Hardware, Software and the Internet By Carol Patton and Ken Royal June 2008

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After five years of research and development, significant changes have been made to the Learning Bridges online professional development program. It now consists of a Web-based suite of tools designed to improve the quality of teaching and instruction. They include a teaching practices guide, synthesis system, strategy assessment, teacher basic skills assessment system, parent activities, and professional development system. The program is aligned to states' language arts and math standards and assessments for grades K-12. www.learningbridges.com

Early Simple Machines Set III, Science Kit, Books and Materials, $99.95

While working in teams of two or three with Early Simple Machines Set 111, elementary students can explore energy, buoyancy and balance by manipulating simple models of seesaws, rolling vehicles, spinning tops and rafts. They end up discovering wheels, axles, pulleys, levers and gears. The kit comes with a set of color activity cards with pictorial instructions for eight different models, a plastic punch-out sheet with eyes, sails, scales and wings, and a plastic bin for easy cleanup and storage. www.legoeducation.com

SNC-DM110/SNC-CM120/SNC-DM160, Megapixel Security Cameras, Hardware, Starting at $995

Released in May, each of Sony's new megapixel cameras feature advanced complementary color progressive scan CCDs with ExwavePRO technology. This color filter technology provides increased levels of light sensitivity needed to achieve optimal performance from fixedtype megapixel systems. Features include Light Funnel technology, which combines image data gathered from multiple horizontally and vertically aligned pixels to provide extremely bright images even when monitoring moving objects. The DM110 ($995) includes a normal minidome, a 2.8-9.5mm, 3.4x varifocal auto iris lens and more. The CM120 comes with a mount day/night mini-dome, and the DM160 ($1,295) includes a rugged day/night mini-dome. www.sony.com/security

Mathematica Player Pro, Mathematics Software, System, $195

Mathematica Player Pro is the professional platform for running Wolfram's interactive Mathematica applications and documents. Used either as a personal tool or as a high-level engine built in by application developers, it provides the power of Mathematica for a fraction of the cost. Although a single runtime, it supports the functionality of Mathematica, giving users easy and cost-effective access to Mathematica applications. It can also be bundled to make a stand-alone application or to deliver tools to existing users. www.wolfram.com/playerpro

Compass KidZ Medallions, Cultural Literacy, Books and Materials, $65-$199

Kidz Medallions are collectible incentives for students using the Compass Kidz Treazure Quest Web site. The medallions encouragestudents to explore world cultures and learn more about famous landmarks. They support state and national standards for secondto sixth-grade geography, economic and cultural literacy. Each classroom set includes an assortment of passports, which introduce countries through a child's eyes, and medallion/FactZ cards that include interesting facts about five countries and cultures-Egypt, Italy, Mexico, India and China. The set can be easily integrated into social studies, history, geography, writing and research projects. www.compasskidz.com

Math and Science CAVS (Content Academic Vocabulary Systems), Math and Science Curriculum Materials, Books and Materials, $1,699 for entire K5 science or math systems

Math and Science CAVS materials are focused on the needs of struggling students. They deliver standards-based, hands-on interactive lessons designed to help K5 students learn essential math and science concepts and terms. Teachers help students make connections to the things they know using support materials ranging from concept posters to vocabulary cards. Also offered are illustrated flip books and reader cards, as well as reinforcement tools and interactive materials to review, reinforce and assess vocabulary and concept knowledge. www.northpointhorizons.com

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