Promethean Interactive Whiteboard:
Mrs. Johnston, a 4th grade teacher at Birchwood, developed a set of New York State geography review activities for her students. This was done using the Promethean whiteboard software, and incorporated the use of the interactive capabilities of this electronic whiteboard technology.

Wikis:
The fourth grade classes at Glencliff created their own "wiki" webpages while doing animal research. Since each animal was researched by a cooperative group of students, the collaborative nature of creating & editing wikis was the perfect technology. Their final webpage products were proof of the power of these "Web 2.0" tools!

Blogs:
Mr. Jennings, a high school science teacher, is using blogging as a way to post stimulating questions for his students to publicly respond to. The questions and student responses can be viewed by all participants (and the world!), and thus an ever-expanding discussion can ensue.

Many classrooms have, or will soon have, new document cameras and interactive white boards.

Document cameras allow students and teachers to project images of many types of items for a large group to view. In addition to books and documents, other objects can also be shared with these devices. Examples include math manipulatives, cultural artifacts, watches & clocks, coins & bills, and much more! It's provides an easy and quick way to share items with an entire class.

Interactive white boards get students and teachers out from behind their computers! These devices connect to the user's computer and have the monitor's image projected onto them. The computer can then be controlled directly by interacting with the white board. Software included with the board allows for a number of other capabilities, such as saving images as picture files.

Promethean "Activslates" are portable wireless tablets that allow teachers & students to remotely control a computer, and also to work with whatever is being projected onto a screen or whiteboard from a computer. Students can participate in interactive lessons from anywhere in the classroom, using the slate as a remote "trackpad" and mouse button!

OPALS is a web-based tool that allows the Niskayuna Community to access the resources housed in the Niskayuna School Media Centers. Each school website has a link to OPALS. Searching begins from the very first screen using the "anywhere" search box where one can locate books, audio books, videotapes, DVDs, journals, reference materials, computer software, and equipment owned by each building. Popular searches by users can include title, author, subject, and even Dewey Decimal number. Once a search has been completed, a bibliography can be formed complete with proper research citation. The weblinks portion leads to pre-screened internet sites that support student learning. Other features include links to new purchases, announcements about library activities, and library hours. Access to this information-rich tool is on a 24/7 basis from school, home, or any location with an internet connection!