ABL SCHOOLS (ablschools.com)
Abl Schools developed their master schedule solution with the understanding that the master schedule is one of the greatest enablers, or inhibitors, of implementing district plans with fidelity to increase educational equity, and quality. By combining modern, cloud-based scheduling tools with expert coaching, Abl streamlines the entire master scheduling process to tackle difficult scheduling challenges, build the school team’s capacity, and help districts adapt as needs change. With real-time notifications of potential student conflicts and reports of key student metrics, the platform allows leaders to quickly see the impact of scheduling decisions to ensure progress on their school’s goals.
321INSIGHT
(www.321insight.com)
321insight’s Trauma Informed training toolkit is designed to make it easy for a school to become trauma-informed and resilience-oriented by providing concise videos on ACES, Resilience, Regulation, Building a Trauma Informed Classroom and more, as well as job-specific guides for all roles in a school.
6CRICKETS
(www.6crickets.com/afterschool)
6crickets’ online registration, roster management, and parent communication tools allow schools to easily manage after-school programs right on the school campus. Free to schools, the 6crickets platform provides unified rosters across programs, with real-time student information and the ability to automatically pay providers.
ACHIEVE3000
(www.achieve3000.com)
Achieve3000 offers literacy solutions that serve more than three million PreK-adult learners each year. Achieve3000 now supports schools and districts with Smarty Ants for personalized foundational literacy (PreK-grade 2) and Actively Learn for deeper learning through boundless content and strategies to activate and reveal thinking (grades 6-12).
AMAZE
(amaze.org)
AMAZE is a collaboration between Advocates for Youth, Answer, and Youth Tech Health working to create an engaging, age appropriate, online sex education resource for young people aged 10-14. AMAZE’s YouTube video series is fun, funny, and animated, providing young people with an engaging resource to complement sex ed they may receive at school.
APERTURE EDUCATION
(apertureed.com)
Aperture Education provides strength-based social and emotional learning assessments and resilience-building resources to help schools and out-of-school programs address the whole child. Aperture Education supports students in areas such as self-management and responsible decision making.
ATLASIED
(www.atlasied.com)
AtlasIED offers mass notification, life safety, VoIP, background music, paging and sound-masking systems. AtlasIED product lines include more than 2,000 innovative audio solutions.
AUTODESK
(www.autodesk.com/education;| www.tinkercad.com; academy.autodesk.com)
Autodesk continues to support students, teachers, and academic institutions worldwide with free access to Autodesk software. Products like Tinkercad offer new features to help drive STEAM innovation in classrooms including bringing CAD and code together through Codeblocks. Autodesk’s Design Academy showcases the latest techniques and trends in design.
AVID CENTER
(www.avid.org)
Over the course of its nearly 40-year history, AVID has become the go-to provider of professional learning for teachers and administrators to prepare students for college and career. The organization is responsible for training 70,000 educators each year. This year AVID launched a new professional learning initiative focused on teaching with technology.
B&H B2B
(www.bandh.com/b2b)
B&H offers 700,000 products from over 5,000 technology vendors, most in stock and ready to ship, along with free expert advice, and national, state, and local contracts to choose from.
BARRACUDA NETWORKS
(www.barracuda.com)
Barracuda security and data protection solutions work together to extend advanced, highly effective security across your entire IT infrastructure. They are uniquely easy to manage with a minimum of personnel. And they are affordable—many are even available with subscription (OpEx) pricing, leaving your capital budgets untouched.
BENCHMARK EDUCATION
(www.benchmarkeducation.com)
Benchmark Education creates innovative, research-based, award-winning resources in print, online, and blended formats for both core and supplemental classroom use, with 800+ new titles available this school year alone. Benchmark Education offers an extensive line of literacy resources for English Learners and Spanish speakers, with a growing line of text sets and classroom libraries in Mandarin Chinese.
BENQ
(www.benq.com/en-us/index.html)
BenQ is reimagining success for students by giving schools affordable, advanced display solutions that are user-friendly and capture students’ attention. BenQ’s interactive Blue Core laser projectors for education provide a large, clear, and vibrant image that can be seen all the way to the back of the room. To rev up learning, they can also double as innovative hubs where students can interact with curriculum content via pen or touch.
BLOOMZ
(www.bloomz.net)
The Bloomz mobile app experience makes it simple for teachers to juggle the countless apps they use every day. The tool features calendars and reminders to volunteer and item signups and student portfolios to behavior tracking. Additionally, the tool includes an online scheduling feature that allows parents to sync their calendar with their child’s school day, making it easier to plan and coordinate meetings and events.
BRAINCHILD
(www.Brainchild.com)
Brainchild has offered self-paced instruction on the web and on its proprietary Study Buddy device for at-risk students for 25 years. Brainchild’s content library covers Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Other high stakes test preparation products include GED, HiSET, and TASC preparation for those high school equivalency tests.
BRIGHTBYTES
(www.brightbytes.net)
From complex integrations to actionable analysis, BrightBytes is a powerful end-to-end data solution for education organizations. The BrightBytes solutions efficiently unify education data and combine top research and advanced analytics, delivered across easy-to-understand, intuitive dashboards, so educators can turn big data into big benefits for students.
BULB DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS
(bulbapp.com)
bulb Digital Portfolios is the place where your work comes together beautifully. Students and educators use the web app to capture the education journey and prepare for a lifetime of learning. Educators often use bulb to accurately track student growth and measure competency, and because the portfolio travels with the student through school and into their career, it provides a holistic view of what a student knows and is able to do.
BUNCEE
(edu.buncee.com)
Buncee is an award-winning, powerful, and user-friendly creation platform for learners of all ages and abilities. By providing a wealth of opportunities for creating, Buncee allows students and educators to create visually engaging and interactive classroom content that supports learning and instruction in countless ways, bringing learning to life.
CASIO
(www.casiolampfree.com)
Casio utilizes unique Laser and LED hybrid light source technology to provide projectors with high brightness, reliability, and a lifespan of up to 20,000 hours. LampFree projectors are economical and energy efficient, resulting in significant savings over time. They do not need costly lamp replacements, and have a dust resistant design that eliminates frequent filter changes in dusty rooms.
CDI TECHNOLOGIES
(cdicomputers.com)
In January 2019 CDI Computers is relaunching as CDI Technologies. CDI Technologies’ refocused mission is to deploy classroom-ready ecosystems so that educators are empowered to create inspiring educational experiences and connect students to a love of learning and a lifetime of achievement.
CERTIPORT
(www.certiport.com)
Certiport offers learning curriculum, practice tests, and performance-based IT certification exams to open up academic and career opportunities for learners. Entry-level certification utilized as part of a CTE program can help learners identify strengths and start on a path to building an IT career of their choosing. Certification validates the skills needed to meet the needs of employers all over the country, especially in IT fields with growing skills gaps like cybersecurity.
CLASSLINK
(www.classlink.com)
ClassLink’s mission is to empower educators to improve learning through innovative systems and services. ClassLink’s LaunchPad technology enables single sign-on access to web, Windows, and Google applications, and instant access to files at school and in the cloud. ClassLink Roster Server easily and securely delivers class rosters to any publisher using open technology standards. Accessible from any computer, tablet or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1-to-1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives. As recognized through their many awards, ClassLink’s primary benefit is instant login to any web app through their LaunchPad technology.
CODELICIOUS
(www.codelicious.com)
Codelicious builds confidence in educators and students in the classroom by providing instant access to computer science curriculum for grades 3-8 that any educator can teach. Codelicious’ full-semester, comprehensive skills-building, and interactive curriculum ensures that teachers are always connected with the most current technology.
COMMUNITYSHARE
(www.communityshare.us)
CommunityShare is an education initiative that is re-imagining the relationship between schools and communities. CommunityShare features an online platform that matches educators with regional community partners who want to serve as mentors, project designers, internship hosts, content-area consultants, guest speakers, and field trip sponsors.
CONTENTKEEPER TECHNOLOGIES
(ContentKeeper.com)
ContentKeeper Technologies provides a full-featured K-12 Gateway Filtering Platform, giving schools the comprehensive set of tools they need to allow safe access to valuable educational content. Intelligent SSL inspection at multi-gigabit speeds provides granular controls and accurate reporting of encrypted traffic across all devices and browsers ensuring student safety both on and off campus. Real-time monitoring, analytics, and alerting help prevent potential school violence, self-harm, and bullying.
COOLSCHOOL
(coolschoolcentral.com)
CoolSchool is a six-week curriculum that teaches students how to manage behaviors in a positive way. Backed by research, CoolSchool influences student outcomes, promotes better classroom management, and reinforces positive behaviors. With Cool School, you can proactively address attendance issues, classroom management issues such as impulsiveness and aggression, bullying of all kinds – verbal, online, and physical.
CURRICULUM ASSOCIATES
(www.curriculumassociates.com)
Curriculum Associates’ flagship i-Ready online program, used by over six million students, collects data on student abilities to identify areas where a student is struggling, measure growth across a student’s career, support teacher-led differentiated instruction, and provide a personalized instructional path within a single solution. This coming year, Curriculum Associates will launch Ready Classroom Mathematics to help teachers deliver data-driven and discourse-based instruction, while empowering students to take ownership of their learning.
DISCOVERY EDUCATION
(www.discoveryeducation.com)
In 2019, Discovery Education will continue transforming teaching and learning through award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Currently serving approximately 50 million students and 4.5 million educators in over 50 countries, Discovery Education’s award-winning services include Discovery Education Streaming Plus, the Techbook series, and the recently launched STEM Connect service. In 2019, Discovery Education will build even more partnerships with like-minded organizations that develop and distribute no-cost resources for educators, students and their families in traditionally underfunded areas such as STEM/STEAM, financial literacy, health and wellness, and college and career readiness.
ECARE VAULT
(ecarevault.com/services/services-forchildren/for-teachers-and-specialists)
eCare Vault provides privacy-compliant document-management and care team collaboration to ensure that each student receives the right care, at the right time, from the right person. The Boston-based company was founded in 2015 by Aparna Rao, a Harvard-trained neuropsychologist, who channeled her passion for helping children in need of support and services by developing a tool that fosters communication and removes the silos among service providers.
ED LEADERSHIP SIMS
(www.edleadershipsims.com)
Ed Leadership Sims (ELS) offers peer-sourced computer simulations of common—and less common—challenges that leaders face as they juggle the interests and concerns of the diverse populations they support, serve, and guide. Mapped to the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, ELS offers educators experience in a range of relevant topics, from cyberbullying to cultural competency and budget crises to supporting transgender students.
EDCAMP FOUNDATION
(www.edcamp.org)
The Edcamp Foundation promotes this professional development model for educators and supports volunteer organizers around the word as they provide participant-driven professional development for teachers.
EDSBY
(edsby.com)
Edsby is a comprehensive digital learning and analytics platform available for K-12. Edsby enables personalized learning experiences and gives school districts, regional, or national governments powerful ways to measure their educational effectiveness. Edsby was designed specifically for K-12, so it includes assessment and reporting features for the unique needs of junior and elementary students.
EDTHENA
(www.edthena.com)
Edthena continues to transform the old-school way schools and districts once conducted professional development. With the Edthena platform, teachers can quickly and easily upload videos of their classroom instruction. They then share those videos with peers and coaches who provide timestamped comments categorized as questions, suggestions, strengths, and notes and use that information to improve their teaching. Coaches can additionally view reports and graphs linked to the school’s or district’s associated professional standards.
EDUCATION ELEMENTS
(www.edelements.com)
The Personalized Learning Implementation Framework created by Education Elements was inspired by hundreds of conversations and workshops with education leaders. The framework consists of 25 areas essential to effectively designing, launching, supporting, sustaining, and deepening personalized learning. Education Elements has built a reputation for helping design and implement student-centered instructional models and changing how schools operate to better meet the needs of students.
EPSON
(www.epson.com/education)
Epson continually advances to address schools’ and districts’ AV pain points. Epson launched the BrightLink interactive projector in 2010, a touch-enabled 3LCD interactive projector in 2014, and a touch-enabled 3LCD interactive laser display in 2017. Epson also reduced the price of their replacement lamps to $49 through its Brighter Futures program. In 2019, Epson will continue challenging how projection is used in education. The new LightScene EV-100 series is an unobtrusive 3LCD laser projector perfect for digital signage. Schools can project information, videos, and create immersive learning experiences by projecting moving patterns or projection mapping on small objects.
FSR INC.
(www.fsrinc.com)
FSR develops solutions designed for technology rich and inspirational spaces. Their HuddleVU platform provides a vast range of options that offers collaborative involvement, allowing students and faculty to work together and share information to enhance learning, problem solving and communications skills. FSR complements its HuddleVU family with an extensive series of wall, floor, table and ceiling boxes, digital ribbon cable, a variety of charging and power solutions, and more. FSR products are eco-friendly and made in the USA.
GLOBAL ONENESS PROJECT
(www.globalonenessproject.org)
Founded in 2006, the Global Oneness Project brings the world’s cultures alive in the classroom using stories as a pedagogical tool for growing minds. The Project offers a library of multimedia stories comprised of award-winning films, photo essays, and articles. The Project aims to connect, through stories, the local human experience to global meta-level issues, such as climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity, poverty, endangered cultures, migration, and sustainability. Companion curriculum and discussion guides are also available in English and Spanish and are aligned to National and Common Core Standards, all for free.
GOGUARDIAN
(www.goguardian.com)
GoGuardian puts student success and well-being at the core of their platform, creating industry-leading innovations in effective digital learning environments.
GREEN BRONX MACHINE
(greenbronxmachine.org)
Green Bronx Machine is an award-winning program that specializes in the art and science of growing vegetables indoors--using 90% less water and 90% less space--aligned to Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, P21 and International Baccalaureate. The program is used in thousands of schools and their curriculum is used by the State University of New York to train teachers.
HELLO RUBY
(helloruby.com)
Hello Ruby offers a whimsical way to learn about technology, computers, and programming. They provide tools for kids, parents, and educators to understand programming in a fun and creative way.
HOVERCAM
(www.thehovercam.com)
HoverCam seeks to transform the teaching and learning experience by engineering simple, smart, and cost-effective collaboration solutions that integrate together so that educators can better prepare students for jobs on the horizon while relieving some of the biggest challenges of operating disparate devices that impede success for 21st century learners.
ILLUMINATE EDUCATION
(www.illuminateed.com)
Illuminate Education’s innovative tools bridge the gap between instruction, assessment, and data analytics, transforming the potential of teaching and learning. This year, Illuminate Education merged with IO Education, SchoolCity, Alpine Achievement, and Key Data Systems. The new company, named Illuminate Education, is well-aligned to help educators improve learning outcomes through Multi-Tiered System of Supports and by shifting from singular to multiple measures that gives insight into the whole child.
IMPERO SOFTWARE
(www.imperosoftware.com/us)
Impero Software offers remote monitoring and management software relied upon by education establishments around the world. Its award-winning, innovative solutions, commitment to student safety and digital citizenship, and proactive partnerships with advocacy groups make it a company to watch. Innovations this year will include moving to a cloud-based platform. Impero partners with advocacy organizations to develop its software in compliance with CIPA and e-rate funding, and to create the extensive keyword libraries used by schools around concerns such as self-harm or radicalization, and most recently, based on schools’ needs to address threats from within.
INSIGHT ADVANCE
(www.insightadvance.com)
Insight ADVANCE is putting professional learning back in the hands of educators in research-driven ways. The ADVANCE Suite of software products makes it possible for teachers, observers, coaches and administrators to connect using video as a common piece of evidence. Its products save time and bring consistency to practitioner effectiveness processes by creating a one-stop program to support self-reflection, peer feedback, and observation.
INTERACTIVE DIVERSITY SOLUTIONS
(www.interactivediversitysolutions.com)
Interactive Diversity Solutions is creating digital solutions that engage students around complex, sensitive issues like identity, race, gender, and sexuality. Interactive Diversity Solutions inspires deep social science learning in a way that is interactive and fun, using principles from gaming and using real photos and real people.
IXL LEARNING
(www.ixl.com)
IXL Learning creates innovative learning experiences that bring personalized instruction to more than 350,000 teachers and 7 million students around the world. The Continuous Diagnostic constantly works in the background to analyze students’ knowledge levels and suggests specific next steps to help each learner improve. With IXL’s comprehensive K-12 curriculum, students, and teachers have access to anything they want to learn or teach. And, IXL’s real-time Analytics interprets data from all of a student’s work in IXL to uncover insights that help teachers make better instructional decisions.
KINDERLAB ROBOTICS
(kinderlabrobotics.com)
KinderLab Robotics is the creator of KIBO, a robot toy based on 20 years of child development research, that lets 4-7 year-olds build, program, decorate, and run their own robot. KIBO engages children in active STEM/STEAM learning by teaching them to code. Created by Prof. Marina Bers at Tufts University specifically for teachers, KIBO is used in 54 countries with proven efficacy in helping kids learn STEM.
KNACK
( joinknack.com)
Knack is an online tutoring program that lets students have tutoring sessions one-on-one with the tutor, or they can bring in others for a group session. The social-media-like interface of the program makes it intuitive and easy to navigate. Knack also has a partnership program with employers and colleges, letting hiring managers recruit top-performing students, while working with colleges to create an ecosystem of peer learning, boosting academic achievement, and empowering students to succeed in their coursework.
LEARNING A-Z
(www.learninga-z.com)
Learning A-Z is a literacy-focused PreK–6 education technology provider. Their award-winning products blend traditional teacher-led instruction with technology-enabled resources to make teaching more effective and efficient, practice more accessible and personalized, assessment more strategic and automated, and learning more informed and proactive.
LEARNING ALLY
(www.learningally.org)
Learning Ally, a nonprofit organization, delivers a vast library of audiobooks, narrated by skilled voice artists and subject matter experts, to support students who struggle to read due to learning and print disabilities. Serving 15,000 districts and 375,000 students to date. Access to grade-level content and popular books improves reading fluency, comprehension, critical thinking skills, vocabulary, and fosters a love of independent reading and learning confidence.
LENOVO
(www.lenovosoftware.com)
With a 30-year history of delivering classroom management software, Lenovo continues to be a company to watch in 2019. This year, the company launched LanSchool Air, a cloud-based version of its LanSchool classroom management platform that enables teachers to monitor real-time progress, keep students on task, and increase class participation in a safe online environment. LanSchool Air was designed for the Google Classroom as a software-as-a-service to eliminate hardware, security, and maintenance expenses; reduce installation time, and ensure schools always have the latest features and functionality.
LYFTA
(www.lyfta.com)
Lyfta is a digital platform that uses simple technology to bring the world to the classroom, integrating learners’ independent enquiry and discovery with tailored curriculum and learning objectives that are identified and shaped by the teacher. With Lyfta, teachers and pupils can access stunning immersive storyworlds alongside curriculum-based lesson and assembly plans. Lyfta’s learning experiences are ideal for teaching Literacy, PSHE, Global Citizenship and Art, as well as fostering values and skills such as empathy, self-direction and critical thinking. Lyfta was selected twice in HundrEd’s top 100 educational innovations in 2018 and 2019.
MICROSOFT
(www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/default.aspx)
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft made Office365 Education software inclusive to all learners and are providing it for free to students and teachers. Software like Microsoft Learning Tools are improving reading and writing comprehension for over 15 million people around the world today, and free Minecraft tutorials have brought computer science education to underserved communities worldwide. With the support of technology, teachers can focus on developing students’ social and emotional skills, making classrooms more inclusive, creative and collaborative to better prepare students to thrive in the modern workforce.
MINDPLAY LITERACY
(www.mindplay.com)
MindPlay Literacy is an online reading program that addresses all district reading issues by increasing fluency and comprehension for students and helping learners with dyslexia and other disabilities make significant progress in a short amount of time. The program includes a Universal Screener that diagnoses weak areas and prescribes personalized lesson interventions. Lessons feature virtual reading coaches. Management features for educators and parents include progress tracking dashboards, progress reports, and printable certificates of celebration.
NATIONAL SCHOOL CLIMATE CENTER
(www.schoolclimate.org)
The National School Climate Center (NSCC) is a national leader in school climate reform. NSCC provides general school climate and bully prevention supports through their educational services and programs ranging from professional development to their two distinct programs: Leadership Certification Program and Empowering Youth, Engaging Schools. They also have BullyBust, a website that provides schools with anti-bullying resources.
NEPRIS
(www.nepris.com)
Nepris is a free online skills-based volunteering platform that virtually connects learners of all ages with industry professionals and employers around the world. These, face-to-face engagements range from 20-60 minutes and are beneficial to industry, education, and intermediary users. Educators and learners connect with industry professionals to see how classroom learning is relevant for their future careers. Employers and industry leaders can inform learners about the career opportunities available and how to obtain various jobs. Intermediaries can create branded portals to connect regional employers, students, and job seekers in one centralized hub, building up the local workforce and economy by keeping the local talent local.
OPTOMA
(www.Optoma.com)
Optoma is a top DLP projector supplier and 1080p leader in the Americas and worldwide leader in 4K UHD projection. Optoma projectors and interactive flat panels are easy to use and offer superior image quality to rooms large and small. With a focus on premium quality and functional style, and available in a variety of formats and sizes to serve any venue and budget, Optoma solutions are ideal for education.
PAPERBASKET
(www.paperbasket.com)
PAPERbasket is an edtech analytics company that won Best New Product 2018 by EdTech Digest. PAPERbasket can help a district identify unused and underused resources in a matter of months and have developed a method for distinguishing active vs. inactive use, helping schools get a more accurate picture of real usage.
PARLAY
(parlayideas.com)
Parlay includes three modules: The Parlay Universe, a free and open content library that makes it easy for teachers to spark meaningful discussions in minutes; The Online RoundTable, an online written and interactive discussion that encourages students to think for themselves and to give constructive feedback; and The Live Discussion, an in-class face-to-face discussion that encourages students to speak, listen, and build on ideas. It enables teachers to assess participation in real time.
PBS NEWSHOUR STUDENT REPORTING LABS
(studentreportinglabs.org)
PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL) is a project-based learning program reimagining the education experience around video storytelling, community journalism, and civic engagement. SRL brings students front-and-center in the national conversation surrounding education, the economy, school shootings, education, and other key issues affecting our future. SRL focuses on production of ambitious news stories for an authentic audience tied to a national news organization, and includes a strand dedicated to STEM.
PEACHJAR
(www.peachjar.com)
Peachjar unites schools, parents, and communities in their joint mission to elevate student outcomes and increase parent engagement. Its cloud-based communication platform streamlines school-to-home communication by distributing important school updates and community resources directly to parents as digital flyers. On average, each school saves 740 hours in labor and 84,000 sheets of paper annually. More than 600 school districts, 20,000 community organizations and 10 million parents in 40 states rely on Peachjar to deliver resources critical to student achievement and social emotional health.
PEBBLEGO
(www.pebblego.com)
Capstone’s PebbleGo is a research database that provides educators and students with more than 1,000 vetted articles that support common curriculum topics. With simple navigation, children can build literacy skills with spoken-word audio, dictionary definitions, and text highlighting. Citation support, lesson plans, and other extended learning opportunities build students’ research skills and cross-curricular proficiency.
POWERUPTOYS
(www.poweruptoys.com/pages/steameducational-kits)
POWERUP Toys, with their line of motors that clip onto paper airplanes, including battery powered and app-controlled models, are taking the classic paper airplane lesson to new heights. Students first learn about aerodynamic forces; then they design paper airplanes, run test flights, and make design tweaks. Students then attach the POWERUP motor, which exaggerates aerodynamic force and challenges students to further tweak their designs for better performance. POWERUP Toys provide students with the ability to collect performance data from their airplanes further enhancing the learning experience.
PROMETHEAN
(www.prometheanworld.com)
With over 20 years of experience in K-12 classrooms, Promethean is a global leader in education technology. Promethean’s combined hardware and software solutions are designed to transform learning spaces into collaborative and connective environments, promote student participation and engagement throughout the learning process, and provide access to limitless interactive teaching and learning resources that bring lessons to life. Promethean has an established global reach, with one million classrooms worldwide featuring Promethean interactive displays, over 4 million teachers, parents and students registered on their ClassFlow program. They also have over 50,000 schools and institutions in 154 countries using Promethean solutions.
PUBLICSCHOOLWORKS
(www.publicschoolworks.com)
In 2019, school administration software company PublicSchoolWORKS will significantly reduce the time staff spend on annual refresher training by launching shortened online training courses. The 25 “Rapid Learning Modules” are each approximately 5 minutes long and include an end-of-course assessment. The 30 “Micro Learning Modules” are each 2 minutes long and have no assessments. The modules can also reinforce best safety practices year-round. PublicSchoolWORKS will also be helping districts be proactive toward crises by focusing on clear communication; reporting tools for staff, students, and families; and proper investigative protocols for administrators.
READING HORIZONS
(www.readinghorizons.com)
Reading Horizons specializes in foundational reading for K-3, weaving their Orton Gillingham-based method into both direct instruction and software, a truly blended approach. Reading Horizons Elevate uses the same approach and concentrates on age-appropriateness materials and instruction. Teachers receive engaging, in-person training and 24-7 access to video training modules for true fidelity.
REALNETWORKS/THE SAFR TEAM
(safr.com)
SAFR (Secure, Accurate Facial Recognition) from RealNetworks is an AI software solution that can help improve school safety by raising awareness of who is on the campus. With the help of SAFR, schools have been able to bolster security and better protect students and staff. RealNetworks announced the release of SAFR in July 2018 and made it available for free to every K-12 school in the United States and Canada. As schools continue to invest in their security systems, RealNetworks is certain to become a top company to watch in 2019.
RENAISSANCE
(www.renaissance.com)
Renaissance’s research-driven solutions and professional learning services help education leaders assess student progress, inform instruction, personalize practice, and increase equity and access. Renaissance is collaborating with partners such as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Edgenuity, Classworks, and Edmentum to deliver assessment-driven instruction and practice to more students. With reliable data from Renaissance Star Assessments making it easy to monitor student progress and personalize learning with content from a variety of providers, teachers and leaders will be able to further promote student growth. Plus, with new partners and solution enhancements on the horizon, Renaissance will be a must-watch company in 2019.
RUCKUS NETWORKS
(www.ruckuswireless.com)
Ruckus helps to elevate the digital learning experience with safe and reliable network access. Connectivity solutions from Ruckus power the connected modern classroom with carrier-grade Wi-Fi and edge switching performance coupled with simple, secure onboarding and policy management. This gives educators the ability to provide a safe and reliable learning environment at an affordable price.
RUSHWORKS
(www.rushworks.tv)
RUSHWORKS’ latest product is VNEWS, a turnkey, out-of-the-box news production system that includes PTZ cameras, lights, teleprompter, and optional PTZ camera dolly. The VNEWS software lets users create rundowns using camera position presets (with or without motion) as elements in the list. The goal of the system design lets users get up and ‘mediacasting’ in about one hour, and will be available from RUSHWORKS and from select System Integrators.
SECOND NATURE LEARNING
(qwertytown.com)
QwertyTown 2.0 is a web-based keyboarding app that teaches typing, digital literacy, and online communication skills. QwertyTown 2.0 is now compatible on any device, including Chromebooks, tablets, PCs and Macs. By progressing through QwertyTown’s keyboarding lessons and assessments students unlock features that enable them to communicate with friends, customize their Avatars, and go Head2Head in a real-time gaming environment. The new roster management tools have received a lot of positive feedback from teachers and administrators. QwertyTown has partnered with Clever to offer Auto Sync, which allows changes in your SIS to show up in QwertyTown automatically.
SECURLY
(www.securly.com)
Securly provides edtech safety solutions exclusively to K-12. Currently, over 7M students use Securly’s filtering solutions worldwide, and thousands of districts use Auditor, Securly’s AI-based tool for cyberbullying and self-harm detection on Gmail. In addition to Filter and Auditor, Securly has expanded their product suite to include Parent Portal, 24, Plug n’ Play Hub, and many more.
THE SOCIAL EXPRESS
(thesocialexpress.com)
The Social Express provides an opportunity for users to become more socially competent and have successful social interactions. Fun characters in the program’s ‘Webisodes’ (videos) model ways children can start conversations, join a group, and make friends appropriately. From preschoolers to high schoolers, these research-based animated interactive lessons encourage users to practice real-life social interactions. The curriculum offers online and offline activities, and help children learn to identify feelings in others, understand the importance of eye contact, and more.
SPHERO
(www.sphero.com)
In 2018, Sphero embraced the knowledge that play is a powerful teacher and every product that Sphero creates, will come from this ethos. Sphero BOLT--the third iteration of their programmable, robotic ball--launched in September 2018 with more capabilities than ever, including an 8x8 LED matrix, infrared communications, extended battery lift, ambient light sensor and auto-aim. In 2019, Sphero will launch another new product that will continue to teach the values of STEAM learning in fun, exciting ways.
STUDYTRACKS
(www.studytracks.education/us/school)
Music-based educational app Studytracks has made its debut in the U.S. market, making it a top company to watch in 2019. Studytracks was created by awardwinning songwriter and music producer George Hammond-Hagan, and uses the “Earworm Effect” to encourage student retention and achievement in and out of the classroom. The app has over 1,300 tracks across 45 subjects, giving students the ability to study multiple topics easily.
TECHPILOT LABS
(techpilotlabs.com)
Since 2012, TechPilot Labs has provied school-specific mobile device management solutions to the K-12 market. TechPilot supports all Apple platforms and Google’s Chrome OS through a cloud-based solution. TechPilot Labs recently earned the iKeepSafe COPPA Safe Harbor, FERPA, and California Student Data Privacy Certifications. These certifications signify that TechPilot’s mobile device management and Chromebook classroom management products have been proactively and independently assessed by iKeepSafe, an experienced privacy protection organization.
THE BUCK INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION
(www.bie.org)
The Buck Institute for Education works to help prepare students to succeed in a project-based world. With Project Based Learning (PBL) students work on a project that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. It asks students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing a public product or presentation for a real audience. In the coming year, the organization is developing tools to provide even more support for teachers as they engage students in PBL.
THINK GLOBAL SCHOOL
(thinkglobalschool.org)
THINK Global School is a world traveling high school, seamlessly blending place- and project-based learning with technology to create the next generation of changemakers. THINK Global School’s unique Changemaker Curriculum uses modules and projects designed around the places we visit, allowing students to truly be informed by their surroundings and the people who inhabit them.
TITUS LEARNING
(www.tituslearning.com)
Founded in 2013, Titus Learning is the result of a shared desire to provide properly tailored e-learning platforms, connecting teachers, students and parents. Initially focused on the International School market, Titus Learning has expanded to working with schools and businesses in over 19 countries worldwide, with clients ranging from schools, colleges, and multi-school groups to international businesses supporting over 50,000 users.
TRANSCEND
(www.transcendeducation.org)
Transcend enables visionary learning communities to build and spread breakthrough models that prepare children to thrive in and transform the 21st century in three ways. They build and spread innovative models in partnership with visionary school communities. Transcend also deploys a diverse force of R&D talent, called the Yellow Hats League, to develop, codify and spread these new learning models. They also share actionable knowledge to inform the innovation process with evidence-based insights.
TYPING MASTER FINLAND, INC.
(edu.typetastic.com)
Typing Master Finland is a leading provider of engaging keyboarding courses. The newest product, TypeTastic School Edition, brings keyboarding to K-12 offering easy and gradual steps to learn how to type. The School Edition was launched officially in August 2018. The curriculum introduces students to more than 250 entertaining new keyboarding activities that cover touch-typing and fluency, numbers, and symbols. Next in line in product development are improvements in Teacher Dashboard to serve schools and large districts even better.
VERNIER SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY
(www.vernier.com)
For over 30 years, Vernier Software & Technology has supported teachers and students by developing creative ways to teach and learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on science. In 2019, Vernier will continue to add new solutions to its extensive collection of interfaces, sensors, and graphing/analysis software. Vernier additionally produces a number of NGSS-aligned lab books that helps students develop the critical thinking skills required for success in the 21st century.
VIEWSONIC
(www.viewsonic.com)
ViewSonic designs education-focused solutions that engage students and empower teachers. Whether it’s for a Google, Apple, or Microsoft campus, ViewSonic products work well with existing technology and seamlessly integrate into nearly any environment, offering an array of future-ready products. Their ViewSchool Education Program delivers digital tools and product solutions that enhance students’ learning experiences through technology.
ZSPACE
(zspace.com)
The zSpace Laptop breaks the screen barrier, combining a range of innovations including 3D display, head tracking, and motion stylus to let people dive into the content as if it were a real-world experience. Over 1 million students are already using zSpace, with additional opportunities for healthcare, entertainment, shopping, and beyond.
FRESHGRADE
(www.freshgrade.com)
Designed to provide visibility into students’ learning progress, FreshGrade is a portfolio and assessment platform that helps educators, parents, and students have deeper conversations about learning. Unlike other products in the market, FreshGrade integrates robust assessment tools with evidence gathering so that portfolios capture ongoing evidence of learning and aren’t simply a place to store completed student work.
The platform supports a range of state and custom objectives as well as a variety of embedded assessment tools—including traditional grading, mastery-based, and formative assessment—to make assessment easy. In addition, student ownership of their learning is improved through the practice of student reflection.
Using the free FreshGrade for Parents app, parents are able to connect to the platform from their mobile devices and see real-time updates, making visibility into their child’s education as easy as using a social network. Google Translate is integrated to enable all parents to communicate effectively and collaborate with their child and their teacher.
Principals and administrators get usage reports that provide them a window into the classroom. From the convenience of a mobile device, they can see how FreshGrade is being used throughout the school and track progress on school and district initiatives.
LIGHTSPEED SYSTEMS
(www.lightspeedsystems.com)
Lightspeed Systems is an edtech industry veteran changing the filtering game with Relay, an AI-powered cloud filtering, monitoring and safety solution for K-12. With advanced features and support for every operating system, Relay keeps inappropriate content at bay, thanks to an advanced AI database built specifically for the needs of education. Filtering today isn’t just about blocking bad content, though — it’s also about identifying unsafe behavior and students in trouble. That’s why Relay provides schools drill-down reporting with detailed, actionable insights. With immediate alerts of suspicious activity, Relay ensures your school administration has the data to intervene and help students at risk of suicide, self-harm and other violence. That’s not all. Relay easily integrates with our Mobile Manager MDM software and classroom management solution, Classroom — meeting all your device filtering, managing and monitoring needs in one easy platform. Lightspeed Systems: keeping K-12 schools safe, mobile and easily managed since 1999.
NETSUPPORT
(www.netsupport-inc.com)
With 30 years’ experience and a 17 million worldwide install base, NetSupport is a leading producer of education software solutions. The company provides schools with a complete IT solution for teaching with and managing technology in the classroom, across the school and district, while simultaneously protecting students from online risks.
The NetSupport range comprises best in breed classroom management software, trusted by many educators to enhance the quality of technology-led instruction ensuring all types of student devices are used in the classroom as intended, students remain on task, and positive student digital interaction and collaboration is encouraged to raise the awareness of digital citizenship.
Complimentary tools including NetSupport DNA, provide a broader toolkit of functionality for school wide IT management offering IT technicians complete visibility of their IT assets and endpoints including automatic discovery of devices, real-time inventory, software license data and application usage controls. Uniquely, a powerful internet safety component offers student digital protection alerting trained staff members to any online activity that may place students at risk. Keyword and phrase monitoring, age appropriate internet controls and the option for students to report concerns directly to trusted staff helps maintain a safe learning environment.
TYPING AGENT
(typingagent.com)
Typing Agent has been the top choice for K12 keyboarding in schools and districts of all sizes for more than seven years straight. Now they have released their most ambitious version yet – TA v5.0. Featuring an all new interface, adaptive keyboarding curriculum, advanced Learn to Type Code, Digital Citizenship, a Spanish typingmodule and so much more. Typing Agent will not only change the trajectory of your student’s future, but also dramatically lighten the load of all your hard working teachers due to the intuitive nature of the program. Typing Agent’s recipe for success has always been centered around keeping the program fun for students while giving teachers and admins all the tools they could ever ask for. TA is committed to bringing the most cutting edge technology to schools and districts and they have no intention of slowing down. They even have a few more exciting tricks up their sleeve for their customers in 2019 and will be ushering in some first to market applications that are sure to excite students and teachers. In addition to bringing the newest technologies to students and schools around the world, TA is also keenly aware of the importance of giving back to communities and have been proactive in this regard through their program, Agents of Change. This program is unique to Typing Agent, as they are the only K12 keyboarding and technology tutor that offers its full ad-free version to schools in low income communities completely free for a year. When you choose Typing Agent you are not only choosing to invest in the future of your students with a program that delivers cutting edge technology, but you will instantly become part of something bigger, by helping give back to schools who cannot otherwise afford a keyboarding tutor for their students. Now that’s a win-win for all. Visit typingagent.com for your free full version trial today.
