It’s been a busy few weeks for the media, so we’ve compiled our clients’ news releases from ISTE 2015. Here you’ll find the information all in one place, including news, highlights, #edtech products and more:
Califone Launches Virtual School Starter Kit at ISTE 2015 
To flourish in virtual or classroom learning environments, students need technology that is as mobile as they are. Califone International LLC, a leading audiovisual (AV) manufacturer of products used in education, released its Mobile Peripheral Pack at the ISTE 2015. The product is ideal for new virtual school students as the kit includes the company’s new Tablet Stand, 3068AV headphone and a KB4 Bluetooth® keyboard.
Johns Hopkins University Study Demonstrates Effectiveness of ORIGO Stepping Stones
Revealed this year at ISTE was a year-long study from Johns Hopkins University showing that ORIGO Stepping Stones helps students gain a deeper understanding of mathematics. An Ohio district used the K-5 mathematics curriculum as the main method of daily elementary math in all 11 of its schools. It then measured the impact on student achievement compared to students who did not use Stepping Stones. The results can be viewed by clicking here.
Knovation Announces Partnership with NWEA to Close Assessment-Instruction Loop 
Knovation announced their partnership with Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) on Skills Navigator, the association’s newly released classroom assessment system, to help teachers support students with diverse needs and deliver personalized instruction. The vast collection of Open Educational Resources from Knovation will allow educators to select targeted, standards-aligned material after identifying which skills students need to learn or improve – effectively closing the assessment-instruction loop.
Learning.com Updates Digital Literacy Solutions for Upcoming School Year 
Learning.com announced updates to EasyTech and 21st Century Skills Assessment last week that focused on honing the skills that are critical for today’s students. These skills include giving students the tools to become technological problem solvers and creative innovators.
PA District Turns Students into Published Authors with Shutterfly 
Last week at ISTE, Shutterfly shared how a rural district turned students into published authors. A dozen teachers from Blairsville-Saltsburg School District, a western Pennsylvania district with 1,600 students in PreK-12, leveraged the Shutterfly iPad app for its districtwide literacy initiative.
School Security Spending Rises, K-12 Schools Turn to Visitor Management Software 
Jim Vesterman, CEO of Raptor Technologies, was at ISTE 2015 to discuss and share insights about how districts are enhancing security with visitor management systems. As school spending for security systems continues to rise, schools are turning to visitor management software, like Raptor Technologies. This system ensures school buildings remain secure by screening visitors through a national database of registered sex offenders.
SIIA Releases Behind the Data Report Showing Shift in Online Course Definition 
The Education Technology Industry Network (ETIN) of SIIA released the 2015 Vision K-20 Educator Survey Report and the Behind the Data Report. The 2015 Vision K-20 Survey Report measures the progress toward technology and e-learning adoption, and the Behind the Data Report is an extension of ETIN’s annual vendor survey on the PreK-12 U.S. Education Technology Market.
Skyward Enhancements Support Affordable Care Act Regulations 
Beginning in 2016, districts may be fined for noncompliance or failure to report Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance regulations. Skyward announced new and enhanced resources available in its School Business Suite designed to help administrators plan, track and report data with confidence.
Wonder Workshop Releases Standards-Aligned Coding Curricula 
Wonder Workshop announced the launch of standards-aligned, teacher-friendly curricula for Dash & Dot educational robots at ISTE 2015. These lesson plans are available through a new teachers’ portal, and cover core subject areas that are designed to make coding instruction more accessible for K-5 teachers. More than 300 schools have already introduced Dash & Dot into their classrooms to engage students in STEM and prepare them for a workforce that increasingly values coding skills.
Triumph Learning’s Waggle Surpasses 5 Million Personalized Recommendations 
Triumph Learning announced a significant milestone for Waggle, its smart practice solution, at ISTE 2015. The online learning platform generated more than 5 million personalized student recommendations to date. Integrated with Knewton adaptive learning technology, Waggle tailors learning pathways by analyzing in real time what students know and how they learn best. The platform also champions productive struggle by creating a safe, engaging space for students.
Read our ISTE Roundup and Reflection posts to learn more about ISTE 2015.