Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/255538
E d Te c h S h o w D a i l y W e d n e s d a y, Fe b ru a r y 5 , 2 0 1 4 4 4 these tools in the classroom setting. ESD: Have you seen projection technol- ogy evolve since you've worked with Epson? TP: Certainly. The introduction of BrightLink ® interactive projectors was a game-changer, as the projector is no longer just a display device but an inter- active teaching tool that allows teachers to more fully engage with their students in the learning process. Previously, inter- active systems required the purchase of a dedicated interactive board, which was expensive, and limited users to a set board size. BrightLink interactive projec- tors eliminated the need for a board, sav- ing schools as much as 50 percent on interactive systems, and allowing users to have variable image sizes from 60-100 inches at no additional cost. ESD: What product question do you get asked most by customers or dealers? TP: More affordable lamps is a frequent request. Recently, Epson reduced prices on the lamps for more than 50 models of our K12 projectors. With prices starting as low as $79 and extended lamp life, operating costs are greatly reduced for our education customers. ESD: What features are you most excit- ed about in the latest series of BrightLink Epson ( Cont'd. from p. 1) interactive projectors? TP: The addition of finger touch to BrightLink is huge, as it enables kines- thetic learning. So much of what stu- dents and teachers do today with their own personal electronic devices involves the ability to select and move objects and draw by finger touch. BrightLink with finger touch allows them to teach and learn in the same way, using familiar, intuitive gestures. Also, because BrightLink uses 3LCD technol- ogy, which provides 3,300 lumens of Color and White Brightness, this marks the first time users do not have to make a choice between brilliant image quality, and having a touch-enabled interactive learning tool. ESD: Are the latest products compati- ble with most interactive classroom software? TP: Yes. Epson recently made partner- ships with Promethean ® and SMART ® Technologies, allowing customers to purchase these industry-leading curricu- lum software packages for use with Epson BrightLink projectors. Because BrightLink works with these applica- tions, it really gives choices to the cus- tomer instead of being locked into one particular software package dictated by their hardware purchase. Visit Epson at booth 2359. For more information, visit www.epson.com/ education. prise level solution for active directory, local server account management and other network directory systems. UMRA completely eliminates the need to man- age user accounts via scripting or manu- al data entry. As your network continues to grow, you will need to move to a more sophisticated solution for identity man- agement, information systems and data integration. ESD: How exactly does UMRA make an impact? JL: UMRA saves time by letting you securely and rapidly make bulk changes to the active directory by ref- erencing CSV files or integrating with your HR or student information sys- tems. The benefit is that it removes the need to manage and maintain compli- cated or cumbersome scripts, allowing your administrator to focus on more critical tasks. The UMRA basically bridges the gap between the SIS or HRMS systems to active directory and other director services while creating accounts in downstream systems. ESD: What do you mean by 'down- stream systems'? JL: Administrators are faced with having to enter data many times in several dif- ferent formats for various other systems. For example, UMRA can be leveraged to create accounts in Google Apps or Office365 to synchronize with active directory and the student information system. We have worked with many other systems like Schoology, Moodle, Skyward and Destiny, and have out-of- the-box connectors to many other sys- tems. If you are curious about the con- Tools4ever ( Cont'd. from p. 1) nectors, please stop by booth 2427 and ask for me. ESD: What are some of the systems you have worked with in the past? JL: Tools4ever currently has hundreds of connectors, but recently we have partnered with Skyward. Tools4ever is proud to say we have been named on Skyward's business partner list. UMRA can also connect to eSchoolPLUS, Infinite Campus, PowerSchool and the list goes on. We have also included new connectors to many LMS systems like Its Learning and Schoology. ESD: What distinguishes your company from the competition? JL: With more than five million users in North America being managed by UMRA, we have a very solid niche with the educational market. Tools4ever has been called 'nimble, responsive and focused on the client's needs and expectations.' It is pretty simple really; we like to stand in the shoes of the people we are working with as we engage with them. We are very entrepreneurial in nature, which allows us to be incredibly responsive to our client's technical needs. UMRA is also incredibly flexible and extensible which means we can adapt to any user management scenario. With this elevat- ed level of customer service coupled with value-based price point, Tools4ever is considered the market leader for school districts seeking a user management solution. For more information, visit www.tools4ever.com, call 888-770-4242 or stop by booth 2427. teaching game-based learning. ESD: What differences would teachers actually see if they reviewed your program? JF: They'd experience a great deal of customization. Electives make up half of their coursework, so they can learn what's important to them. They can also choose a specialization within their mas- ter's program, and those specialization certificate programs don't cost any more time or money. They'd also see one of the most innovative curriculums available any- where, coast to coast. We offer a great deal of depth in technology integra- tion, educational games, online teach- ing, and various kinds of design, from instructional design to mobile app design. That's why we urge people to compare our curriculum with that of any other program. ESD: Any other differences? JF: Sure. Applicants would also see a no- hassle admissions process – no standard- ized exam and no out-of-state tuition. All applicants need is a reasonable GPA from a regionally accredited bachelor's pro- gram and a reasonably well-written per- sonal essay. And everyone pays the same, no matter where they live. ESD: What do classes look like? JF: Courses are very interactive with lots of threaded discussions and projects. ESD: How does tuition compare with other institutions? JF: It's about the same or lower. I used to Boise State University ( Cont'd. from p. 1) say that our tuition is about what you'd pay for a used car, but I quit saying that when an auto shop teacher told me he generally pays about $300 and fixes them up, and others started quoting the prices of used SUVs that were way more than our tuition, so it's just easier to say $12,518, no matter where you live. Then someone will ask me if that's per year. Nope, that's the whole thing. ESD: Do teachers need to be state cer- tificated to qualify for your program? JF: No. They don't even need to be K-12 teachers. Most are, but many of our stu- dents work in career colleges, communi- ty colleges and four-year institutions. After graduation, many of them become instructional designers and trainers in higher education and in the corporate world, and a few work for educational vendors. ESD: Have we missed anything? JF: Yes, we have. The EdTech pro- gram at Boise State has a partnership with a university on the southwest coast of Taiwan. Students can earn degrees at both institutions in about three years because some of the credits earned at Boise State apply toward the degree at National University of Tainan (NUTN), and vice versa. Dual degree classes at NUTN are taught in English, although one course in basic Mandarin is required. Unmarried stu- dents get a free dorm, but apartments for married students are extremely affordable, and so is tuition. It costs about $750 per semester. Visit Boise State University at booth 2247. For more information, go to edtech.boisestate.edu, call 208-426-4008 or email jfoster@boisestate.edu. approach to learning, ALEKS enables students to successfully master course material by targeting their learning on the precise topics they are ready to learn. Since ALEKS is web-based and accessible via internet browsers, stu- dents can quickly access their accounts anytime, anywhere, via a tablet, laptop or traditional computer. All ALEKS courses feature user-friendly answer input tools that allow students to enter mathematical expressions that avoid multiple-choice and demonstrate true content mastery. When Burton introduced ALEKS at the middle school three years ago, the impact was immediate: Students who had been learning at a basic level were now at levels of advanced learning. After using ALEKS for a year, Algebra Readiness eighth graders more than doubled the increase of California ALEKS ( Cont'd. from p. 4) Standards Test (CST) scores typically seen at the school. Moreover, 56 per- cent of these students scored at least Proficient, compared with the usual 40 percent. Scores on the CST increased an average of 30 points, and students who used to need constant attention no longer required Burton's help. "The success Big Bear Middle School has experienced is nothing short of extraordinary, and is a prime example of how ALEKS makes for a truly person- alized learning experience, allowing each student to learn at his or her own pace," said R.G. Wilmot Lampros, President of ALEKS Corporation. "As always, our primary goal at ALEKS is to give educa- tors powerful tools that enable them to help students prepare for life beyond the classroom." Visit McGraw-Hill Education at booth 1339. For additional information on ALEKS, visit www.aleks.com.