Number 31 April 1, 2003	A publication of Project Eagle, St. Petersburg College

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For a subscription to BEEP, contact the Project Manager: lechnerj@spcollege.edu

The Third Annual Look at
Leading Edge E-Learning Technologies

"The shift in excitement from sleek new hardware products to comprehensive, internet-based applications...is representative of a paradigm shift in educational technology."
(Corey Murray, Assistant Editor, eSchoolNews, 2/11/03)

For the third year in a row (see BEEP 18, 3/1/02, and BEEP 7, 4/1/01), an issue of BEEP is devoted to a look at just some of the highlights in new technologies of potential interest to e-learning planners. Included this year are many Internet-based applications, as well as the traditional lists of software, hardware, periodicals and upcoming meetings and conferences presented in previous years.

Software and Internet-Based Applications

Contribute. Showcased at the 2003 Florida Educational Technology Conference in Orlando, this product by Macromedia is appropriate for educators with only a basic understanding of Web page design. They can develop, update and customize their own interactive pages, which are linked from a school's server and accessible from its home page.
"Convio Unveils Internet Tools to Accelerate College and University Advancement Programs." Press release by the Convio Corporation, 3/11/03, announcing software products to help schools become more effective at fundraising, marketing and developing alumni loyalty.
Expertcity GoToMyPC. Web-based application that gives users full remote access to their computers from any Net-connected PC, Mac, Linux or Solaris system. Cost is $179 yearly, and in mid-March Expertcity announced a Pocketview version for wireless devices
Imagination at Work. An amazing and free Web-based writing and sketching tool sponsored by GE. Users can create script or images free-hand and in color, then preview and email their completed work to others
"Intelligent Admission." Article by Tim Goral in University Business (6:3), March 2003, that examines the use of Web-based technologies to improve the admissions process from recruitment to enrollment.
Internet2. Best Educational E-Practices (BEEP), Issue 27, December 1, 2002. This issue contains links to the material on the background of I2 to date, as well as examples of its use.
Ofoto.com. One of a number of Web sites that offer to produce first-quality prints from digital photos. Similar services are offered by Snapfish.com and Shutterfly.com
Quantum Artificial Intelligence Tutors. Press release by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2/4/03, about a Web-based resource for students who need a personal tutor to coach them through difficult science concepts.. The site offers dialogue-driven help, with individual interpretation of student problems and results.
"Sign Language." Article by Chip Walker in MIT Enterprise Technology Review, March 2003, about unusual new software that reads Chinese signs and quickly translates them into English using nothing more than a palm-size computer equipped with a small camera.
Simulating Surgery. Article by Wade Roush in MIT Enterprise Technology Review, March 2003, about a group at Stanford University who has developed an experimental software system that lets vascular surgeons "sketch" possibilities and preview results before making an incision. The process includes use of magnetic resonance data, blood flow photos, and a supercomputer to produce the needed simulation. Just one example of many new medically-related applications.
"Sun Microsystems Will Give Its Software to Students and Faculty Members Free." Article by Florence Olsen in the Chronicle of Higher Education, February 25, 2003, that announces the immediate release of nearly 100 software products, including programming tools, as part of a free licensing program students and faculty. Includes information on how to participate.

Hardware

"Broadband Over Power Lines? Technology Spurs Surging Optimism." Article in Wired News, 2/9/03, on the development of Web access via power lines, making every electrical outlet an always-on Web connection.
Digital Vision Touch Technology (DViT)TM. Latest development in SMART Board technology, that operates by touching a surface to control computer applications, navigate Web sites or write notes. Digital cameras and sophisticated software determine the contact and translate it as mouse activity. No special pen tools are required - the technology can detect any object in view.
Palm-size Projector. An example of the ever-shrinking size of hardware, the ViewSonicTM PJ250 projector weighs a mere 2.2 pounds, and is capable of displaying digital and analog signals for integrated data, video and audio. See also ViewSonic's 3.4 pound Tablet PC V1100 for another powerful device in a small package.
"The Quantum Computer." An introduction by Jacob West at CalTech to a yet-to-be perfected computer that harnesses the physical phenomenon unique to quantum physics to realize a fundamentally new mode of information processing. (Not for the non-scientific reader.)
TiVo DVR Series2TM. Product review at Cnet.com, (an excellent ongoing source for new technology evaluation), of the latest version of TiVo's digital video recorder, a device like a VCR, that operates with a hard disk instead of videotapes.
T-Mobile SidekickTM. Another product review from Cnet.com, this time of a unique, low-cost, wireless e-mail/phone/PDA hybrid that includes a graphical Web browser and camera.
Wireless Technologies. Best Educational E-Practices (BEEP), Issue 28, January 1, 2003. Entire issue contains links to the latest on wireless technologies

Selected Educational Technology E-Sources

(Good for keeping up with the latest developments. Many have regular new product columns.)

Chronicle of Higher Education.

Communications Solutions.

Converge.
(Technology Roundup also
available by email)

District Administration.

Educause Review.

eSchool News Online.

Ed Tech Journals Reviewed by

ERIC/IT.

Educational Technology Review.

FETConnections.

International Journal on E-Learning.

International Review Of Research

In Open and Distance Learning.

Journal of Technology Education.

MIT Technology Review.

Syllabus.

Technology & Learning.

T.H.E. Journal.
(T.H.E. Newsletter and T.H.E. Focus also
available by email)

The Technology Source.

University Business.

Some Upcoming 2003-2004 Educational Technology Conferences

Teaching in the Community Colleges Online Conference - May

CVC Online Student Support Services Conference - May

Distance Learning Administration Conference - June

Educause Southeast Regional Conference - June

National Educational Computing Conference - June

LERN Teaching on the Net - June

Technology in Education - June

Syllabus 2003 - July

Education and Training Technology Conference 2003 - August

Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT - September

Educause 2002 - October

E-Learning World Conference on E-Learning... - October

League for Innovation Conference on Information Technology - October

Asynchronous Learning Networks 2002 - November

Florida Educational Technology Conference - January 2004

The contents of BEEP were developed under a grant from the U. S. Department of Education (DOE). However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the DOE, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.