EdTech Show Daily, Post Show ISTE eblast Issue

July 2011

Oser Communications Group

AURORA MULTIMEDIA MAKES CLASSROOM CONTROL AFFORDABLE

“MAKING IT EASY”: AN AVERMEDIA CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION

Post-Show ISTE E-Blast Issue

ERGOTRON: FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS IN CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY

GREENBRIDGE: HELPING STUDENTS CROSS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Arthur Pait, President of AVerMedia Information Inc. USA, talks about their ISTE lineup and the drive to make classroom technology easy-to-use for teachers and easy-on-the budget for schools.

Steve Reinecke CPHIMS, Senior Director of Healthcare and Education Industries at Ergotron, talks about Ergotron’s newest innovations and the importance of healthy computing.

David Yunger, CEO of GreenBridge Computing, Inc., talked about how his company allows teachers to bring technology into the classroom at a lower cost.

PH: Aurora has been in the control system business for over 14 years and has been committed to developing cuttingedge technology at affordable prices. We

AP: For years, we have heard teachers and schools voice two major challenges

SR: Our platforms enable the seamless consolidation and use of classroom tech-

DY: We are slowly emerging from the worst economic crisis of our lifetime.

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Paul Harris, Chief Executive Officer at Aurora Multimedia, tells us what makes his company stand out from the competition.

ESD: Tell our readers about your company and what sets Aurora apart.

HITACHI IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AFFORDABLE TECHNOLOGY TO SCHOOLS

Ted Wakabayashi, President of Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd., shares how affordable technology can make a difference in the lives of teachers and students.

ESD: What new products did you show off at ISTE this year?

TW: We introduced our new StarBoardLink interactive whiteboard earlier this year and it has been well Continued on Page 28

VOLFONI: “3D WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE CLASSROOM”

A conversation with Jerome Testut, Managing Director of the 3D company Volfoni Inc.

ESD: What does Volfoni do?

JT: Volfoni is a designer and manufacturer of innovative, state-of-the-art 3D glasses and systems for professionals and consumers. We began about four years ago as a supplier of rental 3D glasses for theaters and cinemas throughout Europe,

Continued on Page 20

ESD: How is AVerMedia revolutionizing the classroom?

INTRODUCING MOBILE BEACON: A NEW ISP WITH AN EDUCATIONAL MISSION

Katherine Messier, Director of Broadband Services for Mobile Beacon, sat down recently to discuss her company’s many contributions to the field of education.

ESD: Tell us about Mobile Beacon’s background. What is your experience in the education technology space?

ESD: What does Ergotron have to offer the education market?

ESD: GreenBridge is a recently launched startup―what inspired you to start the company?

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PANASONIC PRESENTS SAFETY TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CLASSROOM

Bill Taylor, President of Panasonic System Networks Company, discusses a new silent-alert security feature for their their A+ Classroom Audio System.

ESD: What product did Panasonic spotlight at ISTE?

THE HOVERCAM: DOCUMENT CAMERAS DON’T HAVE TO BREAK YOUR BUDGET

EdTech Daily News spoke with Ji Shen, CEO of Pathway Innovations and Technologies Inc.

ESD: Hello, Mr. Shen. Thank you for speaking with me today.

JS: Thank you for having me.

KM: Mobile Beacon was founded by a

BT: Panasonic recently launched an ultra-innovative classroom security system that uses equipment already in the

ESD: So, what is Pathway Innovations and Technologies?

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PROJECTOWRITE3 TAKES INTERACTIVE MARKET TO THE NEXT LEVEL

2500 lumens | 3LCD technology | 9 lbs | LightPen3 software

The ProjectoWrite3 is the third generation of the award-winning ProjectoWrite Series, which was the first interactive projector to hit the market in 2007. The ProjectoWrite3 integrates HID technology into the interactive market: Human Interface Device (HID) Technology. HID technology bridges the gap between human motion and standard projection

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LUNA INTERACTIVE PROJECTION CAMERA: TECH IN EVERY CLASSROOM

Do you want to reach beyond traditional methods and easily integrate technology into your lessons?

New from Learning Resources®, the global leader of handson educational products for the classroom, Luna™ is a remarkably affordable 3-in-1 technology tool incorporating a portable document camera, webcam and photo/video camera. Its technology allows educators to demonstrate manipulatives in action, student work, real-life Continued on Page 16

MIAMI DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SELECT PLASCOTRAC FOR PROJECT

One of the hottest trends in school reform is the concept of Positive Behavior Reinforcement and the impact it has on both scholastic performance and school improvement. No one knows this better than Nikolai Vitti, Assistant Superintendent at Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), head of the Education Transformation Office (ETO) Initiative, and the individual tasked with improving the 19 schools that were Continued on Page 20

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July 2011

EdTech Show Daily

SCHOOL DISTRICT WORKS SMARTER WITH WYSE CLOUD CLIENT COMPUTING SOLUTION Crowded classrooms, leaky roofs and noisy computer labs are now only memories for students and staff at Manchester Essex Regional Middle School and High

School. A new building that houses both schools opened in September 2009 as a state-of the-art green facility. Integral to the vision of making the building a model

DIGITAL SIGNAGE: PRESENTING BIG AND SMALL MESSAGES TO SCHOOL AUDIENCES EVERYWHERE In recent years, news events on school campuses have shown the importance of digital signage as a means of pushing information out to a broad student and faculty base. From announcements, updates, reminders, upcoming events, video conferencing and more, digital signage plays a significant role in delivering valuable content to the right audiences throughout the day. When evaluating needs, whether fixed or mobile, engage Ergotron to help simplify the decision and build a signage network with ultimate flexibility and functionality. From floor to ceiling, Ergotron digital display mounts put the messages right where they’re needed.

Choosing digital signage doesn’t need to be complicated. Start by identifying the primary digital signage applica-

tions that cover the largest percentage of signage requirements. From there, Ergotron can help outline the benefits of solutions like large display mobile carts and ceiling mounts or help narrow down the choices from the broad offering of fixed or cantilever wall mount or arms―solutions that will meet specific site needs while helping to ensure smooth ordering and installation.

Here are a few of the Ergotron products that deliver information to the point of need, helping to keep educators and students moving in crowded, busy school environments: Ergotron’s cost-efficient Neo-Flex® Mobile MediaCenter is ideal for mobile digital signage, while also helping to stretch the IT team’s return on investment by serving a variety of other projection

of sustainability and efficiency was a complete green IT strategy, which included the installation of a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) based on Wyse technology and VMware.

“It’s a next-generation solution,” says Stephen Kwiatek, network administrator for the Manchester Essex Regional School District. “We wanted technology Continued on Page 30

needs, including classroom instruction or presentation, video conferencing, and touch interactive. The mobile AV cart moves easily around tight corners and through high-traffic hallways or spaceconstrained areas, transforming virtually any space into a multimedia or video conferencing center. With 20” of height adjustment and 30° independent display tilt, this unit is ideal for both seated and standing audiences.

If a fixed mount is the preferred solution, there are quite a few options available for displays up to 70”, including articulating arms, flush and tilting mounts, ceiling mounts (single and double), and even projector mounts. Today’s smart schools rely on the infusion of useful, relevant technologies to meet the demands of the school and their multimedia, multi-linked staff, students and visitors. Learn more about all the Ergotron digital signage mounting products at digitalsignage.ergotron.com or visit movies.ergotron.com to see our product videos.

Call 800-888-8458 or stop by www.ergotron.com to learn more.

Lee M. Oser

CEO and Editor-in-Chief

Steve Cox Lyle Sapp Kate Seymour

Senior Associate Publishers

Kim Forrester Associate Publisher

Lorrie Baumann

Editorial Director

Keith Cooper Dirk Deppey Jennifer Miller

Associate Editors

Valerie Wilson Art Director

Yasmine Brown

Graphic Designer

Selene Pinuelas Traffic Manager

Gabrell (Gabby) Felix Paul Harris Kevin Jones James Martin Bill Morris Deborah Yarbrough Account Managers

Enrico Cecchi

European Sales EdTech Show Daily is published by Oser Communications Group ©2011.

All rights reserved.

Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520-721-1300/Fax: 520-721-6300 www.oser.com / www.edtechshowdaily.com European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy.

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July 2011

EdTech Show Daily

WIZIQ BRINGS VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TECH TO ANYONE WITH A WEB BROWSER WizIQ’s powerful virtual classroom is not only easy to use, but highly costeffective and accessible to anyone with a Web browser. No cumbersome downloads or client software is required. Just log in and start teaching.

Sound too simple? Too easy? This is the sort of technology reserved for college distance education programs or well-funded research universities, right?

While WizIQ can easily support the largest of universities, allowing top professors to reach around the world with their lectures, WizIQ works just as well for a single tutor or an eighth-grade classroom teacher.

The idea of a virtual classroom may sound strange to someone accustomed to teaching in an actual physical classroom, but the shared whiteboards, shared presentations and even shared desktops make the WizIQ Virtual Classroom useful whether your students are 10 feet away or 10 time zones away.

Imagine that your school just purchased netbooks for students in a 1:1 program. While there are plenty of applications to monitor and block student use of the computers during class, WizIQ gives you new opportunities to engage the students. Start, for example, by sharing a presentation with the students, complete

VOLFONI PROUDLY INTRODUCES SMARTCRYSTAL™ PRO Making the classroom 3D-ready has never been easier.

Volfoni® is excited to present their newest product: SmartCrystal™ Pro. With SmartCrystal Pro, Volfoni now provides a passive system that works with any single-lens 3D projector. When placed directly in front of the projector lens, the SmartCrystal Pro polarization

modulator generates 3D images onto a silver projection screen for viewing with passive glasses. Volfoni will also be releasing newly designed passive glasses that are extremely comfortable, durable and lightweight.

An ergonomic design that combines both high performance with top-notch engineering, Volfoni’s SmartCrystal Pro is suitable for both professionals and

with all of your PowerPoint animations.

No fussing, by the way, with a projector, lights or viewing angles. They can download the presentation later if they like.

Then, share your desktop to demonstrate a new application before the students begin using it on their own computers. Take questions from students via chat (sent to the whole class or just privately to the instructor), respond to students who raise their virtual hands and clarify your answers on a shared whiteboard.

Now give drawing controls to any of the students in your class, allowing them to share their own desktops, share a presentation they’ve created, or write on the whiteboard themselves. Go ahead and try having four kids write on an interactive whiteboard at the same time. Not going to happen. And Geometer’s Sketchpad gets a lot more interesting when students can instantly share their work.

Perhaps the most useful feature for

consumers. It’s perfect for boardroom presentations, conferences, classrooms, lectures or any setting where highquality simulation and visualization are key. SmartCrystal Pro is easy to set up with any single-lens 3D projector, thereby eliminating the alignment issues associated with dual projector systems.

This brand new polarizer, made up of a multi-layer stack of liquid crystal elements, based on Volfoni’s newly developed Surface Switching Technology, allows for high-speed operation and optical efficiency, creating a crisp and bright 3D image. SmartCrystal

the average classroom teacher, though, is that all of those interactions were recorded and available for later reference and to ensure that students who were absent didn’t miss a thing.

Now step outside the classroom.

Want to offer extended-day learning opportunities, evening homework help or office hours? Again, these are all enabled easily with your virtual classroom. How about credit recovery courses, enrichment classes, remedial assistance or even gifted education outside regular school hours? Can do.

The WizIQ Virtual Classroom also integrates with Moodle and other commercial LMS products. You can schedule, launch and review virtual classroom sessions right from within your LMS. WizIQ has plans for individual teachers and entire schools. What can WizIQ do for you? Stop by www.wiziq.com and find out.

Pro operates at 120Hz, creating sharp images, and utilizes circular polarization to prevent loss of contrast should the viewer tilt his or her head. SmartCrystal Pro can be connected directly to any suitable 3D input source and works with projector strength up to 10,000 lumens.

Volfoni’s polarizer can also be connected to a computer via USB cable, allowing the user to adjust the settings of the LCD to optimize image quality for any venue.

This is Volfoni’s first entry into passive 3D systems. SmartCrystal Cinema is Continued on Page 26

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TRANSFORM AN AVERAGE CLASSROOM INTO A DYNAMIC, COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT USING THE 21stCENTURY TOOLS YOU ALREADY HAVE IN YOUR SCHOOL WITH STI’s i21ZONE With new educational demands placed on our educators for 21st-century student readiness, an emphasis has been placed on technology-driven curricula to succeed in a globalized world. Now is the time to raise the bar with 21st-century skills to transform your school by incorporating technology into every aspect of teaching and learning.

In today’s technology-filled classrooms, teachers are struggling to keep up with paperwork and accountability requires that we manage individual learning plans on all students. 21st-century technologies can help place learning in each child’s hands without extra burden being placed on our teachers.

Student participation and interaction

are key components of effective learning and retention.

Research shows that investing in long-term professional development goals which incorporate the use of technology increases the effectiveness of the curriculum and boosts student engagement, leading to increased student achievement. As Marzano’s research indicates, a 16-percent point gain is made when students learn concepts from interactive whiteboards.

STI’s i21Zone works closely with school personnel to develop ongoing professional development integrating existing technology effectively into curriculum and instruction. i21Zone incorporates innovation, curriculum development, response to intervention strategies, interim assessments and modeling personalized

to meet the school’s needs.

Collaborative customized lessons and modeling are developed to track teacher progress using technologies that engage students. STI’s i21Zone trainers encourage teachers to consider new ways to “rethink” how students learn and achieve using the tools that exist in their classrooms as well as help teachers use technology for 21st century learning.

Ensure your students are 21stcentury ready by applying real-world strategies for classroom curriculum and instruction. Spark creativity and innovation through lesson plans that will transform your classroom into a 21st century non-conventional learning environment with STI’s i21Zone.

For more information, call 800-8440884 or visit STI at sti-k12.com.

produce comparable variations in student learning? Does the district have a common vision of what it means to teach a particular curriculum with fidelity?

Teachscape Reflect makes it possible to measure the impacts of a district’s investment in professional development.

For the first time, a district can collect, analyze and score the ability of any group of teachers to teach a particular subject or skill prior to and subsequent to a professional development initiative. Changes in practice can be collected, analyzed and scored over time. The data from Teachscape Reflect will enable district and school leaders to assess which initiatives produced positive changes in teaching, against those that did not.

Finally, Teachscape Reflect creates

the potential for a fair, evidenced-based system for giving teachers effective, actionable feedback to improve their teaching. Teachscape Reflect creates a visual record of the lessons that were “assessed” to make professional judgments about individual performance.

With Teachscape Reflect, teachers, peers, coaches and principals can all contribute to the evaluation process and know that they are all looking at the exact same lesson, without having to be in the classroom at the same time. Teachscape Reflect comes pre-loaded with the widely used and highly respected Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching, providing a research-based foundation for a systematic, scalable teacher evaluation system. Teachscape Reflect can eliminate much of the subjectivity of many performance review practices today.

Teachscape Reflect knocks down the walls that obscure our understanding of the quality of teaching and learning that occurs in every classroom.

Visit www.teachscape.com to learn more about how Teachscape Reflect can support professional growth in your schools.

ACCELERATING THE IMPROVEMENT OF TEACHING WITH THE TEACHSCAPE REFLECT 360-DEGREE VIDEO ANALYSIS SYSTEM Teachscape Reflect has the potential to transform American classrooms from isolated, private experiments between a teacher and her students into open laboratories for educators to observe the teaching techniques that produce high achievement across grades and subjects in school.

New measures of effective teaching can provide a common framework for analyzing teaching practice and create a common language for educators to talk about teaching and learning. Teachscape Reflect combines these frameworks with real classroom practice to create the visual dictionary for that language.

Teachscape Reflect allows teachers to capture any classroom lesson and observe themselves as they teach, while simultaneously observing their students as they learn. Reflect software enables

teachers to identify teachable moments in their lessons, tag those moments, comment on them, discuss them with colleagues online and score them against an accepted teaching framework.

Teachscape Reflect enables teachers across a school or district to develop concrete, visual definitions of effective teaching, with data to support these definitions.

Teachscape Reflect has profound implications for curriculum implementation and refinement. While billions of dollars are spent on new textbooks every year, teachers invariably teach these new curricula in fundamentally different ways. Without Reflect, it is impossible to appreciate or assess the variation between the “bought curriculum” and the “taught curriculum.” Did varied approaches to teaching a new curriculum

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INCREASE ENROLLMENT WITH THE APPLY NOW BUTTON ON YOUR WEBSITE Rich Rediker, CEO of Rediker Software, discusses how to increase the number of applications you receive by making it easier for parents to apply online.

ESD: Why is it so important for schools to use Online Applications?

RR: Schools in the 21st century must offer Online Applications or be left behind. Any private school should have an easy-to-find APPLY NOW button on

their website and make the application process fast and convenient for parents.

Schools can create online forms for inquiries, applications, visitation days and e-recommendations. All parts of your current application can now be filled out online. Our technology has helped numerous leading private schools around the world increase the number of applications they receive by allowing parents to submit them online. Is your APPLY NOW button missing in action? We can help your school get that APPLY NOW

THE FUTURE OF LEARNING TECHNOLOGY AND THE HOVERCAM

By John Miewald

Does technology promote success in the classroom? It’s hard to say what application or new device will lead to better learning, but there are some considerations that most educators would agree with. We at HoverCam have developed technology for many concepts that will contribute to the future of learning. Here are several examples:

Video. Video has already impacted education. Most modern students grew up with a television or computer in their lives. Video is a familiar source of information―arguably more than books. The HoverCam allows an educator to record and play back a lesson on demand. While we are strong supporters of reading, there is no denying the power of video.

Real-time distance learning. The ability to hear and be heard over the

HITACHI: HELPING TEACHERS INCREASE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND MEET AYP At Temple Heights Elementary School in Oceanside, Calif., Principal Shari Fernandez was looking for ways to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) benchmarks, especially for the school’s large population of English-language learners.

During a visit to a neighboring school, she watched teachers use interac-

tive whiteboards, and she instantly saw how the devices allowed teachers to transition easily from one day’s lesson to the next and helped students get more engaged in the learning activities.

Scott Hill, Vista’s District Technology Coordinator, and his team had recently selected Hitachi StarBoards

button on your site in about a week! Don’t let another day go by losing applicants to schools with online applications.

ESD: What makes Rediker Software’s Online Applications different from other online application services?

RR: Online Forms and Online Applications will truly set your school apart by providing the latest technology to students and families. Schools maintain total control of the forms and can make changes in minutes. Parents create one account and can apply for mul-

tiple children. Forms are pre-filled for families that have completed another form or are already registered.

Applicants can submit documents electronically, such as a transcript from a previous high school or copy of a birth certificate. Unlike other online forms, which may only produce a data file, our Online Application service is completely integrated with Admissions Plus Pro, our state-of-the-art admissions software, making it easy to track each applicant step by step through the entire admissions process. Our admissions software works with any SIS system.

The integrated E-Mail and E-Portfolios in Admissions Plus Pro, combined with our online forms, create a totally paperContinued on Page 20

Internet is a cornerstone for any kind of distance learning. The HoverCam Connect feature makes distance learning easy. Connect uses picture-in-picture so that the teacher and the subject, book or actions being discussed can be seen simultaneously by the student.

Short attention spans. Visual stimulation is more important than ever―given the amount of content the modern student experiences daily. It’s easy to lose an audience if the presenter doesn’t have a visual. Further, a single image―no matter how interesting―becomes uninteresting over time. The HoverCam allows an instructor

to display an image and switch the image often to make lessons come alive.

Rapid pace of change. Technology is constantly changing. The HoverCam is a high-quality document camera. Despite its low price, it is not a “starter” camera which will need to be updated in a few months. Additionally, the HoverCam Flex software is continuously advancing to meet the needs of the modern teacher.

User-generated content. The popularity of sites such as YouTube and Wikipedia prove the importance of usergenerated content. With the HoverCam,

as the standard-issue interactive whiteboard for the district. Unlike traditional interactive whiteboards, which require a batterypowered, hard-to replace stylus, StarBoards are controlled with a finger.

“We liked the StarBoard for its durability, ease-of-use and affordability,” Mr. Hill said. With prices for the StarBoard line of interactive whiteboards starting at $749, it becomes very affordable to place the devices in every classroom, which

was important to the educators at Vista USD. At the start of the 201011 school year, the StarBoards were installed in all 13 of Temple Heights’ third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms. “I wanted all the teachers in those grades to use it,” Ms. Fernandez said. “I didn’t want parents asking why their child’s classroom wasn’t doing the neat activities that another class

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July 2011

EdTech Show Daily the greatest Industrial Revolution innovation and write about what inspires them daily. All of these endeavors allow them to discover and explore; however, if there were a way to combine the kinesthetic application of education with the reality of the world, then that would be the ultimate endeavor.

The ultimate is here and it is called video conferencing. Recently my school was able to acquire an AVerMedia AVerComm H300 video conferencing system. I heard a lot about how this technology was finally affordable for

schools. I was also told that my students could visit the places they only read about and could collaborate with virtually anyone, anywhere. They said that I could even tap into Distance Learning programs. At first, all that just seemed wasteful. After all, we already had books and computers. That was, of course, until I used the AVerComm video conferencing system.

This year, through this technology, my students participated in an e-Mission,

switching and control systems that are easy to install, use and support. Both systems offer an easy-to-use configurable control panel and a secure enclosure that conceals and protects system components from tampering or theft. Each Extron classroom system includes all the projector control, switching, amplification, speakers, wall plates and cabling needed for a complete AV system. All that remains is to add the sources and a video projector or display.

Extron VoiceLift® is an infrared wireless microphone system specifically

developed for K-12 classrooms. Studies show that voice amplification systems such as VoiceLift allow the teacher to be heard clearly, resulting in significant gains in student achievement. Extron offers VoiceLift systems that integrate seamlessly into PoleVault and WallVault, or can be used as standalone classroom sound field solutions.

Flexibility is built into our systems to support emerging trends in educational technology. Solutions are currently available for HDMI digital video sources and for integration with assistive listening, podcasting and Instant Alert systems. Also, Extron provides network connectivity for its classroom systems.

Robust resource management software allows administrators and support personnel to monitor, schedule and control systems remotely. This provides

enhanced support capabilities as well as reductions in replacement lamp and energy costs.

Extron’s aggressive grant program is just one more example of our commitment to enhancing the K-12 learning environment. The program provides increased visibility and expanded access for AV technology by supplying selected pilot classrooms with advanced audio video solutions at no cost to the district.

Each grant award includes installation of Extron classroom system technology, along with complete training. To date, Extron has granted more than $4 million worth of equipment to over 750 classrooms in U.S. school districts.

For more information on Extron solutions or programs for K-12, visit www.extron.com/k12 or call 800-6339876.

document students’ thinking and to assess learning. It has a USB direct plug to upload files to a digital portfolio to share with other educators or parents. Luna is compatible with interactive whiteboards and projectors and features easy “plug and go” functionality. It’s designed for ultimate portability and can transition quickly from projecting one object to another,

making it ideal for busy teachers.

Bendable gooseneck and auto-focus capability also make the Luna easy to position and view even hard-to-capture objects. Luna projects from anywhere in a classroom when connected to a PC, and the eight LED lights illuminate dark settings or images, eliminating the need for replacement lightbulbs. For students with special needs, there’s

even an SEN switch jack to accommodate an adaptive device.

Its ease of use combined with diverse usability, portability and affordability make Luna the next great addition to your classroom. Get it today and watch Luna document your students’ learning on a more interactive level than ever before. For more information, visit www.learningresources.com/ISTE.

A JOURNEY TO THE GREAT BARRIER REEF AND BEYOND: A TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE ON VIDEO CONFERENCING

By Michael Sbarbaro, Middle School Teacher, San Jose, Calif.

I am a teacher; my name is Michael Sbarbaro. I teach middle-school science

and social studies in San Jose, Calif. I am in the business of connecting motivated, willing minds to the ever-evolving world of knowledge. My students build electromagnetic machines, conduct debates on

EXTRON ELECTRONICS: BRINGING QUALITY MULTIMEDIA INTO THE CLASSROOM Extron Electronics is the leading manufacturer of classroom audio and video solutions for the K-12 market. Since 1983, Extron has been pioneering computer video interfaces, setting standards for matrix switching, signal processing and transmission, and simplifying the control, installation and set-up of AV systems. These efforts have resulted in solutions that meet the unique performance and price point requirements of the education market.

Extron PoleVault® and WallVault® Systems are complete, centralized AV Learning Resources (Con’t. from p. 1)

objects or book pages at a fraction of the cost of any other document camera currently on the market. Luna is designed for ease of use for both teachers and students, and, at less than $200, it is an essential technology tool made for every classroom.

Luna captures photos and videos to

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2011 Best of Show

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MOBILE BEACON DONATES $275,000 TO HELP AT-RISK STUDENTS AND PROMOTE SAFETY IN SCHOOLS Mobile Beacon, a leading provider of affordable, high-speed mobile Internet access to the educational sector, is offering two new grants aimed at helping educational institutions meet targeted needs through broadband.

The first grant program includes a donation of up to 25 laptops and USB modems to help schools serve disadvantaged students by providing mobile Internet access and the ability to “sign

out” equipment for those who do not have Internet access at home. If all 25 laptops and modems are awarded, the estimated value of the equipment donation is more than $15,000.

Additionally, as part of the grant, Mobile Beacon provides unlimited 4G Internet service through June 2012 for each modem given to the selected schools or districts. This free Internet service period represents an additional savings of

VOLFONI PRESENTS: EDGE Volfoni’s line of EDGETM 3D glasses take learning to new heights.

As 3D movies and technology become widespread, more and more educators see the benefits of using 3D as a learning tool. High-quality 3D glasses and systems have never been more affordable, and the stereotypes of 3D glasses being bulky and cumbersome can officially be laid to rest.

Volfoni®, a leading provider of Aurora Multimedia (Con’t. from p. 1)

follow industry standards and try to stay away from the typical proprietary methods which cause the end user to be trapped into a specific company solution. I believe there is a right product for the job, and our job is to create products that fit the bill. We do this by putting as many features as possible into a product without sacrificing the quality or breaking the bank.

ESD: How do Aurora products fit into the education market?

PH: The typical classroom is no longer just books and a chalkboard. Today’s classrooms have projectors, document

active 3D eyewear in Europe, has launched a line of active 3D glasses called EDGE. EDGE glasses use a new liquid-crystal lens known as STN, allowing viewers to see the brightest, most natural colors possible. The glasses themselves are extremely lightweight and comfortable, weighing in at only two ounces. EDGE glasses are ergonomically designed and can easily fit over prescription glasses. The glasses come with cameras, computers, whiteboards, voice lift and more. For a teacher to manage all this easily requires a control system. The job of the control system is to automate and simplify the process of turning on devices, changing volume, selecting video sources and, overall, controlling any device that has the ability to be controlled.

ESD: Can you give an example of how your products are utilized in classrooms?

PH: Aurora offers a variety of interfaces which can be wall, podium or cart mounted. We have touch panels, button panels and Web-serving capabilities. The touch panels can have interfaces to look and feel any way a customer chooses.

$3,000. At the end of the free service period, grant recipients are not obligated to continue using Mobile Beacon’s service or return any donated equipment; though, they will be given the opportunity to apply for ongoing broadband service at the heavily discounted rate that the company offers, currently $10/month.

The second grant program is for a broadband security camera system that runs over Mobile Beacon’s 4G broadband service. This grant includes a donation of up to four professional-grade security cameras, preconfigured servers and 19” server rack as well as complimentary installation services. The system was designed to help deter unauthorized access in key areas of a school building

through 24/7 monitoring and a remote live camera server. The estimated value of this grant is over $4,000.

To date this year, Mobile Beacon has donated more than $275,000 in equipment and services through the grants awarded for these two programs. The company anticipates it will award more than $500,000 in grants before the end of 2011.

These grant programs are currently available in more than 50 cities across 22 states. To apply for a grant, an interested school or district should complete an application on the education section of Mobile Beacon’s website.

Learn more about Mobile Beacon’s products and services by visiting www.mobilebeacon.org.

removable arms in three different sizes, so even the youngest students can comfortably enjoy 3D. Not to mention that the glasses are highly durable against common wear and tear. EDGE glasses use a generic battery that lasts 300 hours and is easy to buy and replace.

Volfoni’s EDGE line includes different models for different needs: EDGE™1.0 is the original line of active, infra-red 3D glasses, working with 3D projectors in combination with Volfoni’s 3D Kit. There are three different 3D kits available, depending on

room size.

EDGE1.1, using Texas Instrument’s DLP®-Link™ technology, is designed to work with DLP-Link projectors and screens. Additionally, Volfoni is developing an emitter that allows DLP-Link projectors to work with the infra-red of Volfoni’s EDGE 1.0 glasses.

Coming soon is the latest model, EDGE 1.2, equipped with anti-theft RF technology, making security gates a thing of the past.

You can find Volfoni online at www.volfoni.com.

Our button panels are unique as they are not limited to just the amount of buttons.

They have a small backlit LCD built into each button in the case of our WPAD series. This allows each button to change its function and go layers deep making the one button the equivalent of many.

No other company in the education market offers this type of button technology and sets us apart. Since our products are web server based, they are fully compatible with iPAD®, iPhone®, Android® devices or anything else with a web browser. These devices can become a remote control for the classrooms if desired and at no additional cost.

large installations?

ESD: How do your products work in

PH: We have a software product called TRACS, which is a global management solution. It can communicate with an unlimited amount of Aurora control products. TRACS can schedule rooms to turn on or off at a specific time, keep track of usage, alert projector lamp hours or failures, and much more. It is the only solution on the market that was designed like a website so it can run on Linux®, Windows® or OS X®. TRACS is IT department friendly.

For more information, call Aurora sales at 732-591-5800 or e-mail sales@ auroramultimedia.com.

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find? 20th-century technology in their 21st-century world? It’s a challenge every school district must face. Can they balance engaging tech-savvy students with evolving technology, while also making it easy for IT to deploy and instructors to incorporate into their curriculum? With the primary question always being, “within budget?”

That’s where the new Ergotron TeachWell® Mobile Digital Workspace

comes into play. Taking the headache out of technology integrations, the TeachWell Mobile Digital Workspace acts as a technology hub in the classroom. It consolidates all the critical tools, like a laptop or LCD/CPU, keyboard and mouse, portable document camera, projection device, and more onto one stable platform. Clear out the clunky carts and space-consuming desks. With the TeachWell workspace, any instructor can easily dock their computer and start teaching, and with the telescoping lift engine, each can adjust the unit to their ergonomic needs, without blocking the line of sight to the students.

This game-changing cart moves with the instructor as they require: up front for classroom presentation, off to the side for use as a desk, or through narrow aisles for one-on-one collaboration. It can be customized for laptop or LCD configurations or fitted with a projector shelf or a secure storage bin. With an open architecture platform scalable for future computer equipment advancements and upgrades, the TeachWell Mobile Digital Workspace provides the kind of mobile solution that can be easily shared across classrooms and learning environments,

optimize our policies ... thereby assisting our schools and our district to radically improve our schools performance.”

“We couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity to work with Miami-Dade County Public Schools on this pilot,” says Alan Mendelson, President of Plasco ID, the developer of PlascoTrac.

“We share the vision that Mr. Vitti has for school transformation, and we believe strongly that the schools who introduce Positive Behavior Programs using PlascoTrac will recognize significant improvements in their student culture.”

The pilot, deployed at one elementary, one middle and two high schools, is intended to run through the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year. Results on the program will be made available through Miami-Dade County and PlascoTrac.

Miami Dade County Public Schools is the fourth-largest public school district in the United States. The Education Transformation Office is made up of practitioners who were teachers, dynamic instructional coaches, and instructional leaders that have successfully worked in high-poverty schools and have a proven

record of improving student achievement. We are committed to transforming the Rising 19, leading innovations that can be implemented across the district to build, sustain, and accelerate student achievement. For more information about Miami Dade County Public schools, visit http://www.dadeschools.net PlascoTrac is a student management system that helps schools and school districts control tardies and other minor disciplinary infractions on their campus.

PlascoTrac was developed by Plasco ID. Since 1983, Plasco ID has been providing customers worldwide with the latest in ID card-based technologies and innovative, industry-specific identification and tracking solutions. Over the years, Plasco ID has provided strategic consulting services to thousands of corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, school districts, colleges and universities. To learn more about Plasco ID or the PlascoTrac Student Tracking System, please visit www.PlascoTrac.com, call 888-4575272.

glasses and systems for use on all platforms.

use passive glasses to view 3D images on a silver projection screen.

have learning difficulties. 3D opens a whole new world to them.

JT: Our line of active 3D glasses, called EDGE™, is perfect for the classroom or lecture hall. The glasses are comfortable, durable and come with adaptable “arms” to fit any head size. The glasses weigh only two ounces and can easily fit over prescription glasses. We also have a line of EDGE glasses that use Texas Instrument’s DLP®-Link™ technology and are designed to work with DLP-Link ready projectors and screens. Another product we are introducing is a polarization modulator called SmartCrystal™ Pro. Our polarization modulator takes any single-lens 3D projector and turns it into a system that works with passive 3D glasses. All you have to do is place it in front of the projector’s lens, and you can

JT: As more and more 3D content is produced, 3D is quickly moving beyond your local cinema. Teachers and educators have always wanted “smart” classrooms, with the latest technology engaging their students. And it’s clear that 3D will revolutionize the classroom. With 3D, the classroom comes alive, and students learn faster. Images in 3D can show those hard-to-grasp concepts in ways that a textbook cannot. Younger students love 3D because it makes learning “cool.”

Suddenly, young students are concentrating on a subject without realizing they’re concentrating. Students see everything from marine biology to the solar system in a whole new way. Advantages of 3D have also been seen with children who

ENGAGE TECH-SAVVY STUDENTS WITH BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY According to the US National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 50 million students are heading off to approximately 99,000 public elementary and secondary schools for the 2011 fall term. Armed with smart phones or mobile communication devices, these students are wired 24/7 with a huge appetite for data, videos and other media to entertain and to learn. When they reach the doors of the classroom, what are they likely to PlascoTrac (Con’t. from p. 1)

identified as “persistently lowest-achieving” by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) and Florida Department of Education. The ETO was created by M-DCPS Superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, to sustain and accelerate the recent improvements in the Rising 19 schools, as they are referred to by the ETO team.

The PlascoTrac pilot has been deployed at four of the Rising 19 schools in the district, and it is designed to be a phase of data collection and policy testing for the district. “The data we want to capture in this pilot will help us make decisions in the future as to what rewards and, alternatively, what consequences best influence our students behavior,” says Vitti. “PlascoTrac is the only system of its kind that allows schools to not just capture, but also analyze this data and make information-based decisions versus assumptive decisions in regards to their student merit or discipline policies.”

PlascoTrac is widely known for its innovations in student behavior tracking Volfoni (Con’t. from p. 1)

but we quickly saw a need for more technologically advanced products in the industry, so we began designing and manufacturing our own 3D glasses and systems.

ESD: What makes Volfoni unique in the 3D world?

JT: We design and manufacture very high-quality, but reasonably priced, 3D products for use on all platforms. There are two technologies used for watching 3D: active and passive. In the active system, glasses have an electronic component inside their frames, and lenses are made of liquid crystal. In the passive system (which is what movie theaters commonly utilize in the U.S.), glasses have polarized lenses (with no electronics in the frame). We are one of the few companies in the world providing 3D Rediker Software (Con’t. from p. 14)

less solution. It all starts with the APPLY NOW button on your website.

ESD: How can Rediker Software’s Online Forms and Applications save schools time and money, while also increasing enrollment and improving recruitment?

in schools. With over 1,500 users nationwide, PlascoTrac is constantly collecting information from schools on student performance and the impact discipline policies have on student behavior. PlascoTrac was also the first to introduce Merit Tracking components into its product and takes the lead in supporting national Positive Behavior programs. The guiding principles of Positive Behavior Reinforcement Programs ensure students are rewarded for their positive choices and not just disciplined for their negative actions. “I don’t know how we would capture this information without a system like PlascoTrac,” says Vitti. “Sure, if we wanted to monitor one school we could make some assumptions, but PlascoTrac allows us to capture data at multiple schools in our district, analyze that data at the school level or the pilot level (based on where we are now), and eventually extend that data analysis to the district level. This dashboard allows me and my fellow administrators to have visibility to what is REALLY happening in schools every day. With this information, we can make adjustments on the fly and truly

ESD: Which Volfoni products are perfect for the education field?

RR: By using our online applications, schools will save a significant amount of time and money as they will no longer need to print and mail applications. With a short online inquiry form, parents can quickly express interest, and the school can begin marketing to prospective students. They will also save time as data entered in Online Applications automatically flows into

ESD: Why is 3D an important tool for educators?

our admissions management software, Admissions Plus Pro. This software helps schools track and analyze all of the applicants. During the admissions process, our E-Recommendations streamline the process of requesting and receiving recommendations. A school can even schedule visitation days online, making it easy for staff and parents to schedule visits.

Continued on Page 28

ESD: What’s next for Volfoni?

JT: We are focused on creating innovative products for the home consumer, the industry professional, the educator and all those who see the unlimited possibilities of 3D to entertain, engage and inspire. We are particularly excited about our new hybrid 3D glasses, which work with both active and passive systems.

These hybrid glasses are also universal, so they can be used with all 3D projectors, TVs and PCs, regardless of brand.

Another product in development: 3D glasses with a multi-view option, meaning two people can watch two different types of content on the same screen. The possibilities of 3D are endless.

You can find Volfoni online at www .volfoni.com.

ESD: How can schools find out more?

RR: To speak with a sales representative, call 800-213-9860 or visit our website www.rediker.com where we offer online demonstrations each week.

Rediker Software is committed to saving schools time and money, and our software solutions have done that for over 30 years.

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EASI-SPEAK USB AUDIO RECORDERS GET STUDENTS ENGAGED AND KEEP TRACK OF THEIR PROGRESS Do you want to engage your students in listening and speaking across various subjects while tracking their academic progress? Easi-Speak™ is a full line of simple-to-use USB recording devices and accessories from Learning Resources®, the global leader of hands-on educational products for the classroom.

The Easi-Speak line is based on a digital wireless MP3 device in the fun shape of a microphone that enables up to

four hours of audio recording time and includes a built-in speaker for playback, a headphone jack for quiet listening and, most importantly, a USB connection to upload and share recordings. Easi-Speak is a great cross-curricular tool that helps educators leverage technology into lessons while documenting student learning.

Teachers can upload student-created files to digital portfolios for authentic assessment or to share with other educators or

MOBILIZING THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR WITH LOW-COST 4G INTERNET ACCESS Mobile Beacon provides affordable, high-speed mobile Internet access to schools, school districts, colleges and universities through its technology assistance grant program. The program provides unlimited 4G Internet service for a reduced rate of $10/month and a choice of customer-friendly equipment designed HoverCam (Con’t. from p. 1)

JS: I’m glad you asked. Pathway is a San Diego-based company dedicated to advancing school technology. We have developed proprietary, patent-pending education hardware and software, but our primary product is the HoverCam.

ESD: The HoverCam?

JS: The HoverCam. It’s a high-quality document camera at approximately onethird of the price of other leading document cameras.

ESD: One third of the price? So, it’s a bare-bones document camera.

JS: Not at all. In fact, the image quality is better than most document cameras currently on the market. Our T5 model, for example, has a five megapixel lens.

Document cameras twice its price have two megapixel lenses. Also, we have more software functionality than most ProjectoWrite (Con’t. from p. 1)

technology, using infrared transmitters to enhance the user experience.

The System on Chip technology featured in the ProjectoWrite3 prevents lag on your computer by using the embedded chip inside of the projector to process the data instead of using your computer’s resources. This also attributes to a faster response time and increased accuracy.

When compared to other models on the market, the ProjectoWrite3 exceeds the expectations of the A/V industry. The ProjectoWrite3 is a 2500 lumen powerhouse that offers all of the functionality of an interactive whiteboard at a fraction of the cost. Couple the projector with LAMPS 4 LIFE and get unlimited

for use by students, faculty and staff at school, remotely or on-the-go.

Mobile Beacon was founded by one of the largest national educational broadband service (EBS) providers in the United States. Through an agreement with Clearwire, a leading provider of 4G wireless services, Mobile Beacon is able document cameras, including annotation, OCR, upload-to-cloud services and a connect feature that allows the user to do video conferences directly through the document camera.

ESD: It sounds too good to be true.

JS: It’s true! But a lot of people are skeptical, which is why we offer to do live demos on our website, www.thehovercam.com. Seeing is believing.

ESD: Who are your target users?

JS: Our most important customers are teachers.

ESD: What makes your product unique?

JS: The HoverCam is highly compact, more portable and higher resolution. It offers smooth and easy video recording at an incredibly low retail price. Being compact may not seem like a big deal at first to some customers. However, if we replacement lamps for the lifetime of your projector for one small additional fee.

The ProjectoWrite3 features LightPen3 interactive software, the newest upgrade to the LightPen2 software found in BOXLIGHT interactive projectors. The newly enhanced software and hardware now allows the user to annotate over full-motion video and interact on any flat surface more precisely than any other interactive projector on the market. With a 60-frame-per-second refresh rate, the ProjectoWrite3 delivers two times the speed with unsurpassed accuracy. The LightPen3 software provides effortless annotating, and the simplicity of the design makes it even easier to engage your students. Simply respond

parents. It is ideal for engaging students as young as four in storytelling, fluency, phonics, math facts and much more. For group listening in early childhood settings, listening centers or media labs, the Easi-Speak Sound Station amplifies the recordings throughout the classroom.

The Easi-Speak USB Recorders are available in both standard and Pro versions.

At $69.99, the Easi-Speak USB Recorder offers 128 MB of built-in memory in a fun microphone shape with simple two-button operation for grades PreK+. The battery is easily charged via a USB connector, eliminating the need to purchase batteries. For convenient charging of multiple Easi-Speak USB Recorders, an Easi-Speak Charging Hub is also available and sold separately.

The Easi-Speak Pro USB Recorder offers all the same functionality and value with the added benefits of a built-in LCD screen for easier file management, a fully integrated menu system, two headphone jacks and a high-end professional handset design. At $89.99, the EasiSpeak Pro provides today’s educators with an affordable, multi-capability MP3 recording solution for their own use or for use by students in grades 3+.

Already field tested in thousands of classrooms, Learning Resources’ new Easi-Speak line helps today’s teachers and students reach beyond by making learning as fun as it is educational. For more information, visit www.learning resources.com/ISTE.

to provide access to the same advanced 4G network that industry leaders like Sprint and Comcast use to provide their 4G services, but for less.

“Experts have said that mobile broadband has greater potential to transform education than any other technological innovation in our lifetime,” said Katherine Messier, Director of Broadband Services.

“But there’s a very real digital divide in this country, and its effects in education are keenly felt. Too often, even where high-speed broadband access is available, it’s cost-prohibitive for schools to deploy on a large scale,” she added.

“Our mission is to make 4G mobile Internet service both accessible and

take a look at what point-and-shoot cameras have done for digital photography, and what laptops have done for the PC market, it is not hard to imagine the potential revolutionary effect HoverCam can bring to the document camera field.

ESD: For the price of buying one document camera, a school can almost buy four HoverCams. Does that mean the customer has to compromise in quality?

JS: No. Making the HoverCam accessible and affordable for every classroom is our goal. Instead of compromising in quality, customers get even more functionality, such as video recording with audio, snap scanning of books, and arbitrary sized document, image and video editing, and use their computer as an integrated control console for both PowerPoint presentation and video projection.

ESD: If we asked them, what would current customers say about the product?

to a quick, four-point calibration and you are ready to interact with any flat surface.

The ProjectoWrite3 is truly a projector you must see to believe.

About BOXLIGHT BOXLIGHT has been developing and manufacturing award winning projectors since its inception in 1985. We pride ourselves in offering industry leading technical support and ISF Certified® service available 24 hours / seven day per week / 365 days per year―for the lifetime of the product. BOXLIGHT is a finalist in the American Business Awards for Best Customer Service Department of the Year in 2011.

BOXLIGHT’s ability to respond to customer needs allows for personalized

Continued on Page 24

JS: We have received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Customers love the high-resolution images, the added functionalities, the ability to record video and the incredible savings. We are continuing to innovate to bring even more value to our customers.

ESD: What would you like to see happen in the future for HoverCam?

JS: We are working hard to make more products with amazing functionality and affordability for every classroom.

ESD: Where could someone go to buy a HoverCam?

JS: On top of selling the HoverCams online, we work with dealers who are passionate about the HoverCam. To learn more about Pathway Innovations and Technologies’ HoverCam, visit www.thehovercam.com. service and an unbeatable relationship with dealers and partners. BOXLIGHT is able to build products to specification or customize product on an individual basis.

BOXLIGHT offers one of the best service and support packages available, with a three-year parts and labor warranty and a 90-day or 500-hour (whichever comes first) lamp guarantee on all new products. “LAMPS 4 LIFE” lamp warranty program ensures BOXLIGHT customers always have access to replacement projector lamps. BOXLIGHT operations encompass sales in the United States, Mexico, Taiwan and worldwide.

The ProjectoWrite3 is now shipping from our BOXLIGHT offices. For more information, go to www.box light.com/interactive.

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ERGOTRON TABLET MANAGEMENT CART TACKLES CHARGING AND SYNCING WITH EASE

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BECOME EDUCATIONAL EXPLORERS IN THE CLASSROOM

Once again, the face of technology in the classroom is changing. Tablet sales are rapidly outpacing laptop and Netbook sales. Experts estimate that 2011 sales for tablets will be around 70 million, a number that will triple by 2015. This rising popularity of tablets in education has everything to do with the extensive functionality they offer in the classroom.

Students can access textbooks in full, record lectures or obtain hundreds of educational apps and more with just a tap of a finger. However, they can become a headache from a school’s perspective when considering large scale adoption and integration into the existing network within a school. How will the school sync and charge them for continually rotating classes? How much space is needed to store them? How easy will it be for students to access them and teachers to manage them? Ergotron took all these

The Norman Bridge Elementary School, once a low-performing school, has risen to be a shining star in Chicago under the visionary leadership of Principal Dr. Christopher Brake. His commitment to excellence, along with the support of an outstanding staff, has led to the creation of an engaging school culture, and outstanding teacher and student performance.

Currently, the school is going through the systematic installation and integration of Hitachi StarBoard interactive whiteboards in all classrooms.

Teachers unanimously agree that as they work with the StarBoard, students are more engaged and focused than ever before. Additionally, they find themselves inspired as “Educational Explorers” to create a more interactive classroom environment.

Dr. Brake was the driving force behind the decision to bring interactive

questions into consideration when developing their latest innovation—the new Ergotron Tablet Management Cart.

With its open-architecture design, the Tablet Management Cart can store and simultaneously sync and charge up to 48 USB-charged tablets and eReaders (including the iPad®, the Barnes & Noble Nook® and Amazon Kindle®) through a multi-port USB power hub.

The secure cable management drawer keeps unruly wires out of sight while limiting student access to just the tablets. Available in a two module or three module cart or as a single desktop unit, the unit is 43 percent smaller and 35 percent lighter than competitive offerings—making it easier to move from classroom to classroom and share between teachers.

Continued on Page 30

AVerMedia’s AVerVision W30 is a revolutionary wireless document camera that unleashes the learning environment from a teacher’s curriculum to the classroom and even outside. The sleek new device includes a light and

document camera image or video is inserted, educators can annotate, resize and manipulate it as a natural part of their interactive whiteboard software.

Adding to the W30 are presentation features that help keep students focused by revealing what’s important and covering up what’s not. Coupled with a battery life that lasts an entire school day, one-touch recording to USB/SD cards and all the specially designed software make the W30 a groundbreaking wireless document camera that transforms an entire classroom into a digital learning playground.

For information about how the AVerVision W30 Wireless Document Camera can break the boundaries of your classroom, visit www.averusa.com.

Top Tools for Top Schools Val Verde is a 20,000-student district in Perris, Calif. in the southern Moreno Valley, and several of its 22 schools can rightfully boast of being among the top schools in the nation.

Phil Harding works for a tight-knit eight-person department serving the district’s technology needs. “As a department, we got behind it, saw the value of it and were really impressed with the HoverCam team,” says Phil. “I would give them an A+ in customer service,” he says. “They are very responsive.” In fact, the technology department spends a lot of time dealing with vendors from A to Z, as Phil puts it, companies from as large as Dell to a small company that helps with their website. “You get different levels of customer service,” says Phil, “But HoverCam gives you knockout customer service,” he says.

Seeing is Believing The district currently has more than 500 HoverCams throughout their class-

rooms and with a staff of 750, they’re getting close to the goal. The technology department has even incorporated them into their tech specs for principals, recommending HoverCam as classroomuseful. “Our society is so much more visual. You’ve got to give teachers the right tools. The majority of schools are still teaching in the 20th century, not the 21st,” Phil says. “We talk about the digital native. Well, they’re running amok!”

Teachers need these tools for a variety of reasons—but most of all, for student achievement, Phil says. “Kids don’t want to hear a lecture for 10 minutes, much less 15. Even a whiteboard is not going to do it for them. They want it more interactive, they want it targeted.

They want to be able to see what the heck they’re doing.”

compared to commercial providers.

For example, some commercial plans charge as much as $75.00 per month per device. Let’s do the math. If a school needed 15 USB connections to provide access to students who did not have Internet access at home, at the $75.00 rate, the school would be paying $13,500 every year. With Mobile

Beacon’s rate of $10.00 per month per device, the annual service cost would be only $1,800, a savings of 87 percent.

“Providing an affordable internet connection is the baseline of what we do, but we’re more than an internet service provider,” Messier said. “We work with schools on a 1:1 basis to help them implement this service in a meaningful

way. Our service can help extend learning opportunities beyond classroom walls for students of all abilities, and it can also help lower administrative costs by allowing for distance learning, online tutoring and online office hours.”

Learn more about Mobile Beacon’s products and services by visiting www.mobilebeacon.org.

portable document camera that communicates seamlessly with a base unit that receives, records and displays the transmissions―all at 30fps without an ounce of lag. The W30 is clear, crisp and consistent, within a 45-foot radius of the base unit. This means that no matter the size or location in the classroom, so much more can be displayed, from science experiments, large maps and fragile art projects to a trail of ants outside your window.

MEETING 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM NEEDS: A HOVERCAM CASE STUDY School: Val Verde Unified School District Location: Perris, CA and the southern Moreno Valley Challenge: Provide teachers with basic, affordable 21st-century presentation and collaboration tools to increase student achievement.

Solution: The HoverCam® Results: Classrooms throughout the district outfitted with highly affordable document scanner/ document camera collaboration tools at a fraction of the cost of alternative tools.

Mobile Beacon (Con’t. from p. 22)

affordable for educators.”

One of the ways Mobile Beacon delivers on that commitment is through unlimited access. With no data caps or overage charges, plus a much lower service price, Mobile Beacon’s service model delivers significant savings each year as

Continued on Page 32

Designed to reduce the number of wires and enrich the learning experience, the W30 eliminates restrictions without sacrificing quality or ease of use. It includes controls on the camera, a base and a remote for ultimate mobility. It also can operate in two modes―without and with a MAC/PC. Without a computer, it is the only document camera that records and sends images to the projector independently. With this flexibility, teachers can teach and capture students’ work while they present from the comfort of their own desks or workstations.

The new exclusive AVerVision Flash App also allows the W30 or any AVerMedia document camera to be directly integrated into any interactive whiteboard software. Now, when a live

AVERMEDIA MAKES A WIRELESS DOCUMENT CAMERA WITHOUT AN OUNCE OF LAG A REALITY The world’s first 30-frames-per-second wireless document camera brings freedom and clarity to teachers who want to capture the action, no matter where it is in the classroom.

whiteboard technology to the school. His understanding of the positive effect the technology has on students and teachers alike is now being fully realized in the classroom.

“The StarBoard is dynamic and allows our teachers to bring learning to life,” stated Dr. Brake. “Our teachers are learning to do more with the board each day and they have become educational

“Our society is so much more visual.

You’ve got to give teachers the right tools. The majority of schools are still teaching the 20th century, not the 21st.”

—Phil Harding, Technology Integration Coordinator, Val Verde Unified School District

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AURORA MULTIMEDIA’S LXB-200 SETS THE NEW STANDARD FOR LOW-COST CLASSROOM CONTROL AT ONLY $749 MSRP Aurora Multimedia has done it again with the LXB-200 low-cost intelligent button controller. The LXB-200 is a new button interface with LCD readout and control ports that sets a new standard for price and feature set. Designed to fit into a standard two-gang electrical outlet, the LXB-200 simplifies the installation and enhances the room with its elegant high-tech look, available in black or white, and is sized perfectly for walls, podiums and carts.

Thirteen buttons make up the face of the LXB-200 along with a high-contrast, negative film 128x64 LCD display. Each button can be backlit green or red to enhance user indication. Four buttons are for navigation of the LCD readout to allow a user to go many layers deep of functionality. The other four buttons are for power, audio, input and functionality selection. The five center buttons allow for volume, channel, selection or navigation control. Each button can be programmed to do just about anything in relation to the LCD screen. An IR receiver is also present to allow an optional IR remote to be used up to 40 feet away.

The LXB-200 has available an optional IP Paging feature. By connecting the audio line output to the room’s amplified speakers, paging can be made to an individual room or to the entire Volfoni (Con’t. from p. 10)

currently in development for larger venues. Volfoni proudly serves the education, cinema and home theater markets, HItachi (Con’t. from p. 14)

was doing.”

To ensure that teachers are utilizing the technology effectively, Ms. Fernandez is taking advantage of Hitachi’s free, unlimited training, which is provided by a network of former teachers. Training is both on-site and web-based, and includes access to a library of videos on how to use the StarBoards in everyday teaching.

“The StarBoards are really helping us meet the needs of our second language learners,” she said. “It provides visual representation for the language that they are acquiring.”

Technology Coordinator Hill sees similar benefits at other schools in the district where the StarBoards have been installed. “The teachers are getting way HoverCam (Con’t. from p. 14)

an instructor can record and save his or her lessons. Now, when the class watches a video, it’s not some impersonal storepurchased lesson―but one that is specifically generated for these students, this school and this class.

What is the future for HoverCam? Just like the world of education, the HoverCam is evolving. We are constantly

Ergotron (Con’t. from p. 1)

nologies to create smart learning environments for collaborative connection between teachers, students and peers.

Ergotron’s broad portfolio of mounting and mobility products help educators facilitate classroom presentation, video conferencing and even touch interactive, while helping facilities integrate healthy, ergonomic workstations or critical digital signage throughout the campus. These kinds of feature-rich, highly flexible solutions are what the budget conscious industry has been asking for and what Ergotron is uniquely qualified to deliver.

ESD: Does Ergotron offer any special programs for schools?

facility. Since it can play audio files, automated messages, music and more can be heard by students when required.

These audio files can be scheduled to play as well.

There is also a built-in Web server allowing webpages to be served on any device with a browser. That’s right; the user does not have to be in front of the panel to control the room. An iPad®, iTouch®, iPhone®, Android® or PC can control the room as well from near or afar. As if that is not enough, Aurora offers TRACS asset management software which can monitor/manage Continued on Page 28

and is one of the few companies in the world to provide a wide range of 3D technologies and products.

You can find Volfoni online at www.volfoni.com. more involvement from the kids, and the principals see it as a critical piece to continuing the improvement of instruction at their schools.”

That’s certainly the case at Temple Heights Elementary, where Ms. Fernandez says the StarBoards are contributing to improvements in both teaching and learning that she expects will lead to gains in test scores and AYP. “My teachers are taking more time to develop lessons, and they’re planning those lessons together,” she said. “And the students are more excited than ever about learning. They’re more engaged and on task. And that engagement is the best return on our investment.”

For more information about Hitachi Solutions, visit www.hitachisolutionsus.com/starboard. working to improve not only the product but also the software used with the product. You will always have access to the latest updates to HoverCam Flex as a HoverCam user.

No one can predict the future of education technology. We can only make an educated guess. That’s why we are here: to learn from you. If you would like to learn more about the HoverCam, please stop by www.thehovercam.com.

SR: Yes, Ergotron offers complimentary products to qualifying educational institutions. We do this because we know that for decision makers to really appreciate the quality and functionality of the product they will want to try it in their own facilities. Getting the proper feedback helps ensure the solution is right for the school and, ultimately, the unit is theirs to keep.

ESD: What new products did you showcase at ISTE?

SR: We had an exciting introduction, the Ergotron Tablet Management Cart, which is a modular syncing and charging system for USB-charged tablets and eReaders―including the iPad ®, the Barnes & Noble Nook ®, Amazon Kindle® and Samsung Galaxy® tablets.

We also showed our TeachWell ® Mobile Digital Workspace and the WorkFit Sit-Stand Workstations promoted in our Just Stand Uprising. In other words, a little something for every corner of the facility.

ESD: Tell us more about the Tablet Management Cart. What makes it unique?

SR: The Ergotron Tablet Management Cart is a modular syncing and charging system with each module holding up to 16 tablets or 48 in total if all three modules are installed. The system charges units and syncs software through a multiport USB hub and is being offered as either a mobile cart or stand-alone desktop option. What makes it unique is that it is 35-percent lighter and 43-percent smaller than competitive charging carts, making it an affordable solution ideal for classroom or lab applications.

AVerComm (Con’t. from p. 16)

called Operation Montserrat, through the Challenger Learning Center in West Virginia. Via the H300, and with scientific analysis skills that they learned through the project, they successfully evacuated the island of Montserrat from the impending doom of a hurricane and earthquake during a live, real-time simulation. My students were so immersed in the activity that they forgot that this was education. The process completely made the math and science come alive for them.

Soon, we will be video-traveling to a classroom in Texas for a class debate on

ESD: What is one way Ergotron is helping teachers integrate technology into the classroom?

SR: We know investment of technology into Education is at an all-time high, but, still, educational facilities are trying to get the most for their purchasing dollar, right? Ergotron’s TeachWell Mobile Digital Workspace is one answer to this dilemma. This mobile solution for LCDs or for Laptops, gives teachers a height adjustable hub to accommodate the technology―their computer, document camera, DVD/DVR, even the projector. With this unprecedented flexibility, instructors can deliver collaborative curriculum wherever needed about the classroom, as well as offering the educational facilities a sharable resource across multiple spaces. It supports the teacher’s technology needs and requirements with less reliance on IT resources. Learn more about it at teachwell.ergotron.com.

ESD: Tell us more about this Ergotron “Uprising.”

SR: The Just Stand Uprising is our pioneering effort to educate people about the negative health implications related to sitting too much at desks or in meetings, and the healthy benefits of adopting sit-stand workstations. Sitting more than 6.5 hours throughout the day has been linked to multiple disease states like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Long-term clinical studies report the more you sit, the shorter your expected lifespan, regardless of other factors like exercise and diet. Learn more about it, or join yourself, at juststand.org.

ESD: Why should someone join the Uprising?

SR: This issue impacts everyone, from the teacher behind a desk to staff in the administrative offices. If you find you sit long hours throughout your day, whether at your desk, in meetings or during your commute, you are at risk. Standing a little more each day burns extra calories, tones muscles, improves posture, increases blood flow, and ramps up metabolism. The adoption of solutions like our WorkFit or TeachWell units allow you the flexibility to move when and how often you want throughout the day while staying focused, energized, and productive. Why not join today?

For more information about Ergotron, join us on Twitter at @ergoedtech, contact us at sales@ergotron.com or visit http://education.ergotron.com.

immigration and, later this year, we will video-journey to the Great Barrier Reef for what is known as a virtual field trip.

Although I was initially apprehensive about another confounding technological gadget, the AVerComm H300 video conferencing system is simple to use and an invaluable tool in providing my students boundless knowledge. Just as the computer revolutionized the way we teach and learn, I cannot wait to see how video conferencing enhances the educational experience.

(For information about how the AVerComm Video Conferencing Solution can break the boundaries of your classroom, visit www.averusa.com.)

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July 2011

GreenBridge Computing (Con’t. from p. 1)

Across the country―and across the globe, schools are struggling with budget cuts.

Many schools are laying off teachers. And if we can’t pay our teachers, how can we possibly afford technology? I spent the past several years at Microsoft addressing this question. I saw a massive opportunity to bridge the digital divide―globally as well as here in the U.S.A. I also saw teachers and school IT staff struggling to deploy computing technologies. There is a huge need to provide affordable, plug-and-play solutions that dramatically decrease hardware costs for school classrooms and labs.

ESD: What do you do?

DY: Our mission at GreenBridge is to Panasonic (Con’t. from p. 1)

classroom. Our A+ Classroom Audio System is already known to improve student hearing and performance and decrease teacher voice fatigue and sick days, but now there is a new silent-alert capability in the equipment focused on safety in the classroom. In the event of an emergency, the teacher presses a button on his/her pendant microphone worn with a lanyard, and a signal is automatically sent to designated security officials.

In addition, the response team can view what’s happening in the classroom through the classroom’s network camera and even bring up audio from the teacher’s microphone.

ESD: What distinguishes Panasonic products from the competition?

BT: Panasonic is always looking to provide solutions to our customers by listening to what they need and building it HItachi (Con’t. from p. 1)

received in the education market. With an incredibly low price of $749, it makes interactive technology affordable to virtually everyone.

Attendees had the opportunity to be contestants in our live game show, for a chance to win interactive technology for their schools. Attendees also watched demonstrations of our multi-touch, finger-driven interactive whiteboards: StarBoardLink and StarBoardTRIO.

ESD: Does Hitachi Solutions offer any special programs to educators?

Ergotron (Con’t. from p. 20)

while accommodating tight budgets. The base unit has an MSRP of $599.

There is no doubt that technology may be one means to unlocking student potential, connecting both teacher and student to their immediate and global peers in ways never dreamed possible.

Suddenly the world quite literally becomes the classroom, bringing critical concepts to life through a variety of mediums. It’s not unreasonable to think that the instructor may also feel like a student when trying to adopt technology comfortably into their curriculum.

EdTech Show Daily ‘sustainably bridge the digital divide’ for millions of students by providing schools and libraries with top quality computer workstations at a fraction of the cost of conventional PCs. Our solution results in 50-percent upfront hardware cost savings, up to 80-percent energy savings and a 66-percent decrease in Total Cost of Ownership―without the need for costly thin clients/zero clients.

ESD: How does it work?

DY: Today’s CPUs have become so powerful that the typical user consumes less than 5 percent of their PC’s capacity. This opens up an exciting opportunity: using one server, multiple students can simultaneously share the same host machine, each with their own monitor, mouse and into our products. That’s why Panasonic is the only manufacturer to have their silent-alert button built in to the teacher’s microphone. For a school that is already benefiting from the use of Panasonic classroom audio systems, there is no additional equipment needed. In real-life situations, a teacher confronted by a student with a gun can not necessarily get to a wall-mounted call button. Nor can they wait to simply be discovered. This system is proactive yet discreet and helps lead an incident to resolution, rather than escalating into a potential tragedy.

ESD: Why are these Panasonic products and their technology needed in the current market?

BT: School security has unfortunately become an increasingly pressing issue nationwide. Criminal acts in schools are happening at an alarming rate of several per week, sometimes even several a TW: Hitachi introduced the StarBoardTRIO Try and Buy program this year, which offers qualified schools the opportunity to try our StarBoardTRIO interactive whiteboards in their classrooms. After the 30-to-60 day evaluation period, they have the option to purchase the boards at a 50 percent discount.

Hitachi has developed special end-user training sessions that teachers can attend at no charge. Our goal is to make it easy for participating schools to evaluate our StarBoard interactive whiteboards, ensure that each teacher has an enjoyable experience and provide the participating

Breakthrough products like TeachWell certainly go a long way in simplifying technology usage for the instructor, while offering the added benefit of lightening the load of potentially overburdened IT resources.

In a TeachWell classroom, the instructor is supported by the technology, not enslaved by it. There is room to roam with quick access to tools and learning that engages the digital mind. Take time to learn about creating active learning environments that inspire and excite today’s tech-savvy students and their instructors. Visit teachwell.ergotron.com to learn more.

keyboard, each with an independent Windows computing experience. We offer a familiar Windows 7 environment, delivered via Windows MultiPoint Server (WMS) 2011.

ESD: How is GreenBridge different from other WMS solutions?

DY: Greenbridge is the only WMS solution partner delivering a ‘direct connect’ solution. Translation: We eliminate the need for costly thin client devices, which run anywhere from $200-$400 each―including server and peripherals!

At that price, where are the hardware savings? Our solution is a custom-built server that delivers unsurpassed video quality and system performance, including hardware, software and remote day. Districts have expressed that they need and want ways to address the safety of their students and teachers. While the system can not prevent crime, the silent alert in the teacher’s microphone allows them to quickly and inconspicuously notify officials of an incident, enabling them to send the appropriate response team.

ESD: Can the Classroom Audio and Security System be integrated with other devices?

BT: The system is flexible and scalable, and can work in conjunction with our new Panasonic UB-T880 interactive Panaboard and, of course, our security cameras. It is so flexible that it can also accommodate add-ons such as a visual and audible alarm device for the security department (made by a partner company) and ViewPath (made by SAFARI Montage). Incorporating ViewPath will enable teachers to use the Panasonic schools with an incredible purchase offer after the evaluation.

ESD: What distinguishes your products from the competition?

TW: Price, ease-of-use and training.

Not only are our interactive whiteboards more affordable than other brands, they include StarBoard Software with lifetime upgrades at no charge. Our interactive whiteboards are finger-driven and offer multi-touch and multi-user capabilities at an incredible price. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the education funding crisis and the need for technology in schools.

Aurora Multimedia (Con’t. from p. 26)

thousands of rooms at one time. TRACS can control, alert, schedule and report activity within a school or district. It is the only asset software written in PHP, so it can run on Windows®, Linux® and OS X®.

The rear of the unit has a 10/100 POE LAN, three RS-232 ports, two IR ports with one-way RS-232 capability, digital I/O with A/D capability, two relays and audio line-in/out for volume control, all while drawing less than two watts. So what does that all mean? It can control projectors, DVD players, lighting, document cameras and more. As

support at around $400 per workstation.

ESD: Where can we learn more about this? Are there any case studies?

DY: Forrester recently released a Total Economic Impact study (available on our website), articulating the hardware, energy and TCO savings schools can realize.

One of the key interviews informing the study came out of a school lab we deployed in Haiti. Forrester and Microsoft also have articulated that ‘video-based applications may run better with this [direct-connect] option.’

To learn more about what GreenBridge can do for your classroom, email david@greenbridgecomputing.com or visit www.greenbridgecomputing.com.

classroom system to record their lessons for home-bound students, professional development, and review and behavioral issues within the classroom, among many other uses. Panasonic has continued to build upon its products, using feedback from actual teachers and districts, to make the school day more productive, safe and enjoyable for teachers and students alike.

ESD: You mention a Panaboard. Why is it worth checking out?

BT: What’s exciting about the UB-T880 is that it’s the only interactive whiteboard to allow three simultaneous touchpoints without restriction on the touchpoint location. It also has multiple USB ports for incorporating multimedia and several other features that make teaching AND learning fun again.

For more information, visit www .panasonic.com/aplus.

ESD: How does StarBoard technology impact teaching and learning in the classroom?

TW: StarBoard technology is making an enormous difference by providing a multisensory approach that enables even the youngest of students to better understand concepts. Teachers can use StarBoard to develop concepts visually for all students.

The ability to associate the content with visual representations can tremendously increase comprehension.

For more information about Hitachi Solutions, visit www.hitachisolutionsus.com/starboard.

long as the device allows remote control, the Aurora LXB-200 can control it. If you need more ports, Aurora’s control products have nearly unlimited expandability using the variety of available addon control modules.

There is no product offering that matches the performance and affordability of this powerfully advanced control solution. We are pleased to see room automation made available for virtually any budget.

For more information, call Aurora sales at 732-591-5800, e-mail sales@auroramultimedia.com or visit www.auroramultimedia.com.

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July 2011

EdTech Show Daily

PROPELLING MATHFORWARD Preparing for middle school, high school algebra success

Middle grade mathematics is critical in laying the foundation for future success in more challenging academic courses.

Unfortunately, those mathematics classes are often the classes where students struggle most. The work becomes more challenging, and it’s not uncommon for struggling students to disengage. As a result, many continue through the remainder of their academic career without the critical skills they need to be successful in high school and beyond.

The TI MathForward™ program responds to a pressing need for middle school algebra readiness and high school algebra success while enhancing teacher capacity for increased student engagement. This program enables schools to turn around student achievement in mathematics and create a basis for sustained progress over the long term.

TI MathForward is designed to increase student achievement in mathematics across diverse student populations Mobile Beacon (Con’t. from p. 1)

501c3 nonprofit organization and one of the largest national educational broadband service (EBS) providers in the United States. Collectively, we have more than 20 years of experience serving the educational sector. Mobile Beacon was formed for the purpose of providing technology assistance grants to educational and nonprofit institutions.

ESD: What is the mission of Mobile Beacon?

KM: Our mission is to make next-generation, high-speed mobile broadband service accessible and affordable to the education and nonprofit sectors. While broadband has been said to have greater potential to transform education than any other technological innovation in our lifetime, too often it is cost-prohibitive for educational entities to deploy on a large scale. Our mission is to help change that by making unlimited 4G mobile access available at a significantly lower cost.

Wyse (Con’t. from p. 4)

that conserved power, optimized our use of space, simplified our IT infrastructure and maintenance, and enabled staff and students to be as productive as possible.”

Virtual desktops help teachers manage their time more efficiently by allowing them to keep their sessions active and access them easily as they move between rooms for each new class period. The Ergotron (Con’t. from p. 24)

Simply put, tablets provide an interactive learning experience, giving students and teachers more time to engage in the classroom. Having a tablet management system that guarantees fully charged and synced tablets when needed will save educators time and free up

by integrating research-based instructional practices with enhanced curricular content, classroom technology and formative assessments.

Many schools want to build on their existing investments in curriculum and technology.

Adopting the TI MathForward program does not require a school to change its core curriculum―it instead works by augmenting and intensifying the existing curriculum. Further, schools want a program that helps all students learn more, not just students targeted for intervention.

Through the appropriate use of technology such as TI’s Nspired Learning solution, educators are able to gauge each student’s level of understanding at any point during the lesson to allow immediate adjustment in instruction to ensure each student is able to progress in their learning. The technology component of TI MathForward is key in enabling this formative assessment and instruction.

The technology also encourages student engagement, participation in mathematical discourse and exploration of concepts

while creating a safe environment that allows for diverse thinking strategies.

The program’s professional development components are designed to increase teaching effectiveness and prepare teams of teachers within the district to carry on the training of colleagues, creating systematic change. The TI MathForward program achieves these objectives by providing coaching and content knowledge to teachers, assisting teachers to effectively utilize the expanded class time―daily 100-minute “power block”―and facilitating professional learning communities during common planning times.

The Tyler Independent School District in Texas serves as a case study for TI MathForward classroom achievements.

With 1,400 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in the program,

ESD: What types of educational entities do you serve?

zations up to 87 percent off the cost of other commercial providers.

KM: We provide service to K-12 institutions, secondary or intermediate schools, colleges, universities and other nonprofit organizations with an educational mission.

ESD: What areas do you serve?

KM: Our service is provided primarily through Clearwire’s 4G national network. That network covers over 130 million people in over 70 commerciallydeployed U.S. markets. We also offer 4G service exclusively to schools within a limited coverage area in an additional 38 cities, bringing our total to more than 100 cities across 36 states.

ESD: Tell us about your grants programs.

KM: We offer a technology assistance grant that provides unlimited 4G access for a dramatically reduced rate of $10/month. We estimate it saves organispeed of response, efficiency and availability is the same for students, who access a pool of virtual desktops in classrooms and labs. “If students are accidentally disconnected,” explains Kwiatek, “they can reconnect and resume where they left off because the virtual machine is waiting for them.” Teachers and administrative staff can also work offsite using any PC with an Internet connection to remotely access their virtual desktops. space. The Tablet Management Cart ships fully assembled and will be available in September, 2011. MSRP starts at $899, dependent upon configuration. The tablet is expanding the creative genius of educators all over the world. Ergotron is happy to support that activity. Stop by www.ergotron.com to see the Tablet Management Cart in action.

Additionally, we offer two targeted grants to educational institutions in 50 cities across the country. The first grant includes a donation of up to 25 laptops and modems to help serve disadvantaged or at-risk students. The other grant provides a broadband security camera system, which includes a donation of up to four professional-grade security cameras to help deter unauthorized access within schools.

ESD: What are some of your successes to date?

KM: As a mission-based organization, we define success as providing technology services that make a meaningful difference to those we serve. In the first half of this year alone, we’ve donated over $275,000 worth of equipment and broadband services to K-12 schools and higher education entities.

the school district is now in its second year of its TI-MathForward implementation. The district’s self-reported results show steady improvement from 2009 to 2010, the first year the program was implemented.

Before the program was implemented, less than 10 percent of the district’s seventh grade students met math expectations on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. In 2010, almost 40 percent of the district’s seventh graders met or exceeded expectations on the TAKS test.

Similar results were found in the eighth grade where about 15 percent of the students met TAKS expectations prior to the program implementation. In 2010 after one year of implementation, 43 percent of eighth grade students met or exceeded expectations on the TAKS test.

Texas Instruments developed the TI MathForward program specifically to strengthen middle school students’ algebra readiness skills. With a solid foundation in place, students can move confidently through future mathematics courses and achieve greater success in their academic goals.

To learn more about MathForward, visit www.timathforward.com.

We’ve helped many institutions through the laptop and security system grants previously mentioned. But there are many other examples of successful applications such as creating mobile computer labs, supporting the professional development of teachers and staff, and we’ve even equipped a university’s campus security vehicles with laptops and modems to improve efficiency on-the-go.

ESD: Why did you choose to sponsor the ISTE 2011 Conference?

KM: Mobile Beacon is like a hidden gem―we don’t have the same exposure as commercial providers with large advertising budgets. As one of the world’s premier educational technology events, ISTE is a perfect match to help us get the word out to educators around the country that we’re here and we’re able to help.

Each grant recipient has a unique story.

For more information, e-mail grants@mobilebeacon.org or visit www.mobilebeacon.org.

Whether they’re working on lesson plans, grading or scheduling, the flexibility and convenience of 24-7 access improves efficiency and morale―and the access is secure. Thin clients eliminate the chance of theft or loss possible with a mobile PC, and, with all content residing in the datacenter, files and applications are secure from unauthorized access.

An infrastructure that relies on shared, virtualized resources also improves IT staff efficiency. “We can do upgrades of nearly any magnitude overnight, after students and staff have left for the day, and it takes just minutes,” says Kwiatek. Troubleshooting time has also been reduced by 80 percent. With remote management of the thin clients, IT staff can diagnose the problem in two to three minutes and, if necessary, reimage the computer instantly, since all applications are stored and delivered

from the server, eliminating the need for manual updates of individual systems.

And, unlike PCs, downtime with thin clients is nearly nonexistent. If a thin client needs repair, the staff can easily swap it out with another unit.

Manchester Essex Middle School and High School were among the first organizations in the state to do a large-scale rollout of a VMware VDI using Wyse technology. “I have only good things to say about the Wyse solution,” says Kwiatek. “It has given teachers, administrators and IT staff the ability to do their jobs effectively and conveniently, and it has improved the learning environment for students.” The district is now considering expanding thin clients into its two elementary schools due to the positive response and the reliability of the solution.

For more information, please visit www.wyse.com.

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July 2011

EdTech Show Daily

WHAT IS A “HOVERCAM”?

What is a HoverCam? If you are unfamiliar with document cameras, the exact nature of the HoverCam could be a bit cryptic. The HoverCam is a document camera. A document camera is a realtime image capture device for displaying an object to a large audience. A document camera can be attached to a projector, television or monitor to display lessons to a group of students. Whether you are solving a math problem or dissecting a frog, every small step can be shared with the

entire classroom.

The HoverCam is unique for document cameras in that it offers high-end visual quality, decent video refresh rate and a long list of advanced software functions in a highly affordable package. For example, an educator can annotate on an image or video with the HoverCam Flex software.

This annotation includes circles, highlights, text and the ability to mask answers. It does almost everything that an interactive white board does. However, if you have an

AURORA MULTIMEDIA’S NXT-350 PROVIDES AFFORDABLE TOUCH SCREEN CLASSROOM CONTROL AT $999 MSRP The NXT-350 3.5” color touch panel with integrated control system sets a new standard for classroom control. It is a revolutionary development, integrating a control system processor with multiple ports into a web-browser based touch screen while drawing less than 3.5 watts.

Designed to fit into a standard two-gang electrical outlet, the NXT-350 simplifies the installation and enhances the room with its aluminum front bezel, available in micro-finish black, white, or natural (silver), and is sized perfectly for walls, podiums and carts.

The front-panel touch control can be designed to have a look and feel specific AVerMedia (Con’t. from p. 1)

in incorporating new technology into the classroom. First, it’s frustrating for teachers to learn yet another new system and then trying to integrate that into already existing technology. Second, schools want to provide educators with the best new technology, but are stymied with budgetary concerns.

What if integrating and using technology was so simple that there was no learning curve? And that the technology was so affordable that every American school could really afford it? We are revolutionizing classroom technology by making it easy, easy to use, easy to integrate and easy on the budget.

ESD: So what are the solutions that are making classroom technology easier?

AP: We are excited to introduce the AVerVision Flash App Software. With Hitachi (Con’t. from p. 24)

explorers as a result.”

While Dr. Brake gives all the credit to his dedicated faculty, which includes six National Board Certified Teachers and one Kohl-McCormick Early Childhood Teacher Award Winner, it cannot be overlooked that he has created a culture of educational excellence that is a source of pride throughout the community.

“When you have the best teachers in

for a room. The same control on the front panel can also be viewed on any networked device with a browser. That’s right, the user does not have to be in front of the panel to control the room. An iPad®, iTouch®, iPhone®, Android® or PC can control the room from near or afar. The NXT-350 also has an optional IR remote for control up to 40 feet away. As if that is not enough, Aurora offers TRACS asset management software which can monitor/manage thousands of rooms at one time. TRACS can control, alert, schedule and report activity within a school or district. It is the only asset software written in PHP, so it can run on one download, educators can not only bring live images and video into any lesson-planning software with Flash, they can also use the same software to fully annotate, re-size and manipulate the document camera images directly. No need to pull up the document camera software or be locked into one particular brand of “compatible” interactive white board or lesson-planning solution.

The AVerVision Flash App ensures that there is one less step and software program for the teacher to learn while giving schools more freedom when purchasing classroom technology.

We also have the only wireless document camera, the AVerVision W30, that can display and record at 30fps. Teachers can easily move about their rooms without any wires to hinder, while broadcasting smooth video from any corner of their classroom. The W30 can even display video without a computer. Now every classroom desk and surface can be a the field, you need to provide them with the best resources. For technology, that meant making sure we had a Hitachi StarBoard in every classroom in the building,” added Dr. Brake.

Fourth grade teacher Juan Cardona, one of the school’s earliest users of the StarBoard, shares the multiple ways in which the dynamic of his classroom has changed since he began using the technology everyday. He points to concrete examples that show a positive difference in his students’ classroom behavior.

interactive white board already, it works seamlessly with most IAWBs. HoverCam can record lessons in small files. In fact, a teacher could virtually record all day long and then decide whether or not to keep the recorded video. If the file is worth keeping, an interface in HoverCam Flex allows upload to a cloud service such as DropBox. From these file sharing services the video could be viewed by an absent student, the whole class to review or saved for playback by a substitute.

There are numerous other features.

There is a video conferencing tool, a digital

signature tool and OCR (Optical Character Recognition), which means the HoverCam can “read” a printed page. The Catapult feature allows an instructor to drag a scanned image into email, PowerPoint or an interactive white board. The Stack feature enables an instructor to create a single file out of several scans, essentially building a booklet. It is truly a device that needs to be seen to be believed.

HoverCam’s high quality image and functionality is found in devices three times its price. It is a wise and economic purchase for any school. Please visit thehovercam.com to learn more.

Windows®, Linux® and OS X®.

What makes the Aurora control system stand out more than any other system on the market is the nonproprietary/non-platform specific hardware topology. Aurora uses industry standard languages and hardware connections, so anyone who can program a website can write code for the Aurora control system product line-up. This means the Aurora technology operates like a web appliance, so network administrators will feel right at home. If you are not a programmer, Aurora has drag and drop tools that generate web code to be used on the system.

Set-up and diagnostics are all built into the NXT-350, and no special software ever needs to be installed in remote devices.

The rear of the unit has a full complement of control ports. It has two RS232 ports, IR capable of one way

RS-232, digital I/O, 10/100 POE LAN, and a stereo audio line-in/out for volume control and MP3 playback and voice prompting. So what does that all mean? It can control projectors, DVD players, lighting, document cameras and more.

As long as the device allows remote control, the Aurora NXT-350 can control it. If you need more ports, Aurora control products have unlimited expandability using the variety of available addon control modules.

The NXT-350 is part of the growing line up of Aurora low-cost, highperformance touch panel interfaces ranging from 3.5” up to 10.1”. There is no doubt Aurora Multimedia has created a touch panel series with revolutionary features and pricing that is unmatched by competitors.

For more information, call Aurora sales at 732-591-5800, email sales@auroramultimedia.com or visit www.auroramultimedia.com.

digital learning ground.

Video Conferencing system generated a great deal of interest. Not only is it filled with features that are catered to educators, but this form of technology is finally accessible to any school in America.

We also demoed the AVerVision F50 that has onboard annotation, so that teachers can simply plug in an AVerPen or a mouse and annotate directly from the document camera itself―no computer necessary.

Speaking of the AVerPen, the second generation was launched at ISTE. Pick up the newly re-designed ergonomic AverPen, and you will instantly notice the dramatic difference when you are holding, writing or just mousing around with it. Add to it the wireless control of any PC or Mac, plug-n-play installation, a $199 MSRP, and you have one powerful accessory that makes controlling classroom technology effortless.

ESD: That’s great! What other solutions did AVerMedia demo at ISTE?

ESD: Tell us more about easy-on-thebudget.

AP: AVerMedia has always believed in quality technology being a right and not a privilege. We have chosen to make our completely revolutionary AVerVision Flash App―free. Our second generation AVerPen and AVerVision U10 document camera are priced at $199 MSRP, giving schools the ability to afford brand name solutions backed with superior service and support. With the AVerComm H310, schools now have access to video conferencing technology, usually priced at 10K-12K, at under $4,500 MSRP.

AP: The AVerComm H310, H.323 HD

For more information, www.averusa.com.

visit

“My students’ attention span has certainly widened, they are more engaged and more focused. I’m finding that the desire to use the board has made all of my students more likely to participate and ask for help,” stated Mr. Cardona.

For other teachers at Bridge Elementary, the StarBoard hasn’t just aided in their lessons, it has changed the way they teach and conduct their classes.

Mary Louise, a second grade teacher, enthusiastically explained how using the StarBoard has allowed her teaching style

to evolve.

“It’s changed my life as a teacher.

The Starboard makes for a more studentcentered approach. Concepts can now be developed visually for all students, especially English language learners. The ability to associate the content with visual representations has tremendously increased comprehension,” stated Ms. Louise.

For more information about Hitachi Solutions, visit www.hitachisolutionsus.com/starboard.