Journal # 5 A Sparkling Assortment

A Sparkling Assortment by Gail Lovely
Learning & Leading with Technology, Volume 30, Number 5, 2003, Pgs. 60-61,

Students can be introduced to a variety of documents and reports produced by the programs Word, PowerPoint and Excel. The teacher can show the students examples of Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents and explain what they are used for and why they are important. This articles introduces a version of these programs for young people in a new software program called Max’s Sandbox. Max’s Sandbox is made up of three different programs. The first program is called MaxWrite. Students can use MaxWrite to type words on the keyboard and hear a voice saying the words that they type, also called text-to-speech. Students can also use MaxWrite to attach clip art to their paper or use the Doodle Pad to make their own illustrations. The second program is called MaxPoint. Students can use MaxPoint to make a slide show also using the same text-to-speech component so they can share it with their non-reading friends. The third program is called MaxCount. Students can use MaxCount to collect data and graph it. Older students can use MaxCount to develop materials for younger children.

1. How can different computer programs be applicable for school?

Max Write can enable students to type words on a key board and simulteously hear them, also called "text tot speech". This will help audio learners, ELL students and various levels of special educaion students. The Doodle POad helps children to use clip art and their own illustrations. Students will be able to produce creative news- letters and flyers and make greeting cards for special occasions. MaxCount helps students to collect and graphically record data from experiments or observations. These can be depicted in charts that can enable students to compare and contrast results.

2. How can teachers find more information on Max's Sandbox and the three programs?

Max's Sandbox has recently been renamed Max's Toolbox. There is an informative website on-line with detailed information on classroom student engagement activities. This website also has many quick start lesson plans and curriculum ideas.
http://www.maxssandbox.com/