Nova and SPARK

Looking for anyone who has used and compared PASCO's spark handhelds and how they compare to the NOVA 5000 from Fourier Systems. I saw PASCO's stuff at the NECC in Washington, DC and was very impressed. I am piloting the NOVA's for...let's just say I am piloting them and an having some issues.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Including usability, durability and any hidden costs.

NECC Day Three

Day three of NECC, and indeed, the entire NECC conference is over. I learned so much the last few days that is somewhat overwhelming. For instance; Second Life for professional development? Someone needs to help me understand that concept as I just do not get it. Playing a game that I cannot access from school to network with other teachers. What is a professional Wiki or a dimdim or elluminate account for then? And those I DO have classroom access to. Just seems to me to be a bit of overkill.

However, the session on teachers domain was awesome! I had no idea that such a resource even existed. And best of all it is free! Check it out! All activities/lessons are sorted by grade and subject area! Did I mention that it is free?

NECC Day Two

The best part of today was visiting the vendor booths. Among others, teacherweb, a site for school and teacher sites always puts on a good viewing. However, this year so far I have been most impressed with turning point technologies. They are a student response system maker and supplier. That alone did not impress me. What did was the ability of the teacher to chart the data and to easily see how individual kids responded. And, they have a school improvement and AYP feature for schools with questions specific for content areas. Check them out!

NECC Day one

I could learn to love PBSkids! There were so many cool learning tools that we were shown today from Fetch to Engineering Challenges to engage students in learning and problem solving. Don't you love it when kids learn while they are having a good time!? Almost tricks them into thinking that they are not really learning.

Oh yeah, I did attend two other sessions as well.

NECC Here I Come!

For the last three years I have attended MICCA in Baltimore. Two of those three years I presented. For the first time, I will be attending NECC in Washington, DC and I cannot wait. The allure of seeing the new technologies for improving student learning is exciting. I am always on the loo-out for new ways to help my students succeed (Yes, I know that school is out and teachers are supposed to be "off"). Hope to see you there!