The International Society for Technology in Education held its annual conference in Denver June 27 - 30. ISTE 2010—formerly known as NECC—is the same premier event that has ed tech professionals worldwide returning year after year.
ISTE emphasized the importance of advocacy at ISTE 2010 as the four-day conference came to a close on Wednesday. This year's social media advocacy included a Tweeting for Education Technology campaign that sent 1,600 messages to Congress, an ISTE Advocacy YouTube Channel and the campaign "ISTE's Top Ten in '10," education priorities.
Learning.com's inSky Provider Program is a network of companies including Atomic Learning, Encyclopedia Britannica, netTrekker and others, that use key features in the Sky digital learning environment. Sky offers teachers one-password access to all district digital resources, and collaboration features.
CTB/McGRAW-HILL and PROMETHEAN announced an alliance linking the Promethean ActivExpression Learner Response Devices ("clickers") to CTB's Acuity UnWired® InFormative Assessment solution. Students take tests with the wireless ActivExpression, and Acuity UnWired instantly displays student responses and percent correct scores.
Verizon THINKFINITY (www.thinkfinity.org) won a Best in Tech website award for professional development. Thinkfinity is a free educational website that provides resources including K-12 lesson plans, podcasts, videos professional-development and other materials.
POLYVISION released eno one, a comprehensive classroom solution that combines the eno classic interactive whiteboard, multi-media short-throw projector, lesson development software, and eno stylus in one package.
MAPS101 will demo its online K12 map and geography resources at booth 2241, including the new Bing Maps search feature, and the recently added Spanish Language Content and the National Geographic collection
HITACHI Software Engineering America, Ltd., introduced its StarBoard Software version 9.2 for Windows™ and Mac, which features redesigned icons, menus and a more intutive graphic interface. Three users can operate the StarBoard simultaneously.
HITACHI America, Ltd., introduced the new StarBoard FXTRIO-77 interactive whiteboard,which allows 3 users to write on the board at once, and has 14 customizable buttons, an electronics-free surface that works even if scratched or dented. Works with finger, stylus or electronic pen.
The FCC is asking for public comments about the proposed E-rate streamlining by July 9, 2010. For a complete summary, visit www.FundsForLearning.com
The Software & Information Industry Association released its third annual national survey. The top finding is that while schools improved on 4 out of 5 measures of progress, the average increase in overall scores was less than 1 percent. Education institutions are still only 62 percent of the way toward achieving SIIA's Vision K-20 benchmarks. Read the full report http://siia.net/visionk20/pages/progress.html
LIGHTSPEED SYSTEMS' My Big Campus offers a collection of user-submitted online resources and a suite of collaboration tools integrated into the Web filter to help schools streamline IT administration, protect students and the network, enforce acceptable use policies, and maintain regulatory compliance.
SMART Technologies and SCHOLASTIC UK will codevelop a multitouch application for the SMART Table interactive learning center based on Scholastic UK’s multimouse software line, Story Stage.
SMART announces Classroom Suite 2010 interactive learning software, which combines classroom management, assessment, lesson creation and assignment management tools in one offering. Upgrades include improved wireless capability, formative assessment and enhancements to Teacher Tools.
JIM VANIDES' impressions from the huge conference/virtual event/tradeshow known as ISTE include ideas about education he developed talking with innovative educators. Have students do real science, in the real world. Teachers need each other. Technology is a force for motivating students. Read Vanides' full post Live from the ISTE 2010 Conference
LG is highlighting its latest Network Monitors, digital signage, LCD displays and projector solutions for the education market at booth # 762.
MERU NETWORKS Inc.,provider of virtualized and optimized 802.11n enterprise networking, today announced that over 1,000 education customers have deployed its virtualized wireless LAN (WLAN) solution across North America, Europe and Asia. For a live demonstration, visit booth #2520.
PROJECT TOMORROW® and BLACKBOARD Inc. report that the demand for high school online classes may outpace opportunity. Twenty-seven percent of high school students and 21 percent of middle school students took an online class in 2009, up from 14 percent and 16 percent in 2008. Read the full report.
PROMETHEAN invites educators attending the 2010 ISTE to experience the enhanced ActivClassroom, which features ActivBoard Mobile system, allowing teachers to transform any venue into an interactive learning environment without any installation. Visit booth 1110.
PROMETHEAN announces the ActivClassroom in Motion, a 36-foot RV-styled bus that has been transformed into an interactive classroom on wheels and is equipped with interactive whiteboards with projectors, hand-held learner response systems, and other supporting technology products. A schedule of bus events on the bus can be found at: www.prometheanworld.com/iste2010.
MCGRAW-HILL Education today announced partnerships and products including the selection of M&A Technology to manufacture the new Companion Touch device, a collaboration with Learn360, the launch of ConnectED, an online resource center Visit booths 610 and 616
TEXTHELP Systems today announced the newest release of its literacy support software solution, Read&Write 4 GOLD for Mac which includes new features like Screenshot Reader, Screen Masking, a MOBILE USB version, and Feature Video Tours.
The CONSORTIUM FOR SCHOOL NETWORKING (CoSN) released Part 2 of The 2010 Horizon Report: K-12 Edition Toolkit, designed to facilitate a dialogue on the role of emerging technologies in school and district needs and challenges.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools has expanded implementation of DISCOVERY EDUCATION streaming Plus to all 153 Title I middle and high schools. The district also is implementing in all Title I secondary schools Discovery Education Science. ISTE Booth #628
FOLLETT SOFTWARE COMPANYintroduces Cognite a digital learning environment which integrates discovery tools, retrieval, collaboration and communication for students K12.
SHMOOP today announced its public beta test of Shmoop Economics, a free online resource that uses humor, current events, pop culture references, and games to capture student interest.
SMART TECHNOLOGIES announces the fourth-generation SMART Board 600i series interactive whiteboard system. Available in both standard and widescreen, it features an extended control panel and an integrated short-throw projector that is 3D-ready and has a longer lamp life.
SCHOOL SPECIALTY LITERACY and INTERVENTION launched Portfolio™, an instructional add-on for Academy of READING® intervention software. Students are assigned exercises that develop oral and silent reading comprehension and vocabulary.
BRETFORD MANUFACTURING, Inc. will launch an “Oldest Product” video competition in which the grand prize winner will receive a full room of furniture for 30 students or professionals. The company will also show a new RHOMBII flat panel lectern, a Juice Power System and Book and Utility Trucks. Visit booth 689.
FUJITSU will demonstrate the new LifeBook(R) PH520 ultra-portable notebook and the recently introduced LifeBook T730 multi-touch screen convertible tablet PC, enhanced professional development services, and new datacenter options including cloud computing in booth #1662.
MINDSET WORKS™ was awarded an $849,000 contract by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to develop its Growth Mindset Learning Platform. The approach is already available via the Brainology® online curriculum, to be demonstrated at ISTE 2010.
EPSON AMERICA today announced the Epson DC-11 document camera, which includes a five megapixel sensor, 10x digital zoom, 30 frames-per-second video at full resolution. Using the built-in microphone and included software, it allows teachers to record audio and video presentations.Visit booth 1846.
JOURNEY EDUCATION MARKETING, Inc. (Academic Superstore, JourneyEd) has announced its new status as a Large Account Reseller (LAR) for Microsoft. Journey is the first new LAR that Microsoft has chosen in the USA for over a decade. Visit booth 2222.
EPSON AMERICA today announced the IU-01 interactive module for projectors. It connects directly to a Windows or Mac computer via USB and integrates interactive capabilities with any projector while eliminating the need to purchase and install dedicated interactive whiteboards. Visit booth 1846.
GAGGLE announced a collection of new online collaboration tools, Gaggle Apps, which are designed to help schools safely incorporate social networking and YouTube videos into education. Visit booth #774 at ISTE
CANSON Inc.will launch the PAPERSHOW Teacher’s Edition™ which adds to the interactive presentation tool and digital whiteboard an interactive calculator, magnifying glass, two measurement tools, lined paper and 72 colors. Visit booth 792.
BrainPOP's free Featured Movie app is now universal and may be downloaded from the iTunes store for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. The app delivers animated movies daily, with content relevant to historical and current events, and accompanying
interactive quiz. See the app at booth 2238.
The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) has named BrainPOP ESL a winner of its Distinguished Achievement Award.
SHERSTON AMERICA announces Activity Builders, tools to build custom activities for learning platforms and interactive whiteboards. Titles include Literacy, Numeracy and Science. Visit ISTE stand 995.
SHERSTON AMERICA introduces Anithings, the new animation program for grades PreK - 6 that allows students to design and build their own characters and settings or use ready-made ones. Animated stories can be created to link with any topic, fromt Vikings to pirates to fairy tales. Visit ISTE stand 995.
INFOSNAP, provider of online admission and registration solutions designed for Pre K - 12, schools will demonstrate its web-based solutions and discuss client successes at ISTE 2010 (Booth 2160).
RENAISSANCE LEARNING™ and IGNITE! LEARNING™ have announced a joint agreement that will enable students to use the 2Know! ™ classroom response system and the NEO 2 student laptops, to interact with Ignite! Learning’s assessments. Demonstrations to be held at ISTE 2010.
DISCOVERY EDUCATION announces new agreements with the BBC, Smarterville/Reading Rainbow, CBS News and others, to expand its content libraries. In addition to many others, Disaster in the Gulf: A Race Against Time has been added to Discovery Education streaming. Discovery Education will be at ISTE Booth #628.
netTREKKERis launching a new version of its search tool, now named "netTrekker Search," that offers separate interfaces for teachers and students and a series of customization options. See the netTrekker Search and preview student and productivity tools that netTrekker is developing on the ISTE exhibit floor in booth #884.
Teachers and librarians from two East Coast K-12 schools have been named the winners of the third annual Media Specialist Technology Innovation Award, which recognizes collaborative technology innovation projects created by educators. The winning teachers and librarians will be honored in a presentation at 10 a.m. MDT on Tuesday (June 29) at ISTE 2010.
PREMIER MOUNTS is unveiling new mounting products for K-12 classrooms at ISTE Booth #2075. See the latest mounting technology and listen to the first projector wall mount with integrated audio system.
ATOMIC LEARNING has just released over 950 new training tutorials, including training on Google SketchUp 7, OneNote 2010, Word 2010, Photoshop CS5, Flash CS5, and Excel 2010. Of special note are the new iPad and iPod Touch series, including iPad as an i-Reader - An Orientation for Educators and Tech Integration Project: Budgeting Basics 101 - Money & Notes apps for iPhone/iPod touch.
HATCH® will introduce the iStartSmart™ All-in-One Computer Learning System June 27 – 30, 2010 in booth 2216 at ISTE. iStartSmart™ combines research-based adaptive teaching technology with automated progress tracking and is designed to increase school readiness skills through research-based activities and provide monitoring through individualized performance reports.
CTB/McGRAW-HILL announced today the release of Acuity PhD™, a new on-demand professional development library to support the company's Acuity® InFormative Assessment™ solution. Available 24/7, Acuity PhD features engaging content, with one- to two-hour courses targeted to specific educator roles. Educators can learn how to use Acuity data to inform instruction and decision making. Demonstrations of Acuity PhD will be conducted at ISTE 2010 in booth 610.
CTB/McGRAW-HILL has launched the CTB Online Reporting System, a dynamic Web-based solution that enables educators to generate customized, real-time assessment profiles of students, classrooms, or schools. The system is available now for TerraNova,™ Third Edition and InView™ and Primary Test of Cognitive Skills™ (PTCS™) and will be offered with other CTB assessment systems later this year. Demonstrations of the CTB Online Reporting System will be conducted at ISTE 2010 in booth 610.
LEXIA LEARNING will launch Lexia Reading Version 7.0 at ISTE 2010. Lexia Reading offers age-appropriate support for critical reading skills development. Version 7.0 features new progress monitoring tools that will give educators longitudinal, standards-based data on students’ mastery of reading skills.
CISCO will demonstrate its Connected Physical Security technology for the education sector at ISTE 2010 in booth 2032. In addition, Cisco will showcase its broad portfolio of Connected Learning solutions, including video-enabled teaching and learning, Web-based collaboration, Cisco TelePresence™ systems and more. Schools in the U.S. and abroad have deployed Cisco’s Internet Protocol (IP)-based video surveillance, access control and first-response communication technology over their existing network to support their campus safety operations.
TEL.A.VISION Founder George Johnson will be speaking at the Digital Storytelling Special Interest Group at the ISTE conference at the Denver Convention Center on June 29th. His topic will be the "The Power of Creating Vision Videos with Students." Johnson will share stories and show examples of how "vision videos" have helped students make a transition in their lives. A discussion will also be held on the recent discoveries in neuroplasticity studies, which show that one can change the structure and function of one's brain with thoughts.
IGNITE! LEARNING announced today that it will pre-release their new SMART™ powered "Stick™" at ISTE 2010. On June 28th and June 29th, in Denver, Ignite! Learning will provide ISTE attendees a first glimpse of their new SMART™ powered "Stick™". Presentations will be offered by Ignite! staff in the SMART Technologies amphitheater (Booth 810) at 12:45PM Monday and 2:15PM Tuesday. Participants can see the new SMART™ powered "Stick™" at Ignite! Learning located at Booth 2344.
COMPASS LEARNING has added Odyssey Community and four new high school electives to its Odyssey software suite. Odyssey Community is a social media tool that facilitates online conversations to improve student-teacher interactions within a safe, secure environment. Teachers and students will be able to access Odyssey Community through the CompassLearning Odyssey® log-in. They can interact with each other as they learn in this integrated platform. School and district administrators have access to all discussions in the platform.
CHIEF showcases classroom short-throw projector mount solutions at ISTE 2010.Several installer-inspired features ensure a fast, trouble-free installation. An industry-first micro adjustment for height and leveling allow an installer to position the projector perfectly, regardless of the environment. A built-in telescoping extension of up to 54” (1.4m) helps achieve precise image alignment. The innovative lateral shift capability allows the mount to span across multiple studs. Built-in cable management makes for a clean and safe installation every time.
