CHICAGO – June 25, 2018 – According to a national study by , schools with one-to-one laptop environments show higher levels of academic achievement. Now with today’s launch of the world’s first augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) laptop from Silicon Valley company, zSpace Inc., the laptop learning environment comes to life, allowing students to lift images from the screen and examine them in detail, gaining a deeper understanding of concepts by physically manipulating virtual simulations, from energy and motion to molecules and organisms.

“When students put on a VR headset and take a field trip or explore human anatomy, they are having an individual experience. It doesn’t encourage making connections, creativity or collaboration. zSpace was created specifically for learners, creating a shared AR/VR learning environment,” said Paul Kellenberger, CEO, zSpace. “Today’s launch of the zSpace Laptop takes that experience to the next level, moving our comfortable, interactive learning experience to the accessibility and affordability of the mobile platform.”

Unlike other virtual reality solutions, such as head-mounted displays, that can be isolating, zSpace empowers students to “learn by doing” in a virtual environment where it is easy to take risks, make and correct mistakes, manipulate many variables, and not worry about material costs or clean up.

Coupled with zSpace’s proven applications, the laptop provides students with a real-world learning environment and a personalized learning experience that align to state and national standards. A fully functional laptop, students can also use the mobile zSpace solution to explore the internet, complete classwork assignments, take online assessments or any other activities that they would use a computer for at school.

Launched for education just five years ago, students at more than 800 school districts, technical centers, medical schools and universities across the country learn with zSpace. A recent survey of teachers using zSpace with their students demonstrated their belief in the power of AR/VR to transform learning. Nearly 100 percent of teachers surveyed said that using AR/VR allows them to expose their students to things that would otherwise be impossible.

Atlanta Public Schools is one of the first districts planning to introduce the zSpace Laptop to its students.

"The new zSpace laptop is going to be a game-changer,” said Aleigha Henderson-Rosser, Ed.D., director, instructional technology, Atlanta Public Schools. “We introduced the zSpace virtual reality experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels three years ago. Schools have supported their STEAM, core academic, and Career and Technical Education programs by integrating the all-in-one zSpace hardware and software solution. Now we will continue to support these programs with the new zSpace Laptop. The laptop device will give us additional flexibility as we determine our implementation models through Atlanta Public Schools."

Students at Buffalo Public School District in New York are starting their third year learning with zSpace, now in over 15 district schools, with the plan to be in all schools in the district by the end of next year.

“Bringing AR/VR to the laptop gives our students the ability to learn in a more flexible virtual environment as well as to complete traditional laptop work,” said Sanjay Gilani, chief technology officer, Buffalo Public Schools.

To support the stunning and powerful 3D graphics performance, zSpace Laptop combines a low-power, high performance AMD embedded accelerated processing unit (APU) with AMD Embedded Radeon™ graphics LiquidVR™ technology, resulting in an incredibly realistic and comfortable AR/VR experience.

“For decades, AMD technology has improved the way that people live, work and play. Now, with AMD’s x86 processor and graphics technology integrated into the new zSpace AR/VR Laptop, we are thrilled to provide the engine for a transformational platform that enables a new genre of learning with interactive, visually engaging and highly responsive content,” said Mark Papermaster, chief technology officer and senior vice president of technology and engineering, AMD. “Learners will dynamically engage with content and learn new concepts through a truly immersive experience, creating ‘presence’ -- a state of awareness where a virtual world feels so real they’ll believe they are there.”

For more information about how schools are using zSpace for learning, visit www.zspace.com.

About zSpace

zSpace® combines elements of AR and VR to create lifelike experiences that inspire curiosity, create engagement and deepen understanding. Among its numerous awards and accolades, zSpace was named “Cool Vendor” by Gartner, Inc., “Best in Show at ISTE” by Tech & Learning Magazine for three consecutive years and was ranked two years in a row on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies. zSpace is a privately held, venture-backed company located in Sunnyvale, California, and has been granted more than 40 patents for its innovative technologies. For more information, visit www.zspace.com, or follow on Twitter @zSpace.

Trident Case™ is showcasing its new TechJacket™ Case, a rugged case solution for most 11-inch laptops and Chromebooks, at ISTE 2015.

Features include:

• Drop protection from up to four feet
• Anti-skid protective corners
• Access to all ports (USB and charging) while the case is on
• Can be used with the case attached
• Shock-absorbing lining

The case comes with a black and gray exterior and is available at www.tridentcase.com for MSRP of $49.99.

For more information, visit Trident Case at ISTE 2015 at Booth #710. To purchase, visit www.tridentcase.com.

When Dr. Mark Edwards stepped into his position as Superintendent of Mooresville G.S.D. in North Carolina, academic performance and graduation rates were at 65%. Five years after initiating his “Digital Conversion,” Mooresville is Apple’s Distinguished District and has risen from 38th to 3rd on North Carolina’s list of schools of distinction. Composite test scores have risen 21% and the dropout rate has fallen 54%.

To implement Mooresville’s digital conversion, the school district invested in a laptop computer for every student and staff, which resulted in an initial order of over 5000 computers. The new learning environment allowed the educational focus to be on personalized and project-based learning, using all digital resources. In order to keep their vision on track, Dr. Edwards and his Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Scott Smith, realized they needed an way to managing 5000 computers, along with all of their software, applications and files. They found their solution in FileWave.

“Through FileWave, we’re able to reach out and touch 5000 machines at one time. That’s a huge cost-savings in terms of IT and total cost of ownership and what is going on technically in our department," said Dr. Edwards. “Previously, when we had issues and had to pull files back in, just the entire time-intensive, labor-intensive process...now we have the means, the capacity, the efficiency and the precision with FileWave to reach every student, every teacher’s laptop in immediate fashion.”

The time efficiencies has allowed their IT department to initiate projects like the student-run help desk, where students use elective class credits to troubleshoot and repair computer problems for teachers and their peers. The teachers view these students as “experts” and often utilize their services in class.

Currently, Mooresville distributes the MacBook Air as the model laptop to their third grade through high school students. They use iPads with their Specialized Learning population and their K-2 students. The tablet’s versatility help visually and auditory-impaired students keep up with their peers through the use of enlarged screens and text-to-speech programs. The touchscreens enable tactile learners. The functionality of early math and reading apps on the iPad have been a huge hit with K-2 students, helping them adapt to learning new skills. Encouraged by these initial successes, Dr. Smith is enthusiastic about incorporating Mobile Device Management solution into Mooresville’s agenda for future growth.

“When we look at the Digital Conversion and the means to bring efficiency to operations, that’s the personification of FileWave. When you think about the manpower, the hours, the planning that it takes to retrieve machines manually, rather than to be able to push out software and, in an instant, click. So the efficiency, the precision and ultimately, the effectiveness of FileWave - it’s huge.”

Microsoft has announced that it will be donating $1 billion to provide Windows 8.1 laptops to K12 students in the U.S.

The devices, which are Common Core testing compliant, include the Acer Travelmate TMB113-E, ASUS Transformer Book T100, Dell Venue 11 Pro, Fujitsu Stylistic Q704, HP 210 Notebook PC and HP ElitePad 1000, Lenovo ThinkPad 11e, Toshiba Satellite NB15t, and an upcoming Panasonic student device, set to launch at ISTE 2014.

source: Microsoft donates $1bn for student device scheme

Microsoft has announced that it will be donating $1 billion to provide Windows 8.1 laptops to K12 students in the U.S.

The devices, which are Common Core testing compliant and cost under $300, include the Acer Travelmate TMB113-E, ASUS Transformer Book T100, Dell Venue 11 Pro, Fujitsu Stylistic Q704, HP 210 Notebook PC and HP ElitePad 1000, Lenovo ThinkPad 11e, Toshiba Satellite NB15t, and an upcoming Panasonic student device, set to launch at ISTE 2014.

source: Microsoft donates $1bn for student device scheme

Microsoft Corp. and its hardware partners on Monday unveiled a range of devices at various price points for U.S. public school districts.

In addition, Microsoft exam delivery provider Certiport Inc. is providing certification exams worth over $5 million following students’ completion of Microsoft IT Academy training.

Devices from Microsoft partners include a range of form factors, from various-sized tablets to full laptops. Device options include the Acer Travelmate TMB113-E, ASUS Transformer Book T100, Dell Venue 11 Pro, FUJITSU STYLISTIC® Q704, HP 210 Notebook PC and HP ElitePad 1000, Lenovo ThinkPad 11e, Toshiba Satellite® NB15t, and a new student device from Panasonic scheduled to launch at ISTE 2014. All of the devices are Common Core testing compliant and feature Windows 8.1. This special device pricing program is delivered through technology partners that serve K–12 schools. Hardware and device manufacturers will now be able to make specially priced devices available to all U.S. public schools through this offer. Schools can determine the best device for them by visiting the ConnectED devices page, http://www.microsoft.com/eduwindows.

All U.S. public schools are eligible and can contact their technology reseller or Microsoft for additional details or to access an official letter of eligibility. More information can also be found at http://www.microsoft.com/education/ConnectED.

Microsoft Corp. and its hardware partners on Monday unveiled a range of devices at various price points for U.S. public school districts.

In addition, Microsoft exam delivery provider Certiport Inc. is providing certification exams worth over $5 million following students’ completion of Microsoft IT Academy training.

Devices from Microsoft partners include a range of form factors, from various-sized tablets to full laptops. Device options include the Acer Travelmate TMB113-E, ASUS Transformer Book T100, Dell Venue 11 Pro, FUJITSU STYLISTIC® Q704, HP 210 Notebook PC and HP ElitePad 1000, Lenovo ThinkPad 11e, Toshiba Satellite® NB15t, and a new student device from Panasonic scheduled to launch at ISTE 2014. All of the devices are Common Core testing compliant and feature Windows 8.1. This special device pricing program is delivered through technology partners that serve K–12 schools. Hardware and device manufacturers will now be able to make specially priced devices available to all U.S. public schools through this offer. Schools can determine the best device for them by visiting the ConnectED devices page, http://www.microsoft.com/eduwindows.

All U.S. public schools are eligible and can contact their technology reseller or Microsoft for additional details or to access an official letter of eligibility. More information can also be found at http://www.microsoft.com/education/ConnectED.

Lenovo will be announcing over 15 new devices at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week.

The Think and Multimode devices to be unveiled include the following:

• ThinkPad X1 Carbon, a 14 inch ultrabook made from rugged carbon fibers, weighing only 2.8 pounds.
• Thinkpad 8, an 8-inch business tablet that can be connected to a keyboard and display
• Clamshell laptops which offer the latest graphics options and audio features, as well as facial recognition and motion and voice control.
• Multimode tablet Yoga 2, measuring only 2.8 pounds and .67 inches
• MIIX 2, a detachable three-mode laptop, can be used as a touchscreen, laptop or display device.

Read more at thenextweb.com/gadgets/2014/01/06/

Troup County School System has deployed Dell Latitude e5530 laptops, Latitude 6430 ultrabooks and Optiplex 3010 desktop computers across all 20 of its schools.

“Windows PCs have always been the most affordable, manageable and productive tools for our students to use,” said Josh Moneypenny, Technology Director of Troup County School System. “Dell’s combination of high-performance computers at an affordable price helps us provide more of our students and teachers the tools they need to make teaching and learning more interactive and engaging.”

Dell is partnering with its PartnerDirect Partner of the Year, CORE ATG, to provide Troup County School System with a range of services, such as digital etching, asset tagging and offsite disposal of all cardboard and plastic shipping and packaging material. CORE ATG will also be providing asset recovery services that include removal of all existing electronic equipment, data wiping hard drives in accordance with Department of Defense standards and responsibly disposing of electronic waste with a local certified specialist.

Troup County School System leveraged Microsoft Shape the Future program to lower the cost of the computers’ software and operating systems and increase the number of computers deployed on campus.

Neonode Inc., the optical touch technology company, today announces that its MultiSensing Technology is integrated into One Laptop Per Child’s (OLPC) new XO-4 Touch.

This laptop convertible is developed to be virtually childproof, with strict requirements for safety, durability, cost, and power-efficiency.

OLPC’s requirements include:

• Exceptional power efficiency, that supports hand-crank charging
• A touch-based user interface that works without adding cover-glass, thereby maximizing glare-free readability in sunlight
• Integration of low-cost parts that are durable, yet easily replaced and repaired
• Touch functionality in less-than-ideal environments that may include dust, dirt, and moisture

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X131e is built for students with technologies to promote the learning goals:

• Standardized testing: The ThinkPad X131e has a full-sized keyboard and an 11.6-inch screen and Windows OS.
• Project-based learning: For students working on assignments that involve research and interaction, the ThinkPad X131e has up to 8.5 hours of battery life, access to the web and ability to run specialized applications.
• 1:1 program: Lenovo’s ThinkPad X131e Chromebook works with a 1:1 student-to-device program where students can run Web applications to accomplish 90 percent of the work they need to do.

Dell today launched the Latitude 3330, a new laptop that is compatible with Dell’s existing solutions and services for education and which offers support for personalized learning opportunities in the classroom.

The Latitude 3330, compact and portable, integrates into a school’s existing IT infrastructure and offers all-day battery life with a 6-cell battery. It supports Microsoft Windows 8, Windows 7, and Linux Ubuntu, has a 13.3-inch anti-glare screen, an HD 720 webcam, WiDi support for virtual classroom collaboration and VGA, HDMI, USB3.0 and optional USB docking.

The newest Dell Mobile Computing Cart solution, also announced today, is available in managed and unmanaged options and enables secure storage, charging and transport. It is designed to accommodate a variety of form factors and screen sizes, including Dell tablets, Ultrabooks, laptops and up to 30 Latitude 3330s. The managed cart option allows for remote management and IT updates.

Availability and Pricing

The Latitude 3330 is available in late April 2013 and starts at $419. The Dell Mobile Computing cart is also available in late April and starts at $1899.99 for the unmanaged configuration and $2799.99 for the managed configuration.

One Laptop per Child Association (OLPC) announced today the delivery of 2000 of its laptops to children in seven schools in Charlotte, NC. The project is a collaborative effort between OLPC and Project L.I.F.T. (LIFT). LIFT is a non-profit consortium of community organizations dedicated to improving the education of students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. OLPC and LIFT are both supported by Knight Foundation, who brought together and funded the one-to-one project in Charlotte.

Charlotte marks the second project in recent years for OLPC in the US. The first project, also funded by Knight Foundation, was in Miami for 500 children in a single school. Based on the successful results from the first year of that project, Knight approached OLPC to undertake the larger, multi-school program in Charlotte. The project in Miami is now in its second year.

"We are very pleased to partner again with Knight Foundation to expand OLPC into another city in the US,” said Rodrigo Arboleda, Chairman and CEO of OLPC. "Joining with like-minded people devoted to children's education, such as Project LIFT, only increases the benefits the children receive and accelerates their learning,” said Arboleda.

Susan Patterson, Knight Foundation program director in Charlotte, said, “Access to the Internet and digital skills are vital for success in today’s connected world, we hope these devices can give the students in Project LIFT a jump start to learning and living digitally.”

In 2008, Poway Unified School district piloted a 1:1 laptop program at several elementary schools. In this video, students, teachers and parents discuss how the program has expanded learning for these young students.

Bretford Manufacturing, Inc., has introduced its first network-ready 32-unit laptop cart for K-12 and higher education environments. Designed to charge, sync and fully manage up to 32 laptops from inside the cart, the MDMLAP32NR is available for order starting today and will ship at the end of this month.

The new cart comes with 32 cables wired to each storage slot and an additional one for connecting the switch to the port on the side of the cart, a space for a 19-inch rack-mounted network switch and includes an external network port on the outside of the cart. The Power Manager uses a “Round Robin” charging cycle that constantly evaluates the demand for power and concentrates on the devices that need it most. Security is provided by the solid steel construction and locking handles that can be opened using either a re-programmable combination or a key.

Every student at Miami’s Holmes Elementary School will receive his or her own laptop today, in an effort to level the digital playing field for more than 525 kids at the school.

“We are pleased to be working with Knight Foundation and the Miami-Dade County public schools on this new OLPC education initiative in the U.S.”

The XO laptops, specially designed for primary school children, will be provided by One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), with $245,000 in support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Community advocates will present the laptops at 9:30 a.m. today at the Holmes Elementary in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood.

“Access to the Internet and digital skills are vital for success in today’s connected world,” said Jorge Martinez, who leads Knight Foundation’s Universal Access Initiative. “We hope the laptops help these eager young minds at Holmes Elementary to become digital natives who are more informed and engaged in their classrooms and their community.”

Along with the XO laptops, One Laptop Per Child is providing in-house training at the school for parents, teachers and students on how to use the computers to advance students’ learning. The laptops come equipped with tools that allow students and teachers to work more closely together. In real-time, students can follow their teacher’s work on their laptop, or work collaboratively on projects. In addition, One Laptop Per Child is assisting in creating a localized curriculum that helps kids meet their academic benchmarks.

"We are pleased to be working with Knight Foundation and the Miami-Dade County public schools on this new OLPC education initiative in the U.S.," said Rodrigo Arboleda, chairman and CEO of the One Laptop Per Child Association. "We believe that partnering with foundations, the private sector and the public sector is an excellent model that can be replicated across the country."

Holmes Elementary School, which serves the majority of Liberty City residents, is at risk of closing at the end of the year if its state test scores do not improve. In an effort to boost performance, a variety of tools and resources are being used to enhance teaching and learning, including the laptops and training.

“With this project, every child will carry learning in the palm of their hands and we will be one step closer to leveling the educational playing field in Miami,” said Atunya Walker, Holmes Elementary School principal.

Holmes Elementary has been selected because it is working with Knight-funded Teach For America to change student performance. Knight provided funding to triple the amount of Teach for America teachers in Miami-Dade – bringing the number to 350 – in a group of inner city schools that includes Holmes.

See the video about this project.

Lenovo announced today the ThinkPad X130e laptop, equipped with choices of the latest Intel or AMD processors and integrated graphics as well as wireless connectivity and multimedia tools. Designed to be handled by kids, the ThinkPad X130e has a reinforced and extra durable top cover, keyboard and hinges.

The 11.6-inch lightweight ultraportable weighs less then four pounds and offers choices of AMD Fusion E-300 and E-450 or Intel second generation Core i3-2367M ULV processors and AMD Radeon or Intel HD-powered graphics.

To help school-proof them, the X130e has several heavy-duty features including:

• A top cover rubber bumper to absorb impacts to the side of the laptop
• 33 percent stronger corner to reduce the chance of damage when dropped at an angle
• Stronger hinges to outlast even the most frequent PC user at up to 30,000 cycles
• Reinforced and recessed ports to decrease the effects of student “wear and tear”
• Stronger Bezel with 1.2mm thick plastic to protect the LED panel

The ThinkPad X130e laptop will be available starting Dec. 20 from business partners and on www.lenovo.com. Pricing for models starts at $469.

Bretford Manufacturing, Inc. today introduced four new mobile device carts to support the modern learning environment. The new MDMLAP30 30-unit laptop/netbook carts and MDMTAB36 36-unit tablet carts feature advanced power management and desktop cord management.

The new carts include a “Power Manager” system, which continuously charges mobile devices, concentrating on the devices that need it most. The Power Manager prevents circuit tripping and allows each set of device batteries to cool down between charging cycles, thereby extending their life.

The carts also offer new cable and cord management: the locking slots in the front of the cart position the cords so they can be easily plugged into the device. The back of the cart features a removable cord management system.

The new MDMLAP30 laptop/netbook carts and MDMTAB36 tablet carts are currently shipping at a list price that begins at $3,948.

India's quest to create a $10 laptop is getting a lot of press this week. Fast Company notes that the proposed design will have 2 GB of RAM, wired Ethernet, and Wi-Fi and probably will run Linux. The laptop initiative is part of India's National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology, an effort that also includes attempts to expand basic and digital literacy, extend wireless Internet access to rural areas, and provide free or low-cost access to online textbooks and other e-content.

Ars Technica is skeptical of India's potential for success:

Can India do it? The inner philanthropist hopes so, but the realist who buys technology says, "No way." Why? Component prices are simply too high. The screen for the XO laptop, which is probably the single most innovative thing OLPC has to offer, was estimated to cost $28 per unit, in volume, by Merrill Lynch. OLPC has said that the complete motherboard/CPU package will cost roughly $75, and based on the Merrill Lynch estimates, it looks as though a third of that cost will be for the CPU alone. In other words, the CPU itself, the motherboard, the screen, the NAND flash storage, and the RAM... each of these costs more than $10 to manufacture for inclusion in the OLPC. India's $10 price hopes appear to be nothing more than pure fantasy.

Contrary to these assertions, however, India is claiming that the actual cost of the laptop currently is $20 (or $47 if you factor in labor costs?). The hope is that mass production will bring down the price to the desired $10.

I don't know if India can do this or not. The country already has served as the place of origin for the $2,500 car and the $20 cell phone. But one only has to look at the difficulties of the One Laptop Per Child project to see that India's quest is quite daunting.

In the end, it may not matter whether the cost of India's laptop is $10, $20, or $50. The bigger picture is that countries, companies, and other organizations are working really hard to come up with low-cost computing devices that expand access to the global information society. Like TIME magazine said back in 2006, this is going to be a good thing:

We're looking at an explosion of productivity and innovation, and it's just getting started, as millions of minds that would otherwise have drowned in obscurity get backhauled into the global intellectual economy.

Im excited about the future of all of this. The next few decades are going to be interesting!

Kensington Computer Products Group has introduced a new laptop locking station, with an all steel backbone, and tether kit. Users place their laptop on the base of the unit and close the side arm, with no key or cable required. To unlock, insert a key to release the laptop. The optional Tether Kit offers additional flexibility to users who do not want to permanently attach the laptop locking station to a desktop surface.

For more information, visit http://us.kensington.com. To view a demo video, visit www.youtube.com

Emerald Data Solutions™ has launched Computers for African Learners with a donation of laptops and educational software to Kenya's Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT). Computers for African Learners, founded by Emerald Data Solutions' President Ari Ioannides, was created to improve student education in Africa and increase opportunities to achieve a better life.

"The goal of our partnership with Emerald Data Solutions is to provide Maasai students with advanced knowledge, precisely to enable them to protect their wilderness, wildlife and cultural heritages," said MWCT founder Luca Belpietro. "While we aim to improve education in the MWCT villages, we also recognize that we are working with an iconic tribe, extremely proud of its heritage and adamant not to lose it. The students are looking forward to the computers' arrival, and the teachers are working hard on their computer training."

The laptops will be pre-loaded with education software, including the Encyclopaedia Britannica 2009 Ultimate Reference Suite - Student and Home Edition; and Reading Assistant™.

To learn more about MWCT, visit www.maasai.com.

Kensington Computer Products Group has introduced the ClickSafe™ Keyed Laptop Lock for mobile professionals.

The lock attaches to a laptop with one easy motion, eliminating the need to first insert a key and then follow multiple steps to engage a lock. The lock mechanism pairs with cable made from carbon-strengthened materials.

At the Intel Developer Forum, Intel announced the latest clamshell classmate PC design. It features increased ruggedness, longer battery life, improved water resistance and additional anti-microbial protection.

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Intel has launched the new Intel Learning Series Education Channel on the Intel AppUpSM center where Intel Learning Series Alliance members can post their applications for sale to end users.

Applications available immediate from the Intel Learning Series Education Channel on AppUp include:

• Mind Master from Core-Learning
• Net Sweeper
• KeyGo and EasyBits Quick from EasyBits
• Dreamalings Playground from StoryGirl Productions
• Math Builder & Science Builder from Edu2000

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Kapil Wadhera was recently appointed general manager of Intel’s Emerging Markets Platforms Group where he will be responsible for leading the research, definition, development and marketing of technology platforms specifically designed for emerging markets

News from the National Education Computing Conference in Washington DC:

Desire2Learn Incorporated (Desire2Learn) will continue its 2009 XOXO campaign at NECC 2009, the largest annual technology conference for K-12 audiences, in Washington, DC, June 29th to July 1st, 2009. The 2009 goal is to purchase 100 laptop computers to provide students access to eLearning in underprivileged areas of the world. For more information, visit http://www.Desire2Learn.com/

Air Display from Avatron Software is a space-maximizing app lets students turn their iPad, iPhone or iPod into an on-the-spot extension of their laptop, allowing for a wider and more complete view of their monitor. The app can add up to 70% more screen space without having to spend money on additional computing equipment.

This school year West Point School District in West Point, Miss., has launched the IMPACT laptop initiative to increase student attendance and graduation rates. Funded through an Enhancing Education Through Technology grant, the IMPACT (Inspiring and Motivating, Performance, Achievement and Creativity through Technology) program enables every senior student to checkout a laptop, for a nominal usage fee, for the year.

The program is designed to enhance classroom instruction, encourage students to attend school daily, and foster 21st century skills and college readiness. Students gain learning experiences they may not have been exposed to otherwise. To support the program, the school district is providing teachers with professional development and training conducted by STI , provider of education data management and instructional coaching.

Every participating senior and their parents are required to attend an IMPACT orientation class that addresses the responsibility issues, maintenance, and care of the individual laptops. Supported by school-home communications, each participant understands the capacity for the laptop initiative to enhance student achievement and attendance through more engaging instruction and student-created content.

A target group of West Point teachers are participating in the i21 Zone professional development and training conducted by STI to ensure laptops are used in classroom instruction effectively. In partnership with West Point administrators, STI is providing a customized technology integration plan and training that helps the district build a foundation for teachers to transform their classrooms into dynamic, interactive learning environments, personalized to students’ individual needs, by using the technologies that are already available to them. The district is able to capitalize on their technology investments while improving student outcomes.

“The IMPACT program has been developed to introduce our students to technology not usually made available outside of school,” stated Chris Carter, West Point School District’s technology director. “Using the laptops provided by IMPACT, students gain extensive access to online resources inside and outside of the classroom. Our goal is to increase student motivation in preparation for college and their future careers.”

The participating students are excited about the new laptop initiative and the ease of completing assignments online, “I use Google to help with my vocabulary and my research for projects. I really like using Yahoo Mail to email my teachers my school work,” said senior Cody Dennis.

Mendon’s Community Unit School District No. 4 (CUSD #4) Superintendent Diane Robertson today announced a three-year partnership with the education and technology company Pearson that will put laptops in the hands of its students, providing online learning, progress monitoring, and assessment to personalize instruction for each child.

The initiative will begin this coming school year as high school freshmen and sophomores trade in their English and Math textbooks for Apple MacBook laptops purchased by the district. Students will then access Pearson’s online comprehensive mathematics and literature programs — engineered for one-to-one classroom environments — that will guide each student with research-based content aligned to the new Common Core State Standards.

“Today marks a paradigm shift for CUSD #4,” said Superintendent Robertson. “The incredible advancements in technology have now made it possible for us to offer our students their own personalized learning paths to prepare them for success in school and in life. Pearson has harnessed all of the technology components that will provide us a single source solution, and is offering our district this unprecedented educational opportunity. Now is the right time for us to make this move and ensure that we give every student the best opportunity we can to be prepared for their futures in the 21st century workforce.”

The initiative with Pearson will integrate the district’s existing PowerSchool student management system with its sister program PowerSchool/Studio Edition to create a connected learning environment that aligns existing student data reporting requirements with the new integrated course management system. With data collected through this system, educators can recommend precise content to remediate or accelerate learning, and students can actively take control of their own learning and view their performance progress and achievement.

Drossos said that Pearson will be on-the-ground side-by-side in the district throughout the project and will provide professional development for teachers and administrators on implementing the curriculum programs and new technology components.

“This cutting-edge project will truly transform the way our teachers teach and the way our students learn,” said Superintendent Robertson. “One of the most promising aspects of this initiative is that it levels the playing field for students who do not have access to technology at home.”

Robertson said the second year of the project would extend the program to all high school students in all subject areas, with grades seven and eight receiving their laptops in year three. Fifth and sixth grades would join the project in either year three or later.

Community Unit School District No. 4 is a consolidated PreK-12 rural school district located in West Central Illinois which serves 714 students.

Absolute® Software Corporation today released details of several laptop theft recovery success stories from K-12 school districts across the U.S. that use Computrace® by Absolute Software. These recoveries, along with the over 5,000 stolen computers recovered in the last 12 months, demonstrate the value of security software in the prevention of data breaches and the financial loss associated with laptop theft.

Laptop Recovery Reduces Cost of Theft
Carleton Elementary School, part of the Detroit Public School District, recently fell victim to large-scale theft. Included in the items stolen were several Mac laptops, which were outfitted with Computrace software. Relying on the tracking capabilities inherent in Computrace, Absolute worked with the local police department to provide a trail of clues leading directly to a suspect.

When contacted by law enforcement the suspect admitted that while he did not steal the devices, he had recently purchased them for $400 each from a nearby gas station. He agreed to return the stolen laptops and one day later, the devices were returned to Carleton Elementary.

"Theft is devastating. However, the ability to recover stolen laptops with Absolute Software's assistance can make a huge difference," said Robert Barenie, Special Investigator, Detroit Public Schools Office of Inspector General, Detroit Public Schools, Carleton Elementary School. "We always knew the importance of securing our mobile devices; though we never truly understood the benefits until we experienced theft firsthand. Computrace not only helped to protect sensitive data, but also eliminated the need to replace the devices, which would have been financially taxing."

Proactive Security Leads to Laptop Recovery
A student in the Lorain City School District (LCSD) in Ohio was the victim of theft when her assigned laptop went missing. Because the district had Computrace installed on all their laptops, Absolute's Theft Recovery Team was able to take immediate action when the laptop was reported stolen and determined that another student was actively using the device. In response to this discovery, Absolute deployed Computrace's Device Freeze feature to "brick" the device and render it unusable until accessed by an authorized administrator. The school was also able to send a custom message displayed to the the end user. These efforts resulted in a successful recovery for the school district.

Despite Challenges, Laptop Thief was Identified and Device Successfully Returned
A large school district in New Mexico was recently victim to laptop theft. To compound the issue, this case proved to be challenging as the pre- and post-theft IP addresses matched, indicating that the laptop was last contacted from its original location. Without any leads to possible suspects, the district determined it would need further assistance in identifying the thief and turned to Absolute's Theft Recovery Team.

Through analysis, research and direct collaboration with local law enforcement, Absolute was able to use screen captures and keystrokes to identify a young "gamer" as the primary suspect. Absolute was also able to pinpoint the laptop's location. As a result of the the swift action taken by Absolute and the local police department, the laptop was successfully recovered and returned to its school.

How Computrace Technology Works
Computrace and LoJack® for Laptops are powered by Absolute Software patented Computrace persistence technology. When embedded in the firmware of computers from leading computer manufactures, Computrace can survive operating system re-installations, as well as hard-drive reformats, replacements and re-imaging. Whether a PC or Mac, the software is virtually undetectable and phones home to the Absolute Monitoring Center with location and asset information. If a computer is reported stolen, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team works on behalf of the customer to gather evidence from the computer to identify the thief's location, and then works with local police to get the computer back. Customers can also remotely delete data to help keep it out of the hands of unauthorized users - a reliable contingency in case data protection solutions fail. Computrace or LoJack for Laptops can be easily activated by customers when they install a license ranging from 1-3 years.

Today, Lenovo and Intel Corporation announced the Lenovo Classmate+ PC, a purpose-built laptop designed to improve learning for students in grades K-8.

The Lenovo Classmate+ provides schools an affordable, child-friendly complete hardware and software solution. Based on the Intel Learning Series reference design, the PC will come pre-loaded with the Intel Learning Series software suite, specialized educational software and a variety of teaching resources. This spring, the Organization of Ibero-American States will deploy the first wave of 158,000 Lenovo Classmate+ laptops as part of its Conectar Igualdad 1:1 computing program, which will equip students throughout the country with PC technology.

The Lenovo Classmate+ PC is equipped with an Intel® Atom™ processor, Ethernet and WiFi Internet connectivity, Windows 7 operating system and high-capacity storage up to 250 GB or solid state drive options. It also comes with a 10.1 inch LED backlit screen, a 1.3 megapixel camera, multiple USB ports and a 4-in-1 card reader to support viewing multimedia.

The new Classmate+ PC is a part of Lenovo’s new Learning Environment, a model for how technology in education works in a classroom and 1:1 environment. The Lenovo Learning Environment, which is located in the company’s Customer Innovation Center at its U.S. headquarters in Morrisville, N.C., provides a place to evaluate educational technology, offers professional development resources for teachers and serves as a feedback lab for students testing Lenovo PCs.

The Lenovo Classmate+ PC is available immediately worldwide to qualified education and government customers through Lenovo sales representatives and channel partners. The price of the Classmate+ PC will vary in each market based on regional taxes, tariffs and configuration options.

North Kansas City Schools serves more than 18,000 students in suburban Kansas City-North and prides itself as a place where “learners achieve excellence, embrace change and forge new traditions.” In pursuit of that ideal, the district has recently implemented an ambitious one-to-one laptop program for their 5,600 high school students.

“Our laptop initiative is not about the devices; it is about how we can change classroom instruction to improve student achievement,” said Janet Herdman, Executive Director, Information and Technology Services.

The district has also adopted other technology to both support the laptop program and also to generally promote student achievement. Inquiry, an instructional technology decision support tool from ClassLink, will allow North Kansas administrators to analyze real-time usage of all their software and hardware.

The program accumulates, organizes and analyzes data in an instructional context, and allows administrators to combine technology usage data with student grades and attendance, thereby correlating technology usage with instructional results.

“Inquiry is an integral resource that will help us analyze both the success of this initiative and identify any modifications that may be needed,” added Herdman. “It will allow us to analyze and determine the effectiveness of both the laptops and the software.”

On September 23, Lenovo announced that the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School (PAVCS), a K-12 public cyber charter school in Norristown, PA, deployed nearly 4,000 ThinkPad R500 laptops to give its students the technology they needed to complete a high quality public education from home.

The school has also partnered with IBM Global Financing to receive an environmentally responsible technology refresh strategy through leasing.

Joanne Barnett, Chief Executive Officer at PAVCS, says the school chose the ThinkPad 500 after careful deliberation, based on its excellent reputation, high quality and durability, and especially its affordability and performance. This marks the school’s first purchase of PCs for its students, and will help it provide better service and consistency to students—previously, the school leased computers.

With the help of IBM Global Financing’s leasing and technology asset recovery services, the school will be able to upgrade older PCs every three years and return used PCs for reuse or recycling.