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EdTech Show Daily 2 5 Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Do I Need to Refresh? Motivated students thirst for knowledge, their success often based on keeping their minds stimulated. Young learners are easily bored, but the latest technology magnifies their investment in their stud- ies and drives them to explore and maxi- mize their potential. Troxell's 1:1 mobile programs help make certain each of your students' edu- cational goals are met. It understands that no school or district has unlimited funds, so it has streamlined its programs to help stretch budgets and tailor your needs to our product's best functions. Whether you are doing end of year auditing or general inventory control, now is the time to plan for upcoming courses and the next semester. Chrome and Windows-powered devices get high grades for ease of use and functionality. In fact, although Chromebooks account for more than half the mobile devices shipped to schools, both share more in common than ever before. Check Out the Similarities Chromebooks and Windows devices are now competitively priced starting under $200, need no separate security software and take less than 10 seconds on average to boot. Both platforms are perfect for classrooms and multiuser assignments since they utilize cloud storage, which offers multiple-device access to docu- ments. Assignment documents are easily uploaded to Google Docs or Microsoft Troxell (Cont'd. from p. 1) One Drive where students gain access from their own personal devices after leaving the classroom. What are the Differences? One major difference is Windows devices offer ample local storage on internal hard drives as well as opportuni- ties for cloud-based storage. Data, stu- dent identity and malware protection are top concerns with Windows IT execu- tives and Windows is the No. 1 operating system chosen by schools. Local IT support may be required for Windows to connect devices and down- load apps, but when done, Windows will be compatible with in-classroom tech- nologies such as printers, projectors and cameras. The devices can help students prepare for Windows-dominated business environments in their future while grow- ing alongside the students as their curricu- lar needs evolve. The devices are also robust enough to power STEM applica- tions, such as CAD/CAM and multimedia. Windows enables students and teachers to work concurrently on docu- ments in the same classroom or class- rooms across the globe. Windows devices enable students and teachers to download almost unlimited content with a single keystroke. As Chromebooks and Windows con- tinue to evolve, call Troxell to make sure your students have the necessary tools to excel. For more information, go to www.troxell solutions.com, call 855.TROXELL or stop by booth #2339. "Our district is in the process of creating our own digital curriculum, so students will increasingly use mobile devices as their textbooks. We didn't find any stations that fit our needs for this initiative, so we approached LocknCharge about creat- ing a custom solution," said Charri Stratton, Director of Instructional Technology at Putnam City Schools. "We wanted a charging station that didn't take up classroom space and allowed teachers to look at the station and easily see if all the iPads were put away and charging. LocknCharge pro- vided that with the Putnam 16 Charging Station." "Having worked with Putnam City Schools since their initial iPad deploy- ment, it was a natural fit to partner together as they continue their bold 1:1 and digital curriculum initiatives with a new way to secure and power their iPads," said James Symons, Chief LocknCharge (Cont'd. from p. 1) Executive Officer for LocknCharge. "We are excited to take this charging station and custom solution approach to other classrooms to support their use of tech- nology." The Putnam 16 Charging Station comes with a lifetime warranty on the station and a two-year warranty on the electrical components. The station can be stacked on top of others or mounted to the wall. The dimensions for the station are 27.7 inches by 12.3 inches by 13.9 inches. About LocknCharge LocknCharge is a leading global manufac- turer and supplier of mobile deployment solutions with headquarters in Australia, the United States and Europe. LocknCharge offers a solution to the growing problem of physically managing the deployment of mobile devices in class- rooms and businesses around the world. Visit www.lockncharge.com. For more information and to demo the Putnam 16 Charging Station, stop by booth #1935. companies like Southwest Airlines and Bayer CropScience, are creating career opportunities for students in high school. "My students now have an industry-rec- ognized certificate to add to their résumé portfolio," says Kirby Hancock, an agri- culture educator at Adair County High School. "In fact, I have several students who are now working for local veterinar- ians and livestock operations as a direct result of their receiving the Elanco Fundamentals of Animal Science Certification." This is just one example of how students are emerging into the workforce with proven, relevant skillsets, all because of earned industry certifica- tions. Since the launch of iCEV's industry certification program in 2014, the response has been incredible. Last school year alone, over 5,000 students earned an industry certification. Sofía Chavez, a student at Gridley High School, says earning a certification has helped to pre- pare her for life beyond high school, "My Benz School of Floral Design Certification is making me career or col- lege ready. It is giving me skills and knowledge that will help me if I decide to take this course in college, or if I decide iCEV (Cont'd. from p. 1) that I want to be a florist someday." Educators are excited about the opportunities iCEV powered certifica- tions offer students. "When students have a tangible certificate to show all of the hard work they've put into a class, it real- ly makes them feel good," says Bastrop ISD Director of Student Advancement, Jennifer Edenfield, "In fact, with these certifications, I often see those students hold the CTE courses in high regard because of the end result of certification. It gives them an extra boost and keeps them going until completion, and often facilitates them moving onto post-sec- ondary educational opportunities." iCEV is partnering with school dis- tricts across the country to improve and create the skilled workforce needed for tomorrow. "I see a lot of high schools throughout the country moving in this direction because it provides evidence for these students. I think it's going to connect a bridge between industry and education, which is outstanding," notes Patrick Smith, Agriculture Educator, King City High School. Join the move- ment to close the skills gap and certify over 10,000 students this school year. Learn more at www.icevonline.com/certify 10k, or stop by booth #311. premature in that the solution has yet to prove it has had a meaningful, sustain- able impact on that district. Interestingly, since ClassLink serves as a gateway for teachers and students to access their digital learning resources, we have the ability to help districts under- stand the extent to which products are being utilized – a key measure of adop- tion. Through myriad conversations with our school district clients, we've come to understand the importance of technology and instructional leaders understanding what's being used, by whom and with what regularity. We, the technology and digital learn- ing providers of education, achieve gen- uine adoption by delivering a product that's easy to use, implemented with effi- cacy and fully supported. The user experience is key to utiliza- tion. Schools recognize this and providers have been working to innovate not simply to solve complex issues, but to deliver a simple path in helping teach- ers and students solve them together. ClassLink (Cont'd. from p. 4) Providers must deliver an implemen- tation process that is clear, consistent and contains few surprises. Whether it's avoiding unexpected fees that force dis- tricts to pause or being inflexible in the protocols used to make access easier, providers must be wary of introducing complexity into the digital learning implementation process. There's nothing so disruptive to technology adoption than a failed installation. Finally, one of the key reasons a school genuinely adopts a product is that it is fully supported. ClassLink, for example, will respond to calls from tech- nology teams, instructional leaders, teachers, students and parents. Ours is not to reason why a stakeholder is having an issue, but to find a solution. The same holds true for all providers that want to move beyond the purchase phase and ensure that their products are actually improving learning outcomes. Otherwise, what's the point of doing this at all? For more information, go to www.class link.com or stop by booth #2326. To Lecture or Not to Lecture – That Is the Question By Shane Cox, Chief Executive Officer When you hear the word "lecture," an image comes to mind of a stuffy old professor in a worn out tweed jacket, glasses perched upon the tip of his nose, droning on at the podium in a monoto- nous song that slowly lulls you off to sleep. Schools have tried their best to dis- tance themselves from this image with bright shiny gadgets and slick software, sold on the promise of individualized self-paced learning. If I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase "from the sage on the stage to the guide on the side" at an education technology conference, I could actually afford to live on a teacher salary. But the truth of the matter is that lecture still has tremendous value within the classroom. The key is encouraging active classroom participation. Think back through the many, many hours of professional development you've had the pleasure, or pain, of sitting through. What made the difference? Just like us, students will be more actively engaged the more they can give feedback, ask questions and share. Studies have shown that a teacher's voice loses up to 45 per- cent of its intelligibility by the time it reaches the back row, and that is when the teacher is facing them. Odds are, the students in the back are going to have an even more difficult time hearing their peers than they do their teacher, especial- ly if they are already distracted. This can create a vicious cycle. In order to help remedy this problem, we developed the Qball, a throwable wireless microphone. The Qball is a fun, hands on approach to getting students to actively participate in classroom discussions, while making sure their voice is heard. For more information, go to www.buyqball.com.