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Technology Tools

Expand your teaching toolkit with technology tools. Find reviews of tech tools, gadgets and software that can be used in your classroom to complement and augment your curriculum.

Hyperstudio 5

For many of you who were using computers back in the Hypercard™ era, you may remember a familiar name, Hyperstudio™ created by Roger Wagner. Mackiev Software Company and Roger Wagner have partnered up to re-release this great multimedia tool named Hyperstudio 5™. Users can navigate through non-linear cards filled with text, graphics, animations, sounds and videos. The new features adapted to updated technology include editing tools such as 3D paint brushes and additional text formatting styles, along with the ability to export presentations in iPod™ video for podcasting. A Hyperstudio presentation can also include a connection to over 2000 teacher approved webcams to provide real-time information to the user. Hyperstudio 5 is an easy to use option for developing creative multimedia presentations. For more information got to HyperStudio 5™ home page.

Kid Works Deluxe

One of the first software tools for primary age creative writing and drawing was Kid Works™2 which transcended into KidWorks™ Deluxe. Due to incompatibilities with operating systems it disappeared from sight for many years but has recently been revived. The overall program looks very similar to the original. This software provides students the ability to create a single page or a book by offering a choice of text pages or picture pages. Students can draw/paint, insert graphics, type in text and record their stories. Beginning readers can create rebus stories and have the word and pictures interchange with each other while having their stories read back to them. Students can import their own pictures into their books, and then export easily for online viewing. A favorite feature of this software is the primary lined paper that appears when one of the two primary fonts are selected. Also, all tools and parts of the program use illustrative buttons for those just learning how to read. Kid Works Deluxe includes a cross-curricular set of story starter book templates to provide a starting point for books or activities. This software is a great tool for a lab or individual computer stations, and it is great to see it back in the classroom. Download a demo version at Kid Works Deluxe web site.

Disclaimer: The Corporation for Educational Technology (Buddy) has no agenda other than the interests of K-12 educators. Technology product reviews render no financial incentive to our organization.

This article appeared in the ETC...and More! volume 1, number 8 newsletter and is published by the Buddy Project (Corporation for Educational Technology), in collaboration with the Hoosier Educational Computer Coordinators (HECC), Indiana Computer Educators (ICE), the Indiana Department of Education, and Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students (PATINS).