As schools pivoted from in-person to remote and blended learning this past year, technology solutions were key to delivering quality, continuous learning. To celebrate the work of technology providers who stepped up to support this effort, Tech & Learning launched “The Best Tools for Remote & Blended Learning,” a new offering in its legacy Awards of Excellence program.
Below are the winners of this contest. Judges deemed these products as standouts for helping students, parents, and teachers succeed in these new learning environments. Eligible products included hardware, software, curriculum, security/safety solutions, PD, student information systems, and more. Categories included: Best Remote/Blended Learning Tools for Primary Grades; Best Remote/Blended Learning Tools for Secondary Grades; Best Remote/Blended Learning Tools for Higher Education.
“Despite the many challenges schools have had to face this past year, technology continues to be one of the key drivers for innovation,” says Tech & Learning Group Publisher Christine Weiser. “The winning products recognized here have supported continuous instruction throughout the pandemic, and we expect this momentum to continue into next year and beyond. Congratulations to all of our winners.”
Best Remote/Blended Learning Tools for Primary Grades
Accelerate Learning: STEMscopes NGSS 3D
STEMscopes NGSS 3D is a phenomena-based science curriculum that provides K-6 teachers with everything they need to address the disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices that form each standard of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). "This STEM program is built on the 5E lesson model to move lessons away from teacher-led to student led," our judges said.
Acer: Acer Chromebook 311 (C722)
Made especially for younger students learning in the classroom and remote environments, the Acer Chromebook 311 (C722) incorporates industrial durability and safety standards that protect the device as well as more vulnerable young learners. "This is the most affordable, but still packs in that military-grade toughness and capable specs thanks to a MediaTek MT8183 processor, HDR webcam, optional touch screen, and a 20-hour battery," our judges said.
Amplify Education:Amplify Reading
Amplify Reading is a K–8 personalized learning program that students can use in any environment, helping provide targeted instruction and practice in foundational reading skills. "Its age-appropriate games and contextual reading activities ensure that all learners have the opportunity to engage and grow as readers," said judges.
ASUS BR1100,
The education-focused Windows 10 Pro laptop series offers a rugged and modular design and a secure infrastructure to help lower the total cost of ownership. "There's plenty of performance, from the AI-powered microphone to a standard 4GB of RAM," T&L judges said.
ASUS Chromebook C204
The ASUS Chromebook C204 is packed with features to protect it, such as the all-round rubber bumper, spill-resistant keyboard, and ultra tough I/O ports. "The spill-proof keyboard and rubber bumper keep this going through most situations, and the battery is good for a full school day," our judges noted.
AVer M11-8M Document Camera
The AVer M11-8M is an affordable document camera offering HDMI and plug-and-play USB power and connectivity. "This is a very full- featured document camera for the price," said our judges.
AVerCharge X18iS
This 18-device intelligent charging cart provides UV sanitation that kills 99.99% of germs with selectable cleaning duration options. Tech & Learning judges liked the design, smart charge and sanitation features, and flexibility.
AVID Products: AE-36 Headset
AVID’s AE-36 headset, developed with feedback of educators, focuses on connectivity, durability, comfort, sound quality, omnidirectional microphone, safety, and overall value. Our judges said, "Very low cost headset with good basic features," and especially liked the chew-resistant nylon cord.
Boxlight MimioConnect
MimioConnect® combines lesson building and instructional tools to help create an active and engaged learning environment. "The features of this product pair well with touch devices, and the fact that it's platform-agnostic and can import files from other programs is a great plus," said Tech & Learning judges.
Boxlight MyStemKits Virtual STEM Activities
MyStemKits Virtual STEM activities were developed in the wake of the pandemic by converting 3D printable hands on STEM lessons in MyStemKits.com platform into virtual simulations that allow students to complete math and science challenges in the comfort of their home. Our judges liked the virtual options and said, "The LMS-like ability to assign lessons is also a nice feature."
ClassLink: ClassLink Suite
ClassLink offers instant access to apps and files with single sign-on, streamline class rostering, automate account provisioning, and provide actionable analytics. "The admin console makes it easy to monitor, control and assess apps, software usage, and data sharing options," said Tech & Learning judges.
Clear Touch: Snow.Live Featuring Canvas Online
Canvas Online is a facet of Snow.Live that allows teachers and students to take notes and insert media files on an infinite whiteboard and share them. Students can complete an online lesson with their Snowflake account, and submit it. Our judges commented, "This educational software gives teachers access to teacher-made, standards-aligned lessons, and promotes collaboration and innovative learning."
ContentKeeper: CK Mobile for iOS
CK Mobile for iOS provides schools with the web-filtering intelligence required to deploy iPads as remote learning tools. "This web- and content-filtering system protects students, no matter what device they are using, and provides real-time information valuable to IT departments," Tech & Learning judges said.
Curriculum Associates: i-Ready
i-Ready combines powerful assessments with engaging instruction in reading and mathematics to address each student’s individual needs. Our judges said, "This tool gives actual real-time solutions and information: an all-in-one data platform."
Discovery Education: Discovery Education Platform
Discovery Education Experience is a flexible K-12 learning platform that connects educators to an extensive collection of standards-aligned content, ready-to-use digital lessons, and professional learning resources. "Now interoperable with LMSs, Google and Microsoft Teams, and SSO with Clever, this product offers seamless opportunities for learning," our judges said.
EdIncites: Incite Teaching & Learning Platform
The Incite Teaching & Learning Platform supports remote, blended, flipped, or in-classroom teaching and learning while delivering standards-based insights to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness. "With the idea of anytime/anywhere learning, educators can deliver instruction and assessment, connect with parents, and provide students with personalized learning using the system's analytic engine," T&L judges noted.
Edmentum: Exact Path
Exact Path combines adaptive diagnostic assessments with individualized learning paths to mitigate learning gaps and promote growth for K–12 students in math, reading, and language arts. Our judges said, "Mastery of skills through analysis of student skill levels is valuable for teachers as they challenge and support students."
Edsby: Edsby
Edsby® is a cloud-based K-12 learning management system (LMS) built for the needs of K-12 students, educators, and parents, and provides an easy-to-learn, social media-style interface. "The safe and secure platform is easily navigated by the entire school community," T&L judges commented.
Encyclopedia Britannica: Britannica LaunchPacks: Science and Social Studies
Britannica LaunchPacks: Social Studies provides more than 2,000 curated bundles of Britannica informational text and multimedia assets focused around thematic units covered in the K-12 social studies curricula. T&L judges said, "With its ability to deliver content based on student skill level and native language, this platform engages students effectively, while the integration with Kahoot! makes the learning fun."
Britannica School
Britannica School offers thousands of curated and curriculum-relevant articles, images, videos, audio clips, primary sources, maps, research tools, recommended websites, and three connected databases to meet every reading level. "This is a great way for the students to conduct online research; it's a kid-friendly tool and easy for the students to use," our judges noted.
ExploreLearning: ExploreLearning Reflex
Reflex helps students of all ability levels develop fluency with their basic math. T&L judges said, "This program makes learning math fact fun, while also scaffolding the lessons so that each student feels successful."
Gale, a Cengage company: Gale Presents: Miss Humblebee’s Academy
Gale Presents: Miss Humblebee’s Academy is a fun, interactive online kindergarten readiness program for children ages 3-6 that provides hundreds of guided lessons with sound and visual cues across many disciplines, including art, math, music, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning. Our judges liked the features and accessibility, and commented, "Using this online kindergarten-ready curriculum helps literacy learning for ages 3 to 6."
Hall Technologies: HIVE Control for the HIVE-Enabled Classroom
The HIVE Control is a cloud-based AV control platform. Hall Technologies’ HIVE Nodes are designed to directly connect to all existing legacy or wirelessly connect to IP-enabled hardware devices. "The node-based architecture means no need for a centralized server, saving money and space," Tech & Learning judges said.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Amira Learning
Amira Learning, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), provides 1:1 reading coaching and administers both an oral reading fluency assessment and dyslexia screener for emergent readers, from anywhere. "This intelligent reading assistant can accelerate reading mastery with the ability to listen, assess, and provide tutoring, allowing students to learn independently."
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Waggle®
Waggle® is a digital learning solution for grades 2-8 that provides personalized practice and instructional lessons to support skills-diversity for remote or blended learning. "One of the pluses of this program is that it can be used as a stand-alone program if school districts do not want to purchase other HMH products," T&L judges commented.
HoverCam: eGlass
HoverCam’s eGlass is a transparent writing surface featuring a built-in camera and adjustable lighting, ideal for remote, hybrid, and traditional classrooms. The camera captures the instructor and whatever they write on the surface of the glass simultaneously. Our judges said, "The built-in software tools and lighting are amazing."
Imagine Learning: Imagine Math
Imagine Math, a preK-8 online math solution suite, supplements standards-based mathematics instruction through a system of adaptive and standards-aligned benchmarks and formative assessments. "This math program's unique features includes support of ELLs through scaffolding and the use of live bilingual teachers," noted T&L judges.
Imagine Language & Literacy
Imagine Language & Literacy provides instruction and practice in all four domains of literacy—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—in addition to teaching academic language, including both vocabulary and grammar. "This language and literacy program provides students opportunities to excel and take ownership of their learning," said Tech & Learning judges.
Infobase: Learn360
Learn360 is a K-12 streaming multimedia resource that allows teachers, students, and parents to access more than 182,000 media resources, filtered by grade level, on any internet-enabled device. "This is ideal for flipped classrooms, project-based learning, and one-to-one," our judges said. "A free trial makes a great way to try this platform."
IXL Learning: IXL
IXL is a personalized learning platform with a comprehensive curriculum of more than 8,500 skills covering five subjects, fully aligned to all 50 state standards. T&L judges noted, "With its Math, ELA, Social Studies and Science assessments, IXL continues to be a leading standard for standards-based curriculum and assessments."
Lexia Learning: Lexia® Core5® Reading
Lexia® Core5® Reading is an adaptive blended learning program that provides all students—from at-risk to on-level and advanced—a systematic and structured approach to six areas of reading, from phonological awareness to comprehension. "Students use Lexia everyday in our district, working on their level completing tasks. It's a very useful and dynamic tool," our judges commented.
Lightspeed Systems: Lightspeed Alert™
Lightspeed Alert uses AI to monitor, interpret, and flag the early warning signs of suicide, cyberbullying, and school violence in online student activity. "This is a much-needed solution, with the social and emotional issues that students are dealing with now and before the pandemic," judges said.
Lightspeed Analytics™
Lightspeed Analytics tracks education technology adoption and usage trends to help schools eliminate redundancy, drive ROI, gauge usage trends to drive student engagement, or target training and professional development to facilitate effective utilization. Tech & Learning judges said, "The analytics and data privacy features of this product are very valuable for districts."
MIND Research Institute: ST Math
The program’s patented approach provides students with challenging puzzles, non-routine problem solving, and informative feedback. "One of the best tools for building students' problem-solving skills," our judges said.
Pearson: Pearson K-12 Online Learning/Connections Academy
Pearson's K-12 online learning programs, including the Connections Academy online school, offer curriculum designed for the online environment and social/emotional learning, specially trained teachers, guidance counselors, clubs, and extracurriculars. "The outstanding curriculum, tutors, and virtual live meeting with other students supports learning and social and emotional growth," judges noted.
Pixton Comics Inc.: Pixton
Pixton EDU is a web-app that gives teachers and students a unique way to create stories, demonstrate learning, and enhance writing assignments – in any subject – through digital comics. "This product reaches all students with its comic book-style lesson and assignment creations," remarked the judges. "Totally engaging!"
PowerSchool: Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning, PowerSchool’s learning management system, combines everything needed for remote or blended teaching and learning into one place – a one-stop-shop for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. "This learning management system recently purchased by PowerSchool suite of products is a solution for districts looking for virtual environments," said T&L judges.
PresenceLearning: Teletherapy Essentials
Teletherapy Essentials combines teletherapy training with PresenceLearning’s platform to allow school teams to deliver teletherapy and tele-assessment on the company’s platform, designed specifically by clinicians for clinicians. "This program takes the burden off of school districts with its many options," T&L judges commented.
Promethean: ClassFlow
ClassFlow is a cloud-based lesson-delivery software program that is integrated with Promethean’s interactive display, ActivPanel, and is available on all interactive displays. ClassFlow offers collective lessons, activities, quizzes, and more. Our judges said, "This interactive lesson-delivery platform is a great solution to engaging students both in person and virtually. It is device- and system-agnostic, which makes it easy for school districts to incorporate."
Savvas Learning Company: Savvas Realize™ Learning Management System for Remote Learning
Realize is a one-stop LMS that brings standards-aligned curricula into a robust digital platform, ideal for remote learning. "A powerful learning management system that offers wide integration with the likes of Google Classroom and more," judges said.
SMART Technologies: SMART Learning Suite
SMART Learning Suite is an all-in-one, web-based education software that helps teachers create engaging lessons that students interact with in class, remotely, or on their own time, all on their own devices. "A set of resources any teacher can use, regardless of whether they have a SMART board or any interactive whiteboard at all. It enriches student-led learning, project-based learning, and flipped classroom experiences," T&L judges stated.
Sourcewell Technology: Spring Math
Developed in collaboration with a nationally renowned educator, Spring Math is an
interactive platform that combines tools for assessment, intervention, and progress monitoring. "Its versatility provides high-quality assessments for both high-achieving students and students at risk," said our judges.
TCI: Social Studies and Science Blended Learning Solution
TCI's science and social studies programs and resources provide immersive learning experiences, including ready-to-teach lessons, rich media, lesson games, interactive activities, and more. Judges said, "In a time when students are learning both in-person and virtual, this program is designed to engage all students in the learning through student empowerment."
Texthelp: Fluency Tutor for Google
Fluency Tutor® for Google™ allows students to record themselves reading and then share that content with their teacher - away from the pressures of reading aloud in the classroom environment, and independently in remote/hybrid learning environments. T&L judges said, "Ideal for spotting where reading intervention is required and with an easy-to-use and clear layout that makes action possible, even remotely."
Texthelp: EquatIO
EquatIO lets users type or handwrite virtually any mathematical expressions and equations including chemistry and physics equations directly on keyboard or touchscreen. "This makes teaching and learning math digitally a far easier and more effective prospect," judges commented.
Tools for Schools: Book Creator
Book Creator lets students combine text, images, audio, and video to make engaging digital books that demonstrate their learning. "This program has been invaluable to elementary school teachers in the virtual environment. Students create stories and books online that bring their ideas, creativity, and personalities to life," T&L judges said.
Unruly Studios, Inc.: Unruly Splats
Unruly Splats is a STEM learning tool that combines coding with active-play, via programmable floor buttons that students code to light up, make sounds, and collect points when stomped on. Our judges noted, "Whether in the face-to-face or virtual learning environment, students learn coding commands using their bodies as physical movements."
ViewSonic Corp.: ViewSonic myViewBoard Software
The ViewSonic® myViewBoard™ platform is an interactive solution that can work in hybrid or remote-/distance-learning environments, helping teachers to prepare engaging content, present interactive lessons, and promote participation in the classroom. "The versatility of working with lots of platforms helps, as does the inclusion of cloud-based storage and a built-in educational video teaching platform," said judges.
Best Remote/Blended Learning Tools for Secondary Grades
7 Mindsets: 7 Mindsets
7 Mindsets is a research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) solution that includes a comprehensive web-based curriculum, professional development, and coaching. "This product solves school districts' challenges of supporting both students and teachers with SEL programs," said our judges.
Accelerate Learning: STEMscopes NGSS 3D
STEMscopes NGSS 3D is a phenomena-based science curriculum that provides K-6 teachers with everything they need to address the disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices that form each standard of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). "This STEM program is built on the 5E lesson model to move lessons away from teacher-led to student led," our judges said.
Acer: Acer Chromebook 511 (C741L)
The Acer Chromebook 511 (C741L) is an 11.6-inch notebook computer offering up to 20 hours of battery life, built-in 4G LTE connectivity, and impact-resistant chassis with reinforced I/O and a tamper- and spill-resistant keyboard. T&L judges called it "The leader of the new fleet of Chromebooks," and said, "This is made to go anywhere, with even a heavy-handed child."
Apex Learning: Apex Learning Districtwide Digital Curriculum
Apex Learning districtwide curriculum helps educators to get students back on track with credit recovery as well as providing fully virtual learning programs. "This is a comprehensive online curriculum for high school students," judges said.
Aristo Educational Press Ltd.: Aristo e-Companion for Chinese History and History
Aristo e-Companion for Chinese History and History' (the e-Companion) is a comprehensive package of blended learning resources available in both web and app platforms. "Using the app on devices, students are able to create, learn, and experience Chinese history in a way that jumps off the screen," said T&L judges.
AVer: AVer TR310 Auto Tracking Distance Learning Camera
The TR310 features two auto tracking modes including Presenter Tracking or Zone Tracking with no need for a camera operator. "The features of this product solves a lot of distance learning issues. The use of AI and the ability to create learning zone presets is great," judges commented.
AVer M5 Document Camera
The M5 distance learning document camera is UVC/UAC compliant with plug-and-play USB connectivity, and features a built-in mic. "This is an excellent affordable document camera, portable and lightweight, making it ideal for moving around to different locations," judges said.
AVID Products: AE-55 Headset
AVID’s AE-55 headset offers an ambidextrous design, noise-reducing earpads, and a unidirectional noise-canceling 270° rotating boom microphone. T&L judges liked the price, noise-canceling features, and leatherette ear pads. They added, "The fact that they are also certified for various tests is a plus."
Boxlight: MimioConnect®
MimioConnect® combines lesson building and instructional tools to help create an active and engaged learning environment. "The features of this product pair well with touch devices, and the fact that it's platform-agnostic and can import files from other programs is a great plus," said Tech & Learning judges.
Boxlight: MyStemKits Virtual STEM Activities
MyStemKits Virtual STEM activities were developed in the wake of the pandemic by converting 3D printable hands on STEM lessons in MyStemKits.com platform into virtual simulations that allow students to complete math and science challenges in the comfort of their home. Our judges liked the virtual options and said, "The LMS-like ability to assign lessons is also a nice feature."
CatchOn: CatchOn
CatchOn’s data analytics allows educators to track digital engagement, personalize learning, ensure student data privacy compliance, and more. Judges called it "a valuable tool for looking at ROI and engagement," and liked the real-time analytic information on student app/website use, and capabilities for planning and budgeting.
ClassLink: ClassLink Suite
ClassLink offers instant access to apps and files with single sign-on, streamlines class rostering, automates account provisioning, and provides actionable analytics. "The admin console makes it easy to monitor, control, and assess apps, software usage, and data sharing options," said Tech & Learning judges.
CoderZ: CoderZ
CoderZ, an immersive, gamified, and cloud-based virtual robotics education platform, is designed to engage students in learning principles of coding, robotics, and computational skills – whether learning is taking place in the classroom or remotely – through the engaging context of robotics. "CoderZ is a very good robotic simulation program. It solves the problem of keeping students engaged in STEM activities while learning from home," our judges noted.
ContentKeeper: CK Mobile for iOS
CK Mobile for iOS provides schools with the web-filtering intelligence required to deploy iPads as remote learning tools. "This web- and content-filtering system protects students, no matter what device they are using, and provides real time information valuable to IT departments," Tech & Learning judges said.
CTL: CTL Chromebook NL71CT-LTE
The CTL Chromebook NL71CT-LTE allows users to connect from anywhere, with no need for a wifi connection or mobile hotspot, giving instant access to email, documents, apps, video conferencing, and more, using the touch-enabled display. T&L judges liked the NL71CT-LTE and noted, "This seems like a well-built device with features to protect it from the daily abuse it could receive from students."
Discovery Education: Discovery Education Platform
Discovery Education Experience is a flexible K-12 learning platform that connects educators to an extensive collection of standards-aligned content, ready-to-use digital lessons, and professional learning resources. "Now interoperable with LMSs, Google and Microsoft Teams, and SSO with Clever, this product offers seamless opportunities for learning," our judges said.
EdIncites: Incite Teaching & Learning Platform
The Incite Teaching & Learning Platform supports remote, blended, flipped, or in-classroom teaching and learning while delivering standards-based insights to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness. "With the idea of anytime/anywhere learning, educators can deliver instruction and assessment, connect with parents, and provide students with personalized learning using the system's analytic engine," T&L judges noted.
Edmentum: Edmentum Courseware
Edmentum Courseware digital curriculum for grade 6 through adult learners is aligned to state and national standards with more than 400 courses and 30,000 hours of instruction covering core, elective, CTE, world language, ELL proficiency, and advanced subjects. T&L judges noted, "With options such as live virtual teachers, self-paced learning, or a combination of both, this product is vital in our new learning environment."
Edsby: Edsby
Edsby® is a cloud-based K-12 learning management system (LMS) built for the needs of K-12 students, educators, and parents, and providing an easy-to-learn, social media-style interface. "The safe and secure platform is easily navigated by the entire school community," T&L judges commented.
Encyclopedia Britannica: Britannica LaunchPacks: Science and Social Studies
Britannica LaunchPacks: Social Studies provides more than 2,000 curated bundles of Britannica informational text and multimedia assets focused around thematic units covered in the K-12 social studies curricula. T&L judges said, "With its ability to deliver content based on student skill level and native language, this platform engages students effectively, while the integration with Kahoot! makes the learning fun."
Britannica School
Britannica School offers thousands of curated and curriculum-relevant articles, images, videos, audio clips, primary sources, maps, research tools, recommended websites, and three connected databases to meet every reading level. "This is a great way for the students to conduct online research; it's a kid-friendly tool and easy for the students to use," our judges noted.
ExploreLearning: ExploreLearning Gizmos
Gizmos are online simulations that excite curiosity and invite interaction, with more than 400 math and science Gizmos available for grades 3-12. "This program makes learning math facts fun, while also scaffolding the lessons so that each student feels successful," T&L judges said.
Forward Edge: Edge•U Badges
Edge•U is an instruction-focused professional learning system that offers concise professional learning opportunities to support educators with the challenges they face every day. "Digital badges are a really great way to enhance and motivate users to participate in self-directed PD," said Tech & Learning judges. "And we like that they align with the ISTE Standards."
Gale, a Cengage company: Gale Case Studies
Gale Case Studies is an online instructional tool that provides faculty with teaching resources to help students critically analyze culturally relevant social justice issues through the lens of primary sources on topics such as LGBTQ+, race, political extremism, and public health concerns. "This tool helps young researchers develop their information literacy and critical thinking skills," said our judges.
GoGuardian: GoGuardian Suite
GoGuardian helps schools maximize the remote learning potential of every student by creating safe and effective digital learning environments. T&L judges especially liked the monitoring features and the chat function, and noted, "It can set sessions to automatically start and track the students' online activity even if teachers don't log in."
Hall Technologies: HIVE Control for the HIVE-Enabled Classroom
The HIVE Control is a cloud-based AV control platform engineered from the cloud down. The HIVE Nodes (one of the three main components of HIVE Control) are designed to directly connect to all existing legacy or wirelessly connect to IP-enabled hardware devices. "The node-based architecture means no need for a centralized server, saving money and space. Touch controls are all inclusive and powerful while remaining easy to use," said our judges.
Hall Technologies: EMCEE200 Seamless Multiview Presentation Switcher
EMCEE200 is a seamless multiview presentation switcher scaler with Picture-in-Picture (PIP) and Picture-Over-Picture (POP) capabilities. T&L judges said, "The built-in dual mic mixer and audio embedding as well as de-embedding make this a powerful presentation tool."
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Writable
With more than 600 easily customizable assignments, including essays, short responses, student models, state-level benchmark assessments, and more, Writable helps schools assess and monitor writing growth. "The assessment tools, guided practice, and authentic feedback functions allow teachers to focus on skills necessary for young writers," said Tech & Learning judges.
HoverCam: eGlass
HoverCam’s eGlass is a transparent writing surface featuring a built-in camera and adjustable lighting, ideal for remote, hybrid, and traditional classrooms. The camera captures the instructor and whatever they write on the surface of the glass simultaneously. Our judges said, "The built-in software tools and lighting are amazing."
HUE: HUE HD Pro camera
The HUE HD Pro is a flexible, multipurpose document camera with a built-in microphone that delivers a high-quality image for $79.95. "This is a very affordable and portable camera. Having the built-in LED lighting is also a plus," said the judges.
Infobase: Source Reference
Source Reference is an integrated research and information literacy skill development platform containing curated reference content, instructional videos, and tutorials. "Ideal for beginner researchers with instructional videos and tutorials to guide grades 6 to 12, with over 450 top-tier reference titles," T&L judges said.
Kramer: EDU-Hybrid-1
Kramer’s EDU-Hybrid-1 is a software-agnostic wireless presentation and collaboration solution that allows teachers to connect and present lessons from any wireless device to in-class and remote students simultaneously. Judges said, "This is a good solution for standalone blended-learning environments that can be made permanent for future use."
Learning Ally: Learning Ally Audiobook Solution
The Learning Ally Audiobook Solution is a flexible reading resource for students in grades 3-12 and higher education with reading deficits, including those with dyslexia and learning disabilities, special needs, and vision impairments. "With the ability to engage and reach all students with its voice-read texts, accommodation functions, and progress monitoring capabilities, this literacy program is tops," our judges stated.
Lesson Planet: Learning Explorer
Learning Explorer is a unified lesson planning, curriculum delivery, and learning object repository (LOR) platform that helps teachers (preK-12) to discover, build, manage, share, and deliver engaging, standards-based curriculum anytime, anywhere. Tech & Learning judges noted, "This product takes the legwork out of developing rich, engaging curriculum for students in grades preK-12."
Lightspeed Systems: Lightspeed Alert™
Lightspeed Alert uses AI to monitor, interpret, and flag the early warning signs of suicide, cyberbullying, and school violence in online student activity. "This is a much-needed solution, with the social and emotional issues that students are dealing with now and before the pandemic," judges said.
Lightspeed Analytics™
Lightspeed Analytics tracks education technology adoption and usage trends to help schools eliminate redundancy, drive ROI, gauge usage trends to drive student engagement, or target training and professional development to facilitate effective utilization. Tech & Learning judges said, "The analytics and data privacy features of this product are very valuable for districts."
Mackin Educational Resources: MackinVIA
MackinVIA is a free digital content management system that provides schools, students, and educators with easy access to their collection of eBooks, read-alongs, audiobooks, databases, and videos. "The inclusion of free and paid books, at state contract pricing, is a plus and makes it easy for schools to manage their digital collections in one place," said our judges.
ManagedMethods: ManagedMethods
ManagedMethods provides a centralized command center for managing Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 cybersecurity and student safety risks in remote learning environments. T&L judges stated, "Managed Methods solves many of districts' IT data privacy, data loss, malware, phishing, and student safety concerns."
MAXCases: Extreme Shell-L
The MAXCases Extreme Shell-L delivers full-coverage protection in a new lightweight and budget-friendly design. Our judges liked the high quality of the cases and called them "very protective."
NetSupport: classroom.cloud
NetSupport's latest product, classroom.cloud, is a cloud-based classroom management and teaching tool that is usable across a wide range of platforms, devices, and locations. "This solves a big problem for teachers trying to deliver online instruction, allowing them to monitor students as well as push out websites, etc., while saving a lot of time and stress."
Pear Deck: Pear Deck
Pear Deck lets teachers add formative assessments and interactive questions to presentations right within Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint Online. "Pear Deck is easy to use and implement, and a great way to get students to interact with the PowerPoints you make yourself," said judges.
Pearson: Pearson K-12 Online Learning/Connections Academy
Pearson's K-12 online learning programs, including the Connections Academy online school, offer curriculum designed for the online environment and social/emotional learning, specially trained teachers, guidance counselors, clubs, and extracurriculars. "The outstanding curriculum, tutors, and virtual live meeting with other students supports learning and social and emotional growth," judges noted.
Powerschool: Schoology Learning
Schoology Learning, PowerSchool’s learning management system, combines everything needed for remote or blended teaching and learning into one place – a one-stop-shop for students, parents, teachers and administrators. "This learning management system recently purchased by PowerSchool suite of products is a solution for districts looking for virtual environments," said T&L judges.
Promethean: ClassFlow
ClassFlow is a cloud-based lesson delivery software program that is integrated with Promethean’s interactive display, ActivPanel, and is available on all interactive displays. ClassFlow offers collective lessons, activities, quizzes, and more. Our judges said, "This interactive lesson-delivery platform is a great solution to engaging students both in person and virtually. It is device- and system-agnostic, which makes it easy for school districts to incorporate."
Savvas Learning Company: Savvas Realize™ Learning Management System for Remote Learning
Realize is a one-stop LMS that brings standards-aligned curricula into a robust digital platform, ideal for remote learning. "A powerful learning management system that offers wide integration with the likes of Google Classroom and more," judges said.
Securly: Securly Classroom
Securly Classroom is a cloud-based classroom management tool for Chromebooks, PCs, and Macs that helps teachers to guide lessons, monitor student activity, and keep the focus on learning during class, regardless of whether classrooms are in-person or remote. T&L judges noted, "Student safety is paramount for school counselors and principals. This project analyzes student activity over time, which can lead to early interventions."
Study.com: Study.com
Study.com is an online education platform offering more than 84,000 lessons and 18,500 teaching tools, including lesson plans, worksheets, and activities. "This impressively comprehensive app (and website) can help kids and adults learn more about an amazing breadth of topics," our judges said.
TCI: Social Studies and Science Blended Learning Solution
TCI's science and social studies programs and resources provide immersive learning experiences, including ready-to-teach lessons, rich media, lesson games, interactive activities, and more. Judges said, "In a time when students are learning both in-person and virtual, this program is designed to engage all students in the learning through student empowerment."
Texthelp: EquatIO
EquatIO lets users type or handwrite virtually any mathematical expressions and equations, including chemistry and physics equations, directly on keyboard or touchscreen. "This makes teaching and learning math digitally a far easier and more effective prospect," judges commented.
Texthelp: WriQ
WriQ is a Google Chrome extension from Texthelp that gives each student access to their own personalized mini dashboard, and automatically analyses Docs for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, in addition to metrics such as time on task, vocabulary maturity, and more. Tech & Learning judges said, "This offers a superb way to cut down on marking time for teachers, while helping encourage writing progress in students, both in-class and remotely."
Tripp Lite: Rolling TV Monitor Carts with Rechargeable Battery
Tripp Lite’s new rolling TV/monitor carts with rechargeable battery power add mobility, height adjustability, and placement flexibility to large monitors, televisions, or interactive touchscreens. "A versatile, reliable, and sturdy option for mounting and moving a display from 60-inches up to 100-inches," said our judges.
Tripp Lite: USB-C Docking Stations
Tripp Lite’s USB-C docking stations for multiple displays transform a USB-C port on a laptop, notebook, or tablet computer into a multiport workstation. "From DisplayPort and HDMI to VGA and Stereo Audio, these offer a lot of USB-C compatibility, with a reasonable price and high reliability."
UWorld: AP Learning Tools
Learning Tools for AP® Courses use realistic and up-to-date questions modeled after College Board®-level content with answer explanations that are clear, concise and complete, ensuring students understand why they got an answer wrong, retain the information, and master concepts. T&L judges stated, "Its customizable assignment tools that can be integrated into AP curriculum ensure students have the skills they need to be successful on AP exams."
Vernier Software & Technology: Vernier Graphical Analysis™ Pro
Vernier Graphical Analysis™ Pro lets educators and students easily insert, view, and sync a video to sensor data for analysis, and it features the ability to perform live experiments and share data over the internet in real time. "Graphical Analysis Pro is compatible with multiple platforms, including Chromebooks, integrates easily, and is ideal for biology, chemistry, physics, and middle school science," commented T&L judges.
ViewSonic Corp.: ViewSonic ID1330 ViewBoard Pen Display
The ViewSonic® ID1330 is an ultra-thin ViewBoard® Pen Display that allows users to create, manage, and share digital content, and can be plugged into a PC or laptop and used as a secondary touch device for sharing online lessons. "With 8,192 levles of pressure sensitivity and a 60-degree tilt angle, this is versatile enough to work like a real pen to teach lots of types of classes," our judges said.
WIN Learning: Essential Soft Skills
The Essential Soft Skills learning solution teaches, reinforces, and measures mastery of attitudinal and behavioral skills that are essential to success in school and the workplace. "A powerful soft skills assessment tool that can help those planning for work, or who have left school, to maximize their chances of getting work," T&L judges said.
Best Remote/Blended Learning Tools for Higher Education
BibliU: BibliU
BibliU’s learning content management platform enables college students to access digital textbooks and other learning resources on any device in an interactive format, while also reducing overhead expenses for universities. "Full university and college integration makes this a powerful and efficient tool for higher educational institutions," said Tech & Learning judges.
ClassLink: ClassLink Suite
ClassLink offers instant access to apps and files with single sign-on, streamlines class rostering, automates account provisioning, and provides actionable analytics. "The admin console makes it easy to monitor, control and assess apps, software usage and data sharing options," said Tech & Learning judges.
Crestron Electronics, Inc.: Crestron Flex
Crestron Flex is a portfolio of videoconferencing solutions that transform any classroom into a dynamic, collaborative learning environment. "This is a very good product for higher education and some high school uses," said our judges.
CYPHER LEARNING: NEO
NEO helps schools manage all classroom activities, such as creating and delivering educational content, organizing resources and learning materials, assessing students, tracking student achievement, providing professional development for teachers, and promoting collaboration between students and faculty. Our judges said, "This LMS platform offers educators the opportunity to personalize their courses and lessons to students' needs and learning styles."
Gale, a Cengage company: Gale Case Studies
Gale Case Studies is an online instructional tool that provides faculty with teaching resources to help students critically analyze culturally relevant social justice issues through the lens of primary sources on topics such as LGBTQ+, race, political extremism, and public health concerns. "This tool helps young researchers develop their information literacy and critical thinking skills," said judges.
HoverCam: eGlass
HoverCam’s eGlass is a transparent writing surface featuring a built-in camera and adjustable lighting, ideal for remote, hybrid, and traditional classrooms. The camera captures the instructor and whatever they write on the surface of the glass simultaneously. Our judges said, "The built-in software tools and lighting are amazing."
Samsung Electronics America; Smart Monitor
As Samsung’s first monitor with wifi, Bluetooth, and Wireless DeX built-in, Smart Monitor incorporates mobile and PC connectivity and remote learning features, giving students the flexibility to learn remotely and access entertainment without being connected to a PC. T&L judges noted, "These are really nice monitors at an affordable price, well-suited for higher education or at-home use."
Shure Incorporated: MV5C Home Office Microphone
Shure’s new MV5C Home Office Microphone provides studio-quality audio for video and online classes, and at $99, the microphone offers an accessible price point for all. Our judges said, "From an audio specialist brand, this microphone is crammed with technology to offer ultimate clarity when teaching remotely."
Sonic Foundry: Mediasite Mosaic
Mediasite Mosaic is a light-weight desktop app that, when combined with Mediasite Video Platform, allows users to create great-looking videos, screencasts, and slideshows with one click from any device. "This product is great for anyone, even the most inexperienced student, who wants to create dynamic videos and media," said T&L judges.
Vernier Software & Technology: Vernier Graphical Analysis™ Pro
Vernier Graphical Analysis™ Pro lets educators and students easily insert, view, and sync a video to sensor data for analysis, and it features the ability to perform live experiments and share data over the internet in real time. "Graphical Analysis Pro is compatible with multiple platforms, including Chromebooks, integrates easily, and is ideal for biology, chemistry, physics, and middle school science," commented T&L judges.
ViewSonic Corp.: ViewSonic LD163-151 Direct View LED Display
The ViewSonic® LD163-181 is a 163-inch, all-in-one, direct view LED commercial display, designed for large venue environments such as auditoriums and lecture halls. The LD163-181 is a cost-effective alternative to traditional custom-made video walls. Said T&L judges, "For in-class display work, this is a powerful solution that offers a massive screen size combined with high-quality. This is a specialist display that works with lots of hardware dedicated to teaching."
