The Buzz: Tools, Trends, and Gizmos

HP Mini Notebooks Sized to Go

Ready for another mini PC? Hewlett-Packard (HP) has expanded its line with the HP Mini 5101. Weighing 2.6 pounds, the HP 5101 features a two-megapixel webcam, an anodized aluminum finish, and a spill-resistant keyboard that's 95 percent of a full-sized Qwerty keyboard. $329. www.hp.com/go/k12.

New Digital Libraries

At ALA, World Book (WB) debuted three online, interactive Digital Libraries—Early Peoples, Living Green, and Inventions and Discoveries—to complement recent print sets. Also new, a reference suite designed for public library users of all ages, from children to adults. Public Library Edition features three core databases similar to WB's School Library Edition, yet boasts its own unique elements, including games and science project support within the Kids' section. www.worldbook.com.

Tracking Those Millennials

School librarian Frances Jacobson Harris, author of I Found It on the Internet: Coming of Age Online (ALA 2005) has researched an update of her book and shared her findings at an ALA panel. On whether educators should friend students on Facebook, Jacobsen Harris quoted the advice of social media expert danah boyd: You should enter the students' social networking space only as a mentor and only as invited. bit.ly/JL9I5.

Access YouTube at School

YouTube offers lots of good stuff for teachers and librarians to use with students. Problem is the popular video site is blocked in many school districts. Now, the Educational Video Library by Lightspeed Systems allows approved YouTube videos in school. YouTube's video functions operate normally in the Library, save the community elements, such as promoted videos and user comments, which are removed. www.lightspeedsystems.com.

Scholastic's Expert Space

Expert Space, a new, Web-based curriculum from Scholastic, debuted at NECC. The interactive Expert Space is more than a reference portal, providing students with a personal workspace and tools to manage research projects, cite sources, and more. For grades 4–12, leveled content areas cover science and social studies topics, enhanced with multimedia elements. www.scholastic.com/expertspace.

Whiteboards for Two

NECC routinely brings out some new twist on technology; this year the exhibits seemed particularly focused on whiteboard innovation. SMART Technologies announced a series of interactive whiteboards with dual touch, which enables two users to touch or write on the board's surface simultaneously. With the SMART Board SBD600 series, users can tap an icon to divide the screen in two, creating a personal workspace for each user. $1549. www.smarttech.com.