Using This Technology To Improve Their Grades (NAPSA)—Remember when a calculator was considered a hightech novelty? Remember whenstudents wrote papers on manual typewriters instead of computers? It is hard to believe that the impor- tant notes once surreptitiously passed on slips of paper (and con- fiscated by teachers) are now stealthily transmitted as instant messagesover the Internet. Today, schools are finding more and more innovative ways to deploy technology as a classroom aid—andthey are applying it to more subjeets than the math and science disciplines. Below is a sampling of techsavvy applications being used this school year to enhance the educational experience. Art and Technology—How many fifth graders do you know who appreciate European art? New tools from Lexmark International, Inc. are helping to introduce Europe’s finest collections to the American classroom. Based on the success of a pilot program, Lexmark plans to donate its awardwinning inkjet printers to hundreds of schools this year, along with educational CD-ROMsfeaturing artistic masterpieces from Europe’s leading museums. Using curricula developed “by-teachers- for-teachers,” students will learn to embrace other cultures by studying art, history, language and humani- ties. For more information on art as an educational asset, visit www.print-arl.com. * Virtual Field Trips—Besides aiding students with their homework or research projects, the Internet helps teachers develop exciting, interactive lessons that allow students to take field trips all over the world without leaving the classroom. Rather than flipping the pages of their history textbooks to learn about the American Revolution, stu- dents can go online and take an interactive journey to the Boston Hill. In addition, students learning about the U.S. government can take a virtual tour of the White House and students studying Spanish ean “visit” Barcelona. * Remote Classrooms— Today, students who are unable to attend school ean still participate in class. Video conferencing has allowed non-traditional students to learn and contribute from a remote location. Instant messag- ing and Internet chat rooms allow offsite students to participate in classroom discussions and afterschool activities, while e-mail allows students to submit their homework no matter where they're located. * Digital Yearbooks—Grad- uates are starting to capture yearbook memorieselectronically. Digital photography allows students to create Web-based yearbooks that are not only viewed electronically, but can be printed individually to create personalized yearbooks.
