VIRTUAL REALITY ON THE WEB - Several Web sites now provide Web-based virtual reality environments, using Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). The University of Michigan has such a site. Called the Crystal Explorer, the site allows students to build and examine virtual crystals. At another site from the University of Manchester, neurosurgeons can practice a variety of procedures and scientists and others can share their latest discoveries worldwide. In two other examples, archaeologists at Manchester Metropolitan University, have created a virtual representation of the Tomb of Menna, from Thebes and made it available online, and the National History Museum has created online VRML-based trilobite fossils. (PC AI, Apr 01)

VIRTUAL TOUR IN YOUR PALM - InPlace recently announced that its NetVisits virtual tour technology will soon be available for use with handheld devices using the Palm OS such as the Handspring Visor Prism, Sony Clie, and the recently announced Palm M505. For more information CLICK: http://www.inplace.net

TELE-IMMERSION: THE HOTTEST APP - Tele-immersion applications could be truly revolutionary in the way we interact and learn. They could allow people from around the world to be "present" at important events without leaving their offices, and to hold critical meetings without having to travel. While tele-immersion is still in the early stages, the University of North Carolina recently provided images that had a one-second delay with a speed of two or three frames per second (fps). At Brown University, a more advanced trial allowed users to collaborate on a model environment within a virtual shared space, a hint at what the technology could soon bring. (Scientific American, Apr 01)

APPLEWORKS 6.1 FOR EDUCATORS - Apple recently announced the AppleWorks 6.1 update, now featuring DataViz MacLinkPlus translators allowing users to view, modify, share and exchange Microsoft Office documents. A special edition of AppleWorks 6.1 exclusively for educators features support for both Mac and Windows computers. The software combines word processing, page layout, image manipulation, spreadsheets, databases and presentations in one application. AppleWorks 6.1 also includes a library of Internet-based, education-specific templates, designed by educators. An updater is available immediately as a free download to all Mac users currently running AW 6.0.4. The updater includes a preview version of AppleWorks 6.1 for Mac OS X. A retail package including versions for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X operating systems is expected to be available in spring 2001. (Syllabus e-News, Resources, and Trends 10 Apr 01) For more information CLICK: http://www.apple.com/education/k12/products/appleworks

U of MI DEVELOPS FREE ED SOFTWARE FOR HANDHELDS - A team of researchers at the University of Michigan is working to develop a suite of educational tools for handhelds. Elliot Soloway, a professor of education and computer science at MI believes that handhelds, with their low cost and portability are the way to go. He argues that education will never be transformed until technology comes out of the lab and is ubiquitous. Soloway, along with others, believes that the only thing holding back handhelds is a lack of software. He hopes to have his "cool dozen" educational tools available for downloading at no charge by September. The small software programs for the Palm OS will offer the essential tasks of word processing, sketching, manipulating images, graphing equations, printing directly from the PDA and more. The project is being funded by the National Science Foundation. (eSchool News Online, 4 Apr 01)

I-GLASSES: THE NEW VIRTUAL THEATER - I-Glasses, a new tech tool that provides private showing of DVD and other video sources may become the new virtual theater. Called the "televisor," this new technology features twin embedded LCDs with 375 lines of resolution and a 180,000-pixel display to create the illusion of an 80-inch screen floating 11 feet in front of you. The I-Glasses can be used with any video source or the Pioneer Portable DVD and allow you to watch your favorite movies anywhere, anytime - a real breakthrough for frequent travelers. They also work for playing video games. The lightweight glasses have over-the-ear stereo capability headphones, foldable ergonomic frame design and an adjustable elastic head strap, as well as cables and adapters for a wide range of components, and accept composite and s-video. For more information CLICK: http://www.smarthome.com/8085.html