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EdTech Show Daily Monday, June 26, 2017 2 2 ESD: How is Touchjet's solution differ- ent from the other touchscreen technolo- gy that is currently available? HT: Touchjet offers an affordable touch- screen alternative for the classroom. Touchjet combines hardware with cloud- based mobile software that makes class lessons digitally interactive. Compared with much more expensive solutions that costs thousands of dollars, Touchjet can digitalize multiple classrooms for the cost of one. The price of the Touchjet WAVE is $299.99. ESD: How does the WAVE connect to the TV and how does it work? HT: The Touchjet WAVE has built-in WiFi and Android OS, and connects to the TV via HDMI. The WAVE turns the classroom TV into an Android tablet that is touch enabled. Teachers can access their lesson plans via the cloud and use apps directly on the WAVE for additional math challenges, geography games, etc. The WAVE also has an embedded web camera for doing Skype video on the TV. ESD: How does the WAVE help with collaboration in the classroom? HT: With the WAVE, the classroom TV is now a giant Android tablet allowing small group collaboration that is engag- ing and fun. Students can actively exchange, debate and negotiate ideas within groups. Students learn to think critically by engaging in discussion and taking responsibility for their learning. The WAVE engages a wide range of active students using different apps to reinforce class lessons in a fun and col- laborative environment. Touchjet (Cont'd. from p. 1) ESD: Since the WAVE is an Android device, is it iOS compatible? HT: Besides using touch to navigate les- son plans, apps, videos, etc. on the WAVE, we have a mobile app (Touchjet App) that allows teachers to use their iOS or Android tablet as a smart remote con- trol. Teachers have the option to use touch or use their tablet to control the WAVE. ESD: How is the Touchjet WAVE com- patible with existing tablets already in the classroom? HT: Touchjet enables the teacher to deliv- er rich media content – presentations, documents, videos – on a big touchscreen and simultaneously on a tablet as the teacher walks around the classroom. Each student actively participates using their iPads or Android tablets to share answers, comments and annotations – all are simultaneously displayed on the Touchjet interactive screens. Imagine the teacher pulling up a lesson plan or a math prob- lem on the WAVE on the TV. Students can solve the math problem on their tablets and have it shown on the big screen, mak- ing the classroom truly collaborative. ESD: How can schools get a demo of the WAVE? HT: Touchjet is located in the San Francisco Bay area and we'd be happy to schedule a video call or Skype video to demo the WAVE. For more information, please email Touchjet at education- sales@touchjet.com. We are also work- ing with Best Buy for Education to pro- vide quotes and installation for schools. For more information, go to www .touchjet.com. efficiency and type of incorrect answers into consideration to build the best 'next steps' for them," said Amy Crisp, Fifth Grade STEM Teacher. 2. Personalizes Learning and Instruction With the power to deliver millions of individualized learning paths, every math lesson is tailored to ensure students work in their optimal learning zone. "Because DreamBox is personalizing each child's instruction, teachers know that when their students are working independently they are engaged in authentic learning that is both rigorous and relevant," said Rodolfo Ramos, Instructional Specialist. 3. Motivating Environment that Students Love Designed to delight and engage, the DreamBox experience is student-driv- en and boosts inspiration and confi- dence. "Half the battle with math is getting kids excited about doing it and achieving success. This is the first time we're seeing students gain self-esteem because of their math success," said Dawn Moye, Blended Learning Manager. 4. Tracks Progress and Relays Usage DreamBox gives teachers access to real-time data on what skills students have mastered, are in the process of learning, struggling to understand or have not attempted. Empowered with these insights, teachers can quickly determine when to stay the course or pivot to accelerate, differentiate or remediate. "Using DreamBox enables us to change practice, close gaps and target instruction to each child's specif- ic ability level. Because it adapts with- in lessons, teachers can use the report- ing data to inform and change their instruction almost immediately," said DreamBox (Cont'd. from p. 1) Nicole Makovetz, Third and Fourth Grade MST. 5. Supports Response to Intervention (RtI) DreamBox is an evidence-based solu- tion for RtI that uses formative data to respond – in the moment of learning – to each student while providing educa- tors with tools to progress monitor in real time. "The ability to see where each student is in their learning and where they need additional support makes our intervention much more powerful," said Anna Wiley, Math Intervention Teacher. 6. Aligns to State and Regional Standards DreamBox provides the depth and rigor required by Common Core, state and Canadian standards. "DreamBox helped my school decrease the educa- tional gap to meet State of Delaware Goals and adequate yearly progress (AYP)," said Marilyn Doddard, Principal. 7. Provides Access and Equity for ELLs With a powerful combination of rigorous curriculum and embedded formative assessment, you can support ELLs and dual-language immersion programs. "I love to integrate DreamBox in my class- room because it adapts to every student's individual needs. It exposes my students to new Spanish vocabulary – especially math vocabulary – which is vital to my dual-language classroom," said Francisco Martinez, Third Grade Teacher. Find out what 80,000 teachers and more than 2 million students already know. For more information, visit www.dream box.com or stop by booth #520. schools and libraries. We are also proud to introduce MackinMaker, our latest division, which has already created a positive and successful stir in the Makerspace community. Our award-winning free digital con- tent management system, MackinVIA™, provides districts, schools, students and libraries with free digital reader apps for a variety of mobile devices and desktop computers, along with free content to start. MackinVIA has been recognized by Tech & Learning as a 2015 and 2016 ISTE Conference Best in Show Winner and is a 2015 and 2016 recipient of the Award of Excellence as an outstanding technology education product. In 2017, MackinVIA won a Platinum Award from Modern Library Awards. These achieve- ments are validation of the effort Mackin has put into making a superior product for users in education. We also have a free funding source for schools and libraries called MackinFunds. Hundreds of schools uti- lize this free program because it is a has- sle-free, online donation program that allows schools to collect donations and spend 100 percent of the proceeds on any print or digital 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 professional school librarians to showcase their importance and relevancy within the educational process. Teacher-Librarians must seize Mackin (Cont'd. from p. 1) the moment and take the lead as purvey- ors of knowledge and vital information sources and resources that will serve to accelerate and increase the ability of every classroom teacher and administra- tor 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 today and the future. Librarians looking for support and information can learn more at www.mackintysl.com. ESD: In addition to visiting the Mackin booth, how can people learn more about your company? RH: People can visit our website at www.mackin.com for information about Mackin and all of our amazing divisions, or contact us online to start a live chat. We can also be found on Twitter, @Mackin_Talk and @MackinVIA, Instagram @MackinLibrary, 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. For more information, go to www.mackin.com or stop by booth #1852. NEPRIS BRINGS VIRTUAL INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO YOUR CLASSROOM Today's teachers overcome the limits of time and distance by connecting with STEAM professionals virtually with Nepris. Through these live sessions, students can personally engage with the industry expert discussing their career, past education, life-long pas- sions or simply providing real-world rele- vance to the current lesson plan. These pro- fessionals open students' eyes to careers and work they never even knew existed, while bringing classroom instruction to life by showing students how their classroom learn- ing is applied outside of school. Teachers can sign up for free at www.nepris.com to browse its video library with more than 2,000 recorded sessions, request a live industry expert or simply join an industry offered session.