News
SIIA Ed Tech Industry Summit Announces Participants for Cutting Edge Innovation Incubator Program
Washington, D.C. (April 16, 2009) – Innovation and growth of new education technologies will be the focus, particularly among those organizations represented during the acclaimed Innovation Incubator Program at the annual Ed Tech Industry Summit, sponsored by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), March 3-5, 2009, at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, Calif.
SIIA Education Division committee members reviewed many applications, and then voted for 10 entities based on the key selection criteria, including the alignment to SIIA’s Vision K-20 Benchmarks around: 21st Century Tools, Anytime/Anywhere Access, Differentiated Learning, Assessment Tools, and Enterprise Support.
SIIA’s 2009 Innovation Incubator participants represent pre-revenue companies, established companies, non-profit groups, R&D agencies, and academic institutions, and will officially be introduced during the upcoming conference.
The Ed Tech Industry Summit provides visibility for these innovators through three key events during the conference: Innovation Business Profiles Session, the Innovation Showcase and Networking Reception, and the One-to-One Business Connections Meetings.
Focusing on how critical innovation is to the future of the education industry, the SIIA Education Division narrowed the list of 26 applicants to 10 selected participants and two finalists. They are as follows:
- Adobe – Adobe Flash Catalyst, a new professional interaction design tool for rapidly creating application interfaces and interactive content without coding.
- ArchieMD – Virtual Autopsy, an innovative state-of-the-art 3D interactive platform ideal for the K-20 markets, enhancing the study of forensics and biology.
- ClassLink – ClassLink Inquiry, takes the guesswork out of instructional technology decisions by accumulating and analyzing instructional technology usage data.
- Kidos Computer – Kidos Computers similar to iTunes for children’s content with the added benefits of “scaffolding” the content with interactive tools and applications for both kids and parents.
- Math Learning Exchange – MathLearningExchange.org, designed as an online community for improving K-12+ math education with a moderated wiki of user-generated videos for math instruction.
- MixedInk – MixedInk Collaborative Writing Tool, a fun and collaborative way for students to grow as writers, building on student’s online behavior outside the classroom.
- Filament Games, LLC – PLEX Labs, a series of educational science games designed to parallel existing classroom activities.
- Child’sMind Publishing – The Predictive Assessment of Reading, a breakthrough, universal diagnostic test for students in K-4th grade that is based on 20 years of NIH-funded research.
- Quantum Learning Technologies – Skatekids Online / Ramps to Reading, virtual online worlds filled with games and activities that teach kids literacy, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
- SMARTHINKING – Straighterline, Straighterline, combines on-demand tutoring from SMARTHINKING with off-the-shelf content to create developmental and general education courses.
2009 Ed Tech Industry Summit Innovation Incubator Finalists:
- edWeb LLC - edWeb, a professional, social networking Web site for the education community that helps educators discuss issues, share resources, and collaborate.
- GradeCam Corporation - GradeCam, advanced image recognition software that works with a camera to grade tests and post scores to any electronic grade book.
SIIA has extended the visibility of all applicants by hosting the Innovation Incubator Virtual Environment. Built with the support of member company Educational Systemics, it provided a venue for the voters to review each innovation by visiting the online exhibit hall. To provide visibility for all applicants during and after the Summit, the public is invited to view their booths by visiting http://k-12.veplatform.com.
According to Karen Billings, Vice President for SIIA’s Education Division, “We are both excited and impressed by this year’s line-up of Innovation Incubator participants. These organizations represent different stages of company maturation and will have exciting new curriculum, administrative or productivity solutions for both K-12 and post-secondary markets. Their ability to build original and innovative solutions will help lead the charge into the next generation of technology-rich learning, and we were excited to place them front and center at this spring’s Ed Tech Industry Summit.”
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection for 500 leading software and information companies. For further information, visit www.siia.net.
About SIIA’s Education Division
SIIA’s Education Division serves and represents more than 150 member companies that provide software, digital content and other technologies that address educational needs. The Division shapes and supports the industry by providing leadership, advocacy, business development opportunities and critical market information. SIIA provides a neutral business forum for its members to understand business models, technological advancements, market trends, and best practices. With the leadership of the Division Board and collaborative efforts with educators and other stakeholders, the Division undertakes initiatives to enhance the use of educational technology and the success of SIIA members.
DR. ALICE WILDER AS CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER
KIDOS APPOINTS DR. ALICE WILDER AS CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER
Recognized Expert in Education and Child Psychology Will Create Company's Content
In her new role, Dr. Wilder will help research and design the core Kidos interface for children, as well as produce custom content that both educates and entertains children in the areas of science, culture, and foreign languages, areas that Wilder and Van Osdol feel are currently underserved.
Wilder, a recognized expert in educational and child psychology, was the director of research and development as well as the producer and writer for the award-winning "Blue's Clues" and its spin-off, "Blue's Room", both shows were for Nick Jr. She's been nominated for Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Preschool Children's Series as well as Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series. Her innovative approach to research with children has been cited in numerous books and publications, including Malcom Gladwell's bestselling book, The Tipping Point.
Dr. Wilder is also the co-creator and head of research and education for the breakout hit reading show "Super Why!" on PBS. Wilder is the winner of numerous awards for both her academic and work accomplishments. She earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology from Columbia University’s Teachers College.
"We're very excited to have Dr. Alice as part of the KIDOS management team," said David Van Osdol, "Her philosophy of how kids learn and her proven ability to make children’s content ‘sticky’ will be invaluable to us as we continually improve on our various interfaces for kids and, soon, produce some of our own content in areas we think are currently being overlooked.”
KIDOS software application offers a foolproof system in which parents no longer have to worry about accidental deleted or missing files. With KIDOS, youngsters can control their own computer experience and parents can download music, video, books, and other digital content specifically geared for their children. Similar to iTunes, parents simply click to buy and the content appears within the child's application. Parents can also upload their own music, photos and video for their children to enjoy.
KIDOS will launch by the end of 2008, and parents who would like to sign up for the free download may do so at www.kidoscomputer.com.
KIDOS is cross-platform desktop client that provides a lightly animated, fun, and foolproof system for kids ages 3-7 to control their own computer experience. Similar to iTunes, digital content for children can be bought and downloaded with a mouse click. For more information, please visit www.kidoscomputer.com.
INSITE SELECTS KIDOS FOR ENTREPRENERIAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Program Supports New York Entrepreneurs and Helps with Business Development and Investment
InSITE is an entrepreneurial mentorship program that brings together the best and brightest students from Columbia and NYU Business and Law schools to support New York entrepreneurs in the development of their businesses and their pursuit of venture capital and angel investments. InSITE's mission is to accelerate technology start-ups through their early-stage development, transitioning them from their seed stage into being venture-funded companies.
Each semester, InSITE selects five companies to work with in-depth. InSITE fellows meet with these companies over three months, providing consulting services that include:
- Overall Business Review
- Business Plan and Exec Summary Analysis
- Business Model Analysis
- Pitch/Presentation enhancement and Story Practice
- Management Review & Recommendations
- Strategic Analysis (timing, competition, and alternatives)
- Deal Analyisis (including valuation potential)
In addition to company-related work, InSITE meetings are dedicated to training fellows, thereby reinforcing their skills as consultants and mentors. The culmination of the semester-long collaboration is the InSITE Pitch event, where the companies present their businesses to a select group of New York City's prominent Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors for potential investment opportunities.
"We are thrilled to have been selected by InSite and we are looking forward to working with our mentors," said David Van Osdol, president and founder of KIDOS. "InSITE has a history of choosing good businesses to work with, some whose products I use myself. I believe this is strong validation and that KIDOS is going to emerge from this process as a much stronger organization."
KIDOS software application offers a foolproof system in which parents no longer have to worry about accidental deleted or missing files. With KIDOS, youngsters can control their own computer experience and parents can download music, video, books, and other digital content specifically geared for their children. Similar to iTunes, parents simply click to buy and the content appears within the child's application. Parents can also upload their own music, photos and video for their children to enjoy.
KIDOS will launch by the end of 2008, and parents who would like to sign up for the free download may do so at www.kidoscomputer.com.
Cross-Platform Desktop Client Offers Foolproof System for Kids
KIDOS EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM DEBUTS AT TECHCRUNCH50
Cross-Platform Desktop Client Offers Foolproof System for Kids
New York, NY, September 10, 2008 -- KIDOS, a multiplatform desktop client designed for parents of children ages 3-7 was introduced today at TechCrunch50 in San Francisco. The new software application offers a foolproof system in which parents no longer have to worry about accidental deleted or missing files. With KIDOS, youngsters can control their own computer experience and parents can download music, video, books, and other digital content specifically geared for their children.
How KIDOS Works Parents can download the KIDOS desktop client directly from www.kidoscomputer.com. Once the software is running, the desktop client seamlessly connects to an online store where all digital content can be bought and downloaded. Similar to iTunes, parents simply click to buy and the content appears within the child's application. Parents can also upload their own music, photos and video for their children to enjoy.
What Makes KIDOS Unique In addition to the fun and interactive "operating system" for kids, KIDOS offers international and other multimedia content that other children's websites don't have. With the desktop application, parents will be able to buy and download videos and music from international partner content providers.
According to KIDOS CEO and founder David Van Osdol, "Parents who use the Internet to supplement their children's education, for example learning a second language, have come across many obstacles. To view international or foreign language videos, parents must purchase a multi-regional international DVD player to view these programs, and then go to another web site (in that foreign language) to order DVDs and have them shipped. With the KIDOS platform, parents can now easily download these videos for their children and enhance their learning experiences."
Unlike many other media Websites geared for kids that offer mediocre flash games and are branded off their existing sites, the KIDOS Website provides a destination in itself. Parents can view videos from child experts and children can play with select games and make their own creations.
The KIDOS desktop includes numerous applications and parents can password protect them. Kids can create customized icons, email their friends and family using See-Mail! and view an interactive and animated calendar for birthdays, holidays, and special days.
KIDOS Content Providers Artists include BareNaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan and Tom Waits who perform on the For the Kids album, also ready for download is music from They Might Be Giants and Dan Zanes. A collection of children's songs by legendary Qubecois poet/songwriter Gilles Vigneault, Un Dimanche a Kyoto, is performed in French by many well-known singers including Daniel Lavoie, Lynda Lemay, Richard Desjardins and many more.
KIDOS is currently in private beta. To date, the company has been funded by the founder and angel investors and it is in the process of raising its first round of investment.
ABOUT KIDOS KIDOS is cross-platform desktop client that provides a lightly animated, fun, and foolproof system for kids ages 3-7 to control their own computer experience. Similar to iTunes, digital content for children can be bought and downloaded with a mouse click. For more information, please visit www.kidoscomputer.com.
http://www.centernetworks.com/kidos-kids-computer-entertainment-education
KIDOS - EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM FOR KIDS
Center Networks Video Interview with Kidos CEO David Van Osdol from the TechCrunch50 Conference
Written by Allen Stern
September 12, 2008--One of the most interesting products I've seen in a long time is Kidos. Kidos is a multi-platform education and entertainment package that basically protects kids from harming a parent's computer but it's really a lot more than that. Once you setup accounts for your kids, you can browse the gallery of "safe" software and media to load into your Kidos.
Out of the gate, Kidos has a business model. Within the gallery, you can buy entertainment and educational software to load into their Kidos. What a smart idea as it works just like iTunes. Here's Kidos founder David Van Osdol explaining how the software works:
