Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/137886
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Ed Tech Show Daily CASPER FOCUS: UNLOCK FULL POTENTIAL OF IPAD IN CLASSROOM The arrival of the iPad in classrooms around the world ushered in a new era of fun, engaging, interactive learning experiences for teachers and students alike. Many teachers marveled at the levels of engagement students were experiencing and spoke of transformative experiences for learners of all ages. But as the use of iPad in education continues to expand, teachers sometimes find it hard to keep all of their students focused on learning. At times, they've found that they must resort to hovering over students to make sure they're not surfing the Web or playing games. With Casper Focus, distractions are no longer an issue and hovering is a thing of the past. With just a couple of taps, STARBOARD FROM HITACHI IS A FRUITFUL WAY TO TEACH AND LEARN The banana sealed the deal. When Heidy LaFleur, Assistant Principal of Chicago's Garvy School, saw a trainer use a piece of fruit to demonstrate a Hitachi StarBoard interactive whiteboard, she knew her district needed the product. "She walked up to the StarBoard with a banana and just started writing. She said, 'Let's say you were doing a health unit. Bring out a banana. Let's say you were doing a unit on pumpkins. Bring out a pumpkin. You can write on this interactive whiteboard with anything.' I thought: kindergarten, first grade, second grade, I mean even eighth graders would think that was cool." There are now 22 StarBoards in the school, most of them used for the majority of each school day. Karen Martin, a fourth-grade teacher, shares: "The Starboard allows me to make my teaching hands-on and the kids love to use the Starboard. The best part is, they don't even realize they're learning." Unlike traditional interactive whiteboards, which require a battery-powered, hard-to-replace stylus, the StarBoards can be controlled with a finger, or any object. The StarBoard's electronic-free surface means that dings, scratches and punctures won't interfere with the device's functionality. LaFleur was impressed with the quality of the system, which is easy to use with other types of technology. But most importantly, she and her staff appreciated how the StarBoards allow them to connect with their students by speaking MCGRAW-HILL UNDERSTANDS COMMON CORE STANDARDS As the K-12 educational system transitions to the Common Core State Standards, the subject has captured the nation's attention. The Standards require students to demonstrate a "depth of knowledge" that goes beyond superficial understanding and memorization of material to deep application of knowledge and demonstration of problem-solving and high-order skills. Digital education plays a significant role in how the Standards are being implemented and met in classrooms across the country. If you look at the last 30 years of education research, one thing that's shown again and again is that instruction becomes more effective and leads to deeper learning as it becomes more personalized. Digital education tools create the personal, highly interactive, engaging learning environment that leads to more classroom discussion and fosters a deeper level of understanding required by the Common Core. At McGraw-Hill Education, we see this time of change as an opportunity to work with schools and teachers to combine the right content, the right technology and the right instruction to help students personally engage with the content, learn most effectively, and succeed in the world that awaits them. Last year, McGraw-Hill Education partnered with Time To Know to deliver a personalized learning solution that is aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Time To Know is a fully digital learning system that harnesses the EXTRON GLOBALVIEWER SIMPLIFIES CAMPUS COMMUNICATIONS Unifying campus audio and video systems, Extron GlobalViewer Campus Communication Suite combines bells, public address announcements, intercom, and classroom audio/visual management into one complete package. Now schools can manage bell scheduling, campus-wide communications, intercom, and classroom AV systems over an already existing network with a single software application. Flexible bell scheduling: Create and manage recurring bell schedules locally or at the district level. For special events, such as rallies or holiday closure, the bell schedule can be easily modified or disabled. Convenient access to public address 15 teachers can direct the attention of their entire classroom by controlling exactly what each student sees on their device. Casper Focus is a game-changing classroom management tool for iPad management. The interface is so easy and intuitive to use that teachers will need minimal training and can be up and running in minutes. Teachers love the experience, and IT teams are thrilled to enable teachers to manage the guided learning experience on their own. And because Casper Focus automatically disables teacher control outside of school, students have free rein over their iPads when they're off the school's network. their native language – technology. "Teachers were just looking for better, different ways to instruct. And we've come so far from teachers standing in front of the class teaching 30 students all the same way." Now, she said, with new categories and leveled groups, "we need different ways to teach those kids. And this technology seemed like an awesome way to do that." The StarBoards help teachers instruct smaller clusters of kids within a large classroom by rotating them in and out of activities. The StarBoard serves as the center of learning, LaFleur explained, with three students using it, while others focus on math facts, engage in competitions or share reading skills, for example, all while waiting their turn at the board. "The kids will make the teacher use the technology. That's the best part, because they think it's awesome." The teachers, she said, are equally motivated to use the system. They request more training whenever possible, and share creative ways to use StarBoards at weekly tech talk staff meetings. They'll discuss whiteboard techniques they've picked up on their own, as well as describe new strategies that have worked well with students. The StarBoards have proved especially effective in reaching the 15 percent of Garvy's 725 students who require special education services. "Their motivation may not be as high as other kids, so putting something in their hands or letting them go up and touch the screen and make it do things, it automatically gets them more engaged than they would be if they just had a paper and pencil. Or just a banana. power of technology in the most dynamic and engaging way possible. The program uses data and instant feedback to allow the teacher to differentiate instruction and group students based on needs in real time, while still maintaining control over their instruction style and classroom. Because the program follows an inquiry-based approach, Time To Know encourages group discussion, teacher-led exploration and student experimentation to support the Common Core State Standards' goal of developing critical, high-order thinking in students. McGraw-Hill Education's SRA FLEX Literacy, a comprehensive reading and language-arts intervention system for students in grades 3-8, is an example of how digital technologies are being integrated in new programs that are designed to meet the Common Core State Standards. SRA FLEX Literacy was built from the ground-up to specifically help at-risk students learn the critical reading and writing skills required to meet the Common Core State through research-based, intensive, explicit instruction. To truly improve education through the Common Core requires a significant investment, not only in the curriculum and technologies used in the classroom, but in professional development and teacher training. The best technology in the world won't make an impact unless we make sure that educators feel comfortable using it and understand how the technology meshes with their preferred style of teaching. It's important to remember that the return on this investment will be critical to the success of our country's greatest asset: our children. announcements: Make live public address announcements or play back pre-recorded announcements with the push of a button. Zone capability allows announcements to be routed to all locations on campus, a particular area, or a specific room. Integrated intercom system: Provides two-way voice communication over the network. Flexible setup options allow users to be connected with the office, help desk, or even other classrooms. Audio/Visual asset management: Works with Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise to provide real-time monitoring and remote control of classroom AV components. Integrated scheduling and reporting features help lower operating costs and increase efficiency. Stop by the JAMF software team at booth 4270 to see a hands-on demonstration of Casper Focus, or visit online at www.jamfsoftware.com/products/casperfocus to learn more. For more information, visit booth 10238 at ISTE. For more information, visit www.mheducation.com, or stop by booth 13184 at ISTE. For more information, call 800-6339876, email support@extronclassroom .com, visit www.extronclassroom.com, or stop by booth 11262 at ISTE.