Blog Archives - The EdTech Roundup

SOS Brooklyn Launches New EdTech Division, Backpack Interactive

2/28/2018

The award-winning creative agency focuses on the learner experience to increase engagement and achievement for today’s tech-savvy students and teachers

(BROOKLYN, NY) February 14, 2018 -- SOS Brooklyn, an award-winning creative design and strategy agency that creates interactive and personalized user experiences (UX), today announced the launch of their next chapter, Backpack Interactive. Driven by 18 years of experience in the edtech world and a passion to serve as champions of the end user, the new division will create high-impact learning solutions for teachers and students.

How a California School is Teaching Good Digital Citizenship

2/20/2018

While computer and smartphone use has transformed the world, recent research is beginning to expose the negative side effects of excessive screen time. A report published in the journal Emotion on January 22 found that the psychological well-being of adolescents is negatively affected the more time they spend online. Even Silicon Valley executives are speaking out about the detrimental effects excessive screen time can have on teenagers’ mental health.

BoomWriter Launches its Second Annual Online Writing Camps

2/20/2018

The camps help teachers make additional income during the summer months by
guiding students through collaborative writing projects

(BOSTON, MA) February 20, 2018 --BoomWriter Media, Inc. today announced its second annual Online Writing Camps, enabling educators to earn additional income during the summer break. These BoomWriter virtual camps provide students the opportunity to participate in five-day camp sessions in which they collaborate with their peer campers to write and publish a chapter book. Teachers promote and run their own camps, selecting camp dates and flexible daily schedules.

BoomWriter will provide support for educators every step of the way. Web-based professional development will give teachers strategies and ongoing direction on how to provide their campers with effective feedback and how to manage students’ revision requests.

Texas Takes Aggressive First Steps to Address Autism with Humanoid Robotics

2/16/2018

Through House Bill 21, the state has identified funding to provide districts the opportunity to address innovative and effective programs and services for autism

(Austin, TX) February 15, 2018 -- The state of Texas recently announced the implementation of House Bill 21 (HB21), a state-funded initiative to provide its districts with innovative, evidence- and research-based, impact-proven programs and services for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through this initiative, schools can help teach their students with ASD to tune in on emotions, express empathy, act appropriately in social situations, self-motivate, and reciprocate interactions. RoboKind, the world leader in social robotics and the creator of Milo and robots4autism, is proud to offer schools and districts a solution that meets or exceeds the expectations and goals spelled out in HB21.

Sony's New KOOV Educator Kit Makes Science and Technology Learning Accessible to Everyone

2/15/2018

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — February 14, 2018--Sony Electronics today announced its unveiling of the KOOV Educator Kit, an all-in-one coding, robotics and design kit that combines digital coding with physical building to teach the next generation of problem solvers and innovators. Reflecting Sony’s commitment to both technology innovation and quality science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education, KOOV is designed to help cultivate students’ collaboration and problem solving skills, which have become critically important in 21st century learning.

Defined STEM Releases Full Curriculum in Spanish at TCEA 2018

2/15/2018

The project-based learning materials demonstrate the importance
STEM subjects have on students’ college and career aspirations

(CHICAGO, IL) January 31, 2018 — Education technology company Defined Learning, today announced that it is releasing its Defined STEM project-based learning materials in Spanish. The web-based curriculum resource will be available in Spanish for grades K-8 by February 15, 2018. “The feedback we have received on the English version of Defined STEM has been phenomenal,” stated Joel Jacobson, co-founder and chief operating officer of Defined Learning.

“Based on feedback from our clients, we recognized the need for a Spanish version of Defined STEM. We are excited at the potential impact that our Spanish content can have for both educators and students.”

Epson Introduces PowerLite L-Series Laser Projectors for Education and Corporate

2/15/2018

PowerLite 4,500 – 6,000 Lumen Laser Projectors Deliver True-to-Life Images and Virtually Maintenance-Free Operation in a Light, Compact Design

AMSTERDAM (ISE 2018) and AUSTIN, Texas (TCEA 2018) – Feb. 6, 2018 – Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide, continues to drive the laser projection market with the introduction of the new PowerLite® L-Series for corporate, education and houses of worship. The new Epson PowerLite L615U, L610U, L510U, L400U, L610W, L500W, and L610 deliver incredible value to customers, featuring an integrated laser light source, stunning imagery, up to 6,000 lumens of color and white brightness1, resolution up to WUXGA, and enhanced wireless technology to connect to multiple devices. Epson’s new PowerLite laser projectors will be on display at ISE 2018 in Amsterdam from Feb. 6-9 at Epson’s booth, #1-H90 and at TCEA 2018 in Austin from Feb. 6-8 at Epson’s booth, #923.

Guest Post | Connecting Iowa Core Standards & 21st Century Skills Using Podcasting

2/13/2018

Author: Angie Axman

Each and every day teachers like me are looking for ways to meet the standards, engage the students, differentiate our instruction and prepare students for the future. I was intrigued by a new digital solution this year - Soundtrap. As a teacher, I am fortunate that my school system values technology and is willing to make a commitment to its use with students.

Our school committed to purchasing Soundtrap and we received training at the beginning of the year. That is when we all started to think about how Soundtrap might work in our classroom.

Add-On from Unicheck: Plagiarism Checker for Google Docs

2/13/2018

Unicheck plagiarism checker has successfully released an Add-on for GDocs to help educators, students, and writers check papers right on the spot. The team has already developed an integration with Google Classroom. So far, Unicheck is the only one similarity checker solution available for the popular platform. The popularity of Google Classroom and Google Documents in particular, inspired Unicheck developers to create another helpful tool for education.

CDI Partners with littleBits to Provide STEAM Coding Starter Kits to Schools

2/10/2018

Kits provide an affordable solution to teach STEAM skills

Chicago IL – Feb. 8, 2018 – CDI Computer Dealers announced today it has partnered with littleBits to offer STEAM Coding Starter Kits for classrooms, makerspaces and libraries. The package includes two of littleBits’ best-selling kits – the STEAM Student Set and the Code Kit –plus two add-on packages that allow students to expand on the lessons by creating games or electronic music. CDI is showcasing the STEAM Coding Starter Kits this week at TCEA 2018 (booth 1922) in Austin.