NEW TECH-BASED RESEARCH TOOL - McGraw-Hill Higher Education recently
unveiled Catalyst, a technology-based writing and research tool that is integrated with
"A Writer's Resource," the student-centered text resource for achieving excellence in
writing and learning. This powerful teaching and learning tool includes resources in
PDA downloadable format, online, and on CD-ROM, including tools for learning,
researching, writing, and editing. The PDA version of the software provides students
a pocket-sized, "always on" connection to the tools. The software also contains
more than 3,000 editing exercises and tutorials on conducting effective searches of
online and print resources to guidelines for avoiding plagiarism. (Syllabus News,
Resources, and Trends, 28 Mar 03)

NEW ASSESSMENT TOOL - Questionmark recently released Perception to Go
(P2G), which enables remote test takers to synchronize from their PCs to their Web
servers. Test takers can access new assessments scheduled by an administrator,
disconnect from the network and then answer questions, receive feedback offline,
and merge results back to their Web servers when they reconnect. Many universities
already deliver examinations via the Internet. This synchronization module will enable
users to download data in advance, only going back online to upload results, which
will reduce the load on the Web server. The tool will enable schools to conduct large
assessments without having to run servers that would lie idle at other times, saving on
transmission costs, and eliminating network latency that might affect the timing of
high-stakes exams. (Syllabus, News, Resources, and Trends, 21 Mar 03)

NET SNIPPETS - Net Snippets gives faculty a way to document online research and
students a way to avoid "laziness" plagiarism. This innovative Internet research and
information management platform provides a unique way to save and manage Internet-
based research. Net Snippets' simple, intuitive application replaces printing material,
bookmarking, and crude copy and paste. It provides a powerful platform for the
ongoing management of materials from editing, annotating, and indexing capabilities to
automated generation of formatted bibliographies, as well as the sharing of research
information, in support of collaborative projects. For more information go to:
http://www.netsnippets.com (Bentley College Sunnyvale, CA, 4 Mar 03)