel laneous Tools Foreign Language: German; Vocabulary Grades 7-College Grades 7-12 Helps students develop outlines by automating standard outlin- Vocabulary drill with unlimited space forteachers or students to ing methods. Number and letter labels are inserted automati- add their own custom vocabulary entries; can provide synonym,cally before headings. Students can prepare outfines with or definition, and sentence context. Offers scoring and printedwithout labels, subtopics, or window notes. They can savetheir tests. Network version available. work in Idealiner format, as text files, or in any text format Apple 11 Series, Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $39.95; Macintosh 512E, $45. site license or network version, $150. Ideal Language Arts Series Getman Passive Voice Tutor Ideal Learning HyperGlot Software Company English and Language Arts; Basic Skills; Multiple Topics Foreign Language: German; Grammar and Usage Grades 3- I 0 Grades 9-College This is a full-year course designed to utilize all of the capabilities Informative tutorial and drill on passive voice formation. In-of the Mac LC, such as sound, high-resolution color graphics, and cludes 150 sentences that cover present, simple past, present animation. Each objective has a pre-test and a post-test for perfect, past perfect, future, and subjunctive tenses. Sentencesdetermining the path students will take through the teaching of are given in the active voice and user must rewrite them inthethe skill. Each unit includes modeling and guided and individual passive voice. Extensive online help and parsing feature guidepractice designed to culminate in a high-order thinking activity. users word by word to the correct answer as they constructThe course is appropriate for all students, including those in their answer sentence. Help also includes plural forms of nouns, special programs such as ESL, Chapter I, and gifted.Itis translations, and past participles of verbs. Also covers questions, sequentially designed and can be easily correlated with local and modals, subordinate clauses, dative double objects, lessen plusstate objectives. Operates under Ideal Learning's PODIUMCur- infinitive, and sein plus infinitive. Requires HyperCard. rkulum Manager. Macintosh Plus. Macintosh LC $2,000 per grade.

Hagar the Polyglot Ideal Learning Reading Series Gessler Publishing Ideal Learning Foreign Language: Spanish; French; Grammar and Usage Reading Grades 9-College Grades 4-8 Available in Spanish (Olafo el terrible) and French (Hagar leThis is a full-year course designed to utilize all of the capabilities terrible). The user encounters contextual, authentic language. of the Mac LC, such as sound, high-resolution color, graphics, Contains a grammar analysis and glossary for each word,and animation. Each objective has a pre-test and post-test for grammatical exploration, and an English translation. The user determining the path the students will take through the teaching sees multiple examples of the same kind of language useof the skill. Each unit includes modeling and guided and individual (complaints, questions, exclamations, etc.), creates personal practice designed to culminate in a high-order thinking activity. responses, and inte,acts with Hagar. For the the second- and It is appropriate for all students, including those in special third-year learner. Requires HyperCard. programs such as ESL, Chapter I, and gifted. It issequentially Macintosh Plus, $69.95. designed and can be easily correlated with local and state objectives. Operates under Ideal Learning's PODIUM Curriculum Manager. Macintosh LC, $2,000 I;er grade level.

SCIM113.5 Update May 1993 page I I

Im Zoo KanjiMaster Gessler Publishing HyperGlot Software Foreign Language: Gemian; Vocabulary Foreign Language: Japanese Grades 1-10 Grades 7-College An interactive picture book, this HyperCard program combinesMore than 325 characters and hundreds of compound words spelling, visualization, and pronunciation by native speakers.reproduced in digitized sound recorded by a native speaker of Students can click on an object to see its name spelled and hearJapanese. Provides browse mode, pronunciation drill, English- the name pronounced. They learn the vocabulary of animals and meaning drill, Japanese drill, dictation drill, and stroke-order objects At the Zoo. Requires HyperCard. drill. Macintosh Plus, $39.95. Macintosh 5 I 2E, $149.95.

Interactive Storybook La Casa Intellimation Gessler Publishing Reading: Reading Readiness Foreign Language: Spanish; Vocabulary Grades K-3 Grades 1-10 Uses art and interactive graphics to make children's talescomeAn interactive picture book, this HyperCard program combines magically alive. Based upon Piaget's cognitive theories, thesespelling, visualization, and pronunciation by native speakers. total language arts experiences encourage children to explore Students can click on an object to see its name spelled and hear appropriate language concepts through the use of written,the name pronounced. They learn the vocabulary of objects in spoken, and pictorial media. Series include: The Gingerbread Man, a home. With a second disk, students can test themselves. The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Shepherd and the Coyote. Requires HyperCard. Macintosh Plus, individual story, $62; entire series, $169; series lab Macintosh Plus, $39.95. pack, $676. La Maison Introduction to Russian Gessler Publishing HyperGlot Software Foreign Language: French; Vocabulary Foreign Language: Russian Grades 1-10 Grades 5-College An interactive picture book, this HyperCard program combines An introduction to the Russian language. Teaches students thespelling, visualization, and pronunciation by native speakers. sounds of Russian (with extensive digitized sound recorded by Students can click on an object to see its name spelled and hear native speakers of Russian), the Cyrillic alphabet, howto read the name pronounced. They learn the vocabulary of objects in Russian words, and an introduction to Russiangrammar with a home. With a second disk, students can test themselves. brief exercises. Requires sound generator and 8MBRAM. Requires HyperCard. Macintosh 512E, $39.95. Macintosh Plus, $39.95.

Italian Flash Language Master International Software Franklin Software Foreign Language: Italian Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Miscellaneous Grades 7-12 Tools Vocabulary drill with unlimited space for teachersor students to Grades 5-College add their own custom vocabulary entries;can provide synonym, Provides dictionary definitions for 80,000 entries andreturns definition, and sentence context. Offers scoring and printed 1.4 million responses for 40,000 thesaurus entries. The dictio- tests. Network version available. nary contains definitions, usage notes, and hyphenation points. Apple II Series, Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $39.95;The thesaurus contains synonyms, antonyms, related words, site license or network version, $150. compared words, and contrasted words separated intogroups sharing a common meaning and part of speech. je Conjugue Macintosh 512E, 18M PC and compatibles. Editions Ad Lib Foreign Language: French; Grammar and Usage LanguageWriter Grades 5-College Research Design Associates Offers students a way to practice conjugating French verbs,Comprehensive: Author Languages using four different learning activities: exploration,practice, Grades 9-College test, and competition. A multimedia program that allows instructors to combine the Apple 1101e/1101gs, Macintosh 512E IBM PC and compatibles, written and spoken word. Users can hear as well as see text $69.95. supplied by the instructor and can respond with soundor text.

SC1SS \TESS Update May 1993 l'?5 page 12

The ability of the teacher to includerecorded conversationalJust Grandma and Me materials along with the written textsis especially useful for Broderbund Software Reading: Reading Readiness students of foreign languages. Grades K-2 Macintosh Pkis. The first in Broderbund's Living Booksseries. Based on the best-selling book of the same name (included)by Mercer Mayer, Latin Contest/Achievement Prep the award-winning author and illustrator.In this interactive, International Software animated storybook, Little Critter and hisGrandma go to the Foreign Language: Latin beach, where they have a series of stirringadventures. Little Grades 7-12 defends himself questions with an-Critter takes a ride on a wind-blown umbrella, Contains several hundred multiple-choice talented starfish, and from standard exams. Included areagainst a nasty crab, meets a variety of swers and commentary unusual features: An online dictionary provides much more. The program includes many grammar, culture, and reading. characters; original music; making this program animations and sound effects; talking vocabulary help. Items are in ASCII format, children; multiple lan- accessible to teachers who wish to add ormodify questions ornarration; simple interface for young guages (Japanese, English, andSpanish); and interactive and read- comments. Network versionavailable. only modes. These all combine to bringthe story to life while Apple 11 Series, Macintosh 512E, IBM PCand compatibles, $49.95; reinforcing reading and word-recognitionskills. Requires CD- site Ikense or network version, $180. ROM drive. Macintosh LC, 80386-based PC, $49.95.

Kid Works 2 Davidson & Associates Early Learning Early Learning & Preschool Grades Presch-4 Allows children to create and hear their ownillustrated stories. Combines an easy-to-use word processor, paint program,and text-to-speech conversion, allowing children tolearn to express their thoughts both visually and in writing. Macintosh LC, $69.95.

Blocks Builder KinderLink Preschool Pack Early Learning & Preschool Nordic Software Gmdes Presch-3 Aviation and Space Flight Allows young children to create, build, and design.Includes block Grades Presch-2 three levels of difficulty. Pre-school contains only long Six programs that use speech and color graphics toteach basic shapes; shapes; early school a larger variety of large block skills to preschoolers and first graders. Letterrecognition, elementary 45 shapes. Many colors allow for creative designing. simple math, counting, and shape/pattern comparisons are Can be used by children with no computer experience. emphasized. Short-term memory is also developed.The pro- Macintosh Plus. grams are simple and easy to useand understand. Macintosh 512E, $69.95.

EducatIonal Games for Young Children Queue Rodney's Fun Screen Reading: Reading Readiness Activision Presentation Systems Grades K-4 Early Learning & Preschool This collection from Spinnaker, Springboard, and Tou can feartu res Grades Presch-2 skills. Titles include: Early programs for development of early Illustrator Rodney Greenblat presents a world ofeducational Games for Young Children, The Boars Tell Time, How Many, pastimes. With Dinky's Playhouse, children helpDinky complete Easy as ABC, Not Like the Others, What Comes Next, and Early tasks while going from room to room. UsingImaginaryMonsters, Reader. Requires CD-ROM drive. they practice writing skills. With Guess-O-Matic,they practice Macintosh 512E, $95. alphabet and letter matching. Macintosh LC $49.95.

May 1993 SCISSITESS Update Page13

Ethical Usecontinued from front page Schools should a) set policy and b) How Technolov incorporate ethical issues into the Can Affect Ethical curriculum. sir Students in a junior-high En-and Unethical Behavior glish class are asked to keep a daily A child who would not think ofInformation Technology word-processing (linty. When onesearching through a classmate'sand the Law student is absent, another accessesdesk to read a personal dialy (and Federal Copyright Protection and reads her Maly entries, some ofpick a lock on it) might feel free tofor Computer Programs. A 1980 which reveal extremely private de-access the same classmate's diaryamendment to the 1976 Copyright tails of her life. stored in a word-processing file onAct. it gives computer programs a network. A teenager who would The foregoing, the authors note,never dream of robbing a bankthe same basic protection as other are just a few of the ethical situa-might experience fewer qualmsoriginal works of authorship. tions facing educators. They also Software License Agreements. about attempting to steal fundsSchools do not technically pur- note, however, that few school sys-from the bank electronically. tems have policies and educational chase software but, rather, pur- Possible explanations, the au-chase the rights to use it in the programs in place to address ethi-thors say: a) Technology removes cal issues as they relate to tech-one from reality, e.g. the book ormanner specified in the agreement. nology: physical and intellectual Fair Use. Not defined in the 1976 the money. It becomes an abstractCopyright Act but generally inter- property rights: the right to pri-act. b) The perpetrator often be- vacy; and limitations on freedom pretedto includereproduction. Four lieves he can escape detection. c)factors are considered: 1) Purpose. of expression. Information technology introduces They also point out: 'This time Non-profit educational uses are "psychological distance:" there isusually considered acceptable. 2) lag between the introduction ofno first-hand experience of harm- new technology and attempts to The nature of the copyrighted work. ing others - one may not experi-3) The amount and proportion of address its ethical implications isence the other as a person at all. nothing new. Other technological the whole copyrighted work used. advances such as nuclear energyConfusion Over IntellectualThe smaller the proportion. themore and the automobile were imple- likely to be considered "fair." 4) The mented in our society long beforeProperty effect the use might have on the their responsible use was fully Students and teachers may havecopyrighted work's market poten- considered." a firm sense of right and wrongtial or value. And they point out that just asabout physical property but may The book goes into useful detail schools now offer driver-educa-lack a similar concern about in-on how to use cost-effective pur- tion courses to encourage the re-tangible (intellectual) property. Ifchasing options for schools. how to sponsible use of automobiles,a car is stolen, the owner is de-employ "fair-use" to benefit your schools have a similar need toprived of the use of the car ifschool, and various ideas for teach- address the responsible use of com-information is stolen from a com-ing ethics at various grade levels. puters and related technologies. puter network, the victim (usu- ally) still has access to the infor-Summary The Challenge mation and may never realize a The potential for crime and theft was committed. The perpe-abuse is on the rise and some Computer-related crime is atrator may well believe no one has growing problem. A national sur- applications of technology chal- been harmed. lenge our nation's core values (e.g.. vey of urban police chiefs shows Also: When we buy physical that 84% consider computer crime the right to privacy*, the right to property (e.g. a bicycle), it is oursfree expression). It is not new for will have a serious impact on theirto do with as we wish. However, future workload.Financial loss our educational system to teach similar broad rights are rarelyabout ethics, but as the uses of due to computer abuse is alreadygranted to owners of intellectual conservatively estimated to be more educational technology increase, property. than $5 billion annually.Civil so does the ethical complexity. libertarians are particularly wor- Schools have a vital role to play ried about the invasion of privacyWhat Schools Can Do in helping our children understand because computers are used to Schools have a major role tohow existing values, policies, and collect a wide variety of informa-play in reinforcing traditional so-laws apply to a rapidly changing tion and are easily "cracked." cietal values and helping studentsworld which is increasingly de- to see how these values apply topendent on information technol- the use of information technology.ogy.

Volume 19, No. 8 May 1993 1 ' page 14

got the vote; the life and times of "Fight-tributed by ODC. It has already been listed ing Belle" Case LaFollette (1859-1931). for adoption by three states this school year Software HerOwn Words, P. O. Box 5264, Madi- California, Indiana, and Nevada. son, Wisconsin 53705. Telephone 608 Insights is an elementary core science 271-7093. Purchase $95; rental $40. Each curriculum comprising 17 modules. The video has a companion resource guide formodule topics represent a balance of the $20 with script, viewing notes, discussion life, earth, and physical sciences and al- questions, readings, bibliography. low for continuous growth in experience. Technology The Windows on Science curriculum The Doctor Is Input includes 11 videodiscs, printed lesson Soaring medical and insurance ex-plans, student activities, and companion reading program.In addition to still penses make a medical software program images, each videodisc contains movie derAgned specifically for families and small clips that are narrated in English and organizations more than usually useful. Spanish on parallel audio tracks. Known as Doctor Bill's, the program is CODIE Awards Announced For more information, call 800 524- published by Bayou City Software, P. O. KidDesk by Edmark won in two cat- 2481. egories (Best Educational Tool and BestBox 55, Bellaire, Texas 77402-0055. Telephone 800 759-4842. A new Version User Interface in a New Program) in the Happy Trails annual CODIE awards from the Software2.0 is $69. The Oregon Trail, MECC's well-re- l'ublishers Association, but other educa- ceived simulation, is now available for tional programs also did well: National Geo Atlas the Macintosh on CD-ROM. The newest ga r Just Grandma and Me (Best Overall The National Geographic Society has version has hundreds of new full-color Education Progam) and Where in thecreated A Picture Atlas of the World, its graphics and digitized speech, designed USA is Carmen Sandiego, Deluxe Edition first CD-ROM atlas. Developed by the to draw the user into the dusty world ofthe (Best Home Learning Program),Society's Educational Media and Carto- pioneer trekking Westward. Broderbund Software. graphic Divisions, in conjuction with A new release from RECC in the trail gar Millie's Math House (Best EarlyIBM's EduQuest, it features maps, pho- mode is Amazon Trail in which the user Education Program), Edmark. tos, essays, music, and video and audio must navigate the endless Amazon and gr Dinosaur Adventure (Best Elemen-clips. The multimedia format allows the survive on its terms. The user charts the tary Education Program) and Space Ad-viewer to jump from a map to a street course, manages supplies, fishes, explores venture (Best Secondary Education Pro- scene to music and the spoken word with the rainforest, talks with the natives, and gram), Knowledge Adventure. a click of a mouse. So far only a DOS SimLift (Best Simulation Program) One interesting feature is that userstrades for goods. version; a Mac will be out by summer. and A-Train (Best Strategy Program),have the option of creating their own $49.95. Telephone 800 685-MECC; ex- Maxis. multimedia presentations from the disk's tension 549 for Oregon Trail. In Canada, The Critics Choice Award for Best1,200 photographs and video clips. The Education Program went to Interactivematerial may be copied to a diskette,800 663-7731. A catalogue of more than Physics II by Knowledge Revolution. making it ideal for classroom reports. 200 MECC products is available free. New York Times columnist Peter Lewis Available for $149.95 retail, $99 to was recognized for outstanding contribu-educational institutions from the National Geometer's Sketchpad tions, one of five journalists so honored.Geographic Society; telephone 800 368- from IBM His award was for "Best Software Re- 2728; fax 301 921-1575. EduQuest, IBM's educational division, viewer." Lewis is syndicated to several is now offering The Geometer 's Sketchpad, hundred papers internationally. State Adoptions a middle- and high-school geometry pro- Optical Data Cororation is bugelinggram developed by Key Curriculum Press Women's Video the news that two of its videodisc science ofBerke ley, California. Now available for Her Own Words of Madison, Wiscon-programs have been listed for adoption in the first time on IBM computers that run sin, is carving out its own niche: women'sa number of key states. In 1990 Windows Windows, the program allows students to history, literature, and art on video. Sub-on Science became the first electronic construct and manipulate geometric con- jects range widely: Winnebago Indiantextbook adopted by Texas; now fourcepts, explore abstract relationships, and women telling about their childhoods;more statesIndiana, New Mexico, Utah,investigate geometric concepts. photos of quilts with commentary by theand West Virginiahave come on board. The program runs on IBM compatibles women who made them; a Norwegian Insights, a hands-on science curricu-using Windows 3.1. $170 with educator's immigrant pioneer woman tells how shelum for grades K-6 developed by Educa- discount; $900 for school site/network learned to love the prairie; how womention Development Center, will also be dis- package. Telephone 800-IBM-3327. continued on following page The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning page 15

than most ordinary college textbooks. Rabbits Are Multiplying Full-scale expansion could start as The New Math Rabbit has just been early as next year. released, an upgrade ofthe award-winning Math Rabbit to teach early math skills to Parent Involvement in the Educa- riotu5 tional Process. Annotated bibliogra- children ages 4-7. Published by The Learn- phies and abstracts ofjournal articles ing Company, the Rabbit family now has for use by educators who want to four titles, all ofwhich are built around the A natural law about computers notinvolve parents in the educational concept of combining sophisticated graph-sufficiently appreciated may be:"Any- ics, digitized speech, sounds, and music. process; 65 pp., $7.50. ERIC Clearing- thing new that's electronic and whichhouse on Educational Management, New Math Rabitttakesplace at a Circusdecreases the need for paper at the of Numbers which has five attractions: College of Education, University of desktop, creates an equal and oppo-Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403. Calliope County Game, the Tightropesite need for printed books on how to Show, the Sea Lion Show, the Balloon use it effectively." Several such tomes The Latest and Best of TESS.The Matching Game, and the Prize Center.to be considered follow. There are lively animations and digitized most recent and most highly rated The Macintosh Bible is still consid-software programs culled from The speech to add interest to the activities. ered the best Macintosh book. AEducational Software Selector For 1BM-compatible and Apple Macin- Fourth Edition is now out for $32 tosh. Available from The Learning Com- (TESS), developed by EPIE Institute. from Peachpit Press of Berekeley,Some of these programs will have pany, 6493 Kaiser Drive, Fremont, Cali-California. Telephone 800 283-9444. fornia. Telephone 800 852-2255. appeared in APIEgram during the The Apple Macintosh Book, Fourthpast year. The 1993-94 edition will Edition by Cary Lu, 500 pages on howbe available in May. Write, call, or CD-ROM Boomiet to get the most out of your invest-fax Pat Lutsky, EPIE Institute, 103- After several years of promise, CD-ment. Not for dummies. $24.95 from3 West Montauk Highway, Hamp- ROM looks like it might make the predic-Microsoft Press of Redmond, Wash-ton Bays, New York 11946; tele- tions come true. Industry experts expectington. Telephone 800 677-7377. phone 516 728-9100; fax 728-9228. the ratio of students to CD-ROM drives in The Fred Davis Windows 3.1 Bible schools to drop to about 160 (it's currently is high on every expert's list, but at If you want insight into what the over 550) and prices are expected to fall 1,100 pages it may well be more thanbest and brightest are saying about $2-500. Also, expect computers with CD- most people want to know. improving math and science teach- ROM drives bundled in at little extra cost The Internet Companion, subtitleding, you could do worse than to get Sony recently released its Desktop Li-"A Beginners Guide to Global Net-Improving Math and Scknce Teach- brary CD-ROM System, which includesworking," with a foreword by Alberting, a report on a conference held in two software applications and two discs: Gore. As proof that Internet is evolv-Washington by the DOE's Office of The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclope-ing into something far more powerfulEducational Research and Improve- dia and Volume I of Great Wonders of the than CompuServe or Prodigy, the twoment Stock #065-000-00553-1. $1.75. World. authors (Tracey LaQuey and JeanneSuperintendant of Documents, U. S. Eastman Kodak Company has madeC. Ryer) lived a time zone apart andGovernment Printing Office, P. 0. CD technology more accessible by en-never met while the book was beingBox 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylva- abling its Photo CD player to do doubleplanned or written.$10.95 fromnia 15250-7954. duty, playing audio CDs and photographsAddison-Wesley of Reading, Massa- on television monitors, and it will workchusetts. Telephone 617 944-3700. Head Start and Beyond: A Na- with both MS-DOS computers and Macin- tional Plan for Extended Chiklhood tosh. Apple's latest version of QuickTime etheralunteei at Intertet.... Intervention. Edited by Edward Zigler reads Photo CD files; and Kodak's new and Sally J. Styfco. 155 pp., $20. Yale Photo-CD Access software gives MS-DOS, The American Heritage CustomUniversity Press, 92A Yale Station, Windows, and Mac users the ability to read Publishing Group, a subsidiary ofNew Haven, Connecticut 06520. and save Photo-CD images. Kodak willAmerican Heritage magazine, an- transfer photos for about $1 per image to anounced it is well advanced on plans The Kentucky Education Reform: disc which can hold 100 images, and pro-to provide the K-12 market, withLessons for America, by Betty E. motes it as the least expensive way to getemphasis on high school, with cus-Steffy, former state deputy superin- images digitized for library use. tomized textbooks.Sir on &tendent of instruction, reviews mas- For more information: EduQuest, 800Schuster and McGraw-Hill are al-sive reform plan undertaken in Ken- 769-8322; Sony, 800 352-7669; Eastmanready well advanced in this area.tucky. Technomic Publishing, P. O. Kodak, 800 242-2424; Apple, 800 950-American Heritage expects its text-Box 3535, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 2442. books to cost about $15 to $18, less 17604. 319 pp., $35. Volume 19:8 May 1993 sINNIS. esesors state senators; 44% did not know that Thomas S. Foley is Speaker of the House; 35% did not know that Alan Greenspan imon is Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board; more than a third could not name the Prime Minister of Britain; 23% did not kow 11 I that the Supreme Court has nine justices; and 18% could not name a single justice. Dumbness Flourishing Acording to the Chronicle of Higher Education (4/24/93) about one in every three freshmen entering college needs reme- dial courses of some kind. Deficiencies vary-reading, of course, but also an inability to study, math, just about everything they should have learned in high school; and worries vary as welL ESL Boom Professors worry about the impact large numbers of marginal The number of U.S. residents for whom English is a secondstudents will have on college standards; administrators worry language jumped some 30% in the last decade to a total of 31.8about the cost of remediation. million. One in seven residents, 14%, grew up or are growing Indicative is that fewer students scored 600 or above in the up speaking a language other than English. verbal SAT in 1992 than in 1972 despite the fact that many more Numerically, Spanish speakers (173, million) far outnumberstudents took the test any other group; but in percentage terms, some unexpected Among the reasons given: too much gaping at television and language groups have risen precipitously. French Creole speak-the fact that many public-school teachers, uncomfortable with the ers, for example, increased from 25,000 to 188,000; but theidea of an intellectual eliteeven among the lower-income fastest-growing language group, at 676%, was Mon-Khmer,students which are the only kind they see, make greater efforts spoken by Cambodians, speakers of which increased fromto improve average and below students than to foster high 16,000 to more than 127,000. achievement in the unprivileged but gifted. The state with the highest percentage of ESLers was New Mexico (33.5%), followed by California (31.5%), and Ha- Software Zooms waii(24.8%), with New York close behind (13 3%). The Unit software sales in North America are up strongly, accord- greatest increase, however, was in California, up 3.6 million in ing to the Software Publishers Association: 36% for the year and just ten years. 40% for the quarter. The dollar volume for 1992 totaled $5.75 billion. PCed Homes Better Educated International sales growth outpaced the North American Computerized households have a number of distinctions,market despite the longstanding problem of digital pirating. according to a recent survey funded by SPA, including higherWhile DOS sales declined in the fourth quarter, it remains the incomes and four years of college (51%). While only 10% oflargest category with 45% of revenues. Windows sales almost U.S. households have annual incomes of $75,000 or more,doubled to $1.93 billion, with Macintosh sales about half that almost 30% of computer-owning households are in that cat- amotmt. egory. Home-education products were up 47% for the year, a significant trend, with entertainment products up 29%. Ivy on the Brain A group of University of Permsylvania students surveyed Vanishing Act more than 3,000 undergraduates at their own and other Ivy In 1942, there were 108,579 independent school districts; in League schools and found that half could not name their home-1992 there were 14,556.

EFEgram Software and Systems for Learning BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE P. 0. Box 28 PAID PERMIT NO. 38 Greenport, New York 11944 GREENPORT, NY 11944

Ms. Nancy R. Preston,User Services ERIC Clearinghouseon Information Res Schl of Infor Studies,Schl of Educat 030 Huntington Hall,Syracuse Univers c.vracuse NY 13244-2310 Fo I E

The Newsletter of Software and Systems

for Learning Volume 19, Number 9 June 1993

in a form they want is the Clinton plan's ultimate Data Networks goal; but millions of miles of additional optical- fiber is not necessarily required in order to attain Ramifying that goal. In fact, say experts, we already have a national fiber-optic transmission system that is mostly unused. Superhighway a-Building from Instead, attention must be paid to mundane Ground Up details, things like giving high schools the soft- ware to access supercomputers, training people to use them, and budgetingfor the phone bills the The Future Is Already Here - computer connections will ring up. It is this less But Can You Afford It? glamorous, middle-tech work of hooking people into today's information network that will have the biggest immediate impact on the nation. High-tech experts have laid out an ambitious At Oak Park-River ForestHigh,a key factor vision of the telecommunications future: a vast, enabling students to use supercomputers is the fast network of cables, terminals, computers, and school's courses in applied science and technol- telephones that would connect the country far ogy; moreover, the school's technology depart- more closely and significantly than the interstate ment head, Bob Gauger, is eager to collaborate highway system did in the 1950s. But two things with universities and exploit technology to its should be kept in mind about this Information fullest. Superhighway which the Administration is pro- Even though connections between Oak Park moting. One is that it won't be here for years; the and Urbana would work better with a dedicated other is that it already is. fiber-optic data line. Gauger wasn't about to wait Look for no one giant construction project like for one to be built; so his students access the the Panama Canal; no magniloquent ceremony supercomputer using regular telephone lines. like the driving of the golden spike.Instead, "I wanted to do itrightnow," Gauger told the pieces of the network are already being created in Thibune. "Why wait for something that's perfect in thousands of places around the country; and the future, when you canget goingand use the slowly they will coalesce. system right now? Our current setup is slow and As evidence, consider places such as the Oak sometimes locks up and can be frustrating, but Park-River Forest High School: the Chicago Tri- the kids are using it and learning. That's what's bune reports that students there, working from important." what once was a storeroom. use Macintoshes to maneuver a multimillion-dollar Cray II continued on page 13 supercomputer more than 100 miles away in Urbana. having it solve complex equations in 1.:::ii4ikiii614...4;iff.,..er...,..4: . SCISSPESS.- "U . -.,.....4,0A..: quantum mechanics. Projects such as this one, -:: , ...... ,,.- tv.5,-.7,..c.Fly,- undertaken now by high-schoc t students, would Begi.,...nt.on PottgeliptitY., ::-:. i-,., ,...,.1.:..,..,y,..r.p..x.,-...t::-...1.. have challenged university graduate students only . .. -....-.-1--.1.-.,i... ,--..,4-,.,;:-.I.-- ..::,R1-43,11,04ete: ' a few years ago. isvEatest. It is a prime example how the Information Mathernafics anal: Superhighway, the centerpiece of the Clinton- .:1311siness.8k.Criareetittlitti6fi, V Gore Administration's technology policy, can improve public education. It also illustrates how much of America's information infrastructure is already in place. 'Seven Colossal Pabei'' Linking schools and libraries to powerful com- of Program Data and Descriptions puters and giving everyone access to information 131 page 2 pinion

is where the ability to reason will remain crucial for the "In this decade, the ability to communicateubiqui- forforeseeable future." tously will explode. Communications bandwidth Edward F. Gardner, Agnes Irwin School, Rosemont, digital information will expand at a rate even greater Pennsylvania. than the microprocessor growth in the 1980s." James A. Cannavino, IBM selior vice president,"My personal belief is that there is no other way to make after IBM and Blockbuster announced the formation of achange. The only thing that really matters in reform is multimedia alliance todeliver music, films, and games elec- what happens between teachers and kids." tronically to retailers. Robert E. Slavin, founder of Success for All Pro- "The old means of distributing information were verygrams, Johns Hopkins University. unfair. When I was at Harvard, I'd get preprints by virtue of being on a very select mailing list The rest of"[There's no question the cumulative impact of this the world, the postdocs, would have to wait to get theirbanalization of sex and violence in the popular culture stuff months later. In a field that's rapidly developing,is a net negative for America. I think the question is, what can Hollywood do not j ust to entertain, but to raise that means everything." Dr. Paul Ginsparg, a physicist at Los Alamos,the human spirit? Historically, artists elevated human- quoted in "Ming Science on the Network: A Long Way fro'nity, they didn't debase life. Even when art captures Gutenberg," New York Times, May 18, 1993. something horrible, like Goya's war paintings, it was to make people see war for what it is." "I know people who have stopped using Internet be- President Clinton, interview with TV Guide. cause they get 500 messages a day." - Susan Kubany, presidentof Ornnet, ibid. "During the presidential campaign, Bill Clinton was a persistent advocate of public school choice. This not "To the question, 'What problem does the informationonly firmed up his credentials as a 'new' Democrat. He solve?' the answer is usually 'How to generate, storeactually liked the idea, having installed a school choice and distribute more information, more conveniently, atprogram in Arkansas. School choice got a further plug greater speeds than ever before.' This is the elevationin Putting People First, Clinton's campaign book. He of information to metaphysical status: information aspledged to 'help states develop public school choice both the means and end of human creativity.Inprograms like Arkansas's.' And in the presidential Technopoly, we are driven to fill our lives with thedebate in Richmond, Virginia, last October, Clinton quest to 'access' information. For what purpose andendorsed a variant of school choice: innovative 'charter' with what limitations, it is not for us to ask; and we areschools started by teachers under contract to public not accustomed to asking, since the problem is unprec-school authorities. 'I don't think we should spend tax edented." money on private schools, but I favor...radical decen- Neil Postman, Technopoly: The Surrender ofCulturetralization in giving more power to better trained prin- to Technology. cipals and teachers.' "That was last year, when Clinton was playing an "Education is a progressive discovery of our ownoutside game, appealing to voters. Now, as president, ignorance." he's playing an inside game, catering to congressional - Will Durant. Democrats, liberal interest groups and his own admin- istration. School choice and charter schools have prac- "There are two kinds of educations. One should teachtically vanished from his agenda." us how to make a living and the other how to live." Fred Barnes in The New Republic. - James Truslow Adams. "Education should not be partisan, and everyone who "[Math students1 responsibilities are shifting from cares about our nation's future must continue to work manipulative skills needed in the past toward reason- for the improvement of education for all children." ing skills needed in the future. There are many kinds of Diana Ravitch, Assistant Secretary, Office of Edu- decisions better left to humans than machines, and that cational Research and Improvement.

The Newsletter of Sofrware and Systems for Learning 132 Page 3

IBM, today accepted the largesse in a cer- More CopyrightAgita emonyatEasterniunior-Senioaligh School. In the Since software and electronic publishers The iron was donated to schools and don't own the copyrights tothe photographslibraries across Pennsylvania through the and other material they package into theircombined efforts of Richard M. Walsh, multimedia, they must perform series ofspecial assistant to the governor for tele- NEWS complex negotiations with those who do. communications and technology systems, Insiders say there will have to be big changesand the state Department of Education. in copyright and use law. Pennsylvania Commissioner of Librar- Publishers of coffee-table books and the ies Sara Parker welcomed the donation, like have always faced many of these diffi-saying,"Pennsylvaniaschoolsandlibraries culties; but the problems are compoundedrecognize that students and teachers gain New Information Technology in the digital world. First, you have music,tremendously from competency m all that Circus speeches, video, andanimation added to thecomputer technology can Offer. CompuX '93, billed as "America's localmix; second, you are dealing with copyright "glib partnership with IBM ... demon- computer exposition," will make its debutowners who don't understand multimedia.strates the mutual btnefit of business-edu- in Philadelphia on May 25 and Valley ForgeThe potential difficulty or cost of gettingcation partnerships in which students and on May 27. The Philadelphia show will bethe necessaty rights has already scuttledteachers gain computer literacy and lBM at the Holiday In- Center City, the Valleyone product at Microsoft. gains future adult citizens with greater Forge show at the King of Prussia Holiday This is really sticking spokes in theunderstanding of the potential of comput- Inn. wheels of the CD-ROM bandwagon. Be-ers," Parker said. CompuX '93 will then move on to Ohiocause few computer users are equipped to Examples of the bonus booty (no drool- in August and North Carolina in November.play them, markets and profits are not largeing): At all CompuX shows, computer and infor-to begin with; the extra expense of tracking Both the Pittsburgh School District and mationtechnology vendors will exhibit theirdown and securing rights can be deadly. the Mon-Valley Education Consortium got innovations in hardware, software,network- Publishers say that rights for music aretheir sweaty hands on 16 XT computers and ing, imaging, CD-ROM, multimedia, pe-easier to obtain than those for visual im-printers.These will be used in school ripherals, and more. The list of exhibitingages, especially photogmphs. While estab-libraries to access Internet, and Access companies includes Lotus, Borland, Mi-lished organizations handle rights for com- Pennsylvania, an online database listing the crosoft, Novell, Xerox, and WordPerfect posers and musicians, no central clearing-16.5 million holdings in 1,070 Keystone The Ohio events will be held in Cincin-houses for visual works exist State libraries. nati, August 10; Columbus, August 11; and Sometimes publishers will scour public- Clarion County schools got 13 XI's and Cleveland, August 12. The North Carolinadomain sources for photographs and otherprinters to enable students in rural schools events will be in Durham, November 2;images they can use in their products with-to participate in otherwise inaccessible Greensboro, November 3; and Charlotte,out paying royalties. Ebook did this in itscourses such as anatomy and physiology November 4. All shows are from 10:00 a.m.multimedia history of jazz music. offered through a telecommunications net- to 3:00 p.m. Additional dates and sites will Many multimedia producers say theywork of computers and telephones. be announced as plans develop. have had difficulty obtaining rights in what Eastein Junior-Senior High School in CompuX '93 is produced in clusters ofseems an unlikely place: Hollywood, aEastern York School District got 30 XTs cities throughout the country, substantial ITtown veritably built upon the tar pits ofand printers to upgrade its computer offer- markets that do not normally see majorcopyrights and deals. Microsoft, for ex- ings in a school which bad had very limited shows; The CompuX series provides aample, was unable to get the cooperation itequipment. These computers will provide service to both computer vendors who wantwanted for its Cinemania CD-ROM; theyawriting lab for both junior and senior high- to reach local markets, and local IT profes- could persuade only Turner and Paramountschool students, computers in classrooms to sionals who do not always have access toto sell rights for the first version ofassist teachers, and a language lab. new technologies for comparison and evalu-Cinemania. Hollywood also poses another Public libraries throughout the Com- ation. problem for would-be multimedia produc-monwealth got atotal of 50 XTs and printers CompuX is for the IT professional iners: dizzying royalties. Big names expect el to provide small libraries which cannot Ohio, for example, who may not be able tomucho dinero for any use of their work. afford computers with access to Internet, attend a show in Las Vegas or Chicago, communications networks with other li- bringing technology to people nationwide IBM Donates Computers to braries, and many online catalogs from for free hands-on inspection. Schools and Libraries other libraries, in accordance with the State For more, ring Sylvia Griffiths at 800 Library's long-range goals. 638-8510 or 703 683-8500; or Tom May 18. Eastern York School District, Lauterback at 800-638-8510 or 703 683-one of a number of recipients in Pennsylva- 8500; fax 703 836-4486. nia of surplus computer equipment from continued on following page

Volume 19, Number 9 June 1993 133 page 4

Gan len State to Bail Out Instrument and Intel recently announced aDigital Channel include multimedia kiosks, joint venture to manufacture just such de-as well as distance learning and video Fumbling Grads vices. conferencing. Beginning next spring, employers may Optical fibers can carry up to a bilion bits ask New Jersey community colleges toofdata a second,enough for 850 channels of PC News continue educating a graduate hired for andigitally-compressed video or 60,000 pages Not news about PCs, news on PCs. entry-level position but founcl to be lacking oftext a second. However, Tele-Communi- A new pilot program from NBC Desktop in skills. The New Jersey Council ofCan-cations officials expect much of their newNews may soon be available to bring you munity Colleges announced the one-yearcapacity to be used for nothing better than the news you want and when you want it via pilot program Tuesday. pay-per-view sports programs, such as high-your PC. Both video and print content are "Harvard won't give youth's guarantee,school events, or a selection of movies thatdigitally converted into electronic news but we will," said Lawrence Nespoli, thecan be run repeatedly around the clock orstories which are delivered to and stored in council's executive director. staggered on different channels, so that ayour computer, leaving you free to watch it Employers will be required to reportuser Quinine in any time and have to wait no at your convenience and in terms of your worker shortcomings to the school in writ-more than a few frustrating minutes untilown priorities. Who knows, you may want ing within 90 days of employment, andNinja Turtles VIII begins again on one ofto devote gigabytes of disk space to Tom must develop education plans to correct them. Brokaw's face. them. Students may returnfor three courses However, the company is carrying out The service integrates text, graphics, without tuition. experiments in which its own customer-video, and sound in an easy-to-use (they "The higher-education community mustservice and sales people work at home andsay) format with a look much like that of learn to become more accountable to itsare connected to office computers throughtelevision news. The news is automatically customers. Business and industry are rely- the cable network. They also own part of an screened for each viewer's "news profile" ing on that, " Nespoli said. online information company, Xpress, whichand is updated throughout the day. is already providing data to business users Corporations will be able to subscribe to $2 Billion in Fiber-Optic over cable systems, and they are lookingindustry-specific news (e.g., pharmaceuti- Cable Planned into new anangements to serve residentialcals, finance, etc.) and can add their own customers as well. The largest cable-television company in news and training information to the pro- Meanwhile, honchos al Prodigy, the popu- gramming. the U.S., Tele-Communications, Inc., oflar but maddeningly torpid online service, Denver, Colorado, has launched a $2 billion To know more, contact NuMedia, 201 which currently uses telephone lines, have North Union Street, Alexandria, Virginia venture to lay fiber-optic cable connectingshown interest in switching to cable lines, more than400 cities throughout the country 22314. Telephone 703 684-9000; fax 703 which would be many times faster even in684-9393. by 1996. The project will intensify the their current primitive, coaxial condition. struggle between cable and phone compa- nies to bring all kinds of high-speed, two- way information services to the home; and The Digital Channel GSA Bulletin Board is an example how private firms are already Digital Equipment has announced the Anyone wanting to know what the Fed- aceing out the feds in the race to string theDigital Channel, a combination of products eral government is buying can access the data superhighway. and services that enable cable-Pi operators Information Resources Services Center Tele-Communicationswasalready plan-to provide their subscribers with Ethernet-(MSC) when there is aneed for information ning to use digital-compression technol- based network services for distance learn-on policies, progams, contracts, and ser- ogy, which by its,Ilf can increase the capac-ing, telemedicine, and other computer ap-vices.It provides vendor names, phone ity of a cable system from 50 to 500 chan-plications over existing Cable-TV lines. numbers, GSA contract numbers, and pro- nel.i; but now it will join that undertaking Lynn Jones, the Channel's manager, an- vides a Feedback Hotline. The Bulletin with the awesome power of fiber optics,nounced: "Until now, the cable-TV industry Board operates 24 hours a day, seven days tiny strands of glass which cany data ashas been focused on entertainment for con-a week. pulses of light. The firm foresees that thesumers, rather than providing an interactive 1200 Baud: 202501-2661 for commercial project will be 90% complete by 1996. information highway to businesses and in-and Washington, D.C.; 202 241-2661 for Other cable companies are availing them- stitutions. Our new program provides cable government PTS. selves of similar technology. Time Warneroperators with a practical way tc broaden 2400 Baud: 202501-2014 for commerical is stringing a system in Orlando, Florida,their product offerings, by adding servicesand Washington, D.C.; 202 241-2014 for which will provide talevision, telephone,that reach out to businesses and institu- government FTS. and information services. However, thetions." If you need help getting on line, call GSA systems will need to install extra hardware The Channel offers installation, service, at 202 501-1404 for Commercial and Wash- for two-way interaction, and users mayand support of interactive multimedia ington, D.C. or 202241-1404 for government need to buy or lease high-tech converters -Ethesnet networks for the cable-TV indus- FTS. which will in fact be a kind ofPC. Generaltry.Applications that will run over The The Newsletter of Software and Systems for Learning 134 IUM FOR IMPROVING So

THE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE SELECTOR 0

Nothin' Could Be Finer... CD-ROM Right ...than to welcome a new member to the States Consortium for Improving Software Selection. South Carolina is the eighth Around the Corner? member to join this growing consortium of states and school Plans are underway to develop a CD-ROM version of TESS. districts committed to helping teachers identify and use educa- EPLE staffand consultants are working to ensure similarity of the tional software effectively. present search software that operates TESS off a hard drive once that program is transferred to CD-ROM technology. EPIE is also testing the rate at which a search is carried out on CD-ROM, as Consortium Grows 100%! well as the accuracy of data as the information is transferred to This summer marks the third anniversary of the States CD-ROM. Consortium for Improving Software Selection (SCISS). In just The CD-ROM version of TESS is expected to be available for three years, membership in SCISS has grown from four charterthe summer 1993 update. members to eight fully participating members, all committed to providing their educators with the most comprehensive resource for educational software: the TESS database. Here is the current New, 1993 parade of members: Chicago Public SchoolsGeorgia Edition Available: Indiana Michigan New York South Carolina Latest and Best of TESS Tennessee Texas (Text of a press release sent to educa- tional media dated June 1, 1993) Hot Off the Press, EPIE Institute is pleased to announce the publication of the 1993 edition of The Latest and Best of TESS (The Educational and a Discount, Too? Software Selector). List: $29.95 plus $5 shipping/handling. This 224-page print directory contains information on more Yes, Virginia, there really is an easy-to-use, one-volume than 1,300 instructional and administrative software programs print directory of information on more than 1,600 recently specifically for Macintosh and MS-DOs com u rs. Virtually all released and most highly-rated educational software programs. curriculum areas and grade levels arorepfesented. The 1993 edition of The Latest and Best of TESS is now Culled from EPIE's nationally recognized database of infor- available, and SCISS-participating schools may purchase copies mation on educational software, The Latest and Best of TESS of this print edition for only $10 each, a 67% discount off the list presents recently releasPd products as well as the most highly price! rated, as reviewed by 70 respected review sources. The Latest and Best of TESS, culled from the full TESS Included in each program entry is a detailed description of the database of information on more than 10,000 educational soft- program, suggested uses, grade level, price, availability, and ware programs, contains almost 2,000 entries specifically for review citations. A separate index provides users with quick Macintosh and MS-DOS computers. The most highly-rated access to supplier data, including address, phone, and ordering programs are based on review citations from a list of more than information. 70 respected review sources, including EPIE Institute. The full, electronic TESS database contains information on The 1993 edition of The latest and Best of TESS lists for more than 10,000 educational software programs from more $29.95; $10 for SCIsS participants. To order, forward a pur- than 1,000 suppliers and offers search capability to identify chaser order or check to EPIE Institute, 103-3 West Montauk programs that meet specific software needs. TESS is available Highway, Hampton Bays, New York 11946.Shipping and in electronic format to schools in states participating in the handling is $5 per book. Contact EPIE about volume purchases. States Consortium for Improving Software Selection. Phone 516 728-9100; fax 516 728-9228.

SC1SS\TESS Update June 1993 1 35 page 6

A calculator that provides users with decimal and desktop The Latest publishing functions. Allows resizing and scrolling, printing of calculations, and error corrections. Users can add, subtract, of multiply, divide, and do percents. System 7 compatible. Macintosh 512E, $79.

TESS Clip-Art for Math Teachers Ventura Educational Systems Programs Mathematics Grades 1-12 (Chiefly for the Macintosh) , Provides math teachers with a wide variety of detailed diagrams of that can be added to tests, reports, overhead transparencies, and worksheets. Diagrams are in MacPaint format and can be edited with most paint programs. Color can be added with Mathematics PixelPaint Requires paint program. Network version available. Macintosh 512& $29.95.

CoinWorks Nordic Software Algebra Concepts Mathematics: Basic Skills; Currency Ventura Educational Systems Grades K-5 Mathematic= Algebra An assortment of exercises geared toward mastery of basic Grades 7-10 money skills. Color graphics and digital sound hold the attention A complete introduction to the terminology and basic conceptsof young learners as they solve progressively more difficult of algebra. Simulated algebra tiles develop an understanding ofproblems on-screen. Lessons address these topics: Coin recog- operations with integers, addition and subtraction of binomialsnition, counting, making change, comparative value, and suffi- and trinomials, multiplying expressions, and factoring. Move tiles cient funds. Presentation formats include matching, multiple on-screen to represent algebraic expressions. Computer evalu-choice, and completion. On-screen exercises are punctuated ates the expression and displays the results. Average lesson 30 with a coin-flipping game of skill just for fun. All exercises can be minutes. Keeps records. Network version available. printed out in worksheet format Part of the MacKids series. App/e 11+IllellklIts, Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, System 7 compatible. $59.95. Macintosh 512E.

Algebraic Pattern= From Arithmetic to Algebra Eureka: The Solver WINGS for learning/Sunburst Borland International Mathematic= Algebra Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Program= Miscellaneous Tools Grades 8-12 Grades 9-College A tool for uncovering and testing the relationships betweenSolves equations ranging in complexity from simple linear numbers, this program helps students make the transfer from through systems of non-linear relationships. Also does maxi- arithmetic to algebra. The objective of the program is to mize/minimize problems and handles inequality constraints. encourage students to find various relationships between the Provides output in both numerical and graphic form. Output to numbers in a table and to formulate the relationships inscreen, disk, or printer. For anyone who works regularly with mathematical terms using variables and functions. Encourages equations. students to collect numerical samples, to assign variables, to Macintosh 512E, $195. explore various stamps on the board, and to test their conjec- tures. Students are exposed to generalization techniques as they Flying Through Math modify the shape of the board, from rectangular to triangular for WINGS for learning/Sunburst example, to see if their conjecture still holds. Includes aMathematics: Trigonometry collection of tables to be explored; also, users can create and Grades 8-12 save their own tables. Includes software activities designed to extend the problems Macintosh Plus, $129; IBM PC and compatibles, $99. presented in the book Flying Through Math and to develop deeper understanding of the concepts contained there. The Cak+ book uses real-life problems to provide students with a context Abbott Systems in which to learn and understand. In this book on trigonometry amprehensGeneralizedTool Prograrns;Calculators and Equation Solvers and vectors, students learn through examples drawn from the Grades 7-College motivating subject of flying. A discussion of hang-glider s leads to

SCISSITSS Update June 1993 Par 7 a comparison of glide ratios, which in turn develops the concept those in special programs such as ESL Chapter I, and gifted. It of tangent Navigation leads naturally to vectors and vector is sequentially designed and can be easily correlated with local notation, while sine and cosine are introduced along the way. and state objectives. Operates under Ideal Learning'sPODIUM Macintosh Pius, $75. Curriculum Manager. Macintosh LC $3,000. FunctionProbe intellimation Informal Geometry Comprehensive: Generakzed Tool Program= Graphers and PlottersThe College Gradebook Grades9-College Mathematic= Geometry A mufti-representational software tool for exploring math-&Wes8-College ematical functions. There are three integrated tools, a calcula- Part I covers units of measure, squares, rectangles, parallelo- tor, a cable-maker, and a grapher. Each tool is displayed in agrams, and triangles. Part II covers trapezoids, circles, and "window," and these windows are linked so the user can sendcomposite figures. Part III covers volume of prisms, cylinders, information from one to the other. Students can constructspheres, pyramids, and cones. Explains concepts, shows ex- tables of values and examine patterns within the values. A graphamples, then provides problems for students. Keeps track of of a function can be transformed, and the student will immedi-student performance, which is available to teacher only. Average ately see its effects on the function's equation. Pointsfrom a datalesson 30 minutes. Keeps records. table can be sent to a graph window. Macintosh 512E,$150. Macintosh Pius, $79; labpack, $316. jungle Quest Geometry Inventor Nordic Software WINGS for learning/Sunburst Mathematic= Basic Skills; Multiple Topics Mathematic= Geometry Grades K-6 Grades8-College Teaches elementary-school-level math in the context of an An inquiry and exploration tool that lets students manipulateaction/adventure game. Travel a dangerous path through the constructions while working with precise geometric conceptsdark j ungles of afar-off land. Progress on this quest is dependent such as perpendicular, parallel, and bisect. Measurement tools on correctly solving simple math problems. A HyperGord-based allow students to investigate length, angle, and area, as well asgame with sound and color animation. Part of theMacKids make calculations based on these measurements. Measure-series. RequiresHyperCard. ments and calculations change dramatically as students modifyMacintosh 512E,$59.95. the construction. Macintosh Plus, $129. KidsMath Great Wave Software Graphitte Mathematics: Basic Skills; Multiple Topics Bates Publishing Grades K-3 Mathematics: Algebra Uses eight games to teach and reinforce basic math concepts for Grades I 0-Colkge children ages three to eight. Skills include mouse practice, For teaching and learning pre-calculus and calculus concepts. counting, addition, subtraction, ordering place value, greater Easy to learn; allows users to enter their own examples. For and less than, beginning multiplication, and fractions. student use and classroom demonstrations. Capabilities includeMacintosh 512E, $49.95. graphing solids of revolution; parametric and polar equations; symbolic differentiation; calculating area and volume. Mac ver-Logo Math:Tools and Games sion supports zooming. Terrapin Software Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $99. Mathematics: Basic Skills; Multiple Topics Grades 6-12 Ideal Learning MathSeries Covers a range of concepts and provides a math lab approach Ideal Learn ing to mathematics at the secondary level. Six game programs offer Mathematics: Basic Skills; Multiple Topics practice modes for a competitive challenge involving students in Grades 4-8 cartesian and polar coordinates, signed and complex numbers, This is a full-year course designed to utilize all of the uniquefunctions and symmetry. Eight tools include a geometry con- capabilities of the Mac LC, such as sound, high-resolution colorstruction tool, graphing program, and more. Network version graphics, and animation. Each objective has a pre-test and post- available. test for determining the path the students will take through theApple11+111e/1101gs, Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, teaching of the skill. Each unit is designed to include modeling and Commodore 64/128, $59.95. guided and individual practice culminating in a high-order think- ing activity. The course is appropriate for all students, including

SCISSWESS Update June 1493 tufts 8 calculator to help user factor and MacFunction matrices. Includes an algebraic available. True Basic simplify equation= Network version Mathematics: Arithmetic, Mixed Macintosh Plus, $129. Grades 9-College Makes it easy to visualize a functionof two variables (x,y) by MathLab displaying the function's 3D surface.Enter and view any function E+M Software from any angle. View surfaces asgrid meshes, flow lines, or Mathematic= Calculus contour lines. lndudesfeaturessuch as partial derivatives, a tool Grades 10-College designed to solve multi-variate for multivariate cakulus courses.Part of the Kemeny-Kurtz Math A symbolic algebra program polynomial caluclus problems. Allows user toadd, subtract, Series. perfrom summations Macintosh 512E, $79.95. multiply, divide, factor, expand, substitute, and pi products; and to differentiateand integrate polynomials. 3D plotting functions. Master Grapher and 3D Gropher Provides linear, semi-log, log-log, and Addison-Wesley/B. Cummings Publishing Macintosh 512E, $49.95. Mathematics: Algebra Decimals Grades 9-College Math Shop Spotlight Fractions and A graphing utility for functions,polar equations, parametric Scholastic equations, conic equations, andfunctions of two variables. Mathematic= Basic Skills; Fractions Students take an active role in learningprecalculus topics by Grades 4-8 multiply fractions by whole solving equations and inequalitiesgraphically. Many manipula- Students add and subtract fractions, number, convert decimals tions of graphs are possible. numbers, find fractional parts of a given Apple 11+111elllags, Macintosh 512E,IBM PC and compatibles, to fractions, and adddecimals. $43.25. Macintosh Plus, $79.95.

Master Math Math Shop Spotlight Weights andMeasures Queue Scholastic Mathematic= Basic Skills; Word Problems Mathematics: Basic Skills; Measurementand Metric Grades 3-9 Grades 4-8 This interaction drill and instruction programprovides immedi-Transactions focus on pounds and ounces;feet and inches; cups, weeks; money and time ate feedback and encourageschildren to learn. Includes Math pints, quarts, and gallons; days and Word Problems Grades 3-8, SportsProblems I-III, Fraction(dollars and cents per hour); and metersand centimeters. Word Problems, Special Topics in Math,Mathematics Grade 6,Macintosh Plus, $79.95. Survival Math Series, and Algebra WordProblems. Requires CD-ROM drive. Matrix Algebra Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles,$195. Intellimation Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Calculatorsarid Equaticn Solvers Math Connection= Algebra 1 Grades 11-College form, solves a linear Mathematics: Algebra Transforms a matrix to reduced echelon finds the inverse of a matrix, Grades 8-11 system, multiplies two matrices, WINGS for learning/Sunburst and explains row reductions and matrixmultiplication. Students Provides an environment in which students canmanipulate watch the program solve problemsautomatically, accompanied algebraic constructs as a means tounderstanding them. A by detailed explanations. They canalso arrive at a solution palette of 14 movable and interconnectedmathematical objects without the explanation, as a way tocheck their own calcula- allows students to visualize and manipulatealgebraic entities. tions. Students can self-pace their progressand can save These can be connected to one another in aninfinite number of problems easily to resume at a later date. arrangements, providing opportunitiesfor mathematical explo-Macintosh 512E, $45; lab pack, $ 80. ration and more. Network versionavailable. Macintosh Plus, $129. Millie's Math House Edmark Math Connections: Algebm II Mathematics: Basic Skills; Multiple Topics WINGS for learning/Sunburst Grades Presch- I Mathematics: Algebra Designed by early-childhood experts; offerschildren six activi- Grades 9-College ties to help them build key early mathskills. Interactive, multi- Extends the power of Math Connections: Algebra I tohigher-level sensory, animated and fullof characters to help enrich child ren's algebraic concepts. Enables user to connectalgebraic objects math education. Lesson plans included. and visualize their relationships. Lets user explorethe proper- Macintosh Plus, $59.95. ties of multi-variable expressions, sequences,conic sections, and June 1993 SOSSWESS Update 1 3 Page 9

Number Connections WINGS for learning/Sunburst 'Mathematic= Basic Skills; Number Systems and Counting Business, Grades K-3 Introduces early elementary students to numbers. Provides a mu ki-representational way of looking at numbers.Numbers can Career, be displayed as apples (or any of 16 other obiects), with blocks, on a number line, as words, and, of course, as numerals. Can combine numbers with add and subtract tools. Sounds and and Industrial animation enhance the program, both by holding students' interest and by reinforcing the concepts. An innovative Student Book allows young students easy access to ready-to-use activity files. And several simple authoring tools enable teachers to make Blueprint more activities on their own. GraphSoft Macintosh Pkis, $29. Industrial Arts: Drafting and Mechanical Drawing Grades 9-College A full-featured professional-level 2D drafting system. User can develop NumberMaze detailed floorplans, mechanical designs, woodworking designs, and Great Wave Software more. Standard featues include a built-in DXF translator; advanced Mathematic= Basic Skills; Multiple Topics auto-dimensionin& a fullkit of graphical drawing tools; unlimited layers; Grades K-6 AutoCAD-like classes; symbol creation and hierarchical symbol storage; Combines the fun of solving mazes with the challenge of solvingcolor; auto-join; fillets; splines; mirroring; text rotation by degree, math problems. Covers simple counting and picture addition minute, and second; and more. Offers written and graphical cues as through multiplication and division and word problems. Teach- users draw to allow them to snap to precise points. Comes with a ers can customize program to adapt to unique leeds and pacing. detailed tutorial. Requires separate plotter driver. Keeps records. Macintosh Plus, $295. Macintosh 512E. Businessweek's Business Advantage Strategic Management Group PowerMath 11 Business: Management and Financial Planning Central Products Grades 12-College Mathematics Challenges students to sharpen their business skills with computer- Grades 7-College based, interactive case studies based on feature stories from the pages Solves problems from simple arithmetic and algebra to compli- of Business Week magazine. Covering a broad range of industries and cated calculus expressions. Users may save formulae or equa- headline-making issues affecting big business today. Students step tions created as well as answers from any operation. directly into the shoes of today's corporate elite. Includes Compaq Macintosh 11, $149.95. Computer and Chrysler case :-,tudies. Twelve alternate case studies in various industries are available at an additional cost of $15 each. SratLab Macintosh 5 l 2E, $29.95. Intellimation Comprehensive: Gmeralized Tool Program= Statistical Processors Career Deveiopment and Goal-Setting Edudisc Grades 10-College Guidance: Career Information Helps teach basic statistical concepts and gives students the Grades II-College opportunity to analyze real data sets. Displays model, real data Addresses career goals and objectives, promotion strategies, career sets, and empirical distributions graphically. Users perform all skills, and career change. Goal-setting provides ways for evaluating and operations with buttons and menus, maldng the program easyimplementing personal goals. Students practice writing goals and to learn and use. Teachers can create different labs from scratch, choose between goals and objectives. Time management and motiva- and implement techniques up to and including two-way contin- tion are also addressed. Average lesson 45 mins. Network version gency tables, paired tests, one-way ANOVA, least squares, and available. Requires laserdisc player. least absolute deviations. Macintosh 512E, $999. Macintosh 512E, $110; lab padc $440; textbooks, single copy $19.95, lab pack $60. Career Opportunities Quanta Press Guidance: Career Information Grades 11-College A multimedia database which includes job titles, job descriptions, education levels, chances of advancement, average salaries, and world conditions. Requires CD-ROM drive. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $129.

SCISSTESS Update June 1993 page 10

FoxBASE+/Mac Circuit Maker Fox Software Micro Code Engineering Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Database Managers Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Simulation Systems Grades 11-College Grades 9-College A programmable relational database management system for teaching A fully-Integrated schematic-capture and digital-sknulation program. database theory, data management techniques, and reporting. Gener- Enables users to draw any electronic circuit quickly and then simulate ous use of the Macintosh interface simplifies database viewing, visual- Me digital portion of the circuit. A library of rn., CMOS, and miscella-ization of relations, 2nd data manipulation for the student. Utilizes neous devices is provided. A feature called macro devices enablea users state-of-the-art fourth-generation language tools that allow complex to define their own symbols and fully functional devices. Editingdata entry forms and reports to be designed with the mouse. The features such as rubberband move, undo, and automatic wire snap integrated programming language is based on the commands and syntax simplify circuit construction. Operation of the circuit can be observed used in dBASE. Network version available. by a logic analyzer timing display, by enabling a powerful trace future Macintosh 512E, $240. which shows the state of every node in the circuit slmukaneously as the simulation runs, or by connecting a variety of LED displays into the Full Impact circuit. A beginnees tutorial Ls included. Ashton-Tate Macintosh Pius, $140. Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Spreadsheets Grades 9-College Claris CAD A full-featured, multi-function spreadsheet program. Add as many Claris Software charts, text blocks, and graphics as desired to g- nessage across. Live industrial Arts: Drafting and Mechanical Drawing preview mode allows user to see how finished results will look. Macro Grades 7-College capabilities include both local and global macros, X-macro, and the integrates 2D design and drafting features, including mouse/keyboard ability to assign user-defined macros to user-customizable icons, and entry, construction of fillets, tangents, and perpendiculars, and auto- more. matic dimensioning. Macintosh 512E. Macintosh 512E, $329.

Hands-On Electronics Computer Confidence Ventura Educational Systems South-Western Publishing Industrial Arts: Electronics and Electricity Computers: Computer Literacy Grades 7-College Grades 7-9 A work station with more than 50 electronic components and 26 A textbook and courseware package Introducing students to basic hands-on electronic experiments. Includes everything needed to computer literacy while helping them discover uses for computers in introduce students to the world of electronics. Four project construc- their own lives. Textbook works with integrated software, enabling a don techniques are used for each experiment. Features clear step-by- transfer of learning from one function to another. Requires MicroSoft step assembly instructions, easy pictorial guide, project assembly Works. Network version available. diagrams, and more. Average lesson 60 minutes. Network version Macintosh 512E, $3930. available. Macintosh 512& $149.95. Dallas Oil South-Western Publishing Improving Job and Career Prospects Business: Management and Anancial Planning Queue Grades 9-12 Home Economics: Personal Development As employees of Dallas Oil, students will learn about corporate Grades 9-College structure and how big business operates. Students will make adminis- Offers an interactive question-and-answer style format with relevant trative decisions, increase awareness of automated office technology, studies in many aspects of career preparation and enhancement. With Improve business vocabulary, and more. Quick-review statements at this material, students will learn winning interview behavior; evaluate periodic intervals check the understanding of concepts presented. abilities, goals and values; develop effective communication skills: Average lesson 20 minutes. explore different career options; and improve on-the-job skills. Re- Apple 11+filellkIllgs, Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, quires CD-ROM drive. Tandy 1000/3000, $39.50. Macintosh 512E IBM PC and compatibles, $145.

Electro Bits LogicWorks Medina Software Capilano Computing Comprehensive: Generalized Tool Programs; Graphics Generators Computers: Computer Science Grades 7-College Grades 7-College Collection of 200 electronic elements and 40 symbols to be used with Designed to meet the needs of digital electronics Instruction. From MacPaint or /-lyperCard. Creates circuit diagrams. Includes flowchart logic gates to functional logic design, takes students through every level symbols and samples of over fifty schematic font symbols. Available In of an electronics curriculum. Displays a "live" circuit on screen. Allows both English and Spanish. students to build a digital circuit in the schematic window and test it Macintosh Plus, $19.96. Macintosh Plus.

SCISSITESS Update june 1993 page II

LogoWriter Secondary Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing! Logo Computer Systems Software Tooiworks Computers: Computer Programmin& Logo and Turtle Graphics Business: Typing Grades 8-12 Grades 5-College Designed for junior and senior high school students-or for students A typing instruction program with graphics support. Features a no-key who have been using LogoWrtter and are ready for a new challenge.teaching mode. Contains a frustration sensor to help pace new typists. Students learn how to create an adventure game, program a menu, Network version available. make a maze, and work on many other projects. Introduces major Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles. programming concepts emphasized In computer literacy or program- ming courses. Network version available. MiniCad+ Macintosh Plus, $229. GraphSoft Industrial Arts: Drafting and Mechanical Drawing Mac Diet Professional Grades 9-College Intellimation Combines 2D CAD, true 3D CAD, a database, an integrated spread- Home Economics: Foods sheet, a programming language, an intelligent interface, and a DXF Grades 11-College translator in one program. Users can go from initial design concept to Students can calculate nutritional data and diet analyses like nutrition 2D drawings, to 3D models, to cost analysis and bills of materials, professionals. An individual's (real or fictional) age, sex, height, weight, without leaving the program. Other features of the program include and body stze are the factors used to determine nutrition needs andadvanced auto-dimensioning, color, SmartCursor, unlimited layers, to conduct comparisons with federal recommended dietary allow- easy symbol creation and hierarchical storage capability, auto-join, ances. Monitors up to nine nutrients and target minimum and maximum fillets, splines, and more. Requires separate plotter driver. nutrient goals for diet planning. Includes 2,500 foods and 24 nutrients, Macintosh Plus, $1,750. and these can be changed to meet individual needs. Macintosh 512E, $190. ModelShop 11 Macromedia MacDiet Student Version Industrial Arts: Drafting and Mechanical Drawing intellirnation Grades 9-College Home Economics: Foods Designed for modeling and presenting spatial ideas in 3D. User can Grades 7-College sketch freely or complete a detailed building, then experience it In a Students provide diet order, food intake, physical activity level, and real-time fly-through or as a rendered animation. personal data. MacDiet then responds with dietary allowance, dietary Macintosh Plus. goals, activity, and energy balance. There's interactive nutrient moni- toring for as many as nine nutrients during food selection. Nutritionist III Macintosh 512E, $39. N-Squared Computing Health: Nutrition MacQwerty Grades 7-College Nisus Software Analyzes foods, meals, recipes, and diets for 58 nutrients and food Business: Typing components. Contains a database of 5,000 USDA and manufactured Grades 6-12 food items. Database management, exercise/weight control program, Converts the standard Macintosh Qwerty keyboard to the Dvorak 10th Edition RDM all included. Average lesson 30 minutes. keyboard. Includes a desk accessory version of the two Dvorak Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, $495. keyboard layouts, allowing configuration changes within any program. Can be modified to a custom layout. Single-menu selection changes Nutrition Stack (7-16) from Qwertyto Dvorak a n d back. Dvorak and blank keyboard pictures Big Byte Software on the disk. Includes keyboard overlays. Health: Nutrition Macintosh 5 l 2E, $45. Grades K-College A HyperCard stack for nutritional planning and analysis. Includes more Making the First Impression than 2,000 foods; data fortypes of fat; calorie calculator;food exchange Mind F group calculator; and nutrient profiles. Requires HyperCard. Guidance: Career Information Macintosh 512E, $79. Grades 10-College Designed to represent a real-life setting. Incorporates visual Illustra- Nutrttion Stack (K-16) tions, graphic animations, and sounds to complement textual informa- Big Byte Software tion. Provides Information on three resume formats. Includes an Administrative Software: Cafeteria interactive dictionary of 216 powerful verbs and an electronic note- A HyperCard stack for nutritional planning and analysis. Includes more taking facility to record any information from the program. Requires xhan 2,000 foods; data for types of fat; calorie calculator; food exchange HyperCard. group calculator; and nutrient profiles. Requires HyperCard. Macintosh Plus. Macintosh 512E, $79.

SC1SS\TESS Update June 1993 1 4 1 page 12 and a project manager that keeps track of the files thatneed to be Object Logo recompiled. Provides extensive support for object-oriented program- Paradigm Software Computer= Computer Programmin5 Logo andTurtle Graphics ming for a class. Macintosh Plus, $749. Grades 3-College Extends both the capabilities and performanceof traditional Logo, True BASIC Language System, Student Edition p roviding an eirdronment suitablefor users of all ages, from elementary school students to professional programmers-Aneducational tool and True BASIC Computer= Computer Programmin& BASIC a vehicle for exploring computerprogramming in general and object- oriented programming in particular. Grades 3-12 Allows users to run programs of any stze and to create new programs Macintosh 512E, $195. of I SO lines or less. For use when introducing students toprogramming. Demo programs are included on each disk. Provides extensivegraphics Omega Desktop capabilities, including user-defined graphics coordinates,multiple win- South-Western Publishing True BASIC Computers: Computer Literacy; Applications dows, a user-defined color palette, and animation graphics. Is extremely flexible, allowing the user to define aninfinite variety of Grades 9-Coliege specialized functions and routines, further enhanced by theavailability Pulls together the fundamental concepts of desktoppublishing and lets students apply them in a realistic business environment.Activities are of a large selection of supplemental toolkits. generic. Language arts skills are reviewed throughout.A PageMaker Macintosh Plus, $14.95. disk is included. Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, Tandy 100013000,$39.50. Typing Instructor Encore Individual Software Business: Typing PowerDraw Engineered Software Grades 4-College For learning to type or for building speed and accuracy.Exercises on Engineering: Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) phrases, sentences, and paragraphs help pinpoint specificproblems and Grades 9-College placement, A professional two-dimensional CAD system thatincludes palette improve speed and accuracy. Covers correct finger-to-key and more. tools, single width pop-out tool palette, dimensioning tools,and nine numeric keypad practice, timed tests, progress reports, user edits. Allows snapping, snap picking,drawing capacity, shearing, Keeps records. Network version available. plotting, mirroring, clipping, trimming, cutting, extending, combining, Macintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatible& attaching, coloring, and aligning. Macintosh Plus, $795. Venture's Business Simulator Strategic Management Group Business: Management and Financial Planning Sails for Rent South-Western Publishing Grades 11-College Computers: Computer Literacy; Applications Puts students against four other computer-simulated robotics compa- nies, challenging them to manage business through the stagesof Start Grades 9-College An information-management simuladon. Helps students go beyond Up, Independence, Growth, New Products, and New Territory merely processing information to managing it. Covers making deci- Expansion. A click of the mouse activates a fully integrated tutorial for in- sions, creating documents, originating databases and spreadsheets, and system explaining basic business concepts, an analysis system designing forms. Requires MicroSoft Works. depth financial analysis, and a consulting system to focus the student Apple Macintosh 512E, Tandy 100013000, $39.50. on the key issues and rught questions to ask. Macintosh 512E, $29.95. Spatial Ware: Principles of Perspective intellimation VersaC.AD Industrial Arts: Drafting and Mechanical Drawing Computervision Grades 6-12 Engineering: Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) An interactive, three-dimensional, animated set of HyperCard stacks Grades 9-College which illustrates the fundamental principles of perspective drawing. A CAD program that allows 2D drafting and dimensioning, 3D Can help students develop the three-dimensional visualization skills visualization, plotting, and drafting dimensioning abilities. Includes needed for both freehand and mechanical drawing. Includes stacks on application program interface, file translation, user interface, user help. the principles of rectangular space, the eye-level line, vanishing lines, Apple 11+Illeliklilgs, Macintosh Plus, $595. vanishing points, inclined planes, and perspective types. Each is defined visually and explained with three-dimensional, animated illustrations, Wheels for Rent which can be interactively controlled by the user. Requires HyperCard. South-Western Publishing Macintosh Plus, $45; lab pack, $180. Computers: Computer Literacy; Applications Grades 9-College Think Pascal Allows students to handle 12 information-processing projects working roller-skating rental Symantec as summer employees for a beachslde bicycle and Computers: Computer Programmln& Pascal firm. Introduces word processing, database, and spreadsheet applica- Grades 9-College tions. Requires Microsoft Work& A programming-language program which includes a fast compiler, a Apple 11+111ellicIllgs, Mocintosh 512E, IBM PC and compatibles, Tandy linker, a multi-window printing text editor, a source-level debugger, 100013000, $39.95. 13 June 1993 SCISSATI3S Update 142 page13

Nesworks continued from front page A graduate student at U Cal Ber-two years, Internet use has exploded keley recently used Internet to trackout of the science department and Gauger's students use softwaredown some 19th-century balladsinto the rest of the universityeven designed for them by the Nationalabout Irish immigrants. He sent ainto computerphobic disciplines Center for Supercomputing Applica-message to a Cleveland-based net-and the number of users is doubling tions in Urbana. It was taken fromwork asking if anyone knew of anyeach year. a chemistry analysis program writ-interesting material about immi- As suggested above, in forging ten by a scientist using thegrants, and got an an electronic re-new ties among researchers around supercomputer for his research.sponse from a scholar in North Caro-the globe. the 'Net is rapidly leading Experts at the center modified thelina who suggested he use a searchto new ways of doing science. research work to make it into a highprogram developed at the University A spectacular example occurred -school teaching tool, said Larryof Minnesota. in March, when a robot from the Smarr, the supercomputer center's Me Minnesota program then di-Woods Hole Oceanographic Insti- director. rected him to a database of sang lyricstute searched the stygian bottom of Me students gain access to theat the University ofWisconsin - whichthe Gulf of California. More than a supercomputer through Internet, theincluded the tellacis. Thus the re-mile underwater the droid spotlighted computer network run for universitysearcher had travelled thousands ofhot vents and grotesque creatures; and government scientists largelycybermiles back and forth across theinstantly its raw data were flashed with federal money. Connecting com-country, and he never left his desk. by tether to the mother ship: then puters over telephone lines is easy "It's the most fundamental shiftbeamed to a satellite: then to com- enough, but it does cost money. since Gutenberg." Smarr told theputer networks and panting re- "Our biggest problem is phoneNew YorkTimesin another inter-searchers at thousands of tenninals bills," Smarr told theTribune"A lotview.'The Internet is basically aaround the globe. of schools just don't have a budgetspace and time destroyer. It shrinks For all the complicated technol- for making long-distance calls todistance and time to zero. It's as if allogy at its core, the Internet attracts access a computer. Alot of people arethe world's scientists were in onemany of its new fans with a very looking at that." room, available at one computer.simple use - E-mail, or electronic Though there has been some con-Needless to say, this is having amessaging. A computer science pro- fusion about the government's roleprofound impact on the way sciencefessor at Stanford says, 'The chair- in promoting information technol-is done." And Dr. Stephen S. Wolff ofman of my department finds it bi- ogy, Smarr said it appears that fed-the NSF says, "You can be physicallyzarre that I occasionally call him up eral officials now understand theyisolated without being intellectuallyon the telephone to ask him a ques- should concentrate on helpingisolated. That's a profound change."tion." schools and libraries connect to In fact, Internet itself is really a Scholars use the Internet to copy Internet. network of local networks, (are wetext ffies from distant computers, Internet. A little-known matrix.getting into something like fractaleven access online catalogs of uni- Internet has already revolutionizedgeometry here?) - 11,252 of them. Itversity libraries in Europe. They also the way some 10 million users per-includes more than 700 universitiesuse Internet lines to link their home form their studies and research. Evenand 1.7 million computer terminals:computers to campus mainframes. students in the third through sixthand millions of users, mostly scien-In fact, academic users say it could grades at the Citrus Heights schooltists, with thousands of new usersturn their world upside down by in Mariposa, California are usingevery day.Butsignificantlynogiving small colleges access to librar- Internet to trade electronic messagescentral administrative body overseesies and research tools that used to be with other schoolldds around thethe whole thing, and no one knowslimited to the hoity-toity Ivy League. U.S. Mariposa is one of six schools inexactly how many people are on it. However, the system still isn'tpow- the Golden State in a Pacific Bell pilot The Internet started in the 1960serful enough to transmit mammoth project to learn how grade schoolsas a means by which to link upvideo or graphic ffies. Moreover, the and high schools might benefit fromuniversity researchers and defensecosts can be high. Running cable to the coming data superhighway. contractors. Until the 1980s, it wasevery nook and cranny, getting a The newly-wired kids will havemostly used by tech specialists atterminal onto every profs desk, pro- digital pen pals, will carry out sur-universities with big defense grants.viding software and support services veys among students at distant In the mid-80s, however, the Na- the bill can rise into the millions of schools, will share data from sciencetional Science Foundation ageed todollars for a single campus. projects, and can access an areapay for an expanded electronic web As with the old campus library, so where bona fide scientist-guys canthat would allow scholars in all fieldsis use of the Internet free for profes- answer their questions. to communicate. Now, over the pastsors and students; for them the sys- continued on following page Volume 19, No. 9 June 1993 page 14 puter systems consultant at the Mas-research scientists and high-tech tem is something provided as by engineers. Essential to this part of enchantment. I'm spending aboutsachusetts Institute of Technology who deals with Internet regularly. the plan is the building of the na- $110 a month, according to my E- tional information infrastructure mail program." says one Berkeley Barrow decided to establish the group when he found that a growingin effect expanding the Internet so prof."I have no idea what thatnumber of people, both computerthat it would serve not universities means. Does someone give someone and research labs alone, but also else $110 at the end of the month?literate and 11-. were asking ques- tions about the Internet. make advanced knowledge and com- A111 know is rm not paying for it." puter resources available to students However, for those of us who are not Support will be offered through electronic mail and by phone, free ofin every public school, from kinder- the smug, pampered parasites of the garten through the twelfth grade. world of higher education, scrapingcharge. Although BCS members may receive discounts on certain fees, theTheAdministration plans the follow- together the bucks to share in the inginitiatives in education and train- infinite potential of the new tech-ISIG will provide services for anyone interested in the Internet ing.1) For students who do not nologies may prove exceedingly expect to go to college, restructuring troublesome. What good will all the The Boston Computer Society is the world's largest computer userprimary and secondary schooling. fiber-optic cable in the world be. using youth apprenticeships and when schools budget for football andorganization, with more than 25,000 members from every state and 57other programs, to ease the transi- cheerleading and marching bands, tion from school to job. 2) Training and not for online time? countries. It is a non-profit organi- zation dedicated to educating peoplefor workers who need to upgrade about the uses of personal comput-their skills to keep pace with a rap- Boston Computerers. Founded in 1977, the BCS isidly changing economy. 3) Programs headquartered in Cambridge. Mas-targeted to help workers displaced Society Forms sachusetts. by declining defense budgets or the For more information, call Michaelshipping ofjobs to other countries by Internet Group Barrow of Boston Computer Societymultinational corporations. The Boston Computer Society, theat 617 252-0600 or 617 491-4580. TheAdministration plan also calls world's largest personal computer for a task force which will, according user group, has announced the for- to one of its own reports, "establish mation of the Internet Special Inter- Schools an software and communication stan- est Group (ISIG). The new group was Important Part of dards for education and training; developed in response to growing Administration's coordinate the development of criti- public interest in the Internet, a cal software elements; support inno- worldwide electronic communication High-Tech Schemes vative software packages and cur- network that allows users access to Details of theClintonriculum design; and collect informa- a wealth of general and specializedAdministration's schemes for high-tion resources in a standardized for- information. Internet users are abletech investment in the U.S. continuemat and make them available to to take advantage of extensive re-to emerge. The fundamental argu-schools and teaching centers sources, from electronic mail to soft-ment for it is that high-tech invest-throughout the nation through both ware. ment brings high-skill, high-wageconventional and advanced commu- 'This is a big step for the BCS,"jobs while lessening environmentalniattion networks." Ci said ISIG Director Michael Barrow.impacts because information pro- "Until now there was no place forcessing is less polluting, then, say, EFEgram will return smelting iron ore. The plan will call people outside the universities and In October the computer industry to learn aboutfor more cooperation between indus- the 'Net.'" try, labor, universities, and govern- 'The ISIG will help people under-ment government investment in stand how valuable the Internet iseducation; and government invest- and how to access and use the net-ment in civilian research. Programs work efficiently.Having access towhich are intended to improve teach- Steep yourself the Intemet is like having the Librarying of science and math will receive ofCongress, and much more, at youradditional emphasis. Business and in a bowl fingertips." educational alliances will be encour- The group will offer a variety ofaged to develop new educational of summer. services, including free and low-cOsthardware and software. classes, monthly educational meet- In education the focus will be on ings, and a monthly newsletter.Itimproving math and science abili- will be headed by Barrow, a com-ties, in hopes of producing more The Newsletter of Sofire and Systenu for Learning 14 page 15

ing, word processing, or graphics programs for use in reports and Software research papers.

Bright Talk Bright Star Bright Star Technology (Bellevue, Washington) has some- thing new called voice fonts, a method for creating computer- Technology ized voices that sound more real than today's synthetic voices. While the software, known as Bright Talk, won't be available to educators until later this year, the company is already using the new technology in its software Alphabet Blocks and More Alphabet Blocks to teach preschoolers and elementary school students to recognize letters and to read by lipsynching sounds 386, We Hardly Knew Ye and words. Average January price for a 386DX system: $1,200. For a 486SX system: $1,577. Forum Files from CompuServe K-12 educators who want some indication of what the wired . Monitor Geometry community of the future holds can turn to CompuServe right When buying a viewplate for your space-age rig, remember:now for help in a variety of educational areas. CompuServe has one little extra inch on a 15-inch monitor gives you 30% moreonline forum libraries that will help educators make decisions on viewing area than you get with a 14-inch monitor. technology purchases, solve educational problems, gather re- search, get advice on ethical questions in education, and obtain Save Your Tears expert opinions in their lesson plans. Here are a few examples Grievous allergies drove us to an ophthalmologist's office,from the Education Forum (GO EDFORUM). where we saw the following advice on a bulletin board: If you Advice for New Teachers.Practical tips for neophyte find your eyes becoming excessively dry and tired from workingeducators from a 35-year veterean. Library 12, "Teacher to at a computer, adjust the monitor so that you look downward Teacher," TEACH.NEW. toward the screen. This results in a smaller eye opening and less Electronic Gradebook. Short demonstration of the popular evaporation of precious bodily fluids. Gradebook Plus version 6, for K-12 teachers.Library 2, "Software to Go," GB.EXE. But Will U.S. Become a Paperless Tiger? Spelling Game. A Windows fun-to-play spelling tutor for 5- Chairman Mao has gone digital.Agence France-Pressto-9-year-olds, Library 2, "Shareware and Public Domain Soft- reports from Beijing that software developed by an institute runware," HANGJR.M. by the People's Liberation Army contains Mao's works, with Media Bibliography. List of texts and resources to help K-12 commentary by communist leaders such as Deng Xiaoping teachersteach students aboutmass media. Library 12, MEDIA.B1B. even research by foreign devils. The Chinese state news agency Teaching about Japan. Free book of lesson plans for teaching Xinhua reports that the new software will help scholars dissect students about Japan is available from the U.S.-Japan Educafion and analyze Mao's works. Unfortunately, at press time this is Group. Library 12, JAPAN.TXT. all we have been able to learn about this revolutionary program. Improving Student Understanding. Tips to help students think for themselves and more quickly grasp in-classroom material. See the USA Library 17, "Higher Education," APPLYC.TIP. What's the average summer tempetature in Alaska? Which state has the highest percentage of people who drive to work alone? How about the average annual pay in Texas? Discover EFIE9rarn the answers to these questions with the latest versions ofPC USA Affiliated with EPIE Institute and MacUSA. Broderbund's computerized atlases providemaps, facts, and figures on all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. =grarnis published in cooperation with EPIE tistitute by Sterflug PC USA and MacUSA include demographic and economic (Harbor Tress, P. O. Box 28, Greenport, New York 11944. data, such as average incomes, age distribution, and crime rates. Basic subscription rate for nine issues a year (October The programs also include information on the names of each through June) is $65. Additional subscriptions to the same state's primary political leaders, key historical events, tourist address are $30. The basic rate for subscribers in Consor- attractions and climate charts for major cities. In addition,users tium (SCISS) States is $45; for our Canadian buddies, $75. can view state flags and play each state's anthem. Earl L. Fultz, Editor & Publisher Users can also create thematic maps and bar charts showing P. Kenneth Komoski, Executive Director, EPIE Institute comparisons between states or regions in various categories. All Pat Lutzky, Manager, SCISS \TESS maps, charts, and text can be exported to most desktop publish-

Volume 19, No. 9 June 1993 45 Mammoth Youth Market According to a Rand youth poll, teenagers represent a $59 billion market A recent survey found snacks and sweets still led with a share of36%; toys and games were second at29%; but clothing i...) at 13% was on the rise. ti in the Past Ten Years... The average teacher's salary has risen 22% faster than inflation. (From $21,641, in actual dollars, to $36,846.) Average money spent per pup has risen 90.3%, more than double the rateof inflation.

Cable Ready Cable TV is in 61% of American schools, reaching 70% of all elementary and secondary students. Only Vermont and Maine have fewer than half their students in schools with cable; Hawaii, Home PCs Surveyed which by the way has only one school district, has the most: 93%. About 20% of the 90 million American households now have a personal computer, according td the Software Publishers Asso- School of Hard Knocks ciation. The SPA surveyed 672 households around the country Results of a 1991 poll by the National Center for Education to find what people are doing with all those machines.The Statistics: 28% of urban public-school teachers had been ver- leading applications for home PCs, SPA found, are: bally abused in the past four weeks; 15% had been threatened orPersonal productivity, a task assigned to the family PC in 79% with injury in the last year; 3% had been physically attacked in of homes. This covers such everyday chores as writing letters the last year. and balancing checkbooks. orBringing work home from the office, a PC duty in 55% of Blackboard Jungle homes. Every day 100,000 children take guns to school. fa' Entertainment and games, 52% of homes. Every day 6,250 teachers are threatened; 260 are attacked. Fr Educational programs, 42% of homes. Every day 14,000 young people are attacked on school property. arRunning a home-based business, 37% of homes. This cat-Every day 160,000 students miss school because they fear egory has shown the most growth. violence. - U. S. Department of Justice andNational Association of The survey results also bad some bad, although perhaps not School Psychologists. surprising, news for the industry. Asked where they obtained software, those responding said 40% of their games were Teenagers "Under Fire "copied" from friends, work, or school. About a fourth of other One out of every four deaths among teenagers age 15 to 19 is software was also "borrowed"violating copyright laws. caused by firearms, second only to automobile accidents; this according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Signifi- Tots Flock to R.C. Schools cantly, the rate increased between 1985 and 1990 from 19.8 per Enrollment in Roman Catholic schools has increased signifi- 100,000 of population to 23.5. Firearm deaths for 10-14-year- cantly, for the first time in 30 years, largely due to the popularityolds increased 18% in the same period, reaching a rate of 3.3 per While of its pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs. 100,000. Gun murders have increased at an average annual rate overall er .:ollment increased by nearly 17,000 students, most ofof 24% for white males, ages 15 to 19. The homicide rate for that (14,849) came from pre-schoolers. black males in the same age group has nearly tripled to 105 per 100,000, a 23% increase in the last year alone.

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