Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/137886
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Ed Tech Show Daily Learning A-Z (Cont'd. from p. 1) feel like reading. All of the materials that teachers can access in their classrooms and project or print out can now be seen by the students on their smartphones and tablets," John Jorgenson, VP of Marketing at Learning A-Z, said. "The app is a logical extension of the many technical advantages Reading A-Z and Raz-Kids provides to educators who are concerned with bringing their students up to common core and similar state standards. All of the fiction and nonfiction Teachscape (Cont'd. from p. 1) self-reflect on their teaching, as well as share videos for peer feedback. By sharing both best practices and lessons in need of improvement and then being actively involved in the improvement process with peers, it creates a collaborative environment focused on trust, transparency and open communication. ESD: How is video being used in personalized coaching plans? IF: When educators are collaborative with their coaches, they are more open to changing instructional practices. Video provides evidence of very specific Dreambox Learning (Cont'd. from p. 1) rigorous Common Core State Standards-aligned curriculum and combined it with gaming protocols to deliver a deeply engaging and personalized learning experience that encourages kids to persist, progress and ultimately become proficient mathematical thinkers. Today, DreamBox Learning is dramatically improving learning outcomes in all 50 states and throughout Canada. ESD: What would you say makes your company unique? GL: DreamBox Learning is founded on the basic premise that math can be fun and fascinating for everyone. We believe that teaching mathematics through exciting and a scientifically supported pedagogy can unlock the love of learning and potential in every child. Ergotron (Cont'd. from p. 1) areas, while the six-point lock design and security screws deter theft. Using Ergotron's patent-pending Show & Stow™ technology, the devices extend to the user when the door is opened for easy storage and removal. The unit accommodates most iPad cases, including Otterbox Defender™ and Griffin Survivor™. For Android, Windows or Chromebooks usage, educators will want to see the PowerShuttle™ Tablet Charging Cart. ESD: Tell us more about the Ergotron Tablet Management Cart and accessories. SV: With capacity configurations of 16, 32 and 48 tablets, Ergotron's Tablet Management cart makes managing fleets of tablets possible for any size school. books available through Reading A-Z are grouped in 27 levels of reading difficulty, using a best-in-class leveling system. The website favors informational texts and test materials for meeting Common Core's four anchor standards for reading. A special emphasis is put on developing close reading skills as well. Reading A-Z is no stranger to the awards podium. It was recently awarded a 2013 CODiE Award for Best Reading/English/ELL Instructional Solution. In addition, this year has seen it bestowed with a BESSIE Award and honored as a finalist for an AEP Award. instructional areas for growth, allowing coaches to provide instructional recommendations and support, aligned to embedded frameworks, where it is needed most. Video can then be a valuable tool in showing how educators have improved over time, which reinforces effectiveness of the coaching relationship. ESD: How does Teachscape enhance video-based professional learning? IF: Teachscape's video platform, Teachscape Reflect, allows educators to upload video, tag and score sections of the video for self-reflection on instructional practices and for sharing with coaches and peers. Educators can also ESD: What distinguishes your product(s) from the competition? GL: The innovative DreamBox Learning platform captures every decision a student makes while working in the program and adjusts the student's learning path appropriately, providing millions of individualized learning paths, each one tailored to a student's unique needs. On average, the technology analyzes upward of 50,000 data points every hour, per student. In addition to responding with appropriate scaffolding, hinting, motivational elements, and serving up the next appropriate lesson, it also generates realtime reports for teachers and administrators to gauge learning progress. DreamBox Learning has been proven effective in helping students achieve math proficiency in a study conducted by SRI International. The rigorous independent study, conducted over a The universal design accommodates Apple, iPad, iPhone® or iPod® devices— giving organizations a flexible response to future technology changes, and is available with or without LED Individual Status Indicators (ISI). The units are lightweight, compact and easy to maneuver, with one-time customer setup of 30pin-to-USB or Lightning cables. Ergotron has also launched a new custom-length, 30-pin-to-USB Cable Kit. Packaged with 16 cables, the kit is designed to fit Ergotron's Tablet Management products perfectly. For Chromebook users, our Tablet Charging Cart AC is a perfect solution. ESD: How can schools mitigate risks associated with sedentary behavior? SV: According to the Center for Disease Control (2010) it was estimated that more Raz-Kids is the website that actually allows the students to listen to, read, and even record themselves reading literary and informational eBooks – anytime, anywhere. When it is combined with Reading A-Z, all 1,100 books are accessible anytime via the app. Corresponding eQuizzes can also be accessed for testing comprehension. Online running records help teachers to assess each student as they progress. Raz-Kids has seen its share of awards as well, including two CODiE Awards in a row. The 2013 CODiE comes to Raz-Kids as the winner for Best Solution for Special Needs Students. upload other artifacts and evidence to provide coaches with a full picture of their teaching. In addition, coaches and administrators can use the platform for scoring and storing observations and then track improvement over time. ESD: Who can benefit from using videobased professional learning plans? IF: Teachscape Reflect is being used for video-based observations, as well as classroom observations and walkthroughs, in thousands of schools, school districts, and universities. What is interesting is how our higher education customers also use the platform to prepare tomorrow's teachers and admin- 16-week period, showed that students who had greater access to DreamBox Learning achieved significant gains in overall mathematics scores. 45 However, Mr. Jorgenson is quick to say that Raz-Kids is equally effective for any student to use, whether they have special needs or not. "Our websites really tackle head-on the problems of making reading both fun and easy to access," Jorgenson said. Nearly half of the classrooms in the U.S. are using one or both of our websites now, even in states that have their own educational guidelines outside of Common Core." For more information, go to Learning A-Z.com, call 866-889-3729, or visit booth 4263 at ISTE. istrators to meet the challenges of the 21st century. With our platform, higher education institutions can build a competitive edge by preparing future educators for an increasingly technology-intensive K-12 education environment. By incorporating reflective teaching and peer collaboration in the teacher preparation program, colleges set the stage for continuous practice improvement that future educators can take with them into their careers. Additionally, our video-based technology allows our higher education partners to lower the costs, as well as travel and time constraints, associated with field observations. For more information, visit www.teachscape.com or stop by booth 8079 at ISTE. GL: We just announced that the company will bring DreamBox Learning to the iPad. The tablet version is currently in development and will launch this fall. closely with our customers – administrators, teachers, math coaches – to ensure that academic goals and objectives are met, and often times exceeded. DreamBox Learning has been designed to dovetail with any learning environment, from classroom to math lab, rotation and virtual learning among others. And above all, we've delivered amazingly fun and engaging math adventures that keep kids coming back for more. GL: First, we've developed superior Intelligent Adaptive Learning technology that delivers a level of adaption that cannot be matched. On the curriculum front, our team is comprised of former teachers who bring invaluable real-world classroom experience to the mix. Additionally, we partner very GL: Stop by our booth (#3261) for a demo! You can also visit the DreamBox Learning website at www.dreambox.com to learn more about our Intelligent Adaptive Learning platform, watch educator testimonials, download white papers, sign up for webinars and request a free trial of the program. ESD: Are you introducing any new products? ESD: To what do you attribute your company's success? than one third of children and adolescents are considered overweight or obese. Schools can help mitigate risks linked to sedentary behavior for students and staff by introducing sit-stand workstations into the digital workflow. Bringing more activity into typically sedentary activities—like lab time, studying in the library, or working in administrative offices—is ideal. Ergotron's WorkFit sitstand workstation portfolio of desk attachments, standalone desks and carts gives institutions ultimate flexibility in creating active learning environments. Standing a little more each day burns extra calories, tones muscles, improves posture, increases blood flow, and ramps up metabolism. The adoption of solutions like our WorkFit sit-stand workstations give users the flexibility to move when and how often they want throughout the day while staying focused, energized, ESD: How can our readers find out more about your company? and productive. Learn more about it at Juststand.org. ESD: Does Ergotron offer any special programs for schools? SV: Yes, Ergotron offers complimentary products to qualifying educational institutions. We also encourage institutions to schedule a visit from our Ergotron's Traveling Ergotron Solutions Showroom (TESS) which brings the showroom direct to the school for the key stakeholders to see and touch the product. We also have special discounts on select products through the end of June so be sure to stop by the booth to learn more. For more information, visit Twitter at @ergotron, email sales@ergotron.com, visit http://education.ergotron.com, or stop by booth 6208 at ISTE.