The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a rugged Chromebook designed for someone who needs a device built for productivity and reliable performance. It boasts a large 15.6-inch touch display, stereo speakers, and full-sized keyboard, including a numeric keypad. It also boasts a 15.6: display that can be configured with touch features.

The Chromebook Plus 515 is a powerful productivity-forward Chromebook for those that want to be productive as well as enjoy web browsing, music, and streaming.

Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Getting Started

After unboxing I was able to set up the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 just like any other Chrome device by simply logging in with my Google account. Once I finished some of the set up steps the device was ready for use.

Right from the start I could tell this device was quite powerful. Everything loaded very quickly and the response to more processor heavy tasks was handled without issue. It has a sturdy build to take abuse while on the go but is not too heavy for a device its size.

I liked the responsiveness and accuracy of the touchscreen as well as the quality images it produced. The speakers did a nice job delivering clear sound in both video and music streaming, while the battery delivered with a respectable charge to get me through a workday. Although, as with any cordless device your battery life may vary depending on use. But, overall it did a very nice job for all of my tasks.

I found the Chromebook Plus AI features to be a great help with both productivity and research tasks. It allows for text generation, live video/audio captioning, and basic image editing, all of which worked very well and are great additions.

I also liked how AI is integrated into so many areas of the ecosystem with new features being rolled out at a nice pace.

Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Key Specifications

• Display - 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS (non-touch or touch)
• Processor - Intel Core i3-1215U (configurable up to Core i7-1355U)
• RAM - 8GB LPDDR5X (up to 16GB in higher configs)
• Storage - 128GB UFS (up to 512GB in higher configs)
• Graphics - Intel UHD
• Ports - 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, HDMI 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
• Connectivity - Wifi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
• Webcam - 1080p with privacy shutter
• Dimensions - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.79 inches (approx. 360.6 x 238.4 x 19.95mm)
• Weight - 3.7 pounds (1.68 kg)
• Battery - 53Wh, up to 8 hours per charge
• Build - Plastic chassis, MIL-STD 810H durability

Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Cost

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 as tested is priced at $399.99

Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Key Takeaways

The Chromebook Plus 515 offers performance for everyday tasks such as writing, web browsing, and streaming, thanks to its Intel Core i3 (or higher) processor and 8GB of RAM. The large 15.6-inch 1080p screen is large and the option touchscreen is very responsive. The upward-facing stereo speakers are a standout feature, delivering surprisingly good sound for a Chromebook.

The device offers a wide selection of ports, including two USB-C, one USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack, making it versatile for peripherals and external displays. The AI features of Chromebook Plus such as text generation and live captioning, work well and add value, especially for productivity.

Overall, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is an excellent choice for students, writers, and anyone needing a reliable, affordable large-screen Chromebook for everyday productivity. It may need a bit of a charge for long, heavy-use days, but its performance, port selection, and speakers make it a standout in its price range.

CTL is set to make a significant splash at ISTELive 2025 with the unveiling of three groundbreaking products designed to elevate the educational technology landscape.

Get ready to experience the next generation of learning with the NL73 Gen 2 Series, an evolution of CTL's popular 11.6" Chromebooks, boasting new enhanced performance with Google AU now until 2035. Also debuting is the brand new PX121E, a versatile 12.2" Chromebook that offers students an expansive display and robust performance for today's immersive learning. Finally, CTL introduces the Chromebox OPS OPx1-3, a powerful and compact Chromebox designed for plug-and-play integration into interactive flat panels, transforming any classroom display into a ChromeOS powerhouse and simplifying IT management.

CTL's new product lineup is poised to revolutionize classroom environments. The NL73 Gen 2 Series 11.6-inch clamshell and 2-in-1 convertible Chromebooks (above), with their enhanced performance and proven durability, will be ideal for everyday student use, from individual research to collaborative group projects. A rugged 180-degree worldview camera makes classroom collaboration and learning easy.

The new CTL Chromebook PX121E 12.2-inch clamshell (above), with its larger and more immersive display, will facilitate richer content consumption and creation, perfect for engaging multimedia lessons or design-focused tasks.

Lastly, the Chromebox OPS OPx1-3 (below) will transform interactive flat panels into dynamic learning hubs, enabling seamless integration of ChromeOS with existing classroom displays. This will empower teachers with greater control over content sharing, real-time collaboration, and simplified device management, ultimately fostering a more engaging and productive learning experience for all.

CTL Helps Schools Maximize Investments

These three new devices carry distinct advantages in the education technology market. What truly sets the CTL Chromebook NL73 Gen 2 and CTL Chromebook PX121E products apart is CTL's singular focus: they are a vendor that specializes exclusively in ChromeOS devices with the industry's most comprehensive set of lifecycle services. This dedicated expertise translates into meticulously optimized hardware and a deep understanding of the Chrome ecosystem, ensuring unparalleled performance, service, and ease of lifecycle management for schools and businesses. Plus, as the only Chromebook manufacturer certified as a B Corporation(TM), CTL focuses on ensuring the entire experience of school technology is as waste-free and recycling-friendly as possible.

"Everyone at Bandera ISD involved in our Chromebook initiative is very pleased with the NL73 CTL Chromebooks and support,” says David Brown of Bandera ISD. “Jason has been superb, often going the extra mile to meet our needs. ZTE has saved countless hours for my department. Warranty repair, replacement parts, and in-house repairs are a definite plus. We found a winner with CTL to meet our future Chromebook needs."

Beyond that, CTL's Chromebooks offer unique hardware innovations. They feature two USB-C charging ports on a mother/daughter board design so if one port gets damaged, the device can still be charged, a crucial detail for active classroom environments. Plus, these Chromebooks are equipped with advanced Intel N150 processing, providing robust performance for today's tasks and ensuring long-term viability with an automatic update expiration date of 2035. This longevity is a significant benefit for schools looking to maximize their technology investments.

CTL Supports Teaching Smarter, Not Harder

CTL's new products at ISTELive 2025 directly address common pain points for educators and IT staff. For teachers and students, CTL's NL73 Gen 2 Series and PX121E Chromebooks offer robust, reliable tools for student learning. Teachers can focus on instruction, not technical glitches.

For IT administrators, these features translate into significant time and cost savings. The durable hardware reduces repair cycles and replacement needs. The extended automatic updates simplify fleet management by postponing costly hardware refreshes. And, the Chromebox OPS OPx1-3 can breathe new life into classroom display technology by providing a dedicated, easily managed ChromeOS solution for interactive flat panels that may no longer be supported. IT staff can deploy, update, and secure displays centrally, minimizing individual troubleshooting and extending their lifetime across the school.

Customers also enjoy working with CTL. "The customer service is exceptional,” says Nate Luoden of the Ambrose School. “In this day and age, to get a reply to an inquiry within four hours or less is nice. For most times it's under two hours. It keeps things moving along to receive a product that outshines other brands."

As a B Corp, CTL is very concerned with the circularity of electronic devices and avoiding waste wherever possible. "I was very impressed with the (bulk) boxing,” an employee of Quality Network Solutions recently said unsolicited. “Having spent untold hours unboxing hundreds of Chromebooks each in their own box like you'd find at a Walmart, I can't tell you how much we appreciate such a simple, common sense approach."

Visit CTL's booth #2049 at ISTE 2025 to discover how these innovations are shaping the future of education.

GO HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CTL’S NEW PRODUCTS

You have arrived at the ultimate guide to the best affordable laptops for schools. So if you need a new portable device and want it to be up to task -- without pushing your ever-shrinking budget deeper into the red -- then this list should have an ideal model.

The point here is that even at the more affordable end of the spectrum, there are plenty of laptop options that are tailored to serve various needs.

Sure, not too long ago it was a choice between paying more and getting premium features and cutting back and having to sacrifice. But as tech has become more prevalent and affordable, you can now have the best of both.

Before you buy it's important to think about what you need, be that a powerful processor backed by lots of RAM and a graphics card for gaming and video editing, or a light and portable model with longer battery lift for all-day use.

The operating system is also a good place to consider as this may affect the systems and apps you already use regularly. Then, of course there's the price.

This guide lays out all the best affordable laptops for schools so you can find the right model to suit your needs.

Best affordable laptops for schools

Best affordable laptop for schools overall

The Acer Aspire 3 tops our list as the best affordable laptop for schools. This is thanks to a baseline model that provides plenty of performance friendly specs while keeping the price low. You can spend more and get a faster CPU, GPU, more RAM, more storage, and even a larger and higher resolution display. But the key here is that no matter the level you pick, this is well-built.

That means Acer-level quality in terms of materials, lightweight, solid frame, and battery quality and longevity. Plus, these machines run on Microsoft Windows 11 as standard.

Great connectivity is available with USB-C, HDMI 2.1, and WiFi 6 onboard. The screen has a BlueLightShield to protect the eyes, and with a slim profile of 18.9mm and 1.6kg weight, this is good to go in a bag with you all day.

Best affordable Apple Mac laptop for schools

If you want to get an Apple laptop, but don't want to pay Apple prices, then an older model MacBook Air is a great option. While the M2 offers big savings, it's not much more than the M3, so looking around that age range can be a perfect balance of affordability and power.

The MacBook Air is available in several variants when it comes to specs and even colors, but in all instances you're getting a very well-made machine. A strong metallic outer, meticulously designed physical keyboard, intelligent biometric security, and a rich and clear display, plus a plethora of connectivity options.

Above all else you're getting macOS, which features access to some of the best made and most stable apps out there. Lots of developers build for Mac first, so even if these are older laptops, students may be getting access to the latest software simply by using a Mac.

Best affordable Chromebook for schools

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is a super affordable way to get the power of a 2-in-1 laptop and tablet without spending a lot. To be clear, this is a low-spec model even for a Chromebook so it's not the most powerful. But it will run the light Chrome OS smoothly and can serve you well for most simple tasks such as working on documents, using a web browser, and accessing emails.

Having that ability to use this as a tablet or a laptop is a rare treat at this price point. The device works well for students, and teachers, who want to use it in portable way when a laptop might not fit or a tablet may not offer enough. This lets you always have both at the ready.

Battery life is superb, with a good 16-hours use on constant video playback testing. It should go all day without the need to carry a charger, making that already compact build seem even more portable.

Best affordable Windows laptop for schools

This Windows 11 laptop from ASUS offers a range of specs but even the baseline is more than powerful enough for most school tasks. Packing in an AMD Ryzen 5 chipset, this offers 6-cores and 12-threads of processing smarts backed by integrated graphics and plenty of RAM and SSD storage space.

The build quality is solid, as you'd expect from a big name such as ASUS, offering you a portable option that still packs in a large and high-quality 16-inch FHD+ display.

You also have a 720p webcam, fingerprint sensor, USB-C, multiple USB-A, and HDMI connectivity, plus WiFi 6E. This can handle plenty of heavier processing tasks but it has built-in graphics available so don't expect this to power perform for tasks such as gaming or video editing.

Best affordable gaming laptop for schools

The Acer Nitro V 15 is an affordable gaming laptop that's ideal for schools. This is one of the more expensive models on this list but there's no avoiding that when it comes to a laptop that's powerful enough for gaming. The key here is that you get that great combination of a dedicated graphics processor and screen built to task.

Under the hood is a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU for buttery smooth gaming performance. And the screen can keep up thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate and high def 1920 x 1080 resolution on the 15.6-inch display.

A few options in terms of specs are available so you can save money or spend more depending on how much power you need. In either case you're getting a powerful and portable gaming laptop that's built by a well-established brand known for decent quality that should last.

Best affordable AI laptop for schools

The Dell Inspiron 14 is a great option for schools that want an affordable laptop that still packs in onboard AI smarts. Despite being well-priced for what is onboard, this gives you a Windows 11 experience with all the powers that having Microsoft Copilot onboard offers.

The onboard GPU isn't so powerful, which is alright for 2D image editing but anything more complex is going to be taxing. That said, the display, at 14-inches 60Hz and 1080p, is decent and is backed by a zippy eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU.

Copilot onboard means integrated AI companion assistance with the likes of Microsoft 365 tools and beyond.

• Best Tools For Teachers
• Best Hardware for Teachers

The Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 is at the higher end of Acer’s TravelMate line. It’s a 2-in-1 convertible laptop built for educators and students who need a device that can handle processor intensive tasks. It is built for power and durability, including an Intel Core Ultra processor, AI tools, and long battery life.

I tested this laptop in a variety of scenarios including audio, video, and computer-aided design (CAD). It performed very well overall and handled some fairly demanding tasks, such as Sketchup 3D drawings, as well as audio and video editing.

This 2-in-1 laptop has features that are very innovative with thought put into useability, durability, and performance. The Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 has a larger 14” touchscreen and comfortable keyboard, yet it does not feel big and heavy.

Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14: Features

The Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 has several standout features that cater to the needs of students and educators that need to complete more demanding tasks. It offers a convertible design with a 360-degree hinge that lets me easily switch between laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes. The pen/stylus is also conveniently stored in the device.

Overall, it’s a nice size, but may be a little thin for those with bigger hands. I found it comfortable and very responsive. The 14-inch WUXGA touch display has vibrant colors and sharp details. The touch features of the screen worked very well with my finger as well as the included stylus.

The Acer TraveMate P4 Spin 14 is one of the newer devices on the market that has built-in AI tools, including TravelMate Sense and Microsoft Copilot with Bing Chat Enterprise. These provided quick access to tools to help with productivity as well as system optimization, performance, and management.

This is a powerful and rugged device. It is built with MIL-STD 810H certification, a spill-resistant keyboard, and security features such as a biometric login, all of which are features I like to see in a device.

In addition, it stays cool and uses the Acer DustDefender feature that automatically clears dust when the system is powered on to preserve performance and extend system life.

Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14: Key Specifications (as tested)

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125U processor
• Graphics: Intel Graphics
• RAM: 16 GB SDRAM (upgradeable to 32 GB)
• Storage: 512 GB Gen4 NVMe SSD (upgradeable to 1 TB)
• Audio: Intel Bluetooth Audio, Acer PurifiedVoice
• Webcam: 1080p FHD with privacy shutter and TNR (Temporal Noise Reduction)

Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14: Build & Connectivity

I found the TravelMate P4 Spin 14 solid and well-built. It’s 0.74 inches thin and weighs 3.28 pounds, making it lightweight and easy to carry around. The 360-degree hinges are sturdy and it is very smooth when converting to tablet mode. The 14-inch touchscreen is responsive and protected by antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass.

This is a fast device with updated connectivity, including wifi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and multiple ports, including two USB4 Type-C with Thunderbolt 4. Also, it offers the Intel Unison feature that lets me integrate with both Android and iOS devices for calls, texts, and file transfers.

I was very impressed with its up to 14-hour battery life. I easily managed to get through a full workday on a single charge, plus, the fast-charging feature is a bonus, allowing me to quickly recharge during short breaks.

Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14: Cost & Warranty

The Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 (TMP414RN-54-56G9) is priced at $1,329.99.

Acer provides a standard one-year limited warranty on the TravelMate P4 Spin 14, with options for extended coverage.

Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14: Final Takeaways

The Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 is a versatile, high-performance laptop with a nice combination of a sturdy build, powerful internals, and AI-powered features. Its versatile 2-in-1 design makes it a great choice for users who need long battery life and power.

Overall, the Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 is a good value offering productivity, security, and durability. It’s well worth considering for those who need a reliable, future-proof laptop.

• Educator Edtech Reviews

Since the pandemic, there has been an increased emphasis on supplying students and teachers with devices that keep them connected, as well as other edtech tools. 

As these digital tools have now become essential, tech audits should be given increased consideration. 

Mike Afdahl, Coordinator of Tech Services, Northwest GA RESA, makes it clear that a tech audit can help save money while maintaining focus on keeping what works.

“Tech audits tell me where things are,” he says. “Whether that’s a bookcase, a book, or a computer, you have to get to know where that is.”

Tech audits can give you a better understanding of what devices and items you have available in your school, how these items are being used, and whether you might need to make changes to your inventory. A tech audit works hand-in-hand with your budget, providing a clear picture of where you might need to focus your spending on if necessary. 

 Tech Audits: In-House or Third-Party? 

Having your tech audits executed by skilled professionals can help give you accurate results that can be invaluable to your decision-making. However, no one may know the true impact of your devices and programs like your own staff. 

Afdahl makes it clear that in some situations your own technology department can be effectively objective when it comes to conducting a tech audit.

“Sometimes your technology department can be that third party, because often they don’t have a dog in the fight,” he says. “When it comes to those types of emotional decisions, they’re just looking at ‘What do we have?’ ‘Are we getting good use out of it?’ So a third party doesn’t have to be what you use, but objectivity is really what you’re looking at.”

 When Should You Conduct a Tech Audit? 

Many schools conduct a tech audit once per year as a form of inventory. However, Afdahl says that there might be more beneficial times during the year to run your tech audit.

“At the end of the year, as you’ve collected your student devices, that’s a good time to do an audit,” he says. “If you wait until August to do a student device audit, or an inventory check, then you may not have enough devices for that next year. Also, if I wait until July to do my platform audit, we’ve already done renewals at that point. It might be a good idea to start doing an audit in December on your edtech tools.”

If you’re looking at edtech tools, there are various questions that will dictate a tool’s usefulness and whether you should look for a replacement for the upcoming year.

 Should a Tech Audit Separate Devices and Tools? 

A tech audit can mean different things depending on who you ask. Some might lump both devices and edtech tools together in an audit, while others do one then the other at different times in the year.

Afdahl suggests conducting two audits during the year.

“When I’m doing a device audit, that’s to make sure my devices are where they’re [supposed to be],” he says. “When it comes to your edtech tools, that’s where your curriculum needs to be involved. Curriculum doesn’t really need to be involved with devices.”

To create a good flow, Afdahl suggests that there be an audit conducted in December to make sure devices are where they are supposed to be, and another one in June to make sure you have all the devices you’re supposed to have. 

 The Hidden Cost of Poor Audit Practices 

Conducting a tech audit can provide a good idea of what devices you’re using and what edtech tools are working for you, but it can also help your school save money on cybersecurity insurance. With more and more connected devices being used in schools over the last few years, keeping student and educator information secure is a top priority. Afdahl says that regular audits can help mitigate the cost of cyber insurance, especially by implementing multifactor authentication.

“Multifactor authentication has been a big push in some districts,” Afdahl says. “If my insurance rates are going to go up, or we are not going to get coverage, it’s because we don’t use multifactor authentication, and that might help those practices improve.”

• Many Schools Use Edtech That Puts Student Privacy at Risk. Here’s What They Should Do Instead
• 4 Tips For New Edtech Professionals

If you want the best digital pens for teachers then you're in the right place. Specifically, this guide aims to lay out the smart pens, able to record writing digitally, that will serve teachers best in the classroom and beyond.

Digital pens are a great way to merge the physical way of taking notes with the digital advantages of saving. That means you can write what you need, but won't only have it on that sheet of paper. Instead, these pens will allow you to have a digital copy, ideal as a backup, but also as an easy way to share those notes.

Not all pens are created equal though, so you'll need to think about which features you require and just how much you want to spend. Some models will record what you write on any paper, others require specific paper, books, or even a tablet device. Some come with buttons to give you shortcut controls, while some even let you record voice notes to go with your written notes. 

Many digital pens will now transcribe your handwriting into digital text, a very helpful tool indeed. But with the accuracy and quality varying across brands it pays to use this guide to find the best model to suit your needs.

Best digital pens for teachers

The Livescribe company leads the way in digital pens and this model, the Symphony, offers some of the best from years of development that has managed to become more affordable than ever. Despite this not being the top-end model from the company, you really do get a lot for your money. That includes the ability to write using the ergonomic design so it sits comfortably and naturally in the hand. 

Thanks to a decent 10-hour battery life and 90-day standby time, conversion of writing to text live on a connected smartphone, and super speedy charging via USB, this is a really easy model to use. It does require special paper to work, so you'll want to keep that ongoing cost in your considerations when buying. 

This is a very well made pen that uses premium materials and looks compact enough to go anywhere with you without actually looking like a digital pen.

For all-out comfort, the Neo Smartpen N2 is one of the best options out there right now. This is weighted perfectly so that you can write comfortably as if using a standard pen, only this is packing in plenty of smart features too. This does require a special notebook and writing pads to function but the results are worth that.

One button press and this is on and recording, it charges via micro-USB for ease, and will go for a full five hours before you need to charge it back to full. Setup is very straightforward and should only take you around 30 seconds to be up and running from new. Thanks to premium metallic materials, this feels like a strong option that's made to last.

For those that want to capture drawing as well as writing, this is a fantastic option as it's built to task. You do require a pen and specific pad combo for this to work, however, the results are worth the extra kit. Unlike some other options, this pad allows you to place any paper on that pad and it will still detect your doodles for digital conversion -- ideal for artists.

Not only is this a very comfortable pen to use but it's also one of the most accurate in terms of detection and digital reproduction. The pen is inert so you only need to charge the pad, which goes for a good eight hours before needing a recharge via micro-USB. This pairs with a smartphone, after a simple one minute setup, and allows you to save and share your art with ease. View and edit your work in the app for the perfect digital finish.

As the name suggests, the Livescribe Echo is all about the audio to go with your digital writing. As such, this is a little bulkier than some, with its onboard storage for audio recordings, yet it is still comfortable enough to write with pretty naturally. Usefully, this will link your audio recording to the section you're writing, making it perfect for class notes to which you need to add more than what you've written alone.

Battery life is decent, charging is easy, and setup is straightforward. Being Livescribe, you have lots of features in the app including the ability to convert your handwriting into digital text, which makes back-up and sharing very simple.

This is a bulkier model than many, so keep that in mind if comfort is your priority. But if audio recording is a must, then this is one of the best options out there.

Being Moleskin, the quality of this setup is premium, but it does mean you need to invest a bit more upfront and ongoing. This comes with the Pen+ and Ncoded Paper Tablet, which is a fancy notebook that helps with detection and even includes icons that work as buttons for digital controls. 

The pen is pretty lightweight and comfortable to use, with a triangular design that sits well in the hand. The pad is similarly premium with a superb finish to the paper, and the combination of those two makes for some very accurate recording. The same applies to transcription in which the app converts your handwriting to text with ease.

This even allows you to record audio, making it a great option for lectures or class in which extra notes, in a hurry, are a real option. The fact it all appears live on the connected smartphone app is just a really nice feature that helps to justify the more-than-most price.

When done right, project-based learning (PBL) has proven to help students develop the soft skills they need to succeed for a variety of future careers. Instead of just memorizing and regurgitating facts, the hands-on experiences offered in PBL programs give students unique experiential opportunities to really dig into a variety of academic concepts.  

Centric Learning has long been at the forefront of the PBL movement, offering live and asynchronous courses, as well as tutoring, AP courses, and accelerated credit recovery options. 

With Centric Learning's PBL curriculum, students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing a public product or presentation for a real audience. 

New for 2024, Centric is offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses for English Language & Composition, Microeconomics, and Environmental Science. Additionally, Centric is releasing a new accelerated high school credit recovery option with pre-testing.

Public, private, and charter schools use Centric's curriculum (and even certified teachers) for grades 3-12. Some schools utilize a single subject area and take advantage of hands-on blended projects with their own school staff, while others utilize Centric's full program for traditional and at-risk student populations. 

Centric offers everything from AP and Honors courses for traditional and advanced students, to accelerated credit recovery courses with pre-test options. The PBL and competency-based assessment formats make Centric's curriculum unique and engaging.

Both the new AP courses and the credit recovery options will complement the existing Centric PBL curriculum available to students around the world. For example, are your students interested in civil engineering? In the project “Making Our Community Accessible,” middle school students learn about right triangles and the Pythagorean theorem while designing an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp for their community.

Centric Learning’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Maidie Baker says, “We are excited to offer three new AP courses as part of our PBL curriculum. Engaging in AP coursework not only offers a competitive advantage for students, these courses also allow students to develop critical thinking skills, improve time management, and better prepare them for the academic challenges they will face in college.”

“Centric Learning’s new accelerated credit recovery options offer an affordable and flexible solution for meeting high school graduation requirements,” says Michelle Hucal, director of sales and marketing. “Students start by taking a pre-test to determine what standards they are already proficient in, and then Centric automatically designs a personalized sequence of projects to guide the student.”

With Centric Learning’s Live Online Classes, schools and districts can provide uninterrupted, top-tier online project-based learning. The combination of certified expertise, assured engagement, flexible scheduling, and cost-effectiveness makes Centric Learning a valuable partner in shaping the future of education.

Discover more about what makes Centric Learning unique here and schedule a demo with their team to learn how their PBL educational solutions – along with their tutoring, AP courses, and accelerated credit recovery options – can help provide your students with a unique opportunity to succeed in their education and in their future careers. 

If you want to know how to print on school networks from a laptop, or any other device for that matter, then this is the guide for you. This can be a difficult process, when compared to the relative ease with which you can connect to a printer at home, for example.

The issue with a school network printer is that it is connected to a secured network, so you might not have access to all areas of the system. However, nowadays, most printers on the network should be setup in such a way that you're able to connect to it using your own device.

Of course for security reasons, you'll likely need to be signed into your school account in order to gain access to the printer. But since this should be accessible across a number of devices it can mean printing from your laptop, computer or even smartphone and tablet, with ease.

This guide will lay out the ways you can print on school networks using your own device.

• Best laptops for teachers
• Best laptops for students

Print on school network guidance

Connect directly

One of the easiest, most straightforward and quick ways to get setup and printing right away is to connect with the printer directly. This is done, where available, using WiFi Direct. This is a super local wifi network created between the printer and a device, directly.

So, in some cases this will either not be present on the printer or it may be turned off by the school admin. Presuming it's available, it's a super simple solution.

No matter your device, open the printer settings on it and search for available printers using the wifi. This will pop up in the list and allow you to select that option. You may have some other pop-ups to follow for connection to finalize, but generally this should be a simple process. A password may be required, and that's usually displayed on the printer screen during setup.

Then, when you go to print, you should see this print pop-up in your options. Just note that this is a direct wifi connection so it will only work over a short distance. Make sure to be close to the printer so it works!

Use the school network

Another relatively easy way to print is to connect to the school network. This can mean logging your device in by simply connecting to the school wifi network. This will likely require your login and password -- but in some cases, since you're on an external device, you may also need admin clearance to get online.

Once connected you should be able to gain access to all the printers on the network. Either pick the one you need at point of printing or go into settings and setup one preferred printer, which this will default to print from, each time you need to.

Share a printer

If you have access, or are the admin, then you may want to setup a printer to allow it to be used by users outside of the school network or on external devices. In the case of Windows devices this is relatively simple.

Go to the Windows Start icon, then Settings, Devices and Printers & Scanners. In here you can select the Manage option before going into Printer Properties and the Sharing tab. Now select Share this printer. You can give a share name that is seen by others accessing the device, then select OK and you're all set.

Connect directly to the printer via network

This option lets you connect to a printer, over the school network, directly. For Windows devices go into the Start icon, Settings, Devices, then Printers & Scanners. After this, select Add printers & scanners, and select the Add a printer or scanner. You should then see a list of optional devices to connect to. Select the one you want and choose Add device.

If the printer isn't there you can select: The printer that I want isn't listed. At this point you can use the Add printer dialog box to Select a shared printer by name. This lets you enter the pathway which should look like one of these options:

\\computername\printername

http://computername/printernet/.printer

Then select Next and you can complete the installation.

• Best laptops for teachers
• Best laptops for students

The best wireless keyboard and mouse for teachers can mean connecting to near any device and using the setup with which you're comfortable. That can be a cable-free setting as well, allowing you to keep an eye-friendly distance from your display when working.

These allow teachers to move between classrooms and stay connected using wireless devices that suit them. This can include carrying a personal setup that stays connected to multiple devices across the school. Or it can be having a setup in each classroom that can be easily tidied away out of sight when not in use, and without a tangle of cables.

Battery life is the downside here, but barely. Since most of these will last for months or years on a charge, even that won't be something you need to spend much time worrying about.

It's worth looking for wireless keyboard models with mechanical keys, to give tactile feedback, with a full-sized layout for ease and finger protection. And on the wireless mouse, a scroll wheel and multiple buttons can be helpful additions to consider.

• Best Laptops for Teachers
• Best Tools for Teachers

The very best wireless keyboard and mouse for teachers 

1. Apple Magic Keyboard and Mouse 2: The best wireless keyboard and mouse for teachers overall

Despite this being named as a pair, the Apple Magic Keyboard 2 and Apple Magic Mouse 2 are generally sold separately. And neither is cheap. But as you can see from the design, both are very well made and, as such, are priced reasonably. 

The mouse stands out as a minimalist dream of a smooth glass-topped joy to hold. Accuracy is excellent on most surfaces, and the touch-sensitive scroll works well as do the mechanical dual button clicks. With battery life that goes for months and charges using an Apple Lightning cable, it couldn't be easier to use and pair with Bluetooth.

The keyboard is equally impressive, with a solid metallic frame that keeps everything compact and is strong for carrying about, while remaining perfectly spaced for typing, even for long periods. The mechanical keys are excellent for feedback while the butterfly action creates a satisfying re-spring feel. Numbers and F keys are all included, and everything charges via the Lightning port to keep going for months on end.

2. Logitech MK360: Best quality keyboard and mouse on a budget

The Logitech MK360 wireless keyboard and mouse gets you all the quality you'd expect from this brand, but without costing too much. As such, you get a super compact design that makes this setup ideal for popping in a bag between classes. The ease of setup and connection continue to make for simplicity of use, and those programmable F keys make personalization a must.

The battery life is superb, with a good three years of use on the keyboard and a year on the mouse before you need new batteries. The mouse is nice and portable yet has a height that makes for a comfortable hand rest even for longer periods of use. Dual keys and a scroll wheel give you plenty of control, while the detection of movement works across most surfaces.

A terrific setup even when you don't consider how affordable this combination is.

3. Microsoft Wireless Desktop 900: Best keyboard and mouse for Windows users

The Microsoft Wireless Desktop 900 is an ideal setup for anyone who uses a Windows device. With special deals for educational pricing, this is a great option to look at when buying on the school- or district-wide level. Complete with a USB dongle, this is good to plug-and-play with most Windows devices without the need to setup. That makes it ideal for moving between machines and rooms in school.

Running on replaceable batteries, the life between changing these is a good two years, and with the batteries included, it's a great deal. The keyboard itself is a classic full-sized layout with resistance on the push, which is liked by some but not all. It's still compact and highly portable, with the USB dongle tucking away inside the mouse. A solid build that works well and is made to last. Although the auto power off setup that turns on when key presses are detected can waste power in a bag.

4. Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: Best premium setup for multitasking

The Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse is a terrific setup that does a lot to justify that higher price. The build quality, for a start, is fantastic, with a metallic finish on the solid keyboard and ergonomically comfortable mouse. This not only adds strength for portability and longevity but also looks great as a bonus and feels nice to the touch.

Despite being Dell, this setup is both Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi compatible across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. It can even be connected to three devices at the same time, allowing you to jump between gadgets while staying in control – ideal when presenting to the class across devices. All that and this has a stunning battery life of up to 36 months.

5. Adesso Tru-Form Wireless Ergo Mini Keyboard and Mouse: Best for ergonomic comfort

The Adesso Tru-Form Wireless Ergo Mini Keyboard and Mouse offers you all the comfort of an ergonomically designed keyboard and mouse while still remaining portable. This rare combination means you won't have to worry about strain injury if using these for long periods – this even has a built-in wrist rest for added comfort.

This Windows-only setup uses replaceable batteries that last up to six months. But it's the built-in scroll-wheel on the keyboard that's a stand-out rare addition – great for touch typists. The keyboard uses a membrane for quiet typing that's built to last long term. A very accurate mouse with side buttons, built-in track wheel, and USB dongle connectivity make this a really appealing setup that helps justify that price.

6. Logitech MX Mechanical Combo: Best portable all rounder

The Logitech MX Mechanical Combo is not only a great option for portability -- if you go for the smaller TKL option -- but is also an all round winner for so many reasons. Firstly, quality is premium here, with tactile and quiet mechanical switches fronted by those wonderful MX Keys. 

You also get a pretty long battery life of up to 70 days, Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, an 8,000 DPI seven button MX Master 3S mouse, plus a MagSpeed Wheel and emojis built right into the keyboard. 

In addition, there's adjustable tilt on that keyboard for comfort and write protection. This setup really does it all and can be portable too. The catch? It's pretty pricey -- but you do get that Logitech peace of mind knowing it's going to last.

7. RedThunder K84: Best budget gaming keyboard and mouse

The RedThunder K84 wireless keyboard and mouse setup is built for gaming yet doesn't command the usually high price that goes with a setup of that type. 

Both the keyboard and mouse are ergonomic and designed for longer stints of use, ideal for gaming clubs in school and beyond.

The mouse has a decent 3,200 DPI with its honeycomb optical setup as well as LED rainbow lighting. The keyboard is a 75% setup, making it highly mobile while still offering 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, long battery life, and ABS-keycaps with a ten million keystroke lifetime.

An impressive setup for a really low price.

• Best Laptops for Teachers
• Best Tools for Teachers

The best laptop docking stations, specifically for teachers, can make the difference for a quick start to a lesson with far more ease.

The idea behind these technological delights is to leave all the various cables you might use connected to one system, so all you have to do is plug in a single cable to connect to it all.

A dock station can mean instant power to your laptop and screens, HDMI or DisplayPort cables to screens, speakers connected, microphones hooked up, keyboard and mouse ready to go, dedicated webcams or document cameras connected -- and more. 

The point here is to allow teachers to move between classrooms and easily plug in their laptop and be ready to go. That saves time and effort as well allows cables to be tidied away -- safely -- to keep a clear room.

So which is right for your needs? Read on to find the best laptop docking station for teachers.

• Best Laptops for Teachers
• Best 3D Printers for Remote Learning

1. Targus USB 3.0 Docking Station: Best laptop docking stations top pick

The Targus USB 3.0 Docking Station is a well-rounded option that delivers lots of compatibility while keeping the price relatively low. You get the speed of USB 3.0 connectivity but also a dock that will sit your laptop at an angle for easy viewing. This unit comes with charging built-in thanks to the 90W charger, so you won't need to keep your laptop charger with you all the time.

This dock works for two displays output at the same time, so you could have one connected via HDMI and another using the more traditional monitor DVI connection. Thanks to dual USB 2.0 and another pair of powered USB 2.0 ports, it's possible to have a wired keyboard and mouse attached with ports free to charge a smartphone or tablet.

For those who need the latest USB-C, perhaps to charge a phone, Targus does offer a Multiplexer Adapter that works with dock.

The dock also features a headphones port and a microphone port, making it simple to leave a headset connected and ready for video lessons.

2. Kensington USB 3.0 Dual Display Docking Station: Best budget option

The Kensington USB 3.0 Dual Display Docking Station is an option that gets you that well-known brand name with a price that's relatively low compared to the higher end options. Yet, it undercuts those while still offering some great features.

You get all the speed of USB 3.0 along with a simple-to-use layout. This unit also has an Ethernet port for high-speed gigabit-wired internet connectivity, ideal if you don't want to worry about wifi flaking out at any point. 

This docking station works with Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and Mac, allowing that one USB connection to the computer to multiply into six. In addition, there are both DVI and HDMI with dual display output as an option, with high resolution up to 2048 x 1152 at 60Hz. 

All that plus you get two years of coverage and lifetime Kensington technical support.

3. StarTech Thunderbolt 3 Dual-4K Docking Station: Best for 4K video quality 

The StarTech Thunderbolt 3 Dual 4K Docking Station is a very accomplished dock that boasts a whole host of top-end connections. This includes Thunderbolt 3, which means speeds of up to a whopping 45 Gbps. As such, this supports dual displays with resolutions of up to 4K.

What makes this dock a pleasure is that it can do everything through just one cable, so you connect the laptop and everything else goes from there. That includes display, charging phones, and multiple peripherals, all connected quickly. Plus, you have the option for Gigabit Ethernet for the most speedy and stable of internet connections. 

4. Plugable USB-C Triple Display Dock: Best for USB-C charging

The Plugable USB-C Triple Display Dock is ideal for anyone with a laptop who uses a USB-C charger since this will replace that. Yup, no need to carry a charger around and this will also offer lots of output options. Thanks to Thunderbolt 3, 60W powered USB and HDMI ports, this has most needs covered. 

Have an output to up to three 4K monitors in full resolution, charge a connected smartphone, and have laptop and keyboard all plugged in ready to go. This isn't cheap and it won't work with Chromebooks, but for everything else it does a very good job. The fact it comes with a two-year warranty is just a great bonus. 

5. Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock: Best premium dock

The Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a premium do-it-all option for those who don't worry about budget and just want it all. This Thunderbolt 3 toting dock offers 85W of charging power direct to your laptop, dual monitor output, and 4K resolution. 

You also get a host of other connections including HDMI, USB-C, Ethernet, and more rarely, an SD card reader, and a Kensington lock for office-level physical security. This crams in all that yet still remains slim and, for a dock, very good looking at the same time. The price reflects all this but if that's not an issue this really is one of the most comprehensive laptop docks out there right now.

6. J5Create JUD500 USB 3.0 Ultra Station: Best for multiple laptops

The J5Create JUD500 USB 3.0 Ultra Station is a super small profile device that discretely attaches to the back of your laptop, be it Apple Mac or Windows machine. This unit offers a host of connectivity via USB 3.0, HDMI, and VGA. You also get Ethernet connectivity directly as well as speaker or headphones and microphone connections.

But it's the unique "wormhole" feature that makes this device stand out. It allows you to connect another laptop, via USB, so you can hop between the two. It also makes file sharing between the two quick and easy over the direct wired connection. This is perfect if you have both a Windows laptop and an Apple MacBook, and want to jump between the two. It's ideal for classroom use too when multiple teachers are presenting to a big screen at once.

7. Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4: Best swappable

The Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4 is a great option for IT departments that want to plan ahead for changes. This is thanks to a swappable module that allows for variation to the setup with greater ease.

This model looks fantastic with that sleek black finish, and also plays very nicely with Dell laptops. In fact, this can offer ExpressCharge for Dell laptops for an 80% charge in just one hour, or 35% in 20 minutes.

Ports this offers include -- on the front -- two DisplayPorts, USB-C, two USB-A 3.2, one HDMI 2.0. On the back you have more, including two USB 3.2, one USB-C, and one USB-A with power share. All that means you can output at up to 5,120 x 2,880 although you are limited to 60Hz. 

This isn't the cheapest option, but with lots of functionality, some smart specific features, and that great look, it's certainly an appealing option.

• Best Laptops for Teachers
• Best 3D Printers for Remote Learning

The Learning Without Tears pedagogical approach to reading readiness continues to be a classroom favorite because of its focus on solidifying foundational skills through research-based practices. Using the Learning Without Tears curriculum, children begin a path to literacy featuring a journey that moves through the following steps: readiness, handwriting, phonics, and literacy. 

Two of the Learning Without Tears collections recently won Tech & Learning’s Best for Back to School Awards: Handwriting Without Tears and Phonics, Reading, and Me. Read more about these award-winning products below.  

Handwriting Without Tears 

There is ample research that shows the importance of handwriting fluency to literacy success. When a child recognizes the lines they are drawing are letters that have names and a sound, the crucial phonemic connection is made. Using explicit, direct handwriting instruction, Handwriting Without Tears (HWT), a K-5 supplemental curriculum, builds foundational literacy skills to support reading automaticity and comprehension. 

HWT’s multisensory tools engage visual, audio, and kinesthetic learners while building vocabulary, fine motor, and alphabet knowledge prior to writing letters. The student editions foster success with a clean, simple, and intuitive design that is left-handed friendly. HWT includes a digital teaching tool that provides videos, demonstrations, student engagement, and teacher professional learning for handwriting success. 

Handwriting Without Tears' student editions are designed to impart more than fluent writing skills. Embedded activities in each edition help students connect handwriting to grade-appropriate math, social studies, ELA, and science topics. The digital teaching tool helps to support effective handwriting instruction in the classroom. Many new teachers just entering the profession are not taught how to teach handwriting so the tool helps to support their instruction by providing consistent and proven effective instructional methodologies for handwriting success.

Watch a demo of Handwriting Without Tears 

Phonics, Reading, and Me 

Core instruction often does not include enough explicit, systematic phonics, and word study instruction, or students are not provided the opportunity to practice their new skills with authentic reading and writing experiences. Phonics, Reading, and Me helps solve this problem. 

Phonics, Reading, and Me (PRM) is a supplemental print and digital program that sequentially and systematically helps students acquire the range of skills they need to become proficient readers. It prioritizes phonics and word analysis skills that can be difficult to learn but make a big difference for students along the path to reading. It supplements the gaps in core literacy programs with foundational skills learned through rich, connected text. 

PRM can also support teachers who don’t have the time to differentiate and personalize the teaching of phonics. Using systematic, explicit reading instruction, PRM sequentially moves from simpler to more complex skills to lead to reading comprehension. Explicit instruction in each lesson efficiently integrates new skills instruction with recursive review. Decodable text sets are organized by theme to build knowledge and content vocabulary, including 50% non-fiction science and social studies topics.

PRM can also help teachers as schools shift from Balanced Literacy to Science of Reading. 

 Watch a Phonics, Reading, and Me demo 

The best portable hard drives give you the freedom to move about with more storage than your device alone can offer. That can mean gigabytes on the go for your laptop, tablet, or even smartphone.

In a world of cloud storage, with plenty of free space out there, are physical hard drives still relevant? For a few reasons, these are. If you want the security of knowing your data is all in one place, where the darker web can't get at it, then a physical hard drive helps -- making it ideal for teacher and student use.

Portable hard drives can also provide a lot of storage space for your money. Crucially though, these also work offline, allowing you to access your content anytime and anywhere regardless of internet connection status.

Since these can work with multiple devices, it can be helpful for sharing files across machines, such as taking a video from your laptop and plugging it directly into a projector, for example. 

So you may already have looked at the best laptops for students or best tablets for students and want to save money by going for a lower storage option and pairing that with an external drive. Whatever you're after, this guide should have a perfect portable hard drive for your needs. 

• Best laptops for students
• Best tablets for teachers

Best Portable Hard Drives

1. Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch: Best overall portable hard drive

The Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch is the premium model in this range from the hard drive specialist. That means that it still offers plenty of storage at up to 2TB and does it in a very portable and slender body, but with super protection. This offers an onboard AES-256 encryption so that nobody can get at your data but you -- it would take a super computer several hundred years to brute force break into this drive.

Everything is transmitted at high-speeds thanks to the USB-C and USB-3.0 adaptors. These allow you to use the drive with your Windows or Mac laptop, tablet, or Android smartphone. 

Especially helpful here is the inclusion of the Seagate Toolkit software, which allows you to create backups automatically, or at the touch of a button. This lets you always have copies of your files, for you to roll-back to, should you needed. You can even mirror folders so all your files are kept backed up, live, as you make changes on your device.

The fabric outer gives the drive a premium feel, also making it more easy to grip when on the move. Everything is simple to transport with a 5.3oz weight in total and slim 0.46-inch body that could slip into a pocket or bag easily. 

2. SanDisk Extreme Portable: Best for speed

The SanDisk Extreme Portable is a superb option for anyone who wants the fastest file transfers. This comes in 1TB and 2TB versions, yet in both cases offers speeds of up to 1GB per second. That makes this ideal for anyone working with larger files such as video, audio, or images that need to be moved fast. Or if you want this as the main drive you access regularly then the speed helps make this feel as quick as working with an internal drive.

Everything is solid state allowing it to be compact; in fact, this is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and it's so reassuringly well-built that you get a 3-year limited warranty as part of the deal. 

The downside? This is expensive, so you'll pay more per terabyte than many other drives, however, it gets you that speed and portability advantage. It's also super tough with an IP55 rating against dust or water damage, meaning you don't need to worry about looking after this drive as you throw it in a bag.

3. Samsung T7 Shield: Best for toughness and speed

The Samsung T7 Shield is a superb combination drive that offers a solid state drive of up to 4TB in a body that's built to last. Thanks to a tough outer shell this drive is both shock- and water-resistant to an IP65 rating. It works with nearly any device that has a USB port, and is also super secure thanks to an AES-256 encryption.

Unlike some other drives, this packs in USB 3.2, which allows it to read and write at over 1GB per second. All that makes this suitable for video, audio, images, and use as an internal drive equivalent with near instant response rates. The fact it looks attractive and comes in a selection of color options is just a bonus.

Samsung throws in USB C-to-C and C-to-A cables so you can use this with laptops and desktops as well as smartphones, tablets, and consoles. Crucially, this should work with most smart whiteboards with ease. It's not the cheapest but you get a lot for the price, and with lots of size options there should be a model to suit most needs.

4. Crucial X6 Portable SSD: Best budget option

The Crucial X6 Portable SSD is a very portable and capable drive that is also affordable, comparatively. At just 2.4 by 2.6 inches and 0.35-inches thin, this is a svelte little square that can slip into your pocket with ease. You get USB type C and A combinations, allowing you to use this with most devices from laptops and desktops to tablets and smartphones. 

This isn't the fastest drive out there for transfer rates with SATA skills that mean you're going to get about 550MB per second, which is still very fast and more than enough for most file transfers.

The drive is a basic looking unit yet it does the job and is solid enough to withstand most daily rigors -- although it's not tough by any means.

5. Western Digital My Book: Best for storage space

The Western Digital My Book is a great option for anyone who wants huge amounts of storage. This comes in a variety of capacities with prices to suit but pushes the limit at the top end right up to 22TB of storage. 

The downside here is that the drive does require an external dedicated power cable to run, making it less portable than most. But the flip of that is a lot more capacity from this drive that is also larger than most.

Speeds are decent with USB-A offering transfer rates of 5Gbps. Thanks to software onboard this offers an AES-256 encryption as well as backup that automates, keeping files secure on the drive. 

Thanks to a high-quality build, you get a 3-year limited warranty on this shock-resistant drive that's made to last. 

The best laptops for students not only work for in-class use but go beyond the school for use at home and more. That means the ideal laptop will be portable yet also pack enough power -- and battery life -- to keep up with a wide range of tasks.

Of course exactly what you need is worth thinking about as it could save you money. If you're not using this as a video-editing station or high-powered gaming rig, then you likely won't need to spend top dollar on the most super speedy machine.

You might want a Chromebook that helps you save on costs while doing all you need at your Google-based school. Or perhaps you want a Windows machine that won't break the bank but still has a good enough screen to watch movies on? Or maybe you simply have to go Apple and -- despite what you might think -- there are also ways to get a Mac affordably too.

Think about the types of apps you're going to need to run, then make sure you have the right operating system to suit that. It's also worth thinking about portability -- does the model have enough battery to last the day or will you need to factor in carrying a charger with you? And does your laptop need to be tough or should you think about buying a case too?

Below are some of the best laptops for students out there right now so you can find the ideal digital buddy to suit your needs.

• Best Laptops for Teachers
• Best 3D Printers for Remote Learning

1. Dell XPS 13: The best laptops for students top pick

The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best laptops for students out there right now. This is thanks to a well-balanced combination or portability, power, design, and pricing. It is essentially the Microsoft Windows laptop equivalent of a Mac, with a slightly less steep price.

Usefully, it's possible to spec this laptop to the level you need, with even the more basic and affordable end offering plenty of power for tasks, such as video editing. Everything is encased in a beautifully slim and light metallic build that makes this very portable and robust enough to withstand moving between classes.

There are two display resolution options with the top-end offering crystal clear 4K resolution on the 13.4-inch touch display. So for watching movies, video editing, and even gaming, this laptop can do it all without breaking the bank.

Some people may want more ports except this helps to keep the design minimal and the portability to a maximum. A superb all-around laptop that's difficult to beat.

2. Acer Aspire 5: Best laptop for students on a budget

The Acer Aspire 5 is a more affordable option than many and still delivers plenty of laptop bang for your buck, making it ideal for both elementary and secondary students. The great build quality means this device is rugged enough to withstand a day of being lugged about classes, yet it is also lightweight thanks to its chassis.

More expensive options are available in this range if you want to get more grunt and don't mind paying a bit more, for gaming for example. Usefully, this laptop packs in a battery that goes for a good six-and-a-half hours on a charge and the display is plenty big and clear enough at 14-inches. 

The machine is running Windows so all those with a Microsoft setup school will be well served by this choice of laptop.

3. Google Pixelbook Go: Best powerful Chromebook for students

The Google Pixelbook Go is a Chromebook that caters to the high end, packing in lots of powerful features and a top-build quality that is reflected in its price. As such, this is more suited to the elementary school end of the student spectrum. 

The Hush keyboard is a standout feature, offering near silent typing that makes it ideal for the classroom. This build quality extends throughout the unit, resulting in a durable machine that's ideal for young student use.

This highly portable 13.3-inch Full HD screen laptop lasts a full day on a charge, aka 12 hours, ideal for those who don't want to carry a charger. And since it's a Chromebook, it integrates perfectly with schools running Google's education-focused platforms.

4. Microsoft Surface Go 3: Best pure Windows 2-in-1 laptop for students

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a great way to get a pure Windows experience from the manufacturer of both the software and hardware. As a result, this is a powerful-yet-portable laptop that doubles as a tablet, using the optional Touch Cover keyboard case to let you type. Yup, you'll need to pay for that in your initial setup to use this as a full laptop rather than a tablet alone – presuming you don't already own a keyboard that you can use with it, of course. 

The touchscreen display is large and clear with its 10-inch, 1800 x 1200 resolution setup. It's also super portable, easily slipped into a bag, so it's great for elementary students on the move. Although with a five-hour battery life, you'll likely need to carry a charger to get through a full school day.

This does feature a stylus, making it great for note taking or even sketching. Beyond pure work, this is also powerful enough to run Minecraft, and it'll do everything securely thanks to Windows built-in security.

5. Apple MacBook Air M2: Best laptop for students of graphics and video

The Apple MacBook Air M2 is one of the best laptops you can buy and, as such, the price reflects that. But if you can stretch to it then you're getting a super portable laptop with a great battery life that also has enough power to keep up with most tasks -- including video editing. 

The build quality is as high as you'd expect from Apple, with a metal frame that can withstand the rigors of daily use. Yet this is slim and light enough to slip into a bag without being noticed, much, even when walking about the school halls all day with it. Plus that battery life is good for a day so you shouldn't need to carry a charger with you.

The high-resolution display lets you watch movies on here while the webcam and multiple microphones let you record yourself at high-quality -- ideal for video calls or vlogging. Plus, you have access to some of the best apps in the world thanks to that macOS operating system running the show.

6. Acer Chromebook 314: Best affordable Chromebook for students

The Acer Chromebook 314 is a low-price laptop that does everything needed for most secondary and elementary school students. The big brand name means it's well-built for longevity and quality, while the Chromebook OS makes it agile and ideal for schools running G Suite for Education.

The well-sized 14-inch display offers clarity and brightness, if not quite the highest resolution compared to some. But the keyboard and trackpad are both responsive and fashioned to last, and connectivity is decent with dual USB-A and USB-C ports plus a MicroSD card slot.

Chromebook battery life is famously great, so don't expect to carry a charger around. Also, at this price, it's an ideal candidate for districtwide purchases in bulk so even more savings can be made on this highly capable student laptop.

7. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon: Best lightweight and portable laptop

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon is a great choice for anyone who is moving between classes in the day as it's made to be very portable; it's lightweight and slim enough to slip into a book bag. Despite the form factor, this still crams in a super 13.3-inch QHD display with 100% sRGB color and 11th Gen Intel processing power – more than enough for most students. Although for graphics, that Intel Iris Xe GPU may be lacking.

The battery life is the only gripe as this is decidedly average. You may need to plug it in during the day, which means carrying a charger and detracts from that portability. That said, you may find it does the job if you're not using it constantly – expect up to 15 hours.

The carbon build makes this military-grade tough for taking knocks and drops, and it also protects the high-quality keyboard, which provides a very intuitive typing experience. 

• Best Laptops for Teachers
• Best 3D Printers for Remote Learning

Tech & Learning's Best of Show Awards at ISTE20 celebrate the products, and businesses behind them, who are transforming education in schools around the world. Here is just a sampling of the products showcased at ISTE20 live. 

Tools for Schools: Book Creator 

Education is changing. Book Creator offers a simple way to infuse creativity throughout the curriculum, motivating students to become published authors and helping them develop future-ready skills.Book Creator is a simple tool for creating awesome digital books. Create your own teaching resources or get students authoring. 

A few things that set Book Creator apart:

• Simplicity - an incredibly intuitive interface allows students as young as 4 to add text, images, drawings, video, maps, or even record their voice.
• Making a book is a familiar concept - and becoming a published author is a sure-fire way to engage students.
• It’s versatile enough to be used in any subject to demonstrate understanding, promote collaboration and prioritize creativity over consumption.

Reading Plus LLC: Reading Plus 

Reading Plus is a research-proven personalized intervention and instruction program that improves comprehension, vocabulary, motivation, and reading efficiency. It is the only adaptive intervention that addresses inefficient reading. Readers who are inefficient expend energy and attention simply trying to take text into the brain for processing, diverting attention from the critical step of information processing and understanding. As a result, inefficient readers may struggle with both comprehension and motivation to read, they tend to read slowly and laboriously, and their reading level is well below grade level.

Reading Plus begins with an online assessment that provides baseline data to provide a clear picture of every student as a reader. Students are placed on personalized learning paths, working in the Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Visual Skills components. The program uses formative data from each student to continually adapt instruction, and provide teachers with actionable reports and resources for additional teacher-directed instruction."  

Forward Edge: Edge•U Badges 

Edge•U is a powerful, instruction-focused professional learning system that adapts to the needs of educators. Edge•U builds teacher capacity by offering concise, just-in-time learning to support educators with the challenges they face every day. With more instruction online and an ever increasing number of edtech tools, our program can make a real difference for teachers in utilizing necessary tools for learning. Edge•U received the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Seal of Alignment for the Educator Standards in February 2020. Our solution is shown to consciously, purposefully and meaningfully support best practices for digital age teaching and learning. For more information, visit: www.forward-edge.net/edgeubadges  

Gale, a Cengage company: Gale In Context: For Educators Learning Center 

Building on the foundation of Gale In Context student resources, Gale In Context: For Educators is a lesson planning tool that enables all educators to find and personalize digital learning content, plan learning activities that work well for remote or in-person environments, and provide equity for all students. Its new Learning Center is a professional learning hub that’s the base of operations for finding, organizing and learning how to teach (virtually or in-person) using the content created within For Educators. Teachers can access information in the Learning Center on how to get the most out of For Educators, such as a step-by-step “Build and Teach a Lesson” walk-through; sample content sets; on-demand videos, targeted resources for specific functionality and more. The Learning Center was developed to help teachers take the lead on their own learning and find support as they work to use For Educators to drive learning outcomes.  

Discovery Education: Discovery Education Experience 

Discovery Education Experience is a flexible K-12 learning platform that connects educators to a vast collection of compelling high-quality, standards-aligned content, ready-to-use digital lessons, and professional learning resources. Together, these resources give educators everything they need to facilitate instruction in any learning environment and create lasting educational impact.

Discovery Education’s team continues adding, contextualizing, and organizing exciting new content and timely resources to Experience each month in response to current events and the ever-evolving needs of educators. These resources, sourced from trusted partners, are aligned to state and national standards, and help educators bring the outside world into teaching and learning every day. 

Finally, Experience is designed to work within school systems’ existing infrastructure and workflows. Through expanded partnerships with Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Schoology, Canvas, and now Clever, integrating Experience into existing IT architecture is easier than ever.

“For years, the use of technology for many schools and districts was an add-on, not a fully integrated experience,” says Dr. Julie Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit organization. “Because of that, teacher preparation programs did not understand the importance of teaching mobile technology integration to preservice teachers.” 

A partnership between Project Tomorrow and the University of Kentucky is now focusing on developing a training model for new teachers to learn how to integrate technology within instruction before they reach their own classrooms. In the Mobile Learning Project, preservice teachers are partnered with inservice teachers so they can learn about the practical use of technology in teaching. In exchange, the inservice teachers are exposed to the innovation and creativity that is innate to digital natives. 

The backstory for this project emerged over several years of Speak Up data from Project Tomorrow. In the research on the efficacy of mobile devices, they found that principals were concerned about the amount of retraining new teachers required on the integration of technology and that many inservice teachers did not think of mobile devices as a way to impact the quality of student work or change the learning environment.  

Challenges of Mobile Technology Integration 

The development of the new teacher training model was based on Speak Up data on the challenges of effective mobile learning: 

• Only 21% of teachers say they are very comfortable integrating mobile devices into instruction. 
• 47% of principals in high poverty communities say teacher integration of technology is their No. 1 challenge. 
• 37% of principals say that training preservice teachers to effectively use mobile devices in the classroom should be a top priority. 

“The question we grappled with was how to ensure that the next great generation of teachers is well-prepared to leverage the investments that K-12 districts are making around mobile learning,” says Evans. 

The big questions they addressed in the partnership with the University of Kentucky teacher preparation program were:

• What are the challenges with helping inservice and preservice teachers develop capacity to use mobile devices and wireless technologies effectively within instruction?
•  What are the best methodologies or approaches to helping inservice teachers and preservice teachers develop competency with using mobile devices?
• What are the lessons learned from this project that other schools and districts can apply in their classrooms?  

Developing the Mobile Learning Project 

The University of Kentucky teacher prep program was always known for innovative thinking, creativity in problem solving, and a willingness to try something different. Project Tomorrow worked with Dr. Lu Young, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies. 

Evans and Young determined that peer-to-peer learning would blend the assets and skills preservice teachers could bring to inservice teachers with the assets, skills, and knowledge that inservice teachers could share with preservice teachers to benefit both groups. “The real frontier for professional learning is not having teachers just integrate technology during the school day, but help them leverage or capitalize on the seamless use of technology as the student moves from school to home,” says Young.

“For using devices as instructional tools to create new types of learning experiences, you need teachers who understand their pedagogy, curriculum standards, and their students’ strengths and weaknesses to be effective,” says Evans. “Establishing peer-to-peer learning between preservice and inservice teachers increases the impact and decreases the learning curve once new teachers enter the classroom.”

The team worked with three school districts in Kentucky, each with different issues and challenges. The onset of the pandemic this year accelerated the distribution of devices to students. “Now the challenge is to teach students how to have agency and use the devices in the way they own their own learning and move forward to high levels of efficacy, growth mindset, and intrinsic motivation,” says Young. “Our message at the University of Kentucky Center for Next-Generation Leadership is that we will emerge from the pandemic better than we went in.” 

In order to share the results of the program, Project Tomorrow has developed an online course capturing the experiences of the inservice teachers, with the idea that it can be a learning tool for teacher preparation programs.

Who Benefitted from the Project? 

Pre-service teachers. College students are better understanding technology implementation and learning how to become classroom teachers. 

Practicing teachers. Teachers in classrooms are learning how to use mobile devices beyond student engagement. 

School and district administrators. Leaders are now seeing a higher ROI from the implementation of mobile devices within learning. 

Program funders or developers. They now receive input as to how to leverage devices effectively to have a greater impact.

Students. Students are benefitting from more informed teachers today and tomorrow. 

“From a leadership perspective, we’ve learned that you really have to spend the right amount of time on the front end, talking about the ‘why,’” says Young. “Our faculty is now embedding the lessons we’ve learned during this project into our teacher preparation program so that our students have a good grounding in why mobile technology integration is important in 2020 and beyond so that all students can be successful.”

• Best Digital Tools for Teachers
• Strategies for Remote and Hybrid STEM

The best mobile device management tools, or MDM solutions, can help an education institution better keep track of, and control tablets, laptops, smartphones and desktops. The right MDM can help IT admins stay in firm control.

The key here is that a great mobile device management solution will make the work of the IT team far more efficient, ultimately saving time. But on top of that, it will allow for greater control over the mobile devices to ensure all are always working at their best.

The right tool can allow an IT administrator the power to locate, lock, and even wipe devices all remotely from a central location. But, of course, it can do a whole lot more too.

So which is the best mobile device management tool for your school or college? Read on to find out everything you need to know.

• The Best K-12 Learning Management Systems
• Student Information Systems
• One-to-One Computing and Classroom Management

1. Filewave Endpoint Management Suite: Best Overall MDM

Founded in 1992, FileWave provides its Endpoint Management Suite to education, enterprise, and government institutions to assist IT teams throughout the entire lifecycle process of inventorying, imaging, deployment, management, and maintenance. 

FileWave’s Endpoint Management Suite is an all-in-one, highly scalable MDM solution that solves the many challenges of managing a diverse and growing population of users, devices, and content. It does this by ensuring organizations have a comprehensive solution that supports both client (desktop) and mobile devices across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.

This all-inclusive, multi-platform unified endpoint management solution offers many unique and powerful features that streamline the entire IT lifecycle process (inventory, image, deploy, manage and maintain) within a single console. 

Key features:

- Complete multi-platform support (macOS, iOS, Windows & Android).

- Multi-platform imaging (direct, network, and layered models).

- Patented fileset deployment (deploy anything, anytime, at any level).

- Patented booster technology (highly scalable infrastructure that significantly reduces network traffic).

- True self-healing technology (auto-repair broken installations).

- Device discovery, tracking and security; inventory, license and content management.

- End-user self-service kiosk (user specific, on-demand content, and updates).

- Robust patch management (OS and 3rd party updates).

2. Jamf Pro: Best MDM for Apple

Since 2002, Jamf has been helping more than 4,000 school IT teams, instructional technologists, administrators, and teachers manage Macs and iPads in the classroom to ensure their Apple programs are a success. With Jamf Pro, users can automate Mac and iPad deployment and simplify ongoing management.

Jamf Pro offers ongoing device management that evolves with the changing needs and expectations of the classroom. 

Key features: 

- Support for Apple’s Device Enrollment Programs to automatically enroll and configure new devices.

- Integration with Apple School Manager and zero-day support for all new Apple releases.

- Definition of settings using configuration profiles, policies, and custom scripts.

- Management of Apple’s built-in security tools: passcodes, security policies, software restrictions, and Lost Mode.

- Access to Jamf Nation, the Apple IT community of 100,000-plus members.

3. Lightspeed Mobile Manager: Best MDM for Schools

Lightspeed Mobile Manager is a unique MDM solution made just for schools. It saves time and money with multi-OS support, intuitive IUs, integration with Apple and Windows programs, and a school-based hierarchy and policy inheritance.

Mobile Manager is designed with a hierarchy to match a district and inheritance to make policies easy to set across levels. It’s multi-OS, and it has classroom controls for teachers. 

Key features:

- Ability to control all of your devices remotely with the click of a button.

- Integrate your SIS to automatically create users and groups.

- Manage all of your solutions from a centralized dashboard interface; and more.

4. Securly MDM for Schools: Best MDM for Teachers

Securly puts both IT administrators and teachers in control of classroom devices by providing school-specific mobile device management plus classroom management tools. Securly supports iOS, Android, and macOS. Apple VPP and DEP are supported at both district level and school level. 

Teachers can freeze student screens, lock to a specific app or website, and more. Securly is highly scalable, from a single school with just a few carts of devices to large districts with many school locations and thousands of devices in a 1:1 program.

Securly is designed exclusively for schools, so everything from the intuitive interface to the classroom feature set is designed to meet schools needs, rather than corporate enterprise needs, which can be quite different for mobile device management. 

For example, schools often have to refresh an entire fleet of devices between school years, so functions for mass-reset help the IT department accomplish this. Schools also have the unique need of sharing administration responsibilities with teachers, who need to make changes at the classroom level. Securly empowers them to accomplish this.

5. Impero Education Pro: Best MDM for Safety

Schools use Impero Education Pro for a wide array of administrative IT tasks such as controlling passwords, managing printers, or setting computers to power on or off at certain times. This saves time for IT departments because they can schedule school-wide installs, patches, and updates from one screen instead of having to physically go to each device.

Impero Education Pro also provides mobile device monitoring tools to help teachers take full control of their classrooms while allowing students to benefit from the use of technology. Teachers can share their screens, send or share files with students, take over or lock students’ computers, create exams, assign tasks, send direct messages to students, or monitor thumbnails of students’ activity in real time to ensure they are on task.

The software also monitors students’ online activity on a school’s network and alerts educators if students use keywords that could indicate cyberbullying, sexting, radicalization, self-harm, or a range of other issues.

Impero Education Pro is unique in that it provides seamless integration across multiple platforms. It consolidates a range of powerful classroom, network, and device management features enabling schools and colleges to reduce costs and improve both staff and student productivity. 

Its online safety functionality uses keyword detection technology to help schools safeguard students online, and provides deeper monitoring than many other types of monitoring software. 

Impero Software also partners with nonprofit and specialist organizations including Hey Ugly, ikeepsafe, Anad, and the Institute of Digital Citizenship in order to develop its keyword libraries and to connect schools with appropriate resources.

Also Consider: Black Box Wallmount Charging Locker

Whether you’re a teacher, IT tech, or administrator, Black Box Wallmount Charging Lockers are engineered to save your floor space and your budget. Ideal for smaller classrooms that are short on space, the lockers hold 9 or 12 iPad tablets or 15-inch Chromebook laptops. 

These tools also give you the versatility to mount multiple lockers together for more storage options. Adjustable rackmount rails enable you to mount other IT equipment too. Plus, the 100% steel lockers hold up to 150 pounds and are guaranteed for life.

Wallmount Charging Lockers are unique because devices and power bricks are accessible from the front, which allows the lockers to be stacked on all sides to form device charging walls. Other lockers need to have access to the front and the back or top, not allowing them to form locker walls. Also, the Wallmount Charging Locker has optional GDS Wireless Charging technology to eliminate device power cords for most tablets used in the classroom.

• The Best K-12 Learning Management Systems
• Student Information Systems
• One-to-One Computing and Classroom Management

Tech & Learning is pleased to announce the winners of its 39th annual Awards of Excellence Contest. This select group represents products that are unique in the K-12 market, help schools solve specific problems, and drive innovation during a challenging time for education. Winners were selected by a panel of industry experts who applied their years of experience and expertise to their selections. 

Congratulations to the following winners!

SOFTWARE

Acer, Repair Certification eLearning Program

The Acer Repair Certification eLearning Program is available to education accounts in the United States and Canada that gives high school students the opportunity to learn more about technology and build skills. Students learn to perform basic hardware repairs on Acer devices deployed in their school and develop foundational skills for employment or secondary education goals. Our judges say, "Giving students these skills as well as teaching them STEM concepts is very valuable. "

Accelerate Learning, STEMscopes Math

STEMscopes Math is the first core mathematics program from Accelerate Learning and the newest addition to its suite of STEMscopes solutions. The math curriculum for grades 3-5 is aligned to the Common Core State Standards and combines digital and print components with hands-on kits. The curriculum features inquiry-based math investigations, virtual manipulatives, and interactive games that engage students as they build their understanding. Our judges say, "This tool has all the features teachers need to move math learning forward—and good graphics as well." 

Accelerate Learning, STEMscopes™ NGSS 3D

STEMscopes NGSS 3D is a phenomena-based, three dimensional STEM curriculum that addresses the Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices that form each standard of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). It includes customizable,  storyline-driven bundles that link the three dimensions across lesson modules. Interactive simulations, videos, text, images, and hands-on activities help students learn through a variety of modalities. "This tool provides teachers with everything they need to empower students with 21st-century skills to succeed in future STEM careers," our judges say.  

Amira Learning

Amira Learning™, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), provides 1:1 reading practice and administers both an oral reading fluency assessment and a dyslexia screener. Demonstrated effective with all students, including English learners, Amira saves teachers time by automating scoring and reporting. Our judges say, "This system is particularly good for struggling readers and students with dyslexia."

Aristo e-Companion for HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts

Aristo e-Companion for HKDSE BIOLOGY: Connecting Concepts’ (the e-Companion) is a comprehensive package of blended learning resources available in both web and app platforms, designed to equip students at Secondary 4-6 with biological knowledge and 21st century skills. Since the release in 2019, the e-Companion has been named a Dubai GESS Education Awards Finalist and US EdTech Cool Tool Awards Finalist. The judges particularly liked the integration of STEM and the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and note, "As a good supplement should, the Aristo e-Companion provides for multiple learning styles and differentiation for learning each topic."

Britannica LaunchPacks: Science, Britannica LaunchPacks: Social Studies, Britannica School

Britannica LaunchPacks: Science leverages over 1,800 digital content sets for science. Activities and question sets spur students to think like scientists by making predictions, exploring academic vocabulary, collecting evidence from a wide variety of sources, analyzing research and data, drawing conclusions, and writing evidence-based arguments.  Britannica LaunchPacks: Social Studies provides over 2,000 curated bundles of Britannica informational text and multimedia assets focused on K-12 social studies. Educators can differentiate instruction through multilevel articles, content groupings, and tools such as read-aloud functionality, double-click dictionaries, and article translations. Aligned to State Essential Knowledge and Skill Standards, Britannica School offers thousands of curated articles, images, videos, audio clips, primary sources, maps, research tools, recommended websites, and three databases to meet every reading level. T&L judges call the bundle of three programs "powerful" and "highly recommended."

CatchOn

CatchOn is a data analytics tool that provides district leaders a window into the efficacy of their technology investments, initiatives, integrations, and professional development. The tool allows districts to achieve better education outcomes, reduce costs, and track student technology engagement, both at home and at school.  T & L judges say,"CatchOn can be a very valuable tool for many districts, especially very large ones that have a plethora of solutions that they need to track."

ClassLink, Launchpad

ClassLink Launchpad provides students, teachers, and staff with a customizable portal where they can easily access over 6000 digital resources, using just one password and username. Our judges say "The range and variety of apps are great. They quickly create custom apps as needed and their support is outstanding." 

Clear Touch Collage™

Clear Touch Collage™ allows students to connect from their iPads, Chromebooks, or other devices and cast their screens to the classroom’s Clear Touch® interactive panel. The software also allows teachers to view all connected devices at once and choose which to cast to the screen, up to six devices. The software comes bundled with each Clear Touch® panel. "This product will have value in schools with reliable networks and consistent devices," say our judges. 

Clear Touch Command™ 

Clear Touch Command™ comes integrated into every Clear Touch® panel, giving IT departments the ability to troubleshoot remotely, monitor device usage, set power-saving modes, and send announcements to every panel on the school or district network. Command allows teachers to stream video content from internal feeds or external sources, eliminating the need for additional decoder hardware. T & L judges comment, "Command keeps everyone informed and provides access to relevant information."

Curriculum Associates, i-Ready

The i-Ready online program combines assessments and insights with engaging instruction in reading and mathematics to help teachers differentiate teaching according to students’ individual needs. The i-Ready Diagnostic provides educators with criterion-referenced and normative data showing how much growth is needed to reach grade-level expectations. Our judges say, "Districts are looking for data solutions for one-stop shopping and iReady is a quality product."

Discovery Education Experience 

Discovery Education Experience is a flexible K-12 learning platform that provides high-quality content, ready-to-use digital lessons, unique collaboration tools, and professional learning resources. Experience integrates with schools’ existing infrastructure and learning management system, whether it be Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Clever, Schoology, or Canvas. Teachers can add and distribute the resources available in Experience with the tools that they’re already using. "The breadth and depth of their resources is excellent, as well as their integrations with rostering and other LMS systems, " say Tech & Learning judges.

Discovery Education, Teaching with Testimony, an educational program from USC Shoah Foundation and Discovery Education

Teaching with Testimony is a no-cost, standards-aligned digital educational program for grades 6-12 that draws upon USC Shoah Foundation's testimony from survivors and witnesses of genocides. It helps students find their voices to act for a better future. Resources include: Testimonial video library, classroom activities, collaboration with Discovery Channel’s WHY WE HATE docuseries, and the  "Stronger Than Hate" artwork challenge. "This tool dives into relevant learning, giving students an authentic look into history," our judges say. 

Discovery Education, TGR EDU: Explore

TGR EDU: Explore provides resources designed to enhance 21st century STEM skills and helps grade 6-12 students to get into and pay for the college of their choosing. Available at no cost, TGR EDU: Explore comprises training videos, digital explorations, and professional development resources that can be downloaded online and integrated immediately into classroom practice. Our judges say, "This tool/website connects students directly with real-world opportunities and professionals so they can internalize that their college and career dreams are attainable."

Edmentum, Courseware  

Edmentum Courseware offers customizable digital curriculum to support 6th-12th grade students on their path toward graduation. With access to over 400 courses for first-time original credit and credit or unit recovery, students receive rigorous standards-aligned curriculum across core subjects, CTE, electives, world languages, and advanced courses. Interactive, media-rich courses adjust content based on student mastery and educators can customize courses to meet instructional needs. "The extensive offerings in Courseware allow for school districts to individualize learning for students," our judges say.

Edmentum, Exact Path  

Edmentum Exact Path offers diagnostic-driven, direct instruction in K–12 reading, language arts, and math.  After initial assessment, students receive a scale score and normed percentile rank to benchmark learning and chart growth.  Then students receive a unique learning path of high-quality digital curriculum. Exact Path uses mobile-optimized assessments, lessons, and activities that can be accessed from any Internet-enabled device. Our judges say, "Its integration with MAP and STAR provides districts and classroom teachers with a complete look at student success so that they can make informed decisions about programming and interventions."

Edmentum, Study Island 

Edmentum’s Study Island is a comprehensive, customizable K-12 standards-based practice and assessment tool that helps educators engage with students and monitor and assess their progress towards standards mastery. A built-in Teacher Toolkit gives educators access to lesson plans, videos, and other instructional resources. Our judges note, "This product provides teachers with real time feedback on formative assessments before, during and after lessons so that students can get their feedback in real time as well."

ed Spring

edSpring is a secure, tool-agnostic platform that centralizes student data like attendance, assessments, grades, interventions, behavior, and progress monitoring. Educators working the RTI cycle use edSpring to set early warning indicators, identify at-risk learners, implement interventions, monitor progress, and adjust interventions. Administrators rely on edSpring data and reports to reflect evidence of MTSS implementation fidelity and intervention efficacy across tiers for every classroom, grade level, and building. Our judges find it a "pretty amazing tool" and  like "how easy it is for teachers and administrators  to retrieve the data and reports that are most important to them in real-time."

Education Incites, Incite Assessment

Incite® Assessment is an assessment and reporting solution providing support for  the entire assessment process, from item creation and test administration through results analysis. The flexible solution supports formative, summative and interim assessments while generating real-time actionable data for educators.  T & L judges like the easy-to-use dashboard and say,"This is a solid data analysis and organizational tool."

Gale, Gale In Context: Elementary

Gale In Context: Elementary is a kid-friendly database that provides young learners with a place to explore their interests using I Wonder questions, quick facts and visual topic pages. The product is built using familiar Gale In Context design elements, making it easy for students to grow with Gale and develop their research skills as they progress to databases like Gale In Context: Middle School and Gale In Context: High School.  Our judges say,"This product supports inquiry-based learning at an early age which provides students with research skills necessary as they move onto middle school, high school and beyond."

GradeCam

GradeCam simplifies the assessment process, without requiring new equipment, proprietary forms, or training. Educators can customize assignments to accommodate handwritten answers, extended responses, rubrics, number grids, multiple choice, true/false, and more. Customized forms can be accessed online, printed on plain paper, or used in combination for hybrid learning environments. Student work can be scanned and scored using mobile, desktop or document camera to generate data. Our judges like the speed of the grading as well as the variety of data points tracked. "This can make assessment feedback faster and more actionable," they note. 

Hands-On Labs

The HOL Cloud allows educators to bring a physical laboratory experience to remote learners. Instructors choose from a library of virtual or physical experiments. With built-in features such as a student dashboard, gradebook analytics, automatic grading, immediate assessment feedback, live data tables, and experiment videos, the ADA- and WCAG 2.0-compliant platform aims to reduce the educator’s time spent on non-teaching activities so they can better facilitate an online classroom. Tech & Learning judges find the platform "amazing" and like the use of "real-time and virtual manipulatives to teach science and complete labs. "

HMH, Writable for HMH Into Literature

Writable for HMH Into Literature combines close reading and analytical writing through a platform that cultivates a cycle of authentic feedback and revision. Fiction and nonfiction mentor texts are displayed alongside point-of-use writing and revision tools, allowing students to produce great writing. Responsive software provides on-demand feedback and organizes review workflows. Our judges say, "Writable scaffolds and motivates students in a better writing process with a powerful feedback engine including anonymous peer review."

Illuminate Education, FastBridge

FastBridge is a research-based universal screening and progress monitoring system for academics (reading and math) and social-emotional behavior (SEB). The system includes intervention recommendations and built-in coaching. Features include single system for academic and behavioral screening, evidence-based tools, data reports from progress monitoring, adaptive testing, and universal screening tools. Our judges say, "FastBridge's comprehensive reports available to teachers, administrators and parents will be critical when assessing and supporting students as they transition back to school in the fall.

IXL Learning, IXL

IXL is a pre-K-12 personalized learning platform providing a comprehensive curriculum of over 8,000 skills covering five subjects, aligned to all state standards. IXL’s adaptive assessment tool, the Real-Time Diagnostic, evaluates students across every concept in IXL’s K-12 curriculum. IXL’s personalized guidance uses student data from the curriculum and diagnostic to give every learner a personalized action plan for growth, while IXL Analytics provides real-time insight into student progress. Our judges say,"The ability to adjust content based on the learners answers while delivering actionable data back to the instructor is very valuable."

Kognito, Trauma-Informed Practices for K12 Schools

Developed in collaboration with UNICEF USA, Trauma-Informed Practices for K12 Schools is an interactive simulation that helps educators to build skills, confidence, and empathy to support students whose behavior might be related to trauma or distress. By practicing role-play conversations with virtual students, educators learn how to spot warning signs of trauma, lead real-life conversations with students, improve their classroom experience, and explore making a referral to a mental health professional. Our judges say, "This is a fantastic tool for teachers and counselors and social workers to utilize when working with students who have experienced trauma."

Learning.com, EasyTech  

EasyTech is a self-paced, online digital literacy curriculum for grades K-12 that provides interactive lessons, application exercises, activities, discussions and quizzes to help students master technology and computational thinking skills for college and career. EasyTech incorporates technology into core content, integrates with most Learning Management Systems, and is intuitive for students and for educators alike. EasyTech is aligned to the International Society of Technology Educator (ISTE) NET-S 2016 standards. "Districts are looking for robust online learning like EasyTech that uses algorithms to increase student rigor," our judges say. 

Learn Without Limits, MobyMax Curriculum and Instruction

MobyMax offers a complete K-8 curriculum for 27 subjects, including math, reading, phonics, language, vocabulary, spelling, writing, science, social studies, and state test prep. MobyMax‘s digital courseware solution can be used on any device with an internet connection. "With functions that identify missing skills, both general and special education teachers can assess students and provide real time feedback to students," our judges say.

Learn Without Limits, MobyMax ELL/ESOL

Moby provides a complete solution for ELL/ESOL students, from letter recognition to phonemic awareness to critical English language skills. MobyMax moves each child forward at their pace offering both foundational skills unique to them and also the same content as their peers.  Our judges say, "The curriculum, periodic and real time assessment is invaluable for teachers in inclusive classroom settings to provide support and interventions."

Learn Without Limits, MobyMax Reading

MobyMax finds and fixes learning gaps in language arts in two ways. First, it offers the power of personalized learning in all K-8 subjects. Additionally, its comprehensive curriculum encompasses 16 ELA subjects, including language, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and seven phonics and reading modules. Using this inventive approach, students consistently gain more than one full grade level after 20 hours using MobyMax. Our judges say, "This product engages all students by differentiating for students with profound learning disabilities or struggling readers to challenging accelerated students."

Learn Without Limits, MobyMax for Adaptive Learning

MobyMax’s suite of integrated and automated classroom tools saves teachers time with comprehensive assessments, grading and markup tools for writing, diagnostics, IEP reporting, messaging, and real-time progress monitoring. Moby’s Pinpoint Assessments allow teachers to drill down to discrete skills to get an instant snapshot of where students are. Interactive curriculum personalizes learning, allowing educators to combine face-to-face education with online learning. Our judges say, "Using real time assessments, this product adapts lessons to target where students need support on skills and content knowledge."

Learn Without Limits, MobyMax for Assessment Solutions

MobyMax's new Quick Checker assessment package streamlines teaching by pinpointing missing skills with quick formative assessments, deep summative assessments, and diagnostic placement tests. Moby Quick Checker allows teachers to quickly check for understanding and minimizes the time it takes to create and grade tests and quizzes. MobyMax has made the complete Quick Checker program free to all teachers worldwide. Our judges say, "With its quick question, test, fluency, benchmarker, placement and skill options, teachers can easily determine understanding without having to create exit tickets."

Learn Without Limits, MobyMax for Math

Moby’s math curriculum includes math, numbers, and fact fluency and is accessible from any device with internet connection.  The MobyMax Numbers module employs interactive manipulatives to deepen student understanding of numbers and base ten using block numbers, number lines, ten frames, and more. Numbers begins simply and progresses gradually, teaching students to add and subtract large numbers without using a pencil. Our judges say, "With its interactive lessons and the ability for students to go back to prior questions and activities, the program ensures that students will be successful.

Learn Without Limits, MobyMax for Science

MobyMax’s K-8 Cognitive Skills Science curriculum is based on Touch Curriculum™ technology, which uses over 20,000 interactive manipulatives to engage students. Touch Curriculum™ allows dragging and dropping, repositioning, building, writing, creating, and more. MobyMax accelerates differentiated learning with systematic review of key concepts and science vocabulary. Formative assessment quizzes and comprehensive end-of-section tests provide detailed progress monitoring for teachers. Our judges say, "MobyMax for science provides interactive manipulatives to provide students and teachers with immersive science experiences that go deeper than traditional science activities."

LearnZillion, LearnZillion Illustrative Mathematics (IM) 6-8 Math and Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2

LearnZillion Illustrative Mathematics (IM) 6–8 Math and Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 is a problem-based core mathematics curriculum that sparks discussion and enjoyment of mathematics. Using the curriculum, students learn by solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and construct arguments using precise language. Teachers use high-leverage routines to guide learners to understand and make connections between concepts and procedures, and spark discussion, perseverance, and understanding of mathematics.  Our judges applaud the inquiry-based learning method, customizable lessons and assessments and add,"Its easy integration with SIS and LMS already in use saves teachers time."

Lexia Learning, Lexia Core5 Reading

Lexia® Core5® Reading provides a systematic and structured approach to six critical areas of reading. The research-proven program creates personalized learning paths for students of all abilities in grades pre-K–5 through an adaptive placement and scaffolded activities that align to rigorous standards. T & L judges say, "The ability to access this program from any device allows students to work with and independent of teachers and parents in the remote learning environment."

LG and Discovery Education, LG Discovery Your Happy

The Discover Your Happy program, a collaborative effort between Discovery Education and LG Electronics USA, provides educators, parents and students the no-cost resources to build resilience by practicing the Six Sustainable Happiness Skills: mindfulness, human connection, positive outlook, purpose, generosity, and gratitude. The program includes standards-aligned materials, lessons, and interactives for grades 7-12, at-home tools for parents to continue lessons, and on-demand virtual field trips. "This amazing program and the skills it teaches is something needed now, during the world pandemic—more than ever," our judges comment.

Lightspeed Systems, Analytics Powered by Relay

Analytics Powered by Relay pulls together all of the usage information for devices, applications, and online resources into a single, actionable dashboard. Analytics lets users evaluate how licenses are used, track spending on licenses, and keep data and devices protected from rogue apps.

Mango Languages, Mango Classroom

Mango Classroom provides students with real-world content, authentic native-speaker audio, and linguist-backed learning tools to comfortably and confidently practice and apply language skills in the classroom and beyond. Included are features for family involvement and support, assessments and grading, and lesson plan materials. Free mobile apps that include offline learning and auto play, allow students to practice wherever and whenever, in over 70 world languages and more than 20 ELL courses. Our judges say, "Mango offers great resources yet doesn't replace the teachers; it's a great addition to the curriculum." 

Mentoring Minds, Itematica

Itematica is a comprehensive K–12 assessment solution that gives educators access to 65,000+ rigorous, standards-based items aligned to state learning objectives. Features include the ability to modify questions; create printable test booklets and pre-slugged answer documents; and sync teachers and students via Clever, ClassLink, or directly from an SIS. Our judges comment, "The range of content areas and analytics go a long way to ensure student success."

MyStemKits.com by Boxlight

MyStemKits is a K-12 3D printable curriculum with over 300+ lessons and 30+ 3D modeling design challenges. The platform integrates with over 75 different 3D printers allowing students to learn math, science, and design thinking skills utilizing 3D printing technology in a fun and exciting way. The MyStemKits.com lessons and kits are all standards-driven curriculum (NGSS, State) and are turn key so teachers can use 3D printers in the classroom easily and effectively. Our judges like the kits very much and note, "This will work great as long as the teachers plan accordingly and the machines are well maintained."

NUITEQ, NUITEQ Snowflake

NUITEQ Snowflake is a desktop and online  educational software that brings interactivity to school and remote learning environments. NUITEQ Snowflake enables teachers and students to tell interactive stories that align with the curriculum, provides a safe community for online and small group collaboration, and allows simultaneous personalized instruction. Teachers have access to video-linked lessons that provide hands-on activities aligned to standards. Our judges think teachers and schools will find long-term value with this platform.

PowerSchool

PowerSchool helps schools and districts manage instruction, learning, grading, attendance, assessment, analytics, state reporting, special education, student registration, talent, finance, and HR.  Solutions include Unified Administration to streamline district office work,  Unified Talent to find high quality teachers and staff, Unified Classroom to coordinate personalized learning tools, Student Information Systems and Enrollment to manage data, Unified Communities to connect with fellow users, and Unified Home to improve parent engagement. Our judges say, "By combining the many systems used in school districts into one unified technology PowerSchool ensures that educators, administrators and support staff have a clear picture of every student." 

PowerSchool, Schoology, a PowerSchool Unified Classroom Product

Schoology helps teachers and districts create engaging content, design lessons, and assess student understanding. Schoology connects learning management with embedded formative assessments so school districts can improve student performance, support collaboration throughout their community, and personalize learning. Over 20 million students, parents, faculty, and administrators from nearly 1,800 K-12 organizations use Schoology to improve student outcomes in education. Our judges say, "Schoology is a very good product."

Prezi Video

Prezi Video video creation tool allows teachers to maintain the same level of face-to-face human connection from in-person classes to online classrooms.  Teachers can easily add graphics and text to the primary video screen alongside their face, whether recorded or in a live video conference. It works for asynchronous video, flipped classroom delivery and online classrooms. Teachers can show visual assets while maintaining eye contact, visual cues, and gestures to keep learners engaged.  Our judges say,"With its many designer and reusable templates that engage students, Prezi Video has stepped up its game with the new "teacher presence" feature."

Reading Plus

Reading Plus is a research-based, adaptive literacy solution for grades 3-12 that improves comprehension, vocabulary, motivation, and reading efficiency. Reading Plus provides differentiated literacy instruction for diverse learners, including English learners, special ed, and RTI/MTSS Tiers 1, 2, and 3, as well as advanced readers.  Our judges say, "Its approach to personalized learning, social and emotional learning and versatility for all learners supported by analytics and teacher PD makes this a solid product for late elementary through high school reading comprehension."

Renaissance Learning, MyOn

myON is a digital reading platform that provides students with 24/7 access to thousands of fiction and nonfiction books and news articles—in English, Spanish, and additional languages. A multimedia reading experience with colorful illustrations, professionally recorded audio, and annotation tools make each text engaging and unique. Built-in close reading tools, customizable literacy projects, and a large collection of nonfiction titles support lesson plans centered on reading and writing skills. Our judges say, "This product is versatile and promotes reading while supporting the struggling reader."

Renaissance Learning, Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader is an independent reading practice program that helps K–12 students to become confident, lifelong readers. Supporting more than 200,000 fiction and nonfiction books and articles at a wide range of levels, Accelerated Reader gives students extensive choice in what they read—and keeps them engaged in independent reading practice as they work toward personalized goals. "With its personalized goal and analytics, students take control of their learning and have voice and choice in what they read," T&L judges comment.

Renaissance Learning, Freckle

Freckle's differentiation platform allows teachers to provide every student with instruction and practice at the level that’s best for them. With instructional resources and practice activities for all four core subject areas—math, social studies, science, and English language arts—Freckle helps educators provide students with rich learning experiences that aim to accelerate growth. Tech & Learning judges like the Freckle interface for both students and teachers and the "accurate data and feedback that helps direct instruction."

Renaissance Learning, Star Assessments

Star Assessments are a suite of valid assessments for reading, math, and early literacy, in both English and Spanish. A Star Assessment takes 20 minutes and provides feedback and results for schools and districts.  Star Assessments help schools and districts predict their students' performance on state tests, provide a benchmark on student progress, and help guide classroom instruction. Our judges say, "The variety of analytics provides critical data that can be used to drive instruction.

Savvas Learning Company, Project Imagine: World History

Project Imagine is a digital companion program for World History classrooms, containing 6 module topics. Each topic starts with an optional topic project, introduction video, and background reading. Students study content through 360° Virtual Reality, Role-Play, Interactive Map, Decision Tree, Opinion Poll, and Museum Mission. Primary sources such as videos, articles, interviews and more are the building blocks of the immersives. Each module concludes with a civic discussion and document-based writing activity.  "The Project Imagine: World History interactive learning curriculum places the student into historical times and delivers an experience like no other," our judges say. 

Savvas Learning Company, Savvas Realize

Savvas Realize™ is a K-12 digital platform that is home to over 850 instructional programs across all subject areas and grade levels, accessible with a single sign-on, either in the classroom or a remote setting. Teachers can access everything in one location: content to customize, edit and rearrange; tools to manage students and groups; and data to drive instruction. Teachers can provide students with immediate, constructive feedback. "It caters to students of all learning styles and abilities and provides the assistance they need to be successful," our judges state.

Scholastic W.O.R.D.

Scholastic W.O.R.D. (Words Open Reading Doors) is a program for Grades K-5 that builds students’ knowledge of core vocabulary and the world around them. Students progress through a game-based program that uses themes with engaging texts and activities. Each theme begins with a placement activity to ensure students are introduced to words at their appropriate text level across fiction and nonfiction passages. W.O.R.D.’s reporting dashboard provides visibility to monitor student progress. Our judges say, "The system also provides robust feedback for teachers through an easy to use reporting portal."

Turnitin Originality

Turnitin Originality combines text similarity checking with new features that help institutions address trends such as contract cheating, mosaic plagiarism, or other modifications designed to circumvent plagiarism checkers. Turnitin Originality determines whether the work is similar to other known text, whether it has indications that it was not authored by the student, and provides tools, reports and insights that instructors, academic integrity officers, and students can use to understand and practice integrity. Our judges call it "valuable and necessary for classrooms to reduce student plagiarism."

Vernier Video Analysis™

The Vernier Video Analysis app brings video analysis to students in a streamlined way. Students use mobile devices in the lab or in the field to insert video with recorded motion, mark points to track the object in motion, and set the scale of the video. The app generates accurate and visually-rich graphs that reflect the recorded motion. The app is compatible with macOS®, iPadOS™, iOS, Windows® 10, Chrome OS™, and Android™platforms. Our judges say, "The analysis tools included with the app are great for documenting science as it happens."

HARDWARE

Acer, Chromebook C871

Powered by a range of Intel processors to help schools meet student and budget needs, the new Acer Chromebook C871 line adheres to MIL-STD 810G and features extras that will help protect it in accident-prone environments. The 12-inch display with 3:2 aspect-ratio provides more room for vertical viewing, so students can see more content at a single glance. T & L judges praised the larger screen size and added durability features.

Aver, M15W document camera

The new AVer M15W wireless camera features WiFi, HDMI and USB  connectivity, 23x digital zoom, 4K output, wide shooting range, mechanical arm and 13 megapixels to capture fine details.  The M15W includes an on-board battery and WiFi connectivity to allow complete freedom to move and share around the classroom.  Our judges say, "The AverMedia M15W and M70W are solid document cameras that offer great optics and many features for great presentations."

Aver, M70W document camera

The AVer M70W wireless multifunctional camera provides a powerful platform to capture and share information. Designed for the modern classroom and lecture hall, it features 4K output for the sharpest picture, wide shooting range and rich 13 megapixels to capture fine details. Our judges particularly like the peer-to-peer connectivity and the M70W's motorized, remote controlled feature.

Aver, Magic Presenter (CB-310)

The AVer CB-310 Magic Presenter is a stand-alone Android™ module that connects teacher and student devices with traditional classroom equipment to create immersive learning experiences. Older equipment can easily be integrated with the CB-310 to maximize existing technology investment. The simple integration via multiple output ports turns TVs, interactive white boards, monitors, projectors and document cameras into modern learning devices. "This box will take any old monitor panel or projector and breathe new life into it by adding interactivity and multifunction presentation tools," our judges note.

Aver, TR530 30X auto tracking camera

The AVer TR530 Professional Auto Tracking and Live Streaming camera is a PTZ camera with 30X optical zoom and a secondary 120° FOV panoramic camera providing users full HD 1080p video resolution without the need of an experienced camera operator. The TR530 supports IP streaming and ease of integration to other AV tools to deliver powerful distance learning streams. "We particularly like that it works with Zoom in today's Pandemic world," our judges comment. 

Amplivox,  Mega Hailer PA system

AmpliVox Fitness and Aquatic Sound Packages project strong, clear voice and music. They combine the AmpliVox Mega Hailer PA system with a headset microphone and other options to provide the user with maximum acoustic power, flexibility of use, and freedom of movement. Ideal for trainers, coaches and fitness instructors, indoor and outdoor gatherings, and for audiences dispersed by social distancing. "The new Amplivox Mega Hailer PA system is an extremely powerful and versatile voice amplification system," our judges say. 

BenQ, RP02 IFP Series

BenQ’s RP02 Series interactive flat panels (IFP) include features such as cloud whiteboard, advanced air-quality sensors, a germ-resistant screen, and EyeCare solutions, allowing students to learn and be engaged while staying healthy. RP02 is the ultimate interactive display to connect the entire class for a smooth, fun teaching and learning experience. Our judges especially like the health and safety, connectivity and manageability features.

Blackmagicdesign, ATEM Mini Pro

ATEM Mini Pro ($595) live production switcher is fast to set up and easy to use, making it simple for educators to create professional multi-camera live streams for YouTube and innovative presentations using Skype or Zoom. Simply connect ATEM Mini Pro and live switch between four high quality video camera inputs for dramatically better-quality images or connect a computer for PowerPoint slides and more. Our judges say, "This is a comprehensive, fairly priced solution for making professional quality videos and live streams."

Clear Digital, Gel™ Sanitizer Station

Gel’s touchless sensor delivers sanitizer without contact. It also capitalizes on the few moments a user is standing still by communicating important messages. Gel lets schools use those moments to share vital information with students and teachers alike. Gel also features an LED indicator that shows when the level is down to 20%, as well as remote notification to alert when it’s time to refill the sanitizer.  Our judges agree, "This is a must-have for schools in the fall."

Crestron, AirMedia®

Crestron AirMedia® Media Presentation Systems provide secure wired and wireless presentation in Touch-Free spaces, student lounges, and Atriums, and integrate with popular calendaring platforms to maximize use. AirMedia technology allows for wireless presentation of content from a personal computer, laptop, or mobile device via a Wi-Fi® network and enables presentation of Full HD video at frame rates up to 30 fps. Our judges say, "Crestron makes some of the best AV equipment on the market."

Crestron, DM NVX®

Crestron DM NVX® technology transports ultra high definition 4K60 4:4:4 video over standard Gigabit Ethernet with no perceptible latency or loss of quality. Using standard network switches and CAT5e UTP wiring, the Crestron DM NVX system delivers a high performance, virtual matrix routing solution that is scalable for any campus wide 4K content distribution application. "This is a great product for high useage or gaming needs," our judges note. 

DFRobot, Maqueen Plus AI kit

micro: Maqueen launched by DFRobot is a series of educational robot products for primary and secondary school programming. Maqueen Plus has been optimized for compatibility with HuskyLens AI Vision Sensor and provides more flexible AI robot teaching programs, more functions and expansion ports, better power management, larger power supply capacity and chassis.  The kit can be used for classroom teaching, after-school exercises and robot competitions. Our judges call it "An amazing learning tool and product overall— a must for any STEM or STEAM curriculum."

HUE, HD camera

The HUE HD camera is a cost-effective alternative to a standard classroom document camera and is perfect for stop-motion animation. Easy to use and portable, this camera is popular with teachers throughout the world. The built-in microphone allows you to record your presentation or a student speaking about a topic. The camera can also be used to magnify very small items such as insects, circuit boards and more. Our judges say, "This is an affordable document camera featuring a two-year warranty."

HUE HD Pro document camera

The HUE HD Pro is a colorful classroom camera that can be used immediately with standard classroom applications that recognize a USB camera. The camera can be plugged into a USB port in a computer or laptop, and then be connected to a projector so that images can be viewed on a whiteboard or touchscreens. The camera can record sound and video and take snapshots and has a built-in microphone and LED lights. "This model adds the needed features that more advanced users will need for home instruction and content creation."

Promethean, ActivPanel Elements Series - AV category

ActivPanel is an interactive display that enables educators to deliver collaborative lessons using Promethean’s software, ClassFlow® and ActivInspire®, and thousands of available apps. Teachers can create profiles by accessing their files, apps, and browser data – all of which are protected when they sign out. Integrating with cloud storage accounts like Google Drive™ and Microsoft® OneDrive allow teachers to easily access and save content during lessons and at home. Our judges say, "Device agnostic, this product allows teachers to push out lessons, resources and assessment whether in the classroom or remotely."

Scanning Pens Inc, Reader Pen 

The ReaderPen provides struggling readers access to print materials while facilitating independent learning skills. Users can scan text, view the words via the text window, and hear them read aloud or via earbuds. The ReaderPen can scan French, English (includes multiple accents) and Spanish (includes 2 accents) in a clear and natural voice. Adaptable features include adjustable screen brightness, text enlargement, right/left-handed modes, and volume control. Our judges say, "The Reader Pen is particularly useful for students with dyslexia, and levels the playing field for students of all reading capabilities."

Second Life Mac, Touchless Trade-in

Touchless Trade-in™ is a drive-through device drop-off program that enables students, parents and administrators to maintain social distancing while also enabling schools to refresh technology device fleets. The goal in creating this program is to alleviate the fears that school administrators have in taking back devices that haven’t been sanitized. This program eliminates the need for administrators to collect, inventory and package devices, reducing the risk of exposure for all. Our judges say, "This touchless system gives both parents and administrators peace of mind in going through the recycling process."

ThinkWrite Technologies, Ultra Ergo Headphones

Informed by professional classroom experience, the Ultra Ergo TW100 provides sustained comfort, superior sound, and durability. Ergonomically angled earcups and an optimized audio curve help protect ears from the stress of compression and strain of damaging frequencies over longer listening periods. With 30mm drivers delivering exceptional sound quality, the TW100 is the ideal on-ear headphone for school testing and everyday usage. Our judges say, "The ergonomic design allows for noise cancelling and comfort over almost anyone's ears."

Tripp Lite, 9x2 Multi-Format Presentation Matrix Switch

Tripp Lite’s 9x2 Multi-Format Presentation Matrix Switch is a versatile AV product that connects up to nine AV sources with two displays and provides the capability to control what content is shown on each display. Educators can switch between source devices using the front-panel buttons, the included IR remote or an RS-232 serial controller. They can preview content from all sources and view video in mirror, matrix or picture-in-picture modes. Our judges say, "The ability to control it with the remote control or an RS232 connection is a plus."

Tripp Lite, Mobile Interactive Display

Tripp Lite’s Mobile Interactive Display is an all-in-one collaboration, presentation and communication platform integrating a 65-inch 4K touchscreen, built-in multiuser PC, heavy-duty mobile stand and rechargeable battery system. Touchscreen technology accepts inputs from multiple users, while the built-in Windows PC is compatible with a wide array of software and peripherals. Wireless networking and the included high-definition webcam enable collaboration between local and remote users. Our judges especially like the webcam collaboration feature and the 20 simultaneous touch ability.

ViewSonic, ELITE XG270 Gaming Monitor

The ViewSonic® ELITE XG270 gaming monitor delivers ultra-fast 1ms (GtG) response time and 240Hz refresh rate, enabling smooth screen transitions while offering high quality color reproduction and wide viewing angles. With a native 1080p resolution and 99% RGB color coverage, the XG270 supports GSYNC technology for a seamless gaming experience by reducing artifacts and tearing. Our judges say, "The Viewsonic Elite gaming monitor is powerfully fast at 240Hz for rendering live motion video for eSports."

ENTERPRISE

Accelerate Learning, National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) Micro Certificates

NISE Micro Certificates and online courses are a professional development opportunity designed to meet educators’ needs for “just in time,” highly targeted professional development. Each three-hour course can be completed anytime, anywhere. Teachers who complete two courses in a specific area of practice earn a Micro Certificate. Teachers who complete all of the Micro Certificates in “STEM Essentials” or “Teaching Online Essentials” earn the Certificate for the series. "The low price point for these certificate courses are valuable and timely given our current situation," T & L judges say. 

Apex Learning, Learning Continuity Program

The Apex Learning - Learning Continuity Program enabled districts to continue to keep students in grades 6 -12 learning throughout the pandemic with access to standards-aligned courses and tutorials. Administrators and teachers had access to curriculum, as well as performance and achievement data to document student use and progress. This new program was created to help districts maintain continuity of learning throughout any classroom disruption such as hurricanes, floods, illness, and  global pandemics. Our judges say, "Good online learning resource."

BenQ, InstaShow S

BenQ’s InstaShow S WDC20 wireless presentation system is built for network-free, software-free classroom collaboration. The InstaShow S button can connect to nearly any device using an HDMI port and securely mirror up to four screens or sources simultaneously at 4K resolution and with up to 32 users able to connect. InstaShow S also features touch back, which allows users to control and annotate their presentations from Windows computers directly from an IFP. Our judges like the small form factor, security and versatility and say "This device is very portable and seems very easy to set up."

ClassLink

ClassLink is a single sign-on platform that addresses the significant challenges districts face when it comes to accessing and using digital content, and then measuring engagement with that content. ClassLink supports the school system in both classroom and remote learning settings by saving time with single sign-on access, helping district leaders make informed decisions using analytics, saving technology staff time through rostering tools and more. Our judges say, "ClassLink is an excellent product that solves so many issues with data integrations and rostering." 

ContentKeeper, App Defender

ContentKeeper App Defender is a new technology that identifies and blocks suspicious applications and protocols students use to circumvent school web filters. App Defender identifies and controls over 80 suspicious apps such as UltraSurf, Psiphon, X-VPN, BitTorrent and TunnelBear, resulting in improved security and ensuring schools remain CIPA and FERPA compliant. "The Content Keeper module App Defender is unique in that it not only provides content filtering, but also protects students from the use of apps that could be harmful for both the student and the network the student is on," T & L judges say.

Crestron, XiO Cloud™

Crestron XiO Cloud™ is a cloud-based platform for remotely provisioning, monitoring, and managing Crestron devices across an enterprise or an entire client base.  Built on the Microsoft® Azure® software platform and utilizing Microsoft's industry‑leading Azure IoT Hub technology, it enables educational institutions to simultaneously configure and deploy an unlimited number of Crestron products, thereby reducing installation time by up to 90%. Our judges say, "This is a great solution for any district that has a very large deployment of Crestron products."

Edgenuity, Learning Management System

The Edgenuity curriculum runs in a comprehensive LMS using state-of-the-art technology to engage students and empower educators. The user-friendly LMS makes it easy to manage programs and courses, monitor student and group progress, and customize courses to meet student, class, school, and district needs. The Edgenuity LMS frees up time for educators to do what they do best—help students. Our judges note, "The new student online learning experience allows students to see their progress in a visually appealing, accessible dashboard and to personalize and take control of their own learning."

EOS Education, The Distance Teaching Essentials (DTE) Program

The Distance Teaching Essentials (DTE) Program is a way for schools and  districts to quickly train teachers in either G Suite or Microsoft 365, to transition to distance teaching. DTE offers school leaders a plug and play professional development program that includes an online, self-paced fundamentals course, complemented by live virtual training sessions to develop skills beyond the essentials. Our judges say," This system is very timely and should be used nationwide during these summer months as schools prepare for the 20-21 school year."

FileWave, Unified Endpoint Management

FileWave’s Multi-OS Management Suite is built to assist IT teams throughout the entire device lifecycle process of imaging/provisioning, deployment, management and maintenance. FileWave’s all-in-one, scalable software, cloud and on-premise supported, ensures IT teams have a comprehensive solution that supports both client (desktop/laptop) and mobile devices across all macOS, Windows, iPadOS/iOS, Android & ChromeOS.  Our judges say, "This is a good system to organize the device fleet and streamline digital management."

FLVS, Online Learning Community

Created by Florida Virtual School® (FLVS®), the FLVS Online Learning Community serves as a free, one-stop resource hub to support all K-12 educators, administrators, schools, and families, especially parents who want to teach their kids, teachers who are new to teaching online or looking to share their online best practices, and administrators transitioning to online learning in their school district. Our judges say, "This newly created community has many resources in webinar, article and video formats, most of which are easy accessed."

GoGuardian, Beacon

GoGuardian Beacon is software that helps support suicide and self-harm prevention for K-12 schools. It identifies students’ online behaviors that could indicate various phases of suicide or self-harm, notifying school staff to quickly provide assistance with the appropriate information. Beacon now offers the option of 24/7 human review and escalation for additional mental well-being support for schools. Our judges say, "GoGuardian Beacon takes the job of identifying student mental health issues to a new level."

Hāpara, Student Dashboard

Hāpara Student Dashboard provides learners with a central, mobile-friendly location to access assignments, resources, announcements, grades and more from Google Classroom, G Suite and Hāpara. Students participating in designing Student Dashboard shared that they struggle with classroom assignment feeds that are different from one teacher to the next. Student Dashboard streamlines all notifications from Google Classroom, G Suite, and Hāpara Workspace into a student-friendly experience. Our judges say, "We like the fact that this is a one-stop page for students to see their work."

Hāpara, Workspace: Sharing is Caring Initiative

Workspace acts as a homebase for all those apps, learning content and experiences teachers want to provide to learners, whether at home or school. Teachers can embed almost any app or link to any content into a Workspace so everything is organized in one place for students. Teachers can personalize and differentiate lessons and activities. Workspace comes thousands of free curriculum-aligned lessons, activities, explorations and units of study, easily copied and edited to meet every learner's needs. T & L judges praise the concept and comment, "Sharing and collaboration is key."

HMH, Blended Coaching and the Coaching Studio

The HMH blended approach to coaching supports teachers through in-person and online coaching to provide a sustained, personalized, flexible, and collaborative professional learning experience, with access to the HMH Coaching Studio platform. Offered in a variety of formats including in-person, online, and blended, and featuring the video-powered HMH Coaching Studio platform, coaching provides teachers with the support they need to positively impact students every day.Our judges say, "This is a good solution for districts."

Impero, Student Safety Tools

Impero’s Student Safety Tools combine Impero Education Pro and Impero EdAware software, which together help schools to detect and manage student safety concerns in both the physical and digital world. Device monitoring tools help teachers identify what students are accessing online in real-time, while its keyword libraries and reporting of student safety concerns provide a holistic view of each student’s wellbeing. Our judges particularly like that "the system can monitor all platform systems including Windows, Chrome, Mac, and iOS and that there is a hierarchy of system use levels."

Lightspeed Systems, Relay Web Filter

Relay by Lightspeed Systems lets users filter, manage, monitor, protect, and analyze across operating systems, on and off network for a truly comprehensive platform. With schools having to rapidly deploy a 1:1 initiative, cloud-based Relay can ensure that those devices are accounted for, being used for educational purposes, and are filtered as effectively, if not more than if they were on campus in a classroom. "This system really has a handle on not only cloud-based content filtering, but also device management and analytics in real time," T & L judges say.

ManagedMethods, G Suite & Microsoft 365 Security

ManagedMethods is a Google G Suite and Microsoft 365 cybersecurity, student safety, and compliance platform for K-12 school districts. ManagedMethods monitors school district G Suite and Microsoft 365 cloud applications, including Gmail and Outlook, 24/7/365 and offers districts full visibility and control of the sensitive data being stored. T & L  judges say,"This is one of the few products that can ensure cyber safety, data privacy and students' physical and mental well-being when online, in one reliable seamless product."

NetSupport Limited, NetSupport DNA

NetSupport DNA provides educators, technicians, and counselors with a dedicated solution to manage student devices and school-wide IT assets, while also protecting vulnerable students. In addition, IT staff can centrally manage and support IT assets and endpoints across a school or district-wide network. Student eSafety features help counselors identify and protect students via internet metering, keyword/phrase monitoring, webcam controls, report a concern, risk index, plus more. Our judges say, "This is a comprehensive and versatile tool to keep students safe and on-task."

Pixton EDU

Pixton EDU is a web-app that lets teachers and students create stories, demonstrate learning, and enhance writing assignments through digital comics. Users can explore topics in Math, Science, Social Studies, History, English, Art or any other subject. Choose images from popular content, books and movies like The Hunger Games or The Outsiders, plus other topics like the solar system, black history or the environment, all Common Core aligned. Our judges say, "PixtonEDU is a unique approach to creative writing and vocabulary through the use of comical storyboarding." 

Securly, At-Risk AI

Securly's At-Risk is an algorithm that powers its 24 service for student safety. At-Risk has a view of each student’s online activity by analyzing web searches, websites visited, email, social posts, videos watched, anonymous tips received by the district, cloud documents & drive, and more. At-Risk can then determine which students are struggling and immediately notify the Securly 24x7 analyst, who in turn contacts the school district. Our judges say, "The At-Risk solution actually builds a student wellness score by gathering data points—a huge advancement for servicing the SEL aspect of our students."

Singlewire Software, InformaCast Fusion 12.16.1

InformaCast Fusion is a mass notification system that allows K-12 schools and districts to reach all of their mobile and on-premises devices with emergency messages from a single interface. The system leverages text, audio and visual alerts that can be delivered to IP speakers, IP phones, desktop computers, digital signage, mobile devices and more to ensure that no one misses a message during a crisis event.  Our judges say, "The InformaCast product has really improved through the years and is incredibly necessary in today's increased need for school security." 

Teq, OTIS for educators

OTIS for educators offers dynamic, relevant, and convenient professional development around educational technology, STEM, social-emotional learning, literacy, ENL/ELL, and more. Team members are State Certified Teachers and Google Certified Educators, each with their own expertise including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, STEM, ESL/ELL, Special Education, Computer Science, and more. "With remote learning, this valuable PD platform should be in every school," say T & L judges.

Although remote learning is having its day in the sun, the times is coming when kids and teachers are back in the classroom.  With the new emphasis on elearning, as well as the growing popularity of 1:1 classrooms, managing devices to facilitate learning will be key for a productive classroom.

ScreenBeam Inc.'s Classroom Commander orchestration platform is now available for both Chromebook and Windows 1:1 classroom environments. 

The ScreenBeam Classroom Commander combines wireless display with student device orchestration to improve lesson flow and collaboration. Supporting up to 50 student Windows or Chromebook devices and a teacher Windows, macOS, iOS or Chromebook device, the platform frees teachers from the classroom display. Educators can move around and interact with students without interrupting instruction. 

Features include:

• Teachers can monitor student devices and active applications in real-time to keep the classroom focused
• During guided lessons, teachers can message a student or group, blank and lock the keyboard/mouse on a single student screen, multiple student screens or the entire class
• With teacher permission, students can display their work from their desks for the entire classroom to view
• Teachers using Window 10 devices can also annotate directly onto a student screen from the classroom display, even when student devices are not touch-enabled

The Classroom Commander Orchestration software is included with each ScreenBeam 1000 EDU wireless display receiver.

Availability and pricing

Classroom Commander with Chromebook and Windows support is free with the purchase of the 1000 EDU for$499 per classroom.  To learn more, visit Classroom Commander or 1000 EDU, or request a free 30-day trial.

The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia announced today it has received a $5 million contribution from Aileen and Brian Roberts, and their family, to give laptops to Philadelphia students so they can begin learning from home by mid-April.  

According to a 2019 School District survey, only about half of third-through-12th-grade students have the equipment they need to begin participating in online lessons. This gift from the Roberts’ will support the purchase of 50,000 Chromebooks which will help level the playing field and ensure that all students who attend the 220 District-led public schools across Philadelphia have the tools they need to learn at home.   

The 50,000 new laptops will be distributed along with the estimated 40,000 laptops already in school buildings to students and families. Once the equipment is received at the School District headquarters, it will be dispensed between April 13 and 17. During the interim two weeks, the laptops will be prepared for the students and the Philadelphia School District teachers will be trained to support distance learning.   

Students and their families who don’t already have internet access can get it through any Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Philadelphia. Comcast is currently offering low-income families who don’t already have internet service two free months through Internet Essentials. 

By providing 10 USB Type A ports, the Think Write USB Power Adapter can allow most of the class to charge their phones, tablets and notebooks without overwhelming the room’s AC outlets. It can provide 2.4-amps to each device, is protected against electrical damage and the device has a power switch and comes with a 5-foot power cord. With a 1-year warranty, it costs $80, although the price will go down with volume purchases. 

In self-paced learning, students approach lessons and content at their own speed. This approach is useful in supporting different learning styles, and can potentially help students better retain information. 

With the increased implementation of elearning and remote teaching, self-paced learning is becoming more and more prevalent.

To help students and educators, this alphabetical list offers some useful online resources that can be used for self-paced learning.

Top 15 Tools for Self-Paced Learning

Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr. - Students can watch animated videos in numerous subjects and then follow up with brief assessments and quizzes.

Education Galaxy - A game-based learning platform for grades K-6 that covers a variety of topics. Also focuses on preparing students for state assessments.

Gimkit - A “game show for the classroom” in which students can collaborate and create quizzes that can then be taken from their own devices.

GrammarFlip - Students can improve their grammar and writing by watching educational videos and then completing interactive exercises.

Kialo Edu - A platform for educators to gauge student understanding and differentiate instruction through collaborative discussions. Helps to build critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Knoword - A vocabulary-building tool with a teacher portal through which educators can create their own topic-themed word packs and track student progress.

Makerdemy - Designed to help students boost their programming and coding skills at their own pace and in a variety of languages (i.e. Raspberry Pi, Google Assistant, etc.).

Mathigon - An innovative interactive math textbook that serves as a personal tutor and provides real-time feedback.

Milestone Math - An iOS app that automatically adapts to a student’s knowledge level and uses self-paced learning to help students bolster their math skills.

Outwhiz - Offers self-paced exercises focusing on math and English for grades K-8. Outwhiz also offers analytics tools to track progress.

PBS Learning Media - Videos, interactive activities, lessons and more aligned to state standards and covering a wide range of subjects.

Splash Math - A K-5 personalized learning math curriculum with interactive games and rewards.

UMU - A site and mobile app (iOS/Android) that can be used to create self-paced lessons in any subject.

VocApp - A free mobile app that employs digital flashcards to help students learn at their own pace and differentiate instruction.

Vocab Victor - Students can boost their vocabulary skills at their own pace with this free mobile app, which assesses and adapts to their vocabulary level in real-time.

A version of this article was cross posted at cyber-kap.blogspot.com

David Kapuler is an educational consultant with more than 10 years of experience working in the K-12 environment. For more information about his work, contact him at dkapuler@gmail.com and read his blog at cyber-kap.blogspot.com.

The term LED has been bouncing around, lighting up marketing-speak for some time. There is understandable confusion with the wealth of new tech— display and TV companies seem to tout a new “better” system every year; OLED, QLED, 4K, 8K… It can be tough to get a clear picture on the benefits for the classroom. When it comes to EdTech, Laser, light-emitting diode (LED), and a hybrid combination of both as an illumination source is a solid way to go.

 But I’ve heard LCD is tops, and what about the latest DLP options? DLP (digital light processing) and LCD (liquid crystal displays) projectors merely refer to projection technology, while the LED term denotes a specific light source. In fact, Laser and LED projectors may use DLP or LCD technology, with an upgraded angle. Unlike a traditional lamp driven DLP or LCD, LED projectors are highly efficient. They typically use 30% to 50% less power, which can substantially reduce your monthly electricity bills, a safer experience (mercury-free is a great perk in tech primarily used in a room full of kids), and serious maintenance and energy savings.

LED’s high efficiency  helps to substantially increase lamp life. Forget the 1,000-5,000 hour lamp life of traditional projectors, LED projectors hit upwards of 20,000 hours. And many projectors offer a LED/Laser hybrid which can be LampLess —not only increasing the life of the tech, but cutting back in maintenance hassles and worries about replacement costs for the budget and lost teaching time. These click to life without the waste of lengthy warm up and cool down periods, and they’ll be no sinking “pop” to unexpectedly derail a lesson plan.

While Laser and  LED light source projectors offer a top-level experience, the bottom line on these options vary from incredibly inexpensive to budget busting. Factors affecting cost include black levels, projection size, motion blur, color accuracy, input connections (type and number), and audio. However, across the board there is a distinct cost savings in both the maintenance overhead (up to nine conventional mercury-vapor lamps would have been required for up to 20,000 hours of use) as well as lower utilities thanks to energy efficiency. 

Obviously, when educating future generations, decision making is far more involved than simply looking at a price tag. Total cost of ownership calculators offer an in-depth look at financial considerations between models or projector companies, but the costs to the environment and responsible business practices make the water slightly more muddy. Luckily, an international third party organization was formed to ensure that the manufacture, use and recycling of IT products reflect environmental, social and economic responsibility. Every model earning the prestigious TCO Certification is verified by an accredited independent test laboratory. The added eco-perks from hybrid and LED projectors was one of the key factors involved in designating a number of Epson models, and the entire line of Casio Superior and Casio Advanced LampFree Projectors, TCO Certified.  

That shiny new notebook you now use in class everyday works well with the school’s network, the online curriculum and the battery lasts all day. It has one serious flaw, though, its single USB C port can’t accommodate a mouse and a keyboard. Enter Anker’s Premium 7-in-1 USB-C Hub that can provide access to the ports you’ve been missing. 

Able to move over 5Gbps of data, the dark gray Premium 7-in-1 USB-C Hub has the most needed ports for teachers and students, weighs less than 4 ounces and has an 8.5-inch connection cable that’s just long enough to be able to attach the device to the lid of a notebook with Velcro. When it’s plugged in to a computer, the hub provides a variety of conventional ports.

• A pair of Type A USB 3.1 ports for a mouse, keyboard or flash drive;
• HDMI for sending video to a display or projector at up to 4K resolution;
• Two USB C ports for newer accessories and charging a computer;
• A flash media reader that works with full-size- and micro-SD cards.

MISSING LAN

In fact, the only thing the Premium 7-in-1 USB-C Hub does without is a built-in RJ-45 connector for tapping into the school’s wired network. With most schools blanketed in Wi-Fi, this should not be a big concern. It can also be easily resolved with an inexpensive USB-to-Ethernet adapter, like Anker’s $18 device.

It is connection central and using the 7-in-1 hub couldn’t be easier: just plug it into the computer and its ready to distribute data and power. There’s no software to load or configuration changes to make. I used it daily with several computers, including a MacBook Air, HP Chromebook X2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 to connect with a mouse, keyboard, flash drive, SD car and Epson PowerLite 700U projector. Unfortunately, doesn’t include first-generation Dell XPS systems and newer iPads that have a USB-C port.

USB-C POWERHOUSE

The best part is that hub is self-powered, although this comes at the expense of the battery life of the notebook it’s plugged into. On its own, the hub uses just 0.15-watts. Add in a mouse and keyboard and the power draw rises to 0.6-watts. 

If you want the 7-in-1 hub to charge a notebook, tablet or phone, you’ll need to plug an AC adapter into its USB-C port marked PD for power delivery. Able to deliver up to 100-watts, the hub can charge up even the largest laptop. To show it’s delivering data and power, the 7-in-1 hub’s white LED ring lights up. 

Despite its name and including a protective travel bag, the price tag on the Premium Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub is anything but premium. At $40, it comes with an 18-month warranty, making it one of the best buys among USB hubs. In other words, it’s an inexpensive way to fill in for the things that your new USB-C notebook can’t do on its own.   

Who: Duval County Public Schools

Initiative: Upgrading Network Infrastructure to ensure reliable connectivity for testing and learning

Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) serves the urban, suburban, and rural areas of Jacksonville, Florida. The effects of the DCPS aging network were interfering with schools’ teaching and state testing. Network unreliability was caused by older products incapable of handling the amount of traffic needed to keep a robust connection. Because the equipment had not been updated for more than a decade, DCPS was losing instruction and testing time to failing network connections.

District leaders had to continually ask the state for time extensions to complete state testing due to their failing systems. If the testing window is lost, so are the benefits from the state testing. The delay in the testing data hampered instruction. The unreliable backup connection also became a problem when DCPS decided to move its analog phone system to VoIP systems. The old networking equipment couldn’t handle the volume of traffic passing through the primary or secondary wired lines either.

The district chose Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Service for branch by deploying a branch performance router. This allowed DCPS to deploy the VoIP phone system and update its network for pervasive connectivity throughout the district. The service also includes cloud management, 24x7 support, and a limited lifetime warranty. The district can now rely on Cradlepoint’s wired line failover solution. DCPS can automatically send traffic through the wired link if the wired connection fails—ensuring constant connectivity for teaching and learning.

The Cradlepoint solution has saved the DCPS IT team time and effort because the network has significantly fewer issues to troubleshoot. The NetCloud Manager software allows them to manage all the devices from a single location. And as the district responds to the need for greater student security and safety, they are interested in Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Service for support of mobile assets like video to see attendance on the bus and to capture any safety incidents.

“Cradlepoint has already proven themselves with their branch services, so the decision on what products to include as funding becomes available is easy and stress-free,” says Stephen McLaughlin, supervisor of network operations.

Technology Used

 Cradlepoint NetCloud Manager 

Educators are looking for opportunities to teach students the skills that will best prepare them for college and career. Design thinking is a process to help them solve real-world problems. Specifically, it is a problem-solving process that puts people at the center of an inquiry.

“It allows students to think about the challenges the world is facing,” says Laura McBain, 

Director of K–12 community and implementation at the K–12 lab at Stanford University’s design school. “It puts them in the driver’s seat to be really engaged to solve those problems, to feel empowered to change the world.”

Design thinking is a useful framework when teaching in-demand 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. The iterative design process allows students to focus on a solution for a particular problem, interview and gather data from the people who have the problem, and refine and test potential solutions until they get to the one that resolves the problem.

Using 3D Printing to Support the Design Process

3D printing allows students to test their designs with high-quality models. It also facilitates STEM thinking within the design process, which provides real-world practice that they will encounter in their careers. Other student outcomes include practicing the finding/defending/presenting of design decisions as well as applying advanced 3D printing skills to communicate those design decisions.

Learning to use design thinking and 3D printers gives students an advantage. “Having the technology in school prepares them [students] to fabricate and build and test and gives them an edge that none of us had a few generations ago,” said Willy Wong, Professor at Parsons School of Design

3D Printer and Design Thinking Training and Certification

A new cloud-based 3D printing solution by Makerbot removes any apprehension an educator new to 3D printing might have. It maximizes student access with multiple printers so that teachers have increased classroom engagement without slowing down the learning process.

With MakerBot Cloud, teachers have seamless classroom management at their fingertips.

Students can queue up their designs and print them without a hitch. By making 3D printing more available to students, it boosts the opportunity for student innovation as they test their designs to solve real-world problems.

The Makerbot SKETCH Classroom is a reliable 3D printing platform that gives students the access they need and sets teachers up for success. It includes:

• 2 MakerBot SKETCH Desktop 3D printers.
• 600+ curated lesson plans created by Makerbot Certified educators.
• ISTE-certified 3D printer training for both teachers and students.
• Allows you to certify 2 teachers and 10 students in real-world problem-solving, design thinking, and 3D printing.
• Cloud-based integration manages student projects and allows direct printing from TinkerCAD

To find out how you can jumpstart design thinking and efficient 3D printing in your classroom, visit https://www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/sketch-classroom/ 

LampLess, Teach More

The feel good benefits of a LampFree projector solution have been enjoyed for some time. Cost reduction in replacement lamps, greener footprint without the need to dispose of the old lamps, time and workforce savings and mercury-free tech makes everyone feel they made a smart choice in AV tech. Not only do these new projectors offer a bevy of pros when it comes to eco-and-cost savings, the latest of these laser/led hybrids have made the jump into 4K for added clarity and detail. 

With inclusion of a 4K DLP chip, the tech projects images of 8.3 million pixels to mirror true color and accurate nuance of the content to draw in tech-savvy students. These days, displays are spinning like giant phones, casting the latest TikTok vids sans black bars by simply flipping a projector on its side—when it comes to impressing in the classroom, the bar has certainly been raised.

Class, Interrupted 

 Sometimes the most impressive accomplishment in tech, is the one not noticed. When a teacher flips a switch on their lamp-free projector and continues to teach the class using dynamic video clips, multi-layer visual models, casted screens from students showing their projects from their desk — there are no oohs and aaahs, no round of applause. It simply works, and the class goes on. 

However, for the teacher who has worked over their weekend preparing the perfect lesson— enhancing learning with plans for inspiring live shuttle launches or scavenger hunts using realtime watering hole feed direct from the Serengeti— only to have that flick of a switch end in a warm up delay followed by the dread flicker, pop and darkness…nothing is simple. It may start with a few minutes fiddling with wires, remote control batteries flying on the off-chance they are to blame, as the class starts getting restless. Recognizing the likely reality — that a lamp has blown—is chased by hastily assigned reading to keep the kids busy. Calls to the office, calls to IT, a teacher’s aide pulled in to oversee things while the educator is pulled away to check the supplies of replacement lamps to no avail. At best, the day’s lesson plan has been derailed and over lunch hour someone comes in to replace the lamp (certainly without students present if the lamps include mercury). At worst, the proverbial closet shelf is empty and the experience is pushed back for the days-to-weeks’ wait as a new one is shipped out, or scrapped entirely in order to stay on schedule.

True Cost

When it comes to choosing tech, there is more to consider than a number on the price tag. One big budget concern is ongoing maintenance costs. Not only do LampFree or hybrid projector options nix the need to buy additional replacement lamps, they also eliminate the costly process of replacing lamps — time needed for ordering, shipping costs, blocking time in the classroom for installation, man hours with an experienced installer. These costs all add up. In fact, “soft” costs can add up to 20% to the bottom line. While this is certainly a consideration for budget-minders, for most teachers the biggest cost is one that doesn’t show up on an excel sheet— learning lost. 

ProjectorCentral’s 2019 Best of the Year Award

Casio’s Superior XJ-S400UN LampFree boasts the unbeatable combo of innovative offerings and an impressive price point. The projector is outfitted with next-gen mercury-free LED and Laser hybrid light source. The R-Hybrid Light Source produces clear and brilliant colors, but keeps the budget and eco-friendly service life of up to 20,000 hours without the need to change a lamp.

"Casio's hybrid laser/led solid-state light source offers the low-maintenance benefits of any laser projector, but in an exceptionally compact form factor here that's said to be among the smallest in its 4,000-lumen class," said ProjectorCentral editor-in-chief Rob Sabin. “This, combined with affordable pricing and the company's exceptional suite of ES convenience and sharing tools for educators, prompted our ProjectorCentral 2019 Best of the Year award."

Bonus for the classroom user, Casio’s Educational Solutions collab package offers an Auto Input Search so teachers can start class quickly by simply plugging the PC into the projector. One Click Connection allows wireless projection by simply clicking on the dedicated icon for each classroom on your device— perfect for shared space situations as each educator can maintain dedicated access for their lesson plans. Wireless PC/Projector Remote Operation and Moderator Function let educators choose between displaying their own screen, or sharing the work of any connected student—with up to 40 devices connected to the projector at one time and up to four devices on-screen simultaneously.

CEC Best of Innovation Award 2020

Samsung Sero borders on comical at first glance, a full sized display that spins to switch between portrait or landscape like some oversized smartphone accidentally dropped down the beanstalk. But with further consideration, it’s a smart, smart concept. Mobile devices have become ingrained in our entertainment, social lives and education. So why not have a large display that shows off all the details and offers a large enough viewing field to watch with friends or classmates, that also displays like a phone?

Watching video content on phones and tablets has become the norm for most students, and when a closer look is needed, most are able to cast that content onto a display or TV. Seamless for widescreen viewing, but social media videos and other forms of vertically oriented content are stuck at a fraction of the screen size. The Sero (aka “vertical” in Korean) is equipped with an automated rotating display that switches between horizontal or vertical viewing. It syncs with your smartphone to play content, and can automatically adjust its orientation to the video that you are playing. This combines the pros of a QLED screen and when paired with a 5G dongle, becomes future-proof, ready for next-gen speed and content.

CEC 2020 Innovation Award Honoree

Acer C250i Portable LED Projector is as user-friendly and adaptable as it gets. This handy little tech is stand-free, able broadcast imagery on walls, ceilings or any surface needed without a cart, fixture or tripod in sight. It’s cool cylindrical design is tempered by multiple angled/flat surfaces to help support the chosen pose— simply roll it along until the angle is achieved. What brings this flexibility next level is the addition of Auto-Portrait Mode, a first in the projector game. Video and content displays sans black side bars. In short, this projector is TikTok ready.

In addition to the hip new design features, the portable LED projector features Full HD resolution, a battery that lasts up to 5 hours and wireless connectivity, needs no time warming up and features an LED module that lasts up to 30,000 hours.

Adam Garry and Jeremiah Okal-Frink head up Dell’s education effort as Senior Director for Global Education Strategy and Manager of Education Strategy, respectively. Together, they do their best to help fill classrooms with the right mix of computers, software and back-end services to help teachers teach and students learn. We recently spoke about the past, present and future of education technology.

Tech & Learning: When it comes to schools, is the whole greater than the sum of the parts where individual devices, apps and services combine to create a teaching environment?

Adam Garry: Yes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts when it comes to technology in the classroom. However, it’s more important to consider what all of these technologies combine to do. We have to figure out how do we make sure that the technology is interoperable, that the data seamlessly works and it gets the resources to the student, teacher and parent so that we can really drive the learning environment.

Jeremiah Okal-Frink: Providing high-quality educational experiences for all students is a huge undertaking. It’s more vital than ever that educators have access to resources that enable them to teach in ways that meet the demands of the modern student. In order to get to that point, we have to change the way districts approach education and embrace digital transformation.

T&L: Are we beyond a one size fits all approach?

AG: Yeah. District officials will say, “what’s your catalog?” Well, we don’t have a catalog because if you approach it from the angle of here’re these solutions, it’s not going to work. We listen to what they need and build from there. You can’t do one size fits all.

T&L: How has instruction changed in the years since you started teaching?

JOF: One of the most exciting changes I’ve seen since I started my career in education is the increased focus on students and their learning. There is a growing movement to center learning on students and their experience. What do they enjoy and what do they find fun? Then, teachers will incorporate those responses and feedback from students into the learning experience.

AG: When I started teaching, I was working in a classroom that had one computer. The principal let me work with the media specialist to collect all the computers around the building to create a computer lab in the library. Over time, what we’ve seen is that we’ve brought a lot of technology into the classroom, but we often bolt it on top of traditional teaching methods.

T&L: How can the latest tech help children learn?

JOF: Technology empowers students by letting them progress at their own pace. When technology is integrated with new teaching and learning practices, students are empowered to develop new skills in highly personalized ways. Today’s students need technology that is durable, mobile and inspires them to lead their own learning. Likewise, today’s educators need mobile solutions to allow learning to happen anywhere and cultivate flexible learning spaces.

T&L: What advice do you have for teachers and parents as far as ed tech goes?

JOF: I would advise teachers and parents to listen to students. Incorporate and adapt to what kids are interested in and works best to ensure the best learning experience for them. Teachers and parents should also see the technology children are using as an opportunity to learn as well.

T&L: Is Dell in a unique position with everything from computers to networking to storage?

JOF: We want to help school systems really think about the most important thing they do, and that’s learning. The danger is that if you try to do everything you risk ending up with a diluted solution. We’ve identified where Dell is really strong and where it makes sense to partner where we aren’t the leader. For instance, Dell wasn’t going to get into the furniture business. We found a company that understood education to design and build new products.

T&L: Does security have to be built into everything you do?

AG: It’s becoming more and more part of the conversation with schools. They are very much aware that this is becoming the number one job of K-12 CIOs. They often don’t have the expertise or the people to fully do this work and there’s a lot of targeting of schools. As a result, we’re spending a lot of time educating schools. They know it’s a problem. They’re just hoping and praying that it doesn’t hit them.

T&L: What do you think the school of tomorrow will look like?

JOF: We’ve been working with a district in Ohio. They were saying “we’ve done classroom 2.0. What does classroom 3.0 look like?” The school of tomorrow is more and more beginning to look like a way for students to collaborate and interact. It might be through digital means – Office 365 or Google Docs – or it might be more physical where you’ve got a large format display on the classroom’s board where students can cast their screens to aid collaboration.

 AG: We’re always looking for big problems to solve. We partnered with Microsoft to create Girls Who Game, an after school club where we teach the students and the teachers at the same time. These are Middle School girls who are using Minecraft and coding to solve problems. This year we asked them what the school of the future might look like in a hundred years. Through the end of January, these young ladies across Canada and the US will be designing what it will look like in Minecraft. We’ve seen a ton of excitement around this project.

Chromebooks are everywhere in schools but for the most part they’re basic computers that don’t take advantage of the recent design revolution in mobility. Not anymore with HP’s Chromebook X2, a dual-personality system that can be a standard notebook or a stand-alone tablet, depending on the schoolwork at hand. Happily, it’s well made, powerful enough for every student or teacher and is actually fun to use.

With a removable display, the Chromebook X2 system has different digital personas for different school tasks. In other words, it can be a notebook with a hinged lid for keyboard-centric work, like writing English essays, and works just as well with the screen facing the user or away. It’s just as effective as a tablet for scribbling notes, watching an instructional video or sketching triangles for a geometry math class.

Built around a 12.3-inch touchscreen, the complete Chromebook X2 weighs in at 3.1-pounds. But, pull away the tablet portion and you have a 1.8-pound system that weighs a lot less than the 3.1-pound Dell Chromebook 3100. On the downside, it is a couple ounces heavier than Google’s Pixel Slate tablet and lacks a pull-out leg that’s used on Microsoft’s Surface Pro design.

LIFT AND LEARN

To use the X2 as a tablet all you do is firmly lift it free of the system’s keyboard base. There’s nothing to press or unlatch; just pull the two pieces apart. When you need a traditional notebook, just bring the screen and keyboard close together and they magnetically attract each other and solidly mate.

Regardless of whether you’re using the system as a tablet or notebook, the display portion has all the connections. There are two USB-C connectors, one of which is used to charge the system, as well as a headphone jack, an on/off switch and a volume control.

The screen itself is a gem with the ability to show a stunning 2,400 by 1,600 resolution. This is a big step up from the Chromebook 3100’s wide-XGA display. Its Gorilla Glass construction means that the display is protected against accidents at school. With the ability to work with fingers and the included active stylus, the display responds quickly to 10 independent inputs. This makes it great for doodling, sketching and in-class note-taking. 

The system's pen comes with an AAAA battery and the keyboard portion has a loop to make the pen harder to lose. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to tether it the system.

With 19.3-mm keys and a 4.7-inch touchpad, the X2 is comfortable to use and its back feet give the deck a comfortable angle. It took me a little time to get used to the textured faux leather finish and the keyboard lacks backlighting for working from the glow of a classroom projector.

LONG DISTANCE RUNNER

Powered by a 4-cell battery, the Chromebook X2 ran for 12 hours of YouTube video viewing with short hourly breaks. this should be enough power to run all school-day and have some left over for homework. By contrast, the Dell Chromebook 3100 ran for 40 minutes longer.

The Chromebook X2 12-F015nr model that I looked at is a winner for schools with a low-power Intel M3-7Y30 processor that normally runs at 1GHz but can sprint at up to 2.6GHz when needed. This makes it perfect for efficient stop and go computing in classrooms, the library or after-school work.

Inside, the X2 has 4GB of RAM and 32GB of solid-state storage that can be expanded with a micro-SD card that can hold up to 256GB. Like other Chromebooks, the X2 also includes two years’ worth of 100GB of Google online storage. This should be more than enough for everything from social studies essays and experimental videos to math homework and French projects.

Whether it’s for a parent-teacher Skype conference or shooting pictures on a field trip, the X2 has cameras aimed at the user (5MP) and away (13MP). In addition to Bang & Olufsen tuned speakers, the Chromebook has a headphone jack for quiet time.

According to Geekbench 5’s performance software, the X2 won’t let any student or teacher down. Its single- and multi-core processing test results of 653 and 1,155 are on a par with Samsung’s Chromebook Plus. On the other hand, the X2’s 708 on the Compute series of tests that mimic real-world use blew away the Chromebook Plus’s 423. 

After using the Chromebook X2 for two weeks, I think it will easily fit into any school’s digital classrooms. It easily connected to a variety of WiFi networks and Bluetooth accessories, like keyboards and speakers. I created mock classroom lessons and activities with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and used a wide variety of ChromeOS school apps, including Google Docs, the Desmos Graphical Calculator, Adobe’s SketchPad and Hoopla’s ebook library and reader.

QUICK CHANGE ARTIST

HP’s Chromebook X2 is not only more than powerful enough to meet the needs of today’s digital curriculum but has the flexibility to be exactly the computer teachers and students need. Its transformation from a notebook to a tablet and back again is effortless and quick, making the X2 seem like it’s two systems in one.

With a one-year warranty, the X2’s $530 price tag will seem steep for schools used to paying half as much for Chromebooks. On the other hand, a comparable iPad might run twice as much after you add in the keyboard and stylus, both of which are included with the X2.

Sure, the X2 costs more than other Chromebooks but it’s worth every penny for its ability to be a classroom twofer. 

Grade: A- 

HP Chromebook X2

Price: $550 

Pros

Can switch between tablet and notebook

Includes stylus and keyboard

Excellent display

Long battery life 

Cons

Keyboard isn’t backlit

Pricey

Casio Ultra Short Throw Projector

XJ-UT352WN

Casioprojector.com/products/Ultra_Short_Throw/XJ-UT352WN

This well regarded projector includes light sensors to auto-adjust to the room and brightly displays 3,500 lumens on 50” to 110” screen or wall space. It takes seconds to fire up and can be controlled by phone or mobile device via wireless adapter. The lamp-free design saves resources, both financial and time, by omitting the need for changing bulbs and maintenance. Its long life (approximately 18 school years) also adds to a reduced bottom line.

Epson 

PowerLite 109W

https://epson.com/For-Work/Projectors/Classroom/PowerLite-109W-WXGA-3LCD-Projector/p/V11H861020

This 4,000 lumen projector is a bright light on the list, coming standard with wired networking with support for advanced networking and supporting Crestron RoomView and Control4 (also offering a $99 Wireless Module). It includes numerous inputs, connectors, video interfacing options, audio and monitor outputs —the mic input can even run with the Audio amp even with video turned off, to save energy.

BenQ

MW535A

https://www.benq.com/en-us/projector/business/mw535a.html

This DLP with WXGA resolution and 3,600 claimed lumens offers reverse sticker shock. A 1.20:1 zoom requiring specific placement and no lens zoom are a few sacrifices made to achieve the low pricetag, as well as a lack of network capabilities — but beyond those drawbacks, it offers decent color and numerous inputs and connectors, HDMIs, two analog inputs/output, Audio In and Out, USB and a serial port. 

View Sonic

PS750W

https://www.viewsonic.com/us/ps750w.html

This affordable alternative to interactive whiteboards has an ultra-short throw lens making the projector flexible enough to be ceiling-mounted or simply placed on the tabletop (also allowing the budget hit to be spread to benefit multiple classrooms). The vBoard software lets users write, highlight and edit documents or images in real-time and features an integrated micro USB cable for easy charging. 

Smart shoppers know the price tag on your tech doesn’t tell the whole story. To truly come to an accurate and reliable accounting for the spend, explore these details to work out your Total Ownership Cost (TOC).

• Installation — Though largely a one time cost, if serious rewiring is required or specialists need to be called in to ensure student safety, this could be a deciding factor between projector option A and B. An interactive whiteboard’s heftier weight could require up to three experienced people to mount or sound systems could need replacing if they don’t “talk” to the new tech, while a mobile projector with incorporated audio could be plug-and-placed by the classroom teacher. 

• Energy Costs — Energy bills can add up in the long-term and all projectors are not created equal. In one example, a Casio Ultra Short Throw has an energy cost of one third less than a comparable projector (around $200 savings over life of tech). When you are buying a building-wide load of projectors this consideration can tip the scale. Multiply the Power Consumption/Projector (watts) by Service Life (hours) to reach your Total Power Consumption (watts). (Multiply this by your Cost/kWh to come to your true Power Consumption Cost.) Check for state offered grants for schools opting for energy conscious products.

• Accessories — Will you need to purchase a specialized cart or digi-pens or other tools to use the interactive features of your new tech? Will your new projector be compatible with the software your school already uses? What cords, adaptors, sound bars, installation hardware or other accompaniments need to be purchased to give your students the full picture —don’t sink the budget on the details.

• Future Proof — After the initial installation, will your tech need additional upkeep and investment (financial or labor)? Will frequent updates disrupt availability for teaching? Is it a system that can grow and develop, or at least remain compatible, with new technologies to avoid a repurchase before the life of the system has been used?

Share the Tech, Share the Bill

If multimedia tech is not a daily need for every grade, or budget-minders request justification that it will enhance the learning environment and be incorporated into lessons before springing for a full install, one classroom could be outfitted allowing teachers to schedule time for their sessions. If shifting classrooms does not work with your school’s logistical needs, consider whether a mobile or even small, handheld projector might work for some of your instructional needs. Much as “COW” carts can “moove” the tech to the students, mobile interactive projectors can be wheeled from class to class when existing whiteboard or appropriate projecting surfaces are available. Tiny Pico projectors can simply be toted down the hall and might be sufficient for PE teachers sharing instructional videos for new sports and games or the orchestra director to offer a wall full of inspiration via the latest symphonic triumphs.

Lamp-Less, Spend Less

One major development has grown in the field of classroom visual tech— the lamp-less or hybrid projector. New laser tech and digital developments have changed the game. Previously, up to nine conventional mercury-vapor lamps would have been required during the life of a classroom projector. Replacement of the lamps, proper disposal of used lamps, replacement filter costs, labor costs for lamp changes (typically 45-60 minutes for ceiling mounted projectors) and fees for order processing can drive the cost of the projector up by an additional $250-330 during the life of the tech.

Summary

The tools that enable print-based learning have undergone advancements  that are transformational with the ability to lower color printing and energy costs and enable more effective learning. Who doesn’t prefer printed color content to black and white? It’s similar to the digital experience and what you would expect, plus it helps stimulate creative and critical thinking.  In this webcast, you’ll learn about these technology advancements which ultimately enhance print-based learning and help provide fewer hassles for the IT department.

In this webinar you will learn about:

- How color increases student communication and productivity

- New advancements making color printing affordable for Education

- Latest print tools providing more performance with fewer compromises

- Solution options that schools/universities are using today to enhance print-based learning experiences

Speakers

Kevin Hogan
Content Director
Tech & Learning Magazine

Scott Marsic
Product Manager
Epson America
Scott Marsic has over two decades experience successfully transforming diagnostic, technical and business intelligence products into innovative, market-leading goods and services. As a Product Manager at Epson America, Scott’s is responsible for developing strategic initiatives to help drive channel growth and end user demand across the Business Inkjet product category. Core to this focus is Scott’s direct management of third party software partnerships within the US and Canadian markets. Scott holds a BS from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a MS from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from San Francisco State University.

Doc Ballje
Subject Matter Expert ACDI
PaperCut
Doc Ballje has over 20 years’ experience in the copier industry as a System Engineer/Solution Architect/Subject Matter Expert, starting in the business as a down the street copier rep before moving to the technical side. Doc has been extensively trained in print management, document management, document distribution, color theory, production printing and is well versed in all facets of pre sales support. Doc is an SME at CompTIA for CDIA+ (Certified Document Imaging Architect) and holds many other certifications for printing, networking and security.

Click here to access this on-demand webinar

Optoma,  manufacturer of large display products, today announced two new projectors, the Optoma ZW403 and ZH403, designed for classrooms and other professional settings. 

Features include:

• 4,500 and 4,000 lumens of brightness, respectively
• HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid-Log Gamma) compatibility
• 300,000:1 contrast ratio
• up to 30,000 hours of low-cost and virtually maintenance-free operation in Eco mode
• keystone and four corner correction
• 1.3x optical zoom, and 
• 24/7 and 360-degree and portrait mode operation
• HDMI and VGA, as well as LAN and RS-232 connectivity for control via Crestron, Extron, AMX or Telnet.

Optoma ZW403 and ZH403 additional specifications:

• Dimensions:  13.26” x 4.25” x 10.5”
• Weight: 9.4 lbs.
• Brightness: ZW403: 4,500 lumens; ZH403: 4,000 lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 300,000:1 with Extreme Black enabled
• HDR10 and HLG compatible
• 4K UHD input with HDMI 2.0
• Light Source: DuraCore Laser with an IP6X certified optical engine
• Light Source Life: Up to 30,000 hours of operation in Eco mode
• Horizontal and vertical keystone correction, four corner correction
• 1.3x optical zoom
• 24/7, 360-degree and portrait mode operation
• Audio: 2 x 10W speakers

Pricing and Availability:

• The Optoma ZW403 is a WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution projector available now for an estimated retail price of $1,029 through authorized dealers.
• The Optoma ZH403 is a 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution projector available now for estimated retail price of $1,299 through authorized dealers.

Sony Electronics Inc. will exhibit in booth #313 at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference. During the show, which takes place from October 14-17 at McCormick Place West in Chicago. Sony will showcase end-to-end products including network cameras, professional displays and projectors, as well as solutions that incorporate video learning, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and lecture capture capabilities.

Vision Exchange: Sony’s flagship interactive collaboration and active learning solution includes features such as bring your own device (BYOD) wireless sharing, Skype for Business, as well as the smart Personal Note Taker and annotation capabilities.

The latest version of Vision Exchange—Version 1.3—offers improved operation workflow and enhanced features, such as the ability to power on and off both the main unit and each pod simultaneously, as well as the ability to save snapshots automatically to a USB drive inserted into the main unit or pods.

UbiCast interactive video learning solution: Sony and UbiCast’s Miris Netcapture software and Miris Video Platform provide network-based lecture capture and enable interactive learning experiences. The UbiCast solution can also integrate with Vision Exchange to create more engaging video content. In combination with Vision Exchange, the new Miris Netcapture enables interactive lectures and lecture capture all at once. Miris Netcapture records the streamed content from Vision Exchange and transfers it to UbiCast’s Miris Video Platform for editing, managing and distributing through a video player dedicated to social learning. This network-based content capture solution removes the need for each room or lecture hall to be equipped with its own recording device. Instead, Miris Netcapture is permanently located in the server room and dynamically captures the required classroom with Vision Exchange equipped.

Conference attendees are invited to visit Sony’s booth for hosted demonstrations of the UbiCast Interactive Video Learning Platform and raffles at the following times:

• Tuesday, Oct. 15: 10:00–10:30 a.m. & 1:30–2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 16: 10:00–10:30 a.m. & 1:30–2:00 p.m.

AI-based Edge Analytics Appliance: Sony’s first AI-based video analytics solution, the REA-C1000, allows users to create video content in real time without the need for specialized training, additional staff or equipment.

The compact and lightweight REA-C1000 uses AI-based video analytics technology to analyze the input it receives from connected cameras and automatically extract the object in focus to combine it with other images in real time. The technology uses motion/face detection and color/shape recognition. 

IP-based PTZ camera lineup: The 4K BRC-X400, SRG-X400 and SRG-X120 cameras join Sony’s FHD (full high definition) lineup, and feature a wide viewing angle, IP support and are equipped with NDI®|HX[1] capability through an optional license.  The new cameras are compatible with Sony’s Edge Analytics Appliance.

BRAVIA 4K professional displays: Sony’s series of BRAVIA 4K professional displays, ranging in size from 43 inches to 85 inches, are intended for digital signage, information and monitoring applications, meeting rooms, classrooms and lobbies. Features include network and serial communication control, flexible installation and high brightness, along with the option for cloud-based digital signage. The displays also feature an all-in-one system on a chip for installation with no additional hardware required.

Sony’s team of experts will be on-hand during the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference to demonstrate the company’s portfolio of education offerings. To learn about Sony’s technologies for higher-education, visit pro.sony.

Optoma today announced a range of new high-brightness, compact projectors for ProAV and B2B applications. Ranging from 1080p to WUXGA resolution, Optoma’s newest projectors offer 4K HDR image processing and a variety of built-in installation features to address the needs of professional installations. 

For education, government and corporate markets - Delivering up to 4,500 lumens of brightness, the Optoma ZU406, ZH406 and ZH406ST projectors are intended for mid-size projection environments. Equipped with vertical lens shift, four corner correction, and 360-degree and portrait mode operation, the Optoma ZU406, ZH406 and ZH406ST ensure flexible installations. In addition, the ZH406ST offers a short throw with 4,200 lumens.

Bringing portability and flexibility to classrooms and professional settings - The WXGA Optoma ZW502 projector offers 4K image processing, as well as HDR10 and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) compatibility, for high quality projection. Both lightweight and compact, the Optoma ZW502 is portable and easy to set up. 

BenQ will feature its latest display solutions for higher education institutions at EDUCAUSE, Oct. 14-17, at the McCormick Place West in Chicago. In Booth 319, the higher-ed IT community will see a portfolio of classroom solutions including the RP Series interactive flat panels (IFP), Blue Core laser projectors and InstaShow wireless presentation systems.

Part of the BenQ family of RP Series IFPs, the cloud-enabled RP7501K is a 75" 4K UHD display designed for education. 

Features include: 

• User-friendly interface
• Advanced fine IR touch technology.
• Smart Eye-Care technology
• Germ-resistant screen that kills most germs accumulating on screen surfaces 
• Integrated with Saffi voice assistant technology, allowing teachers to  control and access display capabilities through voice commands
• Wirelessly stream visual, audio files and full HD quality videos from any PC or mobile

For IT and AV managers, the IFP is bundled with cloud-based management tools including BenQ DMS local device information and management software, apps and an Over-the-Air Update feature for simple campus-wide device management.

BenQ has a full lineup of Blue Core laser projectors designed to fit any learning environment. The LK953ST Blue Core laser projector offers features such as:

• 4K UHD and produces 
• 3840 x 2160 resolution with 8.3 million distinct pixels for each frame 
• Generates 5,000 lumens of laser-powered brightness for 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation
• 0.47" single-DMD DLP technology to deliver clarity and detail
• Pixel Enhancer 4K motion-adaptive edge enhancement
• Integrated with network control and management systems, including Extron, Crestron, AMX and PJ-Link for network control via LAN
• Supports RS-232 for long-distance installations up to 50 feet.

At the show, BenQ will demonstrate the WDC10 HDMI and the WDC10C UBC-C models of its InstaShow wireless presentation system, which allows multiple presenters to lead from any device. Features include:

• Designed to host up to 16 presenters at a time and is interoperable with any OS or hardware platform
• Data security through WPA2-PSK protection with AES 128-bit encryption
• Supports smooth, low-latency full HD 1080p video and 16-bit stereo audio wireless streaming capability to any display device
• For instructors, freedom to move around the room
• For IT and technology managers, doesn't impact the network and keeps data protected

More information on the full line of BenQ products is available at https://business-display.BenQ.com/.

http://bit.ly/BrightLink697Ui ■ Retail Price: $3,299.00; Brighter Futures Educational Pricing—$2,499.00

Epson describes its BrightLink 697Ui ultra short-throw interactive display as “the ultimate academic collaboration tool,” and it’s nothing short of amazing. It boasts a full high-definition image of up to 100 inches diagonal from as close as 10 inches away from the screen. It is a powerhouse with great projection and many collaborative and interactive features. The native resolution on the 697Ui is 1920x1200 (Full HD) WUXGA widescreen, and the color brightness is a whopping 4400 lumens. When installed on a wall painted with “idea paint” (dry-erase marker paint), the display’s true interactivity came to life. The 697Ui comes with a one-year subscription to the SMART Learning Suite of interactive tools, including SMART Notebook. The 697Ui allows for wireless projecting from any device (including iOS, Android, Chromebooks, and Windows-based computers and tablets) as well as content sharing back to these devices. It also offers built-in PC-free whiteboard tools for interactive collaboration in the classroom and with offsite participants.

QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS

The 697Ui is easy to install on a variety of surfaces and simple to calibrate for instant interactivity. Even with classroom lights on, it presents a bright and engaging image.

EASE OF USE

Everything from the onscreen setup to setting up the license for the SMART Learning Suite and navigating the PC-free whiteboard mode is easy to follow and user-friendly. Our teachers really liked the spotlight and reveal tools which allowed them to present using virtual versions of a sliding paper on an old transparency projector. The PC-free annotation tools can also be used with document cameras and DVD-players that are connected to the display to bring those tools to life with more engaging learning opportunities.

CREATIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

We first used the 697Ui in a gym during a band concert to project a video on a wall behind the band. Because the projector could be placed within 10 inches from the wall, it was easy to place it behind the band and project a huge picture on the wall.

In one of our libraries, a librarian used the 697Ui for interactive presentations of books she projected and read aloud to classes. She could use her finger or the supplied stylus to turn each page virtually and circle main characters, and she could also highlight key vocabulary words with the interactive highlighter.

SUITABILITY FOR USE IN A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Because of the ease of setup and installation and the fact that Epson supplies all of the necessary mounts and mounting tools, this projector is perfect for use in any school or classroom. With the 697Ui, schools don’t have to buy both an interactive whiteboard and a projector in addition to software for creating interactive presentations. This projector is an amazing collaboration tool—within the classroom and for connecting with other classrooms.

OVERALL RATING:

I give this projector a five-star rating. When purchased using Epson’s Brighter Futures Education program, the 697Ui offers so many learning resources for the money that it would be hard to decide to go with anything else.

TOP FEATURES

• The Full HD projection at 4400 lumens is outstanding in any room setting.

• The interactive capabilities and PC-free tools work with any device — or even without a device.

• The collaborative aspect of sharing to and from any device wirelessly is a must for engaging today’s classrooms.

From our friends at techradar:
5G is the fifth generation of mobile internet connectivity, and is just beginning to roll out around the world. It promises speeds up to 20 times faster than 4G connections, more bandwidth and more stable connections. 

This has tremendous potential to transform the way we communicate, with live high-definition video streaming and much faster download speeds, but it also has uses far beyond what we currently do with our phones and tablets – including reaching into the classroom.

Why this matters:  
Classroom technologies such as virtual/augmented reality and remote education are opening up new avenues to learning and engagement for K12 students. These technologies demand transmission of large amounts of data—which 5G can provide. To explore the benefits of 5G mobile internet connectivity in the classroom, visit techradar.com

When discussing the throw capabilities of a projector, the “short vs long” code is referring to the amount of distance you’ll need to “throw” an image between the projector itself and the screen to get the display size you desire. Simply put, the lens and mirror assembly built into a projector determine its throw distance capability. While most projectors send light onto the screen directly through the lens, Ultra Short Throw projectors direct the emitting lens light away from the screen — reflecting from a mirror of specific angle to direct the image on the screen. This is how they achieve the narrow distance from the installation point to the screen. Regardless of brand, these are categorized by how much distance the projector needs from the screen to create a 100″ image.

Why Go Short?

A big reason for schools, and even the home theatre crowd, opt for short or ultra short throw projectors in the clarity of picture, sans annoying shadows. No longer will “little bunny Foo-Foo” hop across the algebra equations, thanks to Johnny in the front row. And Uncle Mike crossing the room for a popcorn refill won’t inadvertently black out the screen just as the culprit in the evening’s who-dun-it is revealed. The close placement of the projector to the wall or whiteboard relieves any disturbance of the picture.

For teachers, this is far more than an annoyance. For years, they were relegated to the back of the classroom both to run the projector or slide machine. Not only would it be distracting for students for an educator to stroll front and center (with a face sporting the Doppler effect or periodic table) but the light shining in the eyes inhibits connecting with students to gauge their interest or understanding. Standing in front of the class not only allows teachers to authoritatively impart lessons or lectures, but it allows them to engage fully with the class, using the screen and media behind them to enhance their session.

For some schools lacking room in the budget for interactive whiteboards, the inclusion of a short throw or ultra short throw projector can turn any surface into this engaging tech. Because of a lack of shadow distortion, finger points can be distinguished for group work. The projector can even be ceiling mounted with the ability to point downward, turning a group table into a giant display for students to gather and learn. This can offer a more inclusive experience for students with mobility issues or disabilities. Many interactive projectors recognize multiple contact points, letting as many as 20 students work together on group projects. Clearly, for some — this makes going short the “smart” choice.

The Shortcomings 

So why would any school opt for traditional long throw projectors? Even with all the benefits, a few drawbacks have some schools wavering. For many ultra short throw projectors, the tech does not include a zoom capability. This means the projector must be physically positioned to match the screen size. Another issue along those lines is a lack of autofocus on some models, which could be a problem if the mobile cart, table or floor mounted tech gets bumped. In a classroom of young students, this could mean frequent disruptions as the teacher resets the alignment of the picture.

The bottom line also can have an effect on throw choice. Long throw lenses are generally less expensive due to the quality of glass in the lens. They also work perfectly well for large halls, auditoriums or exhibition spaces. The surface the image or video is being displayed upon gets more important, the shorter the throw. For ultra throw either a light reflecting screen, tension-enable screen or whiteboard is best. All of these can represent pricy hits if they aren’t already in place. Because of the extreme angle of the light stream, distortions/bumps/cracks/building material patterns on a wall will be exaggerated and ripples in a cheaper non-tension rod pull down screen would mar the picture.

Here are the typical breakdowns of projector-to-screen distance:

From our friends at Tom's Guide: With kids headed back to school, it’s time to take a closer look at the apps that should be going to class with them. We’ve looked at a bunch of apps for a wide range of grade levels — from elementary school up to high school — and these are our favorite mobile apps for students.

Why this matters: There are thousands of apps for K12 students, covering subjects from algebra to zoology, and functioning as calculators, recorders, digital flashcards, monitors and much more. Knowing which apps help kids to learn best while still remaining budget-friendly is a must for teachers and school administrators. Find out which mobile apps are tops for K12 students by reading the full report at tomsguide.com.

From our friends at TechRadar: The best laptop for kids will usually take the form of a rugged, cheap tablet… that is, if they’re to be used by young to school age kids. If you’re kid is in high school, you might want to go for a proper laptop, especially when it’s for school projects and homework.

If your kids don’t know their way around a Windows 10 or a macOS environment, on the other hand, the best Chromebooks are some of the best laptops for kids who need a simpler user interface. To make things better, these economical Chromebooks have large, durable displays that are great for getting schoolwork done.

Why this matters: Well-known computer manufacturers like Dell, Lenova, Acer and many others are designing and building Chromebooks and laptop computers specifically for K12 students. But prices and features vary widely, and it's critical to make the best use of your edtech dollars. To learn which Chromebooks and laptop computers provide the best of features such as battery life, storage, ruggedness and price, read the full report at www.techradar.com

Students in Kansas City Public Schools are going back to school this year with Chromebooks filtered and monitored with Lightspeed Systems Relay. The Relay platform is a complete solution to filter, manage, monitor, protect, and analyze online activity in schools. 

For the last five years, every single Kansas City Public Schools student has been equipped with a laptop. As the 1:1 program has matured, the District recognized the need to replace its firewall filtering solution with something that offered more holistic filtering, monitoring, and reporting both on and off campus.

After an review of its options, Kansas City Public Schools selected Relay by Lightspeed Systems. The platform provides internet filtering on and off campus; classroom management and screen monitoring; safety monitoring; reporting; and more. In addition to the Chromebooks, Relay works on other devices and platforms across the District.

In addition to the filtering and safety functions, Relay offers integrated and automated Parent Reports as well as holistic reporting on all user activity. Phillips explained: "Parents have a lot of concerns about privacy, screen time, and the value of technology for instruction. Relay is able to help us alleviate these with actual quantitative data rather than qualitative stories or concepts."

Schools interested in filtering, safety, usage reporting, classroom monitoring, and parent reports can request a demo at: www.lightspeedsystems.com/demo

While software systems and accessible and assistive tech often focuses on specific programs to help special needs students, the world of AV is making learning inclusive through innovative uses of existing features that benefit all students.

Leveling the Viewing Field

Not only do new tech features even the playing field when it comes to students being able to view and enjoy class materials, they can create a new learning space when used in out-of-the-box ways. One benefit of short throw or ultra short throw projectors like the Casio LampFree Laser/LED is the ability to ceiling mount the tech. When viewed on a wall or whiteboard, the educator can remain at the front of the class to ensure students are following the material, without distracting shadows marring the image. Expanded input/output and included WiFi adaptor allows educators to share materials without the need for students to leave their desks.

Reimagining the focus from the wall onto a table allows students with mobility, vision and attention issues to enjoy the lesson with their peers directly in their own workspace. Add an interactive projector to the mix during a geography or history lesson and you’ve given them the world, literally at their fingertips. The tech’s ability to project onto anything means other benefits. It eliminates the need for an additional special whiteboard that would eat up classroom space and resources. The ceiling mounted projector displayed on a tabletop and ideal for children in wheelchairs and those with other physical disabilities, letting teachers avoid disruptive and upsetting transitions to a computer room.

Projectable books, like those from Reading A to Z, can be viewed on the table or workspace and dissected. This allows group work for students of varying levels and abilities; while some circle nouns, others can underline sentences, or choose which type of writing is displayed (tall tale, nonfiction, cultural legend).  Subjects and pronouns and adjectives can be identified, or the book can simply be enjoyed as a story.

This Panel Votes “Yay”

Jeff Terry, Chief Information Officer at Roanoke County Public Schools, feels very fortunate for a supportive school board that replaced their aging tech with new Promethean ActivPanels with ActivConnect and mobile stands for flexibility. The tech also keeps the classroom inclusive. Special needs students who had issues with writing on paper use the panel to visualize and learn to form letters, then transfer that muscle memory back to the pencil and paper.

“There is so much you can do with the panels,” says Terry. “With Connect they become an android device with access to endless instructional apps, but on a 75 inch panel. We had one student physically unable to use the previous board technology, but can now work with touchscreen. These are cases you don’t see every day, but our goal is to give all students every opportunity that others have, and we have definitely achieved that.”

Special Projectors for Special Students

Brooke Turk was impressed by the impact on her autistic students when she began using the Epson BrightLink Interactive Projector in January. “It definitely allows me to see what they’re capable of,” says Turk, who teaches special ed in Beach Park School District 3 in Illinois. “The keyboard gives them a reason to write, because it’s technology. I’ve gotten a greater feel for their abilities, because they are willing to work hard for this incentive.”

Turk has seen heightened levels of excitement and engagement, and through the system, one largely nonverbal student has even started to talk more and interact. “We’ve done a lot with PowerPoint, sorting site words, sharing, taking turns—which is huge. They have to sit and wait and pay attention to what the others are doing.”

From our friends at TechRadar: The best Chromebooks in 2019 are not just more powerful than ever, but also more flexible and boast longer battery lives. That means that they are capable of so much more than their predecessors.

Still, before you sort through the best Chromebooks to find the one that suits you best, it’s worth your time knowing what exactly a Chromebook is. You know, in case a lighter weight operating system and device don’t actually match your needs.

Why this matters:  Fast, rugged and affordable Chromebooks have become the go-to device for many one-to-one computing programs designed to turbocharge kids' learning with engaging digital technology. Choosing the Chromebook that's best suited for your classroom, school or district will ensure the enthusiastic support of students, teachers, administrators and community stakeholders. For the full report on the ten best Chromebooks of 2019, visit techradar.com

This Screen is Too Far…This Shadow is Too Distracting!

Placement of your tech matters. Does your classroom have existing installation fixtures that must be used? Does your projector need to travel from classroom to classroom to accommodate the greatest number of students? Perhaps a pico or handheld projector would work. From Portable to Traditional, Short throw to Ultra Short Throw— deciding on your projector’s future “home” is key before purchase. The newer short throw projectors can be placed or installed mere inches from the white board or wall viewing space. This allows teachers to present from the front of class without distracting shadows marring the information, image or video playing behind them.

Casio’s Throw Distance Calculator lets educators plug in Installation Type (table or ceiling), Projection settings and Units of Calculation to determine the ideal location to either permanently install the tech or place a mobile cart or table for it to sit.

This Classroom’s Too Big…This Display’s Too Small!

When it comes to finding the perfect display or screen for the classroom, it’s not a cookie cutter question. The importance of every student having a clear view of the projected image or content is obvious, how to determine that ideal size is slightly more complicated. Classrooms can be designed as symmetrical square layouts, wide or long configurations. Some might even have nooks or learning stations.

Consider two main aspects of your space when choosing a projector or display. Both the size of the viewing area and the distance from which students are viewing the information and images. Projector company Epson uses the 4/6/8 rule for AV installations. Taking into account which activities are used with the screen, the ideal viewing distance can be calculated. Four times the height of the screen works well for precise analytical viewing, six times for typical basic viewing and eight times is adequate for passive viewing. The 4/6/8 Simulator Tool lets educators plug in their particular screen or display size, classroom size and seat layout for a visual on where the limits of each type of viewing end. (This could also be handy for seating assignments based on the needs of particular students.)

This Total Cost of Ownership is Juuuust Right!

n a perfect world, every school could blindly pick the tech that fit their needs. But budgets are a reality for any district. How big the hit is determined by far more than the price on the tag. In fact, “soft” costs can add up to 20% to the bill. To reach a true bottom line, it important to compare not just the price but the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). One big budget concern is ongoing maintenance costs and energy bills. Not only do LampFree or hybrid projector options nix the need to buy additional replacement lamps, they also eliminate the costly process of replacing lamps — time needed for ordering, shipping costs, blocking time in the classroom for installation, man hours with an experienced installer. These costs all add up. Likewise, eco-friendly hybrids can use up to half the amount of power per unit than other lamp-based projectors and extends the operating life up to 20,000 hours. Credits might even be available to offset costs in some states or districts.

Luckily, finding the TCO isn’t complicated, in fact most websites offer TCO Calculators to compare products by simply plugging in a few data points like daily/annual usage, energy cost and filter cleaning or lamp replacement costs (including labor and time resources).

From projectors to displays, here are four options to help your students gain clarity into their studies.

Casio 4K Ultra HD Projector

XJ-L8300HN

http://www.casio.com/products/projectors/4k-hd-projectors/xj-l8300hn

This lamp-free model features 5000 lumens brightness, with potential for advanced image-processing tech and high-speed switching of more than 4 million DMD (digital micromirror devices) with the installation of a DLP chip. The ability to project 8.3 M pixels and achieve 4K Ultra HD res will paint a pretty picture on any classroom wall.

ViewSonic

ViewBoard IFP7550 Flat Screen Display

https://www.viewsonic.com/us/ifp7550.html

Another option to amp up the clarity, this display offers 4K Ultra HD resolution and immersive 20-point touch screen. The 75” interactive flat panel lets multiple users write or draw on the screen with their fingers and styluses. The display’s built-in quad-core processor and multiple connectivity options (HDMI, VGA, RS232, RJ45, and USB ports) provide annotation and multimedia playback without the need for a PC. Can be placed on a wall mount, or optional trolley cart. T&L Judges loved both the display and casting software when awarding this an ISTE Best of Show nod.

Sony 4K Projector SXRD

VPL-VW295ES

https://www.sony.com/electronics/projector/vpl-vw295es

This HDR compatible projector offers native 4K image display, 1,500 lumens brightness and Reality Creation for enhanced detail. Bonus for those looking to future-proof, the built-in 3D transmitter that supports 3D video in a variety of formats, and can even convert your 2D movie classics to high-quality simulated 3D immersive video.

Epson BrightLink 

697Ui Interactive Display

https://epson.com/For-Work/Projectors/Interactive/BrightLink-697Ui-Wireless-Full-HD-3LCD-Ultra-Short-throw-Interactive-Display/p/V11H823022

T&L Editors gave this Full HD interactive projector a 2018 Award for Excellence for its competitive price, whiteboard screen sharing and ability to project onto a wall painted with whiteboard paint and using dry-erase markers so outlined images remain even after the projector is turned off.

VIVE Studios, HTC VIVE’s content development and publishing division, and VIVE Arts, today announced  the availability of its newest interactive education title, T.rex: Skeleton Crew, on Viveport and Viveport Infinity. Created in collaboration with the American Museum of National History for its major exhibition, T. rex: The Ultimate Predator, VIVE Studios’ latest production allows users to interact with the popular exhibit experience in their own homes. 

Developed by Immersion, this interactive VR experience invites users to reconstruct a T. rex as they learn about one of the world’s greatest predators. Once fully reconstructed, users are transported to pre-historic Montana where the T. rex once roamed, and users can witness T. rex come to life before their very eyes. 

Additional features of VIVE Studios’ newest title include:

• An interactive and humorous guided tour from the museum exhibition’s curator, Dr. Mark Norell
• New educational content about the T.rex, including historic facts, archival videos and animations

T. Rex: Skeleton Crew is now available to download world-wide, in both English and Chinese languages for the HTC VIVE on Viveport Infinity, Viveport’s unlimited VR subscription service, and for $4.99 on the Viveport store. 

From our friends at TechRadar:

The Acer Chromebook R11 draws inspiration from the MacBook Air, and is stylish without going too far. And, the Acer Chromebook R11 is affordable, unlike its Apple inspiration, costing $329 (£221, AU$455).

Chromebooks aren’t like other laptops. Historically perceived as a direct route to the Google Chrome browser, their functionality was once limited to what you could accomplish on the web. The climate is a bit different now that most Chromebooks are compatible with Android apps via the Google Play Store. In that regard, the Acer Chromebook R11 is no different.

Why this matters:

With recent research demonstrating the benefits of one-to-one laptop programs, it's important for education professionals to understand the pros and cons of each device. Chromebooks as a group offer the basics for kids to start learning in their one-to-one classrooms - but which Chromebooks are best? To learn more about the Acer Chromebook R11, including design, performance, display features, battery life, where to purchase and more, read the full review at techradar.com.

Acer announces over 50 computer promotions being offered on Amazon Prime Day. Selected offers include:

Acer Swift 3 -- $200 discount on Prime Day – marked down to $799.99 from its original MSRP of $999.99: The Swift 3 (SF314-55) is a thin/light notebook providing up to 12 hours of battery life and fast connection speeds in a lightweight aluminum chassis. Powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, it has NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics and 14” Full HD IPS display. Performance is boosted with 8GB RAM and customers have ample room to digital media on the 256GB PCI SSD.

Acer Chromebook Spin 13 – $140 discount – marked down to $599.99 from $740.00: This high-end Chromebook offers a 13.5-inch display in a 3:2 aspect ratio, a convertible aluminum design,and Corning Gorilla Glass display.

In addition, several Aspire 5  and Swift (thin/light) Windows notebooks will be offered at  discounts during Prime Day sales. Visit www.amazon.com/acer for more information.

Jamf today announced new features for Jamf School aimed at helping teachers to utilize their Apple technology to its fullest potential. Jamf School is a purpose-built mobile device management (MDM) solution for education. Its web-based interface aims to make deploying, managing and securing Apple technology simple and accessible. The Jamf School management system also pairs with three apps, Jamf Teacher, Jamf Parent and Jamf Student – with a goal of creating the optimal digital learning experience within the classroom and at home. 

This summer, Jamf School will provide the following features:

• Creating ad-hoc classrooms within Jamf Teacher for flexible teaching allows teachers to initiate and create a classroom and immediately. Usually classrooms are defined in the management system by IT, but sometimes an educator needs to create an instant classroom themselves. Now, when a teacher creates an ad-hoc classroom, the students in close proximity to the teacher will get a notification inviting them to join. 
• Filtering content for maximum focus now allows an admin to manage the iOS built-in web content filter and offers a more user-friendly way of filtering apps. Educators and parents can now use the Jamf Teacher and Jamf Parent apps to block categories of apps, such as “games” or “social media”, helping students stay focused during the school day and when doing schoolwork at home. 

In addition to Jamf School, Jamf Parent, an app that allows parents to guide their children’s use of apps and features on school-issued devices, will soon be available for Jamf Pro customers.