Skyward Customers Learn About Upcoming, Cutting-Edge Product
Developments for Their Software Solutions
STEVENS POINT, Wis., March 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Top school
administrators from around the world traveled to Orlando, Fla., for the
annual Skyward international conference (iCon) February 27 — March 1,
which showcased the latest developments of the Skyward School
Management System. This year’s theme of “Connect. Motivate. Achieve.”
focused on promoting enhanced communication, motivating students and
employees to reach higher goals, and ways to increase student
achievement and budget management efficiency district-wide.
During the three-day conference, attendees previewed future
industry-leading product developments, participated in sessions that
highlighted advanced features and new enhancements, and received
one-on-one access to Skyward executives.
“We showcased a variety of innovative product offerings that will
become available to customers within the next year, and the response
from attendees was tremendous,” said Scott Glinski, president of
Skyward. “As a company, we are always looking for ways to improve our
product to meet the increased demands placed on districts. Our
customers were equally as excited to incorporate the tips and tools
learned at iCon into their daily operations.”
The Course Learning Center was one of the new products unveiled at this
year’s conference. Available to customers in the beginning of the
2013-2014 school year, the Course Learning Center provides teachers and
students with a simplified way to manage daily classroom activities and
improve collaboration through a central online portal.
With the center, teachers will have complete control over instructional
management with the ability to share documents, videos and images; plan
lessons; and grade assignments. Students will have the ability to view
their grades, upload assignments, get teacher feedback on their work,
store documents such as study guides in their Digital Lockers, and
participate in discussions with their peers.
One of the most anticipated products showcased during iCon was the
Skyward Student Reward System that focuses on promoting positive
student behavior. The reward system was first announced at the 2012
iCon, and this year, attendees saw the game-based program come to life
with a demonstration on how students earn points to customize their
avatar, advance to new levels in the game and other incentives. The
Student Reward System is in its final development stages and will be
released to all customers at no additional cost during the 2013-2014
school year.
In conjunction with new product offerings, attendees also learned about
enhancements that will be incorporated within their Skyward solution.
Within the Student Management Suite, users will see enriched online
assignment capabilities, Common Core management and reporting, along
with expanded support for Response to Intervention (RtI) and Special
Education. In the School Business Suite, customers will see additional
online reporting capabilities, improved credit card processing and
reporting, as well as enhanced functionality to support campus level
budget controls.
“iCon was a wonderful experience,” said Steven Harwood, systems and
programming manager for Jordan School District in Utah. “I had the
opportunity to learn about new products and changes in an informative
setting. The best part, however, was the ability to talk to and develop
relationships with Skyward staff and fellow customers.”
The 2014 Skyward iCon event will take place February 26-28 at the Buena
Vista Palace Hotel & Spa in Orlando, Fla.
