Blog Archives - The EdTech Roundup

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Comcast NBCUniversal Celebrate My.Future Week with $1 Million Red Nose Day Grant

11/30/2018

Red Nose Day joins efforts to prepare underserved youth to compete in today’s digital workforce

(Atlanta, GA) Nov. 15, 2018 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America today announced a $1 million grant from Red Nose Day to expand digital literacy skills to thousands more youth nationwide through the My.Future digital literacy program. The announcement comes as Boys & Girls Clubs of America celebrates “My.Future Week” with activities highlighting the critical role of digital skills in today’s world.

Launched in 2014 by Boys & Girls Clubs of America in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, My.Future provides access to a variety of digital programs and activities that help youth develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed for future success in STEM and any career – from building basic digital skills like online safety, to cultivating technical skills like coding, to building social and emotional competencies like problem-solving and innovative thinking.

Impero Education Pro is named a Finalist in the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence

11/30/2018

Awards program recognizes EdTech products that improve teaching and learning

(Austin, TX) Nov. 28, 2018 – Impero Software, providers of remote monitoring and management software for education, has been named a finalist in the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence program for its flagship product, Impero Education Pro. Impero Education Pro is among 10 finalists in the award program’s “district” category.

The Awards of Excellence was revised this year to feature how products are used in classrooms, schools or districts. Judges also named 10 finalists in “classroom” and “school” categories. Winners in each category will be announced at the TCEA conference, which takes place in February, 2019, in San Antonio. To read more about the awards program and to see a full list of finalists, visit https://www.techlearning.com/features/announces.

ThinkCERCA Adopted by Texas State Board of Education

11/30/2018

ThinkCERCA’s personalized literacy platform among approved instructional materials for 6-8 English language arts and reading

(Chicago, IL) November 28, 2018 — ThinkCERCA, a recognized industry leader in student reading and writing growth, today announced that the Texas State Board of Education has approved its core curriculum for English language arts and reading for grades 6-8. Designed by veteran teachers, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) authors, and nationally recognized literacy experts, ThinkCERCA is proven to help students.

It aims to assist students to achieve two years of reading growth in one school year. With this adoption, Texas educators now have access to a comprehensive curriculum and easy-to-use use platform that engages all learners while driving student outcomes. Designed to support Texas districts and schools in meeting 100 percent of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), ThinkCERCA includes differentiated close reading and academic writing lessons that were built upon research-based methods for developing students’ language and literacy skills.

Age of Learning Launches ReadingIQTM, an Expert-Curated Digital Library with Many Thousands of High-Quality Books for Children 12 and Under

11/15/2018

From the creators of ABCmouse, the No. 1 digital learning program for young children, ReadingIQ is designed by literacy experts to help children develop a lifelong love of reading

(Los Angeles, CA) November 15, 2018 – Leading education innovator Age of Learning, Inc., today launched ReadingIQTM, an advanced digital library for children 12 and under, which gives families and teachers access to thousands of high-quality books, curated by experts to advance literacy. Building on the success of ABCmouse.com® Early Learning Academy, Age of Learning has brought the same research-based, educator-led approach to the ReadingIQ digital library.

ReadingIQ provides the best of children’s literature, including Caldecott and Newbery award winners, National Geographic and National Geographic Kids books, the complete Boxcar Children series, Curious George, more than 1,000 exclusive titles, and thousands of additional high-quality fiction and nonfiction books from leading publishers.

KinderLab Robotics Announces Lower Pricing and a New Introductory KIBO Robot Kit Just in Time for the Holiday Season

11/15/2018

The redesigned kits inspire kids ages 4–7 to create, design, decorate, and bring their robots to life—all without requiring screen time

(Washington, DC) November 15, 2018 — Today at the 2018 NAEYC Annual Conference, KinderLab Robotics, the creators of the KIBO™ robot kit,announced changes to two of their introductory robot kits. The entry-level KIBO 10 is now just $199, while the KIBO 14 has been replaced by the new KIBO 15 kit—with a lower price and a carefully chosen set of add-ons to introduce young learners to sensors and outputs.

These new prices and features make the research-based, fun robots more exciting and more affordable in time for the holiday season. KIBO is a playful, educational robot toy that engages even the youngest children in active science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) learning. With KIBO, children ages 4–7 can create, design, decorate, and bring their own robot to life—all without requiring screen time. Young learners create a coding sequence using the wooden programming blocks, scan their sequence with the barcode scanner built into the robot body, press KIBO’s button, and watch their creation go!

IXL Learning Honors Top Teachers in Fifth Annual Elite 100

11/12/2018

IXL’s Elite 100 teachers demonstrated the highest commitment to using IXL

(SAN MATEO, CA) November 12, 2018 -- Today, IXL Learning announced its fifth annual list of Elite 100 teachers. The Elite 100 recognizes the educators from around the world who have demonstrated the highest commitment to using IXL during the 2017-2018 academic year. For the second year, nearly one-third of the Elite 100 teachers are repeat winners. To view the list of this year’s winners, please visit www.ixl.com/inspiration/elite-100-2018.

“Our Elite 100 teachers stand out for their dedication to personalizing learning and helping every student experience the joy of discovering new things,” said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning. “We’re inspired by the diverse ways these leaders are using IXL to help students grow, and we congratulate them for all of their achievements!”

Global Education Nonprofit Iridescent In Partnership with NVIDIA, Google and General Motors Invites Families Around the World to Join the AI Family Challenge and Do Social Good in Their Communities

11/12/2018

(Los Angeles, CA) November 9, 2018 -- Iridescent, a global technology and engineering education nonprofit, has announced the AI Family Challenge, a free education initiative encouraging children ages 8-15, and their families, to learn about artificial intelligence (AI) technology through hands-on learning projects at home using household items. Learn how you can participate as a family, educator, or coach today. No prior experience with AI needed.

Using everyday materials like rubber bands, paper cups, and batteries, the challenges introduce AI concepts such as neural networks and self-driving cars. Participants who register for the AI Family Challenge by January 2019 will also have the chance to submit their ideas to participate in the first-ever global AI World Championship taking place May 2019 in Silicon Valley. Iridescent is accepting submissions for the AI World Championship through February 1, 2019.

RoboKind Selected as a 2018 Red Herring Top 100 Global Winner

11/9/2018

A leading maker of educational, humanoid robots is honored as one of the most innovative technology companies in the world

(Dallas, TX) November 8, 2018 — RoboKind, the world leader in humanoid robotics, announced today that it has been selected as a winner for Red Herring's Top 100 Global, a prestigious list honoring the year’s most promising private technology ventures from around the world.

RoboKind is a Dallas-based company whose mission is to create cost-effective and inclusive education for all. Working with experts in both the autism community and school systems around the world, RoboKind has developed two robots, Milo and Jett, along with the accompanying robots4autism and robots4STEM curricula, to give children opportunities to realize their potential and pursue their passions for all things tech-related.

IXL Learning Acquires ABCya, Expands its Game-Based Learning Offerings

11/1/2018

ABCya's engaging educational games complement IXL's approach to personalized learning

SAN MATEO, CA (Oct. 30, 2018) -- Today, IXL Learning, the K-12 personalized learning platform used by 7 million students, announced it has acquired ABCya, the creator of more than 400 educational computer games and apps for kids. Both IXL Learning and ABCya are focused on inspiring learners by providing captivating educational content and an effective online learning experience that benefits students, parents and teachers alike.