Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/255373
E d Te c h S h o w D a i l y 2 9 Th u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 3 0 , 2 0 1 4 Board of Education [ISBE]. The project's goal is to transition to a data-centric cul- ture that improves student, teacher and school performance. ESD: Has this project affected your product offerings? ME: Yes, little did we know that this project would take us in an exciting direction! We have been collecting data for states and districts with our xDStudio product, which pulls data into data marts. As our pilot progressed, we saw a need to provide tools for teachers and adminis- trators, so we created a product called Edubinder to help fill the gap. The Early Warning System [EWS] includes the identification of risk factors for students, tracking of strategies to help students stay on track. A Balanced Scorecard provides teachers with a holistic view of their stu- dents and a history of 'what works' to help students achieve academic and per- sonal success. The Observations and Strategies Journal was developed for classroom teachers to track daily observations and help them develop intervention strategies for their class. ESD: What distinguishes your data col- lection software from the competition? CPSI Ltd ( Cont'd. from p. 1) ME: We try to gauge what our teach- ers, technology coordinators and IT directors want in the way of collecting data, and we deliver it in a timely man- ner. For example, we helped one of our long-time Florida districts who wanted a reporting feature in our network account management product, Visual CASEL. They were having trouble fig- uring out where in the account creation process something went wrong. We collected their help desk tickets, pin- pointed issues in data collection and developed a tool that reports where net- work account creation error occurs. In addition, we now offer this as part of our new web-based Active Directory management suite called xdAD. ESD: To what do you attribute your com- pany's success? ME: We listen to our customers and give them what they need. We try to make the most of your time by deploy- ing our products quickly and without a lot of 'fluff.' Many companies may propose a customized system for you by combining several other software applications and custom processes. While these may work for you in the short term, we provide fully tested and operational solutions. Visit CPSI at booth 1416. For more infor- mation, go to www.cpsiltd.com, call 800- 659-8240 or email sales@cpsiltd.com. me to manipulate the live video, and add supporting images and video while anno- tating and marking the whole project. One of the best features of the TabCam is that I can record the entire lesson, includ- ing my audio, any annotation I added and any other content, and then instantly upload it to DropBox. ESD: How has this product helped you in the classroom? BS: When I first started with TabCam, I used it like a regular document camera, but then realized there was so much more to it. The mobility part of it was great since I wasn't tied to one location and I could move it anywhere while con- trolling the camera from the app. Once I got into the interactive tools like the annotation and lesson creation, I was able demonstrate content from the live camera and include supporting elements from other sources. Recently, my class conducted a pH experiment with various solutions. I moved the camera to the dif- ferent groups so everyone could see the strips change colors as each were tested, Aver Information ( Cont'd. from p. 1) and I was also able to note the differ- ences and tie them to a pH color chart I brought into the app. During the lesson, I recorded the entire thing through the app from start to finish, and once it was completed I immediately posted it to DropBox where my students could review it later, or absent students could experience it. The lesson was easy, yet interactive and comprehensive. ESD: How do you see using TabCam in the future? BS: It really seems unlimited in the sense that I can still demonstrate real content in my class, while having the interactive features to support it. I'd like to start using the upload feature more, not only for student review at home but also to create lessons for substitutes and even share with other schools for collab- orative projects. I am also testing a Flipped Classroom Model, and this product gives me the best of all worlds whenever I need. Visit AVer at booth 1231. For more infor- mation, call 408-263-3828 or visit www.averusa.com/education. performance and relaxation. That's exactly what WalaLight, the new patent- pending adaptive LED Lighting Systems, offers today. WalaLight™ Systems are revolu- tionary, adaptive LED lighting systems that feature smart temperature-changing technology, allowing one light to 'do it all.' Hundreds of dimmable LED diodes in each system can be set to provide bright, neo-natural daylight [6500 kelvin], warm light [2500 kelvin] and any level of light in between, all with the convenience of remote control operation. ESD: What's the outlook for this new technology? HZ: We believe that the WalaLight is going to revolutionize the industry, par- ticularly lighting for educational institu- tions. Studies show that the use of WalaLight technology will improve the focus and subsequent test grades for stu- dents. ESD: How does the technology work? HZ: Based on studies, the WalaLight simulates 11am bright sunlight [6500 kelvin] that makes the recipient alert while reducing the melatonin production in the brain. It has been known for years that bright 6500 kelvin light in factories can improve the productivity and aware- ness of workers; not until recently it has been found to do the same for students and subsequently increased test scores [10 percent increase in standardized tests]. The WalaLight further smoothly reduces the kelvin temperature down to as low as 2500 kelvin to stimulate an WalaLight ( Cont'd. from p. 1) individual's melatonin growth to increase relaxation. The pattern developed from these kelvin changes in lighting promotes a healthy circadian rhythm. The adaptive nature of kelvin changing in an educa- tional facility greatly improves morale, productivity, learning and relaxation using lighting. ESD: How are sales handled? HZ: WalaLight systems pay for them- selves in one to three years if you paid for the system all up front. Take advantage of our $0 down, 100 percent financing that provides you with positive cash flow from the first day. Your monthly electri- cal and maintenance savings will exceed your monthly finance charge, making your system cash flow positive. ESD: Does the technology come with any certifications or warranties? HZ: WalaLight systems carry a number of government testing lab certifications to validate the quality of their construction, including UL and cUL [pending], RoHs and CE. WalaLight systems are backed with a five-year full replacement warranty. ESD: What is your company's goal with the new technology? HZ: Our goal with the WalaLight is to optimize the indoor environment of all educational institutions to meet the light- ing needs of students while reducing operating cost to ultimately free up more capital for educational purposes. To learn more, visit WalaLight at booth 663, visit www.walalight.com or call 855-672-7020. because it is a no-hassle online donation program that allows them to spend 100 percent of the donated dollars. ESD: Mackin is an industry leader in the educational resources field. What sets your company apart from others? RH: First, our personalized customer support and our customization services are renowned and unparalleled. Our employees truly care about helping cus- tomers get exactly what they need, from Common Core resources to leveled libraries to new school services. Mackin serves as a partner in education. We listen to our customers and provide products and services that are designed to meet their individual needs. Our phones are always answered by real people. Second, we work with more than 18,000 publishers and have a database of over 3,000,000 fiction and nonfiction titles and a catalog of more than 250,000 digital databases and eBooks, making it possible to provide a full spectrum of educational resources and the largest age- appropriate selection in the nation. Third, we offer a long list of compli- mentary services, including custom library collection development and analysis, custom shelf-ready processing and free shipping. Lastly, we publish our own best-of- the-best titles in our digital publication, Compendium, a collection of the latest and greatest titles for K–12. Adding to our reach towards the digital age, Compendium is now available through iTunes, Google Play and Amazon. ESD: What is happening at the Mackin Mackin Educational ( Cont'd. from p. 1) booth at FETC 2014? RH: Mackin Educational Resources can be found at booth 1138 this year. We are excited to let people test drive the MackinVIA digital content management system with its exciting features such as Backpack, Categories even Text-To- Speech. We will also be demonstrating the MackinVIA reader app and how it not only seamlessly integrates into the MackinVIA portal, but also how it expands the capabilities of the MackinVIA content management sys- tem. Of course, we'll have lots of things to give away, including our beautiful Mackin bags and posters. Shannon Miller and I will also be facilitating a session on Friday, January 31, from 2:00-2:40 pm called "Understanding the Future of Digital in the Classroom of Tomorrow Today." ESD: In addition to visiting the Mackin booth, how can people learn more about your company? RH: Anyone can visit our website at www.mackin.com for full information about Mackin. They can also start a live chat, email us at mackin@mackin.com, or call us at 800-245-9540. Our Twitter accounts are @Mackin_Talk and @MackinVIA. We are also on Facebook [Mackin Educational Resources], Pinterest [MackinResources] and LinkedIn. At Mackin, every phone call is always answered in person – 24 hours a day, every day – and we pride ourselves on the fact that here, true customer serv- ice still exists. Visit Mackin at booth 1138. For more infor- mation, visit www.mackin.com, call 800- 245-9540 or email mackin@mackin.com.