Hot Stuff: Media for Educators

Credit: William Duke

Red Zebra [1] and ZAC [2] kid-friendly Web browsers

Free

A search engine that filters smut? You bet. Red Zebra assures parents of early readers that their little one's search for, say, a unicorn image brings up only G-rated sites. Results are presented like a fan with images of each screen, so your child can scroll through and click on the site that offers the closest match. Another new kid-friendly technology is the ZAC browser. ZAC (Zone for Autistic Children) is developed specifically for children with autism and autism-spectrum disorders. It allows the child to interact with and play the many games and activities, as well as experience independence using it. ZAC also offers a forum for teachers, parents, and caretakers to share resources.

Credit: William Duke

PowerUp [3]

Free

Save the planet Helios from ecological disaster and SmogGobs in PowerUp, a free online game that draws an emotional connection to our newly refreshed ecological awareness. The three-dimensional game, from IBM's TryScience initiative, is designed to engage students in learning about engineering and energy while trying to supply solar, wind, and water power before an ecological disaster hits. PowerUp offers classroom lesson plans that cover energy transformation, as well as an interactive module so students learn about the technologies required to build virtual worlds.

Credit: William Duke

eScience Labs [4]

Prices vary

Kids, you can try this at home. Kits from eScience Labs are a series of labs that contain virtually everything needed to complete an entire series of experiments -- with the exception, perhaps, of an egg or a plump piece of fruit. These experiments are designed specifically for use by homeschoolers or distance learners but are great for any class. The biology kit, for example, includes high-definition images instead of expensive slides and a microscope, and still offers hands-on exercises. Registered students get the benefit of video introductions, interactive animations, and supplementary course material. New lab kits are continually in development.

Credit: William Duke

HP Mini-Note PC [5]

$499

Those with shrinking school budgets should find the new Mini-Note PC laptop an affordable alternative to the standard PC setup. Weighing in at less than 3 pounds, the full-function PC is small enough to fit in student backpacks without causing shoulder strain. Multimedia tools, as well as wireless and security capabilities, make it easy for students to work in class, on a field trip, or at the kitchen table.

With this notebook, HP also plans to provide free, online professional-development courses for teachers. Other features include a keyboard with a special coating to protect the finish from spills, and a drive protector that shuts down the hard drive if sudden movement or shock is detected -- both perfect for the student user.