March 2006 — Features
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25 Tools, Technologies, and Best Practices
7 ] A Handful of Power. AlphaSmarts are handheld word processors that allow students to take notes, compose essays, write poetry, and work on written assignments no matter where they are. Simple to use, these devices can download documents to a Windows or Mac platform, and students can process them the same as they would a Word document. Ideal for anytime, anywhere assignments often associated with PBL. Bulk purchases drive prices down to around $130. Portable tablets that accept handwriting input are also fun, and useful for adding drawings as well. Go to Google for prices and models, and visit www.alphasmart.com.
8 ] Write It and Keep It: Smart Boards. Electronic whiteboards have been around for a while. What makes them especially useful for PBL is the collaborative approach they offer for generating and sharing information. Erin Sullivan, head of the middle school at The Willows School in Los Angeles, sings the praises of the new generation of Smart Boards: “You don’t have to bother with projectors. You can keep the discussion going, and when it’s done you can print out copies or e-mail it to the students. You get more engagement, more retention, because kids aren’t so focused on note-taking.” Smart Boards come in many sizes. Visit www.smarttech.com.
9 ] Redefining Photography: Digital Cameras. Digital cameras are widely used in PBL to document, create, and communicate information. Their versatility, ease of use, and affordability have made them indispensable for projects and presentations. Richard Gaskel, a photography instructor at Fessenden School in Newton, MA, says, “With the ability to manipulate, combine, and modify images, digital photography offers an almost unlimited range of possibilities for scientific, artistic, and experiential projects of all kinds.” Digital photos provide immediate visual feedback, are easily stored and sent, and of excellent quality. Starting at less than $100, digital cameras have become the workhorse of PBL.
10 ] Affordable Digital Video. Make a movie! Record a science experiment! Capture the high points of building a rowboat! For a wide range of PBL activities, video was the way to go, but it was too difficult and expensive—until now. Digital Blue has changed everything. Its inexpensive, rugged, easy-to-use video cams have made it practical to record the motion and excitement of PBL. At less than $100, they come with simple and flexible editing software that turns raw footage into powerful communication. Check out the Web site, www.digitalbluecorp.com, and marvel at the cool accessories that will uplevel PBL to superstardom.
