EdTech Digest Awards Program 2014 | Spirit of Innovation
For so many reasons, the education technology space is moving forward with great momentum and robust spirit. A confluence of factors — the right time, technology and people — has made for a superlative year. With top talent and quality in so many corners, it wasn’t an easy selection process, but we are shining a spotlight on some of the best and brightest tools, leaders and trendsetters pushing forward today’s education revolution for the benefit of future generations. There are now thousands of startups, apps and companies working in edtech, more than ever before. The introduction of new methods, ideas, products and frameworks for learning, the willingness of investors to power such ingenuity through, or for startups making a go of it to boldly bootstrap their own efforts — and the real results that come of it — all converge to a single point: in the edtech sector, a spirit of innovation is alive and well. The courage, energy and determination of so many in and around education, their attitude, their underlying intentions to create positive change in one of the most important fields of human endeavor — not only deserves respect and warm approval, but is heartening to witness and partake in. We are part of a greater movement here, one that takes a tremendous amount of drive, but one with so many gains to be had. We’re very excited to recognize these cool tools, leaders and trendsetters in the education technology space. We intend to continue contributing to the forward motion of this revolution, and we salute those dedicated souls that create the human energy involved in such an undertaking. Well done! Continue! With that, here are the finalists and winners…
=COOL TOOL AWARDS (Finalists listed below – winners marked with *)
New Product or Service
Balefire Labs edapp review service*
Clarity for Schools from BrightBytes
TabPilot Manager from TabPilot Learning Systems
TeacherLists.com from School Family Media
Math for iPad from DreamBox Learning
EdTechReview.com from EdTech Review
LightSail adaptive literacy platform from LightSail
SmartCity from Revolution Prep
Product or Service
MediaCore video learning platform from MediaCore
Samsung Chromebook from Samsung Electronics America
Chronus Mentor from Chronus Corporation
Mileposts from Silverback Learning Solutions*
Academic Gaming Solution
Grammar Wonderland (Primary and Elementary) from McGraw Hill Education
Loot Pursuit: Tulum from Dig-It Games
QwertyTown from Second Nature Learning
SmartCity from Revolution Prep
Teacher Gaming Network from TGN*
Reach for the Sun from Filament Games
Assessment Solution
SCORE21 formative assessment builder from TE21
Mileposts from Silverback Learning Solutions
Varsity Learning Tools from Varsity Tutors
i-Ready Diagnostic & Instruction from Curriculum Associates
SmartCity from Revolution Prep
ExitTicket from Leadership Public Schools
Classroom Hardware Solution
Magic Planet Digital Video Globe from Global Imagination
BenQ IL420 Interactive Touch Display from BenQ
Belkin Tablet Stage & Stage App from Belkin
MediaSite Recorders from Sonic Foundry
Epson BrightLink 436Wi from Epson
Samsung School from Samsung Electronic America
REDCAT from Lightspeed Technologies
einstein Tablet + Platform from FourierEDU*
Collaboration Solution
media:scape from Steelcase Education Solutions
BenQ IL420 Interactive Touch Display
CourseCast from Educators Group
WeCollabrify from Elliot Soloway
The School Collective from The School Collective
Scoot & Doodle social creativity platform from Scoot & Doodle
Communication Solution
Alert Solutions Communication Suite for PowerSchool Users from Alert Solutions
SchoolMessenger Notification Service from Reliance Communications
Instant Connect from eSchoolView
The Social Express from The Language Express
Active School Apps from Active School Apps
Parent Notification System from One Call Now
Content Provider Solution
Science Bits from Science Bits*
Plato Courseware from Edmentum
LumiBook—Global Education Study: Six Drivers of Student Success from School Improvement Network
Britannica School from Encyclopaedia Britannica
Readiness for Common Core from Triumph Learning
Digital Textbook
Economics: An Interactive Approach from WorldView Software
World Geography: An Interactive Approach from WorldView Software
TIA 10e Digital Interactive eBook from Pearson
Mobile Prep for the NCLEX-RN + 2 practice tests from Kaplan
Integrated Science (Third Edition) from Aristo e-Learning Centre
Dynamic Books from Sapling Learning
SpringBoard from The College Board
Connected Mathematics Project 3 (CMP3)
District Data Solution
Mileposts from Silverback Learning Solutions
Complete Data Warehouse for PK-12 from eScholar
Assessment and Data Management System (ADMS) from Performance Matters
e-Learning Solution
Private SoftChalk Cloud from SoftChalk
Science4Us Interactive K-2 Science Curriculum by SpellingCity
Student Learning Center from Awe Learning
LaunchPad Suite from ClassLink
Jones eGlobal Library from Jones eGlobal Library
e-Learning Solution (Math)
Algebra 1 Generation 2 from K12
Reasoning Mind from Reasoning Mind
HELP Math from Digital Directions
Think Through Math from Think Through Learning
Middle School Common Core Mathematics from Edgenuity
Emerging Technology Solution
Common Core Lesson Planner App from Venataur
Civitas Learning Platform from Civitas
Planets Interactive 3D Puzzle Game from Popar Toys
FLEXCAT from Lightspeed Technologies
ABPathfinder from ABPathfinder
Interactive Whiteboard Solution
Mimio Mobile with MimioStudio from Mimio*
Scoot & Doodle social creativity platform from Scoot & Doodle
Networking Solution
The Parents’ Evening Booking System from NetMedia
Network Performance from SolarWinds*
XpressConnect Enrollment System from Cloudpath Networks
Learning Management System
Connexus School Management System from Connections Education
Desire2Learn Learning Suite from Desire2Learn
itslearning LMS from itslearning
Mobile Device Solution
Mobile Solution from Schoology
LearnPad from Educational Resources
The Amplify Tablet from Amplify
PupilPath Mobile App – Skedula from DataCation-CaseNEX
GALAXY Note 10.1 from Samsung Electronics America
Mobile App Solution (elementary)
Kurzweil 3000 firefly from Cambium Learning
Oscar Goes to the Zoo from You Tell Me Stories
Custom Mobile Apps Service from SchoolMessenger
Grammar Wonderland (Primary and Elementary) from McGraw-Hill Education
LaunchPad iOS & Touch Apps from ClassLink
PupilPath Mobile App – Skedula from DataCation-CaseNEX
Mobile App Solution (middle, high school and beyond)
LaunchPad iOS & Touch Apps from ClassLink
PupilPath Mobile App – Skedula from DataCation-CaseNEX
Active School Apps from Active School Apps
Connected Mathematics Project 3 (CMP3) from Connected Mathematics 3
MiLAB data analysis app from FourierEDU
Buzzmath for Middle School from Scolab
Presentation Solution
Magic Planet Digital Video Globe from Global Imagination
MultiTaction Cell 55″ Full HD LCD Ultra-Thin Bezel from MultiTouch
Belkin Tablet Stage & Stage App from Belkin
Professional Development Solution
Private SoftChalk Cloud from Softchalk
Atomic Integrate from Atomic Learning
ReadyLab from Generation Ready
Lesson Planet from Education Planet
strategiesforcommoncore.com from What Every Teacher Should Know
Effectiveness Platform from Teachscape
SafeSchools Online Staff Training from Scenario Learning
myCore from Insight Education Group*
Leading Edge Certification from Leading Edge Certification
Reporting Solution
Security/Privacy Solution
SonicWALL NSA Series Next-Gen Firewalls from Dell*
DB Networks IDS-6300 from DB Networks
Cross-platform Anti Theft & Piracy software from Prey
STEM Solution
RobotsLAB BOX – Teaching Math and Science Using Robots from RobotsLAB*
Cyber Science 3D from Cyber Anatomy
Science4Us Interactive K-2 Science Curriculum by SpellingCity
Reasoning Mind from Reasoning Mind
Dynamic Books from Sapling Learning
ExploreLearning Reflex from ExploreLearning
Britannica Pathways: Science from Encyclopaedia Britannica
einstein Tablet + Platform from FourierEDU
Student Academic Tracking Solution
Next Generation Super Gradebook from Kickboard*
PupilPath Mobile App – Skedula from DataCation-CaseNEX
Course Learning Center from Skyward
Digital Positive & Behavior Support Privilege Tiers Program from Tonk & Snyder
Virtualization Solution
LaunchPad Cloud & Instructional from ClassLink
Virtualization Manager from SolarWinds
Violin Memory All-Flash Arrays from Violin Memory*
MORE COOL TOOL AWARDS FINALISTS:
Special Needs Instructional Solution: Rethink from Rethink Autism
Curriculum Management: BuildYourOwnCurriculum from School Software Group
Instructional Improvement Solution: Engrade from McGraw-Hill Education
Literacy Support System: BiblioNasium from BiblioNasium*
Language Education solution: Voxy from Voxy
=LEADERSHIP AWARDS (Finalists)
Edupreneurs and EdTech Startups
Hannes Klopper, co-founder, iversity
Todd Whitlock, co-founder and CEO, Standard for Success
Rene Olivieri, Chairman, BlikBook
Rohit Agarwal, CEO, TenMarks Math
Steven Guttentag, President, Connections Learning
Robert Romano, co-founder and CEO, StudySync (BookheadED Learning)
Matthew Pittinsky, CEO, Parchment
Jonathan LeMaster and Lee Ramsey, co-founders, LiteracyTA*
Founder/CEO
Sanford Kenyon, CEO, SchoolMessenger
Stuart Bowness, CEO, MediaCore
John Baker, CEO, Desire2Learn*
Rob O’Leary and Grant Wright, co-founders, eSchoolView
Gene Carter, Executive Director and CEO, ASCD
Clay Whitehead and Jack Lynch, co-founders and co-CEOs of PresenceLearning
Lisa Barnett, CEO of Atomic Learning
Michael Moody and Jason Stricker, co-founders, Insight Education Group
Oscar Menjivar, Founder, URBAN Txt
Mike Lawrence, Founder, Leading Edge Certification
School Leader
Mike Evans, Instructional Technology Specialist, Forsyth County, GA
Jason Corosanite, Chief Operating Officer, String Theory Schools PA
Margaret Stelmach, Educator, Sydney, Australia*
Greg Firn, Superintendent of Academics, Grand Prairie ISD, TX
Shawn Wigg, Teacher, Florida Virtual School
Noah Tonk and David Snyder, Digital Tiers Program, Goshen, IN
Patricia J. Brown, Technology Integration Coach, St. Louis, MO
Jim Wynn, Chief Education Officer, Promethean
Visionary
Mickey Revenaugh, EVP, Connections Learning*
Mark Milliron, co-founder, Chief Learning Officer, Civitas
Carole D. Bos, Creator, Awesome Stories
Jason Corosanite, String Theory Schools
PR Firm/Publicist
J. Harrison Public Relations Group
Communications Strategy Group (CSG)
MORE LEADERSHIP AWARDS FINALISTS:
Steve Barkley, former EVP, PLS 3rd Learning
Karen Larson and Gene Tognetti, authors, Common Core & Ed Tech*
Eugen Rutz, Academic Director, Engineering, University of Cincinnati
=TRENDSETTER AWARDS (Finalists)
Product or Service Setting a Trend
Techbook Series from Discovery Education*
StudySync from BookheadED Learning
WIN Learning from WIN Learning
eBackpack workflow solution from eBackpack
Planets Interactive 3D Puzzle Game from Popar Toys
GALAXY Note 10.1 from Samsung Electronics America
Leader Setting a Trend
Martin Lind, Education Vertical Manager, Velocify
Jon Bergmann, co-founder, Flipped Learning Network
Dan Yang, CEO and Founder, Rullingnet, Vinci Genius and Vinci Education
Barbara Bray and Kathleen McClaskey, co-founders, Personalize Learning*
Don Orth, Director of Technology, Hillbrook School, Los Gatos, CA
MORE TRENDSETTER AWARDS FINALISTS:
Researcher: Jenny Grant Rankin, Creator, Over the Counter Data
Free Personalized Learning: Activate Instruction from Girard Education Foundation
EdTech Conferences: ASCD Annual Conference; ETIS: EdTech Innovation Summit
Open Source Catalog: OpenED*
Congratulations to all finalists and winners! There were a lot of close decisions. Come back often for more cool tools, fascinating interviews, relevant trends and voices from the field. In the weeks and months ahead, you will see much more coverage of winners and finalists.
7 Comments
Bob Abbatecola
Yes, we would like to enter the 2013 edtech digest awards. We entered last year. Really great to see all the innovative products out there.