Feed: eSchool News - Multimedia - AggScore: 68.8

Up to $2,500 for reading initiatives

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Each year, the National Book Foundation awards a number of prizes of up to dollarsignr2,500 each to individuals and institutions—or partnerships between the two—that have developed innovative means of creating and sustaining a lifelong love of reading.

$3,000 awards for summer reading

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Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading Grants provide funding to local nonprofit organizations and libraries to help with the implementation or expansion of summer reading programs. Programs must target Pre-K through 12th grade students who are new readers, below grade level readers or readers with learning disabilities.

50 document cameras for educators

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Teachers can enter to win by writing 100 words or less on how the SAMCAM 860 will be used in their classroom. The grant program will provide the document cameras to worthy schools based on need and utilization.

‘PossibilityU’ Provides Guidance Counselors with Tools for Helping Students Get Into and Afford Their Perfect College

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘PossibilityU’ Provides Guidance Counselors with Tools for Helping Students Get Into and Afford Their Perfect College

Online college admission curriculum manages and tracks students’ college admission and application process

Yarmouth, ME – February 14, 2012 – PossibilityU, a web-based solution designed to help students get into the right college, has launched a college admission curriculum that allows high school guidance counselors to have more meaningful conversations with students about choosing, applying to and affording college. The curriculum provides a series of data-driven tools to help guide students to the best and most appropriate colleges – academically, socially and financially – and it provides guidance counselors with a quick snapshot of the college admission process for any number of students.

“This service is terrific. It gets the complicated picture of college admission across in a smart, contemporary way that really resonates with our students,” said Bob Gay, principal of Coyle and Cassidy High School. “PossibilityU helps our guidance office deliver personalized support, gather real-time feedback on student progress and recommend great schools that match – the heart, the brain, and the wallet.”

PossibilityU provides students with a simple-to-use, yet powerful, college matching engine and assesses a student’s chance of getting into a particular college or receiving financial aid. It features a full curriculum with strategies from experts in college admission offered in short, entertaining video lessons, including practical tips on choosing, applying for, and financing a great college education. PossibilityU automatically messages students and parents about deadlines and events and provides counselors with a dashboard for tracking student progress and choices. Guidance counselors and administrators can view a variety of aggregated reports to track the progress of juniors and seniors through the admission process.

“Guidance counselors today carry an incredible load. Many serve hundreds of students per year across areas as diverse as scheduling, disciplinary issues and of course college consulting. Only 31% of guidance offices surveyed by the College Board feel they are successful helping students with the admission process. PossibilityU is a great way for the remaining 69% to offer their students great college advice. Students drive the process on their own time and guidance offices get the tools to go in-depth and make the most out of the time they have to focus on college admission. Together, we can change admission outcomes for students across the country,” said Betsy Peters, CEO of PossibilityU.

In addition to the online components, PossibilityU provides a support line staffed by expert advisors who will answer questions throughout the college search and selection process. For more about implementing PossibilityU, contact sales@possibility.com or call 877-503-7896.

About PossibilityU PossibilityU is a educational technology company that has combined the expert knowledge of college admission specialists with behavior theory and persuasive technology to provide step-by-step instructions and tools for choosing, applying for and getting into a college that offers the best fit academically, socially and financially for every student. Its unique dashboard provides high school guidance counselors with the data to manage and track the college admission process. To learn more about PossibilityU, visit www.possibilityU.com.

Media Contacts:

Betsy Peters PossibilityU (207) 332-5360 Betsy.peters@cambiumenterprises.com

Katherine Russo KEH Communications (410) 975-9628 Katherine@kehcomm.comm

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Schools Respond to Michigan’s New Bullying Legislation

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In recent weeks, schools across Michigan have been re-drafting their bullying procedures and policies to meet the June 6th deadline set by the State. Some schools, including Hartland Middle School at Ore Creek have looked to outside sources for an affordable, digital solution to the new legislation: “Sprigeo is a great safety valve, kids who don’t report to an adult that they were being bullied, now have another option.” — Assistant Principal Tony Howerton.

As talks of bullying and intimidation in schools sweep the nation, individual states are releasing laws that mandate schools to introduce rules to protect their kids from bullying. Michigan has jumped on board with its own laws, joining a host of other states that have adopted policies that protect students from harassment. Across the U.S statistics show that 160,000 kids skip school every day, afraid to face another day of bullying.

Hartland Middle School at Ore Creek in Hartland Michigan has 950 middle school age students, a number that can be daunting to any school official. With this in mind, Assistant Principal Howerton says: “Sprigeo has really helped us keep track of these types of incidents and get them resolved quickly and efficiently”.

With the introduction of “Matt’s Safe School Law, named after Matt Epling who took his own life after numerous bullying incidents, schools have six months to develop an anti-bullying policy. The new legislation requires a degree of uniformity, and accountability in regards to bullying incidents. This includes a procedure for reporting an act of bullying and requirements for teachers and administrators to have annual training on preventing and responding to bullying.

Sprigeo’s simple online anonymous report is standardized, based upon the toughest legislation in the country. All reports are captured in a secure online database in addition to being sent in an immediate email alert. This allows principals and district superintendents to track incidents, note action taken toward resolution, and record follow-up activity as well as download the latest statistics and summary reports for their area.

Sprigeo, Inc. was founded by Joe Bruzzese, an expert and frequent speaker on bullying. The company is located in Santa Barbara, CA and since introducing the software in the first half of 2011 has been adopted by schools in thirteen states.

—————————————————— If you’d like more information about this topic, or to speak with Sprigeo.com’s CEO, Joe Bruzzese, please call 805-284-9435 or e-mail Sprigeo at team@sprigeo.com

Wowza Media Systems 2012 NAB Show Preview

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Wowza Media Systems 2012 NAB Show Preview Booth SU9702

“Broadcasters around the world are using Wowza Media Server(R) 3 to deliver vibrant video and engaging audio content to any screen reliably and without interruption; and they’re reaping the benefits in increased revenue and audience loyalty. They’re also finding that, with its AddOns, Wowza Media Server software is not just a media server. It’s the heart of their delivery infrastructure, helping them to transform, enhance, protect, integrate, and manage their media streaming — no matter where it needs to go.” – David Stubenvoll, chief executive officer and co-founder of Wowza Media Systems

Wowza Media Systems at the 2012 NAB Show Multiplatform flexibility, reliability, scalability, extensibility, and unmatched economic value have made Wowza Media Server(R) software an unprecedented success, with some 100,000 licensees worldwide. Wowza(R) Media Systems introduced the paradigm-busting Wowza Media Server 3 last fall, and it quickly won awards for changing the way adaptive multibitrate streaming is delivered to viewers everywhere. At the 2012 NAB Show, Wowza will display this award-winning new software and its groundbreaking AddOns, which transform it from a mere media server into a robust streaming media platform.

Wowza Products on Display at the 2012 NAB Show:

Wowza Media Server 3 — The Multi-Award-Winning Unified Media Server A major milestone in the evolution of media streaming, Wowza Media Server(R) 3 is the next generation of Wowza’s award-winning software platform that provides a single extensible foundation and value-added components for “Any Screen Done Right(TM)” media delivery.

The software offers the broadest any-screen coverage for Flash(R)- and Silverlight(R)-capable computers, tablets, phones, set-top boxes, media players, and game consoles; Apple(R) iPhone(R)/iPad(R) and other HLS-capable devices such as Apple TV(R) with AirPlay(R); Android(TM) devices; Roku(R) media players; and Internet-connected TVs including Samsung(R) Smart TV(TM) and Google TV(TM)-powered sets. The Wowza Media Server 3 platform advances media streaming to a new level of simplicity and cost-effectiveness with a variety of AddOn components that help organizations of any size to deliver live and on-demand content efficiently.

With Wowza Media Server 3, formerly hard-to-implement features such as adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming, time-shifted playback, and integrated rights management are made simple and cost-effective. Wowza Media Server 3 is the ideal media platform for revenue-generating services for an ever-growing number of destinations. Capabilities of the Wowza Media Server 3 platform include:

- Integrated live adaptive bitrate (ABR) transcoding enabled by Wowza Transcoder(TM) AddOn - Any-screen time-shifted delivery of live streams with Wowza nDVR(TM) AddOn - Support for multiple studio-approved DRM platforms - Unconstrained per-server capacity with no CPU core limitations - Flexible and cost-effective licensing choices for any application and budget

New capabilities will be announced at the 2012 NAB Show.

Wowza Media Server 3 AddOns Wowza Media Server(R) 3 AddOns enhance a broadcaster’s ability to deliver, transform, enhance, protect, integrate, and manage their media streaming. With AddOns, the media server becomes a full-fledged streaming media infrastructure that helps broadcasters drive revenue-generating services or simplify their workflows. Wowza will demonstrate these AddOns at the 2012 NAB Show:

- Wowza Transcoder(TM) AddOn transforms incoming live streams from encoders, IP cameras, IPTV headends, and other live sources to H.264 for delivery everywhere

- Wowza nDVR(TM) AddOn stores content in a normalized format as a single live stream cache that enables users to deliver time-shifted playout experience to viewers — on PCs, tablets, smartphones, and TVs

- Wowza DRM(TM) AddOn facilitates integration with various digital rights management platforms to deliver on-the-fly encryption for live and video-on-demand content to any screen

In addition to the premium AddOns above, there is an extensive suite of free components that provides users with high-value tools to better manage and protect content, enhance the viewer experience, and easily integrate Wowza Media Server software in their environments.

Image Link: http://www.ingearpr.com/Wowza/WowzaMediaServer3.zip Image Caption: Wowza Media Server(R) 3

Company Overview: Wowza(R) Media Systems is the “Any Screen Done Right(TM)” media server software company delivering an industrial-strength infrastructure for live video, video-on-demand, live recording, and video chat. Wowza has a singular focus on delivering high-performance media server software to service providers, media properties, enterprises, and other organizations serious about delivering video to any digital screen — computer, mobile phone, or home TV. More than 100,000 global licensees in entertainment, social media, advertising, enterprise, education, government, and Internet commerce have deployed Wowza’s media server software to date. Wowza Media Systems is privately held with headquarters in Evergreen, Colo. More information is available at www.wowza.com.

Wowza and related marks are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Wowza Media Systems Inc. Third-party product names and related marks are either registered trademarks or trademarks of such third parties.

Digital Technology Used Throughout Schools

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http://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/news/x1882850236/Digital-technology-used-throughout-schools

Fort Leavenworth, Kan. —

Fifth-graders in Andrea Coppinger’s flex math class at MacArthur Elementary School start their lesson with an ordinary pen-and-paper assignment on how to convert measurements. They draw pictures depicting how four quarts equal one gallon, 2,000 pounds equal one ton, and so forth. Then, they use an iPad 2 to videotape themselves teaching other students how their conversions work. At the end of the lesson, they’re able to watch themselves teaching on the classroom SMART board. Coppinger said self-teaching is one of the secrets of how technology in the classroom can be successful. The students aren’t just creating a slide show or assignment they’ll forget about later, they’re interacting with the rest of their class and creating an accessible digital memory through taping each other. “If a student can teach what they have learned to someone else, then they truly have learned that concept,” she said. Students and teachers at MacArthur Elementary School participated in digital learning day Feb. 1, a national event that encourages schools to find ways to engage students with digital media and technology. However, every day at the Fort Leavenworth School District is a digital learning day, said Al Landever, director of technology services for the district. The post schools recently earned a dollarsignr2.5 million Department of Defense Educational Partnership grant for its Cyber-TEAMS initiative, which stands for technology, engineering, arts, math and science, and utilizes technology to promote learning in these areas. Although the grant is separate from the digital learning day, technology is finding its way into the curriculum throughout the schools. Even in the hallways at MacArthur, there’s a QR code game students can play to learn about the types of Native American tribes or the founding fathers of the United States. The schools have several technology tools including SMART boards, mini laptops and iPad 2 tablets. Last year, the district opted to buy 600 iPad 2 tablets for students in lieu of purchasing new math textbooks. While the teachers do use math books published in 2007, they’re able to supplement lessons with iPads. The district also has lots of behind-the-scenes technology support, like a wireless Internet service with an increased bandwidth. Coppinger said the technology allows her students to utilize much higher level thinking skills than a traditional lesson — beyond just memorization. Additionally, students who are either far ahead in their coursework or students who are struggling can work independently on digital projects, she said. “Having the technology makes it possible to do that, to really meet the student’s needs and know that they are learning,” Coppinger said. In Tammy Irminger’s fourth-grade class, students wrote a “fan fiction” version of the popular children’s book, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” They drew pictures, took digital copies of their pictures and made them into a video slide show using the school’s mini laptops. Then, the children did a voiceover of the scripts of their stories on the video. Irminger said this not only gives her students computer skills, but organizational skills and the elements of writing a story. Liddell Hobin, technology integration specialist, said the district has also provided professional development to teachers in all the schools. Teachers at MacArthur have technology Thursdays, for example. A few technology savvy teachers in each school serve as mentors for the other teachers. Hobin said the best part about learning with technology is when teachers learn alongside the students. “Kids are all about figuring it out, as teachers we’re looking at their method of learning,” she said. Superintendent Keith Mispagel said in a press release that the district uses technology as another means to learning. “Technology is not the sole answer, it is simply a tool,” he said. “Our primary focus is on facilitating professional development for our teachers to explore how technology can impact both what we teach and how we teach.”

More Than 1 Million Flashcards Created on StudyBlue Every Week

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Growth in Online Studying Generates Enormous Amounts of Shared Knowledge

Madison, Wis. (Feb. 13, 2012) – StudyBlue^®, a mobile and online study service for students, has experienced tremendous growth due to increasing demand from students to make their studying mobile and social. More than 1 million online flashcards, many with images and audio, are created every week on StudyBlue, and that number nearly doubles during peak exam times. “Flip,” a new video from StudyBlue, explores why flashcards have proven to be such effective study tools for students.

StudyBlue surpassed 1 million users in December 2011, and growth of the free online learning network continues to accelerate. “It’s a sign that the digital natives who populate our high schools and colleges crave quality digital study tools,” said Becky Splitt, CEO of StudyBlue. In total, students have logged more than 100 million study minutes since the site’s launch in 2009.Mobile studying and mobile flashcard creation on the free StudyBlue iPhone and Android apps is part of what’s driving this phenomenon. Twenty percent of all new flashcards on StudyBlue are created on the StudyBlue mobile application. “It’s second nature for students to turn to their smartphones to manage their lives,” said Splitt. “Creating a seamless experience for users across their connected devices enables students to study anytime, anywhere.”In addition to creating flashcards, students utilize StudyBlue to connect with their peers and learn from them. Altogether, 1 million StudyBlue users have created more than 40 million definitions of ideas that are public and accessible to all.“Efficiency and collaboration are key factors for our users,” explained Splitt. “Students look at shared content to see how their definitions stack up against others, find out if they missed anything, or determine if someone else has a better explanation. We’re working on several new features for release in the near future that will expand students’ ability to connect with each other through content.”About StudyBlue StudyBlue delivers the mobile and online study service that helps students learn their stuff, for free. StudyBlue provides a Digital Backpack™ for students to store, study, share and ultimately master course material – working alone or together. Flashcards with images and audio, cloud storage for notes, personalized practice quizzes and free mobile apps are among the tools offered. For more information, visit www.studyblue.com.

Media Contacts

• Scott DeRuyter, StudyBlue, 608-441-1149, scott@studyblue.com

• Emily Embury, C. Blohm & Associates, 608-216-7300 x19, emily@cblohm.com

Revolution Prep’s First Ever ‘PrepFest’ Provides Targeted Help Prior to March 2012 SAT

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Lindsay Avolio Revolution Prep 310-593-6784 Lindsay.Avolio@revolutionprep.com

Alyssa Giustino KEH Communications 410-975-9638 alyssa@kehcomm.com

Revolution Prep’s First Ever ‘PrepFest’ Provides Targeted Help Prior to March 2012 SAT

Company to offer 30 topic-specific Micro-Courses with top instructors to target weaknesses and maximize students’ SAT scores

Santa Monica, CA – February 13, 2012 – Revolution Prep, an educational software and service provider that has helped more than 100,000 students improve college readiness academic skills and score higher on the SAT, ACT, GMAT and other high-stakes exams, is hosting its first ever PrepFest this March. PrepFest will offer students up to 40 hours of live online group Micro-Courses, taught by Revolution Prep’s top instructors, for only dollarsignr199. Designed to improve students’ scores on the SAT, each Micro-Course is 80 minutes of targeted instruction based on specific topics on the test.

“Oftentimes students need targeted help on specific topics such as Critical Reading Question Strategy or Coordinate Geometry when prepping for the SAT. With PrepFest 2012, we are offering affordable SAT test prep with outstanding instructors that will allow students to drill down to the specific skill they may be lacking,” said Revolution Prep co-founder and President Ramit Varma.

PrepFest is being offered February 26, 2012 – March 8, 2012. Students who are current Revolution Prep customers will receive recommendations for Micro-Courses, while new customers may use school test data to determine where they need help.

The 30 Micro-Courses being offered for PrepFest 2012 cover:

• Arithmetic • Algebra • Geometry • Critical Reading • Word Problems • Sentence Completions • Grammar • Essay Strategy • Writing Multiple Choice Strategy • Content-Based Questions Review • Strategy-Based Questions/Essay Review • Test Review • Math Strategy

“PrepFest is customized social learning at its best in that it combines the best of one-on-one instruction with the best of group or classroom learning. You get help exactly where you need it in a way that was previously only possible with private tutoring. But PrepFest is so much better than private tutoring because you are learning with a bunch of other students working on the same material and at the same level,” said Varma.

To learn more about Revolution Prep’s PrepFest services, go to revolutionprep.com/prepfest or call (877) 738-7737.

About Revolution Prep Revolution Prep is an educational software and services provider that, since 2002, has helped more than 100,000 students improve college readiness academic skills and score higher on the SAT, ACT, GMAT and other high-stakes exams. The company’s rapidly-growing web-based diagnostic and adaptive software division, Revolution K12, helps students prepare for entrance into college by improving Mathematics and English Language Arts skills. Revolution K12 software is used by several of the nation’s largest school districts with documented success in boosting student achievement. From world-class test prep to online and in-person academic tutoring to software enabling educators to provide differentiated instruction, Revolution Prep is committed to its mission of transforming education by leveraging technology. For more information, visit revolutionprep.com and revolutionk12.com. ###

PresenceLearning Partners with Go Solutions to Give K-12 Districts Access to Medicaid Reimbursements for Telepractice Services

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PresenceLearning Partners with Go Solutions to Give K-12 Districts Access to Medicaid Reimbursements for Telepractice Services

Now school districts can easily recoup costs of online speech-language pathology services for Medicaid-eligible students

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2012 – PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com), the leading provider of live online speech therapy services to K-12 students, has partnered with Go Solutions Group, Inc. (http://www.go-sgi.com), a leading provider of special education data management and Medicaid reimbursement services to school districts in Ohio and eight other states, to help facilitate access to its services for districts with under-served populations. This partnership will help school districts reach more special needs students, improve outcomes and realize the cost efficiencies offered by incorporating live online speech therapy, often referred to as telepractice, into their special education programs.

“To make 21st century learning a reality for students, administrators need reliable, proven technology companies like Go Solutions and PresenceLearning working together to help schools both improve outcomes and reduce costs,” said Clay Whitehead, one of the founders of PresenceLearning. “With decades of experience and expertise, Go Solutions Group, Inc. helps districts navigate the complex and ever-changing arena of federal and state compliance in special education services and Medicaid reimbursement.”

“Midwestern states such as Ohio, and others with significant rural populations, have shown leadership by clarifying their policies in support of Medicaid reimbursement for telepractice speech therapy,” said Matt Flaminio, President of Go Solutions Group, Inc. “We are delighted to have PresenceLearning as a partner to reach special needs students using digital-age therapists and engaging, online speech-language pathology services.”

PresenceLearning delivers live, online speech therapy using a large and growing network of fully-credentialed speech language pathologists (SLPs). SLPs work with students face-to-face in real time via live videoconferencing sessions, using established, evidence-based therapeutic practices, without the scheduling and geographic limitations of conventional therapy. SLPs work flexible hours from home without having to travel, taking advantage of PresenceLearning’s scheduling, tracking and reporting tools, as well as its unique suite of interactive activities that make the therapy experience highly-engaging for students.

About PresenceLearning PresenceLearning (www.presencelearning.com) is the leading provider of live online speech therapy services (also known as telepractice) for K-12 students. The company offers school districts web-based access to a nationwide network of highly -qualified speech language pathologists (SLPs) via live videoconferencing using the latest in evidence-based practices. PresenceLearning delivers large cost savings while improving student outcomes. PresenceLearning is an ASHA-approved continuing education provider for SLPs and a U.S. Department of Education grant-winner, dedicated to bringing the highest clinical standards to telepractice.

About Go Solutions Group Since 1994, Go Solutions Group (http://www.go-sgi.com) has worked in partnership with schools across the United States. With over 80 years of combined national experience in special education services tracking and school-based Medicaid reimbursement, both for Medicaid Administrative Claiming and Fee for Service (direct service) Claiming, client schools have the reassurance that they are working with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the industry. ###

Media Contacts:

Katie Povejsil, Vice President of Marketing PresenceLearning 1.415.625.0150 katie@presencelearning.com

Contact at Go Solutions Group Matt Flaminio, President 1.800.260.2544 matthew.flaminio@go-sgi.com

Christine Allman, Public Relations for PresenceLearning 1.410.975.9638 christine@kehcomm.com