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Glossary
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
Useful Software for Science And Math Education
Many software programs simultaneously engage students in several
of the Science and Mathematics Content Standards. The following list
provides a few examples of appropriate software, suggested ranges of
grades for its use, and the Alaska Science and Mathematics Content
Standards addressed. This is not an exhaustive list of appropriate
software. It is simply an analysis of software that has been
recommended by different science and mathematics educators to address
the Content Standards. These materials are not endorsed by the
state.
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SCIENCE STANDARDS
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MATH
STANDARDS
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Product and Description
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SimFarm, SimTown, SimAnt, SimEarth by MAXIS.
Simulated opportunities to modify topography, pollution,
life forms, etc. (including social studies phenomena such as
war, famine, disease, etc. and then "run" the program to
find out what effect those conditions may have upon the
evolution of the planet or organism. It enables learners to
tackle problems over a 10 billion year period. Students take
control of the system, vary factors by establishing
parameters, and then consider the results as they examine
the changes.
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3+
3-adult
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Zurk's Alaskan Trek by Soliel. Students create
movies about animal lives, program animal behaviors, explore
three northern ecosystems, create animated and written
stories using tools for writers or prewriters.
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1-5
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Gizmos and Gadgets from The Learning Company.
Games to improve understanding of simple machines.
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X
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The Lost Mind of Dr. Brain from Sierra Tools. A
laboratory mishap provides students with the opportunity to
solve puzzles to correct the misadventure. Develops problem
solving skills
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5+
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X
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X
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X
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The Cruncher from Davidson. This user-friendly
multimedia spreadsheet talks, generates graphs, and allows
students to crunch their own statistics. Available in
Spanish and English.
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3+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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The GraphClub from Tom Snyder Software. Graphing
software for kids with motivating graphics, voice, built-in
activities, and big-book printing capabilities.
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K-4
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X
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Teaching Thinking Skills with Databases from
ISTE. These databases have a social studies emphasis.
Sorting by category e.g. predators v. prey and eyes front v.
eyes top or side of the head and set up a 2x2 matrix of what
we get to see the relationship. And sorting by numbers in
considering whether it's an up-up relationship or an up-down
relationship between (a) animal size and size of the brood;
(b) bird size and wing flaps per minute; (c) distance to a
planet and it's surface temperature.
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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SCIENCE STANDARDS
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MATH
STANDARDS
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Product and Description
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Earth Explorer by Enteractive, Inc. Engaging
multimedia encyclopedia of the environment. Done with "major
funding" provided by the NSF. Source: Apple Computer, Inc.
1-800-800 APPL(2775) for information. Order by Fax
512/919-2992.
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4+
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X
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X
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Great Solar System Rescue and Great Ocean
Rescue from Tom Snyder Productions Company. Both are
cooperative learning activities on a laserdisk. Content
includes names, locations, and characteristics of the
planets; origin of solar system; mass, volume, density;
formation of rock; evolution of surface features;
cause/effect of seasons; cross-cultural views of the solar
system; history of planetary exploration; and the
relationship between science and history. Ocean content
includes properties of water; movements of earth's crust;
methods of pollution control; adaptations of sea creatures,
ocean currents.
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5-8
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Mind's On Science Laserdiscs: For the Sake of the
Nation, The Impact of Discovery, For Profit For Planet,
by Tom Snyder Productions. Simulations in which students
play the role of science advisor to the president,
scientist, or CEO to corporations. Using information and
advice from colleagues and friends representing politics,
biotechnology, engineering, and economics, students have to
establish priorities and identify a worthwhile focus for the
intellectual energy and tax dollars of the nation. Decisions
that the students make lead to consequences, after which new
decisions or accommodations must be made. It's an excellent
way to integrate technology and multiple science and social
studies disciplines.
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5-8
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Stella II: Modeling software that allows students
to determine inputs and outputs to dynamic systems,
including positive and negative feedback components. Will
simultaneously graph results, create charts, and show
components parts grow and shrink.
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7+
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X
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X
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Cricket Graph: Create expert graphs using a
variety of data types with fine control over axis and scale.
Some statistical analysis available.
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5+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Kids Pix: by Broderbund. Flexible graphics
software that allows students to sequence, represent, and
design aesthetically and easily.
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K-8
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X
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The Amazon Trail, The Oregon Trail, The Yukon Trail
by MECC. Explore history, geography, and science
through simulated treks across historical routes. The Yukon
Trail takes you from Seattle to Dawson City as you make
decisions and experience the consequences.
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3+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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SCIENCE STANDARDS
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MATH
STANDARDS
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Product and Description
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Geometer's Sketchpad by Key Curriculum Press.
Interactive graphical software that allows students to
manipulate and explore patterns in changing measurements of
geometric figures.
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7+
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X
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X
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X
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Science Sleuths by Videodiscovery. This laserdisc
is now available as a CD ROM. Students help a female
detective solve some mysterious challenges by applying
scientific reasoning and process skills.
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4+?
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X
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X
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Math Sleuths by Videodiscovery. This laserdisc is
now available as a CD ROM. Students help a female detective
solve some mysterious challenges by applying mathematical
reasoning and problem solving skills.
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4+?
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X
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X
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X
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X
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MathBlasters/Algeblaster by Davidson: This series
covers money, mental math, problem solving, whole, negative,
decimal, fraction, inductive vs. deductive reasoning,
algebra, etc.
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K+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Millie's Math House by Edmark. Students explore
concepts of numbers, shapes, sizes, patterns and sequencing
as they build mouse houses, create bugs, and make jelly bean
cookies.
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PreK-2
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X
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X
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X
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Algebra I Homework Tutor by Tilton's Arithmetic
and Missing Link. This program checks your work as you enter
your own problems, provides hints, and provides similar
examples.
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7+
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X
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X
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X
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Sammy's Science House by Edmark. Five activities
help children practice sorting, sequencing and
problem-solving as they expand their science vocabularies
and learn about plants, animals, seasons and weather.
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PreK-2
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X
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X
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X
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Zurk's Learning Safari by Soleil. Children
explore African wilderness and camouflage while experiencing
life science, counting, letter recognition, and critical
thinking skills.
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PreK-1
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Mastering Calculus Series by Nectar.
Self-directed, self-paced, evaluates prerequisite skills,
provide interactive tutorials, summative evaluations.
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8+
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X
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The Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System...The
Human Body . Microsoft. Mrs. Frizzle takes the class on
amazing trips. Students make show-and-tell reports and try
science experiments and games.
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2-6
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X
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X
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Earthquake CD by Interactive. Ted Koppel and ABC
news narrate information on the most dramatic earthquakes of
the 20th century.
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5+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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The Way Things Work by Dorling Kindersley. More
than 200 inventions come to life.
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2+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Inspiration by Inspiration Software. Useful in
making concept maps and flowcharts. It is available from:
Inspiration Software P.O. Box 1629, Portland, Oregon 97207,
503 245-9011
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5+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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SCIENCE STANDARDS
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MATH
STANDARDS
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Product and Description
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A Field Trip to the Sky CD-ROM by Sunburst.
Excellent videos, stills, and interactive labs.
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2-8
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Math Workshop by Broderbund. Allows students to
explore computation and problem-solving skills.
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1-5
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X
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X
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X
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Hyperstudio from Roger Wagner Publishing. This
multimedia writing tool allows students to communicate their
knowledge in a variety of media. Excellent problem solving,
communication, and application experiences.
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4+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Interactive Physics II
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7+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Graphing Calculators: The TI 82 is a popular
model that includes optional probeware at a cheap price.
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7+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Probeware and Microcomputer Based Labs by
Vernier and others. These probes that interface directly
with your computer or graphing calculator allow students to
collect sophisticated data (pressure, temperature, speed,
etc.)
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5+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Personal Digital Assistants These small personal
computers with script recognition allow students to collect
data in the field and contribute it to a data base at the
classroom computer.
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4+
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X
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Spreadsheet Graphing Spreadsheets such as Excel,
Lotus, MicrosoftWorks and ClarisWorks allow students to
graph their own data, choosing between graphing formats and
simple statistical computations.
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5+
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X
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X
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X
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X
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OTHER GENERAL TOOLS AND HELPFUL CATALOGS/SOURCES
Grady Profile Portfolio Software by Aurbach and
Associates. Can be customized to your curriculum. Can be ordered from
Educational Resources, 1-800-624-2926.
Benchmarks on Disk from AAAS Project 2061 is a good
resource for a methods course. 1-800-230-32422.
Computer Resources for People with Disabilities by Hunter
House Publishing. Order from Educational Resources (1-800-624-2926).
Tom Snyder Productions , 80 Coolidge Hill Road, Watertown
MA02172-2817, 1-800-342-0236.
Apple Computer, Inc . 1-800-800 APPL(2775) for
information. Order by Fax 512/919-2992.
Vernier produces probeware for microcomputer based labs.
1-503-297-5317.
Educational Resources (great software prices)
1-800-624-2926
Sunburst 1-800-321-7511
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