EdTech Show Daily

APPERSON: RETIRE SCANTRON AND HIRE THE GRADEMASTER

Abel Garcia, Vice President of Marketing for Apperson Education Products, explains why Apperson’s test scanners are the better solution to easy classroom and district testing.

ESD: We noticed that some of your materials read ‘Retire Scantron, Hire GradeMaster.’ Why do you think the GradeMaster should replace the Scantron™ test scanners?

AG: We have found that many schools continue to use their old test scanners because they are comfortable with them and in many cases aren’t aware that there is a better and less expensive option available. Our GradeMaster scanner does much more for a fraction of the price.

ESD: What features does your GradeMaster have that make it a superior choice for teachers?

AG: Most teachers use their scanner in a standalone mode. However, our scanner can also collect test data in a spreadsheet format that can be easily exported to many grade book programs. Additionally, using our scanner with the included DataLink software allows you to view a variety of reports, including sub-test and standards-based reports.

ESD: What other benefits are there with using your GradeMaster with the DataLink software?

AG: I want to be sure that readers understand that the GradeMaster can be used without connecting it to the computer. However, if you do use our DataLink software you can create and share electronic keys and share and store your test results and reports electronically.

ESD: Can your scanners be used for district-wide and large scale assessment?

AG: Yes. Apperson scanners are excellent for district-wide assessments because they are so economical. They can be placed in every school for on-site test scoring and the test data can be easily uploaded to a centralized location. The best part is they can be easily used for everyday classroom assessment too! We have recently released our newest scanner, the BenchMark, which features an auto-feeder designed specifically for larger volume scoring, scanning more than 3,500 answer sheets per hour.

ESD: How much does your GradeMaster scanner cost?

AG: Our most popular model, the GradeMaster, is only $450. This price includes our DataLink software, ink, cables, shipping and a one-year warranty. Additionally, our test forms are almost half the price of our competitors’.

ESD: How can folks experience the Apperson scanners for themselves?

AG: We offer free 30-day trials to schools that are interested in trying our scanners. We will ship the scanner along with 500 answer sheets so it can be used in real time to show how well it operates. We are pleased to say that more than 90 percent of 30-day trials are turned into purchases. Call Apperson at 800-827-9219 or visit www.appersonedu.com for more information.

AVI OFFERS ENHANCED VARITRONICS VARIQUEST LINE

How can you motivate students to achieve by creating personalized awards, or increase their participation by developing encouraging, inspirational visuals? Is there even an opportunity to help earn revenue for your school by creating fundraising posters and banners? Educators will find that VariQuest™ offers quality solutions, with a variety of easy-to-use, innovative tools.

Audio Visual Innovations (AVI), the leading provider of audio/visual and presentation technology, now offers the VariQuest Visual Learning Tools product line. The VariQuest lineup includes the Design Center 1000, which is the creative center of the VariQuest  tools, as well as the Poster Maker 3600, Cutout Maker 1800, Awards Maker 400 and the Cold Laminators series.

“Graphic organizers, test-taking prompts and large-format posters can help provide a visual learning environment that is not only print rich, but can also help students improve test scores,” says Stephanie Seemann, Creative Learning Sales Manager for AVI.

With the assistance of such motivational VariQuest products, teachers, administrators and school volunteers now have the necessary equipment to create a variety of educational materials with their school insignia. The Design Center is an approachable, easy-to-use, 15” LCD touch screen, with access to thousands of curriculum-based content files. All software, drivers and utilities are pre-loaded for a plug-and-play experience. It features five USB ports for expandability and trouble-free data transfer processing. The Design Center is customized to be used with all VariQuest products.
The Cutout Maker 1800 is an innovative educational tool—the first of its kind! This product allows you to quickly, easily and affordably create unique, effective cutouts in a wide-range of sizes—from 1” to 18.” Designed specifically for educators, the Cutout Maker includes a variety of fonts, shapes, curriculum and bulletin board collections for you to choose from.

Also featured at the AVI booth is the Awards Maker 400, which features a thermal printer (available in 3” and 4” widths), Design Center software and more than 300 school-specific templates. This fast and user-friendly tool can be used to create high—quality customized awards, trophy plates, bumper stickers, name tags and parking permits.

For more information about AVI’s variety of VariQuest Visual Learning Tools, visit www.aviinc.com.

GEEGUIDES NOW MAPCAP LOGIC LLC

There's a new kid on the block; but actually, they’re not new at all. GeeGuides LLC, the award-winning animated curriculum company based in Durango, Colo., has recently announced their name change to Madcap Logic LLC.

Along with a new company name, their popular art curriculum program GeeArt 16 has been renamed Creativity Express. Previously an online, subscription only curriculum, the company has introduced a new CD-ROM version to complement their offering.

“The new company name better reflects our mission of creating educational content using animation, humor and storytelling. To us, preparing kids to excel in the 21st century is essential,” says Randy Parker CEO, Madcap Logic.

The company creates products that enable a new generation of creative thinkers, a generation not only adept at procession facts and figures, but at using their creative imagination to solve problems, connect diverse information and visualize new ideas. The arts build a critical foundation for learning by helping kids stretch their limits creatively, emotionally and mentally. 

Creativity Express was developed by highly regarded artists in the film and entertainment industry. Partnering with leading educators, including the Institute for Learning Innovation, Madcap Logic created a truly unique and comprehensive program. Creativity Express has won Creative Child Magazine’s 2007 Media of the Year award.

For more information, visit www.madcaplogic.com.