Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/626227
E d Te c h S h o w D a i l y 2 3 F r i d a y, J a n u a r y 1 5 , 2 0 1 6 cohorts can alleviate the problem. ESD: So many factors affect why stu- dents drop out. How can you identify them in time? AC: That's why we developed the Scantron Analytics Early Warning System. Educators can use this dash- board to identify these students at a glance. Because Scantron Analytics pulls multiple data points about students, such as grades, test scores, attendance and dis- cipline from multiple systems, educators can use a spectrum of factors that con- tribute to a student's at-risk status. Views are interactive: educators can drill into groups to identify specific students, or view data by school, ethnicity, grade level or geographical area to see addi- tional patterns. ESD: How did you design the dash- board? AC: We reviewed the research to identi- fy 10 of the most common indicators that contribute to a student's at-risk status, based on what's called the ABCs of early warning: attendance, behavior and course performance. We set up threshold values for each indicator, and used these to group students into categories such as At Risk, Moderate Risk and On Track. We designed a special chart so educators can easily visualize each category, then with one click see who's in each category and what indicators are being flagged. We show students who have changed cate- gories between time periods, making it Scantron (Cont'd. from p. 1) easy to spot changes as they are happen- ing. From there, educators can further analyze students and create or adjust interventions based on real-time data. ESD: Aren't all schools unique? What if a district has different criteria for these categories? Or even different categories? AC: That's easy! We recognize the dif- ferent needs and factors that may be unique to each district, and designed the Early Warning System to be flexible. Districts can configure indicators, thresh- old values and category names based on their own analysis. In fact, our customers have applied the Early Warning frame- work to Middle School and even Elementary School students, as they rec- ognize that it's important to catch issues such as illiteracy as early as possible. ESD: Can just having data really improve drop-out rates? AC: Absolutely. They key is having a real-time data exploration solution that predicts what might happen before it actually happens. In the past, educators reviewed historical data that told them what's already happened, but by then it was too late to fix. With the Scantron Analytics Early Warning System, we're able to help educators forecast future drop-outs before they happen, so that they can apply specific interventions with the students and get them back on track. Visit Scantron in room #230B. For more information, visit www.scantron.com, call 858.349.9488 or email bonni .graham@scantron.com. MackinVIA™, provides districts, schools, students and libraries with free reader apps for a variety of mobile devices and desktop computers, and free content to start. MackinVIA has been recognized by Tech & Learning as a 2015 ISTE Conference Best in Show Winner and is the recent recipi- ent of their Award of Excellence as an outstanding technology education product. These awards are validation of the effort Mackin has put into mak- ing a supreme product for users in edu- cation. We also have a free funding source for schools and libraries called "Funds4Books & eBooks." Hundreds of schools utilize this free program because it is a hassle-free, online donation pro- gram that allows schools to collect dona- tions and spend 100 percent of the pro- ceeds on any resource Mackin sells. ESD: What trends are you seeing in the library and classroom market? RH: Today's school library market is presently enduring the largest paradigm shift it has experienced since the intro- duction of the stand-alone online auto- mated catalog. K-12 school libraries are being challenged to remain relevant in a world that is quickly transforming into a digital platform, and I believe that this is the very biggest opportunity ever for school libraries and profes- sional school librarians to showcase their importance and relevancy within the educational process. Teacher librar- ians must seize the moment and take the lead as purveyors of knowledge and vital information sources and resources Mackin (Cont'd. from p. 1) that will serve to accelerate and increase the ability of every classroom teacher and administrator to improve and enhance learning. ESD: How do you view your role as an educational resource vendor in today's market? RH: Our role is more crucial than ever as we provide schools and libraries with the most economical and versatile resources they need. Mackin has taken that involvement a step further with the for- mation of the Transform Your School Library (TYSL) Movement. We have assembled an accomplished board of pro- fessionals who are fully engaged in pro- viding support to librarians focused on transitioning their library to meet the educational challenges of the future. Librarians looking for support and infor- mation can learn more at www.mackin- tysl.com. ESD: In addition to visiting the Mackin booth, how can people learn more about your company? RH: Visit our website at www.mackin.com for full information about Mackin or to start a live chat. Find us on Twitter, @Mackin_Talk and @MackinVIA, and on Facebook (Mackin Educational Resources). For additional questions, email us at mackin@mackin.com, or call us at 800.245.9540. 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 #517. schools the most diverse and "future- friendly" furniture and charging systems all in one place, with the charging and managing capabilities schools require. The combined strengths and resources of both Ergotron and Anthro manufacturing, design and distribution capabilities help ensure devices will be secured, stored and charged efficiently and safely, in high-quality and attractive formats for any environment on campus. ESD: How has the education community been responding to the "active class- room" concepts introduced over the last several years with your LearnFit™ Standing Desks for students? BH: The response has been fantastic from teachers, district leaders, student and parents. "Game changer" is one term used in describing not only the stu- dent response to having the opportunity to choose whether they sit or stand throughout the day, but also how educa- tors teach with it. They admit there is more time for teaching, less discipli- nary time, quicker classroom reconfigu- ration, more focus and less fatigue as students self-manage their sleepiness. The experience is intuitive for teacher and student alike, and the ramp up time for classrooms to be productive with the desks is fairly short. We've been grati- fied to see the reaction of the communi- ty as well, in the form of three awards since its launch, including an International Interior Design Association Award (IIDA) and a Teaching & Learning 2015 Award of Ergotron (Cont'd. from p. 1) Excellence. Hear what is being said at www.ergotron.com/spotlight. ESD: What is the primary benefit of the LearnFit Standing Desk for students? BH: Introducing low-level physical activity into the classroom, such as stand- ing, has a positive impact on student health, classroom engagement and aca- demic performance. Standing more throughout the school day increases blood circulation, burns more calories and helps maintain muscle tone and insulin effectiveness. This means the LearnFit format can be an integral part of a school environment designed to improve student health and academic outcomes. ESD: Is there any new research being released about standing desks in schools? BH: Study findings, published by the Journal of Public Health, from pilots conducted in the United Kingdom and Australian primary schools, confirmed incorporating Ergotron's sit-to-stand desks into classrooms effectively reduced classroom sitting time in a diverse sample of children. The com- bined research in schools is proving that getting students moving more throughout the day encourages the kind of healthy behavior that leads to physi- cal and academic improvements, better metabolic health and consequently, to more alertness and engagement. Learn more at research.juststand.org. Visit Ergotron at booth #623. DESIGNER BRAND INNODEVICE INTRODUCES AUDIO PRODUCTS INNODevice, the audio products brand created by award-winning designer YoungSe Kim, introduces INNOFlask 2.0 and InnoWave Plus. INNODevice launches design-oriented and contempo- rary audio products. INNODevice's new audio product line includes: INNOFlask 2.0, a portable Bluetooth 4.1 speaker that pairs instantly with any iOS or Android device. INNOFlask is small in size, weighing less than eight ounces (210g), and fits inside its own carrying case that's no larger than a sunglasses case (51/2" x 3" x 1"). This serves not only as a handy carrying case, but also as a holder for the speaker. Additionally, a built-in micro- phone allows the traveling businessman to conduct a conference call with ease. INNOFlask is ideal for all travelers, especially those who value convenience without com- promising audio quality. The speaker features a lithium- ion battery with over 10 hours of life and a 10-meter (33 feet) Bluetooth range. INNOFlask is available in four distinctive colors of gold, rose gold, platinum and charcoal for $130. INNOWave Plus is a new over-ear noise-canceling headphone equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers for deliver- ing high quality sound with very low noise. INNOWave fea- tures a unique wave design that stands out and suits all demographics; a flat cable prevents tan- gling and the 3.5mm straight connector fits all devices, including those in a protective case. INNOWave is available for $130 in four colors: black, red, green and blue. For more information, go to www .innodevice.com.