Best New Software

Volume 29, Number 4, April 2002

Best Current Software

Joanne Troutner

Timeliner 5.0.
Tom Snyder Productions (www.tomsnyder.com) Grades K-12.
This program makes producing timelines easy, contains over 400 pieces of historical clip art, easily exports to HTML for Web publishing and converts to slides for multimedia presentations.

Decisions, Decisions 5.0.
Tom Snyder Productions (www.tomsnyder.com) Grades 5-10.
Students take on real world roles as they complete these scenarios. Fifteen programs are available covering world history, American history and present-day issues such as the environment and campaign issues.

Science Court.
Tom Snyder Productions (www.tomsnyder.com) Grades 4-6.
Chose from nine titles — inertia, work and simple machines, electric current, seasons, living things, gravity, particles in motion, sound, soil, statistics, fossils and water cycle — where students use the scientific method to gather information for a court case involving a scientific concept.

Math Mysteries.
Tom Snyder Productions (www.tomsnyder.com) Grades 4-7.
Students practice math skills as they unravel a mystery related to each title — whole numbers, advanced whole numbers, measurement, fractions and advanced fractions.

Prime Time Math.
Tom Snyder Productions (www.tomsnyder.com) Grades 4-9.
Students practice math skills as they engage in real world dramas such as Adrift!, Emergency! and Stakeout! The series includes six titles spanning the grade levels.

The Great Solar System Rescue/The Great Ocean Rescue.
Tom Snyder Productions (www.tomsnyder.com) Grades 5-8.
Excellent award-winning simulations where students work cooperatively to solve problems and learn about the solar system and the ocean environment.

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.