January 2002 — Software/Courseware
Print this article | Email this articleClick here to receive your FREE subscription to T.H.E. Journal
Focus on Arts & Humanities
With the debate over improving education focusing on math and science, the importance of the arts and humanities can get lost in the shuffle. However, improving instruction in art, music, language and the like is just as important in developing a well-rounded educational experience for every child. Beyond that, state and federally mandated tests require that schools meet certain goals in every subject. With that in mind, this month we feature a varied collection of tools designed to aid both teacher and student in acquiring and improving upon these skills.
Budding artists who
don't yet have the artistic sensitivities of a Picasso or Rembrandt 
can take heart with their own photos. Crayon By Number 2.0 from
Wentworth Institute lets students scan any photo and turn it into a
paint-by-number style outline that students can then color in.
The process consists of five simple steps: selecting the type of crayon box the student is using (e.g., Crayola 32); scanning and cropping the image; setting the complexity level; and processing or printing the outline. The program prints three pages: a color chart that lists the numbers and their corresponding crayon; a numbered outline of the original image; and a crayoning page, which is a non-numbered outline of the image for the student to color. The program also features a slider control on the screen that adjusts the complexity and realism of the photos to accommodate a variety of different skill levels. Wentworth Institute, Peoria, IL, (309) 676-8822, www.crayonbynumber.com.
Educational Activities Software's DILEMMA provides a multimedia reading comprehension program that uses social issues as topics for lessons. Written by a school principal, DILEMMA combines comprehension strategies with real-life decision making, problem solving, reasoning, responsibility, self-esteem and ethics, providing an instructional experience that extends beyond most reading programs. Topics include gangs, peer pressure, AIDS, shoplifting and racial conflicts.
Each story starts with a video clip that sets the scene for a realistic dilemma a person might face. Students decide what the main character should do, then explore the consequences. The program includes 16 passages written for various reading levels, as well as reading comprehension ac-tivities that explore main ideas, understanding details, and drawing inferences and conclusions. DILEMMA also includes an audio glossary that provides pronunciations and definitions, as well as a management system. Educational Activities Software, Baldwin, NY, (800) 645-2796, www.ea-software.com.
With Kodak's
Professional Portraits & More PC Pro software for Windows,
young
and old photographers alike can capture images with a digital camera
and output high-quality prints on-demand. The PC Pro software is easy
to learn and adds full support for the Kodak Professional DCS 760,
720x and Pro Back Plus pro digital cameras; the Nikon D1, D1-H and
D1-X; and the Canon EOS D30 pro digital cameras. Owners of the Kodak
DC290 and DC4800 point-and-shoot zoom digital cameras and Kodak
Professional 4720 Photo Printer had their devices added recently to
this imaging software application as well.
