EdTech Show Daily

Emantras Helps Educators Integrate Usable Learning Solutions, Tech

Christopher Segot, Business Development Manager for K–12 at Emantras, discusses identifying and delivering consistent education materials to students.

ESD: Emantras is a global digital education company. What does that mean?

CS: Emantras staffs more than 350 employees around the world. Our corporate headquarters is located in the Silicon Valley and we have business and project development offices all over the globe. We work with corporations, publishers and schools all over the world, helping our partners create distance learning plans, strategies and content. Emantras has over 20,000 hours of worldwide eLearning content experience giving us the edge in working with *your* needs.

ESD: Sounds like your experiences and partners have been very dynamic. What are some of your most interesting projects to date?

CS: We've excelled in custom learning content and delivery technologies for academic education and enterprise learning/performance. In today's technology and learning landscape, better usability means better accessibility, so if your child is most likely to carry a Nintendo DS, Sony PSP or iPod everywhere they go, why should their learning opportunities be tethered to a computer? Our most interesting projects have been in creating ubiquitous learning strategies that complement the everyday habits of learners. Usability also means creating content that actually captures the imagination and interest of today’s visually enhanced learners. 

ESD: Do most schools and corporations have a distance education plan or learning management system in place when they partner with Emantras?

CS: Some partners come to us with a plan and some don't. Two great examples from both sides of the coin are Danfoss and West Coast University. Danfoss is currently using our proprietary learning management system to push content and activities to employees worldwide, so they didn't have an existing plan when we partnered. West Coast University is using the eCollege LMS and is working with Emantras to develop consistent and engaging courses, online admissions and FA applications, demos and orientation materials to identify and train online faculty. WCU had a plan that we built upon. The real strength of Emantras is being able to collaborate on the right solutions.

ESD: Publishers provide some very good online content. Why not use their materials exclusively?

CS: Many of our partners are big publishing houses. We've found, through personal experience and partner feedback, that although materials from individual publishers are impressive, the student has a different experience with every piece of publisher content. To draw a parallel to face-to-face education, it's like going to math class and sitting in chairs and then going to English and standing on your head. With so many factors affecting student success, the last obstacle a student needs is inconsistent resources and courses. We frequently bridge the gap between the publishers and the educators to deliver the 'last mile' solutions required to deliver effective and easy to comprehend learning material. Having custom content mapping to your own learning objectives also allows you to use publisher content more effectively by providing greater control of the quality and consistency.

ESD: What would you like the attendees of NECC 2008 take away from this interview?

CS: With so many media outlets competing for your audience's attention, both online and offline, your educational materials must be able to keep your students' attention, engage to educate and ultimately empower. As an educator, you shouldn’t have to adjust your processes to fit a product or expect a single product to do everything; instead, educators must be looking for a solution.

For more information, visit www.emantras.com or stop by booth 859.

‘RAPS 360’ Diagnoses Full Spectrum of Reading Problems

Progress monitoring along with quick and effective identification of weak areas in individual reading skills is essential for monitoring and developing learning plans. These plans enable struggling readers to reach their full potential and even resolve issues before they become ingrained. The results are motivated students and improved test scores.  MindPlay facilitates quicker and more effective diagnosis of K-10 reading gaps with a more comprehensive version of its computerized Reading Analysis & Prescription System, RAPS.

“As its name suggests, RAPS 360 extends diagnostic assessment into all reading areas,” says Kathie McStravick, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for MindPlay. “RAPS assesses phonics, visual and auditory discrimination, word meaning and recognition, and this new version now evaluates fluency, comprehension, eye-tracking and more.  It does this quickly, enabling teachers to target the needs of particular students within 30 minutes.”

RAPS 360 helps teachers quickly gauge a student’s ability to read and comprehend grade level passages and then further diagnoses reading skills based on the determined proficiency levels. The program establishes a baseline for each skill area and continually measures student progress via an adaptive algorithm. Its series of diagnostic tests follows a two-pronged approach, both starting with a comprehensive screening assessment which determines the reading comprehension level.

Teachers can use the results to group students for targeted intervention or to customize the tests by grade level or functional ability. In addition, the program automatically develops an individualized learning plan that can be used to fill gaps with MindPlay’s My Reading Coach and FLRT – a fluent reading trainer, including recommendations on how to help students meet targeted goals as appropriate. The program reports on student performance within an entire district, a school, a class, and at the individual level and so is a useful tool for tracking adequate yearly progress. The reports include graphics and tables for easier comprehension.

For more information, visit www.mindplay.com.

Sony Creative Software Gets Tools, Training to Teachers & Students

Dave Chaimson, Vice President of Global Marketing for Sony Creative Software, presents Sony’s integral applications in the classroom.

ESD: It seems that every day, a strong foundation in technology becomes more important for students preparing for successful futures. What does Sony Creative Software offer to help students develop an understanding of computers and multimedia?

DC: Sony Creative Software applications make professional and entry-level multimedia technology accessible to the new user, so even elementary school students can begin learning about video, audio, music creation and production. No matter which path students choose as they leave school and begin their careers, a foundation in multimedia technology can be a powerful tool to help them communicate their ideas more effectively in a variety of disciplines.

ESD: What differentiates Sony Creative Software applications from other programs teachers may be considering?

DC: Certainly our breadth of products and Sony’s expertise in content creation technology. We have a complete line of software for video, music, audio and DVD creation that’s tightly integrated with Sony’s line of cameras and computers. Also, all of our products are designed to work together and feature a similar interface so it’s easy to move from one product to the next. Our professional applications are used extensively in the video and recording industries worldwide. In fact, Sony Vegas Pro was recently named ‘Best Professional Video Editing Software’ by *Videomaker* magazine and also was selected as ‘Best Choice’ by *Student Filmmaker* magazine at the National Association of Broadcasters show in April.

ESD: Does Sony Creative Software offer support tools and training for teachers?

DC: Absolutely. We have a dedicated Web site for educators with curriculum ideas, case studies and helpful product information. For our professional products, we offer hands-on training DVDs called ‘The Seminar Series.’ We also have a detailed curriculum guide for Vegas Pro software called Digital Video & Audio Production. Additionally, our home studio products feature our exclusive ‘Show Me How’ interactive tutorials that provide step-by-step help that shows you what to do while you work on your project.

ESD: Are these applications currently being used in schools?

DC: Yes. Sony Creative Software applications are currently an integral part of the curriculum for thousands of schools worldwide and adoption is growing daily. One of my favorite stories is about a teacher in Monona, Wis., that uses our Vegas Movie Studio software to teach French class by producing video clips with French subtitles that students can use to practice their language skills. Another way schools learn about Sony Creative Software applications is by participating in our contests specifically designed with schools in mind. The most recent were two video production contests: the Technology in Motion student film contest and the Cyberbullying Awareness Public Service Announcement creation contest.

ESD: Tell us more about the Technology in Motion student film contest and the Cyberbullying PSA development contest.

DC: We’re excited to be announcing the grand prize winner of the Technology In Motion contest here at NECC 2008. The contest was open to all U.S. high schools, with participating schools receiving a free, promotional edition of Vegas Pro 8 software and training materials to create their films. Hundreds of schools signed up for the contest. We asked a panel of multimedia experts to narrow the film submissions down to three finalists and placed the top three films online for public voting. The PSA contest was designed to raise awareness of the issue of cyberbullying and was developed in partnership with the Ad Council and National Crime Prevention Council. Technology literacy teacher Marvin Jimenez was the winner in the K–12 category.

ESD: Where can interested teachers learn more about Sony Creative Software?

DC: Visit us at www.sonycreativesoftware.com/education or stop by booth 9054 here at NECC 2008.

Vernier Makes ‘Logger Lite’ Free for Intel-Powered Classmate PCs

Vernier Software & Technology is offering its Logger Lite software free for Intel-powered classmate PCs, as well as other small, low-cost computer options. Logger Lite is award-winning software that provides fundamental graphing and analysis tools for K-12 science students. Combined with Vernier probeware, Logger Lite gives students the ability to explore the world around them, draw predictions, collect real-world data and make conclusions based on their analyses. Both a Windows and a Linux version of the software will be available from www.vernier.com/netbooks.

Vernier, a leading innovator in solutions for STEM education, is part of the Intel-powered classmate PC Ecosystem Vendor Alliance – an alliance formed by Intel with OSVs, ISVs, content and education service providers to provide comprehensive education solutions for the education segment.   Intel supports members of the alliance in developing, promoting and optimizing their applications, tools, content and accessories for Intel-powered classmate PCs.

For more information visit www.vernier.com.

Qwizdom SRS: A Math Competition Like No Other

The students at the African-American Academy in Seattle Public Schools added a dynamic element to their math competition: the Qwizdom Student Response System.

"The kids were really excited to use Qwizdom. It is wonderful," says fourth grade Teacher, Ms. Pinchback. The schoolwide competition featured students working individually and in groups to solve difficult math problems. Students entered their answer first individually on their Qwizdom remotes; then after group discussion time, they entered a group response. Since the Qwizdom Q4 radio frequency clickers allow students to type in multiple digit answers with fractions, decimals and negatives, they were not limited to close-ended multiple choice questions. Some questions even required Qwizdom's exclusive sequencing answer mode.

"From a facilitator's perspective, I like the Qwizdom system because it gives every student a voice. Everyone has a chance to input what they believe to be the right answer," says NO LIMIT Math Facilitator, Sandy Gady. "The chance for all students to be heard is powerful. Qwizdom classroom technology made this a huge success!"

The students were grouped with students in other classrooms and grade levels. The entire academy was divided into four divisions: K–1, 2–3, 4–5 and 6–8. The students were given 10 individual minutes to solve the WASL type problem. Then the students were given more time to work as a cooperative group to analyze the solutions, problem solving techniques and agree on a common answer. The students used Qwizdom remotes during both portions. To identify which student had which remote, students entered their school ID number. This way, there was no concern over which remote the student was given; making distributing 416 remotes to anxious students easy to manage.
Qwizdom looks forward to volunteering their time at other schools and educational institutions for similar events.

To learn more about how the Qwizdom Student Response System can make a dramatic impact in various types of learning environments call 800-347-3050, visit www.qwizdom.com or stop by the Qwizdom booth 7094.

AEC, LearnStar Offer A+ Classroom Student Response System

Here at NECC, the American Education Corporation (AEC) is introducing the A+® Classroom Student Response System™ (A+ Classroom SRS™) which will provide teachers the ability to administer very short and very frequent individual assessments in an engaging whole-class setting, using various classroom response devices, or “clickers.”

Designed by LearnStar, A+ Classroom SRS is compatible with response systems from LearnStar (v24 StarPads and StarLite), InterwriteTM (PRS), Renaissance (ResponderTM and AlphaSmart’s NEO2TM), Pearson (EngageTM), Fourier (NOVA) or any Windows®, MAC® or Linux® based computing device communicating on a school local area network. Here to talk about it is LearnStar President David Camp and AEC President Tom Shively.

ESD: What makes A+ Classroom SRS such a great choice for teachers who want to engage their students?

DC: The presentation format utilized by LearnStar creates a highly motivating, inclusive environment in the classroom that generates an intensively engaging event for students. What’s more, as recent studies and white papers have described, very short and very frequent formative assessment is recognized as a highly effective method of increasing understanding and retention. The optional competition format of A+ Classroom SRS contains 'pre-announcement' feedback to the students in the form of clues or coaching points that correct or confirm the students’ thoughts. This formative feedback, provided to the student even before the correct answer is revealed, is the most immediate feedback and direction available in classroom response systems. This makes A+ Classroom SRS one of the most effective tools available to provide formative assessment for learning.

TS: What will really separate A+ Classroom SRS from other response programs on the market today will be the ability for teachers to evaluate student learning data from A+ Classroom SRS and then assign lessons in the A+nyWhere Learning System®, our award-winning K–12 curriculum courseware, in order to remediate knowledge gaps or deficiencies. It’s a win-win for teachers and students. Students get to take part in an exciting learning activity and teachers gain valuable data to inform instruction.

ESD: This all sounds extremely complicated.

DC: Not at all. A key design feature of this product is the ease of use for the teacher. Included with the program is a library containing more than 30,000 questions that are organized by age group/grade level and study topic. A teacher simply navigates to the appropriate library, selects a 10-question activity, and then launches the activity for classroom participation. In addition to the library of activities, teachers can create their own “on demand” activities by searching the question bank by specific standard objective or expectation in order to create custom activities for their class. Teachers can even take it a step further and use the A+ Classroom SRS editor to create custom questions or import questions from Word documents.

ESD: So where can schools buy the A+ Classroom Student Response System?

TS: The A+ Classroom SRS product is available from AEC and its authorized distribution partners. Highly affordable licensing is offered on a site basis and includes unlimited teacher and student use.

For more information, visit www.amered.com and www.learnstar.com.

Beyond URL Filtering: The 8e6 Total Solutions Approach

The biggest trend in online safety over the last year has been tracking user behavior online, rather than just filtering inappropriate sites. F iltering is just the first step, and everybody needs to filter. But with the rapid increase in online learning programs, school districts are a lot more interested now in tracking what people are doing and why, so they can plug holes in their policies and address the issues—whether it’s students going to social networking sites, online predators or open-source proxies.

People just don't know what they don't know, so the ability to track exactly what's happening on the network is something that enterprise has been concerned with for some time, and now education is making this a priority.

There's a responsibility when you bring the Internet into a school district. Somebody has to be aggressive in reviewing the sites the kids are accessing, and the content they are viewing. You have to have a content filter in place that meets the minimum requirements of CIPA (the Children's Internet Protection Act). And you have to back that up with reporting and monitoring of activity on your network, by students and staff.

Obtaining this total view of online behavior is easier said than done, and overburdened IT staffs struggle to implement and manage these complete solutions. However, there are vendors who do it all—filtering, reporting, monitoring, whom also offer easy installation and administration. By working with these one-stop shop vendors, there is just one number to call, which is critical for today’s over-burdened K–12 IT staff.

The award-winning 8e6 Professional Edition from 8e6 Technologies is the most comprehensive solution available, integrating best-in-class, appliance-based URL filtering, forensic Web usage reporting and real-time monitoring to protect schools and districts against threats arising from Internet-based learning.

The 8e6 solution includes:

• 8e6 R3000 Internet Filter—offers high-performance, enterprise-level filtering optimized for speed and scalability. Filters URLs, anonymous proxies, spyware, instant messaging, peer-to-peer and other emerging threats utilizing the 8e6 100+ Category Database enhanced by Intelligent Footprint Technology. 
• 8e6 Enterprise Reporter—provides detailed drill down forensic reporting without compromising filtering performance or impacting network functions. Ensures enforcement of AUPs.
• 8e6 Threat Analysis Reporter—proactively monitors and mitigates student/teacher generated Internet threats by offering an up-to-the-minute graphical “gauge view” of online activity.

Internet-assisted learning can extend beyond the classroom and into students’ homes, providing more resources and better teacher-student communication. However, most IT staffs or administrators do not have a comprehensive and cost-effective solution to enforce Internet use policies for mobile users.

For schools exploring laptop programs, 8e6’s technology and service also extends to support 1:1 programs. 8e6’s Mobile Client—a software-based solution that filters remote PC and Mac laptops, works in conjunction with the R3000 Mobile appliance, and is simple to deploy, manage and maintain.
8e6 directly addresses the challenges of online child safety by giving network administrators and educators the tools to view, understand and react to Web-based threats arising from online learning.

For more information about 8e6 Technologies, call 888-786-7999, visit www.8e6.com/education or stop by NECC booth 5146.

Radius Interactive Learning System Blends With Center-Based Learning

Center-based and independent classroom learning is enriched with Radius™ Audio Learning System, an innovative, content-rich teaching platform that combines digital CD technology with advanced card-reading capabilities to create a one-of-a-kind learning experience.

Radius Audio Learning System enables students—individually or in small groups—to learn a diverse number of subjects through varied lesson patterns and hands-on interaction. Students simply insert a Radius CD and scan one of the accompanying cards to begin. Step-by-step instructions, recorded with digital sound quality for proper oral modeling, guide students through activities. An interactive audio feature provides immediate feedback for self-checking and reinforcement. This record and playback feature enables students to immediately hear up to two minutes of their own responses.

Radius was recognized as a Tech Tool Teacher Pick for “best for center time” by Instructor magazine, and Able Play, which rates products for children with special needs, gave Radius its highest rating in communicative, cognitive and physical applications for students with special needs.   

"The idea behind Radius is to help students build confidence by reinforcing and practicing concepts across the curriculum while working in a center or independently, “ says Eric Toriumi, Senior Marketing Director at Learning Resources. “It’s easy to use and offers opportunities for self-correction as students learn at their own pace. Radius also enables teachers to assess each student’s progress, and can free up time for them to work on other classroom priorities.”   

Radius components, which are sold separately, are available for a range of subjects and grade levels. New card sets for 2008 include sets for social studies for grades 3–5, math problem solving set for grades 3–6 and a skills bingo game for grades 1 and up. Other card sets: interactive math kits for grades 1–2, science kits for grades 3–5, reading strategy kits for grades 3–5, reading card sets for grades Pre-K–3 and card sets for English language learners (ELLs). Each Radius card set is correlated to state, national and provincial standards.

Radius Audio Learning System retails for $239.95, and the Radius CD Card Sets, Interactive Kits and Reading Strategy Kits retail from $39.95. For silent learning, the Radius unit can also accommodate up to four stereo headphones. Stereo headphones with microphone are available as well as a set of two channel speakers. Radius and Radius components can be found at local teacher specialty stores and at www.learningresources.com.

Radius is being demonstrated at the Learning Resources booth 4024, or for an interactive online demo of Radius and more information, visit www.radiuslearning.com.

Flexible, User-Friendly Aspire Software Focuses on Student Learning

Joe Warden, Business Development Executive for Northrop Grumman, discusses diversity and strong interest in the K–12 community.

ESD: Tell our readers a little about your company. What’s your main line of business?

JW: This is an interesting story. Many people who have heard of Northrop Grumman think of a large government contractor or a defense company. What most folks don’t know is that Northrop Grumman is very diversified and has a strong interest in K–12 education. Northrop Grumman has many types of mentoring programs and partnerships with school districts mostly focusing on helping students into careers in math and science. I focus primarily on the ASPIRE assessment system, which is a bit different in that we have developed a flexible and teacher-friendly student assessment software system focusing not only on student learning but also helping teachers in the classroom.

ESD: What makes your company unique?

JW: Northrop Grumman is a technology company that has developed many types of safe and secure software solutions based on customer needs and requirements. With more than 120,000 employees, Northrop Grumman has the depth and breadth of technological expertise and resources to deliver to and support our customers.

ESD: What distinguishes your products from the competition?

JW: ASPIRE was created by teachers for teachers so it is very flexible and user friendly.  We knew that when we started down this path, we wanted to develop a product that would really help teachers with their classroom instruction. Therefore, we worked very closely with teachers and other educators from day one of the development of ASPIRE.  Our belief is that users or practitioners know what type of functionality they need in an assessment tool and we continue to enhance ASPIRE based on customer feedback and suggestions.

ESD: Compare the position of your products and their technology against the current market.

JW: ASCD provides the professional development and educational content for ASPIRE, while Northrop Grumman focuses on what the company does best—deliver cutting-edge technology in a secure environment. 

ESD: Who are your target end-users?

JW: We have a wide range of educators that we want to engage. Of course, we always want to talk with the educational technology folks and also district curriculum staff as well. Also, since ASPIRE has a strong focus on formative assessment and helping teachers in the classroom, we are always interested in talking with school-based folks as well—principals, teachers and school technology staff. Additionally, we always want to talk with districts that have a philosophy of empowering teachers and have implemented professional learning communities at their schools.

ESD: How do you see the next year in terms of economy, sales, technology and product evolution?

JW: Great question. I think that with how the economy is going these next few years will be challenging to say the least. Having said that, with our belief of where education is going in terms of empowering teachers with the tools and information they need in the classroom, Northrop Grumman, in partnership with ASCD, has a very unique and strong solution that many districts will have a need for.

For more information, visit www.northropgrumman.com.

EthernetShield Provides Schools With Internet Filtering at Affordable Prices

For nearly a decade, InternetSafety.com has provided top-of-the-line Internet safety solutions for home computers. Now, with the launch of EtherShield, schools and other organizations can also benefit from the cutting-edge technology that a leading consumer organization says is the best available.

Safe Eyes, the flagship Internet content control software from InternetSafefty.com, has twice been selected as the PC Magazine Editors’ Choice. Based on the proprietary technology of Safe Eyes, EtherShield filters computers both on-network and off-network to block access to objectionable content and free up costly Internet bandwidth.

“EtherShield is an affordable, practical solution for schools looking to provide their students with the best the Internet has to offer,” says Shane Kenny, President of InternetSafety.com. “With danger lurking just one click away, I like knowing that my children are protected by EtherShield when they are at school.”

EtherShield filters out objectionable material and content by blocking or monitoring Web sites, instant messaging, chat rooms, social networking sites, file-sharing sites and software. This means EtherShield also frees up costly, unwanted bandwidth usage.

Among the many other benefits of EtherShield:

• Cost Effective – Because it is based on Safe Eyes’ proprietary technology, EtherShield offers leading-edge tools at 20 to 30 percent less than average network filtering systems.
• Remote Filtering Capability – Filter computers both on-network and off-network using EtherShield Remote. This is part of the basic EtherShield package, not an expensive add-on.
• Easy Customization – EtherShield allows each computer in your network to be uniquely customized from one central network location. You choose which of EtherShield’s 35 categories of websites you want to block or limit access to. You can also exempt specific sites from the list, block additional sites by URL or keyword and create a list of blocked search-engine keywords.
• Daily Updates – EtherShield’s filtering technology is updated daily, as is the database of blocked Web sites (based on your preferences). And if you add new computers to your network, they are automatically added to your EtherShield set-up.
• Protection from Unexpected Threats – it’s easy to think of IM, social networking and file sharing as innocuous. Yet these and other online activities can open security holes in your network without EtherShield’s protection.
• Easy-to-Understand Reporting – The reports generated by EtherShield not only serve IT professionals, but they can also be understood by all who are interested in monitoring your network. And if a user attempts to visit a blocked site, the system generates a log entry and maintains a database of policy violations.

From a hardware standpoint, EtherShield is 1U 19-inch rack-mountable and can fit nearly anywhere. An optional rack-mount kit is also available. InternetSafety.com recommends placing EtherShield between your Internet router and the rest of your network. With this configuration, all Internet-bound traffic is filtered. EtherShield can be used on networks with any combination of PCs and Macs.

For more information or to order EtherShield for your school, visit www.ethershield.com, call 877-944-8080 or stop by NECC booth 3017.