by Alan Haskvitz

With the reduction in funding for technology, this might be a good time for educators to a look at what is out there for free or for very little cost.  For example, I found a little company that provides open source computers and servers used by many larger institutions; has U.S.-based customer service. The savings in software costs alone was significant, and there weren't any licensing costs.  The company is eRacks Open Source Systems, and I am sure there are others.

The following sites offer that type of information as well as providing updates, grants, and ideas on how to use software in the schools.  If you know of any others, please e-mail me by clicking on my name on the front page.

Techies Day is for Everyone
Large link site that includes grants and lessons

REC Technology
General Technology links

Acceptable use policy

Center for Democracy and Technology
A site about law and the future of the Internet and other new communication media

Domain & Trademark Intellectual Property Law Issues
For lawyers, consumers & Web

A handbook and sample from Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Search the World with 456 Search Engines
Listed by country

Teacher’s Guide to International Collaboration on the Internet
Listed by subject area

White Papers on Technology Issues for Educators

More for techies

Association for Educational Communications and Technology
 Site for professionals interested in educational technology and its application to the learning process

Computer Using Educators
Really great conferences – this active group promotes hands-on technology conferences.

Education with New Technologies:  Networked Learning Community
This site is designed to help educators integrate new technologies; you need to register.

Microsoft Education
Everything from best practices to help for parents

Ties magazine
 Supports technology education and the integration of math, science and technology curriculum mainly in middle, junior and senior high schools

Technology funding

Good Models of Teaching with Technology

IBM
Grants and other help from IBM

National Cristina Foundation (NCF)
“Provides computer technology and solutions to give people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons the opportunity, through training, to lead more independent and productive lives”

Resource Guide to Federal Funding for Technology in Education

TechCorps
Find out what companies and individuals might be offering free technology help for your school.

Useful Apple sites

Applelinks
Macintosh resource with software and hardware links and the Buyer’s Guide make this potentially valuable.

Association of Macintosh Trainers

EveryMac

MacFixIt
Questions answered about problems with Macs

MacInTouch
Latest information about Macs

World Wide Web for teachers

4Teachers
Site works to help you integrate technology in the classroom by offering online resources.

DMOZ Open Directory:  Computers: software:  educational: special education
Large link site

Federal Department of Education
Technology-related articles

IEEE Technical Committee on Learning Technology

International Forum of Educational Technology and Society

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
Works to provide professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership in the field

Virginia State Standards for Technology
Practice tests for grades five and eight