Microsoft Launches Tools For Teachers
Microsoft's Education Labs launched a new project this afternoon and it's better on trees and the environment. The group just announced a new Math Worksheet Generator where teachers can generate math problems and email them in paperless Word format to their students. In addition to Math Worksheet Generator, the group also announced plans for two additional projects to be released in the Fall.
Math Worksheet Generator: Built on top of Microsoft's math engine, this product is for teachers who want their students to get more problem solving practice. Instead of having to search for new worksheets or photocopy old ones, teachers can enter a sample problem and the generator determines the structure of the expression. From here the tool produces similar problems and generates a matching answer sheet. Teachers can use this tool for their entire class or tailor worksheets to individual work plans.
Microsoft Folder-based Sites:: Education Labs also announced plans to roll out a website creator in mid-October. With this tool, teachers will be able to convert Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents into html files. From here the files can be shared with students as web pages and all the files are hosted at no cost through Microsoft. The group is currently testing different admin rights in order to allow for student uploads.
Flash Cards: This product allows you to create and browse flash card decks and create favorites with your Windows Live ID. Teachers create decks by adding images, text and sound to their cards. From here students flip through the decks in Silverlight 3. One interesting part of this project is that as students answer questions, the software remembers incorrect answers and prompts those problem cards more frequently. This project is due before 2010.
For more information on these projects, visit Educationlabs.com or check out the 30 minute demo video at the bottom of the Math Generator page.
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Speaking of great education tools, a great site has been launched for students allowing them to collaborate online by forming study groups, downloading practice tests and getting answers in video, audio, picture or text format. I can't believe I didn't think of this, check it out at www.domyassignment.com
Let me get this right, Microsoft with all of its immense resources can't come up with anything innovative for educators. Microsoft's "big" developments for educators are worksheet generators, folder management, and flashcards? Those three things are available in spades, for free, now.
This doesn't look anywhere near as exciting as www.j2e.com Now that is what I call an exciting tool for education. Create text, photos, graphics and animation all on one web page then save as HTML. Share with friends or keep private all in an esafe environment.
For all our teacher friends. Let's get modern. Good times.
" generate math problems and email them in paperless Word format"
"convert Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents into html files"
This sounds like a press release that got lost in the system 10 years ago and has just been found. Either that or a joke - "you cannot be serious" I thought we had moved on from having to use locally purchased and installed Microsoft apps to do web stuff.
Micosoft just don't "get it" the world no longer revolves around Office and they can no longer tie offers to their products like this.
Why don't they ditch the tie in and just offer fully on-line services?
I can't believe that this is the best that Microsoft can come up with. There have been worksheet generators around for years and I hardly think this is going to excite pupils or students and want them to do Maths. Can't we be more creative and make learning exciting and active with technology
I completely agree with Sue, I think worksheet generators have been something students have seen for ages.
In fact even flash cards have been around for long, the only new thing which I came across recently was the flash card assessment which is seen at FunnelBrain
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