Technology continues to influence education. The emergence of generative AI has introduced new tools and ideas into the classroom. School leaders across the nation are having more conversations about overhauling their grading and assessment systems. And educators continue to search for tools that will help them truly understand and engage every learner in their care.
We get it. We want to help you stay abreast of the technology tools your peers are using. We asked SmartBrief readers to vote for the solutions and platforms they rely on most for their practice for this year’s SmartBrief Education Readers’ Choice Awards. Read on to see who won and what readers had to say about their choices.
Early Education
Co-winners: Lexia Learning and Gale
Lexia Core5 Reading is an evidence-based program, based on the science of reading, that develops literacy skills in students in grades pre-K through 5.
“Works on foundational skills with students and accelerates learning for others.” Educator, Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union Elementary School District, Lake Hughes, California
Gale In Context: Elementary helps young students build research skills. The platform includes age-appropriate images, videos, charts, graphs and content on a broad range of subjects.
STEM and STEAM
Co-winners: iCEV and Discovery Education
iCEV STEM is a comprehensive STEM learning program that prepares students for the job market. The curriculum includes lessons, assessments, hands-on activities and STEM research projects.
“Industry certifications are offered that others do not offer.” Educator, Eastbrook Community Schools, Marion, Indiana
STEM Careers Coalition by Discovery Education aims to bridge industry and education. The program includes partnerships with companies and nonprofit organizations that are committed to STEM education and the STEM workforce. Teacher resources include standards-aligned activities and lessons for a range of topic areas, plus videos exposing students to the real-world experiences of professionals working in STEM. The videos show the diverse range of careers and opportunities available in these fields.
“I like the variety of resources, the varied topics, the lessons and the interviews.” Educator, St. Clement of Rome Catholic School, Des Peres, Missouri
DreamBox Math by Discovery Education is an adaptive math program for students in grades kindergarten to 8. The program’s curriculum and ongoing formative assessment are designed to personalize instruction and build students’ conceptual understanding.
“Connected to important mathematics content. Truly engages students.” Educator, Green Bay Area Public School District, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Classroom Assessment
Co-winners: Otus and Voyager Sopris
Otus assessment measures student achievement and details where students should go next in their learning pathway. The platform includes standards-aligned prebuilt assessments and tools to build your own assessments, for every subject and grade level.
“Easy to use, love the data analytics, can act on data.” Educator, Carson City School District, Carson City, Nevada
Acadience Learning Online is an assessment and data management platform that allows educators to enter scores or administer measures online and receive immediate results and actionable data through an interactive experience. It is designed by the authors of Acadience assessments and made available for purchase by Voyager Sopris Learning.
Curriculum Development
Co-winners: iCEV and Discovery Education
Discovery Education Experience is designed to engage students in the world around them. The platform delivers real-world content – in the form of videos, books, virtual field trips and interactive activitiest – for cross-curricula instruction, plus a wealth of tools to support teachers.
“DE Experience has lots of great videos and activities for students and teachers to use.” Education technology specialist, St. Patrick Catholic School, St. Charles, Illinois
iCEV CTE Curriculum includes interactive, challenge-based activities designed to engage students and build real-world career skills. The platform also comes with interviews with industry experts and opportunities for students to earn industry certifications.
“I have used icevonline in a secure correctional facility for 4 years for our adult learners. This product helps our adults re-enter communities and gain employment for their families and society at large. This is a great product.” Educator, Frederick County Public Schools, Winchester, Virginia
Honorable Mention
- Nearpod from Renaissance
- Flocabulary from Renaissance
Classroom Management
Winner: Otus
Otus multi-tiered system of support solution uses your data to identify students who need more attention, and creates a plan that supports their needs and monitors their progress toward goals.
“Can view the data for small groups and reteaching.” Educator, Carson City School District, Carson City, Nevada
Hardware & Technology
Co-winners: ParentSquare and Cyber Acoustics
ParentSquare is a communication platform designed to keep schools and parents connected. The solution includes a full suite of communication features including two-way messaging, announcements, mass notifications, appointment scheduling and attendance updates, among others.
Cyber Acoustics AC-6012 USB Headset is a USB-equipped device designed for the classroom and workplace. The headset comes with in-line volume and mute control, noise-cancelling microphone and leatherette earpads, among other features.
Honorable Mention
- AI Writing Detection by Turnitin
Professional Development
Co-winners: Lexia Learning and Benchmark Education
Lexia Aspire Professional Learning is a professional learning solution for educators teaching reading to students in grades 4 to 8. Based on the science of reading, Aspire equips educators to integrate literacy skills into their instruction so students learn to read, understand and convey their ideas across multiple subject areas.
Facilitated Book Studies aims to put research into practice through an integrated program of online, collaborative and action-focused professional learning. Each study focuses on a specific book and topic and comes with supporting resources to help maximize learning.
Honorable Mention
- Learning A-Z Professional Development
Reading & Literacy
Co-winners: Benchmark Education and Paper
StartUp BuildUp SpiralUp Phonics by Benchmark Education, based on the science of reading and structured literacy, supports small-group phonics instruction for students in grades K to 2. The program includes decodable readers, diagnostic and cumulative assessments, flexible pacing and activities for tailored instruction.
“It’s great for flexible teaching with its on-the-go format. Plus, it follows the Science of Reading!” Educator, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey
Paper Reading aims to help students learn to enjoy reading. The solution uses learning science and speech recognition to help young learners build reading skills. The program lets teachers assign texts to students, receive metrics, in real-time, reward achievement and differentiate instruction.
Honorable Mention
- IXL English Language Arts by IXL Learning
- Vocabulary.com by IXL Learning
Safety & Security
Winner: Frontline Education
Frontline Location Analytics adds geographic information to student and community data. The platform lets schools: examine boundaries and attendance zones to help plan resource placement; evaluate reconfiguration options for new facilities and building consolidations; use FCC data to gauge student internet access; assess trends in open enrollment and school choice; and stay updated on fluctuating demographics.
“Addresses more needs for safety.” Educator, Orleans Central Supervisory Union, Barton, Vermont
“Works well with our system.” Educator, Bartlet Schools, Bartlett, Tennessee
Social-emotional Learning
Winner: Renaissance
Renaissance Fundamentals and Renaissance SAEBRS aim to help educators identify potential issues and non-academic barriers that can affect a student’s learning progress and implement strategies to address them. The systems offer screening, reporting, intervention tactics and progress monitoring tools.
“Fits with empathy emphasis as well as emotional intelligence and special needs.” Educator, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Special Education
Co-winners: Voyager Sopris Learning and Frontline Education
LANGUAGE! Live is a literacy intervention platform for students in grades 5 to 12. The solution uses a blended approach to help students establish a foundation in literacy and authentic text to move them to grade-level proficiency.
Frontline Student Analytics is designed to give administrators better transparency in their analytic data. The system lets users measure student performance and assess readiness; analyze HR trends, examine staffing ratios and compare the information with peer districts; and use geovisual data to make decisions about resource and personnel.