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15 amazing education technology solutions from January

Posted By By Meris Stansbury, Associate Editor, @eSN_Meris On In Featured on eSchool News,IT Management,News,Top News | Comments Disabled
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These ed-tech solutions are taking schools to the next level in achievement and Common Core-readiness!

One of the best ways to learn about innovative solutions for education technology is through conferences, and from STEM curriculum developed for classroom robotics to one of the most comprehensive Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions on the market, the Florida Education Technology Conference [1](FETC) at the end of January (2014) provided educators a showroom chocked full of innovation.

[Listed in alphabetical order]

1. Airwatch: Airwatch is helping schools and universities embrace the next generation of learning with education apps, eBooks and digital content on mobile devices. During the FETC conference, Airwatch highlighted its Teacher Tools: AirPlay Mirroring and AirDrop both enrich classroom collaboration. Mirror device displays to whiteboards and Apple TVs. Configure a whitelisted set of Apple TVs so students can quickly demonstrate their assignments to the class without distributing Apple TV passwords to the rest of the classroom. Use Airdrop to share files from one device to another without sending emails to multiple devices and accounts. For more information on Airwatch, click here [2].

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2. Big Ideas Math: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) and mathematics curriculum provider Big Ideas Learning [3] introduced the Big Ideas Math 2015 Common Core High School series–a rigorous suite of programs designed to provide a deeper understanding of math concepts through inquiry-based exploration. Already implemented in middle schools, this marks the first Big Ideas Math curriculum series for high school students and educators. The series, co-authored by mathematics professors Ron Larson, Ph.D., and Laurie Boswell, Ed.D., is comprised of three critical high school mathematics programs—Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Each program strives to challenge students beyond basic memorization, enabling them to understand how concepts are inter-connected. The launch marks the introduction of the Dynamic Assessment and Progress Monitoring Tool to the Big Ideas Math series, enabling educators to track and monitor student progress throughout the school year. Its adaptive testing features and additional problem sets directly correlate to specific Common Core State Standards and lessons within the Big Ideas programs. For more information on Big Ideas Math, click here [4].

3. Casio: This projector solution company highlighted its Slim projector, the thinnest high brightness projector at 1.7 inches thin—approximately the size of a sheet of paper and only five pounds. The projector includes:

For more information about Casio, click here [5].

4. Deep Freeze Cloud: Faronics, a computer management solutions company, highlighted its Deep Freeze Cloud—the new SaaS product line for next-level PC management, data protection, asset administration, and power management. The only thing needed to manage the Deep Freeze Cloud is an internet connection! Features include:

For more information on the Deep Freeze Cloud, click here [6].

5. Digits: Pearson’s digits middle grades core mathematics curriculum was developed in direct response to teachers and schools seeking a data-driven instructional model that surpasses conventional curricula and engages today’s digitally minded students. Supported by a wealth of recent research validating the benefits of personalized instruction, the authors of digits have created a compelling program that simplifies tasks for the teacher, optimizes class time, and personalizes student learning. The entirely digital, interactive math program delivers:

For more information on Digits, click here. [7]

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6. einstein™ Tablet+: “Finally something for science.” That’s what science teachers in Israel, Russia, and over 60 other countries have echoed when they see the einstein™ Tablet+ for the first time, said this STEM solutions company. On the heels of winning the digital devices category at Bett 2014 [8], one of the largest educational technology conferences in the world, Fourier Education is now offering science teachers the chance to bring the award‐winning einstein™ Tablet+ to their classroom. Beginning Wednesday, February 5, Fourier Education will give away one ($349 value) on a weekly basis through its Facebook page. The giveaways will run through March 26 and anyone who likes Fourier Education’s Facebook page and enters the sweepstakes will be in the running. For more information on einstein™ Tablet+, click here [9].

7. Galaxy Tab for Education: Samsung plans to launch a new Galaxy Tab exclusively developed for education, which will be available for K-12 school deployments for the 2014-2015 year. Launching as part of the Google Play for Education [10] program, the classroom-ready, 10.1-inch tablet will offer simple set up and device management, access to curated educational content and more. With a 10.1-inch WXGA display, the new Galaxy Tab for Education provides students an exceptional viewing experience and the 16:10 aspect ratio is ideal for viewing educational content. It will feature the latest version of Android (version 4.4 or Kit Kat), WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n support for better connectivity, and rear- and front-facing cameras to make capturing images and web chats easy. The new Galaxy Tab will also include Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, so administrators can quickly set up a classroom of devices with a few taps. Google also provides a web-based management console that will allow schools to easily manage and configure their entire fleet of devices. For more information on Samsung’s education solutions, click here [11].

8. Google Play for Education: Google made a huge splash at FETC, emphasizing its K-12 Books in Google Play for Education, as well as offering greater choices for devices. Google Play for Education [12] allows educators to find and distribute apps and videos that unlock student potential, and schools have supposedly told the company that access to a wide selection of books is just as important. Google is gearing up to add thousands of K-12 books to Google Play for Education. Once a book is assigned, students can read it from their Android tablets, Chromebooks, or any other device through the Play Books reader [13]. Affordable access periods of 60 days, 180 days, and 360 days help schools ensure that materials stay fresh (and classes stay interested) — it’s easy to change curriculum from year to year, or even customize reading materials for individual students. For more information on Google Play for Education, click here [12].

9. Measured Progress’ NexGen Science Assessment Tools: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) identify content, science, and engineering practices that all students should learn. Measured Progress, an assessments solutions provider, is asking schools to participate in a pilot allowing students to get exposure to NGSS curriculum and assessments through “testlets” and curriculum-embedded performance tasks. Educators can evaluate the rigor of these new items and determine how well items helped them assess student understanding of the NGSS. For more information on the pilot and how to join, click here [14].

10. Online Learning Exchange (OLE): The Sochi Winter Olympics are right around the corner and now the games will become a “teachable moment” with free educational resources available at Pearson’s OLEcommunity.com blog [15]. Looking at the historic games from a science, social studies, reading and math perspective, the resources expand Pearson’s Online Learning Exchange [16]™ platform, a searchable K-12 digital library of Common Core teaching resources. Developed by a team of Pearson authors and editors, teachers will find all the latest news on the 2014 winter games as well as Olympic-themed teaching resources on the OLE Olympic series community [17] blog. For more information on OLE, click here [16].

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11. Realize: This solution is an online destination for standard-aligned content, flexible class management tools, and embedded assessments—available instantly.  Realize was built to display on desktops and iPads. Teachers and students have the flexibility to use it anywhere, anytime, and provides Pearson-recommended digital curriculum and assessments. All core resources, instruction, and professional development are delivered at point-of-use within the Programs, and every program has a table of contents. Teachers can also search for content by keyword and use the filters to quickly find what they’re looking for. Browse by Standard allows teachers to find content aligned to their state standards. Teachers can rearrange their Program’s table of contents to better suit their needs. Realize’s flexibility also gives teachers the freedom to upload their own content and add links to any program or lesson. Teachers can customize the assessments that Pearson provides by editing multiple choice questions or adding their own. For more information on Realize, click here [18].

12. RobotsLAB: This robotics distribution company announced RobotsLAB BOX, a teaching-aid demonstrating Algebra I and II, Physics, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus’ core concepts using robots. The tablet includes 50 hours of interactive lessons, in-class quizzes and instructional videos, helping students understand why math is relevant to their world. The content is standards-aligned, and is priced at $3,500; $3,999 for extra lessons and a comprehensive warranty. For more information on RobotsLAB, click here [19].

13. Schoolnet: The Schoolnet Instructional Management Suite (IMS) is an all-in-one solution to integrate teaching, learning, data, and achievement. The IMS enables educators to be more efficient and effective in far less time by providing them with a single user-friendly platform to manage multiple daily activities. Schoolnet IMS provides educators with:

For more information on Schoolnet, click here [20].

14. TabPilot Tablet Manager: This solution allows educators to manage Android tablets with a cloud-based tool that puts teachers in control of student tablets. Teachers can choose apps and push choices wirelessly, and students see only the apps enabled by the teacher. Content management include pushing files to tablets, systems for eBooks, providing files for offline reading, and managing filed remotely. For more information on TabPilot, click here [21].

15. TikaTok: A digital publishing platform from Pearson integrates project-based learning and Common Core. This solution provides students with an opportunity to write and illustrate their own digital book that is aligned to the Common Core and uses:

For more information on TikaTok, click here [22].