Smart Kids Software- Childrens Educational Software

Author: produced by TERC, Inc., in collaboration with Jostens Learning, Inc. and Broderbund Software, Inc. ; created by Chris Hancock ; designers, Laura Bagnall, Chris Hancock, Blake Meike ; window design by Scot Osterweil

Resource type: Activities Lesson plans MAC software Print materials Resource materials Software WIN software

Standards: I. NCTM Standards (1989). I.B. Content Standards: Grades 5-8 I.B.1. Mathematics as problem solving. I.B.2. Mathematics as communication. I.B.3. Mathematics as reasoning. I.B.4. Mathematical connections. I.B.10.Statistics. I.B.8. Patterns and functions. I.B.13.Measurement. I. NCTM Standards (1989). I.C. Content Standards: Grades 9-12 I.C.1. Mathematics as problem solving. I.C.2. Mathematics as communication. I.C.3. Mathematics as reasoning. I.C.4. Mathematical connections. I.C.6. Functions. I.C.10. Statistics. I.C.5. Algebra.

Subjects: Biological sciences. Chemistry. Data analysis. Earth science. Graphing. History. Language arts. Life sciences. Mathematics. Measurement. Patterns. Physical sciences. Physics. Science. Statistics.

Abstract: This software is a visual tool for storing, organizing, categorizing, graphing, exploring, and analyzing information in any subject area where stories and patterns lie within data. This software provides an animated, interactive environment so that data can be grouped, rearranged, sorted, and compared. The two main components of the software are a database window for recording data and a tabletop window that represents data as icons. Depending on the plot chosen, the icons represent the data in that form. Venn loop plots, stack plots, axes plots, and box plots are possible arrangements of the data (icons). Examples of included data are: characteristics of elements on the periodic chart plus other characteristics, such as color and state; women World Cup soccer games played in 1991; properties of numbers such as factors, odd or even, and prime or composite; and flags of countries. Data may be input, imported, exported, or joined (combining data collected by different groups working on the similar projects). Sorting on one to three fields is possible. The teacher's guide suggests group projects for the class to collect, analyze, and present data as well as conclusions based on the data. For example, groups construct a paper beam, measure the force required to deform the suspended beam, and then enter the deformation forces into the database for comparing students' models. The software and material is designed to support the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) CURRICULUM AND EVALUATION STANDARDS. (Author/LDR)

Contents: [User's guide:] Introduction -- Quick reference [The database window; The tabletop window; The formula window] -- Database basics [Database, record, and field; Scrolling and selecting] -- Building a database [Overview; Open, print, save, close, create databases; Fields; Records; Entering and editing data; The edit menu; Size and memory limits] -- Customizing your database [Overview; Annotations; Sorting a database; Icon editor; Fat rows] -- Joining, exporting, and importing databases [Joining Tabletop databases; Exporting data; Importing data] -- Plotting data [Open Tabletop window; Return to the database window; The Venn loop plot; The stack plot; The axes plot; Box plots] -- Icons [Selecting icons; Marking icons; Labeling icons; Half size icons; View constraint] -- Other Tabletop window features {Annotating plots; Computations; Customizing stack and axes plots; Print a Tabletop window; Window snapshot] -- Saving and reusing plots [The plot recorder; Saving your tabletop window; Install new database] -- Using formulas [Formula fields; Plotting data] -- Formula language details [Values; Variables; Operators; Functions; Conditionals]. [Teacher's guide:] Introduction -- Enter and store -- Data show and tell -- Bubbles! -- Things -- Favorite stuff -- Bigger, stronger? -- U.S. Presidential elections -- Pendulum! -- How good is my measurement? -- Help wanted -- I can hear music -- Desktop archaeology -- Elementary, Dr. Watson -- Global perspective -- How helpful? How equal?.

Evaluation: Field tested at the following schools: Cambridge, MA (Fletcher School); Arlington, MA (Hardy School); St. Louis, MO (Ladue School District).

Specifications: 1 computer disk (MAC) : color ; 3.5 in. + 1 user's guide (86 pages, loose-leaf : illustrated ; 28 cm.) + 1 teacher's guide (146 pages, loose-leaf : illustrated ; 28 cm.)

Equipment: System requirements: MAC--MAC computer; no other hardware/software requirements are listed on materials in hand. WIN--IBM or compatible computer; no other hardware/software requirements are listed on materials in hand

Availabililty: As of: 1995 Broderbund Software, Inc. (distributor) 500 Redwood Boulevard, P.O. Box 6121 Novato, CA 94948-6121 Telephone no.: 415/382-4680 Toll-free no.: 800/521-6263 415-382-3031 Terms governing use and reproduction: TERC grants permission to purchasers of Tabletop to reproduce blackline masters and portions of the User's manual for use in their classroom. 1 software package: Current status unknown

Funding: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Apple Computer, Inc. National Science Foundation (NSF). MDR8855617

Notes: Tabletop was conceived at the Educational Technology Center, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Funding was provided by the United States Department of Education, Office of Educational Reform and Improvement, grant no. OERI400830041.

Added entries: Bagnall, Laura. (Designer) Hancock, Chris. (Creator, Designer) Meike, Blake. (Designer) Osterweil, Scot. (Window design) Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. (Funding source) Apple Computer, Inc. (Funding source) Broderbund Software, Inc. (Collaboration/ Distributor) Jostens Learning, Inc. (Collaboration) National Science Foundation (NSF). (Funding source) Technical Education Research Centers, Inc. (TERC). (Producer, developer)

View Cart	Title (Click on title for Review)	Publisher	Ages	Media	Price
	Tabletop & Tabletop Jr/ Math Tools. (School Site License)		11-Up	95/98	$699.00 Online Price $299.99
	Tabletop & Tabletop Jr/ Math Tools. (Teacher) Contains (1) License& User's Manual/Teacher's Guide Binder		11-Up	MAC System 6.0.8 or higher for Tabletop, System 7.0 or higher for Tabletop Junior, 4MB RAM, 256 color monitor (Not OS10 Compatible)	$79.99 Online Price $29.99
	Tabletop & Tabletop Jr/ Math Tools. (LP5) Contains (5) License& User's Manual/Teacher's Guide Binder		11-Up	MAC System 6.0.8 or higher for Tabletop, System 7.0 or higher for Tabletop Junior, 4MB RAM, 256 color monitor (Not OS10 Compatible)	$179.99 Online Price $79.99

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