Digital Discourse / Archives for Karen Billings

APU and SIIA Partner to Support SIIA Member Education and Professional Development

September 17, 2013 By

APU and SIIA announced a partnership today to support the continuing education needs of SIIA member companies and their employees, reflecting the organizations’ shared commitment to lifelong learning for the betterment of the software and information industry.

The APU/SIIA partnership provides SIIA members with greater access to affordable, quality online education through a variety of relevant APU certificates and degree programs including IT, business, management, entrepreneurship, and instructional design and delivery. In addition, many of APU’s IT programs align with industry certifications, helping increase opportunity for higher credentials in the industry.

”SIIA is honored to participate in this joint effort with American Public University,” said Ken Wasch, president of SIIA. “American Public University offers respected, relevant online programs that will help SIIA members expand their knowledge base and improve their ability to shape the future of the software and education technology industries.”

“Our programs are highly relevant to professionals in the software and digital content industries because we provide an academically rigorous program that provides the skills needed for long-term career success,” said Chad Patrizi, dean of the APU School of Business. “Our academic community will be enhanced as individuals from SIIA and their member companies bring their real-world experiences to our online classrooms and contribute to continued progress and development in these industries.”

Dr. Karen Billings, vice president of SIIA’s Education Division, will serve on the APU School of Business Industry Advisory Council to provide industry feedback and help identify and incorporate new industry trends into the APU curriculum. Beyond APU academic programs, SIIA employees and member companies will also have access to APU podcasts, webcasts, and other educational resources.

SIIA member companies and employees interested in APU graduate programs will be eligible for two scholarships. Recipients will be recognized at the 2013 SIIA Education Business Forum in December. Collaborative financial support and resources will help SIIA members maximize tuition benefits, support their professional development goals, and highlight the shared recognition of the critical role education plays in long-term professional development and sustained organizational success.

More information about the APU-SIIA educational partnership is available at the APU website.

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: Education Tagged With:

CODiE Education Judges Revealed: Everything You wanted to Know About Education CODiE Judges……But Were Afraid to Ask!

September 10, 2013 By

With the CODiE Awards deadline just 10 days away, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes the awards program so special. In my 12th CODiEs cycle, I’ve come to realize that the educators and members who judge the awards are truly the backbone of this notable program. After all, an award is only as credible as the judges who determine the winner. That’s why I decided to share more about the educators and SIIA members who bring so much influence and integrity to the CODiE Awards as judges.

Who actually judges the products we nominate for the CODiE Awards?
In the first round or judging, your products are reviewed by educators and administrators who work in K-12 or postsecondary education institutions. The ratings from these education leaders will determine the finalists in each category.  The finalist products are then reviewed by representatives from SIIA Education Division member companies.  One person from each company, regardless of size, can vote. For example, one person from Pearson gets to vote, just as one person from Avant Assessment gets to vote.

Why do educators and administrators review our products?
SIIA wants educators–the true experts in the field–to review your products because it gives the judging process high credibility and it gives you, the nominating companies, pertinent and valuable information.  The educators and administrators know the ed tech field, are familiar with competing products, and have first-hand experience using products in the category they are reviewing.

What do we gain from having educational leaders review our products?
You gain the validity of participating in a credible awards program that has an almost 30-year history in education technology. Educators and administrators who review your products not only provide valuable feedback for product revision, but you build relationships with educators who are potential customers.  Their experience makes them great judges of what will work in educational institutions, so when they provide high marks for your product, you can truly say that your product is the best.

How does SIIA find these educators and administrators?
The Education Division staff leverages its relationships with professional associations, educational media, and online communities to find judges that have expertise in each category.  We also take referrals from current and past judges. They can directly reach out to their members or education readers and let them know about the opportunity to judge

How does SIIA select the first round judges who will review our products?
Each applicant fills out an extensive survey that asks about their relevant experience, degrees, and current work in the category they want to judge. The process is quite competitive in the popular categories, as so many educators apply. But with so many applicants, we can select those with the best qualifications to be the judges for your products.

How do they judge the products that we nominate?
SIIA recommends that judges first participate in a live demo with the nominating company, or listen to a pre-recorded demo, then use the product for a time to become come fully acquainted with it.  The judges then go online and fill out a rubric specifically designed for the products in each category.  They will rank the product on a numerical scale within that rubric and are urged to provide comments in the feedback areas.

What to the educators and administrators gain from judging our products?
Judges tell us they enjoy the process and find that it is a learning experience. It gives them a chance to not only see new products, but also to provide feedback to the companies that could prove useful in revising the products.  They consider the judging process to be a contribution to their field.

Learn more about the CODiE Awards judges or nominate before the September 20 deadline (October 4 extended deadline) at www.siia.net/CODiEs.

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: CODiEs, Ed Tech Industry Summit, Education Tagged With: ,

SIIA to Hold Education Business Forum Dec 10-11 in New York

August 12, 2013 By

SIIA today announced that it will hold the Education Business Forum (EBF), the leading business and finance conference for the K-12 and postsecondary education technology markets, Dec. 10-11 at McGraw-Hill Conference Center in New York.

The 12th annual conference will bring together senior management teams of education software companies, platform technology firms, financial analysts, solution providers and distributors, publishers, financial analysts, private equity firms, and venture capitalists. Participants will discuss new business models and how to leverage shifts in the digital learning space, in addition to sharing knowledge about new markets, growth in financial investment, and new paths to revenue.

Topics will include:

  • Capitalizing Your Business for the Long Term
  • Making that Build or Buy Decision to Grow Your Product line
  • Leveraging a Market Map
  • Getting to that $10M Mark in Revenue
  • Going Global Where Opportunities Are Greatest
  • Emerging Development Trends
  • Case Studies of the Best and Brightest Companies Destined for Success
  • Successful Entrepreneurial Strategies Within Growing Markets
  • Partnering Strategies for Growth

The Education Business Forum will also feature:

  • Innovation Incubator. SIIA’s Innovation Incubator program identifies and supports entrepreneurs in the development and distribution of innovative learning technologies. The program began in 2006, and has provided mentorship for dozens of successful products and companies in their efforts to improve education through the use of software, digital content, and related technologies.
  • One-to-One Business Connections. One-to-One Business Connections meetings will be scheduled during designated times throughout the conference by SIIA staff, with the support of its partner Educational Systemics. SIIA will select companies to meet with participants based on the preferences they described in their respective surveys. These fast-paced exchanges will help pave the way for increased capital, revenue, and strategic alliances between participants.

Online registration is available at the Education Business Forum Media Center.

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: Ed Tech Business Forum, Education, Education Events

Education Business Forum: Save the Date, December 10-12, 2013!

August 1, 2013 By

The Education Business Forum is SIIA’s key event for executives interested in raising capital, revenue, and profitability for their companies in the digital learning space.  Attendance at this Forum has been growing each year and in recent years, attracted over 250 key execs from ed tech companies, private equity and venture capital firms, and investment banks.

It will be at the McGraw-Hill Conference Center again: it has the space we needed after selling out in years past!  It’s a very focused meeting, designed to produce results for the companies focused on growing capital, revenue, and/or profitability.

While speakers and sponsors are closely involved in the conference planning and implementation, everyone who attends will gain value from the presentations by the Innovation Incubator Finalists, plenary and keynote speakers, and break-out panelists.  And, as in years past, are many opportunities to connect with key people there – from the always popular Speed Networking and One-to-One Business Connections to the informal networking breaks during the Forum.  A schedule of events is available online and will be updated as we receive speaker applications.

What’s different this year?  The timing of the Forum.  After 10 years, we moved it to a week later than usual so that attendees don’t have to travel that Sunday or Monday after Thanksgiving.  And we’re pleased to say that several other education events held during this ‘education week’ in New York have also moved so you can attend even more events that week, hosted not only by SIIA, but our colleagues in other organizations.

If you are new to the ed tech space, this will be like a 1 ½ day mini MBA.  If you are a start-up, you will meet everyone you need to know in that time.  And if you are an investor looking to build your portfolio, you will find the right companies here to invest in.  And if you are a successful company looking to expand your product line, enter a new market, or find capital for your growth, the Education Business Forum is the place to be.

Register early to take advantage of the best rates.  Your company, large or small, will appreciate the money you save.  Early-Bird registration is available until November 4, but register now. And to strengthen your brand image in front of a targeted audience, take advantage of our moderately-priced sponsorship opportunities.  To learn more, please check out the sponsorship packages.

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: Ed Tech Business Forum, Education, Education Events

SIIA 2013 Vision K-20 Survey Results: U.S. Schools and Universities Express Continued Interest and Desire to Expand Use of Technology

June 25, 2013 By

SIIA released the full report from the 2013 Vision K-20 Survey today, its sixth annual national survey to measure U.S. educational institutions’ self-reported progress toward building a framework that embraces technology and e-learning. SIIA presented the results during the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Conference in San Antonio. The comprehensive report surveyed nearly 1,500 educators and education administrators. The preliminary findings were first presented at the Ed Tech Industry Summit in May.

Overall Results

  • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) implementation in schools is projected to increase over the next five years based on responses to new questions in the survey.
  • Levels of technology integration at schools are holding steady despite budget challenges, while interest in technology integration continues to remain high.
  • Schools and universities continue to rate the importance of technology integration as very important.
  • Postsecondary continues to lead the way in technology integration compared to K-12.

The final 2013 report is available here.

As the voice of the educational technology industry, SIIA developed a vision for K-20 education that ensures all students have access to a technology-enabled teaching and learning environments capable of preparing them to compete globally and lead the world in innovation. A successful pilot survey was initiated in 2008, with follow-up surveys conducted in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 to support the initiative.

The 2013 Vision K-20 Survey was developed to provide benchmarks against which educators and administrators can measure their institutional progress in using technology to provide 21st century tools, anytime/anywhere access, differentiated learning, assessment tools, and enterprise support. SIIA also recognizes the lead partner MMS Education, for its work on the Vision K-20 Survey analysis and report.

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: Education

SIIA Education Division Partners with ISTE and UBTech

June 4, 2013 By

The Education Division today announces new partnerships with two major education technology groups. Through the agreements, SIIA will have a presence at the UBTech and ISTE 2013 events held this month.

The partnerships enable SIIA to extend the many benefits of its prominent Innovation Incubator Program. The Innovation Incubator Program is a peer-review competition that was created to help identify and support entrepreneurs in their development and distribution of innovative learning technologies. The program began in 2006 and has provided mentoring for dozens of successful companies in their efforts to improve education through the use of software, digital content, and related technologies. The application for the next program cycle will open in mid-August 2013.

The partners will provide Innovation Incubator applicants with customer-facing opportunities, including visibility on the conference websites, presentations on the conference programs, and access to conference exhibits at very reduced rates.

Learn more about SIIA’s participation in these industry-leading events:

SIIA UBTech 2013 Partnership Details
What: The Launch Pad at UBTech 2013: A Showcase of New and Notable Higher Ed Companies
When: June 10-12
Where: Orlando, Fla., Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
Conference Details: Karen Billings will speak about innovation at a session titled “Innovation in Higher Ed: Going from Vision to Success” on Tuesday, June 11. SIIA will have a booth at the Launch Pad pavilion at the conference, which has nearly 1,000 technology, business, finance, IT, network, and facilities executives, directors, and managers in attendance.

SIIA ISTE 2013 Partnership Details
What: ISTE’s Annual Conference and Exposition
When: June 23-26

Where: San Antonio, Texas, San Antonio Convention Center

Partnership Details: Karen Billings will be judging the Innovation PitchFest on Monday, June 24. SIIA is participating in one of the largest gatherings of tech-savvy educators at the forefront of transforming teaching and learning through the effective use of technology.

SIIA Events at ISTE:

  • Member Breakfast and Feedback Forum: Tuesday, June 25, 7–8:30 a.m., Marriott Riverwalk
  • SIIA Press Conference – Recent Research and Reports: Tuesday, June 25, 4–5:30 p.m., Marriott Riverwalk

SIIA also has valued partnerships with edWeb and MCH Strategic Data, which support the Educators’ Choice Award. This aspect of the Innovation Incubator competition allows educators and administrators throughout the country to listen to online presentations by program competitors and serve as evaluators, rating the products they feel best serve the needs of today’s schools. This is also an exceptional opportunity for educators to have a voice and influence new ideas for educational technology products and services. Their votes are then tallied and used to determine the winner of the Educators’ Choice Award.

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: Education

The SIIA 2013 Annual Ed Tech Industry Summit Explains Navigating Next

May 16, 2013 By

SIIA held its 10th Annual Ed Tech Industry Summit last week, themed “Navigating Next,” in San Francisco. Attended by more than 350 educational technology leaders, the Summit featured strategies, cases studies, and success stories about best business practices on topics including game-based learning, going global and mobile, market data and trends, OER and commercial publishers, leveraging social media, and more.

Conference activities, which launched Sunday, May 5, with speed networking, concluded Tuesday, May 7, with a closing reception and happy hour with attendees of the Ed Market 101, a new event co-located with the Summit, and whose attendees include education industry start-ups.

Included below are key highlights from the Summit:

  • The Opening Keynote was moderated by Elizabeth (Betsy) Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer, EdSurge, with a panel composed of John Backus, managing partner at New Atlantic Ventures; Kevin Custer, founding partner at Arc Capital Development; Anita Givens, associate commissioner at Texas Education Agency; and Diana Rhoten, CSO at Amlify. See the full list of speakers and their bios.
  • On Monday, May 8, SIIA announced the winners of the 2013 CODiE Awards in education technology during an awards reception and dinner. Overall, 28 winners were recognized for their products and services deployed specifically for the education technology market. View the full list of winners.
  • On Tuesday, May 8, SIIA recognized four education technology solutions with five key awards for their originality, innovation, and industry promise during a special luncheon. During SIIA’s bi-annual Innovation Incubator Program, simCEO and See.Touch.Learn. were voted by 350 attendees as being the Most Innovative and Most Likely to Succeed, respectively. Citelighter was voted runner-up for Most Innovative, and scrible was voted runner-up for Most Likely to Succeed. Citelighter also earned the Educator’s Choice Award based on votes from educators across the country. Learn more about all of the Innovators.
  • On Tuesday, SIIA also honored two education technology industry veterans with its Lifetime Achievement and Ed Tech Impact Awards at the awards ceremony and luncheon. SIIA honored Dr. Dustin (Dusty) Hull Heuston, chairman of the Waterford Institute, with its prestigious Education Lifetime Achievement Award. SIIA also presented its Ed Tech Impact Award to Lillian Kellogg, vice president of client services for Education Networks of America (ENA). Learn more about the awards winners.

In addition, SIIA launched its inaugural Ed Market 101, a separate event held Tuesday, May 7, in conjunction with the Ed Tech Industry Summit. Attendees included education industry start-ups. The Pearson Foundation and Whitestone Communications were lead sponsors for the daylong event, which featured sessions that will help startups learn more about their customers: who they really are, how to reach them and what it takes to “sell” to them.

For complete Ed Tech Industry Summit, please visit http://www.siia.net/etis.

Upcoming annual SIIA Education events include:

  • Ed Tech Business Forum 2013, December 10-11, McGraw-Hill Conference Center, New York City
  • Ed Tech Industry Summit 2014, May 12-14, The Palace Hotel, San Francisco

Karen BillingsKaren Billings is Vice President for the Education Division at SIIA. Follow the SIIA Education Team on Twitter at @SIIAEducation

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Filed Under: Ed Tech Industry Summit, Education
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