Ed Tech Pioneers Announced as Finalists for 2015 FETC Goldfish Tank Innovators Competition

Washington, DC, January 22, 2015 --(PR.com)-- The Education Technology Industry Network (ETIN) of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry, and 1105 Media, Inc., who provides integrated business-to-business information and media to qualified professionals in the public, academic and private sectors focusing on technology announces finalists for the 2015 FETC Goldfish Tank Innovators Competition. The finalists will present at the Goldfish Tank Innovation Presentation Session on Friday, January 23, 2015, during the annual Florida Education Technology Conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The 2015 Goldfish Tank award will be determined by the number of votes from conference attendees.

The FETC Goldfish Tank Innovation program identifies and supports entrepreneurs in their development and distribution of innovative learning technologies. The program began in 2013 as a result of a partnership with the Innovation Pavilion at FETC, and has provided visibility and support for successful products and companies in their efforts to improve education through the use of software, digital content and related technologies.

Finalists were reviewed by a panel of ed tech experts and selected from the applicant pool based on how likely it was that the product be used in classrooms and how innovative the solution was.

The 2015 FETC Fish Tank Innovation Finalists are:

Cogent Education:Interactive Cases
Interactive Cases utilizes modern video game technologies, and provide captivating scenarios where students must solve real-world problems. As students apply the scientific method to solve the problem, their performance on specific critical thinking skills is sent to the teacher in real time. Their skills and assessments-based learning environment translates the data into a heat map that pinpoints areas of need for each student, thereby allowing the teacher to instantly personalize and differentiate their instruction.

Makers Crate
Makers Crate offers an engaging way for schools to teach students about innovation and entrepreneurship. Grade specific lessons offer open-ended challenges and different interesting materials designed to spark students imagination and creativity while they learn vital 21st century skills.

Nepris
Nepris is a cloud-based platform that matches teacher requests to skills of professionals and virtually connects them to the classroom to bring abstract lessons to life, to mentor students on class projects and to evaluate student work. Nepris makes it easy for teachers to leverage industry connections while providing a reliable platform for companies to engage with schools.

Teachley: Teachley Analytics
Teachley uses app data to drive instruction. Teachley gives teachers actionable insight from students’ gameplay about how to group students and what to teach next. Their platform syncs with the apps kids play to personalize gameplay for students and provide in-depth reporting for teachers.

Tynker
Tynker offers ready-to-use lesson plans and time-saving management tools make it easy for any teacher – from classroom teachers without programming experience to technology specialists – to teach computer programming in a fun and engaging way for students. Ideal for schools and districts who want to roll out a solution quickly, in a flexible manner that allows teachers the ability to teach the way they want – daily, weekly, project based, casual club or formal programming classes – with a curriculum designed to build skills grade-by-grade.

For more information about the 2015 Goldfish Tank Competition and the Incubator Pavilion at FETC, visit http://fetc.org/events/educational-technology-conference/information/exhibit-hall/incubator-pavilion.aspx or contact Christopher Dyer at cdyer@siia.net.

About ETIN-SIIA
The Education Technology Industry Network (ETIN) of SIIA serves and represents more than 200 member companies that provide educational software applications, digital content, online learning services, and related technologies across the K-20 sector. The Division shapes and supports the industry by providing leadership, advocacy, business development opportunities, and critical market information. For more information on ETIN at SIIA, visit siia.net/etin.

About FETC
FETC, a division of 1105 Media, Inc., is one of the largest, most successful conferences in the United States devoted to educational technology. The conference program is designed to provide educators and administrators an opportunity to learn how to integrate different technologies across the curriculum – from kindergarten to college – while being exposed to the latest hardware, software and successful strategies on student technology use. FETC is designed for teachers, principals and deans, district administrators, curriculum designers, media specialists, technology directors and various other educators.

About 1105 Media
1105 Media, Inc. provides integrated business-to-business information and media to qualified professionals in the public, academic and private sectors focusing on technology, products, policy, regulation and news delivered through an assortment of media, including print and online magazines, journals and newsletters; seminars, conferences, executive summits and trade shows; training and courseware; and web-based services. The markets served by these offerings include Government, Education, Network & Enterprise Computing, Business Intelligence, Office Equipment, Industrial Health & Safety, Compliance, Security, Environmental Protection, Water & Wastewater and Home Medical Equipment. 1105 Media is based in Chatsworth, Calif., with primary offices throughout the U.S. and more than 350 employees.