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EdTech Show Daily Tuesday, January 29, 2019 6 4 Paths to Success: Are Your Students On Track? By Dr. Priya Nihalani, Senior Product Manager, Scantron Analytics Many districts today are data rich, but information poor. Schools have an abun- dance of data in spreadsheets, data tables, notebook covers full of URLs and logins; however, most still struggle to use the data so that it effectively drives instruc- tion. It does not have to be this way. Analytics systems exist to help put all of the disparate data in a single place to make the data inter-relatable and dynamic. An analytics system allows us to look at current scores, to isolate a group of students who received a partic- ular grade, then look at that group's attendance in just a few clicks rather than someone spending a week exporting data from different data sources and combin- ing spreadsheets. What kinds of questions can you ask that can support students and educators in the classroom? Consider these options: Question 1 How do I identify students who have transitioned from On Track to At Risk using an Early Warning System? My goal is to create an action plan to get those stu- dents back on track. Question 2 How do I use assessment data to create a group of 'bubble' students who are close to achieving the next level? My goal is to design and implement targeted interventions to close gaps, so students make tangible progress. Question 3 How do I uncover grade inflation or inconsistencies between class/course grades and assessment performance? How do I identify students receiving As or Bs in class but not meeting bench- marks on assessments? How do I analyze other areas like attendance or discipline, to drill down to a small group of students who may need a non-academic interven- tion, such as a tutorial in test-taking or a parent conference regarding attendance? Question 4 How do I use standards-based results to identify first steps with a new class of students before they walk into class on day one? My goal is to have a data-driven differentiation plan in place to begin targeting skills below grade level that students are lacking during the first two weeks of school. Asking the right question is crucial. We spend a lot of time in meetings about stu- dents, discussing things we cannot con- trol within the limited time they are in our classrooms. Students will ultimately benefit and grow only if we spend our time tackling real, tangible problems rather than merely crunching the num- bers. Visit www.scantron.com/analytics for information on Scantron Analytics, a data exploration solution or call 858.349.9488. StarLab a Hit with Students, Parents & Teachers Think you can't impress your students with technology anymore? Think again. A portable planetarium from StarLab ® is a unique, immersive and interactive learning tool that helps students of all ages discover just how exciting learning can be. "This is awesome!" is the typical response from students about StarLab, as their eyes light up with increased under- standing of the world around them. What more could an educator ask for? Optimized Visuals StarLab is designed not only to educate but to engage today's digitally-inclined students. Kids at all grade levels are cap- tivated by StarLab's high-resolution images and full-screen AV environment. StarLab's completely immersive 360- degree digital display is unlike anything students can access on a personal tablet or laptop, or even at school with a traditional projection screen. The dome's plush gray interior surface absorbs bright light, pre- venting image glare and wash-out, making it ideal for digital projections. Enhanced Lessons This versatile learning tool will be used again and again across multiple grade levels, subjects and lessons. StarLab's wealth of pre-planned curricula – provid- ed in user-friendly software designed with educators in mind – elevates learn- ing about astronomy, history, earth sciences, mythology and more to an entirely new level that makes students want to learn more. Guaranteed Compliance Teachers and parents can have confidence in the science education their kids receive with StarLab. It comes with hands-on exercises and activities developed by science edu- cators to enhance student learning. Lesson plans, designed to meet all cur- rent state and national curriculum stan- dards, are provided in a clear step-by- step format. StarLab portable planetariums are engineered and constructed in Yulee, Florida using flame-retardant, kid-tested materials to ensure you receive the safest, highest-quality dome available. Simplified Funding School administrators are often chal- lenged to equip teachers with the tools necessary to fully engage today's stu- dents. StarLab is an educational invest- ment that pays for itself by opening doors to learning that can't be experienced any other way. Students and teachers alike will want to enjoy StarLab for years to come. With its wide range of uses – travel through the universe, explore the earth's topography, study hurricanes with real-time data from the National Weather Service website – students will be engaged and inspired time and again, making StarLab a worth- while scholastic invest- ment. Uncomplicated Set-Up StarLab's dome, available in 5-, 6- or 7-meter sizes, fits conveniently into its rolling storage bag. In addition to its storage bag, StarLab comes equipped with curricula, a tablet, a high-resolution projector and a super-quiet blower. All components are lightweight yet durably constructed to withstand usage in K12 environments. The dome easily inflates or deflates in under 30 minutes, making set-up and tear-down a snap. The easy-access door and built-in directional interior lighting make entering and exiting StarLab has- sle-free. Experienced Support Whatever your questions, StarLab's highly knowledgeable staff can assist you. StarLab also comes with helpful step-by-step instructions and how-to videos. Visit booth #145 during FETC to experi- ence StarLab for yourself. Register for daily prize drawings while you're there! For more information, visit www.starlab .com, email starlab@starlab.com or stop by booth #145. Matias Has Worthy Successor to Discontinued Keyboard Used by Many Educational Institutions The Matias Wired Aluminum Keyboard for Mac has a built-in USB 2.0 hub and precision volume dial. "When the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad was released in 2017, the original wired model was discontin- ued. Our Matias Wired Aluminum Keyboard is more than suitable. It cap- tures the essence of the original – and even improves on it, with the addition of a precision volume dial," said Edgar Matias, Chief Executive Officer of Matias. "The new volume dial is perfect for users with external speakers, giving you 4 times finer control over the volume. That's 64 volume levels, compared to the 16 levels you get from the volume keys," said Matias. The keyboard is available in a wide range of international layouts (U.S., E.U., Asian) and can be ordered now. The Matias Wired Aluminum Keyboard is available for $59 (U.S.) from Matias and authorized resellers. Matias makes other keyboards as well, and has been manufacturing key- boards for over 15 years. The Matias Backlit Wireless Aluminum Keyboard, which comes in silver or space gray, is a high-end slim alu- minum keyboard with number pad. It has the ability to pair to four different devices and easily switch between them. It fea- tures backlighting, with 10 levels of brightness control. The keyboard has two rechargeable batteries: one for the key- board operation itself that lasts up to a year before needing to be recharged, and a separate one for the backlighting that lasts up to two weeks before needing to be recharged. This ensures that you can keep typing even if your backlight battery gets drained. Matias is also known for its high p e r f o r m a n c e mechanical key- boards, made with its own mechanical switches. Mechanical keyboards made by Matias include: the classic Tactile Pro Keyboard for Mac, the Quiet Pro Keyboard (which gives you mechanical typing without the noise normally associ- ated with mechanical keyboards), and the separated Ergo Pro Keyboard, for the ultimate in ergonomic typing and com- fort. Learn more at www.matias.ca.