The Buzz: Tools, Trends, and Gizmos

Open Content for the Win
Ten free digital textbooks on high school math and science met at least 90 percent of California’s academic standards, according to a recent report by the state’s free digital textbook initiative, a first-in-the-nation project launched by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in May 2009 to ensure access to quality, cost-effective options. Four textbooks submitted met 100 percent of standards, including three by the CK–12 Foundation. www.clrn.org/fdti.

Alaska Librarians Get Flashy
To help extend services to students in even the most remote parts of the region, the Alaska State Library plans to digitize and download government documents onto flash drives for distribution to schools. These “Civics in a Flash” materials will be particularly useful in rural districts with limited Internet access. Tied to curricular standards, the materials will feature primary sources, including personal letters, diaries, and documents relating to Alaskan statehood and Native rights. bit.ly/XmADM.

Unifying Receiver
A new receiver makes it easy to connect keyboards, mice, and other wireless peripherals to your laptop. A tiny USB dongle that protrudes just 8 mm from your computer, the Logitech Unifying Receiver can be paired with up to six compatible devices, freeing up precious USB ports. After an initial software setup, keyboards, mice, and game controllers will automatically work when the laptop is in range. The receiver ships this month with two Unifying-compatible Logitech keyboards and two mice ($49.99 and up). www.logitech.com.

A Reality Check for the Web
Global warming is a hoax and chat rooms are dangerous to youth. These are just two of the claims being questioned on Dispute Finder, a new Web tool that highlights controversial content online and provides alternative points of view. A project by Intel Research and UC Berkeley, Dispute Finder lets users—through a Firefox extension—dispute a claim and provide evidence to support or oppose it. Right now, there’s some furious pagemarking going on over healthcare. disputefinder.cs.berkeley.edu.

DIY Board Games
Who doesn’t love board games? We certainly do, as they’re perfect for schools (bit.ly/Y4001). For a novel way to blend board games into the curriculum, consider making your own. The Game Crafter, a new Web service, lets you create, publish, and sell board games of your own design. TechCrunch is so intrigued with the idea that it’s having an intern work on a TechCrunch board game. Hmm, what would SLJ, the game, look like? www.thegamecrafter.com.

Nikon’s New Coolpix With Built-in Projector
What’s the next big thing in point-and-shoot cameras? A built-in projector. Among its new line of Coolpix models, Nikon’s 12.1-megapixel S1000pj sports a LED mini projector at the front and center, enabling shooters to instantly share their photos and videos by throwing them up on the nearest wall. With the press of a button, images can be projected as large as 40 inches, with an optional slideshow function. $430. www.nikonusa.com.