Some Sources of Equipment and Supplies
The SMILE, SMILE+ and ISPP groups have developed a  
source list 
for hands on classroom materials and supplies
which are inexpensive and useful.  Since this list 
was developed by Chicago area groups, most of the sources are in the Chicago 
area.  This list is by no means complete and readers are urged to send their 
favorite sources to either this address (smile@iit.edu) or Dr. Porter 
Johnson at the address listed on the home page.  
Brief advice about the configuration needed for a computer for classroom 
administration (grading, test writing, etc.) outside of the classroom is 
provided through a  computer configuration table.  
Note that this table was first developed in the fall of 1994 and updated
in the summer of 1997 but still may be
somewhat out 
of date due to the rapid changes in the computer industry but it will give
the reader some idea as to what you might need at home 
to run two of the programs that each of these groups was provided. The two 
shareware programs we provide are available through many sources.  The first is 
GRADE GUIDE (Ver 2.5 from Jon Kane, 2814 Regent St. Madison, Wisconsin 53705) 
which is a gradebook type of program.  All of our teachers are strongly 
encouraged to keep their records on some type of computerized spreadsheet/data 
base.  The second is PC-Write (Ver 2.71), a word processor.  Again, the 
participants are encouraged to use some type of word processor to produce and 
save their materials.  There are also several places which have 
inexpensive used computer hardware.  One of the best in the Chicago area is the
Chicago Computer Exchange.  
 
 
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