ISTELive25 was another energetic and inspiring conference, held in San Antonio this year with hundreds of sessions and exhibitors enjoying the learning and networking.
The exhibit hall showcased hundreds of new products and services, and our Tech & Learning judges culled the show floor to review the many nominated products for this year’s Tech & Learning’s Best of Show awards at ISTELive 25 awards. The evaluation criteria included: ease of use, value, uniqueness in the market, and proof that the product helped make teachers’ lives easier and supported student achievement.
“While AI continued to dominate discussions at ISTE this year, we were truly impressed by the nominated products that bolster the core of teaching and learning while also thoughtfully integrating emerging technologies,” noted Christine Weiser, Content Director for Tech & Learning. “Our judges selected the innovative products they believe support classroom and district needs. Congratulations to all our winners!”
PRIMARY EDUCATION
Acer America, Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (model CPE794-1N-797A)
“The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 offers excellent multitasking power with Intel Core Ultra processors, crisp visuals on a 14″ touchscreen, and AI-enhanced video/audio tools for teaching and conferencing.”
Acer America, Acer Chromebook Spin 512 (Model R857TN-P5QA)
“Purpose-built for elementary students, the Acer Chromebook Spin 512’s flexible 360-degree hinge, Wi-Fi 7 readiness, optional LTE, and replaceable components make it an adaptable and sustainable classroom companion. With Chrome Education Upgrade support, it’s also easy for IT teams to manage at scale.”
ActiveFloor, ActiveFloor
“This is an innovative, portable solution that utilizes movement for learning.”
Avantis Education, ClassVR from Avantis Education
“ClassVR is the total package when it comes to bringing and scaling Virtual Reality use for schools to adopt this technology. ClassVR not only has made the hardware and management of that hardware easy for schools to adopt and implement, it has also created a phenomenal software platform to complement this amazing system.”
Beanstack, Beanstack
“I really like their approach to reading and comprehension. The use of AI as well as other ways of tracking and discerning comprehension is very well thought out. Also, the data reporting capabilities is a huge help.”
BenQ Education, RP04
“These boards and are excellent. They have a great feature set and are very easy to use and manage.”
BirdBrain Technologies, Inc., Hummingbird Robotics Kit for Primary Ed
“The Hummingbird Bit Robotics Kit offers an exceptional, research-backed platform for inclusive and creative STEM learning. Its blend of accessibility, flexibility, and cross-curricular applicability make it an ideal tool for engaging students in meaningful, long-term robotics exploration.”
BookBreak, BookBreak
“BookBreaks is an amazing platform that connects real-world authors in realtime to classrooms. This is a great tool to ignite the passion of reading and writing in students of all ages.”
BrainFreeze, BrainFreeze by Airia
“This new BrainFreeze AI Literacy Platform is just “what the doctor ordered”! It comes just in time for the explosion of AI tools that have come on the market and provides a beacon of safety and sanity when it comes to helping students, teachers, parents, and community navigate the AI complexities of today’s world.”
ClassLink, ClassLink Suite
“The ClassLink Suite has been a tremendous asset in boosting both learning access and operational efficiency across schools. Its intuitive design, especially features like QuickCards and LaunchPad, makes digital access seamless for younger students while maintaining strong security for older users.”
Clear Touch, Sho Software
“Clear Digital’s Sho Software offers a modern, scalable approach to digital signage, perfect for schools seeking dynamic communication tools. Its creative integrations and safety-focused features make it both practical and engaging.”
Clear Touch, Connect Software
“Connect Software has addressed a pain point for educators that may teaching a variety of settings outside their classroom.”
Clear Touch, Next Hub
“I like that NEXT Hub is trying to keep older technology working in schools instead of disposing. This is a very nice solution that not only upgrades software and security, but adds a camera and video capability to older interactive panels.”
Cricut, Cricut Explore 4
“Cricut Explore 4 is a fast, user-friendly cutting machine that makes high-quality crafting more accessible. It’s a great tool for education and creative environments, blending ease of use with the flexibility to produce professional-looking custom projects.”
CTL, CTL Chromebook PX121E
“CTL Chromebooks are very well made and the addition of free provisioning and quick service turnaround are great additions.”
Curriculum Associates, i-Ready: Clear data and connected instruction
“This is a very comprehensive solution. I like i-Ready’s adaptive diagnostic features and the fact that it is a connected ecosystem and not a set of disparate tools.”
Edmentum, Exact Path for Primary Education
“ExactPath by Edmentum is a really nice tool for taking assessment scores and standards from annual and quarterly summative assessment companies and projecting a unique learning path for students to improve their areas of deficiencies.”
Edmentum, Edmentum Virtual Tutoring
“I like how this product first identifies gaps in prerequisite skills that indicate standards readiness and then focuses on mastery of the on-grade skills. This product also emphasizes the need to quickly close gaps in a student’s learning by providing targeted remediation based on that student’s needs.”
FACIL’iti MYdys, FACIL’iti MYdys
“MYdys EDU, an assistive technology app, helps students with dyslexia read and comprehend text more easily.”
Forward Edge, Edge•U Badges Primary Education
“EdgeU Badges is an innovative professional learning platform that brings a game-based approach to educator growth. We’ve used it to streamline PD and keep it focused, personalized, and engaging. The badge system motivates teachers while clearly showing progress in their learning journey. At the elementary level, educators especially appreciate the incentive-based format, as it mirrors the reward systems they often use with their own students making the experience both familiar and motivating. It’s a creative and effective way to build educator capacity while fostering a sense of accomplishment and continued growth.”
HMH, HMH AI Tools
“I like HMH’s use of AI to help automate tasks as well as their approach to data privacy which is an issue in the AI space.”
HoverCam / Pathway Innovations, Inc., HoverCam Orbit Trio
“Teachers can use Trio to show student work from anywhere in the classroom without being tied to a desk or projector. Its wireless document camera and AV-over-IP casting let teachers share student thinking in real time.”
IXL Learning, IXL
“IXL is a great product that they keep working on to improve. The feedback and help students get “un-stuck,” are very good. The data reporting is also a great tool for the teachers.”
JAR Systems, Open6 Charging Station Automated by Go-Box
“Go-Box has always been a great tool for IT Departments. It makes provisioning and refreshing Chromebooks so fast and easy. This design is even better and takes up less space with less cords.”
Kahoot!, Kahoot! AI Generator
“I like how Kahoot! has grown. These AI features are a huge time saver for teachers. Students being able to get feedback as well as generate their own study content is terrific.”
Kai’s Education, KaiBot and Market Math
“KaiBot with Market Math is a playful, engaging tool that effectively combines early math skills with hands-on coding for young learners. The UDL-based design ensures all students can access and enjoy the content”
Kibeam Learning, Inc. Big Readers Start Small: The AI Wand That Transforms Paper Books Into Interactive Learning Adventures
“This is a very innovative and creative use of AI with a device that has no screen. The ability to interact with books both as an entire page, or just a word is very good. Plus the kinetic and interactive features make it more than an tool that reads a book to you. Plus, the data feedback to teachers is great.”
LG Electronics USA, LG CreateBoard Core
“This is another very competitive space but LG has included preloaded operating system feature that helps them stand apart from the competition. I appreciate they let the other features, like management and an OPS slot for customization.”
LG Electronics USA, LG CreateBoard Prep
“This is a really good tool and the fact that it allows you to import a variety of file types like, .notebook and .flipchart is terrific. The fact that it is free and can be used without a interactive board is great.”
Mackin, MackinVIA
“I really like this product’s comprehensive resources and features. It is an excellent to for the education space.”
Magic EdTech, MagicBox
“MagicBox has addressed both end user and administrative and data privacy issues. They are not closed and allow for integrations in to LMS and SIS solutions. Feedback and the use of AI helps improve productivity.”
MagicSchool, MagicSchool AI
“MagicSchool AI has been at the forefront of reliable, trustworthy AI tools for teachers looking to dig into AI and experience the “Magic” when it comes to using AI to save time and make learning more meaningful for their students.”
MAXCases, MAXCases Extreme Shell-FL Case for Chromebooks & Laptops
“This MaxCases Extreme Shell-FL is MAXCases the best case yet. They have learned from the demands that cases have gone through during the past years and have found solutions and made fixes on the feedback of their users. “
MIND Education, Seeing is Believing: InsightMath Makes K-6 Math Click
“I’m impressed with the neuroscience behind this product and the interactivity and multi-modal methods of instruction.”
MIND Education, ST Math: See Math. Learn Math. Know Math.
“ST Math is a powerful visual learning program that supports deep conceptual understanding through spatial-temporal reasoning. Its emphasis on problem-solving over rote memorization makes it especially valuable. A must-have resource for districts focused on strengthening math instruction.”
Otus, Otus
“Otus stands out for its comprehensive, AI-enhanced data and assessment tools that help educators make smarter decisions with speed and clarity. Its integration with Discovery Education greatly broadens its reach and impact.”
OverDrive, Sora
“With built-in tools like dyslexia support, reading goals, LMS integration, and real-time reading analytics, Sora not only makes accessing ebooks and audiobooks seamless—it also fosters a love for reading and student ownership over literacy growth.”
Ozobot, Ozobot Ari
“I have always like Ozobot’s approach and the improvements on this device are really great. I especially like the touchscreen.”
Play Piper LLC, Piper Computer Kit
“The Piper Computer Kit is an inventive STEM tool that allows students to build their own computer and explore coding and circuitry through interactive, story-driven activities. By blending physical assembly with game-based learning, it introduces complex concepts in a hands-on, engaging way that makes computing accessible and exciting for students in grades 3–8.”
Play Piper LLC, Play Piper’s Enhanced Base Station Curriculum
“Play Piper’s Enhanced Base Station Curriculum stands out for its educator-first design, adaptability, and hands-on approach to STEM learning. It’s a well-rounded tool that lowers barriers to classroom integration while still sparking curiosity and technical growth among students.”
Pocketalk, Pocketalk
“The Pocketalk system for on the spot translation of over 84 languages is nothing short of amazing. Perfect for students to use on fieldtrips and use with parents who speak a language other than English when they come into school to speak with teachers and other building staff.”
Prodigy Education, Prodigy
“Prodigy is a zero-cost, game-based learning platform that combines engaging adventures with standards-aligned math (grades 1–8) and English (grades 1–6) instruction. Its optional revenue model ensures free access while maintaining high standards for student data privacy.”
Robotical, Robotical Cog
“I really like the simplicity of this product and the variety of coding languages. This a a great fit for an introduction to coding at the primary level.”
Samsung Electronics America, Samsung WAF Enhances Classroom Collaboration
“Samsung’s WAF Interactive Display elevates classroom interaction and collaboration with high-quality hardware, familiar Android integration, and thoughtful instructional tools. It’s a powerful, scalable solution for modern learning environments.”
Security Awareness Training, CyberNut
“CyberNut is a game-changing tool for K-12 education that brings real-time cybersecurity awareness training to teachers and staff in a gamified approach while providing a mechanism for educators to report phishing and suspicious email activity.”
Seesaw Learning, Seesaw Learning
“Seesaw Instruction & Insights offers a rich, research-backed digital platform tailored for elementary education. By combining interactive lessons, creative student portfolios, and two-way communication, it delivers an engaging, transparent learning experience.”
Sergeant Laboratories, AristotleK12
“AristotleK12’s digital integration platform and content filtering solution can help improve classroom management, enhance online safety for students, and provide detailed reporting for IT and administrative staff.”
Smartbox Assistive Technology, Inc., Grid
“Smartbox’s Grid software and Grid Pad assistive technology devices include intuitive interface, customization options, text-based communication, and environmental control.”
Teachers First LLC, Toddle
“I like that this is a solution by educators for educators. They have the features needed in a good LMS as well as the integration of AI for productivity.”
ViewSonic Corp. ViewSonic ClassSwift Education Software
“The ViewSonic ClassSwift Software is designed with educators in mind, offering an intuitive interface and straightforward navigation. ClassSwift is designed to integrate well with other educational technologies and platforms, including LMSs and digital whiteboards.”
World Book, Inc., ClassMate
“The Worldbook Classmate platform offers expert-verified WorldBook Content combined with AI-powered scaffolding to produce and boost literacy abilities. This is a good use of AI with wonderful, well-known Worldbook content.”
zSpace, Inc., zSpace Imagine – A Headset-free AR/VR Solution for Elementary Learners
“This Z-Space Headset-free AR/VR Solution for Elementary Learners is an amazing platform that will help young students navigate their through using AR and VR. I particularly liked the 3D aspect of performing hands-on tasks. The platform also provides for life skills programs for neurodiverse students.”
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Acer America, Acer TravelMate B3 Spin 12 (Model: TMB312R-31-C45D)
“The TravelMate B3 Spin 12 goes beyond basic functionality, encouraging deeper interaction with content. A smart, student-friendly device for dynamic learning environments.”
Acer America, Acer TravelMate B5 14 (Model: TMB514-31-G2)
“The Acer TravelMate B5 14 offers strong performance and long-term stability for daily classroom use. A solid investment for maintaining a stable and efficient device program.”
Ativion, StudentKeeper from Ativion
“StudentKeeper stands out as a multi-functional platform that enhances digital safety, classroom engagement, and student well-being. Its AI-powered tools and parent connectivity make it a smart solution for schools seeking comprehensive and cohesive digital environment management.”
BenQ Education, RP04
“These boards and are excellent. They have a great feature set and are very easy to use and manage.”
BenQ Education, BenQ SL04 PANTONE VALIDATED SIGNAGE
“The BenQ SL04 Series delivers impressive visual quality and Google certifications, making it ideal for educational environments where color accuracy matters. It’s an excellent solution for engaging digital signage and content display.
BirdBrain Technologies, Inc., Finch Robot for Secondary Ed
“With robust hardware, a removable micro:bit, cross-platform compatibility, and comprehensive instructional support, The Finch Robot 2.0 is a versatile and affordable robotics solution tailored for secondary students to master programming from block-based to advanced text-based coding like Java and Python.”
Brisk Labs Corp., Brisk Teaching: Helping Educators Focus on What Matters Most
“Brisk Teaching is one of my favorite AI tools for teachers on the market today. Not only do they pay close attention to student and teacher data privacy as the process input with AI, but I love the fact that it already resides as an extension to your browser.”
Cellairis, Taki Skouras
“The Cyber Pouch is a smart, low-tech solution to tackle cellphone distractions in the classroom. It blocks signals to keep students focused without compromising safety or accessibility, using a rugged, no-fuss design that’s easy for schools to adopt at scale.”
ClassDojo, ClassDojo for Districts
“ClassDojo for Districts strengthens school communities by connecting educators, students, and families through inclusive, multilingual communication and student engagement tools. It enables district leaders to broadcast updates, teachers to share classroom moments, and students to participate in learning with personalized incentives—all within a mobile-first, user-friendly platform that prioritizes equity and transparency.”
ClassLink, ClassLink Suite
“The ClassLink Suite has been a tremendous asset in boosting both learning access and operational efficiency across schools. Its intuitive design, especially features like QuickCards and LaunchPad, makes digital access seamless for younger students while maintaining strong security for older users.”
Cricut, Cricut Maker 4
“The Cricut Maker 4 elevates personalization with unmatched versatility, cutting everything from paper to leather and metal with precision and speed.The easy setup and free Design Space app make it both accessible and powerful for diverse applications.”
Edmentum, Edmentum Courseware
“Edmentum’s comprehensive Courseware digital curriculum for grade 6 through adult learners is based on the development of real-world skills, identifying students’ passions, and cultivating perseverance and grit.”
Edmentum, Exact Path for Secondary Education
“ExactPath by Edmentum is a really nice tool for taking assessment scores and standards from annual and quarterly summative assessment companies and projecting a unique learning path for students to improve their areas of deficiencies.”
Edmentum, Edmentum Virtual Tutoring
“I like how this product first identifies gaps in prerequisite skills that indicate standards readiness and then focuses on mastery of the on-grade skills. This product also emphasizes the need to quickly close gaps in a student’s learning by providing targeted remediation based on that student’s needs.”
Forward Edge, Edge•U Badges Secondary education
“Edge U Badges is an innovative professional learning platform that brings a game-based approach to educator growth. We’ve used it to streamline PD and keep it focused, personalized, and engaging. The badge system motivates teachers while clearly showing progress in their learning journey. A creative and effective way to build educator capacity with impact.”
Gale, part of Cengage Group, Learning Differentiated with Gale In Context: For Educators
“Gale’s newly updated platform makes it easy for educators to share curations and resources across their grade levels and across their districts. This is a terrific resource to help librarians and educators help our students become savvy digital information curators.”
HMH, HMH AI Tools
“I like HMH’s use of AI to help automate tasks as well as their approach to data privacy which is an issue in the AI space.”
Incident IQ, iiQ Resources
“iiQ Resources modernizes how school districts manage instructional materials by consolidating inventory, distribution, and accountability into a single, streamlined platform.”
Incident IQ, iiQ Ticketing and Assets
“iiQ Ticketing and Assets offers a tailored, streamlined solution for K-12 tech teams, combining help desk automation with robust asset management.”
IXL Learning, IXL
“IXL is a well thought out product that uses research to hep students and teachers improve teaching and learning. The diagnostic data is great feedback for the teachers.”
Learning Genie, Learning Genie
“I really like the co-creation features in this product. It give the students and teachers a collaborative workspace to help them successfully understand content. It also gives the agency they speak of to the students so they can feel empowered in their learning.”
Learning.com, Digital Literacy and Citizenship
“Learning.com’s EasyTech Digital Literacy and Citizenship is a strong, well-structured program that equips K-12 students with the foundational skills to navigate the digital world responsibly. The lessons are age-appropriate and cover critical areas like privacy, digital footprints, and ethical online behavior.”
Lightspeed Systems, Lightspeed Signal
“Lightspeed Signal is a powerful visibility platform that gives tech leaders a clear, real-time view of device usage, app access, and network health across the district. It helps identify issues like unused devices, VPN workarounds, and performance gaps that are otherwise hard to track. An essential solution for any district focused on efficiency, accountability, and digital safety.”
Logitech, Logitech Reach
“Logitech Reach is a sleek, portable, and powerful tool that empowers educators to bring physical content to life in the classroom. It blends precision, ease of use, and smart design into a compelling solution for hands-on teaching, particularly in STEM and art-based disciplines.”
MAXCases, MAXCases Extreme Shell-FL Case for Chromebooks & Laptops
“This MaxCases Extreme Shell-FL is MAXCases the best case yet. They have learned from the demands that cases have gone through during the past years and have found solutions and made fixes on the feedback of their users.”
NetSupport, classroom.cloud
“The NetSupport Classroom Cloud product is amazing when it comes to mobile device management at the classroom and teacher level. This system is also device agnostic and allows teachers to have full control over the content and use of their students devices that are district owned.”
Ori Learning, Ori Learning
“OriLeaning provides a platform that makes teaching emotional well being and transition easy and engaging. I loved the multiple modes of lesson delivery and it’s incredibly accessible with text-to-speech autoplay and text highlight, while also serving over a 136 different languages.”
Otus, Otus
“Otus consolidates assessment, grading, and data analytics into one intuitive platform. Its recent partnership with Discovery Education and AI-driven insights elevate its capabilities, empowering educators to act quickly on trends and support every learner effectively. With broad adoption and deep integration features, Otus stands out as a streamlined, high-impact educational tool.”
ParentSquare, ParentSquare
“ParentSquare is a powerful communication platform built for inclusivity, helping schools foster stronger, more equitable connections with families. Its deep feature set, ease of use, and integration capabilities make it a cornerstone for modern school engagement.”
PBLWorks, PBLWorks
“PBLWorks is a platform that provides over 70 projects for Project Based Learning, all backed by research.”
Power Technologies, Power Technologies PT-Pro™ Series Locker
“This storage solution gives IT departments the ability to securely store repaired or loaner devices.”
PowerSchool, PowerSchool Attendance Intervention
“PowerSchool’s Attendance Intervention tool helps schools monitor attendance patterns and automate basic outreach.”
Samsung Electronics America, Samsung WAF Enhances Classroom Collaboration “With support for simultaneous student interaction, seamless Google app integration, and robust device management tools, The Samsung WAF Interactive Display promotes collaboration, engagement, and instructional flexibility. The WAF stands out for its ability to include more students in interactive learning via screen mirroring and multi-zone whiteboarding.”
Teachers First LLC, Toddle
“I like that this is a solution by educators for educators. They have the features needed in a good LMS as well as the integration of AI for productivity.”
ViewSonic Corp., ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP8651 EDLA Interactive Flat Panel Display “The Viewsonic IFP8651 EDLA Interactive Display is amazing! Not only is it priced right but it offers a wonderful functionality to laptops or desktop computers by bringing the power of touch to these devices as well as additional viewing real estate.”
Vivacity Tech PBC, Vivacity 36-Unit Smart Charging Cart
“This is a is a durable, easy-to-use solution designed specifically for school environments. It keeps devices secure, charges them efficiently, and makes organization simple with clear slots and smooth mobility between classrooms.”
Vivacity Tech PBC, Vivacity B30U 30-Unit Pre-Wired USB-C Charging Cart
“This is a sleek, time-saving solution perfect for classrooms using USB-C devices. With pre-wired connections and organized cable management, it’s ready to use right out of the box no setup stress for teachers or tech teams.”
Vivacity Tech PBC, Vivacity Guardian Backpack
“The Vivacity Guardian Backpack is a fantastic and durable way to transport and protect your technology when it comes to any size laptop, Chromebook or tablet. In fact, this backpack is so versatile that it can carry all three of those items, and more, at the same time!”
Vivacity Tech PBC, Vivacity Guardian Work-in Case with Pouch
“The Vivacity Guardian Work-in Case is a fantastic and durable way to transport and protect your technology when it comes to laptops or Chromebooks. This case has many great features, especially the many pockets that are specific to the accessories and supplemental technologies that are carried with your workstation.”
Vivacity Tech PBC, Vivacity Repair Academy
“The Vivacity Repair Academy is an incredible platform for learning how to repair your own devices. This academy is not only perfect for your staff in your school district, but can provide a wonderful opportunity to bring into a high school CTE program.”
Vivacity Tech PBC, Vivacity V Suite Pro
“The Vivacity V Suite Pro provides the most comprehensive Chromebook warranty in K-12. V Suite Pro offers unlimited claims, zero deductibles, free shipping, and an incredible repair turnaround time.”
HIGHER EDUCATION
AVer Information Inc. USA, M11WB
“I particularly like that the AverMedia M11WB features 4K resolution and 29X zoom to eliminate visibility problems, allowing every student to see fine details, whether it’s a science experiment or a piece of student art.”
BenQ Education, InstaShow VS20 Wireless Presentation System
“There are a lot of wireless presentation systems on the market but this one seems to address the connectivity issue quite well. I especially like the touch back feature.”
BenQ Education, RP04
“These boards and are excellent. They have a great feature set and are very easy to use and manage.”
BenQ Education, BenQ SL04 PANTONE VALIDATED SIGNAGE
“The BenQ SL04 Series is a standout choice for higher education environments that demand vibrant, accurate visuals and adaptable digital signage. This solution combines performance and style, perfectly suited for the fast-paced, visual demands of higher ed.”
Epson America, Epson EB-PU2116W large venue laser projector
“The Epson EB-PU2116W is a powerful solution for educational institutions seeking to create immersive, large-scale visual experiences. Its compatibility with various lenses and advanced setup tools makes it highly adaptable and effective for dynamic instructional and artistic applications.”
Samsung Electronics America, Samsung WAF Enhances Classroom Collaboration “The Samsung WAF Interactive Display is a robust, Android 14-powered classroom solution that enhances collaboration and engagement with seamless access to Google Apps and smart multitouch features. Its updated Note app, intuitive annotation tools, and centralized device management make it a powerful hub for modern, interactive instruction.”
ViewSonic Corp., ViewSonic LDS138-151 Mobile Direct View LED Display Solution
“The ViewSonic LDS138-151 is an impressive 138-inch all-in-one, mobile Direct View LED Display Solution. This Video-Wall display is nothing short of amazing and even folds up to transport it when combined with the wheelable cart.”