How school librarians are getting creative in a pandemic

New questions from school librarians…

Will ultra violet disinfectant devices damage books?
How long should I quarantine a book before circulating it again?
How can I use technology to coordinate curbside pick-up for students who want to check out print books?

Meet the same old challenges……Read More

Epson Projectors for Impactful Signage and Laser-Focused Learning

Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide,1 today announced it is now shipping its budget-friendly PowerLite® 800F for classrooms and PowerLite 805F for digital signage applications. As businesses and educators continue to adapt to social distancing needs, Epson’s new ultra short-throw laser solutions help boost engagement while delivering impactful and informational content across education, retail, entertainment, and hospitality environments. Combining powerful projection with user-friendly software, robust connectivity and flexible installation, the new projectors transform spaces and offer easy reading from nearly anywhere in the room.

“Projection provides a reliable and flexible tool as companies adapt to changes in consumer behavior and educators work to stay more connected with students while adjusting to new forms of learning,” said Remi Del Mar, product manager, Epson America, Inc. “In today’s more spread out, social distancing classrooms and meeting rooms, larger display sizes are crucial. The new PowerLite models provide affordable, easy-to-use solutions to help deliver clear, impactful and relevant content, while optimizing existing spaces.”

These versatile ultra short-throw projectors offer flexible, 360-degree placement and a full stack of connectivity options including HDBaseT to illuminate spaces with vibrant, true-to-life images up to 130 inches. The PowerLite 800F and 805F feature built-in edge blending and split screen2 for easy, scalable projection image when larger images are required and a 3LCD laser light engine for lasting reliability.3 For added convenience, users can wirelessly display eye-catching content using Miracast via Epson’s iProjection™ app, and even mirror device photos, videos and apps.4 …Read More

Audio-Visual Furniture Line with Release of Slim-Footprint, Adjustable Lectern

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin – lecturers have to function within many environments. Yet there is an increased expectation for use of technology and expanded mobility within that same classroom. Factor in a wide variance in physical traits and you have a challenge accommodating instructors. We set out to address those core issues, while minimizing the impact on an institutions budget,” said Ben Jones, Spectrum’s Vice President of Sales.

The Adjustable Height Slim Lectern builds off Spectrum’s thinnest, sleekest lectern and provides an upgrade for ergonomics and comfort. The Adjustable Height Slim Lectern features an amazing 10” of electrical height adjustment to the top surface. “An overlooked benefit for instructors is that height-adjustable lecterns can help to relieve or prevent such common ailments as back pain and carpel tunnel syndrome,” Jones added.

The lectern can be specified with an optional 6RU, removable rack, to fully-support AV environments. The removable rack, along with a removable audience panel, help simplify initial integration and in-classroom support  On the instructor side of the lectern an “underbridge” can be mounted to accommodate power modules or surface-mount, room control devices. Available with glides for stationary use, or four locking casters for maximum flexibility, the lectern can be configured to your specific environment.…Read More

How to ensure home broadband access for every student

When the coronavirus pandemic forced students into remote learning this past spring, many telecommunications companies stepped up to offer free or deeply discounted home broadband access to families who couldn’t afford it. Now, those temporary offers have largely expired — and yet remote learning seems likely to continue in at least some capacity when school resumes this fall.

This raises key questions for K-12 leaders to resolve: How will students from low-income families connect to the internet to learn from home if they can’t attend school physically this fall? What role can school systems play in ensuring home broadband access for all students, given the budget crisis many districts will be facing next year?

Related content: What the pandemic has revealed about digital equity…Read More

How we found budget for student programs in our printers

Demographics

Hatboro-Horsham School District, located in suburban Philadelphia, has a strong history of academic excellence. Serving approximately 5,000 students, the district provides education from grades K-12.

It has received blue ribbon honors from both the Pennsylvania and United States Departments of Education. Hatboro-Horsham’s schoolboard, parents, teachers, and staff are committed to moving into the future of education.…Read More

Why K-12 accounts payable teams should embrace automation

Across the country, K-12 schools are embracing technology to strengthen learning and engagement inside the classroom. But while technology has an ever-increasing presence in the classroom, the opposite is often true when it comes to a district’s back-end operations.

Due to aging systems, many accounts payable (AP) departments within school districts still rely on manual, legacy, or proprietary systems to perform critical functions like expense and invoice submission and reimbursement. This lack of automation and visibility into their expenses can end up costing a school district more in the long run, due to errors and the increased time a non-automated system takes.

As technologies quickly advance, a delay in making updates to your systems can invite risk. So why are schools still leveraging antiquated technologies? Unfortunately, it’s typically not by choice. It comes down to budget constraints and aversion to change that can cause districts to stall investing in new systems.…Read More

7 grants for STEM and technology

School leaders consistently identify high costs and shrinking budgets as a top barrier to implementing new technology tools and programs.

And while budget woes won’t improve overnight, schools and districts can boost their available funds with grants that are targeted to different areas of need.

Want to support science teachers or encourage engineering? Do you need to promote STEM learning opportunities? Or maybe you want to extend opportunities for partnerships between K-12 and the science community.…Read More

Districts say E-rate is critical to their learning goals

A large majority of E-rate applicants (87 percent) said the federally funded program is vital to their internet connectivity goals, according to an annual survey that tracks program applicants’ perspectives on the program.

In the midst of leadership changes in the White House and the FCC, as well as education budget cuts, ed-tech stakeholders have raised questions regarding the promise of the E-rate program to deliver safe and proper broadband connections to students in the U.S.

According to initial feedback from Funds For Learning’s annual E-rate applicant survey, E-rate recipients continue to rely on E-rate funding to provide connectivity for schools and libraries across the nation.…Read More

Most districts say E-rate is critical for internet access

A large majority of E-rate applicants (87 percent) said the federally funded program is vital to their internet connectivity goals, according to an annual survey that tracks program applicants’ perspectives on the program.

In the midst of leadership changes in the White House and the FCC, as well as education budget cuts, ed-tech stakeholders have raised questions regarding the promise of the E-rate program to deliver safe and proper broadband connections to students in the U.S.

According to initial feedback from Funds For Learning’s annual E-rate applicant survey, E-rate recipients continue to rely on E-rate funding to provide connectivity for schools and libraries across the nation.…Read More