Tech Forum - Strategies, Solutions and Innovations for Technology Leaders

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Sponsors: Tech Forum Chicago 2012

Platinum Level Sponsor

Hewlett-Packard and Intel

Through their unending commitment to educators, unrivaled breadth of industry-proven solutions and investments that advance institutional and academic success, HP and Intel are redefining the role, the reach, and the results of technology in education.

Gold Level Sponsors

Atlas Sound

CASIO

CASIO Projectors incorporate a patent pending HYBRID LIGHT source which combines Laser and LED lighting with DLP technology for amazingly high brightness and performance. With no mercury lamp to replace, Casio projectors are earth-friendly and have a significantly lower cost of ownership saving money and the environment. The full line of CASIO Hybrid Projectors delivers up to 3500 lumen brightness and includes models with comprehensive connectivity and features including short throw models. A full three year warranty including the lamp provides peace of mind and reliable low cost operation. Make the switch and never change a mercury lamp again!

Gaggle

Gaggle's award-winning suite of productivity, communication, and collaboration tools engage today's students with today's technology. Our safe online learning environment is accessible at school and on-the-go, leveraging the popularity of social networking and web-based virtual tools to propel your classroom into the 21st century and beyond. Our cloud based environment designed specifically for K-12 education provides access control and filtration of content, with the highest degree of CIPA compliance. In addition, Gaggle is a provider of compliance based email archiving which is tailored to meet the needs of K-12 institutions

Lightspeed Systems

Lightspeed Systems Inc. develops comprehensive network security and management solutions for the education market. We are committed to helping schools of all sizes operate their networks effectively and efficiently. Our innovative, comprehensive solutions for network security, internet filtering, monitoring, management, and optimization allow educators to provide safe online teaching and learning environments.

Silver Level Sponsors

Aerohive Networks

Aerohive Networks reduces the cost and complexity of today's networks with cloud-enabled Wi-Fi and routing solutions for medium and large enterprise headquarters, branch offices and teleworkers. Aerohive’s award-winning cooperative control Wi-Fi architecture, public or private cloud-enabled network management, routing and VPN solutions eliminate costly controllers and single points of failure. This gives its customers mission critical reliability with granular security and policy enforcement and the ability to start small and expand without limitations.

CompassLearning

CompassLearning provides K-12 educational software that empowers teachers to unlock every student’s potential for academic success and personal growth. With CompassLearning schools and districts can more fully empower teachers to engage with students in the learning process to ensure students achieve success in the classroom and beyond. CompassLearning’s personalized education solutions, Odyssey and Renzulli Learning address the needs of every student and student type, developing 21st century skills while providing engaging, standards-aligned digital content that is based on 40 years of research into how kids learn. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, CompassLearning serves nearly 6,000 schools across the United States.

FSR

FSR engineers and manufactures a wide range of products designed for classrooms, auditoriums, gyms, theatres and just about anywhere people gather on campus. All FSR products are proudly Made in the USA, they are "Green", and they qualify for Stimulus and Government funds. Select from control systems, audio and video switching equipment, interfaces, and modular wall plates with a life-time warranty! We also manufacture floor, wall, table and ceiling boxes for safe and secure connections. FSR has been providing quailty AV products to the educational market for 30 years!

Hitachi

Hitachi’s commitment to 21st Century skills and learning is underscored by StarBoard, a complete line of interactive whiteboards, wireless tablets, document cameras, LCD displays, plasma overlays, and StarBoard Software. Our promise is to provide educators with reliable technology, professional development, and valuable resources to make their job a little easier. We design our products and software with educators in mind to ensure that our technology streamlines teaching and empowers learning. Our line of StarBoard products offer ultimate flexibility to suit every environment and any budget. Hitachi is constantly finding innovative ways to bring learning to life.

Phonak

Schoology

Schoology’s platform combines the course content and functionality of traditional learning management systems with the immediacy, access and connectivity of social networking tools. The familiar interface is easy to learn and use for teachers and engaging and fun for students. Teachers use Schoology to host discussions, share resources, conduct tests and quizzes, provide one-on-one feedback, and manage paperwork, like keeping attendance, tracking performance and recording grades. Students extend their learning experience anytime, anywhere by accessing course content, communicating with their teachers and collaborating with their peers. Administrators access advanced analytics, API integration with their existing SIS, Single-Sign-On (SSO), and more.

Smoothwall

Smoothwall provides tools that prevent web misuse, blocks objectionable and illegal content & secures networks. Our proven and reliable dynamic content Guardian Web Filter technologies are easy to manage and include top-rated anti-malware, ‘who, what, when and where’ policies, detailed reporting and first class support.

Turnitin

Turnitin is an award-winning, “in the cloud” solution that prevents plagiarism, promotes academic integrity, saves instructors time, and engages students with rich, multi-faceted feedback on written work. Turnitin integrates three essential tools:

OriginalityCheckfor plagiarism prevention
GradeMarkwith ETS e-rater® for quick and easy paperless marking and grading
PeerMarkfor online peer review exercises.

Turnitin is the only plagiarism prevention solution that provides the ability to view the student’s paper in its original format with styled text, graphics and photos. Turnitin is used by millions of educators and students in over 125 countries. Visit www.Turnitin.com.

VizZle

VizZle empowers educators to create fun, interactive, visually supported curriculum customized to the needs of children with autism and other learning challenges. Using any of the over 6000 pre-made lessons from the peer-reviewed shared library or creating with easy to use templates and over 15,000 in-program images, audio and video clips, educators can share resources and track improved outcomes by IEP goals or state standards. VizZle lessons play on multiple platforms (e.g. PC, Mac, electronic whiteboards, iPads, Android tablets, any touchscreen or even in print). VizZle channels the students’ intense fascination with screen-based media into engaged learning and achievement.

Association Partners

ICE

The Illinois Computing Educators organization is an affiliate of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The mission of Illinois Computing Educators is to lead the educational community in enhancing learning through technology. The annual ICE Conference is held at the end of February, but ongoing professional development events and presentations are offered throughout the year by the members of the nine ICE chapters located around the state. More information about the Illinois Computing Educators can be found at our web site: www.iceberg.org.

IL-CTO

Illinois Chief Technology Officers (IL CTO) is a not for profit organization dedicated to the efforts of assisting educational agencies' CTOs/CIOs in realizing their organization's vision and goals for the effective, secure, and rapid implementation of instructional technology and operational information technology. The Illinois CTO/CIO Council will provide for the development of individual leadership, monitor emerging trends, and facilitate collaboration and advocacy among its members. More information can be found here: www.ilcto.org.

MACUL

The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established in 1975 dedicated to bringing educators from all levels together to ignite learning through meaningful collaboration and innovation. Its 5,000+ members come from Michigan, neighboring midwest states and Canada. MACUL is an organizational affiliate of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Membership in MACUL is FREE! Find out more about MACUL at: www.macul.org.

SET Connections

SET Connections is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is educational; to promote an overall understanding of technology and its benefits and then to assist in its utilization, to support the field of special education. Special education students bring individual needs to educators, who have unrealistic case loads, in a field short of funding, with an exhaustive obligation for paperwork and now a requirement to implement RTI. SET Connections is working to lead special education students and educators, to learn to use technologies in order to be more successful. For more information see www.SETConnections.org