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FETC 2014 EdTech Show Daily Jan29

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E d Te c h S h o w D a i l y 2 9 W e d n e s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 9 , 2 0 1 4 The K12 Broadcaster cost-effective- ly replaces analog DVD/VCR tuners that were previously required to receive cable TV and broadcast channels in the classroom. By streaming SD or HD video and audio content over the net- work to a projector located within the classroom, the fully integrated IP-based streaming solution eliminates the expense and complexities of costly coax- ial equipment. The K12 Broadcaster optimizes network bandwidth through video compression and multicasting functionality capable of streaming video to thousands of end users at less than three megabits per second. As a mobile/fixed broadcast solu- tion, the K12 Broadcaster provides an effective solution for producing a live broadcast of the morning announce- ments or broadcasting from any loca- tion in the school to all classrooms, simplifying communications between the administrative office, teaching staff and students. The K12 Broadcaster is fully scalable to a district's available network bandwidth, and can be cus- tomized based upon a district's specific requirements and budget. As part of EDCO's K12 Broadcaster solution, VSI's AVN encoders compress SD and HD video and audio into H.264 Edco Education ( Cont'd. from p. 1) real-time streams. The AVN encoders feature standards-compliant compression and an optimized network interface that ensures superior-quality, full frame-rate video and audio. Through the encoders' flexible, modular architecture, school districts can support a wide range of video resolutions, including 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. A simple browser-based dashboard streamlines the management of IPTV content. Intuitive controls enable easy operation by both technical and non- technical personnel, making it the ideal administrative portal for the educational market. The HTML-based solution can easily be customized with branding to personalize the classroom experience. "While budgets are always tight for school districts, the quality of education should never be sacrificed," said Joe Walsh, Vice President of Sales, VSI. "Partnering with EDCO, VSI provides educators with a flexible, cost-saving solution for streaming high-quality video and audio content to the class- room. We believe the K12 Broadcaster powered by VSI's IPTV solutions is the model framework for the educational market in delivering a next-generation educational experience." For more information, visit EDCO at booth 1131. Slate clears computer changes at log off and reboot. We have been using Fortres 101 since 2000. In 2004, web-based spy- ware started to hit, so we added Clean Slate, which eliminated the spyware issues. I remember there was a virus that was spreading like wildfire. We just rebooted the computers in the classrooms and the virus was completely gone. Even now, I will get support calls about a virus. I just tell them to log off and that always fixes the issue. ESD: What do you like best about Central Control? WR: Central Control is a huge time- saver. I can just sit at any computer in a classroom to make a change, and with Central Control the change gets pushed out to the entire district. The change is made and pushed out to the entire district in minutes. ESD: What do you like better about Clean Slate over reboot to restore prod- ucts? WR: Making changes on the fly. We don't have to shut down the computer to Fortres G rand ( Cont'd. from p. 1) make a change. Everything is quick and easy. With other products, you have to reboot computers to make a security change. When Clean Slate and Central Control are used together, the change I make is instant for the entire district. I was helping another school who switched from a reboot to restore product to Clean Slate. They commented to me that they are happy they switched to Clean Slate and I was smart for going with Clean Slate from the beginning. I also like the ability to have different security for dif- ferent users based on the user login. ESD: Do you have anything you want to add? WR: Support is great. When I call support, I talk to someone in Indiana. I can under- stand them and they are easy to talk to. If support can't fix the problem while on the phone, they keep working with us until we get the issue resolved. Not to mention, the support is included in the purchase price so there is no yearly cost. In addition to the great products and reliable support, the fact that support is free is huge. Visit Fortres Grand at booth 1465. For more information, visit www.fortres grand.com or call 800-331-0372. with their students in the learning process. Previously, interactive systems required the purchase of a dedicated interactive board, which was expensive, and limited users to a set board size. BrightLink interactive projectors elimi- nated the need for a board, saving schools as much as 50 percent on inter- active systems, and allowing users to have variable image sizes from 60-100 inches at no additional cost. ESD: What product question do you get asked most by customers or dealers? TP: More affordable lamps is a frequent request. Recently, Epson reduced prices on the lamps for more than 50 models of our K12 projectors. With prices starting as low as $79 and extended lamp life, operating costs are greatly reduced for our education customers. ESD: What features are you most excit- ed about in the latest series of BrightLink interactive projectors? TP: The addition of finger touch to BrightLink is huge, as it enables kines- thetic learning. So much of what stu- dents and teachers do today with their Epson America ( Cont'd. from p. 1) own personal electronic devices involves the ability to select and move objects and draw by finger touch. BrightLink with finger touch allows them to teach and learn in the same way, using familiar, intuitive gestures. Also, because BrightLink uses 3LCD technol- ogy, which provides 3,300 lumens of Color and White Brightness, this marks the first time users do not have to make a choice between brilliant image quality, and having a touch-enabled interactive learning tool. ESD: Are the latest products compatible with most interactive classroom software? TP: Yes. Epson recently made partner- ships with Promethean ® and SMART ® Technologies, allowing customers to pur- chase these industry-leading curriculum software packages for use with Epson BrightLink projectors. Because BrightLink works with these applica- tions, it really gives choices to the cus- tomer instead of being locked into one particular software package dictated by their hardware purchase. Visit Epson at booth 631. For more infor- mation, visit www.epson.com/education. UNITEDHEALTHCARE COLLABORATES WITH KONAMI AND ZAMZEE ON INNOVATIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS UnitedHealthcare has announced col- laborations with Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. and Zamzee to help reduce childhood obesity through school-based health programs. Both initiatives incorporate exergaming, which refers to video games that are also a form of exercise. The collaboration with Konami and California Endowment, which pro- vides grants to community-based organizations throughout California, will bring DanceDanceRevolution (DDR) Classroom Edition this year to a Southern California school. DDR Classroom Edition is the latest itera- tion of the wildly popular dance game that has shown to encourage physical activity among adults and children. The participating school will use the game to track its impact on stu- dents' health, well-being and exercise habits. Last year, Konami and UnitedHealthcare brought DDR Classroom Edition to schools in Longwood, Fla., Gainesville, Ga. and Fresno, Texas. The second program will evaluate the impact of Zamzee as part of a childhood obesity intervention pro- gram. Participating students will receive Zamzee activity meters, a three-axis accelerometer that can be clipped to a child's shoe or clothing and can measure both the time and intensity of the physical activity. Students who use the activity meters can earn "Pointz" that can be redeemed for prizes on the Zamzee motivational website. Approximately 60 students and their families in Florida, Georgia and Texas will receive the meters as part of a broader evidence-based childhood obesity intervention and wellness pro- gram called JOIN for ME ® , which helps children and their parents lose weight and reduce the risk of many health issues. The Zamzee pilot pro- gram will analyze what impact the activity meters have on the participat- ing students, as compared to the broad- er student population enrolled in JOIN for ME. These programs build on UnitedHealthcare's deep expertise in developing practical solutions to con- trol childhood obesity. These latest collaborations are incorporated into school-based wellness initiatives organized by UnitedHealthcare and United Health Foundation in partner- ship with school systems nationwide. DDR Classroom Edition is an interactive video game that combines physical activity with energetic music and visuals. The game and associated hardware technology, developed by Performance Designed Products, enables dozens of students to partici- pate simultaneously, using wireless mat controllers featuring a smart card reader that tracks each student's indi- vidual progress. While students move to the beat, teachers receive vital infor- mation about their students' health, including steps, body mass index (BMI) and caloric burn rate. Zamzee is a digital health tool proven to get kids and their families moving more. A study conducted by HopeLab, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, showed that middle-school children using Zamzee boosted their physical activity levels by 59 percent compared to a control group. The study also showed positive impacts on LDL cho- lesterol and glycated hemoglobin, key biomarkers for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The Zamzee program com- bines a 3-D accelerometer that meas- ures physical activity with a website that motivates kids to move more. It is used in clinical programs, schools and other group settings to help reverse the effects of sedentary behavior and improve health.

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