EdTech Digest Awards Program 2013 | Raising the Roof

Results are in for the third annual EdTech Digest Awards Recognition Program honoring tools, trendsetters and leaders in the education and technology sector. The distinguished awards program recognizes outstanding solutions—and the best and brightest minds—in education and technology. This year there was no shortage of either, as entries hit an all-time high. From dozens to hundreds of startups; from blips to billions in venture capital; and from millionaire kindergarten teachers sharing lesson plans to YouTube tutors on the cover of Forbes — the edtech world continues to raise the roof in terms of sheer numbers and activity. Past winners of the EdTech Digest Awards Program have included, among others: Pearson, Epson and McGraw-Hill, as well as emerging solutions providers Panarea Digital, StudySync and StudyBlue. This year’s program features some of the most robust entries ever. In all, more than 200 finalists were named in more than 40 categories, including best:

·     New Product or Service

·     Academic Gaming Solution

·     Emerging Technology Solution

·     Professional Development Solution

·     Product or Service Setting a Trend

·     Leader Setting a Trend

·     and more.

A distinguished panel of industry influencers and veterans conducted this year’s evaluation proceedings. “Our judges are giants among us, having influenced millions through their efforts at improving, advancing and modernizing education,” said Victor Rivero, who oversees the program as Editor in Chief of EdTech Digest. “They are highly-regarded leaders from a variety of experiences, but what they all have in common is a keen eye for what works in education and technology.”

With year-over-year sharp increases in entries, the 2013 program saw no shortage of quality workable technology solutions for education, according to Rivero. “As the industry has advanced, this year’s entries are among the best ever,” he said. “The market certainly has its challenges, but letting its bright spots shine is not only a real pleasure—it’s what will continue to drive it forward and help students everywhere.”

The program is comprised of the Cool Tool, Trendsetter and Leadership Awards. All entries fall into a subcategory under one of these three main categories.

Cool Tool awards recognize new, emerging and established technology solutions for education; the Trendsetter awards include notable people or products shaping the space, and the EdTech Leadership awards recognize outstanding forward-thinking contributions to learning and technology.

“We’re excited to honor these finalists who have all earned it, they deserve special recognition for their efforts and are highly commended for their work in education,” said Rivero. “The 2013 awards recognize both people and solutions in and around education for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere.”

Ed. note: Winners are marked with an asterisk (*); all site links will be up shortly.

=COOL TOOL AWARDS

New Product or Service  

Think Through Math from Think Through Learning

ClearPass Access Management from Aruba Networks

Squad from Code Together

Learnist from Grockit*

JunoED from JunoED.com

PassageBank.com from Linkit

MediaCore from MediaCore

ASTAR from Scholarchip

QwertyTown from Second Nature Learning

Splash Math Series of Apps from StudyPad

Product or Service

Edmodo from edmodo*

Gizmos from Explore Learning

iStart Smart Mobile Learning System from Hatch

Rural School Audit Plans from BLEgroup

Strategic Enrollment Management Software from Enrollment Rx

OpenClass from Pearson Higher Ed

Poll Everywhere from Poll Everywhere

History Alive! From TCI

Reading Kingdom from Mojo Learning

Academic Gaming Solution

Arcademics Plus from Arcademics*

Mayan Mysteries Classroom Edition from Dig-It Games

Teacher Gaming Network from FTC Publishing

MathSprint from ITWorx

GameChange5 from Linkit

PBS Kids Play! Classroom Edition from PBS Kids Play!

Zeos from Pearson School

Academic Gaming Solution from Skoolbo

VocabularlySpellingCity from Time4Learning

Assessment Solution

Achiever! From Brainchild

STAAR i-Ready from Curriculum Associates

myIGDIs Early Literacy from Early Learning Labs

Insight 360 with Mobi 360 from eInstruction

Path Driver Assessment Systems from EPS Literacy & Intervention

EssayTagger from EssayTagger

Digital Insight Assessment from Learning Station

Poll Everywhere from Poll Everywhere*

Lexia Reading from Lexia Learning

Classroom Hardware Solution  

DC-20 Document Camera from Epson

now!Board Portable Interactive Whiteboard Technology from Learning Resources*

ZoneFlex Smart Wireless LAN System from Ruckus Wireless

Collaboration Solution

BoomWriter from BoomWriter*

PossibilityU from Cambium Enterprises

Learning Suite 10.1 from Desire2Learn

eBOARD from eBoardsolutions

Mimio Interactive Teaching Technologies from Mimio

ActivTable from Promethean

thereNOW hardware/software package from thereNOW

Communication Solution

Odyssey Community from Compass Learning

Parent Portal from eSchoolView

Talk About It from SchoolMessenger*

Notification Service from SchoolMessenger

The School Collective from The School Collective

Content Provider Solution

Academic Room from Academic Room

Odyssey from Compass Learning

Mapping to the Core: LiveBook from School Improvement Network

Science Bits from International Science Teaching Foundation

Shmoop from Shmoop University*

Digital Textbook

Providence eLearning from Primera

History Alive! from TCI

What So Proudly We Hail from Whatsoproudlywehail.org

US Government: An Interactive Approach from WorldView Software

Discovery Education Techbook from Discovery Education*

AV2 Books by Weigl

District Data Solution

Clever from Clever

Complete Data Warehouse from eScholar

GuideK12 from GuideK12*

Complete Data and Instructional Management from Illuminate Education

LearnSprout from LearnSprout

Assessment and Data Management System from Performance Matters

Mileposts from Silverback Learning Solutions

ImpleMentor from Wireless Gen

e-Learning Solution

Alleyoop from Pearson Education

Mechanics from Brainchild

myON reader from Capstone Digital*

Eureka.in from Designmate

Learning Suite 10.1 from Desire2Learn

embarK12 from K12

Super Duper Learning from Super Duper Publications

Wowzers from Wowzers

Emerging Technology Solution

Cerego from Cerego

Civitas Learning from Civitas Learning

LeadiD from LeadiD

LearnSprout from LearnSprout*

OpenClass from Pearson Higher Ed

Presence Learning from Presence Learning

TenMarks Math from TenMarks

LaunchPad Suite from ClassLink

Green Solution

Easyboard Display Boards from Bright White Paper

eBOARD from eBoardsolutions*

Notification Service from SchoolMessenger

Interactive Whiteboard Solution 

AC Interactive Whiteboard Solution from Adaptive Curriculum*

Gizmos from ExploreLearning

PBS Learning Media from PBS Learning Media

Digits from Pearson School

Learning Management System 

Always Prepped from Always Prepped*

Canvas from Instructure

Learning Suite 10.1 from Desire2Learn

Insight from Faronics

OpenClass from Pearson

Schoology from Schoology

VSCHOOLZ from VSCHOOLZ

Mobile (device) Solution

Mobile Device Management from AirWatch*

Belkin Tablet Stand with Storage from Belkin

Study Buddy from Brainchild

Mobile Suite from eSchoolView

Inspiration Maps from Inspiration Software

Casper Suite from JAMF Software

Digital Insight Assessment from Learning Station

webNetwork 6 from Stoneware

Mobile (app) Solution

Active School Apps from Active School Apps

Paul Revere’s Ride from Cognitive Kid

Mayan Mysteries for iPad from Dig-It Games

Insight 360 Standard and Premium Classroom from eInstruction

StudyBlue Mobile Apps from StudyBlue*

Splash Math Series of Apps from StudyPad

StoryMaker Mobile App from Super Duper Publications

“WH” Question Cards Mobile App from Super Duper Publications

Star Walk from Vito Technology

Poll Everywhere from Poll Everywhere

The Word Monsters from MindConnex Learning

Vernier Graphical Analysis for iPad from Vernier

Parent/Student Portal Solution

Parent InfoCenter from PublicSchoolWORKS

Student Management Suite – Family Access from Skyward*

Presentation Solution

Biteslide from Biteslide* (for K-12)

PowerLite X15 from Epson

Poll Everywhere from Poll Everywhere

Mediasite by Sonic Foundry* (for higher education)

Professional Development Solution

PD Online from ASCD

PD In Focus from ASCD*

Integrate from Atomic Learning

PBS Teacherline from PBS Teacherline

Reporting Solution

Odyssey Manager from Compass Learning

LabPro from Faronics

Reporting Solution from Learning Station

Student Bullying and Safety Reporting Systems from PublicSchoolWORKS*

Social Networking/Academic Networking Solution

EdSync from School Improvement Network

Schoology from Schoology*

STEM Solution

eScience3000 from Achieve 3000

Adaptive Curriculum from Adaptive Curriculum

Alleyoop from Alleyoop

Gizmos from ExploreLearning*

STEM Builder from Prepaloo

Reasoning Mind from Reasoning Mind

The Digits from The Digits

Student Academic Tracking Solution

Blackboard Analytics for Learn from Blackboard

ClassMate Performace task track from Classlink

myTrack from eScholar*

GuideK12 from GuideK12

Reasoning Mind from Reasoning Mind

Student Management Suite – Family Access from Skyward

MORE COOL TOOL FINALISTS:

littleBits from littleBits Electronics – Best Introduction to Electronics

PossibilityU from Cambium Enterprises – Best College Guidance System

Help MATH from Digital Directions – Best Math Intervention Program

DigitWhiz from DigitWhiz – Best Math Skills Solution

eBackpack from eBackpack – Best iPad Workflow Solution

Dell Sonic Wall E-Class Firewalls from Dell Sonic Wall – Best Security/Privacy Solution

LaunchPad Cloud Desktop from ClassLink – Best Telecom Solution

Adaptive Curriculum from Adaptive Curriculum – Best Virtualization Solution

Raptivity from Harbinger Knowledge – Best Interactive Learning Solution

myCore Curriculum Management from Insight Education Group – Best Common Core Planning Tool

Vizzle from Monarch Teaching Technologies – Best Visual Learning Solution

Rethink Autism from Rethink Autism – Best Instructional Solution for Special Needs

SafeSchools from Scenario Learning – Best Online Staff Training

Remote Proctor NOW from Software Secure – Best Exam Proctoring Tool

Lecture Capture from Sonic Foundry – Best Lecture Capture Solution

StudyDog from StudyDog Reading Software – Best Early Reading Program

Axonify from Axonify – Best Corporate Learning Solution

Problem-Attic from EducAide Software – Best Classroom Resource Solution

=LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Edupreneurs (education entrepreneurs), EdTech Startups

Chip Paucek, 2U

Fahad Hassan, Always Prepped

Sallie Severns, Answer Underground

Besty Beaumon, Benetech

Chris Twyman, BoomWriter

Farb Nivi, Grockit

Heather Hiles, Pathbrite*

Jeremy Friedman, Schoology

Reid Whitaker, STEMscopes

Founder/CEO

Tony Pfister, Classbook

Charles Thornburgh, Civitas Learning

Barbara Dreyer, Connections Academy

John Baker, Desire2Learn* (for higher education)

Shawn Bay, eScholar

Bill Goodwyn, Discovery Education* (for K-12)

Jim Kirchner, Learning Station

Sanford Kenyon, SchoolMessenger

School Leader

Cody Claver, Dubai Women’s College High School (Dubai)

Eric Sheninger, New Milford High School NJ*

Joe Mazza, Knapp Elementary Philadelphia PA

Paul Hamilton, Flinders Anglican (Australia)

Alice Ray, Ripple Effects, San Francisco CA

Greg Limperis, Technology Integration in Education, Boston MA

Visionary

Eliot Levinson, BLEgroup

Todd Brekhus, Capstone Digital*

Charles Thornburgh, Civitas Learning

Shane Hill, Skoolbo

EdTech Blogger

Adam Percival, Compass Learning

Lisa Kennedy, Compass Learning

Eric Patnoudes, Joliet Township High School,

Kirsten Winkler, EDUKWEST/KirstenWinkler.com*

Greg Limperis, Technology Integration in Education

PR Firm/Publicist

C Blohm & Associates*

L Wolfe Communications

PR with Panache

Overall Edtech Rockstar

Arthur VanderVeen, Compass Learning

Farb Nivi, Grockit/Learnist*

Inna Fedoseyeva, Teachscape

Stephanie Weeks, Blackboard

MORE LEADERSHIP AWARDS FINALISTS:

Eelco Hillenius and Eric Lindberg, Teachscape – Best Software Developers Making a Difference for Education

 

=TRENDSETTER AWARDS

Product or Service Setting a Trend

3D AVRover from AVRover

Apps with Curriculum from Apps with Curriculum

Blackboard Mobile Central from Blackboard

Thought Leadership Consortium from BLEgroup

Kurzweil 3000 firefly from Cambium Tech

Nexus Academy from Connections Academy

Edbacker from Edbacker

iBallz from iBallz

Pathbrite from Pathbrite

Straighterline from Straighterline* (for higher education)

StudySync from StudySync* (for K-12)

WIN Learning from WIN Learning

Leader Setting a Trend

Barbara Freeman, Digital Directions

Joe Mazza, Knapp Elementary PA*

Martin Lind, Leads 360

Deme Clainos, StudyDog Reading Software

MORE TRENDSETTER AWARDS FINALISTS:

ISTE SIGML – Best Mobile Learning Resource Group for Educators

ST Math featuring Touch, MIND Research – Best New Math Game for Touch

PR with Panache – Best Modern Day Business Storytellers

Ron Reed, SXSWedu – Best Conference Organizer

observe4success – Best Classroom Walkthrough Solution

Flip Boom All-Star from Toon Boom – Best Animation Software for Classroom Use

Discovery Education Network from Discovery Education – Best Educator Network

The Association of Educational Publishers – Best Nonprofit Membership Association

Congratulations to all finalists and winners! Winners are marked with an asterisk (*); check back often – all site links will be up shortly.