Two Boston-area high schools, the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science and Boston Green Academy, have joined mobile learning program that focuses on mobile learning and leveraging technology in and out of the classroom.
Ed tech developer DyKnow is releasing a new version of its DyKnow Monitor, a classroom management tool designed for 1-to-1 computing environments in K-12 schools.
Students at Washington Park Environmental Studies Academy and Mound K-8 School in Cleveland, OH will be starting classes with a Barnes and Noble Nook Color tablet tucked in their backpacks.
- By Chris-Rachael Oseland
- 01/10/12
Piedmont City Schools (AL) Superintendent Matt Akin discusses how his small district is setting the pace when it comes to the use of technology, creating a class of responsible digital citizens, and beginning an E-Rate-funded program that will deliver high-speed internet to every student's home.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 01/03/12
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently hosted a workshop on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education that included a demonstration of a university project to create STEM focused videos that can be freely used in high school classes.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/03/12
Charles County Public Schools has adopted an online program designed to teach high school students financial literacy.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/03/12
Sonic Foundry has released a version of its lecture capture software that allows users to view presentations on their mobile devices.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/03/12
netTrekker, an educational search engine for grades K-12, has added resources that are aligned with Common Core State Standards for English and math to its search product.
NEC Display Solutions of America has announced two new projector models, the PX700W and PX800X. Both are large screen, professional installation models intended for large venues with high ambient light.
InFocus has started shipping a pair of high-definition DLP-based projectors designed for classrooms and other medium-sized venues.
BenQ has rolled out a DLP-based handheld projector that displays HD in small, low-light venues without the use of a traditional bulb.
A recently announced YouTube pilot program, YouTube for Schools, is focused on putting a limited amount of educational content back in schools that currently block access to the site.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 12/12/11
Instructure has released a free mobile app for Apple's iOS that will facilitate communication among instructors and their students using Canvas, its Web-based learning management system.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/08/11
Research and reference publisher Gale has done a major revamp of the interface for Gale Virtual Reference Library, its online e-book platform, emulating some of the techniques used by physical libraries.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/08/11
Trivantis has released version X.6 of its Lectora e-learning software, a tool designed to allow users to easily create online courses and materials, such as Web sites or presentations.
Desire2Learn has unveiled a new release to its learning management platform, offering enhancements to streaming media delivery and new integration features supporting Google Apps for Education.
Crestron has come out with a new high-definition lecture capture kit that provides "one-button" operation. CaptureLiveHD lets users schedule, record, publish online, and view lectures, presentations, seminars, and training sessions.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/06/11
A South Carolina school district is providing its 30,000 students, teachers, and staff with browser-based access to Windows applications and desktops from smartphones, tablets, laptops, and netbooks.
Lenovo this month is launching a new line of ruggedized laptops for education that are taking a bead on netbooks. The company, which has reportedly deployed about 5 million notebooks in 1:1 programs in schools around the world, today began previewing a laptop line that starts at $469 and offers either Intel Core i3-2367M or AMD Fusion E-300/E-450 processors.
ePals, a provider of educational technology products, will acquire Carus Publishing, the parent company of Cricket Magazine Group, Cobblestone Publishing, and Open Court Publishing.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 12/06/11
Questionmark has unveiled a new version of its assessment management platform.
BenchPrep has released OpenPrep, a new tool that features access to thousands of educational videos and resources.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 12/05/11
GoKnow Mobile Learning, in collaboration with the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), has released GoObserve, a classroom observation and walkthrough app for Android tablets and the iPad.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 12/01/11
Two mobile applications took the top awards in the 2011 Software & Information Industry Association's latest education technology competition.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/01/11
edWeb.net and Action Learning Systems have partnered to create a free online professional learning community for K-12 educators to learn about implementing Common Core State Standards.
Starting next August, teachers in Gwinnett County Public Schools will use Web-based software as part of the district's multi-year digital learning initiative called eCLASS.
- By Jessica DiNapoli
- 11/29/11
Saint Leo University's Education Department has opened a ground-breaking teacher training facility designed to prepare teachers to be at the forefront when it comes to new technologies in the classroom.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 11/29/11
Hemet Unified School District (CA) is piloting a new app aimed at getting parents more involved in their child's education through instant mobile alerts sent right to their iPhone.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 11/29/11
Two Kansas elementary schools are deploying software to help improve students' reading skills.
Sciencia.org, a social network that publishes links to breaking science news contributed by its 64,000 international users, has added economics and financial science sections to its Web site.
Super Star Learning has released a school edition of My Dream Machine, the company's social goal setting and achievement platform.
Safari Montage has unveiled version 5 of Safari Montage Live (SML5), its IP-based interactive videoconferencing system, with upgrades such as enhancements to its screen sharing capabilities and improvements to video and audio.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 11/28/11
Acer has unveiled an ultra portable DLP projector that displays HD and 3D images in small, low light venues without the aid of a bulb.
Pearson LearningStudio has integrated Genius SIS to provide a Web-based student information system for customers.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 11/28/11
Desire2Learn has struck a deal to make digital course materials from CourseSmart available to its learning management system customers as a new addition to its Partner Network.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/28/11
Schools across Texas will go digital as they move from traditional textbooks to an electronic version.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 11/18/11
Evan-Moor Educational Publishers has unveiled Portals, a platform through which educators can access Daily Practice interactive apps produced by the company.
The 2nd annual National STEM Video Game Challenge--a competition to motivate interest in STEM learning among America’s youth--has officially launched its call to entries. The challenge calls on students to create their own video games for the chance to win a variety of prizes, including laptops and game design software.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 11/17/11
Microsoft has revealed that [email protected], the company's free, hosted collaboration and communications service for education, now has more than 22 million users, a 100 percent increase in the past year.
New Dimension Media will release in January a streaming media program with curriculum material focusing exclusively on the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Pearson has launched a new version of CourseConnect, its customizable online course library.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/17/11
Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of school administrators who responded to a recent survey said 1:1 computing classrooms where teachers act as a coach for students are the future of education, in a poll that looked at some of the changes, opportunities, and challenges that lie ahead for schools.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 11/16/11
Online learning provider Adaptive Curriculum has launched a Spanish-language version of its concept-mastery math and science program, AC Math and AC Science, to meet the needs of the nation’s growing population of English language learners (ELLs).
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 11/16/11
Adobe has launched six new apps for the Android platform, including a new version of Photoshop optimized specifically for Android-based tablets.
AVer Information has started shipping a new $200 portable document camera that offers 1.3 megapixel image capture and 720p HD output at 30 frames per second.
Polycom has introduced a new solution that enables interactive whiteboard functionality without a board and streams annotated lessons or presentations to students or colleagues connected to video conferencing systems.
Renaissance Academy in Nevada is turning to 3G-connected Google Chromebooks to help connect students in the 13 counties it covers.
Schoolwires has released Nimbus, a hosted social learning platform developed to increase student and teacher engagement in grades K-12.
Sanyo and eInstruction have teamed up to release two new solutions that combine an ultra short throw LCD projector and interactive lesson software to enable interactive whiteboard functionality without the board.
ViewSonic has unveiled three 3D-ready DLP-based projector's for classrooms.
Planar has unveiled a new series of entry level digital signage displays for use in venues with varying degrees of ambient light.
Trivantis has released a new version of Lectora Online e-learning software, which includes a lineup of features including additional Flash games, new characters, and collaboration tools.
PBS Kids has launched Fetch! Lunch Rush, an educational augmented reality app for iPhones and iPod Touch devices.
Amazon will release its new tablet, the Kindle Fire, one day early, and its new e-readers, the Kindle Touch and the Kindle Touch 3G, six days early.
Kentucky's Pulaski County School District has eliminated its cable TV network and deployed an IP video solution to decrease costs and add video options in the classroom.
Panasonic has debuted an upcoming line of ruggedized tablets built on the Android platform. Dubbed "Toughpad," the devices will begin shipping in 2012, with the first model, the A1, starting at $1,299.
Jefferson Parish School District in New Orleans, LA has purchased 750 tablets to help students master Louisiana Content Standards.
Education publisher Pearson and adaptive learning startup Knewton have teamed up to create a new suite of personalized education products. Pearson will be integrating Knewton's adaptive learning platform into its digital offerings, beginning with its MyLab and Mastering series.
Google has launched pages for Google+ to give organizations a presence on the social network. Previously, only individuals were allowed on the platform.
Samsung moved to the top position among smart phone manufacturers worldwide in the third quarter, bumping Apple, Nokia, and Research in Motion out of the way in the process.
Users who feel inadequate to the task of protecting their privacy online aren't alone. The types of tools available for opting out of Internet tracking are hard to set up and confusing to use, according to new research from Carnegie Mellon University.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/07/11
Ohio's Dayton Public Schools (DPS) will implement a family of intervention programs to help students who need to improve their reading skills.
Following its participation in a pilot program, one charter secondary school in Arizona has expanded its deployment of motivation software to boost student performance.
Worcester Public Schools is creating customized education solution designed to improve home-school connections and support digital learning for the 24,000 students in its district.
One Texas school district is drastically expanding its use of interactive whiteboards and document cameras in its classroom.
HP has debuted the Slate 2, a replacement for the Slate 500 Windows-based tablet introduced last year.
A UK company has launched a free application that allows users to collaborate on Microsoft Office files in real time similar to the way they can with Google Docs.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/03/11
As part of its classroom technology grant series, DYMO/Mimio will award two teachers a trove of interactive learning gear for demonstrating how they would blend individual student instruction and group lessons using DYMO/Mimio hardware and Headsprout Reading Comprehension software.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 11/03/11
A company that creates online learning programs for use in middle and high school education has begun the work of making its courses accessible.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/03/11
Online education provider Advanced Academics has launched version 3.0 of ROADS, the company's learning management system (LMS).
Trivantis has released a new version of Snap! by Lectora, which lets instructors convert resources from PowerPoint to Flash.
Cisco has created a new TelePresence solution for small to medium-sized organizations with limited budgets and IT staff.
Turn around and you'll run into a professional development offering that claims to help you integrate the Apple iPad into classroom instruction. But that can only go so far, said Susan Brooks-Young, who works with educators on the effective use of technology for both adults and kids. What's often missing, she said, is the role that the school or district administrator plays in an iPad deployment.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/02/11
Trivantis has released Snap! Empower, a new tool to create and share Flash animations.
Archipelago Learning has unveiled an expansion of its early-learning product line with the release of Reading Eggspress, a reading and comprehension program designed to serve grades 2-6.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 11/02/11
While data consumption continues to rise--owing to the growing number of consumers purchasing smart phones and tablets--mobile device users are still wary about the security of their data, according to a new report released Monday by Oracle.
iSpring Solutions has released iSpring Suite 6.0, a collection of three software tools to help e-learning professionals to develop courses, quizzes, and interactions within the PowerPoint environment.
ParentLink has released a new suite of e-mail tools for its communication platform designed to improve e-mail communications between schools and parents.
Pearson recently released an update to its digital repository, Equella. The 5.1 release includes new tools for working with Microsoft Office files, new notifications, and integration with Flickr and YouTube.
Lectora will release a redesigned user interface for its line-up of e-learning software this summer, and it is looking for schools to try out the beta version.
Logical Choice Technologies has released an update to Letters Alive, an augmented reality education app for kindergarten and preschool.
Califone has unveiled a new wall-mountable frame that provides interactive whiteboard capabilities without a whiteboard or stylus.
Canon has released a new multimedia classroom projector that can produce an 80-inch image at a distance of about a foot from the screen.
Cisco has released Lecture Vision, a solution to help educators capture and share educational materials with students. Cisco Lecture Vision is a suite of modular solutions backed by a set of services created specifically for education institutions.
Teachers from 10 schools received classroom technology grants this month in the second DYMO/Mimio Jump Start Grant program. Another classroom tech grant program, Bridging the Gap, is currently accepting applications.
FrontRow and Calypso Systems will merge into a single entity with the name FrontRow and a focus on communication and device control technologies.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 10/24/11
Ed tech developer Promethean has launched a new and significantly enhanced generation of classroom response systems, ActivExpression2.
One hundred K-12 schools in one New York City borough have deployed a Web-based software platform to ramp up communication with parents.
RM Education has released an update to Easiteach Next Generation (Easiteach NG) for interactive classrooms. The new release, version 1.3, incorporates a range of additional features, including screen capture and a batch of additional widgets.
SmartDesks has released iLid tables and desks, a new line of flip computer workstations.
Cengage Learning has announced it will partner with Moodlerooms and with Unicon on open source learning projects. Both partnerships are designed to increase functionality for the respective learning platforms through Cengage's new service, Mindlinks.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 10/19/11
More than a half-dozen school districts in Texas have approved an all-digital curricula for grades 5 through 12, which is delivered via the cloud and compatible with most devices, like tablets and PCs.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 10/18/11
Goggle Docs has updated its presentation tool with real-time collaboration and more than 50 new features.
TechSmith has revealed details about a forthcoming update to the company's lecture and screen capture system, Camtasia Relay 4, this week at the Educause conference in Philadelphia.
ClassLink has released LaunchPad Instructional Desktop View, an upgrade to the company's cloud-based virtual desktop software designed for K-12 schools.
Approximately 75 schools in Mississippi have deployed reading software with the goal of increasing students' reading skills.
Cisco has debuted two new Cisco Virtualization Experience Client (VXC) endpoints that enable high-quality voice and video in virtual desktop environments.
Inmedius has released an update to its Web-based learning management system for small organizations, Omnibus.
Teachscape is expanding the capabilities of its professional learning community for teachers, Teachscape Reflect Video.
School Improvement Network has unveiled a new version of Observation 360, a teacher professional development tool that integrates with PD 360.
Epson has debuted four new short-throw LCD classroom projectors and is gearing up to release a new standalone module that turns those projectors into interactive display devices.
Oracle is launching an enterprise collaboration and social networking tool, Oracle Social Network, which will be offered as part of the new Oracle Public Cloud services.
Christie has unveiled its new J series of fixed installation projectors, comprising 11 three-chip DLP models that use Xenon lamps to display video and images at up to 20,000 lumens. The company also debuted two LCD projectors for use in medium and large venues.
Optoma has released a new-palm sized DLP projector that uses an LED light source to present video and images in very small venues where ambient light levels can be kept to bare minimum.
ClassDojo has received $75,000 for winning the 2011 Education Nation Summit Innovation Challenge. The team also will obtain technical help from Citi and NewSchools Venture Fund to help grow their business.
Users of the Desire2Learn Learning Suite will have direct access to digital materials from Cengage Learning thanks to a partnership between the two companies announced last week.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 10/11/11
InFocus has rolled out two 3D capable projectors for use in lecture halls, conference rooms, and auditoriums.
A day after its acquisition of Blackboard was completed, Providence Equity Partners has begun leveraging its multiple investments in education technology. Two of its companies--Blackboard and Edline--have announced an immediate merging. Edline will become another division in Blackboard's portfolio.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/05/11
Adobe is now bundling Photoshop Elements 10 and Premiere Elements 10, the most-recent versions of its photo-editing and video-editing software, for users of both Windows and Mac OS X.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 10/05/11
Ed tech developer eChalk has launched new instructional management apps for Android and iOS devices. The free apps provide access to certain features of eChalk's K-12 suite.
ePals launches the newest version of its social learning network LearningSpace, which provides educators with new customization options for creating online learning communities of any size that can span individual schools and districts up to a global network of classrooms.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 09/29/11
When faced with a budget crisis, Byron High School's math teachers created their own curriculum through a mix of free resources and school-produced videos. The program was so successful, the school became one of this year's Intel School's of Distinction Award winners.
- By Chris-Rachael Oseland
- 09/28/11
Jeffco Public Schools, the largest district in Colorado, has selected LoudCloud Systems to provide an instructional improvement system (IIS) to help collect and analyze data to improve teacher-student engagement.
Library Media Connection Magazine and Gale, part of Cengage Learning, and have selected three winners for the 2011 TEAMS Award--Teachers and Media Specialists Influencing Student Achievement.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 09/27/11
The science resource site Sciencia.org has now become a crowdsourced social network that synthesizes the latest scientific news, studies, and resources from journals, books, and websites into something resembling Wikipedia meets a Facebook News Feed.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 09/26/11
Study Island, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) tool from Archipelago Learning, is becoming more popular in California following education budget cuts and pressure to improve student results.
Gilbert Public Schools in Arizona is beefing up its Web-based parent and community communications portal.
The state of Hawaii has is replacing the open-source learning management system it was using to deliver online courses to students and teachers in one of its supplemental programs, citing anticipation of enrollment increases and the need for an enterprise-capable platform.
Adobe introduces Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10, the newest versions of its consumer photo- and video-editing software programs, both available for Windows and Mac OS.
- By Stephen Noonoo
- 09/22/11
NEC has rolled out a new DLP-based WXGA-native portable projector that uses an LED light source with a lamp life of up to 20,000 hours.
eInstruction s acceptiong entries for its Classroom Makeover Video Contest until noon Eastern time Oct. 25.
Celly, a Web-based tool that enables communication among teachers, students, and parents, has launched an update.
Blackboard's pending acquisition by a private equity firm has received shareholder approval. The company announced that at a special meeting held Sept. 16, 2011 shareholders representing 81 percent of outstanding shares approved the proposal put forth by Providence Equity Partners.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 09/19/11
The open source learning management system Moodle has a new mobile companion. Developers at Moodle HQ have released a free app for iOS designed to work with Moodle 2.1 or later. Apps for additional mobile platforms are planned.
Desire2Learn has partnered with ReadSpeaker to increase the usability and accessibility of the Desire2Learn learning platforms.
Blackboard has launched Blackboard Learn-Angel Edition 8.0, a new version of its online course delivery platform. Support for Angel will continue until October 2014, at which time clients will migrate to Blackboard Learn 9.1.
StudyBoost has released a mobile platform that helps student learn using text- or instant messaging-based quizzes.
LogMeIn has updated its screen sharing service, join.me, with new collaborative features and a new desktop app.
Panopto has released a new version of its Web-based rich media video lecture capture and library platforms.
The University of Kansas has created an online system that helps students learn the writing process and lets teachers evaluate, score, and offer feedback.
Blackboard has released an upgrade to CourseSites, a free online course system, which includes support for six languages, and other new features.
NEC has unveiled a new high-light-output HD projection system designed for large venues with high levels of ambient light.
Epson has launched a new presentation bundle built around its high-end BrightLink 455Wi interactive projector. The bundle, called the BrightLink 455Wi-T, couples the 455Wi with a Copernicus Education table mount and an optional RM Easiteach license.
Viewsonic has rolled out three new 3D-capable, DLP-based portable classroom projectors.
Echo360 is embedding its lecture capture EchoSystem portal for multimedia course materials within open source learning management system Moodle 1.9 and 2.0.
Trivantis has unveiled a new version of its Lectora e-learning software, an authoring tool used for the creation of interactive online courses, Web sites, and presentations.
A variety of New Jersey schools are deploying Study Island for the 2011-2012 year. The Web-based Study Island provides supplemental resources to help students learn subjects based on New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, tested on the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge and High School Proficiency Assessment.
Desire2Learn formally launched Capture 7.1 Wednesday, bringing to the lecture capture system full integration with version 9.4 of the Desire2Learn Learning Suite, released about a week ago.
The MIND Research Institute has received a $250,000 grant from the Cisco Foundation to provide its visual math education program, ST Math, to 4,000 students in Arizona.
Boxlight has released two short throw LCD projectors with automatic set up features, alerts, network connectivity, and built in sound.
Optoma has released three DLP projectors that work in conjunction with active RF-3D glasses to reduce line of sight problems and synchronization issues that can occur when 3D content is viewed using active infrared technologies.
[Updated Sept. 6, 2011] HP has decided to manufacture one more run of its webOS-based TouchPads, despite a previous announcement that it has halted production. HP may also be planning to spin off its webOS business, according to information reported this weekend by PreCentral.net.
America's Promise Alliance and Apex Learning have partnered to provide free digital curriculum to four school districts over the next three years.
Since going public with a beta version in March, social learning and teaching website sophia.org has nearly doubled the amount of free tutorials offered to 1,500.
Super Star Learning Company has launched a new online learning website, projectbasedlearning.com, designed to facilitate collaboration between students, teachers, administrators, and parents.
Hitachi America has rolled out three new LCD-based projectors for classrooms. The new CP-WX3014WN, CP-X3014WN, and CP-X4014WN offer high light output and high contrast ratio for sub-optimal lighting conditions. They also offer networking capabilities.
Edmodo has updated its free classroom communication system. The system, referred to as a "social learning network" by the company that develops it, has added quizzes, badges, and revisions to its student profile page, among other new features.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/29/11
A newly launched site, designed to serve as an interactive educational tool with a science focus, will feature free lesson plan, videos, and activities aligned to national education standards.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 08/29/11
A small school district in the Chicago, IL area, Cass District 63, has turned to New Dimension Media's CCC! streaming media to provide resources for its students.
Epson has unveiled two portable, entry-level LCD projectors, the PowerLite 1221 and the PowerLite 1261W. The company also launched, in partnership with Discovery Education and Atomic Learning, a new training program to help education users get up to speed on using interactive projection technologies in the classroom.
Thanks to granular privacy controls and a unique interface for controlled sharing, schools that have previously banned social networks are looking at Google+ as a viable alternative.
- By John K. Waters
- 08/24/11
With a recent infusion of investment, virtual education company VSCHOOLZ has undertaken a mammoth project to pick apart the individual lessons and learning objects contained in K-12 resources from education publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH). This will allow teachers that use the service to assemble curriculum their own way.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/24/11
The Missouri State Teachers Association is suing to repeal part of a law that places limits on the communication teachers can have with students, particularly through social networking platforms.
Glogster is adding new editions of its educational platform, Glogster EDU, starting in mid-September. Glogster EDU is an online service that lets students create "Glogs"--online multimedia posters that use text, photos, music, and video. They can be used for book reports, class projects, homework, and presentations on any subject.
Lenovo Monday began shipping its new ThinkPad Tablet, a 10.1-inch media tablet based on the Android 3.1 mobile operating system that offers out-of-the-box support for handwriting recognition with the ThinkPad Tablet Pen.
Trivantis has released a new version of its presentation software, Snap! by Lectora, which allows users to convert content from PowerPoint to Flash.
Trivantis has released a new version of its CourseMill Learning Management System, which allows for increased customization and searching.
Telestream has released a new version of its screencasting software for the Mac, ScreenFlow 3.0.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 08/22/11
iLinc has released a new version of its presentation software that integrates with Moodle.
SAS has announced the inclusion of middle school resources and added mapping to Common Core State Standards to its Curriculum Pathways.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 08/22/11
NEC has started shipping a portable, network-ready DLP projector with the ability to display emergency broadcasts notifications over onscreen content.
Califone has unveiled the PA419 PA system, which includes a dock for iPhone and iPod devices to stream or download digital audio files.
AVer Information has released its AP20t and AP20s Student Pack, interactive pens that use 2.4 GHz wireless technology.
Epson has unveiled two high-light-output portable LCD projectors with image correction features, built-in audio capabilities, and support for HDMI video.
Florida's Nassau County School District is adopting the RM Learning Platform with funds obtained through a recent Race to the Top grant.
iParadigms has integrated Educational Testing Service's e-rater grammar checking tool with its online grading solution, GradeMark.
Five winners have been selected for the Certiport 2011 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office.
Education publisher Key Curriculum Press has released Sketchpad Explorer, a free iPad app that lets users access mathematics materials from the Geometer’s Sketchpad, a math instruction suite for grades 3 through 12.
The next version of Instructure's cloud-based and on-premises learning management system (LMS) will include a new messaging feature that replaces the standard LMS inbox. The company is also readying a mobile edition specifically for students.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/03/11
Missouri Governor Jeremiah Nixon has signed Senate Bill 54 into law, making his the first state to place legal limits on interactions between teachers and students on social networking sites.
InFocus has started shipping two new models in its 1100 series of portable DLP projectors, both weighing in at less than 3 pounds.
Cengage Learning has completed its acquisition of the National Geographic Society's digital and print school publishing unit.
Arizona Virtual Academy, an online public K-12 school, is expanding its program for blended learning by partnering with the Valley of the Sun YMCA. Through the partnership, students will be able to attend classes while participating online at any of 17 physical learning centers across Arizona beginning in the fall semester.
Ed tech developer SoftChalk has released an update to its authoring suite for education, SoftChalk 7, and launched a premium version of its learning object repository, Connect Plus.
An Indiana school district is turning to streaming media to deliver educational resources to its students.
Acer has started shipping a sub-$1,000 DLP short-throw projector that can act as an interactive whiteboard and project images from 19.2 inches from the screen.
NBC Learn will donate NBC Learn K-12 licenses for the 2011-2012 school year to all Delaware high schools.
WolfVision has rolled out a new portable HD visualizer with camera, lighting system, and controls built directly into the unit's arm.
InFocus has rolled out a new series of entry-level 3D-ready projectors with a total of six models, two of them selling for less than $400.
TechSmith has released a free digital whiteboard app, ScreenChomp, for the iPad.
Google has begun promoting a new $140, sub-8-ounce e-reader announced at the Consumer Electronics Show and now shipping through Target.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/27/11
Florida Virtual School, the first statewide online public school in the United States, will use Edline's Notification System to communicate with its 122,000 students.
CourseSmart has released a beta version of a new e-textbook reader.
Super Star Learning Company has launched My Dream Machine, an online service designed to help users set and achieve goals, form teams, and track progress.
A small team of Carnegie Mellon University students is nearing the end of a 10-week internship focused on developing programs that can be used by high school students to improve their English skills.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/19/11
An interactive whiteboard company is joining forces with a news network that delivers its broadcasts to teens in middle and high schools to deliver media and activities to whiteboards in the classroom.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/18/11
Desire2Learn is gearing up to release an update to its flagship e-learning suite, Desire2Learn Learning Suite 9.4. The company has also previewed new versions of its Campus Life mobile software and its lecture capture tool, Capture 7.1.
Kaltura, the developer of the open source rich media platform of the same name, is getting deeper integration with two major learning management systems: Desire2Learn Learning Environment and Blackboard Learn.
Google has named the winners in its premiere Google Science Fair, a global online science competition held in partnership with CERN, Lego, National Geographic, and Scientific American. All of the winning entries dealt with health issues, including carcinogens in marinades, indoor air quality, and even an improved treatment for some chemotherapy patients with ovarian cancer.
Community Unit School District No. 4 in Mendon, IL will begin moving toward a 1:1 MacBook environment this fall.
Blackboard has released a new version of its conferencing system, Collaborate, developed from the integration of technologies from Elluminate and Wimba, two companies Blackboard acquired a year ago.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/11/11
NEC has launched a series of new high-resolution, high-light-output projectors designed for fixed installation applications in large venues, such as lecture halls and campus theaters.
Excent, based in Roswell, GA, has released MyGraduationPlan 2.0, updated e-learning curriculum software for K-12 that allows special education students and parents to get more involved in their individualized education plans.
Qtopia has introduced a premium version of its game-based e-learning software.
Discovery Education will be releasing its digital science techbook this fall.
Edvance360 has added video conferencing and plagiarism detection to its learning management system, Edvance360 LMS-SN.
Students in Florida's Hillsborough and Lee Counties will be able to attend online public charter schools this fall.
Camilla Gagliolo got the first inkling there could be some real use for iPads in the classroom when she tried them out initially with students who had learning disabilities.
Crestron has unveiled a high-definition device that can record and replay lectures anywhere through mobile device. It comes in two models.
DataDirector, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's assessment data tracking, reporting, and management tool, has been integrated with netTrekker.
Samsung has launched a new classroom visual presentation system that supports 30 FPS output at native resolutions up to SXGA.
The Virginia Space Grant Consortium will use idoodlesoftware's Krucible in its NASA-based educational program for Virginia high school students.
Education social networking service Edmodo has received several upgrades, including changes to the repository and teacher profiles, along with a new bump feature in the mobile edition.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/05/11
Gartner researcher Marti Harris provides her perspective on the Blackboard acquisition and what it means for the company and its customers.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/01/11
Blackboard reported it's being acquired by a private equity firm with a big stake in the education market.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/01/11
During this week's ISTE 2011 conference in Philadelphia, LanSchool announced that it was being acquired by a non-education vendor. At the same time it said it had just upgraded its main application and that it would soon release a free new management console designed specifically for technology coordinators.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/29/11
Korean company PenandFree has created a technology that allows people to use any flat surface as an interactive whiteboard.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/29/11
Education2020, a courseware company that provides online instruction for students in grades 6 through 12, has added eLibrary, which provides a keyword search tutorial system that gives students access to 4,600 lessons that fit Common Core education standards.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/29/11
Software provides individualized plans for students, iPad app for administrators and teachers
At ISTE in Philadelphia, ViewSonic introduced its classroom-in-a-box solution, the ViewSonic MultiClient.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's digital math app HMH Fuse: Algebra 1 will be tested out by the Edison Township Public Schools starting in the fall.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/29/11
PBS and WGBH have launched PBS LearningMedia, a free media service for teachers, students, and families.
Brainchild has launched a professional development program for K through 12 teachers using the Kineo tablet.
Students at Philadelphia’s Stephen Decatur Elementary school will have access to a new iPad lab when they return to class in the fall.
Sokikom has launched a massively multiplayer online math game, also called Sokikom, for students in grades 1 through 6.
Extron has introduced its new streaming media encoder, the SME 100. It features standards-based H.264 / MPEG-4 advanced video coding (AVC) with output that is compatible with desktop and laptop PCs and can be streamed over networks.
Digital curriculum and test preparation company Shmoop has added shmoints, 1,549 new literature quizzes and school leaderboards to its website.
Google is increasing the amount of storage it provides to institutions that use its free Apps for Education platform.
Panasonic has unveiled a range of new audiovisual gear for education, including a 16,000-lumen LCD projector and a new widescreen classroom projector.
- By Mike Hohenbrink
- 06/24/11
Social networking and online chatting might be a distraction for some, but the makers of the online course management system Prof-desk are using Web-based collaborative tools to connect teachers and students to assignments and to each other--for free.
- By Kerry Sullivan
- 06/24/11
Cengage Learning has acquired National Geographic's digital and print school publishing unit in an expansion of a partnership launched in 2007.
An acquisition done by Desire2Learn in November 2010 is extending its reach. The learning management system vendor has announced a new mobile developer program to encourage programmers to expand the functionality of the company's mobile platform, Desire2Learn Campus Life.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/23/11
Canon USA has added the LV-8320 to its lineup of portable multimedia LCD projectors for the education.
CompassLearning has selected four winners for its Odyssey Innovation grants.
StarTech has announced its new multi-monitor adapter, the SP123DP3DVI, which displays output from a DisplayPort video card on up to three DVI-D monitors.
Sanyo has unveiled two LCD projectors, one of them a portable model with an automatic setup process, the other a full sized HD unit with high brightness.
Sennheiser has unveiled the first two models of their new entry-level series of speakers’ microphones, along with 12 new evolution wireless G3 100 Series combo kits and new operating software for the ADN discussion system.
Crestron has unveiled its first DigitalMedia Presentation System (DMPS), the DMPS-300-C, a high-definition presentation control and signal routing solution.
BenQ will release the MX850UST, an energy-efficient DLP projector with a contrast ratio of 13,000:1, this August.
At InfoComm in Orlando, FL, AMX debuted a new software tool that allows IT administrators to remotely manage and monitor audiovisual equipment and building systems, such as lights and HVAC, from a centralized dashboard.
Viewsonic has rolled out two sub-$700 LCD projectors with wired networking and the ability to project color corrected images on nonwhite surfaces.
At the InfoComm 2011 conference in Orlando, FL, AVTEQ introduced its new videoconferencing solution, the AVTEQ Elite EL-2000.
Panasonic will release a ruggedized Toughbook Android tablet for enterprise customers later this year.
Renaissance Learning has released a free iOS app that lets students take their Accelerated Reader quizzes on their iPads, iPhones, and iPods.
Source for Learning has launched TeachersFirst 3.0, the latest version of its free site for teacher resources and professional development.
Students in Oklahoma will be able to attend a free online public charter school beginning in the fall.
Tegrity has released an updated version of its lecture capture system, Tegrity Campus 2.0.
The Cambridge Friends School in Massachusetts has issued iPads to each of its sixth-grade students and faculty members.
Xyleme has introduced Pastiche, a system for delivering interactive learning materials to the iPad. It's powered by the Xyleme LCMS ("learning content management system") hosted service, which enables organizations to create Pastiche applications that learners can download and use on their iPad devices.
Aurora Multimedia has unveiled a Web-based controller that manipulates AV devices through touch screen inputs and programmed event triggers. The company has also released a button controller with an LCD readout.
A company with its own learning management system (LMS) for academic and corporate use has taken the social networking aspects of its LMS and turned them into an add-on product that will work with competing LMSes.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/09/11
Casio America is partnering with Crestron Electronics to provide users with help desk management, remote monitoring, and control of networked AV devices.
InFocus has launched a new videoconferencing and collaboration system called "Mondopad"--a 55-inch touchscreen display with built-in whiteboarding, presentation, and communications tools.
Elmo USA has introduced a new document camera that offers computer-free video capture and support for direct control via wireless tablet.
Mitsubishi has released a portable 3D-ready DLP projector with the ability to simultaneously display images from a maximum of four computer inputs on a projection area divided into quarters.
Boxlight has released a portable LCD projector with networking connectivity and the ability to project color corrected images on nonwhite surfaces.
A new effort is underway to create a set of conformance tests that would assure instructors that they could use and share materials created for interactive whiteboards from competing vendors.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/02/11
The Turning Foundation, NBC Learn, and Turning Technologies have chosen 10 recipients for the Spring 2011 Classroom Improvement Technology Grant.
Austin Hall, a fifth-grader at Blissfield Elementary School in Michigan, has won the Samsung Techwin America Winter Superhero Competition.
Intel this week revealed a new convertible design based on the forthcoming Atom-based netbook platform Cedar Trail.
BenchPrep has launched the BenchPrep app, a cross-platform test preparation and learning app.
Gefen has unveiled a new switcher that scales and amplifies AV signals received through HDMI, DVI/DVI-D/DVI-I, analog RGB/component (mini D-sub 15-pin), composite video, or stereo RCA jack inputs.
Christie has developed a bulbless 3D ready DLP projector that offers 60,000 hours of operation without the need for maintenance.
As technology increasingly permeates classroom learning, school leaders need to be increasingly active in meeting the needs of students with disabilities. That was the word out of Washington May 26 as the Obama administration issued guidance on school compliance with federal anti-discrimination law.
Crestron has rolled out a fiber receiver that accepts high definition AV signals, sent from distances of up to 1,000 feet, and distributes them to projectors or monitors through the HDMI standard.
Crestron has launched two extenders that transmit HD video signals to distances of up to 330 feet without compressing the signal.
Learning.com is offering free one-year trials of Imagine Mars, the company's online project designed to engage students in science learning.
Gefen has released an AV scaler that preserves high resolutions on multiple display systems with varying maximum resolutions by downscaling input signals sent to the HD monitor with the lowest native resolution.
Epson has introduced a wall mounted control box that offers input selection, audio manipulation, and iPod connectivity for classroom AV systems. The new control box, PowerLite Pilot, is compatible with the BrightLink 455Wi Interactive Projector, the PowerLite 410W Multimedia Projector, the PowerLite 460W Multimedia Projector, and the PowerLite 450W Multimedia Projector.
Iowa schools will shortly be able to access digital materials for use in classes from a statewide digital repository.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/24/11
Chief has started shipping seven projector mounts that endow standard projectors with functionality similar to that of an interactive whiteboard.
Alpha Video and Audio has unveiled a digital signage software solution that offers active rights management, multimedia creation tools, and the ability to manage signage applications on thousands of displays through a Web-based interface.
Moodle 2.0.3 has been released, incorporating more than 200 new features, improvements, bug fixes, and security tweaks (some of them classified as major).
Worldwide sales of mobile devices grew an enormous 18.98 percent in the first quarter of 2011. That growth was dominated by smart phones, where Google's Android OS took over the lead position--beating out mobile behemoths Symbian and iOS.
PBS and WGBH will launch PBS LearningMedia, a free digital media platform for prekindergarten through college classrooms, this summer.
MathTutor Educational Software is now offering permanent site licenses for its Math Tutor series of interactive learning software.
Over the next five years, six technologies will have a profound impact on teaching and learning--and some are already beginning to have an impact.
Plato Learning has released the Beyond High School Library, a suite of online courses designed to prepare students for college entrance and placement exams and career certification and work skills exams.
Blackboard has released updates to Elluminate Live and Wimba Classroom, two software tools that make up its Collaborate suite.
DYMO/Mimio has released two free new STEM resource packs with more than 300 images for use in interactive lessons.
The Alabama State Department of Education and STI have launched the Graduation Tracking System to support the state's dropout prevention awareness campaign, Every Child a Graduate.
School furniture manufacturer Bretford has introduced a new line of powered and modular tech-friendly furniture for the classroom, the EDU 2.0 system.
Teleplace has launched a new open source project, OpenQwaq, an enterprise-class virtual collaboration platform based on the Teleplace platform.
The Software & Information Industry Association has opened its 2011 Vision K-20 Survey, part of the SIIA's Vision K-20 initiative that focuses on developing a technology-based educational framework for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.
The Electric Company and Verizon have partnered to provide free educational games, printable activities, and videos for students and educators through Thinkfinity.org.
Adobe has released Creative Suite 5.5, a major mid-cycle update to its flagship digital media production suite. For educators and students, Adobe is supporting the new version with professional development, learning resources, and educational pricing.
A maker of high-tech lecterns has introduced one that doesn't require the instructor to set up a laptop computer to make presentations.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/02/11
Blackboard's collaboration division will be promoting a form of crowdsourcing to develop the next generation of its technology.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/29/11
Lego Education and National Instruments will shortly launch an edition of LabVIEW software specifically for high school students to use with Lego robotic products.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/28/11
Ergotron will release the TeachWell Tablet Management Cart this summer. It will be the company's first mobile AV cart designed specifically for handheld tablets like the iPad.
FunnelBrain has redesigned its free academic question and answer search engine.
Sapling Learning is bringing its supplemental science software into high school classrooms.
AMX has launched a new AV control system for Android-based smart phones.
ShareStream has released version 5.0 of ShareStream Rich Media Platform.
Extron has started shipping larger, higher-resolution versions of its TouchLink AV control panel system, the TLP 1000MV and TLP 1000TV.
Key Curriculum Press has released Interactive Mathematics Program Year 4, Second Edition.
PBS TeacherLine has expanded its course schedule to six terms for its most popular and newest online courses.
Ed tech developer Desire2Learn, best known for a learning management system by the same name, has purchased Captual Technologies, which develops a lecture capture suite called ePresence.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/20/11
Premier Literacy has released version 13 of Premier Literacy Suite, the company's package of reading and writing tools.
Pearson has released an update to Equella, a digital repository for higher education and K-12. The latest release, version 5.0, gains new interface enhancements, as well as support for customizing dashboards and building portlets.
Microsoft has opened up its Office 365 public beta to a bigger crowd worldwide. The company also warned that its latest beta accounts for the online productivity suite will not be transferable to Office 365 for education when the beta program ends.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/19/11
Ed tech provider Livescribe has launched a new resource portal for K-12 to support instructors using interactive pens in the classroom.
The NEA Foundation is expanding the focus of its Challenge to Innovate (C2i) grant program. In the latest phase, the foundation will award five grants to support innovative ideas for using smart phones in the classroom.
The Algiers Charter Schools Association in New Orleans has added the DimensionU Learning System to the mathematics and literacy curriculum of its nine schools.
NetTrekker has released igotta, a virtual workspace for students to organize, analyze, and use information for assignments.
IL&FS Education has launched Xperica, a virtual science laboratory in the form of an iPad app.
Ed tech developer Merit Software has released a new online literacy and reading comprehension tool for students in grades 3 through 8.
Instructure, the relative unknown that swooped in last December and won learning management system business away from entrenched competitors at the Utah Education Network, has just finished a new round of financing that will help the company scale up its staffing.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/14/11
Over the next five years, Android-based tablets will gain on Apple's iPad, though iOS will lead (by a declining margin) at least through 2015, according to a new report from market research firm Gartner. Devices based on HP's webOS and BlackBerry's QNX will also gain traction in worldwide market share.
ConnectYard is bringing its social channel communication functionality into BlackBoard Learn through a Blackboard Building Block.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/12/11
Tutor.com has launched Tutor.com To-Go, which makes homework help available on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/12/11
Wacom has released an update to its DTU-2231, an interactive, pressure-sensitive tablet display targeted toward education.
Scholastic has released a new version of Grolier Online, the company's online database of nonfiction content for grades 3 and up.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has partnered with Achieve3000 to deliver individualized reading instruction to students in North Carolina.
This spring Scholastic will launch This is Teen, an initiative to connect teens to authors and create an online community of readers.
Alexander Street Press is releasing an online library of more than 8,000 academic video titles and plans to expand their offerings to more than 10,000 this year and 20,000 by 2013.
Ed tech developer NetSupport has released a new classroom management tool for Mac OS X and Linux, NetSupport Assist.
Quality educational resources don't have to be expensive. Here we spotlight three academic gems that can help teachers either enhance instruction in the classroom or extend learning into students' homes, all without any out-of-pocket expenses.
The use of Web 2.0 is increasing in K-12 schools. But, according to a new report, more widespread adoption is being hampered at least in part by teachers' lack of knowledge of how to use the technologies.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is upping its financial support for Common Core State Standards. The foundation awarded $3 million to ASCD to support that group's efforts to help education leaders and educators themselves understand the standards and implement them.
Ed tech developer Archipelago Learning has added support for Texas' STAAR tests to its flagship online instruction, assessment, and reporting tool--Study Island.
NEC has introduced a new portable, 3D-capable classroom projector that includes wired network connectivity and offers a brightness of 3,000 lumens for less than $800.
Classroom AV manufacturer Extron reported that its grant program has so far awarded more than $4 million in audiovisual gear to schools in the United States.
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders has launched a new grant program to help schools develop curricula for students with autism.
LanSchool has launched a version of its iPad application with a new testing feature.
After receiving a modest technology grant, a middle school in Ohio began deploying mobile devices and traditional computers in classrooms and labs. And a key component of the rollout has been in-depth development for teachers focused on problem solving, project-based learning, and student engagement.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 03/30/11
Casio has debuted a new lineup of projectors that work with a combination of lasers and LEDs instead of lamps. The light sources produce up to 3,500 lumens of brightness and have an estimated life of 20,000 hours.
Canon has debuted five new midrange and entry-level LCD classroom projectors, including four for $800 or less.
Moodle's developers have released an update to the popular open source learning management system. The latest Moodle 2.0.2 and 1.9.11 releases address several major security vulnerabilities and also include some bug fixes and performance enhancements.
Tool Factory has released Creaza Eduucation, a suite of online tools for planning, creating, publishing, and sharing digital stories.
Crestron has debuted an AV receiver and room controller that scales video, amplifies audio, and offers room control capabilities as part of its Digital Media line of AV networking devices.
Currently in the development phase, Belton New Tech High School at Waskow will combine technology and project-based learning to create a learning environment that Principal Stan Whittle hopes will entice students to "take ownership of their educations and their futures."
- By Bridget McCrea
- 03/23/11
Desire2Learn has released Campus Life, a new mobile communications and collaboration tool for education.
Echo360 has debuted a major update to its flagship lecture capture platform, EchoSystem. The latest version, 4.0, will include new mobile capabilities, HD and dual display support, and social features designed to boost student engagement.
NYSCATE, the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education, will be training teachers on Android- and Windows-based tablets this summer.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/22/11
Crestron has released a new room controller that not only runs multiple programs for lighting, HVAC, security, and AV applications but also allows individual programs to be uploaded or updated without affecting other processes.
Ed tech developer Cengage Learning has launched a new online learning platform. Called MindTap, the platform is designed to work across devices--traditional computers, smart phones, and tablets--to deliver coursework, learning management, and a range of educational materials.
One district administrator shares his secrets for successful grant writing in today's challenging funding environment.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 03/16/11
The Consortium for School Networking has launched Access4Ed.net, an online community of practice designed for sharing strategies and ideas to provide access to online communities in K-12 schools. The organization has also launched a new mobile learning initiative aimed at overcoming the barriers to mobile device adoption in K-12 schools.
Purdue University is launching an online-only version of its master's degree program focused on learning design and technology.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/15/11
Teacher professional development provider Teachscape has brought Classroom Walkthrough to the Android platform.
Ed tech developer Promethean has released a new plugin that adds interactive polling features and new presentation capabilities to Microsoft PowerPoint.
Software developer Serebra has released an update to its flagship learning management system, Serebra Campus. The latest release gets performance enhancements and new administrative capabilities.
Calypso Systems has opened its third-annual Be Heard School Grants program, which awards classroom audio systems to K-12 schools.
An international survey revealed that administrators see educational technology as critical to preparing students for the networked economy.
As a middle school reading specialist in Oregon's Eugene School District 4j, Marilyn Williams found that many of her middle school students weren't finishing their reading or remembering what they read. So she decided to tackle the problem with the help of iPod touch devices.
NEC has introduced two portable, networkable LCD projectors as the newest members in it's M-series of short-throw projectors.
Lenovo has introduced a new netbook that's targeted toward younger students, the Classmate+. The new model is built around Intel's Learning Series reference design and comes equipped with an educational software suite.
Microsoft has released a new version of its math education software Mathematics 4.0, making it available as a free download for the first time.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/10/11
A private school on the Big Island of Hawaii not only adopted Apple's iPad for student learning; the school designed a whole facility around it.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 03/09/11
Schools are using digital video production in their efforts to foster 21st century skills in their students. Administrators are finding that these programs can also reach out to disconnected students and strengthen school community, with kids as young as 5 years old contributing.
Killing the only federal program that specifically provides funding for education technology will undermine reform and innovation efforts in America's schools. That's according to four major education advocacy groups that issued a joint statement Tuesday denouncing proposed cuts to the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program.
NEC has unveiled four high-brightness projectors with the ability to project images on nonwhite and three-dimensional surfaces, including cylindrical and spherical walls and the corners of rooms.
Nomad Technologies, a company that offers digital wall displays, podiums, and video conferencing solutions, has unveiled a new multimedia classroom podium that ships with a customizable array of AV equipment.
Cisco is extending its umi line of video communication and collaboration tools so that home users will be able to connect with businesses using TelePresence.
Desire2Learn is releasing a new version of Learning Suite, an educational software package that includes a learning management system, electronic portfolio, learning repository, and analytics. The new release, version 9.2, expands support for mobile Web users and also brings several enhancements in the areas of assessments and grading.
Walter's Publishing recently launched Pictavo, a Web-based application that integrates yearbook design functions with collaboration and project management features.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/07/11
Epson has rolled out a new projector that can turn walls, tabletops, and other flat surfaces into interactive learning environments.
Gefen, a company that offers scalers, converters, splitters, extenders, signal switches, and digital signage devices, has unveiled three KVM extenders that use CAT-5 cable to extend video signals and USB peripherals.
A Pennsylvania school district is using lecture capture to offer online access to classroom content. As one of the early adopters of lecture capture in K-12, the district faced some unique challenges. But, according to Technology Director Ken Dunkelberger, it's been worth the effort.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 03/02/11
A virtual high school in Utah shuns textbooks and relies on open content for 100 percent of its coursework.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 03/02/11
Assistant Principal Patrick McGee explains that whatever the other advantages of adopting iPads and iPods in the classroom, the key is student engagement.
A new $9,500 appliance from Vidyo provides for a kind of personal telepresence by letting users Webcast and record their video conferences.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/02/11
Portland Public Schools in Oregon, the largest district in the state, will adopt Microsoft's [email protected] for its 8,500 staff members and teachers and at least some of its 47,000 students starting in fall 2011.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/01/11
Cisco has debuted an array of new and enhanced video collaboration and communication tools to help organizations capture and share lectures, training sessions, meetings, and other events online.
Classroom equipment maker Elmo USA has rolled out a new classroom AV cart that combines a projector, document camera, and several other interactive presentation tools into a single mobile unit. In addition to the cart, Elmo has also introduced a new classroom AV switcher that operates off RS-232 and infrared.
Crestron has rolled out a new AV presentation controller that sends commands to a maximum of three devices via infrared or one via RS-232.
Mobile software company Pocket Watch has released its cloud storage management application, ActiveCloud 1.0, for iOS.
Kentucky is partnering with Pearson to create a Common Core State Standards-aligned digital learning repository.
Texas Instruments has launched a new version of its TI-Nspire handheld, offering 16-bit, 320 x 240 color screens in its TI-Nspire CX and TI-Nspire CAS models. The company also released a new version of its TI-Nspire software.
A 1,000-student private K-12 school in Tennessee will require students in grades 4 through 12 to bring iPads to class beginning next semester.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 02/23/11
Turning Technologies has rolled out a new app that lets users control TurningPoint and TurningPoint AnyWhere via an iPad or other Apple iOS device. The company has also released updates for its TurningPoint and QuestionPoint classroom assessment tools.
Epson recently introduced a 2,500-lumen classroom projector that's expected to come in at about $600 when it ships next quarter.
A start-up company in California has launched a new, free, combined learning management system and student information system that intends to take on major competitors in the K-12 space.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 02/22/11
A new education-based social networking site, Diipo.com, has launched in beta form. The site provides a free service for collaborative blogging and networking among teachers and students.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 02/22/11
A school district in Pennsylvania has begun implementing lecture capture in all of its classrooms. At first the technology was used just to deliver staff development materials, but teachers have picked up on it and have started using it in "hybrid" classrooms, capturing student activities and posting classes online.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 02/16/11
Horizon Software International and Touchtown have partnered to launch a new digital signage system for displaying nutrition information in schools. The system is currently being piloted in the School District of Philadelphia.
Follett Software has released Cognite 3.5, an update to the company's learning management system, expanding support for state and national standards and adding integration with Turnitin.
BitTorrent and the Khan Academy have partnered to make more than 2,000 educational videos available for free through a video catalog app.
AV technology developer AMX has released an update to its AMX | SchoolView control suite, incorporating support for HDMI-connected devices (such as newer computers, projectors, and displays) in addition to older devices that use analog ports.
Luidia has unveiled a console that combines interactive whiteboard capabilities with a single access point for multimedia controls that are commonly spread throughout the classroom.
Software developer LogMeIn has launched a mobile version of its free meeting and screen sharing system, join.me, for Apple iOS-powered devices, including iPhone and iPad.
Google delivered a truckload of free Cr-48 laptops to Astoria High School in Astoria, OR earlier this month as part of its Chrome operating system (OS) pilot program. Astoria is one of several high schools in the United States selected to be part of the pilot program.
Newcomer Enter The Group has launched a hosted service designed to bring groups of teachers and students together to manage classroom projects.
Vernier, a company that specializes in scientific data collection solutions, has released four new scientific testing devices for use in school science programs.
As educators continue to weigh the many considerations attached to allowing student-owned handheld devices on campus, Speak Up asked parents what good they think the use of mobile technologies would have on their children's education.
The mobile technology market is blooming with powerful applications that have the ability to transform education with the ease of a download to any number of handheld devices. To learn what apps educators are finding most valuable to teaching and learning, we asked presenters from this month's Florida Education Technology Conference (FETC) to share some of their favorites.
- By Susan McLester
- 02/11/11
One effect of the current bleak economic climate has been an increasing stress on the importance of teaching the fundamentals of finance to K-12 students. But the financial literacy education we have now is a long way from learning to balance a checkbook in home economics class.
Ann Koufman-Frederick isn't one to pass up an opportunity to put her district at the forefront of emerging educational technologies. As the superintendent of Watertown Public Schools, in Watertown, MA, she encourages her teachers to participate in tech-based pilot and research programs run by higher ed institutions. And why shouldn't she, when her district enjoys such notable neighbors as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston College?
- By Jennifer Demski
- 02/11/11
Software developer Media-X has begun to demonstrate its new collaborative learning platform for mobile devices, eStudent, ahead of the product's formal June release date.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/11/11
Blackboard has launched a free hosted course management service. The system, CourseSites is an online platform that enables faculty members to set up Web-based class sites where they can post course materials, communicate with students, encourage collaboration, monitor performance, and manage grades.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 02/10/11
Lampasas Independent School District has moved to a WAN-based video on demand system to deliver multimedia educational materials to its classrooms.
Writing a grant to fund classroom instruction can be overwhelming. But once you know how the process works and what you can do to increase your odds, grant funds become one more asset in your toolkit.
How does a fledgling sound engineer get the exposure he or she needs to jumpstart a career in that direction? That's one goal of a summer camp for high school students hosted on the campus of the University of Southern California at its Thornton School of Music.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 02/09/11
Extron has rolled out two control processors that can remotely access, troubleshoot, and monitor entire AV systems and their individual components through an Ethernet connection.
HP has debuted three new webOS-based mobile devices--a slate called the HP TouchPad and two smart phones, including the smallest webOS-based phone to date.
Promethean, a company that offers student response systems, interactive whiteboards, an online teaching community, and other educational tools, has unveiled a new series of interactive whiteboards that support touch input from multiple users.
Camtasia Relay is gaining integration with the open source content management system Drupal. TechSmith this week released a plugin for Drupal that connects it with Camtasia Relay, the company's commercial lecture and screen capture system.
Global Grid for Learning, a unit of Cambridge University Press, is teaming up with Moodlerooms to provide access to a digital media repository through the joule learning management system.
Qwizdom has opened a free online community designed for K-8 educators, students, and parents.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's SkillsTutor division has launched a new version of its digital math program that aligns with Common Core State Standards.
Few people will be surprised to learn of research that shows K-12 institutions throughout the United States have become heavily dependent on technology, and that this dependency continues to increase with each passing year. What may surprise even the most jaded among us, however, is that, given that many view this a "good" dependency with a wealth of immediate and long-term benefits for teachers, students, and staff, we're doing an inadequate job of feeding the habit.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/04/11
Ed tech developer Super Star Learning Co. this week formally launched Room 21, an online social learning community targeted specifically toward K-12 schools. Applications are currently available for grants to cover the cost of the membership subscription.
Safari Montage has launched an iPhone and iPad app for its K-12 video-on-demand system.
At its Lotusphere 2011 event this week, IBM debuted a new cloud-based productivity suite called "LotusLive Symphony." The company also revealed some planned improvements to its lineup of social networking tools.
School Specialty Literacy and Intervention has introduced an online software application aimed at helping students in grades 4 through 8 who struggle to master vocabulary specific to the subject areas of science and social studies.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/03/11
NEC Display Solutions is launching three new sub-$2,000 installation projectors with wireless capabilities.
Epson America has developed a tool to make adding its products to federal funding applications much easier, the company announced this week.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/03/11
At the FETC 2011 conference being held in Orlando, FL, Bretford Manufacturing demoed a new netbook cart that securely stores and charges up to 36 classroom netbooks.
Gefen has released an extender that expands the range of USB 2.0-based cameras, keyboards, scanners, printers, DVD burners, external hard drives, and mice.
A fairly new teacher has come up with a way to help her anxiety-ridden AP Calculus students relax more in class. She's using an approach dubbed by her students as the "backwards classroom." Results have been remarkable. She credits the method of an increase in test scores and says the teaching style suits motivated students well.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 02/02/11
Educational developer Capstone Digital has launched myON Reader, an online reading platform aimed at students in grades K through 8, as well as remedial readers, that offers direct access to more than 1,000 online children's books from Capstone Publishing and its imprints.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/02/11
Today HP launched new additions to its Digital Learning Suite, a lineup of K-12 education tools ranging from classroom management software to presentation devices to a multi-seat thin client solution.
Epson has introduced two LCD projectors with networking and voice amplification capabilities. The pair debuted at the FETC 2011 conference being held this week in Orlando, FL.
Educational publisher Pearson introduced its Brief Review of Global History and Geography app for mobile devices such as Apple iPad and iPhone with demonstrations at this week's FETC 2011 conference in Orlando, FL.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/02/11
Crestron has rolled out a new wireless touch panel that controls AV applications, room temperature, and lighting conditions, while offering support for control applications and Adobe Flash objects.
A Utah-based company has fired a warning shot across the bow of learning management system (LMS) companies, including market leader Blackboard, with the announcement that it's turning its new LMS into open source. Instructure has publicly released the source code to its Canvas learning management system, which was launched in 2010.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 02/01/11
While collaborative learning in courses like science and social studies has grown exponentially in recent years, literature still remains predominantly a solo pursuit. However, online educational community BookheadEd Learning is about to take the next leap.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/01/11
Ed tech developer Brainchild this week debuted a tablet designed specifically for K-12 schools. The new device, called Kineo, is based around Google's Android 2.1 operating system, like a number of popular tablets, but provides security features for schools that want to limit what students can do.
PBS will develop achievement-oriented content especially for the New York City Department of Education's School of One (So1) with the help of a $500,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. School of One is an experiment in personalizing education using multiple modalities of instruction, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own respective strengths and weaknesses.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/01/11
Logical Choice Technologies this week unveiled an educational augmented reality tool designed to help children in preschool and kindergarten learn to read and write.
Think banning cell phones and restricting access to Web sites in your classrooms is a good idea? If so, your students will miss out on some incredible learning opportunities, according to education technology advocate Leslie Fisher.
Vidyo has launched a new plugin that enables HD video conferencing on IBM Lotus Sametime, a communications and collaboration platform that offers presence-awareness, document sharing, screen sharing, and application sharing, as well as text, voice, and video communications.
Google has introduced a new education-focused area in its Google Apps Marketplace, which provides Web applications that integrate with and extend Google Apps.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/26/11
Black Box has released a new product that enables a technician to turn one CPU into two workstations or two CPUs into four workstations. VirtuaCore allows a school to increase the number of computing seats without adding PCs.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/26/11
By 2015, preK-12 academic institutions in the United States will spend nearly $5 billion on electronic learning products and services like learning management systems, according to research released this week. That represents a compound annual growth rate of 16.8 percent from current spending levels, outpacing every other segment, including higher education. The proliferation of online learning is helping to drive that growth, but just how much of it will we see over the next five years?
Gaming software publisher Knowledge Adventure has relaunched its Blaster line of educational games with an online version of the multiplayer title Math Blaster, previously only available as site software.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 01/20/11
Research out of Carnegie Mellon, the University of Illinois, and multiple other institutions is just beginning to uncover the transformative effect of digital devices on the education of young children. Yet introducing these into the classroom can become a real distraction and a burden on the teacher--unless certain components are in place.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/19/11
Follett Software Co. has released the latest upgrade of its Destiny software for library automation and textbook management. Destiny 9.9 offers a number of improvements aimed at saving time and money for users of its Library Manager and Textbook Manager applications.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 01/19/11
Macmillan has debuted an updated version of its student response system, the i>clicker2. According to the company, the current version is in use at 900 academic institutions in North America. The new version is currently in beta and is expected to roll out in the fall.
Dell last week launched a slew of new technologies focused on education, including a new ruggedized netbook, an Android-based tablet, and e-reader software designed to improve the reading experience for students who use books in electronic format.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 01/18/11
eInstruction, a company that specializes in student response systems, interactive whiteboards, and educational software, has released a mobile interactive input device that allows annotations to be drawn on a projected image from distances of up to 50 feet.
Follett Corp. is launching a $100,000 competition for school libraries that are helping to drive student achievement and boosting information literacy through technology.
Canadian startup mySpark Technologies is promising a high-performance Android tablet for education later this year.
For the last decade, according to futurist Brent Williams, schools have been doing a disservice to students by failing to give them access to the most advanced technologies that budgets will allow.
- By Natasha Wanchek
- 01/12/11
Discovery Educator Network (DEN), Discovery Education's online learning community, will be offering SCIcon 2011, a free virtual classroom to help educators integrate digital content and new technologies into science instruction.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 01/12/11
Microsoft has shared additional details for its next generation of [email protected] Named Office 365, the set of cloud-based applications adds additional collaboration and communication components and is scheduled to appear in the second half of 2011.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/11/11
Blackboard this week announced support in its learning management system, Blackboard Learn, for two open standards--Common Cartridge 1.0 and Basic Learning Tools Interoperability.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/11/11
Educational software company WordXpress has launched an initiative aimed at emphasizing to students and teachers around the world the importance of building strong vocabularies. The cornerstone of the company's "Save the Words" Campaign is the offer of a free one-year license of WordXpress high-speed vocabulary building software to schools that sign up for the program.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 01/11/11
Edvance360 has released version 6.0 of its flagship learning management system, Edvance360 LMS-SN. The new release expands mobile access to the online systems and adds enhancements for cloning courses and sending out notifications and reminders to users.
Epson this week debuted four new LCD classroom projectors in its PowerLite series. The new models, which will replace several in the PowerLite 8x series, offer higher light output than their predecessors and include new connectivity and audio features.
AMX, a company that manufactures AV management systems, has rolled out a new touch panel that controls AV and climate options while mounted in a docking station or used anywhere with an Ethernet connection.
Kensington has unveiled a new wireless presentation remote that controls both PowerPoint and Keynote presentations from distances up to 150 feet.
Sanyo has unveiled a large venue quad lamp projector that has the ability to display images, video, and digital signage applications in well lit areas.
At the 20ll International CES conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft and Samsung debuted the product of a joint venture, a large screen touch computer with the ability to recognize more than 50 touch inputs simultaneously.
Panasonic and Haivision have combined efforts to create four bundled digital signage solutions that have the ability to drive multiple displays through a variety of networks, including DSL, satellite, LAN, and 3G.
Anybody who follows K-12 education technology trends has surely run across Kathy Schrock and her opinions. During her time in the public eye, Schrock has seen hundreds of products that promise to change how education is done in the classroom. She's also been witness to dozens of predictions portending major shifts in how technology will change students, teachers, and schools. Some of those have fared better than others and others have been total surprises, as she told us in this interview.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/05/11
Developers have released Moodle 2.0.1, a minor update to the popular open source learning management system.
PBS TeacherLine has introduced an online course developed at Purdue University for elementary teachers specifically to strengthen their teaching strategies in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/05/11
A company that provides online tutoring services has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to create an on-demand professional development system specifically to train middle school and high school math teachers.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/05/11
RM Education has released RM Easiteach Next Generation for Mac OS X, bringing a number of features to the Mac platform that had previously been available only for WIndows-based systems.
The Learning Co., a division of educational publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), has released four new mobile games to help preschoolers play and learn on the Apple iPhone and iPad mobile devices.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 01/05/11
Numonics, a Pennsylvania company that specializes in computer-based presentation technologies, has rolled out a dual-pen field upgrade kit for its Intelliboard Windows products released prior to Nov. 1, 2010.
In response to a number of public comments protesting the omission of technology as a priority in the funding of competitive grants in FY 2011, the United States Department of Education added the use of technology to its notice of final supplemental priorities for discretionary grant programs, which it released Dec. 15.
- By Therese Mageau
- 12/16/10
The National Action Council for Minority Engineers (NACME), a non-profit that encourages pursuit of engineering careers among minorities underrepresented in the field, has received a $520,000 grant from the ExxonMobil Foundation to support its programs, including scholarships and a strategic pre-professional education effort.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 12/15/10
Kaltura has updated its open source online video content management application. Version 3.0 of the Kaltura Video Platform Community Edition adds a new cloud-based deployment and offers transcoding options specifically for mobile devices.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/14/10
Three K-12 technology leaders discuss key projects that are on their plates for 2011, which include beefing up student data systems, expanding online learning, and coming to some decisions about electronic textbooks.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 12/09/10
Middle school and high school students have an opportunity to receive mentoring and funding for their digital filmmaking projects. The Adobe Foundation and PBS have teamed up to launch Project VoiceScape, which will select 15 documentary works to support with cash, publicity, and one-to-one guidance from professional filmmakers.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a program working to encourage and support STEM education in classrooms nationwide, has partnered with VEX Robotics to offer the company's Robotics Design System (RDS) for students to use in pursuit of their own robotics projects.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 12/08/10
Students who interact with their peers during lessons are more motivated, more engaged with material, and more capable at learning language, communications, and listening skills. How do you retain that interaction for special needs students who might not have regular access--or any access--to a traditional classroom?
- By Denise Harrison
- 12/08/10
Epson is enhancing its interactive projection devices--including the BrightLink 450Wi interactive projector and BrightLink Solo interactive module--with the addition of TeamBoard Draw, a software suite designed for interactive presentations.
Online instruction platform GradeResults has brought new enhancements to its service, including a parent portal, a new syllabus program, and a widget for multimedia submissions.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 12/08/10
American 15-year-olds saw some improvements in the latest round of international standardized tests administered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, headquartered in Paris, France. Science and math scores measurably improved over the previous round of OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey for American teenagers, while reading stayed statistically flat, albeit above the international average. The overall ranking for U.S. students in this year's PISA assessment rose six places since the previous assessment in 2006.
Magnolia has updated its open source content management system to allow multiple people to edit the content at the same time. Magnolia version 4.4 also adds content translation, multi-step forms, and a page comparison feature, among other enhancements.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/07/10
Two companies have teamed up to provide schools with a way to sell their yearbooks online.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/07/10
The state-run virtual schooling programs in South Carolina and Utah have adopted learning management systems based on the open source Moodle platform.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 12/06/10
Tabula Digita reported this week that more than 3,500 students have already signed up for its nationwide educational math gaming tournament that runs now through May 2011. Signups are still available for elementary and middle school students, who will be eligible to compete for scholarship funds, electronics, and other prizes totaling more than $60,000.
Blackboard has added support for Common Core State Standards to its flagship learning management system, Blackboard Learn 9.1.
For Meg Ormiston, it's a wonder sometimes that teachers don't just give up. Restrictive Internet policies in schools, coupled with unresponsive IT departments and beleaguered administrators, present teachers with a nearly impossible situation: They're being pressured to incorporate 21st century teaching and learning into their classrooms, but they're not being allowed to use the tools they need to do that.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 12/01/10
Sanyo has debuted four new LCD-based classroom projectors, including one sub-$1,000 WXGA model.
Autodesk is releasing an update to AutoCAD WS, the free AutoCAD app designed for iOS devices like iPad and iPhone.
Electronics for Imaging (EFI) this week launched EFI PrintMe Connect, software tool that allows users to print to Fiery-powered printers and multifunction devices via their iOS 4.2 devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Califone International has launched a new upgrade kit that lets schools add wireless capabilities to their PA systems.
Following more than two years of development, the Moodle community has formally released Moodle 2.0, a major update to the popular open source learning management system.
Education technology and services provider eInstruction has launched a grant program to help teachers use technology.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/30/10
Pearson has added four new courses to NovaNet, its digital learning platform for students in grades 6 through 12, as well as adult learners.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/29/10
Netop has released the newest version of its mixed-platform classroom management software MyVision.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/19/10
Ed tech developer Age of Learning has launched a new online education portal designed for the youngest students. The site, ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy, brings a full online curriculum to preschoolers and kindergarten students for use in schools and at home.
Quark has released QuarkXPress 8.5, an update to the company's professional page layout and design tool.
According to John Kuglin, cloud computing could serve as the strategic component that has been missing in K-12 technology efforts--a way to deliver more and better services. The technology may answer the question that educators tend to ask after computers are purchased and 1:1 initiatives implemented: "Now what?"
- By Natasha Wanchek
- 11/17/10
Vigo County School Corp., a K-12 district in Terre Haute, IN, has adopted Follett Software's digital learning environment Cognite in an effort to consolidate digital resources and provide an easy-to-use collaborative learning system for its students and teachers.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/17/10
PBS Newshour is expanding a mentoring program it began last year to connect students with news professionals in public broadcasting, a program that's tied in with the students' schools through a curriculum focusing on media literacy and digital media production.
PolyVision has started shipping its new classroom presentation system, eno one. The system, which debuted last June, couples interactive whiteboard hardware with an open software platform that's designed to integrate with existing instructional tools.
Questionmark has brought its mobile assessment app to the Android platform.
HP this week debuted the Mini 1103, the latest addition to the company's netbook lineup.
NEC has launched two new projectors designed for high-light output and ultra-short throw distances for interactive whiteboards or other classroom applications.
Panasonic has debuted a new series of single-chip DLP projectors designed to deliver high light output for medium and large venues.
The first-annual Global Education Conference kicked off this week. Through Friday, Nov. 19, events will be streamed live for free and without formal registration via the Elluminate interactive platform.
A company that develops content management applications primarily for corporate training has created a new version of its program for the Apple iPad.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/15/10
Telestream has released Wirecast 4.0, an update to the company's cross-platform, live Webcasting production suite. In its latest incarnation, Wirecast adds a Pro version to the lineup, offering enhanced graphics capabilities and expanded camera support.
Detroit Public Schools (DPS) in Michigan has begun the transition to a digital science curriculum in its middle and high schools.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/12/10
When it comes to securing grants for classroom technology initiatives, Lana Bellew knows what it takes. Here the Alabama grant writer shares her tips for successful grant writing, techniques and approaches she's used to secure grants for the four school districts she currently serves.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 11/10/10
Rockford Public Schools (RPS) of Rockford, IL is moving its library management online. With more than 30,000 students enrolled in 54 schools, the district is making the shift as part of an effort to make management of resources, especially expensive and often difficult to replace books and media materials, more efficient.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/09/10
Desire2Learn is integrating Microsoft's [email protected] service into its Learning Suite, an educational software package that includes a learning management system, electronic portfolio, learning repository, and analytics tool.
Turning Technologies has launched a new LCD version of its RF student response keypad, the ResponseCard NXT. The company also released a new software-based assessment tool, TurningKey.
Ed tech developer TenMarks has made its online teaching and learning resource free for K-12 schools and educators.
Could defending champions, "Indomitable Immersion Mamas," take first place again in the next Tech Search Party, or will the team be edged out by "SmartPhonies," "Blackberry Prayer Circle," "Is Our Children Learning?" or one of the other nearly 100 teams expected to participate in the latest Tech Search Party?
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/08/10
The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) has partnered with online school program provider K12 Inc. to give members of the organization special access at discounted rates to a wide variety of courses, including honors, AP, and electives, through the online K12 International Academy.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/08/10
Student response systems at Campbell County Middle School in Kentucky have allowed teachers to gauge student readiness on the fly, providing visibility into the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and whole classes. One science teacher shares her experiences with "clickers" in the classroom--the advantages for teaching and learning and some of the hurdles when getting started.
- By Denise Harrison
- 11/03/10
Second Life operator Linden Lab has let fly another bombshell for education customers: Not only is the company shutting down its Teen Grid, as previously reported, but it's also ending discounts for educational and non-profit organizations. The new policy will essentially double the normal region rates for these communities and will go into effect as soon as Jan. 1, 2011.
- By Denise Harrison
- 11/03/10
Tabula Digita, maker of the DimensionU Learning System and its DimensionM math-based action video game, has issued a challenge to the best gamers (and math students) in grades 3 through 8 in the land.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/02/10
Adobe this week launched Connect 8, an update to the company's Web conferencing tool designed for online teaching, group collaboration, and remote meetings and presentations.
School Improvement Network has launched PD 360 4.0, an update to the company's teacher professional development tool and learning community.
The Network for Excellence in Teaching (NExT) has teamed up with the Bush Foundation to launch a video contest that calls on teachers to motivate and inspire the next generation of educators.
Assistive technology developer Don Johnston Inc. has released a new tool that allows users to convert electronic books to the EPUB format, used by Android and iOS devices, among other electronic book readers and tablet devices.
Education solutions provider it's learning has overhauled the pricing structure for its individual student-centered learning platform. Effective immediately, the platform will be available to all K-12 schools throughout North America for $995 per individual school building or facility.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/01/10
In a boost to the ongoing effort to create a national set of core curriculum standards, Discovery Education has announced its widely used digital content services streaming, streaming Plus, and Discovery Education Assessment are now aligned with Common Core State Standards.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/01/10
Online educational supplement provider Shmoop, which aims to develop new ways of engaging students as they study conventional subjects and texts, has introduced site licenses for all of its subscription-based offerings, including College Board test preparation (SAT, etc.), as well as teachers' guides.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 11/01/10
DYMO/Mimio has launched its new interactive classroom suite, MimioClassroom, including a new system called MimioTeach that turns a regular whiteboard into an interactive input device.
Orchard Learning, developer of the Orchard Software school improvement Suite, has launched a new targeted assessment and instruction tool called Orchard Now.
After a successful pilot program in the spring, the South Dakota Department of Education (SDDOE) has adopted Pearson's WriteToLearn software formally as its statewide student writing assessment. Students throughout South Dakota in grades 5, 7, and 10 will take the State Writing Assessment three times per year using the software.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/28/10
Apple's iPad will drive sales of tablet devices to more than 19 million units worldwide this year, more than half of those in the United States, according to IT research and market analysis firm Gartner. That figure will grow to more than 200 million units in 2014. Beyond tablets, Gartner has also updated its forecast for overall worldwide enterprise IT spending, saying the volume of spending will hit $2.4 trillion by the end of the year.
AVerMedia has rolled out two new high-definition videoconferencing systems, both offering 720p/30 HD video, content sharing capabilities, and support for a wide range of standards and formats.
Canon has debuted its first installation LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) projector, the REALiS WUX4000. The new model, expected to ship in the first quarter of next year, sports a WUXGA resolution and is designed for larger venues like lecture halls and auditoriums.
Casio Education has introduced the Prizm fx-CG10, a new concept in educational graphing calculators that aims to impart mathematical concepts in addition to providing standard graphing functions. Using a new tool known as Picture Plot, the Prizm enables users to plot graphs over full-color photographic images, such as an Egyptian pyramid or the jets of an outdoor fountain, as way of relating complex mathematical functions to real-world concepts such as design and engineering.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/26/10
TregoED, a provider of online tools and workshops, has introduced SCAN, a Web-based tool aimed at helping middle school and high school students learn and build their critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/26/10
Pearson recently launched a free gradebook tool designed for iPad. Called PowerTeacher Mobile, the app is designed to integrate with Pearson's student information system, PowerSchool.
Ed tech developer eInstruction has announced that its ExamView Learning Series is now aligned with Common Core State Standards.
eTouch has launched a free, on-premises edition of its wiki and collaboration management tool, SamePage.
Epson has unveiled six LCD projectors for use in medium to large education venues. The new projectors, which debuted last week, are part of the PowerLite Pro and PowerLite 4000 series.
Kensington, a company that offers computer locks, computer input devices, power adapters, chargers and accessories, has rolled out two new locks designed to secure laptop computers, projectors, and other devices equipped with a Kensington lock port.
Adobe has launched a new multimedia authoring tool for education. Dubbed Project Rome, the hosted service (also available as a desktop AIR app) went into public preview Sunday morning. Adobe said it's looking for schools to participate in pilot programs using the software, especially those schools that have adopted Google's Apps for Education or the open source learning management system Moodle.
A new version of the free and open source learning management system ATutor has been released. Version 2.0.1 is primarily a maintenance update, although it does incorporate a number of functionality improvements as well.
School Loop has unveiled a new version of its portal and student data management tools that can be accessed with an iPhone, Android, Palm Pre, BlackBerry Torch, and other smart phones.
Texas Instruments has beefed up the resources it offers on its TI Math Nspired site,
Ed tech developer Orchard Software has released Orchard 4.5, an update to the company's tool for differentiated instruction, student assessment, and data management.
Google wants to get middle and high school students interested in open source software, and the company is betting that a new "outreach contest" that includes cash prizes and a grand-prize trip to the Googleplex in California will appeal to budding programmers.
- By John K. Waters
- 10/20/10
Elementary teachers are using wikis in and out of the classroom. The collaborative, teacher-moderated technology allows educators to set up sites quickly and at little or no cost, creating instant learning resources for students. But wikis aren't without their challenges.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 10/20/10
As part of an effort to enhance teaching and learning, St. Mary's Academy in Englewood, CO is providing streaming video, interactive whiteboards, and pervasive network access to its classrooms.
The free and open source learning management system OLAT has been updated to version 7.0. The latest release, which rolled out in late September, has gained a new course creation wizard and enhanced integration with external tools.
Midland Independent School District (MISD) of Midland, TX has implemented language and literacy software Imagine Learning English as the cornerstone of its response to intervention (RtI) program to help students struggling to build basic English language skills.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/20/10
SoftChalk has updated its Web authoring tool, SoftChalk 6. The latest release has been enhanced to allow users to publish material directly into the open access MERLOT educational content sharing Web community.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/20/10
Two county school districts in Maryland have implemented DreamBox Learning K-3 Math to improve math competency in thousands of students in kindergarten through grade 3.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/20/10
Acuity InFormative Assessment Solution has received several upgrades to give users more data-driven utility and allow the software to assign targeted tools and exercises based directly on assessment results.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/20/10
Autodesk has brought AutoCAD 2011 for Mac OS X to its Education Community, offering teachers and students about 90 percent off the full commercial version. The standard education edition of AutoCAD 2011 for Mac, which also began shipping this month, will continue to be free for education users.
Smart Technologies has brought its classroom management suite, Smart Sync 2010, to the Mac platform.
Adobe has introduced a new version of its Digital School Collection, a suite of creative and productivity tools geared specifically for K-12 education.
Adobe has introduced Acrobat X Pro, the latest version of the company's document creation, portfolio, and collaboration tool for Mac OS X and Windows.
A number of built-in features, tools, and add-ons are helping to propel Apple's iPad into the classroom. Technology analyst Denise Harrison looks at the benefits of iPad in education and predicts some unanticipated applications
- By Denise Harrison
- 10/13/10
On the heels of its introduction of a mobile application for Android mobile phones, online education solutions provider TH(i)NQ Ed has introduced an application for the Apple iPod touch and iPhone mobile devices for users of its learning network journ(i)e.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/13/10
Discovery Education has launched a version of its streaming service optimized for Apple iPad. The initial offering will include more than 33,000 video items.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/13/10
Blackboard is expanding the parameters of its professional services beyond technical services and training. The company recently announced that it would offer its clients consulting help specifically in planning and deploying mobile solutions. The company also announced version 9.x of Learn, launched in January 2009, has been more widely adopted than any other version of its learning management system and is now in use by 1,000 organizations.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/13/10
As part of its ongoing effort to provide schools in eastern Mississippi with resources to improve student achievement, the East Mississippi Center for Educational Development (EMCED) has adopted a multimedia curriculum management tool.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/13/10
Following up on a commitment made at the time it acquired the two companies, Blackboard has announced that Collaborate, its new collaborative learning suite that taps into technology from Elluminate and Wimba, will work with competing learning management systems. This will allow Collaborate to pull user, course, and enrollment data from the various LMSes.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/12/10
A company that specializes in technology for doing video search has taken its product to the cloud. ReelSurfer has begun showing its Cloud Video Search Platform, which consists of multiple tools that enable users to search for targeted dialog segments within a larger video and to create clips for easy distribution online.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/12/10
Keller Independent School District of Keller, TX is extending learning beyond the classroom. The district has adopted remote desktop software to give its students remote access to in-school software, files, and information from anywhere they use their school-issued tablet computers or any other device with Internet access.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/12/10
Teachers have free access to virtual field trips and other digital educational resources through Meet Me at the Corner, a repository of educational videos that's moderated to ensure relevance and educational value. It also helps train kids to produce their own video podcasts and create documentaries they can share with their peers around the world.
- By Denise Harrison
- 10/06/10
Billed as the industry's first "social e-reading experience," the Kobo app will also be the first e-reader integrated with RIM's BBM Social Platform.
- By John K. Waters
- 10/06/10
Ontario School District of Ontario, OR, has implemented an online textbook as the primary instructional tool for its fourth- and fifth-grade science curricula.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/05/10
Explore the Blue, a Web site dedicated to encouraging youth interest and participation in learning about marine life, on-the-water activities, and marine conservation has expanded its content to include more activities and educational tools.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/05/10
McKinley Technology High School (MTHS), a STEM-focused school located in Washington, DC, has chosen the it's learning individual learning platform to organize and manage logistical data and student productivity in its expanding internship program, which gives its students the opportunity to acquire practical workforce experience at partner businesses throughout the DC area.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 10/01/10
AbleNet has launched SoundingBoard, an app for iOS devices that allows teachers to build communication boards for students with verbal communication disabilities.
Black Box, a company that offers KVM switches, AV cabinets and racks, digital signage devices, and network services, has rolled out a new USB-based KVM switch that allows control of up to four computer systems.
LightSpeed Technologies, a company that specializes in educational audio equipment, has launched a classroom AV system that offers sound amplification, wireless microphone capabilities, and an AV switch that sends both audio and video signals over Cat-5 cables.
Bakersfield City School District is using its new online learning system to introduce electronic textbooks, aid teachers with lesson plan creation, automate tasks, archive materials, and bring digital content into the classroom. And now it's looking toward a future in which technology helps teachers become more collaborative with one another.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 09/29/10
The community of volunteers that developed the OpenOffice.org project have split off from Oracle and formed a new structure called The Document Foundation.
- By Jeffrey Schwartz
- 09/29/10
Online professional social network WeAreTeachers has partnered with ed tech solutions provider Follett Software Co. to ask the question, "What would $200 help you do with your school's library?"
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/28/10
Online study guide provider Shmoop has taken its irreverent approach to mastery of academic material into new territory: the College Board. The company now offers a complete online SAT preparation course that, while comprehensive with regard to the three sections of the test--math, verbal, and written--differs somewhat from traditional programs.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/28/10
Pearson has launched a newly redesigned and enhanced Web site for its National Evaluation Series (NES), which provides all the necessary materials related to teacher/educator certification exams it offers throughout the United States.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/28/10
A school district in Texas is broadening its use of a Web-based platform for managing math and English instruction. It tested the platform last year as part of a 1:1 computing experiment in four elementary school classrooms.
Insurance company Great American Financial Resources has launched a classroom equipment contest that will award small cash grants to three teachers who are voted the "most deserving" of a classroom makeover.
Telestream has released Episode 6, an update to the company's cross-platform professional video and audio encoding suite. The latest release includes a revamped user interface, integrated file sharing, and expanded support for Windows, among other improvements.
The massive and remote Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) of Soldotna, AK is expanding its use of streaming media and other digital learning materials, along with teacher professional development, to support its educational mission.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/23/10
Online courses in biology and chemistry from Plato Learning, designed both for credit recovery and for students new to the subjects, are receiving an infusion of new content to reflect updates in science instruction, most notably real-world applicability of traditional learning and school STEM initiatives.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/23/10
A Las Vegas charter school is taking the concept of home schooling to a new level with the help of technology.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 09/22/10
Online education solutions provider TH(i)NQ Ed has introduced a mobile application for the Android mobile phone for users of its learning network journ(i)e.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/22/10
Vernier Software & Technology has rolled out a new application that works with the iPod touch, iPad, or iPhone to collect physics data.
Archipelago Learning has released Study Island 4, a major update to the company's online instruction, assessment, and reporting tool. In addition to a new assessment engine and online writing tools, the new version adds new collaboration features, gaming, and support for Apple iOS devices.
A new contest is calling on teachers to collaborate with students on their book reports. The contest will reward students and schools for producing video-based book reports.
BrightSign, a company specializing in kiosk controllers and digital signs, has rolled out two wireless high-definition digital signage controllers.
Adobe has brought Premiere Elements to the Mac with the launch Tuesday of a major revision to its Premiere Elements & Photoshop Elements bundle. The update brings both versions up to release 9 on both Windows and Mac OS X.
The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Minnesota's Walden University has launched a new grant program designed to promote understanding between schools and their communities.
Education developer LearnBoost has added support for Apple's iPad to its free online gradebook and classroom management system.
Hartford Public Schools (HPS) of Hartford, CT, has collaborated with Pearson to develop a new, customized science curriculum to help promote reading skills and invigorate science instruction in its first- and second-grade classes.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/20/10
At an "Educate to Innovate" campaign event Thursday at the White House, President Barack Obama launched the National STEM Video Game Challenge, a nationwide competition that seeks to encourage student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through their affinity for playing and creating video games.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/16/10
Two K-12 districts in Colorado have upgraded their networks to support technology initiatives for their schools and administrative facilities, offering enhanced access to educational tools, voice and data services, and data protection via high-speed fiber and hybrid copper/fiber infrastructure.
There's a bumpy road ahead on the way to a successful Common Core State Standards movement. Already states and districts are examining the match between current standards, what they currently teach at various grade levels, and the CCSS. Of particular significance is that online tests will become the norm in the years ahead for many states. But are schools and teachers ready for this? Should you be concerned?
- By Patricia Deubel
- 09/15/10
New Dimension Media (NDM) is taking its streaming educational video service to the cloud. The service, CCC! Core Curriculum Content, previously required installation of a dedicated server, but through the new Internet-only version, K-12 schools can access all of the same programming without on-premises installation.
Apple is bringing wireless printing to the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The company announced Wednesday the release of the AirPrint beta to its iOS development community.
iParadigms has released Turnitin2, the new version of its Web-based tool for reviewing papers and detecting signs of plagiarism or inadequate citation.
Students at Avery Middle School in California are receiving iPads as part of their standard classroom equipment for the fall semester.
Intel unveiled a new version of its Classmate PC design Tuesday. The updated clamshell-style netbook, which is targeted for K-12 education environments, gains the latest Intel Atom processor and adds other refinements.
Graphics software developer SmartDraw has released an update to its presentation tool, SmartDraw VP.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is teaming up with History this week to present a free, live "Constitution Day" Webinar designed specifically for K-12 schools.
Crestron has rolled out a new Power over Ethernet switch that connects with up to 23 PoE-compatible devices.
Online educational games provider PBS Kids Play has introduced a classroom license for its subscription-based service.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/10/10
Enterprise television software provider SnapStream Media has upgraded its content management technology for educational users, streamlining it for easier use and giving it greater storage capacity and efficiency for larger school districts and expanded user groups.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/10/10
New Millennium Secondary School (NMSS) of Carson, CA, has reported that its use of Web-based communications management system eChalk has resulted in improved student and teacher communication and greater parental involvement in the education process.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/10/10
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) in Florida is adopting Carnegie Learning Math in an effort to help improve math achievement in high schools throughout the district. The district will implement the math intervention and supplemental learning software in all 42 of its high schools during the 2010-2011 school year.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/09/10
Research has shown that most school principals in the United States use Web 2.0 technologies and belong to at least one social network. And according to a new report, most also indicated they think social networking has value for education--for staff and, potentially, for students alike. So why did most also say their schools ban the use of social networking on campus?
In the wake of a recent downgrade to its worldwide PC forecast, market research firm International Data Corp. (IDC) this week significantly upgraded its forecast for converged mobile devices, also known as smart phones. The company also forecast dramatically increased market share for Android and Windows Mobile at the expense of both Symbian and Apple's iOS.
The results are in, and girls in the United States aren't any more interested in STEM than they were 10 or 20 years ago. More alarming is the fact that those girls who do take an interest in such subjects at the middle school and high school level tend to drift to other interests in college. And the trend is raising red flags all across academia.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 09/08/10
Education publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has launched a new algebra curriculum delivery system for Apple's iPad. Dubbed "Fuse," the system is being piloted for a one-year period in middle schools in four California school districts.
Palm has unveiled the next generation of its mobile OS platform--webOS 2.0--and made the SDK available via the SDK Early Access Program.
LanSchool Technologies has released LanSchool 7.5, an upgrade to the company's K-12 classroom management system.
NEC has launched three new high-brightness LCD projectors designed for classroom use. The new units are all portable models, weighing in at about 6.4 pounds and offer a lamp life of 6,000 hours in economy mode.
Mathematics education software provider ALEKS Corp. has announced that its course products for grades 3 through 12 are now aligned with Common Core State Standards.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/07/10
InFocus has unveiled two short-throw DLP projectors with capabilities similar to those of an interactive whiteboard ... minus the whiteboard.
Canon has launched a new high-brightness LCD projector for use in school auditoriums and other large venues.
In its never-ending effort to take both academia and modern technology down a peg, Shmoop, publisher of irreverent study aids for several academic subjects, has launched a catalog of 500 self-assessment applications for Android smart phones, as well as more than 500 e-books for use with the Apple iPad.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 09/02/10
As more technology has infiltrated America's schools, technology policies from district to district have diverged wildly. Some allow or even require students to bring devices like smart phones and laptops; others limit these technologies or even ban them outright. Is there a way to take the capriciousness out of K-12 technology policy development?
- By Bridget McCrea
- 09/01/10
Apple has debuted a new version of the iPod touch. The popular consumer handheld device, set t sip next week, has been upgraded with HD video recording and a front-facing camera for making video calls over WiFi.
A photovoltaic company has introduced a new line of portable solar chargers for handheld electronics.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/31/10
Mobile learning in preK-12 is growing at a double-digit rate, but according to new data released by market research firm Ambient Insight, several factors are hindering it from even more rapid adoption, including "saturation" of older forms of technology in American schools.
Seeking new avenues of alignment with its 21st century learning vision, Lake Washington School District has adopted online communication tools and learning activities personalized to student needs to its educational technology repertoire.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 08/30/10
Atlona Technologies has rolled out a new KVM extender that uses wireless USB adapters to transmit keyboard, video, mouse, and audio signals to a maximum of 30 feet.
Crestron has introduced a new series of AV network equipment that boasts a throughput of 8 Gbps when sending communications and AV signals over fiber or twisted pair cable.
Discovery Education has inked agreements to add a variety of new content to its Science for Elementary and Discovery Education streaming digital content services, including a popular animated science series for young children.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 08/26/10
OWI, a company that produces weatherized and weatherproof speakers, has debuted an energy-efficient amplified speaker for use in schools.
Technology is a marvelous tool for enhancing the curriculum, engaging the students, and bringing life to an antiquated classroom. Most educators will agree this premise is true. But how do you get teachers to take the leap and dive into technology integration in their classrooms?
Greenfield Public Schools has partnered with K12 Inc. to launch the first full-time statewide virtual public school in Massachusetts. It's also described as the state's first "virtual 'Innovation School'" under new legislation designed to ease the way for districts to establish their own alternative education programs.
Nature Education has released a new mobile version of Scitable, a free learning tool for high school and post-secondary science.
Edvance360 has updated its learning management system, Edvance360 LMS-SN, expanding course development and reporting features and adding in new learning outcome management tools.
In an effort to narrow the performance gap between low-end netbooks and higher-end laptops, Intel this week rolled out an all-new Atom processor sporting two processing cores and twice the level-2 cache of its single-core sibling. Several manufacturers have already announced new dual-core Atom-based netbooks that are expected to ship in the coming weeks.
Extron Electronics has launched four new models in its XTRA series of 1U convection-cooled amplifiers, including two- and four-channel models, as well as two models supporting 70 volt speakers.
Imaging device manufacturer Plustek has started shipping a new portable document scanner that can handle legal and A3-sized documents.
The National Federation of the Blind has certified the latest version of Blackboard's learning management system (LMS), which means that blind users can more fully interact with the application's functionality.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/20/10
dataMetrics has partnered with Renaissance Learning to incorporate STAR assessments into its TestWiz test processing and reporting software.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 08/20/10
Two companies that cater to the education market have added video conferencing services to their own programs. Both 2tor and ProctorU have integrated video into their offerings through the TokBox application programming interface.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/20/10
Classroom management and monitoring software provider LanSchool Technologies released a mobile device app effectively turning an iPhone, iPad, or iPod into a student response clicker.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 08/13/10
iParadigms has unveiled Turnitin2, the latest version of its online tool for plagiarism detection and the encouragement of proper citation in student papers.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 08/12/10
A scuba diver in Australia's Coral Reef, children at a refugee camp in Darfur, and HIV-positive teens in Rwanda are just some of those who play a part in teaching Missouri's students. Videoconferencing, in wide use in the state of Missouri, brings unique, interactive experiences into district classrooms that participate in New Links to New Learning, one of the state's oldest educational programs.
- By Denise Harrison
- 08/11/10
Student response system maker Turning Technologies has released ResultsManager, a downloadable add-on application bringing new polling data management functionality to the company's existing software.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 08/11/10
In a one-year pilot program, some middle school students in Hawaii will receive mobile devices that allow them to carry WiFi hotspots with them wherever they go.
Open source service provider Moodlerooms is teaming up with Perceptis to provide 24/7 help desk services for Moodle.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/10/10
AMX has rolled out four RMS-compatible AV wall plates--the CP-3006, CP-3008, CP-3017-NA, and the CP-3017-TR-US--as part of its new Novara 3000 series.
Ohio's Board of Regents will be working with Blackboard in developing a program to host distance learning courses in the state. Chancellor Eric Fingerhut chose Blackboard's consulting team to build a new, statewide digital learning clearinghouse that will provide a common platform for online courses.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/05/10
What do we know about interactive whiteboards? For some, they're indispensable teaching tools. For others, they're just IT waste. Either way, the research isn't really there yet to tell us whether they've resulted in any kind of academic gain for students in the years they've been in use in classrooms. Education consultant Patricia Deubel breaks down the issues and looks for some interim answers.
- By Patricia Deubel
- 08/04/10
Educational game developer Tabula Digita has launched the DimensionU Learning System, an expansion of the DimensionM series that now incorporates an all-new gaming universe, DimensionL, focusing on literacy skills.
Through a partnership with a large urban school district in Utah, a research project at the University of Cincinnati will experiment with the use of Apple iPads in K-8 classrooms. The initiative will test the use of 35 Apple iPads to collect educational research in a federally funded partnership to improve teacher quality in elementary math and science education.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/03/10
Michigan's Wayne-Westland Community Schools is implementing new training for its teachers on the use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 08/03/10
Crestron has unveiled a new 7.3 surround sound audio processor along with a series of matched amplifiers for use in auditoriums, classrooms, and conference rooms. The company also debuted three new matrix switchers.
Kurzweil Educational Systems, a unit of Cambium Learning Group, has released an update to Kurzweil 3000 12 for Windows. The software, designed for grade 3 through 12 student reading and writing improvement, now includes expanded licensing options for both standalone and network usage.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 08/03/10
An online university that offers tuition-free education is teaming up with an organization that works to make computer labs available to young people in developing countries.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 08/02/10
enTourage has partnered with Cengage Learning to expand the selection of digital books available through its multi-role eDGe e-reader/netbook, which combines online connectivity, textbook access, and audio/video recording and playback, among other features, into one device.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 07/29/10
Defining appropriate room characteristics can simplify classroom design and improve the chances of its success as a teaching and learning space.
- By Michael David Leiboff
- 07/28/10
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) is expanding its partnership with Discovery Education, implementing the company's digital content library to all 153 Title I secondary schools in the district.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 07/28/10
The United States Department of Education (ED) Tuesday announced finalists in the second phase of the Race to the Top competition.
Online education Technology provider TH(i)NQ Ed has launched a new collaborative learning network named journ(i)e. TH(i)NQ Ed said journ(i)e offers a unique focus for an online education community, specifically seeking to cultivate engagement among a generation of students for whom using digital technology is practically second nature.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 07/26/10
Tablet handheld computers will begin to outsell netbooks in two years in the United States, according to Forrester Research.
In 2008, children in Birmingham, AL, received XO computers through a government program designed to help bridge the digital divide for inner-city schoolchildren. The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project put the low-cost, wireless devices into the hands of 15,000 students in first through sixth grades, making it the largest 1:1 distribution in the United States.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 07/21/10
Epson has unveiled a new interactive module for use with projectors and a 5 megapixel document camera.
Online professional development program PBS TeacherLine has made the conversion to the popular open source learning management system (LMS) Moodle. The organization said it made the move in order to make its program easier for schools to customize in offering it to their educators.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 07/20/10
Online curriculum search engine Lesson Planet has announced it will offer a site license version of its service exclusively to schools and districts.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 07/20/10
Blackboard has teamed up with textbook providers McGraw-Hill, Follett, and Barnes & Noble to enhance the availability of educational content in Blackboard Learn, the company's flagship online learning management platform.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 07/19/10
Relatrix has released an update to its EZCommunicator online contact management platform aimed at facilitating communication between school district community members, extending the reach of notifications to popular social networking sites.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 07/19/10
Activate!, a Web-based service operated by technology giant AMD aimed at helping middle schoolers learn and practice beginning video game design, has be adopted at the Dandelion Middle School in Beijing, China.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 07/19/10
Grand Prairie Independent School District in Texas is using a digital learning platform and integrating professional development to get the most out of its 1:1 laptop investment.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 07/14/10
Lightspeed Systems has added a new feature to its Web filtering software that allows K-12 users to do "safe" sharing and collaboration.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/14/10
Desire2Learn this week unveiled an update to its mobile learning management system client, Desire2Learn 2Go.
NEC has launched a new portable, 3D-ready DLP projector, the latest in its NP Value Series.
Kaltura, a company that develops open source products for creating and managing video on Web sites, has published a Blackboard Building Block that allows users to integrate video into their Blackboard Learn environments.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 07/13/10
Plato Learning has added Advanced Placement courses to its online curriculum platform, providing an option for high schools that don't currently offer AP classes.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 07/13/10
Adaptive Curriculum has released a new science curriculum aimed at providing a deeper understanding of science and math to middle and high school students.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 07/12/10
Ed tech developer it's learning has added support for externally hosted extensions and an application store to its eponymous Web-based course management system. The company has also added more than 120 other new features to the system.
Digital education resources publisher Shmoop has kicked off the online beta of its new economics curriculum, which uses games and multimedia in an effort to make the subject more engaging for middle school and high school students.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 07/12/10
Follett Software has launched a tool for K-12 designed to provide a bridge between library resources, classroom instruction, and homework.
CTB/McGraw-Hill and Promethean have partnered to bring classroom clicker functionality to the Acuity line of student assessment products.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 07/06/10
RTI, a technology company that specializes in AV control systems, has announced a new iPhone app for use with its XP series of controllers.
Education technology developer Promethean has updated its ActivClassroom lineup with a new 1.4 release of its ActivInspire software and a new mobile ActivBoard system. The company also added new features to its online teacher community.
In a study that is not without some controversy, researchers found that one form of mentoring for new elementary teachers, 'comprehensive induction,' can have a significant, positive impact on student achievement, while at the same time failing to improve teacher retention.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 07/02/10
At the ISTE 2010 conference in Denver, DYMO/Mimio Interactive Teaching Technologies debuted a rechargeable interactive polling system, a document camera with two adjustable light sources, and a new portable device for writing on projected images.
PolyVision has launched a new classroom presentation system that couples interactive whiteboard hardware with an open software platform.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 07/02/10
Cisco Systems is the latest vendor to enter the tablet device market and, like other players, the company is looking at its entry as an alternative to traditional Windows-based PCs.
- By Jeffrey Schwartz
- 07/01/10
More than 1,000 students of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), each previously lagging in one or more course credits necessary for graduation, will now receive their diplomas along with the rest of the Class of 2010.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 06/30/10
Pearson has launched SuccessNet Plus, a new learning management system combining curriculum, assessment, and administration features into one package.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/30/10
PASCO Scientific introduced two applications for Apple mobile devices at ISTE 2010 in Denver: SPARKvue 1.1 for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad; and MatchGraph for the iPhone 4. Both are available for download from Apple's App Store.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/29/10
Six Red Marbles introduced three online math education programs this week at ISTE 2010 in Denver: Juba and Waza aimed at early childhood learners, and Kabanga for students in grade levels 6 through 8.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/29/10
Texthelp has released Read&Write 4 Gold for Mac, the latest version of Read&Write software intended to help struggling students. The software was previously available only for Windows systems.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/29/10
Teachers who use technology frequently in their classrooms perceive greater benefits to student learning--particularly learning 21st century skills--than teachers who are less frequent users. That's one of the major findings from a K-12 technology study released Monday by researchers out of the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Minnesota's Walden University.
K12 Inc. and Lawrence Public Schools launched a new virtual high school program serving Kansas students in grades 9 and 10.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/28/10
Extron has introduced a new triple gang wall mounted touch panel controller with a 3.5-inch touch screen. The company has also unveiled an Ethernet control processor, a series of matrix switchers, two series of modular switcher boards, and two series of video to IP encoder/decoders.
Students insist that technology is important to them them now and will be in their future, and about half think their schools are preparing them adequately for college and career; but, according to a new report released Monday at the ISTE 2010 conference in Denver, CO, schools are still in need of some improvements.
Looking to make the most of its technology budget and corresponding initiatives, a large Texas school district has taken the initiative to spark a collaborative effort between two ed tech providers, and the results could lead to cost savings and technology benefits to schools everywhere.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 06/25/10
Schoolwires has released Centricity², an update to the company's Web platform designed for K-12 institutions. The new version adds a range of collaborative technologies, developer resources, management tools, and integration features.
HP has released the Mini 100e Education Edition netbook, designed as a low-cost, portable, and durable computer for K-6 student use.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/25/10
Are we too easily jaded by the progress of technology, always demanding the next big thing even as the last one is barely out of the box? Or will the innovators and entrepreneurs of the global technology arena forever (or at least for the next century or so) keep us on our toes as their vision, and the resulting gadgets and apps, continually expands at a geometric rate?
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 06/24/10
Los Angeles Unified School District is investing heavily in a digital assessment system designed to help boost student achievement through teacher-generated formative tests.
Twenty-one elementary schools in New York are adopting digital curricula for the 2010-2011 school year. Beginning this fall, these schools will start shifting to a digital platform for math and reading designed for 1:1 classroom environments.
Epson has introduced a new LCD classroom projector that promises to deliver a brightness of 4,000 lumens for less than $1,000.
Lexia Learning is unveiling Lexia Reading 7.0. The newest version of its reading skill development and assessment suite will debut at ISTE in Denver.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/23/10
Renaissance Learning has partnered up to integrate its classroom response systems with content from Ignite! Learning and the Datawise Measures assessment management system.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/23/10
Florida's Broward County Public Schools had already rolled out educational math gaming to its middle schoolers and had even gone so far as to host two 24-school math tournaments throughout the county this last May and the previous May. Now a local Broward County library, Pembroke Pines Library, is extending the educational gaming challenge further.
North Carolina districts Pitt County Schools (PCS) and Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) have both chosen to implement the Study Island suite of online education tools from Archipelago Learning throughout their respective districts.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 06/22/10
Arizona State University has expanded its online degree and certification programs for PK-12 teachers, including the addition of a new credential for online teaching. Tuition will be the same whether the student is in state or out of state.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/21/10
RM Education has launched a new digital media delivery system called RM eVision, a system that's designed for both broadcast and video on demand. The company also debuted a classroom audio system called RM SecureAudio.
An Arizona elementary school is beefing up its technology toolbox with a new multimedia curriculum in an effort to engage students, teach 21st century skills, and, hopefully, help boost academic achievement.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 06/17/10
Moodle has released an update to its open source, cross-platform learning management system. Moodle 1.9.9 includes fixes for minor bugs and also addresses four security vulnerabilities, including two that Moodle developers have labeled as "critical."
BenQ introduced a new 3D-ready projector at the InfoComm 2010 conference last week in Las Vegas.
For students looking to stay involved in the arts over the summer, audio software developer Ableton has launched the Ableton Summer Music Challenge, in which K-12 students create and submit original tracks for a chance to earn individual prizes and prizes for their schools.
Following the release in April of Mobile Learn for Apple's iPad, Blackboard has released the mobile version of its learning management system for Android-based phones; Apple iPhone and iPod; and BlackBerry devices.
Califone has introduced a new portable assistive listening system intended for use in auditoriums, lecture halls, school outings, or other situations where an instructor or guide requires amplification to be heard above surrounding ambient noise.
Christie unveiled two high-definition LCD projectors at this year's InfoComm conference, held last week in Las Vegas, NV.
Mitsubishi has introduced two dual-lamp DLP projectors and two 3D-ready DLP projectors.
At the InfoComm 2010 conference in Las Vegas, Epson unveiled a 5.1-pound portable LCD projector that it said will ship for less than $500.
MultiDyne--a New York-based company that manufactures fiber optic receivers and transmitters, distribution amplifiers, routing switchers, and other pro AV equipment--debuted a DVI to fiber adapter and portable fiber optic field transport system at the InfoComm 2010 conference in Las Vegas last week.
Two high school districts in California have adopted digital media systems for delivering educational content to their classrooms.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/14/10
Califone has updated its Infrared Classroom Audio System, expanding wireless mic features and adding in capabilities for school-wide announcements.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/14/10
iParadigms has started licensing its Turnitin originality checking tool to the Ministry of Education of Ontario, Canada for use throughout the Ontario secondary school system.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/10/10
At the InfoComm 2010 conference in Las Vegas, ViewSonic introduced two high-brightness projectors, one 3D-ready short throw projector, and a projector that functions as an interactive whiteboard ... minus the whiteboard.
One in five schools and districts that don't already offer online courses expect to do so in the next two school years, according to a set of new reports produced by the Education Division of the Software & Information Industry Association, a trade association for the software and digital content industry.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/10/10
Luidia is expanding its line of eBeam interactive whiteboard devices. The company recently launched eBeam Engage, which is designed to turn any flat surface into an interactive whiteboard, at the Infocomm 2010 conference in Las Vegas.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/10/10
At the InfoComm 2010 conference in Las Vegas, Sanyo announced four new widescreen projectors designed for large venues: the LCD-based PLC-WM5500, PLC-WM4500, and PLC-HF10000 and the DLP-based PDG-DHT8000L.
Collaborative technologies like video and telepresence aren't just changing they way people work, learn, and communicate. They're also having an enormous impact on networks and will, in the near future, force radical changes in architecture, according to Cisco's Marthin de Beer, who delivered the opening keynote address at the InfoComm 2010 conference Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Videoconferencing is helping schools cut travel costs and save on professional development. In fact, one regional organization reported it's saving more than $100,000 on annual professional development costs alone thanks to Internet-based teleconferencing.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 06/09/10
At this week's InfoComm 2010, happening now in Las Vegas, AV technology manufacturer Aten debuted two new HDMI solutions for digital signage in its VanCryst line of audiovisual components.
NEC Display Solutions has made its Vukunet digital signage content platform available free of charge.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/09/10
Panasonic has launched two new versions of its Panaboard interactive whiteboard systems, both supporting fingertip and electronic pen drawing for up to three simultaneous users. The new units debuted at the InfoComm 2010 convention happening this week in Las Vegas.
At the InfoComm 2010 convention this week in Las Vegas, Sonic Foundry debuted updates to its Media site lecture capture system, including new recorder hardware and updated Mediasite software.
Perceptive Software has released a new version of its document management system, ImageNow 6.5.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/09/10
Sanyo unveiled two 3D-ready short-focus DLP projectors at InfoComm 2010 conference being held this week in Las Vegas, NV.
Bretford debuted a new flat-panel lectern at the InfoComm 2010 convention happening this week in Las Vegas.
The Software & Information Industry Association has extended the deadline for its Vision K-20 Survey, part of the SIIA's "Vision K-20" effort toward developing a technology-based educational framework for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. The survey runs until June 12.
At the Internet Week Conference Monday, Microsoft released Expression Studio 4, the latest version of the company's Web design and rich user interface (UI) development tool.
- By Michael Desmond
- 06/07/10
Crest Audio has unveiled four new amplifiers as part of its new E-Lite series, a line it's showing at the InfoComm 2010 convention this week in Las Vegas.
Google's latest update of its mobile operating system offers two features the iPhone doesn't -- tethering and Flash support.
A new set of national standards for K-12 math and English could either hold the key to helping schools "share innovations across state borders" or "undermine the role of teachers and administrators," depending on who's assessing them. The federal government, for its part, is supporting the new Common Core State Standards, released this week, and promising to tie state funding to their adoption, with potential spillover into Title I.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/03/10
In what Microsoft is calling "one of the largest cloud deployments and fastest migrations of all time," the commonwealth of Kentucky has switched over its PK-12 public education system to [email protected] for communications and collaboration, affecting about 700,000 students, faculty, and staff.
Connections Academy, a private company operating 15 virtual schools in 14 states, has opened enrollment for the Michigan Connections Academy.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/02/10
The Michigan public school system has launched the state's first online public charter school, the Michigan Virtual Charter Academy.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/02/10
Edvance360 has updated its learning management system, Edvance360 LMS-SN, expanding course development and reporting features and adding in new learning outcome management tools.
Capstone has released PebbleGo Earth and Space, the latest entry in the PebbleGo series of browser-based subscription educational tools for younger learners.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 06/01/10
Getting a strong WiFi signal can be challenging enough without having to worry about 5-foot-thick walls standing between your laptop and the signal source. But that's exactly what teachers and administrators at Lyons Township High School in La Grange, IL, were grappling with when trying to access the institution's existing 802.11g WiFi infrastructure.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 05/27/10
Nearly 2 million children worldwide already use the renowned XO laptop computer, according to its provider, the philanthropic organization One Laptop Per Child (OLPC). And now, with the help of no small amount of feedback from its users, OLPC has teamed up with integrated technology solutions developer Marvell to design the next generation of durable, low-cost computers for students in global regions underserved by technology: The sub-$100 XO tablet.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 05/27/10
A project out of the University of Virginia to get young children comfortable with engineering has been selected as one of 10 winners in a MacArthur Digital Media and Learning Competition. The project, called [email protected], is intended to teach K-12 students about mathematical analysis and modeling, digital fabrication, and engineering by allowing them to fabricate 3D copies of objects that they've designed themselves.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/26/10
Eighty-six independent schools in North Carolina are expanding their instruction online in an effort to boost learning opportunities for their students. The schools, part of the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, will also offer online credit recovery opportunities for students who have fallen behind.
A new pilot program is putting electronic books in the hands of high school teachers and students free of charge through local public libraries.
Ed tech developer SoftChalk has released an update to SoftChalk, an authoring suite for instructional content. The company also announced that it will be expanding the capabilities of the Web-based system further this summer through a new premium option.
Mathematics solutions provider ALEKS has released a new line of Web-based software products that are designed to be used in a response to intervention program in middle school math courses.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 05/25/10
Ed tech company it's learning is adding Microsoft Office Web Apps and Outlook Live to its electronic learning platform.
Education technology provider Turning Technologies has launched a new assessment suite built around its student response system. The bundle is designed specifically to help teachers prepare students for high-stakes tests.
Allen Independent School District in Texas is moving to a digital media management system that lets users schedule and control all classroom media devices from a single interface.
Hall Research has rolled out an RGB to HDMI/DVI converter that supports both analog and digital audio.
Ed tech developer Interactyx has brought its learning management platform, Topyx, to Apple's iPad.
Walters State Community College leverages its distance learning capabilities with high schools across Tennessee.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 05/20/10
Connecticut's Groton Public Schools is expanding its use of digital teaching tools. The district is in the process of ramping up digital resources for classroom instruction, including streaming media, virtual science labs, and other technologies.
As part of an effort to to boost achievement for struggling readers, Berwyn South School District 100 in Illinois has rolled out a software-based system that allows them to screen individual students and track progress while providing differentiated and guided instruction.
IntelliResponse had made its Answer Suite product accessible through Blackboard Learn.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 05/19/10
Crestron has introduced a new matrix switcher that can be configured with up to 32 input cards, making it the largest switcher in Crestron’s DigitalMedia line.
Crestron has rolled out a new AV wall plate that switches between two inputs and transmits audio and video output through a single cable.
RM Education has released RM Easiteach Next Generation,the latest version of its whiteboard software for interactive K-12 classroom instruction.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 05/17/10
Microsoft provided a few more details Friday about its forthcoming Office Web Apps, which enable document sharing and collaboration over the Internet.
Follett has released an enhanced search and social networking update to its CaféScribe digital textbook platform.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 05/17/10
The Iowa Communications Network, established in the 1990s, is providing hundreds of classrooms in the state with two-way and one-way video communications, affording public and private schools the opportunity to expand learning opportunities for students.
- By Denise Harrison
- 05/13/10
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) has announced new initiatives to bring personal computers to primary school students in East Africa and to Palestinian refugee children in the Middle East. OLPC has gained renown for bringing durable, inexpensive laptop computers to children in economically and technologically disadvantaged areas throughout the world.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 05/13/10
AmpliVox has released its iPod Remote Controlled Wireless PA System, a complete audiovisual system for multimedia presentations that includes a dock for charging an iPod and using the device's audio, video, and still-frame image capabilities in conjunction with the PA system.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 05/13/10
Seaford School District (SSD) in Delaware is looking to give its adequate yearly progress (AYP) a shot in the arm through the use of a software-based reading intervention.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 05/13/10
Ergotron has introduced its new LCD Mobile Digital Platform, the latest addition to the TeachWell brand of classroom technology consolidation tools.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 05/13/10
An infusion of nearly $2 million has been awarded to Abilene Christian University to help it expand its mobile learning programs, including a K-12 teacher professional development initiative focused on the use of mobile technologies in teaching.
Moodlerooms has released an update to its learning management system, joule. Version 1.2, released just about a month after version 1.1, expands reporting and content management features and gains integration with Adobe Connect.
TechSmith has released Snagit 10, an update to the company's screen capture tool. The new version adds built-in sharing, transparency, and formatted text capture, in addition to expanded capture capabilities, new effects, and updated tools.
InFocus recently began shipping four new models in its mobile and portable ranges of 3D-capable DLP projectors, including a sub-$500 classroom projector.
Eagan High School in Eagan, MN has deployed the Broadcast Pix Slate 1000 video production system as a key part of its video production skills instruction curriculum.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 05/10/10
Kurzweil Educational Systems has released Kurzweil 3000 version 12, a literacy tool for struggling readers and English language learners in grades 3 through 12.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 05/05/10
Ed tech developer Qwizdom has started shipping a new wireless student response system, one that offers a 2.3-inch (diagonal) LCD screen and cell phone-style keypad for student interaction and formative testing on the fly.
MapleSoft has released Maple 14, an application designed for mathematical education and research, and MapleSim 4, a modeling tool for engineering projects.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 05/04/10
Citing a need to improve information flow between the district and the schools it serves, the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) is moving to Schoolwires Centricity to manage online communications.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 05/03/10
Microsoft has released a new piece of free software designed to help make PowerPoint more of an interactive tool for classroom learning.
Tacoma Public Schools in Washington has launched a pilot program to test educational gaming for math students.
An Idaho middle school is using EETT funds to help bring its special education department into the 21st century. Using the grant money for a technology infusion, planners are looking to make their classrooms more accessible and more interactive to help better engage students and improve overall learning.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 04/29/10
Glynn County School System has deployed a new wireless network at four schools, completing the second in a multi-phase wireless networking rollout district-wide.
Ed tech developer ProProfs has expanded the capabilities of its free online assessment creation system, Quiz School.
Intel has unveiled a new reference design for the classmate PC, the company's convertible tablet and netbook designed specifically for education.
School Specialty, an educational curriculum developer, has announced three new intervention systems designed to address the achievement gap in reading skills among students of grade levels 3 through 12.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 04/26/10
Champions, an educational technology developer, has released Virtual Science Club, a Web-based program designed to help children learn scientific concepts and skills.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 04/26/10
The idea of not having to purchase, run, and maintain multiple desktop computers in the classroom--yet still be able to accommodate every student with computing power--is attractive for K-12 schools. Some are already experimenting with the process using virtualization, which allows organizations to pool and share IT hardware and software and provides centralized management over technology assets.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 04/22/10
Microsoft and ePals are partnering to expand the collaboration and communications tools available to educators and students through the ePals Global Community, an educational networking platform.
Respondus has added mobile device support to its StudyMate Class software through two enhancements: a free standalone app called StudyMate LMS Edition and new support for mobile browsers within the Web-based StudyMate Class itself.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 04/21/10
JVC is working with the Denver-based National Park Service Submerged Resources Center (SRC) to create underwater 3D recordings through a partnership with the Advanced Imaging and Visualization Laboratory (AIVL) at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. SRC performs inventory and evaluation of submerged resources, such as shipwrecks, in the National Park System.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/20/10
TechSmith has released Camtasia Relay 2, an update to the company's flagship lecture capture suite. The latest version adds speech to text capabilities for capturing and indexing audio in presentations.
Maplesoft has announced the release of Maple T.A. 6, the newest version of its Maple T.A. testing and assessment software.
- By Evan Tassistro
- 04/20/10
Sanyo announced Tuesday that it will ship four new wide-format 3LCD projectors designed for use in large conference rooms and lecture halls.
Sony this week unveiled two high-light-output 3LCD projectors designed for medium to large venues, including classrooms and auditoriums.
ViewSonic has started shipping its new PJD535, a portable, sub-$800 projector with support for stereoscopic 3D.
Renaissance Learning has released a new intervention program for grades 3 through 12. Accelerated Math for Intervention (AMI) is a research-based math intervention aimed at bridging skills gaps for students struggling in mathematics through practice, targeted intervention, and diagnostic testing.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 04/19/10
Netop has released an upgrade to its MyVision classroom management software. The new version offers mixed platform support, making it conducive to classroom environments that run both Mac OS X and Windows operating systems.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 04/19/10
Texas Instruments has introduced two updates to its high-end TI-Nspire line of graphing calculators, the new TI-Nspire with Touchpad and TI-Nspire CAS with Touchpad.
Digital resources publisher Shmoop has released online preparation courses for four Advanced Placement exams: English Language, English Literature, U.S. History, and U.S. Government and Politics.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 04/16/10
A Washington teacher has been using an online simulation program that allows students to experiment liberally with computer design.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 04/15/10
The Hawaii State Department of Education has entered into a partnership with Discovery Education to provide access to the company's streaming Plus and Discovery Education Science (DES) services to 222 public schools throughout the state.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 04/15/10
Google has updated its codebase, adding features to its Google Docs online suite of applications that make them richer and more collaborative.
The Education Division of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), a trade association for the software and digital content industry, has formed a partnership with edWeb.net, a social networking site specializing in the education community, aimed at reaching the site's members and encouraging them to become involved in the organization in order to raise awareness of current issues and initiatives in education technology.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 04/14/10
Park Ridge/Niles School District 64 (PRNSD) in Park Ridge, IL, is moving to CCC! Core Curriculum Content for its district-wide in-class content
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 04/14/10
Apple has updated its entire line of MacBook Pro notebooks, making Intel Core i5 and Core i7 chips standard for 15- and 17-inch models and beefing up graphics capabilities on all models.
Mitsubishi is expanding its microportable line of projectors with two new budget models: the EX200U and the EX240U.
Blackboard has updated its learning management system with the release of Blackboard Learn version 9.1.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/12/10
What are 21st century skills? Most of us can rattle off a handful of them: creativity, innovation, media literacy, critical thinking, problem solving. Can we teach these skills? Can we even define all of them? If we can teach them, how do we do it? ANd where can we turn for guidance?
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 04/08/10
The Virtual High School Global Consortium is migrating its learning management system to the Desire2Learn Learning Environment, affecting about 600 member schools.
Moodle has released an update to its open source learning management system for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux.
Moodlerooms has released an update to joule, its learning management system based on the open source Moodle platform. The latest release, version 1.1, expands support for chat and adds new forum features and enhanced administration.
Microsoft has released a new plugin that lets Office users connect directly with the open source learning management system Moodle.
LanSchool Technologies has developed a free iPad application that allows teachers to manage computer activities in the classroom from Apple's new device.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/06/10
Blackboard has released Mobile Learn for Apple's new iPad. Mobile Learn, which was announced last month, is a new version of the company's flagship learning management system ported for mobile devices, such as Android-based phones, iPhone, iPod, and BlackBerry.
DyKnow has released an update to its DyKnow Software Suite. The new 5.3 release, which debuted this month, adds new Web 2.0 capabilities and new tools for classroom interaction.
Atlona Technologies has released an AV switcher that uses two HDMI sources and mirrors one of those sources on up to four HD displays.
Clarkstown Central School District has gone public with its use of a service that allows students, teachers, and administrators to save files in a personal area online and share them with others on the Web.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/02/10
A company that made its mark in developing education products for substance abuse and social services, among other topics, has turned its attention to business education for high school students.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 04/02/10
School libraries across the country are increasingly fine-tuning and debating the best ways to use Web 2.0 technologies. THE Journal talked with several teacher librarian (TL) enthusiasts about how they incorporate technologies at their schools and what tools they find most useful.
- By Natasha Wanchek
- 04/01/10
Humble Independent School District in Texas will be implementing a service from Schoolwires to manage content on its Web site and provide social networking and collaboration tools for its community of teachers, administrators, parents, and students.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/31/10
Two companies have teamed up to expand the use of video capabilities in the Moodle online course management system.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/31/10
Cabarrus County Schools will be expanding its use of a student progress monitoring system. The initial pilot, involving 940 students, will expand to 11,300 in 19 schools during the next school year.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/30/10
TechSmith has released Camtasia Studio 7 and Camtasia for Mac 1.1, two software tools designed to let instructors create and edit presentations using screen capture technology.
Open source learning management system Moodle is gaining additional Web conferencing capabilities thanks to a new open source plugin from Remote-Learner that integrates the LMS with the Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro service.
Cetacea Sound has rolled out a classroom speaker system designed to be used in conjunction with projectors.
On the heels of its introduction into Afghanistan, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), a nonprofit aimed at bringing computers and Internet access to students in need throughout the world, has begun to make inroads into another country in the process of rebuilding: Haiti.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/29/10
Ed tech developer Qwizdom will launch a new wireless student response system next month, one that offers a 2.3-inch (diagonal) LCD screen and cell phone-style keypad for student interaction and formative testing on the fly.
This is an exciting time to be a K-12 school librarian. Five years have passed since the Library 2.0 concept was coined in a blog, but only in the last couple years have school libraries fully started to embrace social networking and other 2.0 tools. For the advocates--many of whom are connected by learning networks--the enthusiasm for incorporating new technologies is palpable.
- By Natasha Wanchek
- 03/25/10
PBS and WPSU, the network affiliate operated by Penn State University, in partnership with the PA Department of Education, will be bringing the Digital Learning Library (DLL) to classrooms throughout the state.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/25/10
Despite nearly two decades of policy and investment focused on closing academic achievement gaps and improving overall student achievement, reading scores on the NAEP 2009 assessment among fourth- and eighth-grade students have barely budged since 1992. And between the two most recent assessments (2007 and 2009), fourth-grade scores were flat, while eighth-grade scores increased just one point, returning to 2002's level.
Several scientific developers are rolling out new technology-based laboratory equipment, programs, and curriculum resources for K-12 science classrooms. At the NSTA conference last week, companies like Sally Ride Science and Carolina Biological Supply Co. debuted tools for use with PASCO's Spark educational platform ranging from climate change materials to bundles of sensors and other equipment for conducting hands-on experiments.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/24/10
Seven educators from throughout the United States were recognized in the annual NSTA/Vernier Technology Awards last week for their use or planned use of data collection technology in enhancing their STEM teaching efforts.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/24/10
AMD is sponsoring a day-long game design workshop this May for teachers at an annual game conference. The chip maker's foundation is awarding a $100,000 grant to fund the workshop during Games for Change, which is hosted in New York by Parsons The New School for Design and the Games for Learning Institute at New York University.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/24/10
OLAT, an open source learning management system (LMS), has been updated to version 6.3, expanding various media resources, adding new search capabilities, and enhancing notifications and reporting.
Canon has introduced six LCD projectors designed for classroom use--two high-resolution models and several high-light-output models for use in larger facilities or classrooms with higher than usual ambient light.
Blackboard is preparing to release Blackboard Mobile Learn, a new version of the company's flagship learning management system tailored for smart phones and other mobile devices. It will debut as a native application for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, and "other Web-enabled devices" in the late spring.
Wilson County Schools (WCS) of Wilson, NC, has announced its participation in a pilot program with Glide Education Corp. (GEC) that will provide the district an extensive set of Web 2.0 productivity and communications tools, as well as secure file storage, in a cloud computing environment.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/22/10
i>clicker has created a new student response mechanism that runs through a Web browser.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 03/22/10
The Zarghona Ana Middle School of Kandahar, Afghanistan has joined the ed tech revolution, courtesy of OLPC. The nonprofit has delivered 774 XO laptop computers to the school, enough to give every teacher and student at the school his/her own conduit to the wider world of knowledge and technology.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/19/10
Dayton Heights Elementary School in Los Angeles has made substantial improvements to its education technology offerings, courtesy of technology marketing firm Everything Channel and local volunteer action center L.A. Works. The "makeover" impacts the school's computer lab, library and teacher workroom.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/17/10
Keller Independent School District (KISD) of Keller, TX, has announced the implementation of a wireless video system to bring video and other forms of electronic media directly into the classroom. Teachers and students will receive the content over laptop computers and in-class wireless video devices via the district's newly installed 802.11n wireless LAN (WLAN) infrastructure, which replaces the existing wired network.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/16/10
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has renewed its statewide license on the assistive software Read:OutLoud 6, which reads digital books aloud for students with print disabilities. Developed by Don Johnston Inc. and licensed through George Mason University's Accessible Instructional Materials Center (AIM-VA), the software helps approximately 170,000 students in 1,900 Virginia public schools.
Canon next month will ship a new multimedia LCoS projector for use in school environments with less than optimal lighting conditions.
ViewSonic has rolled out a new WXGA DLP projector with stereoscopic 3D capabilities.
Web-based K-5 curriculum provider LessonPathways has announced that its curriculum and planner, previously offered via paid subscription, are now available as a free, advertiser-supported service.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/15/10
The engineering deans of Duke University and North Carolina State University have jointly announced the National Academy of Engineering's (NAE) establishment of the Grand Challenge K-12 Partners Program, aimed at inspiring interest in science and technology among primary and secondary school students nationwide.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/15/10
Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD), located in a suburb of Dallas, announced it has become the first district in the United States to launch Time To Know, a teaching platform specifically geared to 1:1 school computing programs.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/15/10
NEC has introduced a new 3D DLP projector, a portable model designed for use in K-12 classrooms.
A site survey conducted among attendees at the ASCD Critical Transformation Conference in San Antonio indicated that teachers and school administrators nationwide are bracing themselves for demise of the printed textbook and that they are largely concerned their schools and districts are adequately prepared for the 100 percent digital classroom.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/15/10
In a presentation to stakeholders Wednesday, FCC Director of Education Steve Midgley provided a preview of the forthcoming National Broadband Plan, which will be formally released next week. The plan, as it pertains to education, calls for an expansion of E-Rate and new federal supports for the promotion and delivery of online learning.
MvixUSA has announced two new high-definition digital signage players, the Mvix DS HDPro and Mvix DS Elite. The two new players support full 1080p high definition video and are networkable.
- By Denise Harrison
- 03/10/10
Da-Lite has introduced a new accessory for its lecterns that allows an instructor to deliver presentations directly from an iPod or iPhone. The new universal iPod dock accessory can be recessed into the reading surface of any Da-Lite lectern.
- By Denise Harrison
- 03/10/10
Boxlight has rolled out a new short-throw version of its ProjectWrite2 interactive whiteboard projection system, ProjectWrite2/W.
The United States Department of Education has released final priorities and opened the application process for the Investing in Innovation Fund, also known as "i3," a $650 million grant program that's designed to fund "the development of path-breaking new ideas, the validation of approaches that have demonstrated promise, and the scale-up of the nation's most successful and proven education innovations."
High school students in a rural Texas district have started using videoconferencing to learn and teach as they reach out to the rest of the country using technology-based resources they've created themselves.
- By Denise Harrison
- 03/04/10
"Children who enter grade school with cognitive and social-emotional delays are at an increased risk for reading problems, academic underachievement, and becoming disengaged or disinterested in school." This assessment, from Janet Welsh, a research associate at Penn State University's Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development, is at the heart of a new intervention program developed by researchers at the school to help families with kindergarteners at risk for poor school performance.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/04/10
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry, will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the 7th Ed Tech Industry Summit (ETIS), being held May 23 to 25 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/03/10
Liberty University, an evangelical Christian institute of higher education in Lynchburg, VA, has announced it will make the middle and high school curricula of its Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA) available to financially challenged private schools at no charge.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/03/10
Calypso Systems reported this week that it will award more than $120,000 in classroom amplification equipment to K-12 schools through its Be Heard School Grant program. The technologies are designed to distribute a teacher's voice evenly throughout a classroom to provide a more equal learning experience to students, regardless of their location in the room.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/03/10
Cornwall-Lebanon School District of Lebanon, PA has deployed Panopto's CourseCast, a capture tool designed to record live presentations, such as classroom lectures and student presentations, in a searchable digital format. Panopto makes CourseCast available to educational institutions free of charge through its Socrates Project.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/02/10
Educational video game maker Tabula Digita will begin holding its 2010 Megabowl tournaments March 12 in New York City. The three statewide tournaments, to be held this spring in New York, Texas, and Florida, will bring together elementary and middle school students from throughout each state in video game competitions that will challenge, above all else, their skills in a variety of mathematical topics.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/02/10
Samsung Techwin this month introduced the SamCam 860, a 1.4 megapixel classroom document camera. The SamCam 860 also incorporates a number of video features for both capture and play.
- By Denise Harrison
- 03/02/10
NEC Display Solutions has rolled out two high-light-output LCD projectors designed for use in education, the NP 2200 with a brightness of 4,200 ANSI lumens and the NP 1200 with a brightness of 3,700 lumens.
Sonar Studios is attempting to take classroom stereoscopic projection to a new level with a system that combines two high-brightness, high-resolution LCoS multimedia projectors and integrates them with a self-contained, turnkey presentation suite.
Denville School District of Denville, NJ, is looking to boost its network capabilities and expand access to technology in its classrooms by overhauling its telecommunications infrastructure.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 03/01/10
Stanislaus Union School District in Stanislaus, CA, reported that it implement Vantage Learning's MY Access! writing software for the 5th and 6th grades in all of its five elementary schools. The program is being funded through the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/26/10
For teachers in the Thunder Bay Catholic School District, it's not a question of if they will get the chance to teach an autistic or "high-needs" student. It's a matter of when it will happen. "Within the last five years we've charted an alarming rate of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) entering the school system," said Joel Godecki, ASD project director for the 8,000-student Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board in Northwestern Ontario.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 02/25/10
The National Science Teachers Association has announced a joint effort with netTrekker to deploy professional development resources in science and engineering.
Microsoft has joined the desktop virtualization fray with the launch of Windows MultiPoint Server 2010, an application that allows multiple users to access their own computer sessions at the same time through a shared computer. Each user has a monitor, keyboard, and USB mouse. The company said it expects the new program to appeal to budget-conscious educational customers, particularly schools and libraries.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 02/24/10
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School (ULGPCS) has will beta test a new Web-based classroom management suite called Project TEACH (Together Everyone ACHieves) during the second half of the 2009-2010 school year.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/24/10
Mitsubishi Electronics America's Presentation Products Division has introduced two portable high-definition projectors.
- By Denise Harrison
- 02/24/10
Digital Projection International (DPI) has started shipping the VIP 3000, a multi-format switcher with image processor.
- By Denise Harrison
- 02/24/10
NEC Display Solutions of America has announced the 70-inch P701 LCD display for digital signage.
- By Denise Harrison
- 02/24/10
Luidia has announced enhancements to the software included with its eBeam Edge for Education interactive whiteboard technology, as well as its new offer of a seven-year warranty on all eBeam Edge products.
- By Scott Aronowitz
- 02/23/10
A vendor that sells a K-12 search tool is offering scholarships to a national educational conference that takes place in Denver in June. netTrekker, which sells netTrekker d.i., is inviting educators to create videos that show "Personalized Learning in Action," for a chance to win one of two $1,500 scholarships to cover attendance and expenses to this year's International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2010.
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 02/22/10
Woodrow Wilson School's Angela Kadian takes a project-based approach to science education to help students grasp the connection between what they're learning in the classroom and their lives outside of the classroom. Integrating technology into the learning process is a major component of that approach.
- By Bridget McCrea
- 02/18/10