Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/777462
EdTech Show Daily Wednesday, February 8, 2017 1 2 TOPDESK SOFTWARE IS CONTINUOUSLY DEPLOYED, THUS NO DELAY IN UPDATES TOPdesk, a Dutch-based IT service man- agement firm that was founded in 1992 with its U.S. headquarters base in Orlando, offers service management solutions to educational entities for IT, facilities, human resources, student rela- tions and service desks for all-sized organizations from individual school dis- tricts to multiple site universities with physical and cloud-based campuses. Given its deep background in educa- tion, TOPdesk continues to build upon its broad and deep experience working directly with educational organizations that require synergies with their service desks, those that require quick and effi- cient software implementation to bring their central operations closer together and those that hope to centralize service desks with service management software. TOPdesk is exhibiting and attending TCEA in an effort to connect with educa- tion's IT and technology leaders and to discuss with them their service manage- ment needs as well as how they bring multiple departments – facilities, IT, human resources – together through a single service desk across multiple cam- puses and locations. TOPdesk's leader- ship team also hopes to better understand more about the trends and emerging serv- ice issues and technology needs that industry experts expect to capture the sector's attention this year. Through interaction with these technology leaders working directly in education's technology trenches on a daily basis, TOPdesk can continue to improve its products and services. Regarding TOPdesk's service man- agement software, it is continuously deployed, meaning its cloud-based prod- ucts are always up to date and updated daily, which eliminates big releases or bi- annual, disruptive updates. Contrary to most other software products, TOPdesk's service management products continu- ously bring new functionalities to educa- tion users as soon as they are developed – meaning a much lower impact for clients. Additionally, through its continu- ously deployed software, education enti- ties receive the latest security require- ments and newest functionalities. TOPdesk's value add for educational organizations is sim- ple – providing some of the most effec- tive, powerful service management solu- tions that allow users to focus on their jobs without unneeded interruptions and empowering them to solve problems and request help from one place. Departments, such as IT and facilities, are easily able to work much more proac- tively through TOPdesk's service man- agement software because of less repeti- tive work and the ability to collaborate in the most efficient manner for different processes, such as the onboarding and offboarding of employees. Visit TOPdesk at booth #1249. For more information, visit www.topdesk.com or call 407.613.5410. STEM SUCCESS FROM EXPLORING ROBOTICS Interactive Media Publishing was found- ed in 1996 to produce online courses and interactive content. The company began creating a curriculum for robots and sell- ing robots under the Exploring Robotics brand in 2012. Many schools have drones, but none like the Airblock Drone, which is a modular drone that transforms into a hovercraft. The Exploring Robotics mission (and passion) is to develop world-class STEM learning – technology paired with curricula – that serves the needs of a wide range of schools and students. The company partners with schools to provide turn-key products: self-paced, online lessons with videos paired with hands-on activities using robots and educational kits that can be implement- ed easily in the K-12 classroom, as part of an after school, Makerspace or dis- tance learning program. The company offers teachers not only the robots but also the batteries, chargers, storage boxes, professional development, sup- port, great curricula and everything needed to be successful from day one in the classroom. Schools using Exploring Robotics products are provided with pathways that lead to successful career and job opportunities for students. These are pathways that begin in elementary school and continue through middle school and on into high school. Engineering and coding skills are intro- duced and then reinforced and enhanced with each course. By the time students graduate, they have mastered not only robotics but also coding languages and the technical and engineering skills that lead to good paying jobs or entry into university courses. Exploring Robotics wants to let administrators and teachers know that they not only have fun robots and invention kits, but that they also specialize in providing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum and profes- sional development while also offering schools and instruc- tors support for implementing robots in classes, Makerspaces or after school pro- grams. Exploring Robotics' professional development and support staff go above and beyond to make sure teach- ers get everything needed to succeed and understand the technology. Professional development is not only about how to use the robots and teach coding, but also about helping to build a teacher's capacity to shift from tradi- tional teaching methods to Project Based Learning (PBL) and fully engag- ing students. The company also aids in lesson planning to help teachers choose the lessons that meet their STEM goals and that will fit into their available time schedules. In 2017, Exploring Robotics is launching littleBits, the Airblock Drone from Makeblock, and GrovePi and GoPiGo from Dexter Industries. These products help round out the company's Mobile Robots and Internet of Things (IoT) pathway for K-12 educa- tion. K-12 Administrators, CTE Program Directors, Curriculum Directors, Technology Directors, teachers, librari- ans and media specialists are excited about Exploring Robotics' products. The products help teachers engage students in STEM education beginning in elemen- tary grades and going all the way through high school. Exploring Robotics takes pride in being an active participant with educa- tors as it introduces robotics and pro- gramming concepts to their students. For more information, visit www.exploring robots.com or call 760.650.2687. SIGMA AND PROJECT RED SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN 1:1 INITIATIVES K-12 schools are struggling with the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend. BYOD has the potential to create distrac- tions and enable cheating, and both par- ents and teachers have voiced objections. BYOD also adds a massive layer of com- plexity to already strained IT personnel who have to figure out how to manage, secure and monitor these devices and meet application performance require- ments. One of the primary drivers behind BYOD in K-12 schools is the emer- gence of 1:1 initiatives. Since the 1990s, there has been a shared goal in American education to provide every student with a computer and Internet access. Today, the focus has shifted from desktop computers to mobile devices. BYOD allows students to use devices that they own, like and under- stand, which reduces hardware costs and training requirements for the school. However, 1:1 initiatives are about more than technology. 1:1 initiatives allow teachers to tai- lor learning programs to individual stu- dents, who are empowered to use their creativity to solve problems independ- ently or through collaboration with peers. Teachers spend less time lectur- ing and more time on individual and small group instruction, while the progress of each student is closely monitored to ensure that objectives are being met. In a 1:1 environment, stu- dents move at their own pace and use technology to develop real-world skills that prepare them for the modern work- place. The One-to-One Institute was creat- ed to support the shift to personalized learning by providing all K-12 students with access to technology. Consultants and coaches help school districts create programs that allow students to take ownership of their learning. In 2010, Project RED conducted a national survey of technology pro- grams in approxi- mately 1,000 schools, focusing on the academic and financial impact of education technology. The research found that technology-driven 1:1 programs can improve student out- comes with the right leadership and prop- er implementation while creating cost savings for the school district. Project RED Phase II provided school districts with free access to resources, research and educational opportunities to learn and share best practices for technology implementation. Based on its initiatives and research, Project RED offers five general recom- mendations for improving both learning and financial outcomes. The first is the recognition that technology is a must- have. Integrate technology with curricu- lum to personalize learning. Second, school transformation requires strong leadership throughout the process, and third, professional learning and effective use of tech- nology must be priori- tized by both teachers and administrators. Fourth, student engagement and collabo- ration can be improved through the use of social media, games and simu- lations. And finally, online assessment data should be used to measure student progress and create per- sonalized learning strategies. If your school district is planning a 1:1 initiative or is unsatisfied with the results of an existing program, Sigma Solutions highly recommends getting involved with Project RED and becom- ing familiar with its research and best practices. Technology is driving funda- mental changes in K-12 education, and success begins with effective technology implementation. Together, Sigma Solutions and ARC can help you imple- ment your Project Red initiatives. Visit Sigma Solutions in booth #307 dur- ing TCEA's expo. After the show, visit www.sigmasol.com or call 800.895.0500.