Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/335351
E d Te c h S h o w D a i l y Tu e s d a y, J u l y 1 , 2 0 1 4 1 4 CASPER SUITE SUPPORTS DIGITAL CLASSROOMS, PERSONALIZED LEARNING JAMF Software's Casper Suite and Casper Focus tools make it easy for schools to unleash the power of Apple technologies in the classroom. It gives IT managers a robust way to manage all Apple computers and devices under their control, while ensuring faculty and stu- dents enjoy the rich and intuitive cus- tomized end-user experience that the Apple platform is known for worldwide. Technology is changing the way education is done, inside and outside the walls of today's K-12 and higher-ed insti- tutions. Apple products, managed through JAMF Software, give students the ability to learn at their own pace with engaging, multi-dimensional tools – while providing educators with tech- nology to help manage the classrooms, the curriculum and the assessment with- out requiring heavy IT involvement. Casper Focus It isn't enough to drop the technology into their classroom and ask teachers to adapt their teaching practices overnight. Allowing for gradual progress and creat- ing the conditions for success are vital. The Casper Suite's tool for teachers, Casper Focus, does just that for class- room iPad implementations. As educators adopt technology within their classroom, particularly the iPad, they're often faced with finding methods for keeping students focused on the content appropriate to the specif- ic topic. Casper Focus enables teachers to zero students in on a single app or website, guide classes or temporarily restrict students on their iPad – all from their own iPad. Get Resources, When You Need Them Once comfortable, teachers can really harness the power of personalized learning. Mass customization is about getting students the resources they need as they need them. JAMF Software is removing rigidly fixed timeframes that once dictated upgrade s c h e d u l e s , and at the same time, is reducing lost instructional time caused by out- of-date processes requiring turning in devices for mass imaging. Empower Users Instructional IT-focused programs can now be flexible and adjust as needed based upon the individual educational needs of the students. Distributing soft- ware and content is as-needed, not just during school breaks or after hours. With Casper Suite's Self Service tool, it's more foolproof than ever. Self Service's intuitive interface makes it easy for users to install soft- ware, configure printers, access digital content and update applications them- selves. Because users do not need admin permissions on their machines to access Self Service, your IT team retains the ability to configure applications and set- tings. Self Service will be a hit in your school, giving users instant access while saving your IT team time. Visit JAMF Software at booth 3042. To learn more, visit www.jamfsoftware.com /solutions/education. FORESTVILLE USD IMPROVES CAMPUS COMMUNICATION WITH EXTRON CLASSROOM AV TECHNOLOGY The Forestville Union School District, located in northern California, is com- prised of a single school with 360 students in grades K-8. With bond money awarded to the district, administrators chose to use some of the funds for classroom AV tech- nology improvements that would empow- er teachers and benefit students. They selected Extron WallVault ® Systems to outfit each of their 35 class- rooms, as well as the auditorium and multipurpose spaces. WallVault Systems are a family of complete, cen- tralized AV switching and control sys- tems designed for use with wall mount- ed short-throw projectors and flat panel displays. Forestville was able to cus- tomize their classroom systems to include the Extron VoiceLift ® Microphone option to evenly distribute the teacher's voice to all students. "Teachers appreciate how easy and flexible the WallVault System is when it comes to using the AV technology in their classrooms," said Jackie Bertero, Office Manager for the Forestville USD. "The key is the MediaLink controller which instills confidence because it is so intuitive." "Another benefit is how consistently the lightweight microphones perform," added Bertero. "Many teachers wear their VoiceLift Microphone around school all day, confident that they will operate perfectly in every classroom." In addition, the Superintendent and CBO, Bob Borbe, recognized the poten- tial for remote support, asset manage- ment and reporting. Specifically, Forestville was interested in the Extron GlobalViewer ® Campus Communication Suite, or GVCCS, which expands system functionality to include bells, public address announcements and intercom, also over the network. Forestville's cur- rent solution for announcements was deemed lacking; it was difficult to hear announcements over speakerphones in the classrooms, and some open areas had no audio coverage at all. "Historically, there were phone trees and we had to walk the school grounds to inform everyone of an emergency on cam- pus," said Bertero. "The whole process took a long time and we were never quite sure that everyone got the message." Now, all the classrooms and com- mon areas have an audio decoder con- nected to their speakers and man- aged by the GlobalViewer com- munication suite software. The web- based software makes it easy to set up a variety of bell schedules as well as make live or pre-recorded announce- ments on campus. Recently, a gunman involved in a domestic dispute was reported in the community. Bertero was able to quickly access the GVCCS tab on her computer and initiate a pre-recorded campus-wide lockdown announcement. "The system worked flawlessly," she noted. "Everyone in the classrooms and on the sports fields heard the message and was able to take shelter in their designated area." Bertero also received feedback that several restaurants and businesses around the school also heard the announcement and commenced their own lockdown. "The community is really behind this announcement project," said Bertero. "Between system tests and real life events, I think they feel this is just one more example of how we are trying to ensure the safety and security of their children." The school conducts twice monthly drills using the GVCCS system. Visit Extron at booth 1648. For more information, call 800-633-9876, email support@extronclassroom.com or go to www.extronclassroom.com. The recent collaboration between Epson, Promethean and SMART Board ® ensures that all of the products work seamlessly together. "I wish we could have them in every classroom, but we're not quite there yet," Gavitt explained. "But we're making strides, and because our district focuses on digital learning, our early adopters are becoming facilita- tors for other teachers. We're building, and we're growing – and the kids love it." "I'm glad Epson interactive projec- tors are compatible with Promethean ActivInspire and SMART Notebook soft- ware," Gavitt said. "It allows our teach- ers to truly adopt and integrate technolo- Epson ( Cont'd. from p. 11) gy into the classroom, and by doing so we get our students to be creators and producers. The passive learner is gone; it's active learning now. And you must have technology in the classroom to make that happen." Visit Epson at booth 714, or go to www.epson.com/education.