U.S. schools have leveled out at a 4:1 student to computer ratio. Does a 1:1 model offer increased benefit, and what will it take to reach 1:1 in schools? This panel will explore the characteristics of software most appropriate for 1:1 learning, the existing and emerging models for distribution of content and software tools in such an environment, and licensing and other business issues that arise with 1:1 deployments. Hear about companies and customers that have made it happen!

Monday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Designing eLearning Applications for All Students:
Development Strategies, Tools & Standards

Leaders in the field will share their practical experiences in building e-learning applications that, in the process of helping disabled students, also meet the needs of all learners. They will describe their work getting to both sound product design and development of accessible and universally designed electronic learning resources. While publishers and developers continue to struggle with the issues of accessibility and universal design, they are facing drivers from educational needs, government regulations and sound instructional design for product functionality.

Monday, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Developing with Open Source - Are We Talking Fact or Fiction?
This panel of experts on Open Source will explore scenarios from the perspective of educational developers and from school/district implementers that look at the challenges and opportunities with open technologies and open content. Come to this session and find their answers to questions such as: How do schools start implementing open source solutions and/or open educational resources? How are ‘developers’ changing their business plans and production processes to take advantage of open technology’s emergence in the market? Who has taken on what roles and responsibilities in the effort? What advantages does the school’s approach to implementation, or the developer’s approach to development have over alternative solutions? What challenges are they facing and how do they plan to surmount them?

Monday, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Things That will Bite you if You Don't Design Them Right in the Beginning

Product development is never easy, even in the best of times. Today there are more pressures and constraints on development than ever before. NCLB, SIF, 508, SBR, DRM - what’s behind these acronyms? Which are contrived and which do you ignore at your peril? This panel will present its Top Ten list of things that keep product developers up at night. With the help of the presenters, several of these issues will be explored in depth before turning the discussion over to the audience. Come and tell us what keeps you up at night. What is making product development more difficult, more costly or more time consuming for you? What issues would you like to see the SIIA Technical and Development working group focus on this coming year?

How effective has technology been in addressing NCLB requirements? How is technology utilized in states and service centers to address the instructional and back office aspects of NCLB? How are web-based portals that include standards, content, assessment results, and data driven decision making being utilized and what roles do the different agencies play in using these systems? What types of systems and services do the DOEs and service centers see as major opportunities for publishers over the next two years? A panel of state department and intermediate unit technology leaders will discuss how technology has been and will be utilized in their states. Come and learn from your major customers!

Monday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Distribution Strategies - Building the Right Channels for K-12 and Postsecondary

Revenue, market penetration and market share are paramount to your company's success, but the education market can present some overwhelming challenges, even for the savvy marketer. Education is a complex and fragmented market that presents significant distribution obstacles. Education channel partners and solution providers are key players in assisting vendors in overcoming market barriers. If your company has decided to utilize an indirect channel strategy to complement your direct sales efforts, this session will help you understand how to build, manage and motivate a network of quality education channel partners and solution providers.

Monday, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Successful Internet Marketing Strategies in the Era of Blogging and Podcasting
Our current and potential customers (and users) are spending more and more time on the Internet - and using the Internet for blogging, IM'ing, and podcasting. So how are companies with education technology products aswell as educators and students leveraging these new Internet uses? Do the 'old' marketing tactics like e-mail blasts still work? What are the proven marketing strategies that stick through these changing times in the online world? This panel has the experience and the expertise to respond to those questions!

Monday, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
EduGaming: a Passing Fancy or Here to Stay?
Lessons Learned from K-12, postsecondary and other markets

Is edugaming gaining traction in today’s schools? Learn about edugaming development and what research says about its effectiveness. Find out where edugaming is making inroads and why.

• Do educators love it or hate it?
• Who’s driving its advocacy?
• Is edugaming really different from other educational software?
• What’s on the horizon?

Tuesday, 9:30 - 10:30 AM
State of the States for K-12 and Postsecondary Programs
Education providers know that education needs and resources for electronic learning resources are largely driven by state policies, regulations and initiatives (including state implementation of federal laws). What issues are now foremost on the minds of state policy makers and agency officials? What is the current climate in state capitals? What is the expected impact of state requirements and budgets on schools and universities? A panel of education leaders will explore these questions, and in the process, help you better understand our educational system's expectations and related opportunities.

Tuesday, 10:30 - 11:00 AM
Using Funding Data to Plan Strategic Sales and Marketing Initiatives
How can you determine the availability of accurate and appropriate funding information? How do you use funding information to develop sales and marketing strategies that deliver to your company’s bottom line? Education funding and market research experts will share funding intelligence which includes comprehensive, actionable information to successfully target your business efforts and provide a lively discussion on the current state of K-12 funding opportunities and trends. The presenters will share their expertise on how understanding and analyzing funding data can help prioritize where to deploy sales representatives, determine more effective marketing approaches and assist companies in creating specific tactical initiatives to capitalize on funding announcements and opportunities. After the session, participants will:

After the session, participants will:

1. Gain a clear understanding of resources targeted at understanding the current funding landscape.
2. Learn how to access on-demand and online funding data.
3. Understand ways to creatively orchestrate successful funding initiatives which will drive sales and marketing efforts.

Tuesday, 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Technology Solutions to Address the Unique Challenges and Opportunities with Special Services
Selling a service that involves both people and technology can require different business and implementation models. Technology introduces new challenges and tensions for institutions historically dependent on human capital to have the greatest impact. This panel will discuss the ways in which their services-an important distinction from hardware or software-are respectful of their clients' needs and the ways in which they encounter and address the challenges and opportunities in the market. Some of the questions they will answer are: in what way does your company services address the outcomes or needs of your clients? How are we using the power of the Internet to decrease the costs and increase outcomes?

Tuesday, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Math and Science Curriculum Opportunities in K-12 and Postsecondary Markets
The President's 'Math Now' programs, similar to the NCLB Reading First Initiative, could help fund instructional materials for the mathematics curriculum in coming years. Other programs in the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) could increase investment to improve math and science education for America's students in schools and colleges. How will these programs, if funded, affect the market for math and science education and the development and marketing of these instructional materials? Join this panel of mathematics and science software publishers as they tackle questions like: What types of products are schools buying now? What funding streams are available for the current purchases? And, how are they positioning their products for the present and future (hopefully growing) markets?

Tuesday, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
English Language Learners: Building Products, Assessments and Market Opportunities
There are many challenges and opportunities in developing educational technology materials for English Language Learners . There is a growing market in this area, be it students learning English as a second language, students with limited English proficiency or students who are labeled English deprived. Just what are the product needs in this market? Who are the leaders in developing the instructional materials and the growing number of assessments?

Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
SIIA Guidelines for Successful Software Implementation - for Vendors and Customers
The Software & Information Industry Association recently administered an online nationwide survey of K-12 education software vendors and educators responsible for the implementation of technology-based products and services. The purpose of the survey was to compare the experiences, attitudes and perceptions of the two groups of respondents regarding the implementation of software for schools and school districts. The results were utilized to produce guidelines documents for both vendors and customers. Session participants will hear our findings and get a first look at the guidelines.

Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Mobile Means More than Laptops: Preparing your Strategy to Optimize New Market Demands
This session will present recent research on the different computing models being adopted in the education market with devices such as iPods, MP3 players, cell phones and PDAs. These research findings will offer key insights into which devices are likely to be embraced, how the institutional IT infrastructure will be impacted, and what vendor strategies will be successful when selling into this more mobile market. Find out the drivers and inhibitors of mobile device adoption in education and recommendations for vendors on how to best position their marketing strategy and products to benefit from the adoption of an expanded set of mobile devices.

Tuesday, 9:30 - 10:30 AM
Building Your Business by Recruiting, Compensating, and Retaining Great Talent
Finding and keeping good people is a constant challenge for all companies regardless of your products, market or location. Given the higher and higher costs of employee development, what practices can companies use to recruit and incent employees for the long term? What are the best strategies for finding the best person for a position in your company? What keeps your employees interested in their job and in your company? In this interactive session, you'll find the answers to these question and to additional ones from the audience.

Tuesday, 11:00 - 12:00 PM
Licensing Digital Content: What are the Terms and How do We Make Money?
Hear from three industry leaders who buy and sell millions of dollars of digital content for the education market. This session will provide real examples of business models used, along with the tactical and strategic thinking behind their approaches. Come for an interesting discussion and a chance to see where our industry is headed.

Tuesday, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Making Money with Open Source: What are the Threats, Opportunities and Business Models that Work?
Open Source is a sea change that will make current business models for creating and distributing software and content obsolete. You can either learn how to adapt to this environment or watch as the new mammals eat your lunch. Here are case studies of three companies who are thriving through Open Source. We will discuss the following topics, as well as other questions that the audience brings up.

• How can you make money when your customers and competitors have free access to the same content you are selling?
• Even if you could make a little money, how do you scale?
• What exactly, do your customers buy?
• How do you build a sustainable competitive advantage?

Tuesday, 1:30 - 2:30 PM
SIIA Vision for K-20 Education - a Feedback Forum
As a voice for the education technology industry, the education members of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) are taking a leadership role in creating a vision for K-20 education. This Feedback Forum is your opportunity to review the vision document and provide input on final content, deliverables and dissemination plans. Get involved in this very important and highly visible initiative by participating in this Feedback Forum.