Software & Online
ACCELERATE LEARNING STEMSCOPES SCIENCE
(www.stemscopes.com)
Accelerate Learning announced a new platform using the best of CNN’s digital content to create a new science education product. Stemscopes Science challenges students to innovate, create, and problem solve while connecting them to real-world events and issues that affect their lives. It includes a variety of assessments, multiple-choice and claim-evidence-reasoning assessments, along with extensive support for teachers such as embedded professional development and instructional resources to support a differentiated learning experience for each student.
ALMA START
(www.getalma.com)
Alma Technologies launched an enrollment and admissions management tool called Alma Start. The cloud-based software automates and streamlines the registration, enrollment and admissions workflow to give time and money back to school and district administrative staff to spend on supporting teaching and learning. Additionally, school leaders are given the insight to adjust enrollment and admissions practices to create a better experience for families and improve operations.
ASSIST K-12 AND ADVANTAGES SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL ACQUISITION
(www.assisteducation.com) & (www.advantagesschool.com)
ASSIST, LLC, agreed to acquire Advantages School International. Advantages School International provides quality education to students around the globe. ASSIST has expanded the system with content for every grade level, K-12 through Higher Education. The combination of ASSIST and Advantages School International will offer education institutions innovative, high-performing, and essential educational management in an ecosystem that now includes the cloud-based platform, comprehensive K-12 curriculum and an accredited school.
BENCHMARK EDUCATION COMPANY ADVANCEALL
(benchmarkeducation.com)
Benchmark Education Company (BEC) released Advance ALL, a new series motivating students to read with literary and informational reading text sets. The program provides dynamic features for striving readers and English Learners (ELs) in grades 2–6+ to help them accelerate to higher reading levels. The series provides grade-appropriate literary, science and social studies content and each book contains a text at a higher level with extra support to expedite students’ achievement.
BLACKBOARD AND READSPEAKER
(www.blackboard.com) & (www.readspeaker.com)
Blackboard and ReadSpeaker are furthering their partnership to help instructors worldwide improve course content accessibility. As part of this collaboration, ReadSpeaker’s text-to-speech technology will also be integrated within Blackboard Ally as an offline audio alternative for course content. This allows students to automatically access an MP3 version of content added by the instructor into the LMS. Additionally, Blackboard Ally now supports integration with four major learning environments including Blackboard Learn, Moodle, Moodlerooms and Instructure Canvas.
CHALK AND WIRE MYMANTL
(www.mymantl.com)
Chalk & Wire announced that its learning recognition network, MyMantl, is now fully available for students, educators, employees and employers. MyMantl’s verified digital badging provides a way for learners, as early as high school, to chronicle their skill development and demonstrate proven credentials. Job seekers using MyMantl, from both educational and corporate environments, can indicate the skills they have acquired, enhancing their credibility to employers and identifying specific benchmarks relevant to post-education pursuits.
CRICKET MEDIA TRYENGINEERING TOGETHER PROGRAM
(www.cricketmedia.com)
Cricket Media announced the launch of TryEngineering Together, developed, in partnership with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). TryEngineering Together partners with corporations to match company employee volunteers with students in grades 3-5, particularly those in economically disadvantaged communities, in 1:1 “eMentoring” relationships to create safe, powerful STEM learning experiences. Students learn to think critically, solve problems, work collaboratively and creatively, and become confident in their ability to learn STEM subjects.
DISCOVERY EDUCATION STEM CONNECT
(discoveryeducation.com)
Discovery Education debuted STEM Connect, a cutting-edge, web-based, interdisciplinary K-8 supplemental resource that empowers educators to bring STEM to life in their classrooms. STEM Connect is built on a 4Cs STEM skills framework that helps students develop the creative, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills needed for success beyond graduation. Featuring flexible, modular learning units, STEM Connect provides students an easy-to-follow educational experience through high-quality interdisciplinary resources.
EDSBY
(edsby.com)
Edsby has introduced new ways to capture and report on evidence of student learning. In partnership with teachers, Edsby implemented a new subsystem in its K-12 learning & analytics platform to facilitate these types of assessment. Edsby’s new evidence of learning features enable teachers to take pictures, record videos, tag them by standards or learning goals, share them with parents and organize them to document growth and streamline reporting on student progress, and more.
EDTHENA
(www.edthena.com)
Edthena has developed a one-click video recording and uploading solution for Google Chrome. The new video tool runs inside the web browser already installed on teachers’ devices. Users will have immediate access to the video tool inside Edthena when using the Chrome web browser. With the Edthena platform, teachers can upload videos of their classroom instruction to share with peers and coaches, and receive time-stamped comments categorized as questions, suggestions, strengths, and notes.
FRIDAY INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION AT NC STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT LEAD ONLINE COURSE
(www.fi.ncsu.edu)
The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation in the College of Education at NC State University launched Students LEAD (Learn, Explore, & Advocate Differently), a course that helps students understand their own style of learning. Upon completion of the course, students receive an “Advocacy Plan,” which outlines their strengths and challenges and makes recommendations to consider and is shared with their educators. The course takes students up to four hours and can be completed over several weeks.
ILLUMINATE EDUCATION 10.0
(www.illuminateed.com)
Illuminate Education has introduced Illuminate version 10.0 to streamline workflows for assessment and data analysis. Incorporating end user feedback, the 10.0 update improves usability and functionality across the system. Illuminate 10.0 offers updated workflows on the 20 most popular pages, a reports page overhaul, redesigned assessment creation and pre-built data visualizations and dashboards.
IMPERO SOFTWARE EDUCATION PRO AND ISAFEGUARD UPDATES
(www.imperosoftware.com)
Impero Software will be previewing its upcoming release of Impero Education Pro, version 6.3 (v6.3), at the annual Bett Show in London. The new version will launch in February, 2018, and features a number of enhancements and additional functionality. Impero will also discuss its recent update to Impero iSafeguard, its online safeguarding training solution for school staff. New features include a web-based teacher console, automatic keyword library updates, GDPR compliance support, and more.
KANO EDUCATION PACKAGES
(kano.me/educators/packages)
Kano is bringing its computer coding kits to U.S. classrooms with a range of education packages available online. Each package delivers full curriculum support, training and resources from an ever-growing online community of educators. Each education package comes with core-curricular lesson plans, design challenges, implementation guides, video training tutorials, “how-to” coding lessons, professional development webinars, support from the Kano staff, access to an educator community and more.
LAUREATE EDUCATION AND IBM DATA SCIENCE DIGITAL CURRICULUM
(www.laureate.net) & (www.ibm.com)
Laureate Education, Inc. announced a new collaboration with IBM to design a state-of-the-art data science curriculum that would be available for its more than one million students at its nearly 70 institutions globally. This new curriculum will be exclusively offered to students attending Laureate institutions, and will equip students with specific skills to prepare them for jobs including business analysts, data scientists, project managers, and software engineers. The curriculum will launch at Laureate this August.
LEADERALLY THREEMONTH TRIAL LAUNCH
(info.leaderally.com/leaderally-beta-test-enrollment-0)
Leaderally announced its market launch with a free three-month trial starting on February 12th. By redesigning professional development and using micro-content-based learning, Leaderally’s personalized, online courses give educators the support they want and the CEU/PDPs they need. In addition to social learning opportunities, the platform includes courses on theories of learning, classroom and behavior management, and effective communication strategies for caregivers and school leadership.
LEGO EDUCATION NEW MAKER SOLUTIONS AND GLOBAL TEACHER AWARD
(www.legoeducation.com/maker)
LEGO Education announced new MAKER activities for early learning through middle school teachers around the world. These new, free LEGO Education Maker activities include stimulating challenges for every student at every education level and incorporate LEGO Education solutions. Also, LEGO Education is launching a new annual LEGO Education Teacher Award, a global program that aims to celebrate innovative teaching in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
LEXIA LEARNING POWERUP LITERACY PROGRAM
(www.lexialearning.com/pr/introducing-lexia-powerup-literacy)
Lexia Learning has released Lexia PowerUp Literacy. Developed specifically for adolescent students, PowerUp identifies skill gaps and provides personalized and systematic instruction in word study, grammar and comprehension. By engaging students with a range of relevant, high-interest authentic texts; instructional videos; and game-based motivational elements, PowerUp is intended to help students take ownership of their learning, acknowledging their growing autonomy and building their confidence.
LIVINGTREE EDBACKER ACQUISITION AND NEW PRODUCTS
(www.livingtree.com)
LivingTree announced that it has acquired district fundraising tool, Edbacker. With the acquisition, Gary Hensley will take the helm as the new CEO. Livingtree will now deliver three key products: LivingTree Engage, the rapidly growing communication and parent engagement platform (formerly known as LivingTree); LivingTree Giving, a district wide fundraising platform (formerly Edbacker); and LivingTree Messenger (formerly Class Messenger), a teacher-centric communications solution.
MAKERBOT EDUCATORS GUIDEBOOK
(www.makerbot.com)
MakerBot released MakerBot Educators Guidebook, a 200-page definitive guide to 3D printing in the classroom. The guidebook includes a crash course in 3D design and 3D printing, nine classroom ready 3D printing lesson plans, and tips and tricks from STEM educators. It also features easy tutorials for rich and complex STEM projects and teaches users how to set up their 3D printers. The guide is available for free on the Makerbot website.
MYSCRIPT NEBO AVAILABILITY ON SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE8
(myscript.com)
MyScript announced its award-winning notetaking app, Nebo, is now available for Samsung’s Galaxy Note8 and includes support for the entire family of Galaxy Note devices starting with the Note3. This release will also now include support for Google Drive. MyScript Nebo makes handwritten digital document creation intuitive and highly productive by enabling users to write, solve complex mathematical equations, draw diagrams, format and convert to digital form.
NUREVA TRANS-ATLANTIC HUMANITY PROJECT
(www.nureva.com)
Nureva Inc. announces its first trans- Atlantic student collaboration project using its Span visual collaboration system and HDL300 audio conferencing system. The goal is to help students build communication and collaboration skills by exchanging ideas about how artificial intelligence and other technological innovations will impact their lives. Each learning space is equipped with a 20’ 2” (6.16 m) wide Span system and an HDL300 system that enables them to easily share and discuss their ideas.
NWEA AND LANGUAMETRICS, INC. MAP READING FLUENCY
(www.nwea.org) & (www.languametrics.com)
NWEA announced the launch of a new early reading assessment for kids in K-3 called MAP Reading Fluency. Developed in partnership with LanguaMetrics, MAP Reading Fluency is the first computer adaptive, automatically scored K-3 oral reading assessment that eliminates the need for one-on-one, teacher-student administration. The groundbreaking 20-minute assessment of oral reading fluency, comprehension, and foundational reading skills is delivered online, enabling group administration and saving teachers hours of time.
PEARSON & LITTLEBITS
(www.pearson.com.) & (littlebits.cc/education)
Pearson, has partnered with littleBits, bringing hands-on invention-based model of learning and teaching into its 3-8 science curriculum, Elevate Science, in a new program called,”Pearson littleBits STEM Invention Toolbox.” Elevate Science + the Pearson littleBits STEM Invention Toolbox is a blended print and hands-on 3-8 curriculum that puts students at the center of learning as they collaborate to explore ideas, investigate phenomena through modeling, design inventions that solve real world problems, and share their inventions.
POWERSCHOOL & MICROSOFT
(www.microsoft.com) & (www.powerschool.com)
Microsoft Corp. and PowerSchool announced a new partnership that will create classroom efficiencies, enable collaboration, and provide insights that allow teachers to spend more time teaching and less time focused on administrative tasks. Additionally, students will have the ability to engage with their teachers, other students, and classroom materials in ways that work best for them, and parents will be able to more easily understand and support their child’s progress.
RENAISSANCE AND FUEL EDUCATION GROWTH ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP
(www.renaissance.com.) & (www.fueleducation.com)
Renaissance announces Fuel Education (FuelEd) as the latest Renaissance Growth Alliance partner. The integration will enable teachers to use Renaissance Star 360 assessment data to accurately place students into FuelEd’s Stride adaptive learning solution. Stride guides students to practice where they need it most by providing engaging content that motivates students toward mastery using games as rewards. Star 360 helps educators quickly and accurately determine students’ mastery in reading and math.
TABPILOT CHROMETOOLS PUBLIC BETA
(www.tabpilot.com)
ChromeTools is a cloud-based classroom management solution providing tools that allow teachers to monitor and keep students focused when using Chromebooks in the classroom. With ChromeTools, teachers can view thumbnails of the entire class, view individual student screens, remotely control all open tabs, and more. ChromeTools can be installed district-wide through a Chrome extension configured in the district’s Google Admin account. Installation also automatically syncs teacher accounts and sync classes created in the Google Classroom.
USC SHOAH FOUNDATION AND DISCOVERY EDUCATION
(IWitness.usc.edu) & (discoveryeducation.com)
USC Shoah Foundation and Discovery Education launched the 5th annual IWitness Video Challenge. Designed to provide actionable ways to promote equality, while also challenging bias and intolerance, the 2018 IWitness Video Challenge encourages students to make a change in communities nationwide. Students will hear testimonies of survivors and witnesses of genocide and complete a research-based activity. Then, participants will develop a community action project. Students must document their experience in a video essay for submission.
VITALSOURCE & BLACKBOARD
(get.vitalsource.com) & (www.blackboard.com)
Blackboard Inc. announced a new collaboration with VitalSource, providing students with seamless access to course materials in an Inclusive Access model within Blackboard’s leading learning management systems (LMS), Blackboard Learn and Moodlerooms. The collaboration expands upon the existing relationship between both companies and makes VitalSource’s extensive catalog of digital textbooks and publisher learning platforms readily available, while also lowering the cost of course materials for students.
VOYAGER SOPRIS LEARNING LETRS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR LITERARY TEACHERS
(www.voyagersopris.com)
Voyager Sopris Learning launched a flexible, blended version of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), a professional development course that prepares educators for teaching literacy. This two-year course of study includes more video and immediately applicable lessons. Year one includes theoretical models from reading science, phonology, basic and advanced phonics, and screening and educational diagnostic assessment. The second year focuses on teaching vocabulary, language and reading comprehension, and writing.
Hardware
Acer (www.acer.com) has launched a new Chromebook and Chromebox for education and commercial customers and a new Chromebook for retail. The durable Acer Chromebook 11 C732 features a fan-less design, 12-hour battery life, and comes in touch and non-touch models. The Acer Chromebox CXI3 provides excellent performance with 8th Gen Intel Core processors. The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 features 10-hour battery life, front and rear webcam for tablet mode, and two USB 3.1-Type C ports.
ARtGlass (artglassus.com) is collaborating with Epson (www.epson.com), a provider of the Moverio AR smart eyewear platform, and with leaders of iconic cultural sites, to deliver groundbreaking experiences to visitors. ARtGlass and Epson have already provided over 500,000 experiences at dozens of museums, palaces and ruins throughout Europe. Visitors enjoying ARtGlass tours roam through augmented environments, inside and out, while 3D holograms, videos, pictures and text appear amidst real-world art, artifacts, architecture and landscapes, completely hands-free.
CDI Computer Dealers (cdicomputers.com) launched the latest addition to its fleet of charging carts for schools – the mobiLAB MN142VS charging cart from eduGear. The new cart can hold up to 42 Chromebooks or Notebooks that are up to 15.6 inches in size. It was designed to meet the needs of larger classrooms while still remaining compact and lightweight. Features include a compact design, sliding drawers with cable management, and more.
Boxlight (www.boxlight.com) displayed a variety of new technology at the FETC event in Florida this January, featuring a new classroom technology solution that turns a conventional whiteboard into a touch board in just under five minutes. Additionally, Boxlight showcased MimioSpace, a complete ultra-wide system consisting of a 32-touch TouchBoard and companion ultra-wide laser projector. Boxlight also gave demos of the new ProColor interactive touch table, featuring a 49” diagonal screen size to better facilitate collaborative work.
Epson (www.epson.com) introduces the new PowerLite L-Series for education. The new Epson PowerLite L615U, L610U, L510U, L400U, L610W, L500W, and L610 feature an integrated laser light source, stunning imagery, up to 6,000 lumens of color and white brightness, resolution up to WUXGA, and enhanced wireless technology to connect to multiple devices. The new series offers virtually maintenance-free operation with up to 20,000 hours of laser light source.
Hall Research (www.hallresearch.com/page/products/EX-HDU) announced the release of their EX-HDU, an economical HDMI and USB extender comprised of a single-gang Wall Plate Sender and compatible Receiver. HDMI audio is extracted and is provided both as analog stereo and multi-channel digital. Users can upload RS-232 commands to the EX-HDU to control other equipment such as projectors. The EX-HDU is ideal for use in budget constrained K-12 education markets where interactive projectors or whiteboards are commonplace.
Microsoft (www.microsoft.com/en-us/education) announced several updates to help support education, including four new Windows 10 devices that provide new tools like touch, inking, free accessibility technology, and more. Microsoft also announced new partnerships with LEGO Education, Pearson, PBS and BBC Worldwide Learning to help bring STEM education to life through video and mixed reality. A Chemistry Update in Minecraft: Education Edition and updates to Office 365 for Education to inspire more personalized learning have also been added.
InFocus Corporation (www.infocus.com) launched the JTouch Plus INF8630AG, an open Android-based interactive touch display solution built for collaboration, featuring a 4K anti-glare 86-inch display that users can customize and annotate over any documents, whiteboard, browse the web, and run Android apps, plus wirelessly cast with ease using LightCast. In addition, there is also wireless casting via built-in AirPlay that allows presenters and teachers to share content to the display from their mobile device or computer.
Promethean (www.prometheanworld.com) announced expansions to its interactive flat panel portfolio which includes the ActivPanel and ActivPanel i-Series. The ActivPanel is an interactive panel that is available in sizes ranging from 65 to 86 inches and provides a tablet-like digital experience for teachers and students. The ActivPanel offers teacher-controlled wireless screen sharing, connection to Bluetooth devices for hands-on learning, and access to free educational apps. The ActivPanel i-Series is available in 65-inch and 75-inch sizes.
Paragon Furniture, Inc. (www.paragoninc.com) introduced EMOJI Seating. EMOJI Seating helps create a delightful experience for children and a refined, performance-driven experience for adults. Three sizes cover all ages and hold characteristics specific to the physical and skeletal needs of each. Other features include seatback flexibility with a shell design, a lightweight and mobile build, multi-posture and direction support, and perforated seat patterns slotted for natural aeration.
SAM Labs (www.samlabs.com) announced the launch of three new STEM / STEAM products: Alpha Kit, Team Kit, and Classroom Kit. They are durable, long-lasting and allow students to discover the fun in coding and creating. The Alpha Kit features an introductory STEAM kit; the Team Kit is a STEAM lesson kit for larger student groups; the Classroom Kit covers full classrooms. All kits feature 25+lesson plans, Getting Started Guides, LEGO components, and more.
Omnicharge (www.omnicharge.co) revolutionized portable power with the Omni 20 – a portable power bank with a built-in AC outlet capable of charging any device, including a laptop computer. The Omni Power Station recharges up to 10 Omni 20s at once and allows students to rent and return an Omni 20 using a self-service mobile app. Omnicharge currently powers 50+ universities across the United States.
Spectrum Industries (www.spectrumfurniture.com) announced the introduction of the Pivot Workstation. The Pivot Workstation allows the instructor to move to each student group, making learning the center of the classroom. Configured for any environment, the Pivot Workstation comes in two different sizes, 36 and 48 inches, both offered with the optional cup holder. The Workstation also features electric lift legs, a foot rest, locking casters, storage options, and a pull-out keyboard tray.
Sony (pro.sony.com) is adding five new WUXGA resolution models to its family of laser light source projectors. The new models include the VPL-FHZ120L (12,000lm), the VPL-FHZ90L (9,000lm), and the compact VPLFHZ66 (6,100lm), VPL-FHZ61 (5,100lm) and VPL-FHZ58 (4,200lm). These new projectors, which take advantage of laser light source benefits, including increased brightness, ease of use and installation flexibility can be used in classrooms, lecture halls and auditoriums.
Vernier Software & Technology (www.vernier.com/gdx-cart) recently launched the new Go Direct Sensor Cart for middle school, high school, and college physics students. The wireless dynamics cart allows students to easily explore force, position, velocity, and acceleration using Bluetooth wireless technology.
Additional features include mass trays for adding mass, a plunger for collision and impulse studies, low-friction wheels for uniform motion, and exchangeable magnetic and hook-and-pile inserts for elastic and inelastic collisions.
Wonder Workshop (www.makewonder.com) previewed a middle school solution that brings coding and applied robotics into the classroom. At the center of the new solution is Cue, a witty robot that responds to both the block-based code used in earlier grades, as well as text-based JavaScript, allowing students to build upon and further develop their coding skills. Wonder Workshop will soon be releasing a three-unit Applied Robotics Curriculum including student notebooks for Cue as well.
