September was a busy month as schools got back to the business of the classroom and ed-tech providers released a number of new solutions to support teaching and learning efforts.
Take a look at this month’s releases from SmartBrief on EdTech’s Product Showcase:
Web site aims to help teens find career paths. Middle- and high-school students now have a new way to explore potential careers. Myverse.com is an online and mobile resource that uses a psychometric color test to match students with up to five careers. The site also includes videos of each career as well as information about colleges and areas of study.
Can your school use a 3D printer? K-12 and higher-education campuses have an opportunity to win a 3D printer and $5,000 grant, thanks to a new contest sponsored by Stratasys, in partnership with Campus Technology and THE Journal. Schools interested in participating must submit a 500-word essay outlining what a 3D printer would mean to their campuses. Contest deadline is November 30, 2015. To enter, visit Campus Technology or THE Journal’s Web site.
French language series includes virtual blackboard lessons. Breaking the Barrier has released its latest digital books for students learning French. The 2015 Breaking the French Barrier series features virtual blackboard lessons for each chapter to underscore key grammatical concepts. Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 are available for download from Apple’s iTunes store.
Interactive touchscreen display works as whiteboard and digital signage. InFocus has launched DigiEasel with LightCast, an interactive touchscreen display. The 40-inch display features 1080p-resolution, 10-point touch and built-in digital whiteboard and Web browsing capability. Users can also connect to share content from their wireless device to the display. Also new is DigiEasel Sign Manager software, which allows organizations to display their HTML5 signage to the DigiEasel.
Padcaster turns iPad into mobile video production studio. The Padcaster is an aluminum case, with threaded holes, designed for the iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini. The case comes with a frame, insert, lens bracket, Padcaster microphone, wide-angle lens and dual mic-headphone jack.
Online course trains school administrators for active shooter scenario. SafeSchools Active Shooter training course aims to equip school leaders with the information they need to keep their schools safe. Administrators will learn how active shooter situations occur; what they can do to prevent them; and what actions to take in the event that violent incident occurs at their schools.
White paper outlines multimetric accountability system. ACSD’s white paper, “Multimetric Accountability Systems: A Next-Generation Vision of Student Success” looks at accountability systems from five school systems in the United States and Canada. The paper details each district’s measures of accountability, the principles they followed and the challenges they had to address during implementation.
Califone offers special pricing on Mobile Peripheral Packs. Califone is extending special pricing for its Mobile Peripheral Packages. Each package, designed for Bluetooth-enabled tablet or smartphone, comes with a stand, keyboard and choice of headphones or earbuds. The package with headphones is available for $49.75. The package with earbuds is available for $37.00. The company is offering this special rate through December 20, 015.