No one ever said making it in the edtech world was easy. Whether for the designers and engineers making the products, or the educators making the jump to implement products in their classrooms, edtech is a constantly evolving field that bridges the gap between entrepreneurship and education.
That’s why EdSurge is teaming up with the Highlander Institute and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) on October 5 to host the “EdSurge Tech for Schools Summit: Rhode Island 2013” at RIDE’s Annual Technology Conference. It's a “conference within a conference,” where we bring technology companies and teachers together in the same room and cheer as teachers test products, ask questions and engage in real conversation with entrepreneurs, minus the hype.
Although the vendors are leaving the marketing speak at home, sales may happen: if they are so inclined, teachers can buy the edtech products if they try out. In fact, the Highlander Institute’s Shawn Rubin reports that at least seven districts will send teams with cash to spend.
Twenty-three companies from across the country will showcase the latest versions of their products; each will also have a few minutes to give a “pitch introduction” to the crowd. Products range from content-specific products (like literacy-based Gobstopper) to efficiency and collaboration tools (like digital student work organizer Three Ring). Companies were selected by a team of educator judges, whose biographies can be found on the Rhode Island Summit topic page.
Looking for an easy (and more importantly, free) way to test out a particular product? Head to the EdSurge Tech for Schools Summit: Rhode Island 2013 page, which includes directions for how to access free trials and links to the EdSurge product writeups. Attending teachers are encouraged to research and explore prior to attending the Summit.
