At ISTE 2016 last week, the top ed tech companies announced product releases, partnerships, research and more. To help you stay current, we’ve compiled a recap of the top news coming out of Denver at ISTE 2016:
ActivEd Showcases Groundbreaking Walkabouts Platform, Research
ActiveEd’s Walkabouts encourages movement in the classroom to aid student learning and concentration. Dr. Julian Reed presented research that outlines how integrating movement in the classroom promotes cognition, academic achievement and improved behavior.
Califone and Encore Data Products Donate Headsets to Denver Schools to Support Game-Based Learning
Califone International and Encore Data Products Inc. presented 70 gaming headsets to representatives from Rangeview High School and Indian Peaks Elementary School. The headsets will help put immersive, game-based learning into practice. The donation is part of Califone’s continued effort to place the power of game-based learning in the hands of educators and students.
Dremel Names Idea Builder Ambassadors, Connects Educators with 3D Printing
Dremel strives to recognize educators pioneering the maker movement in STEM education. This year, the trusted manufacturer announced 10 Dremel Idea Builder Ambassadors for the 2016-17 school year. The ambassadors will share their teaching and learning experiences throughout the year by producing lesson plan videos that include ideas for projects and explanations of the design process.
PD Learning Network and Dremel Partner to Provide K-12 Teacher PD Badges for 3D Printing
A partnership between PD Learning Network and Dremel will allow educators to have access to a PDLN badge certification-training course with the purchase of a Dremel Idea Builder 3D40-EDU kit. Educators will be able to participate in assessments that demonstrate their understanding and integration of the Dremel Idea Builder.
New Edsby Analytics Enable Unique Real-Time Insights for K-12 Districts
Edsby introduced new analytics capabilities that allow districts and school leaders to measure student achievement and progress. This feature will be available to Edsby customers for the 2016-2017 school year.
Funds For Learning Analysis of E-rate Data Reveals Fastest Funding Decision in Program History
As the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) continues to modernize the E-rate program, Funds For Learning revealed its initial analysis of the 2016 school E-rate filing window. This year, funding started flowing 21 days after the window closing — the fastest decision in the history of the E-rate program.
Idaho School Receives Math Instruction Grant from ORIGO Education
ORIGO Education, dedicated to helping students in underserved communities succeed, announced that it will award more than $6,000 in grants to West Ada School District, located in West Ada, Idaho. The grant will allow the school district to enhance mathematics instruction and improve achievement.
Lexia Expands RAPID Assessment for Reading and Language Skills in K-12
Lexia Learning announced the expansion of its RAPID Assessment program. Now it will support students in grades K-3 in addition to serving students in grades 3-12. RAPID provides assessment tools and data analysis that minimizes time spent testing.
Renaissance Learning Doubles Down on Commitment to Nurture Student Growth
Renaissance Learning, the leader in K-12 cloud-based assessment and learning analytics, announced its plan to bridge assessments, lesson planning and instruction in a way that eliminates tedious prep work for teachers and enables them to focus on student growth.
Second Avenue Learning and BrainPOP Offer Free Voters Ed Trial with New Partnership
With the 2016 election cycle in full swing, educators are looking for ways to teach students about the process. Second Avenue Learning, a leader in the design and development of serious games for education, partnered with BrainPOP, a creator of award-winning educational animated movies, learning games, playful assessments, interactive quizzes and more. Together, they seek to provide engaging content to educators about the American electoral process.
SIIA Releases 2016 Vision K-20 Professional Learning Educator Survey Report
The Education Technology Industry Network (ETIN) of SIIA released the 2016 Vision K-20 Professional Learning Survey Report, which provides key insights on professional learning opportunities. The report details information on different ways educators engage in online professional learning courses, why they take them and who provides them.
Skyward Unveils New Mobile App
Skyward, a K-12 school administrative software provider, unveiled its redesigned mobile app. The app now features improved menu navigation, home screen widgets, push notifications and touch ID for iOS devices.
Touchjet Unveils New Touchscreen Technology at ISTE, SETDA Emerging Technologies Forum
Touchjet introduced two new products, Pond and Wave, to the education market. The products support small-group collaboration and whole-class interactive learning. Pond is a projector and Android PC that turns any surface into a giant touchscreen, and Wave transforms any flat screen TV or monitor into a giant Android tablet. Both products encourage collaborative learning environments in classrooms.
Wonder Workshop Hits Major Milestone for Elementary Robotics Clubs
Wonder Workshop, leader of STEM robotics in education, announced that more than 4,000 robotics clubs worldwide have registered for the Wonder League. This program enhances STEM education and encourages educators to register their students to compete in the 2016 Wonder League Robotics Competition.