Best New Software
Volume 28, No. 4, April 2001
Best Software: General Learning
Joanne Troutner
History of the American legal system: Interactive
encyclopedia.
ABC-Clio (www.abc-clio.com)
Grades 7-Adult.
Superb multimedia reference tool with over 1,800 entries, 200 court cases,
biographies, important concepts, and social/political movements. Easy to
navigate, includes a glossary, and has a supplementary Internet web site
with more resources.
The Civil Rights Movement in the United States:
An interactive encyclopedia.
ABC-Clio (www.abc-clio.com)
Grades 7-Adult.
Another excellent multimedia reference tool with over 500 topics, which can
be accessed via entry, keyword, text, or media type. Examine data on black
church arson fires of the mid-1990s, hear Malcolm X discuss black unity,
or read about the Amistad court decision.
The environmental movement in the United States:
An interactive encyclopedia.
ABC-Clio (www.abc-clio.com)
Grades 7-Adult.
An outstanding reference tool for supporting interdisciplinary teaching.
Primary source video, audio, and documents and information on over 600 topics
ranging from acid rain to Yosemite are available.
Road adventure USA.
The Learning Company (www.learningcompanyschool.com)
Grades 4-8
Intriguing simulation where math, reading, geography, history, decision-making,
and critical thinking all combine. Students select a partner, purchase a
car and supplies, and follow clues to mystery destinations.
The writers resource library 2.0.
Sunburst Technology (www.sunburst.com)
Grades 4-Adult
A well-developed writing tool, which includes a dictionary, almanac, rhyming
dictionary, lexicon, thesaurus, and a writers handbook. A notepad feature
for quick note-taking is also available
Joanne Troutner is director of Media/Technology for
the Tippecanoe School Corporation and owner of Creative
Computer Enterprises in Lafayette, Indiana. She can be
contacted at troutner@mindspring.com. |
