“For 40 years, Tech & Learning has reported on how edtech products are improving teaching and learning,” says Tech & Learning Group Publisher Christine Weiser. “In keeping with this mission, our 2019 Awards of Excellence contest focused on stand-out products that are both unique in the K-12 market, as well as those that are helping schools solve specific problems.”
Congratulations to the following winners!
DISTRICT
Alma, Alma SIS
Alma’s approach emphasizes protecting and even recovering instructional time by making everything from planning instruction and communicating goals to seeing and interpreting data easier and more efficient. “Alma SIS is cloud-based and intuitive for all stakeholders,” say T&L judges. “Its clean dashboard allows easy access to all of the data on a student—from grades to medical records and bus routes. It fully integrates Google Classroom and is interoperable with other curricular data systems.”:
Amplivox Sound Systems, Amplivox Mega Hailer Portable PA System
The Mega Hailer reaches audiences of 5,000—9,000 and broadcasts highly intelligible speech up to a half mile. It’s ideal for emergency communications and outdoor events of any type. It operates on AC power or rechargeable battery, and its wireless microphone has a range of 300 feet. T&L judges love that it can reach large crowds in a small form factor as well as its Bluetooth and USB features.:
BenQ, BenQ RP Series IFPs
BenQ’s RP Series IFPs are intuitive hubs where teachers and students can work together, make annotations from any device, and share ideas freely. Teachers can create a learning environment tailored to specific classroom needs without complicated system setups or workflows. T&L judges appreciate the management and quick support features of this open software platform with NFC and other customizable features that follow users between boards.:
CatchOn
This data analytics tool compiles real-time data on every school device, enabling districts to make data-informed decisions about the apps and online tools their educators and students are using. CatchOn requires no virtual machines, hardware, additional authentication processes, or captive portals. T&L judges like that it “covers categories that matter for instruction, budget, and performance; makes recommendations for PD; and tracks usage, subscriptions, and many other data metrics in one dashboard.”:
ClassLink
ClassLink empowers students and teachers with instant access to learning resources. ClassLink® LaunchPad includes a library of over 6,000 single sign-on apps. ClassLink Analytics provides usage data to decision makers. ClassLink Roster Server securely delivers class rosters, and ClassLink OneSync automates account provisioning and reconciles accounts in real time. T&L judges like the comprehensive list of apps, the time saved with fully automated account provisioning, and the visibility into the use of online programs that enables better fiscal decisions.:
Clear Touch, Clear Touch Command™
With Clear Touch Command™ IT departments and administrators can troubleshoot panels remotely, monitor device usage statistics, act as a digital decoder, set power savings modes, and communicate announcements. “The best feature of the new Command software is the ability to broadcast video and content to all screens across the district simultaneously, which enables them to be used for streaming services or morning announcement broadcasts as well as emergencies,” say T&L judges.:
Edmentum, Edmentum Exact Path
Exact Path utilizes adaptive diagnostic assessments paired with targeted student learning paths to ensure academic growth in reading, language arts, and math. Edmentum also offers integrations with NWEA MAP Growth assessments and Renaissance Star assessments to kick-start learning using schools’ existing data. “This tool supports individualized learning and helps teachers assess areas of need in a way they could not do without leveraging technology,” say T&L judges. “It also supports teaching with prescriptive lessons to build on.”:
Kids Read Now
Kids Read Now is a turnkey in-home summer reading program designed to help students become proficient readers as they enter fourth grade. It includes a library of titles and an easy-to-use app for parents. The app also provides schools data for monitoring student progress. “It eliminates the summer reading slide and offers students and parents/caregivers tools to succeed and enjoy reading. It’s very affordable and has been recognized and authorized for use as a Title I, II, and III eligible funding resource,” say T&L judges.:
Lightspeed Systems, Relay
Relay by Lightspeed Systems lets schools filter, manage, monitor, protect, and analyze across operating systems for a truly comprehensive platform. The Relay Filter is a cloud-based filtering solution that uses Smart Agent technology to filter any device, any app, and any browser. Relay Manage is used to easy control apps, manage time policies, set geo location for lost or stolen devices, and provide hierarchical management tools. Relay Monitor keeps teachers focused on their students and not their screens. When districts use Relay Classroom, they can see open browser tabs, view browsing history, monitor screens, send links and more. Relay Protect is used to flag inappropriate content, cyberbullying, self-harm and other harmful behaviors. It uses advanced AI, real-time alerts and comprehensive reports to help districts spot warning signs.
“Relay by Lightspeed Systems is used to provide students with access to the resources they need without exposing them to inappropriate content,” writes our judge. “The fact that it’s CIPA compliant and cloud-based is excellent.”
ManagedMethods
ManagedMethods makes cloud security easy by securing data in cloud applications including Google G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, OneDrive, Sharepoint, Citrix Sharefile, Box, Dropbox, and Slack. ManagedMethods also scans emails in Gmail and Outlook for malware, sensitive data, and objectionable content. “It’s an easy-to-implement solution that does not require agents, proxies, or extensions and gives a high level of visibility into your cloud products, and security profile,” say T&L judges.:
NetSupport Inc., NetSupport DNA
With NetSupport DNA IT staff can centrally manage and support IT assets and endpoints across a school- or district-wide network while promoting positive digital citizenship and protecting students. Powerful student eSafety features support counselors in identifying and protecting students via internet metering, keyword/phrase monitoring, webcam controls, and more. “It’s a very comprehensive suite of tools,” say T&L judges, “with student tracking and safety features and licensing management.”:
Renaissance, MyOn by Renaissance
Personalized reading selections based on stueent interest and reading level This digital reading platform provides students with 24/7 access to thousands of fiction and nonfiction books and news articles. The multimedia reading experience includes colorful illustrations, professionally recorded audio, and annotation tools. “Love this product,” say T&L judges. “Students select engaging articles based on interest and reading level. The audio recordings model perfect cadence and fluency, which is critical for English language learners or students who don’t have fluent readers to read to them at home.”:
Securly, 360 Cloud
Securly’s end-to-end student safety solution keeps students safe, secure, and productive. The 360 Cloud offers the industry’s first cloud-based web filter, a web portal and mobile app for parents, a classroom management tool for teachers to guide and communicate with their students. The 24/7 human-assisted AI analyzes student messages for signs of suicide, violence, and bullying. “The 360 Cloud allows parents to monitor the internet and choose when their child is online,” say T&L judges.:
WIN Learning, LLC, WIN Career Readiness System
The personalized WIN Career Readiness System includes career exploration tools, academic and employability skills courseware, and the Ready to Work and Essential Soft Skills credentials. “The WIN Career Readiness System is unique in that it’s completely web-based and offers a battery of assessments for students to show their workforce readiness and skills they have obtained,” say T&L judges. “It’s also gamified in that it provides both a credentialing system and a badging platform.”:
Xello
This online program helps K–12 students connect their interests, skills, and current education to their future goals. It offers assessments, college and career profiles, and integrated course planning tools for students, as well as tracking and reports for educators. “With its many tools to help students identify their goals and prepare for college and career readiness, Xello fills a gap in this area,” say T&L judges.:
zSpace, INC., zSpace Experiences
zSpace Experiences include experiential simulations. Students observe cause and effect, collect live data, and change conditions in the environment through lessons based on Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers set up tools and resources that help students through each lesson. “These new experience packs enable students to access thousands of 3D and AR manipulatives and provide a virtual laboratory for completing assignments that may not be safe or accessible in a real-life lesson,” say T&L judges.:
BEST RE-INVENTION OF A CLASSIC
Apex Learning, Apex Learning New Generation Courses
These courses in a broad range of subjects take digital curriculum to a new level with enhanced supports, a fresh look, and multiple instructional approaches to address various learning styles. According to T&L judges, the courses are “Fantastic, engaging, and the kind of learning we want to see in our schools. Teachers want to deliver this kind of education, yet often do not know where to start or where to get resources.” :
Discovery Education, Discovery Education Experience
This streaming service assists educators in creating real-world learning opportunities that engage students and improve academic achievement. The service’s standards-aligned content is assignable and can be bookmarked and remixed to meet the needs of diverse student populations in a safe, secure environment. The engaging content is complemented by a library of research-based and teacher-tested instructional strategies. “It’s a great engaging resource,” say T&L judges. “Both teachers and students like this product.”:
FSR, FSR’s Smart-Way On-Floor Raceway System
This system installs on top of any flooring to offer a quick, easy, and affordable solution for wire management. The raceway compartments provide ample space for power, communications, and A/V connectivity. “This raceway system solves a major problem for schools redesigning their learning spaces for 21st-century learning tools,” say T&L judges. “It eliminates the need for concrete cutting or removal for traditional raceway installations and allows for both low-voltage and high-voltage applications simultaneously.”:
Learning Ally, The Learning Ally Audiobook Solution
This solution helps to bridge the gap between a student’s decoding and comprehension and intellectual skills. The program provides access to human-read audio textbooks, literature, and popular titles, and a database tracks and measures reading progress. “Schools have typically not addressed dyslexia, and now states are mandating that they do,” say T&L judges. “Schools have little experience and need help and support in this area, and this solution would be great for them to try.”:
Otus
By gathering all your edtech tools in one place, Otus provides a common, organized, system that contains all of the tools teachers need to engage students in the learning process. This is not only more efficient, but it also gives teachers a more complete picture of student information than exists in disconnected silos. “Teachers love having all the information they need in one place,” say T&L judges, “and parents don’t need to log in to several different sites.”:
ParentSquare, Inc., ParentSquare
With oversight throughout and powerful reporting metrics, ParentSquare unifies all communication and parent engagement tools used across classrooms, sites, and districts. Two-way group messaging, private conversations, district-wide alerts and notices, and a simple user interface keep everyone connected. “This is a very comprehensive set of communication tools that pull disparate data into one place,” say T&L judges. “All stakeholders can use this, get support, and have it in their own language.”:
CLASSROOM
Acer America, Predator Helios 300 for Esports Program
A variety of configurations for this gaming notebook let gamers choose the best option for their budget, game, and playing style. Options include different display sizes, overclockable GPUs, Killer networking and wifi, and fast DDR4 2666MHz memory. It also keeps cool during long game sessions. “The cost versus configuration makes it very affordable for schools,” say T&L judges. “It’s a very good unit to get programs started at the ground level.”:
Arketi Group, Promethean ActivPanel
ActivPanel’s latest generation, the Elements series, delivers innovation and the security and manageability trusted by IT professionals. New features include an easy-to-use Unified Menu, proprietary Vellum™ writing technology, integrated Classroom Essential apps, and multi-device screen sharing with touchback. “It’s still a very good interactive panel solution,” say T&L judges. They like the management and collaboration features as well as the inclusion of ClassFlow and ActivInspire software at no extra charge.:
Aver Information, Inc., Avervision M15W Wireless Document Camera
The M15W connects to the school’s wifi network and allows teachers to display lessons live, stream them throughout the school, or record and save lessons directly to the school network. The included interactive software allows teachers to annotate and add text and images to the live video. “It’s a compact and mobile solution that can connect either to the school wifi or peer-to-peer,” say T&L judges.:
Barco, wePresent
wePresent is an award-winning, collaborative wireless presentation gateway designed for corporate and classroom applications. It offers full integration with Chromecast and Airplay, onboard interactive and collaborative tools, eco standby mode, and on-screen preview of connected device content for better moderator control. “This is a good solution for connecting multiple devices, is not OS-dependent, and is great for BYOD programs,” say T&L judges.:
Bloomz
With Bloomz, teachers can share instant messages, announcements, photos, calendars, permission slips, volunteer sign-ups, and more through one easy-to-use interface. It’s free for parents and teachers and is a private and secure environment. Administrators can track parental involvement and target specific audiences for announcements. T&L judges like that it allows parents to see authentic projects (not just grades) and provides just-in-time communication.:
Britannica, Britannica LaunchPacks: Science
Leverages over 1,800 high-quality, diverse digital content sets and enables educators to make strong cross-curricular connections to engage students in meaningful learning. Activities and question sets immerse students in thinking like scientists. Packs are searchable and can be filtered by category or grade level. “I love that there are tons of rich, in-depth resources and their choice of integration with Kahoot! which encourages gamification in the classroom,” T&L judges say. “They also incorporate differentiated levels of each resource.”:
Britannica, Britannica LaunchPacks: Social Studies
“The Britannica LaunchPacks host a plethora of materials and digital content and incorporate differentiated levels of each resource,” say T&L judges. Over 2,000 expertly curated bundles of Britannica informational text and multimedia assets are focused around thematic units covered in the K–12 social studies curricula. Each Pack is dedicated to a specific topic and features a variety of content types—articles, images, videos, and primary sources—ideal for lessons, classroom activities, projects, or assignments.:
Britannica Digital Learning, LumieLabs
This digital storytelling and video-creation platform combines curriculum-relevant, project-based video lessons with millions of royalty-free, rights-cleared, fair-use multimedia clips. “I particularly like that LumieLabs makes it easy for educators to harness students’ passions and natural engagement with media to meet subject-area learning objectives, assess students’ mastery of content, promote voice and choice, and weave in practical skills that enable students’ futures in a safe, controlled environment,” says one T&L judge. “LumieLabs also supports cross-curricular lessons.”:
Bulb Digital Portfolios
bulb is an award-winning digital portfolio simple enough for K–8; beautiful enough for high school, college, and career pursuits; and powerful enough for a lifetime of learning. Digital Portfolios helps students express their abilities beyond test scores while building knowledge and skills. “It’s very intuitive to use and allows for creativity in displaying content as well as collaboration,” say T&L judges. “Teachers can use it for instruction as well as professionally.”:
Casio, Casio Advanced XJ-F211WN Lampfree Projector
Provides vibrant colors and high brightness of 3500 lumens in WXGA resolution for up to 20,000 hours. Includes a 1.5X zoom lens and a dust-resistant design that cools, reduces noise, and eliminates the need for filters. The XJ-F211WN is network ready with LAN Connectivity (RJ-45) and optional wireless capability. “Projectors still have relevance,” say T&L judges. “They can offer a much bigger viewing screen than flat panels for considerably less cost and for a similar, if not longer, life span.”:
Casio, Casio Superior XJ-S400UN Lampfree® Projector
Provides vibrant colors and high brightness of 4000 lumens in WUXGA resolution for up to 20,000 hours. Casio’s R-Laser & LED light source projects brilliant colors and detailed images of up to 300”. It’s network ready with LAN Connectivity (RJ-45) and optional wireless capability, a 1.7X zoom lens, and a dust-resistant design. “For teachers who don’t want to lose writing space, lampfree projectors are great and cost less than flat panels,” say T&L judges.:
Clear Touch, Clear Touch Canvas™
With this interactive whiteboard application, bundled with all Clear Touch® interactive panels, users can write on an infinite canvas and access a live browser tool that allows them to open, save, and use unlimited browsers within their presentation. “I love that you can open multiple browser sessions, tie in video, and also bring in PDFs and even flash activities—and store it easily on your favorite cloud storage choice,” say T&L judges.:
Clear Touch, Clear Touch Collage™
Clear Touch Collage™ makes lessons, group activities, and remote learning more collaborative by allowing students to connect from their iPads, Chromebooks, or other devices and cast their screens to the classroom’s Clear Touch® interactive panel. “For years, AirPlay and Chromecasting has been unstable and inconsistent. Collage takes those pains away.” T&L judges also love that Collage works with any device, tablet, laptop, or desktop to easily screencast whatever device you choose and allows up to 32 devices to connect simultaneously.:
Edmentum, Study Island
This comprehensive, customizable K–12 standards-based practice and assessment tool makes it possible for educators to implement the type of in-the-moment formative assessment that can truly transform instruction and learning. Teachers have to access to lesson plans, videos, and other instructional resources. “Study Island is good for test preparation,” say T&L judges. “Students enjoy this program and are engaged in the gamified learning, and it gives teachers insight into the needs of students.”:
Epson, Epson BrightLink Interactive Displays
With network-ready BrightLink® interactive displays using 3LCD technology for high color brightness and wide color gamut, students and teachers can control, annotate, highlight, and draw on projected images, websites, documents, and more using an interactive pen or a finger. T&L judges like the adaptable image size, interactivity and connectivity features, and the quality of the image on a variety of surfaces so that the projection surface, such as a marker board, can still be used for other purposes.:
ExploreLearning, ExploreLearning Gizmos
Over 400 online simulations, or Gizmos, excite curiosity and invite interaction and cover topics and concepts in math and science for grades 3–12. Gizmos help students to make connections and draw conclusions with an interactive design that supports manipulation of variables and “what-if” experimentation. “The simulations for math and science are fully engaging,” say T&L judges. “These interactive manipulatives are suitable for all grade levels. They work on any device, and particularly on interactive panels and whiteboards.”:
ExploreLearning, ExploreLearning Reflex
Reflex helps students of all ability levels develop fluency with their basic math. It combines research-proven methods and innovative technology and offers adaptivity and individualization, powerful reporting, and anytime access. “Reflex Math is an amazing tool for helping younger students or remedial students grasp the basic fundamentals of math through interactive and manipulative digital tools,” say T&L judges. “It breaks down mathematical algorithms into easy-to-understand problems that help students develop math skills.”:
ExploreLearning, ExploreLearning Science4Us
Specifically designed for K–2 students, Science4Us covers inquiry, physical science, life science, and earth and space science. The sessions include thousands of online and offline activities that can be completed in as little as ten minutes. “There are very few materials available to engage K–2 students in STEM,” say T&L judges. “Science4US begins to solve that problem. The multiple modalities available for students to learn makes Science4US the perfect tool for differentiating science instruction.”:
Gale, A Cengage Company, Gale In Context: For Educators
This convenient web-based app merges quality, curriculum-aligned content and related lesson plans in an educator-focused user experience. It includes tools to help educators discover, personalize, and share resources easily with students and collaborate with colleagues. “This is a terrific resource to help educators teach students to become savvy digital information curators,” say T&L judges. It’s integrated with Google Drive, Google Classroom, and Microsoft OneDrive.:
HoverCam, HoverCam Pilot X
With this fully integrated and portable wireless digital teaching station, teachers can intuitively work from the station or undock the tablet for greater mobility. The system features Windows 10 OS, 13MP document camera, and a wireless HDMI transmitter that can beam content to any interactive flat panel, projector, or display. “It’s a full-featured interactive teaching tool with a lesson-capture feature that allows both audio and video recording of lessons for later review,” say T&L judges.:
Mango Languages, Mango Classroom By Mango Languages
Mango Languages offers a practical and engaging way to bridge the gap between textbook learning and real-world conversations. It’s a 24/7 teaching assistant with free mobile apps that include offline learning and auto play, lesson plans, and assessments. T&L judges were impressed by the number of languages available and the fact that lessons are constructed for learning, feedback, and practice. “It’s a great addition to the curriculum,” they say.:
Pearson K12 Learning LLC, Project Imagine: World History
This modular digital companion program supports any world history curriculum. Archival videos, music, photographs, and more give students a perspective on culture and everyday life and enable them to engage with world history from multiple perspectives. “It’s a very comprehensive solution with a variety of options that allow teachers to customize instruction. It’s unique and immersive with multi-media features and primary source documents,” say T&L judges.:
PBS, PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification By KQED: Micro-Credentials
To become certified, educators can collect up to eight micro-credentials, which include evaluating online information, analyzing media, creating a code of conduct, and creating multimedia content for classroom use. Courses range from learning about copyright and fair use to managing and assessing media projects with students. “This is innovative and very achievable. It’s free and self-paced and reaches a segment of professional development that has a high need,” say T&L judges.:
Renaissance, Freckle By Renaissance
This innovative differentiation platform allows teachers to provide every student with instruction and practice at the level that’s best for them in all four core subject areas. Freckle’s rich, engaging learning experiences accelerate growth. “This platform provides innovative differentiation and combines the subjects to provide support in many subject areas with quality resources that engage students,” say T&L judges.:
SAM Labs
Unlike other coding and STEAM products using mobile or web, SAM Labs produces a hands-on maker system. Three level-specific, inclusive instructional kits of easy-to-follow and standards-compliant lessons pair with innovative hands-on blocks that connect to an engaging online programming portal (SAM Space). “SAM Labs bridges the gaps between making, problem-solving, collaborating, coding, design-thinking, and STEAM in an all-in-one solution for K–12,” say T&L judges.:
Scholastic, Scholastic Literacy Pro
This independent reading management tool for K–6 offers built-in assessments and text-based comprehension check-ins. A complete, blended solution, Literacy Pro offers over 2,300 high-interest ebooks, including Spanish titles, and connections to thousands of print books. “The point system is a great way to gamify and motivate students,” say T&L judges, “and the analytics are great for classroom teachers and to share with families.”:
Scholastic, Watch And Learn Library
This online hub of hundreds of core curriculum videos and teaching supports to strengthen PreK–3 teaching and learning was created by early childhood experts. It can be used during whole-class instruction, to support small-group differentiation, and to extend knowledge with anywhere, anytime access. Each video connects real-life concepts to core science, social studies, and ELA topics. “This will be great for English language learners and has good analytics,” say T&L judges.:
Vernier Software & Technology, Go Direct® Sensors
There are more than 40 sensors in the Go Direct family that students can use to collect data either wirelessly with Bluetooth® or via a USB connection in chemistry, biology, physics, physical science, engineering, environmental science, and coding. These sensors are affordable, easy to use, and supported by free software compatible with a wide variety of devices. “They make learning feel ‘real world,” say T&L judges. “They bring science to life and build inquiry and investigation skills.”:
We Communications, LEGO Education
This hands-on, cross-curricular STEAM solution combines LEGO® Technic™ elements, classroom-friendly software, and standards-aligned lessons to spark creative confidence and critical thinking. It tackles subjects like engineering, coding, and physics with intuitive guides and smart bricks to put real-life STEAM topics right at students’ fingertips. “Combining coding, Legos, and iPads is a trifecta win,” say T&L judges. “It’s great for teachers who aren’t trained in coding and provides great plans and lessons with engaging, project-based real-world applications.”:
We Communications, WeDo 2.0
Brings 280 building elements to life, and software and lesson plans motivate students to collaborate, build, problem-solve, and explore while deepening their STEAM knowledge and developing 21st-century skills. The combination of physical LEGO® bricks, standards-aligned activities, and an intuitive block-based coding environment helps elementary-school students learn the important STEAM skills in a fun and interactive way. “It’s very engaging and project based, and teaching coding with LEGOs is a great idea,” say T&L judges.:
Accelerate Learning, STEMscopes™ PreK-12 Curriculum
STEMscopes combines an award-winning digital curriculum, supplemental print materials, and ready-made exploration kits with a 24/7 professional development portal to support student and teacher success. It addresses the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and state standards and its core approach is hands-on investigation. “STEMscopes builds STEM learning and provides great tools for teachers and students,” say T&L judges. “Differentiated science lessons meet students where they are and students learn by doing.”:
Clear Touch, Evo™ Lite By Clear Digital™
Clear DigitalTM EvoTM Lite is an innovative, mobile, digital display that combines simplicity and versatility in a sleek, weather-resistant, battery-operated package. The remarkably durable EvoTM Lite offers brilliant HD resolution that delivers messages with stunning clarity. “This product solves the problem of having portable digital signage,” say T&L judges. “It has an incredible battery life and is also waterproof. It’s flexible enough to be used anywhere inside or outside your facilities.”:
Curriculum Associates, i-Ready
The research-based i-Ready online program combines powerful assessments and rich insights with effective and engaging instruction in reading and mathematics to address students’ individual needs. Its adaptive diagnostic provides teachers with actionable insight, offers a complete picture of student performance and growth, and sets a personalized learning path for each student. “It’s a great assessment tool and can be used in a variety of situations, including virtual schools,” say T&L judges.:
IXL Learning, IXL
IXL’s comprehensive K–12 curriculum, Continuous Diagnostic, personalized guidance, and real-time analytics work together seamlessly to give teachers everything they need to personalize learning and help students grow. IXL creates personalized action plans for every learner and the curriculum covers over 8,000 skills in math, English language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. “It has a broad range of tools for assessment and very good diagnostic features,” say T&L judges.:
FrontRow, ezRoom Trio
The ezRoom Trio™ is the only all-in-one classroom media solution with premium sound quality and complete scalability. The plenum-rated enclosure installs easily in drop ceilings and requires only a single electrical outlet and optional network connection. It’s perfect for installations where equipment needs to be secured, out of sight, and connected. “It has a very nice combination of features, is scalable, easy to install, and integrates with existing PA and bells,” say T&L judges.:
MobyMax
This complete and interactive K–8 curriculum for 27 subjects can be used on any device with an internet connection. The suite of integrated and automated classroom tools saves teachers precious hours with assessments, grading, and markup tools for writing, diagnostics, IEP reporting, messaging, and real-time progress monitoring. T&L judges appreciate its comprehensive list of curriculum subjects as well as the fact that it’s cost effective and has IEP reporting, progress data monitoring, and other tools for teachers. [EDITOR’S NOTE: The judges also selected MobyMax as a winner in the District and classroom categories.]:
NetSupport Inc., NetSupport School
This classroom management software allows educators to monitor, manage, and interact with all student devices in the classroom. It follows ISTE standards and includes collaboration tools like screen sharing and group chat. A discrete help request feature allows for 1:1 support. “NetSupport allows teachers to see the devices of all students in the classroom, push out certain websites, and block others,” say T&L judges. “It can also be used with all devices, including Windows, IOS, and Chrome.”:
PresenceLearning
“Online therapy for students is misunderstood by many district leaders,” say T&L judges. “They need to understand how this works. It’s difficult to find certified staff to provide therapy, and this is a great solution for virtual students and students having a tough time attending school.” PresenceLearning’s network of certified clinicians use the company’s proprietary therapy platform, which integrates traditional therapy materials with a unique secure video conferencing experience that enables them to work with students in any location.:
Scholastic, Scholastic F.I.R.S.T.
Scholastic F.I.R.S.T. (Foundations in Reading, Sounds & Text) is an adaptive digital adventure on Ooka Island that teaches the five foundational reading skills for students in grades PreK–2. This 80-hour curriculum delivers research-based instruction within an interactive, engaging, and personalized learning environment. “Schools need researched reading programs,” say T&L judges, “and the gamified look and feel are engaging and fun for emerging readers.” They also like the analytics that help teachers understand a student’s reading in detail.:
Shmoop
Shmoop is an online education resource that offers online test prep (AP, ACT, SAT), digital courses, videos, college and career readiness, enrichment, intervention, PBIS, credit recovery, and even college courses. Shmoop materials balance a teen-friendly, approachable style with academically rigorous materials. “Shmoop breaks down difficult concepts into easy-to-understand terms and the kid-friendly language is engaging,” say T&L judges. “Teachers still need to be involved in ACT/SAT prep, but Schmoop makes the learning fun.”:
