Software Applications Available Through myPISD.net

This list of software applications available for use will continue to grow as we test and approve additional programs to be added to our remote access servers. If you haven't already done so, please review the software configuration requirements for access to the reference databases and internal school network resources - Word format.

Reference databases
Twenty-seven databases are available for access through myPISD.net including newspapers, periodicals, encyclopedias, photo archives, almanacs, literature collections and more. A more complete description of the available databases is available for viewing in PDF format.

Digital Video Library
Over 4,000 videos and almost 40,000 indexed video clips and still images categorized along curriculum content areas, grade levels and Texas and national standards are available for viewing. Media controls allow convenient starting and and stopping of the video stream as well as enlarging the picture to full screen size. This application expects an absolute minimum of 300K of bandwidth and does not display well if other applications are running concurrently.

Flying Rhinoceros (grades K-5)
Through a special agreement with Flying Rhinoceros, families who subscribe to myPISD.net have access to special software applications and activity sheets produced by this award-winning company and aligned to our elementary level integrated curriculum overarching concepts.

Productivity Tools
Microsoft Office 2000 applications are available to run through our remote access network services to complement the work already being completed by students in school.

Curriculum Software

• Graph Club (K-5) - this application is used by students to create line, pie and bar graphs with up to five elements per graph. The use of colorful icons allows students a great degree of creativity while they produce pictorial views of their data collections.
• Kidspiration - Using the principles of visual learning, kids build their confidence in organizing information, understanding, concepts and expressing their thoughts.
• Inspiration - Students develop and organize their ideas using principles of visual learning.
• Leap Into Language - These interactive Language Arts multimeda programs encourage students to discover reading, writing and listening strategies with assistance from cartoon characters.
  • Level 1: (K-2)
  • Level 2: (1-3)
  • Level 3: (2-5)
• Letterbugs - developing phonics skills with a high level of reward and positive reinforcement
• Hot Dog Stand - Students improve math, problem-solving, and communication skills in this "real-life" business simulation where they manage a busy concession stand in a big-city stadium.
• Map Room - A tool for elementary students used for research, map-making, comparative map projects, and presentations. The program includes a library mode and an editorial mode. The Library consists of over 100 maps including maps of the world, maps of the continents, maps of selected countries explored in the elementary curriculum and maps of each of the U.S. states.
• Map Room of American History - Used by students and teachers, grades 4-8, in the social studies areas of geography, U.S. history, and U.S. economics. Students use this tool for research, map-making, comparative social studies projects, and presentations.
• Math Mysteries: Measurement - Offers an effective way to learn basic skills for solving word problems like those found on state tests. Students learn how to understand the problem, collect information, solove the problem and check their answers.
• Math Mysteries: Whole Numbers - Students develop basic skills for solving word problems like those found on state tests.
• Math Problem Solver - Each level features material from six major topics: Data Interpretation, Numeration, Measurement, Geometry, Number Theory, and Prealgebra/Algebra.
• Media Blender - a user-friendly multimedia authoring tool
• Paws in Typing Town - Students will join PAWS and his buddies on a journey to Typing Town while learning proper key-reach techniques and developing and strengthening their touch typing skills.
• Splish Splash Math - reinforcing students’ learning in basic addition and subtraction
• Tabletop - a hands-on introduction to databases that provides students with practical experience with abstract data manipulation and analysis
• Tabletop Jr. - Introduce the key math concepts of data visualization, statistics, analysis, sorting and graphing, and logic and interpretation in an age-appropriate, project-based learning environment
• Timeliner - Create, illustrate, and print time lines with ease! An application that offers four options for creating and editing timelines. It was designed to be a flexible tool that fits a variety of curriculum areas and grade levels.
• 10 Tricky Tiles - Students develop their arithmetic and logic skills with three levels of activities that involve solving sets of numbers sentences.
• Visual Planner - A visual learning tool for elementary students. Useful in all subject areas, it enables students to construct and express ideas, organize thinking and share information in a visual format.
• Student Writing Center (K-5) - this graphics-based page layout program is a favorite among students in school as it enable them to quickly create reports, newsletters, signs and more. School-based clip art is available through this remote network connection for student use.
• Elementary Curriculum Pages (K-5) - this collection of Internet-based resources have been selected by our curriculum coordinators to support and extend our curriculum units.
• CyberWeb (6-8) - this collection of Internet-based resources is a product of our middle school curriculum writing team and correlates directly to the topics studied in class.