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E d Te c h S h o w D a i l y Tu e s d a y, J u n e 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 2 2 BOXLIGHT'S NEW ALL-IN-ONE STEM LAB FITS IN YOUR HAND As part of its 30th anniversary celebra- tion, BOXLIGHT, a global leader in award-winning interactive displays and educational technology solutions, has announced the launch of Labdisc: an all- in-one STEM lab that fits in the palm of your hand. Labdisc is the only Kâ12 science solution with up to 15 wireless sensors built into a compact data logging device â revolutionizing learning for any science field, portability requirement, grade level, platform and budget. When integrated with BOXLIGHT's patented display and award-winning classroom technology solutions, Labdisc enables a cable-free, clean and safe STEM learning environ- ment at a fraction of the usual cost. Research has already established that the best way to teach science, while increasing student motivation and under- standing, is to combine technology with inquiry-based learning. While STEM advocates call for hands-on, relevant, inquiry-driven expe- riences, many educators struggle to keep kids motivated and engaged. That's part- ly because the simplest experiment in a typical class of 30 students requires at least 90 separate items to be tested, cali- brated, set up and put away. With BOXLIGHT's Labdisc, that number reduces to 15. The Labdisc's internal microprocessor automatically calibrates and tests all the built-in sensors to a known reference, further releasing edu- cators to focus on science con- cepts rather than equipment. Students most effectively acquire and retain information when it reflects the reality they experience outside the classroom, allowing them to make cognitive connections that last. When science experiments are performed as a means to solve everyday challenges, students can grasp the impor- tance of the discipline as a whole. Labdisc's features include display, keypad, memory and battery, enabling data collection, independent of a comput- er. This keeps science cost-effective, and free from computing issues such as avail- ability or even hard-to-read screens in direct sunlight on a field trip. Back in the class or lab, the Labdisc can operate as a sensor interface, transmitting online measurements to the computer. The long battery life of Labdisc makes it a practical tool for inside or outside the classroom. With more than 150 hours of data logging, middle to high school biology or earth science students can explore hypothe- sis relating to slow changing phenomena such as plant growth, or the impact of climate change and pollution. Labdisc's array of high quality sen- sors opens the door for inquiry-based learning in variety of science fields, including: biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science and geography. Unique features include the GPS probe, which harnesses GPS to plot sensor val- ues as a layer over a Google map. Visit BOXLIGHT at booth #1600 to join its 30th anniversary celebration and see its integrated classroom solutions in action, or go online to www.boxlight.com. RGS SMARTSTART PUTS ALL THE PIECES OF DIGITAL LEARNING TOGETHER "Moving a school in the direction of digital learning is more than just a mat- ter of replacing traditional learning tools with technology," says Christine Van De Graaf, Director of Product Management for RGS, an Avnet busi- ness unit, which is exhibiting in booth #1363 at ISTE 2015. "It's transforming how learning is done to make it more collaborative," she said. "In order to do this well, they need to have resources that help them use the tools and also to apply the tools and the concepts." RGS SmartStart is a classroom scale pilot product combining technolo- gy and professional development for a one-to-one digital learning environment in which students are collaborating with each other and with their teachers. "What this looks like at the classroom level is 30 learning devices for students plus units for teachers and all of the software that goes on it along with pro- fessional development for the educa- tors, so that they can integrate these tools and techniques into their lesson plans," Van De Graaf says. "We think along the lines of a SAMR model where they'll be able to leverage their existing lesson plans and modify what they used to be doing, or even to reimagine it in order to amplify the learning experience for their students." RGS SmartStart differs from other digital learning programs offered by various vendors in the ISTE exhibit hall because it's complete, thoroughly tested and piloted in schools across the coun- try, so it's much faster and easier to implement in classrooms. "If schools were trying to do this on their own, it would take much longer â years vs. months â which holds their students back from an experience of expanded learning," Van De Graaf says. "Other vendors may offer a piece of the solu- tion. It's like a puzzle. If you have the pieces, and you're trying to put them together without the box cover, it's much harder. We have all the pieces, and we have that box cover, so it doesn't leave the IT person trying to take various bits and pieces and figure out on their own how they all go together." In addition to a complete package of hardware and software, RGS SmartStart comes with professional development facilitated and presented by RGS Digital Learning Specialists who've been in the classroom them- selves. "It's teachers talking to teachers about how to use technology in the classroom with their students. Most of it takes place in face-to-face conversa- tions between our Digital Learning Specialists and the teachers them- selves," Van De Graaf says. "There's a little bit of point and click training, and then it's about how to apply technology in lesson planning. Ongoing coaching is available as well d e p e n d i n g on what the school has decided is a fit for its needs. Every school is like a snowflake, completely unique. In order to be successful, we have to see where they are and where they need to go and give them the tools to help them get there." RGS is hosting speaking sessions in its booth during ISTE sharing suc- cess stories from schools that have used RGS SmartStart to pilot their 1:1 digital learning. Attendees will get an overview of how and why SmartStart works as well as the steps to take for a successful transition to digital learning. Visit booth #1363 for all the details as well as sessions on professional devel- opment and game-based learning. After the ISTE conference, call 800.222.7374, email rgs.comm@avnet.com or visit www.avnetrgs.com.