CoolSchoolTools.com "Rekindling the Art and Passion of Teaching and Learning"

The Teacher Locker ...

For All Teachers:

1. ExamView
2. CPS - The Classroom Performance System

Recommended Tools for Teaching and Learning Mathematics

The following recommendations are based on conversations with hundreds of discussions with innovative teachers in technology rich classrooms.  Please email Tim Fahlberg if you have comments or additional recommendations.

Special:

1. Classroom Sound Amplification System  (FM or Infrared):
   LightSPEED LES 750iR Infrared Classroom Amplification System
   Benefits

Hardware:

1. Data (DLP/LCD) Projector :  (about $1,000).  Mounting it will deter theft, increase lifetime, and increase its use dramatically.
2. Large pull down screen: 84" or 100" (about $100).
3. Document Camera (Visual Presenter): Samsung Digital Visual Presenter - DVP-5300 (< $1,000).
4. Computer: Tablet PC ($1,500+). 
5. Wireless graphics tablet with annotation software: SMART Technologies Airliner WS100 wireless Bluetooth slate ($498 with Smarter Kids Foundation grant, $699 otherwise) .   Compare the cost and portability of this (or better yet 2 of these!) + a large pull down screen to a $2,000 SMART Board.  An incredible tool.  Smart Technologies saw the success of the GTCO CalComp's wireless SchoolPad and then worked with Wacom to create a far better tool with their industry-leading annotation software. 
6. Wireless graphics tablet: Wacom Graphire Bluetooth tablet (< $250).  Get only if you can't afford a wireless Smart slate or want a 2nd tablet for personal use or to take home.  VenturaES has these for $219 (but you'll need a Bluetooth adapter, about $30, to go with it if Bluetooth isn't already on your computer).
7. Student Response System: eInstruction CPS - Classroom Performance System ($2,000 for IR, $3,850 for RF).  Use to fully engage your students, get feedback on learning, give tests & practice, and reduce time spent on grading.  Once you see CPS you'll know you and your students will have to have it soon.  Works with PowerPoint and standards-aligned ExamView question banks.  .

Software:

1. Test generation software: FSCreations ExamView ($139) + Microsoft Word (part of Microsoft Office).
2. Presentation-Annotation software: Smart Notebook software version 9.1 (free with SMART Technologies products like WS100 Airliner wireless Bluetooth slate).
3. Screen recording software (for creating & producing whiteboard & screen movies): TechSmith Camtasia Studio ($149 for single educational user license).
4. Virtual TI Graphing Calculator (free), for middle, high school, and higher education teachers.
5. The Geometer's SketchPad: Key Curriculum Press ($120), for geometry or trigonometry.
6. Fathom: Key Curriculum Press  ($120), for statistics