Educación

From interactive whiteboards, to HD projectors, to PCs and tablets, technology in the classroom is nothing new. But an innovative method of teaching that brings technology out of the classroom and into the home is gaining ground in many schools across the country. This new teaching model is called the “Flipped Classroom” and it utilizes quick, online teacher-created videos that students typically watch after school, at home. If students don’t have a computer or an online connection at home, they can access lessons at public libraries or stay after school to watch the online lessons. Traditional “homework” is then worked on with the teacher the next day in the classroom.

By delivering instruction online and out of class, and bringing homework into the classroom, this “flipped” methodology benefits students and teachers in a number of ways.

By watching lectures at home, students can go at their own pace, take notes, and write down any questions they may have from the lecture. Students can even rewind lectures to memorize and master certain lessons. In the classroom, teachers now have more time to spend helping students 1 on 1. As a result of this 1 on 1 interaction, teachers can revisit concepts that students may not have understood at home, teachers can answer each student’s questions individually, and student frustration is minimized.

In addition, extra class time is also used to do labs or interactive activities that help to further illustrate the lessons. In short, a creative and collaborative learning environment is fostered within the classroom where teacher-student relationships are much stronger when compared to those of traditional teaching methods. Ultimately, schools that have adopted a “Flipped Classroom” methodology report higher test scores and decreased behavior problems amongst their students.

What do you think about the “Flipped Classroom” methodology? Let us know here on the blog.

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright© 2013 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Digital signage is most often associated with corporate advertising; however, more and more schools and universities are utilizing the technology in a much different way. For many campuses, digital signage has proved to be a simple and efficient way of communicating emergency notifications.

One such educational institution is West Virginia University. In the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, WVU’s administration felt it was increasingly important to have an emergency notification solution on campus. By 2013, WVU had deployed nearly 120 digital signs, all ready to display emergency alerts, in addition to daily school updates. These displays were installed in key locations such as reception desks and cafeterias in various dorms, on platforms of the school’s monorail system, and outside of the basketball arena.

Since WVU’s digital signs are connected to media players, any content or information can be easily pushed to the displays over the campus LAN. In the event of any emergency, quickly getting information to the appropriate people is crucial. And in the event of an emergency, whether for weather alerts, earthquake warnings, or potential attacks, digital signage can offer an effective way of quickly communicating messages across a campus within a matter of seconds.

As seen in the case of West Virginia University, digital signage can be used for much more than just retail advertising, displaying a restaurant’s menu items, or broadcasting brand-specific messaging on video walls. Whether for K-12 schools or higher education institutions, digital signs can keep students and staff informed of important school information, as well as during emergency situations. For more information WVU’s digital signage installation, click here.

Does your school or campus utilize digital signage? Let us know here on the blog.

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2013 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

ViewSonic is showcasing a suite of innovative VDI solutions at this year’s Citrix Synergy show in Anaheim, CA from May 22-24, 2013. Join us at Booth #414 to see our newest cloud-connected thin client devices, as well as our revolutionary and fully functional desktop thin clients with built-in LED touch screens.

Leveraging our 25-year display heritage, ViewSonic extends the Citrix XenMobile solution to the desktop with our new SD-A245 smart display. Citrix XenMobile allows an IT organization complete management of devices, apps, and associated data on consumer tablets and smartphones. Integrated with Citrix XenMobile, ViewSonic’s SD-A245 smart display allows an IT organization the ability to use a single software tool to manage both their mobile and desktop devices. The integration of Citrix XenMobile within the ViewSonic® SD-A245 smart display provides corporate and enterprise end-users an innovative, next-generation thin client—all within a 24” LED touch screen. ViewSonic was also named a “Best of Synergy” award winner at the Citrix Synergy show for our innovative SD-A245 smart display.

We will also be showcasing our award-winning VSD220—a Citrix-enabled, touch-capable smart display. With an easy-to-install Citrix receiver app, the VSD220 can easily connect to the cloud and be virtualized across an entire organization.

In addition to our all-in-one smart displays, we will have our Thin Client devices at Citrix Synergy as well. Both our SC-T35 and SC-T45 thin clients are optimized for Citrix virtualization solutions and can be used in conjunction with an organization’s existing hardware and displays for a complete virtual desktop integration.

If you are attending Citrix Synergy 2013, be sure to stop by ViewSonic Booth #414 for a sneak peek at our cloud-enabled, Citrix-enabled VDI solutions. For more information, click here.

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^©2013 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

La tecnología táctil ha revolucionado la forma de interactuamos con nuestros dispositivos informáticos, y se ha convertido en la interfaz de usuario predilecta. Todo desde los cajeros automáticos, boleterías interactivas, dispositivos para puntos de venta, máquinas tragamonedas y quioscos de información tienen una pantalla táctil interactiva fácil de usar. Analicemos dos de las tecnologías táctiles más comunes en uso hoy en día.



Panel táctil óptico
Optical touch technology utilizes two or more image sensors that are usually placed around the edges of a display. These sensors allow the touch surface to recognize two contact points simultaneously, and provide users with direct interaction by allowing two-finger gestures such as zoom in/out, rotations, and two-finger taps. Because of optical touch’s scalability, versatility, and affordability, it is becoming a popular technology for use on large format displays.

The experience offered by optical touch is responsive and accurate, and does not require a conductive object for touch recognition. As such, this technology is extremely useful in gloved environments such as hospitals and dental offices, or for use with interactive stylus pens. Touch screens equipped with Dual Point Optical Touch are also versatile solutions for use in classroom settings, home entertainment and gaming, or as a Point of Sale device in retail stores, and even as an information kiosk.

Función táctil capacitiva proyectada
Projected Capacitive is one of the leading touch technologies available and is widely utilized by mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Projected capacitive touch screens feature a grid pattern of conductive materials layered within multiple sheets of glass. The conductive grid creates an electrostatic field, so when the screen is touched by a conductive object (i.e. a finger), the touch is recorded by measuring the overall change in capacitance.

Projected Capacitive Touch is a true multi-touch technology, allowing for 3 or more simultaneous touch points on the screen. With the system’s ability to detect and resolve 10 or more touches at the same time, the accuracy and touch experience is dramatically improved for the user. Because of its speed, efficiency, and intuitiveness, Projected Capacitive Touch is becoming the technology of choice for current generation touch screens and interactive displays. It is more expensive due to the complex electronics and sensor construction and since it requires input from a conductive device, such as a finger, it is not suited for environments with gloved hands.

Touch screens equipped with capacitive touch are best utilized for multi-user applications such as gaming, or interactive whiteboards for use in educational settings. In addition, capacitive touch screens are an ideal solution for businesses seeking the ultimate in interactive displays and digital signage. Capacitive touch displays can be used to attract and engage customers in high-traffic areas such as high-end retail centers, transportation hubs, and hotel lobbies.

Conclusión
Optical Touch technology is scalable, versatile, and affordable, and best utilized for single-user applications such as POS devices, desktop displays, or for use within the gloved environments of the medical and dental fields.

Projected Capacitive Touch technology is an ideal choice for multi-user applications where interactivity and collaboration are needed, such as in classrooms. Additionally, Projected Capacitive touch can be of benefit to commercial applications as well such as interactive digital signage.

With 25 years of expertise as a leader and innovator of display technology, ViewSonic has a complete line of interactive and ergonomic touch displays to meet any need. ViewSonic’s TD20 series of touch displays feature super accurate and responsive Dual Point Optical Touch technology. ViewSonic’s TD40 series of touch displays are all Windows® 8 certified and feature 10-Point Capacitive touch technology. All of the TD20 and TD40 touch displays feature a 7H scratch-resistant surface hardness to ensure a consistent, high-quality touch experience even in high-traffic areas.

To find out how your business can benefit from touch technologies within any budget, contact ViewSonic for more information on its interactive multi-touch solutions.

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2013 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

ViewSonic lleva innovación y estilo a la Expo de señalización digital2013. Visítenos en el stand n.° 224 para ver nuestras soluciones de señalización digital más nuevas diseñadas para ofrecer imágenes visuales impactantes para todas las necesidades de señalización de su negocio. Entre los deslumbrantes productos nuevos que exhibiremos están nuestra elegante serie de ePosters EP03r, nuestro LED CDX4650-L de marco ultradelgado y nuestra impresionante pantalla Ultra HD de 4K multitáctil de 84" aquí

 

La serie de ePosters EP03r cuenta con sorprendente resolución, reproductor multimedia integrado y varias entradas de vídeo para una integración y configuración más sencillas, todo dentro del diseño ID más delgado que existe. Una placa frontal de cristal de lado a lado con estilo de esquina curva crean una apariencia diferenciadora y llamativa. Esta pantalla es ideal para establecimientos minoristas, bancos y universidades. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información.

 

La CDX4650-L de 46 pulgadas es una pantalla comercial LED ultradelgada de alto brillo Full HD con una ranura OPS de Intel®, para integrarla fácilmente con cualquier reproductor multimedia compatible con OPS. Optimizada para vídeos de pared y tableros de menús y transporte, la CDX4650-L cuenta con una función de inclinación de hasta 10 x 10 y es perfecta para aplicaciones de pantallas comerciales las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información.

 

Nuestra pantalla Ultra HD de 4K ofrece un color y una claridad increíbles con imágenes magníficas y fascinantes. Esta pantalla es perfecta para imágenes científicas, mapas GIS, así como zonas de alto tráfico, como centros de transporte, centros de negocios, hospitales y entornos de tiendas minoristas, o en cualquier lugar donde se requieran aplicaciones táctiles. aquí

 

Vea toda nuestra señalización delgada, alucinante e innovadora en el stand n.° 224 de DSE. ¿No asistirá? Haga un recorrido virtual aquí. ¿Cuál es su favorito? Cuéntenos en el blog.

 

Los nombres corporativos y las marcas comerciales que se citan en este documento son propiedad de sus respectivas compañías. Copyright © 2013 ViewSonic Corporation. Todos los derechos reservados.

 

 

 
La tecnología de proyectores ha evolucionado, y ahora proporciona una mejor calidad de imagen y opciones de conexión ampliadas. Además de las conexiones con cable tradicionales (VGA/DVI/HDMI), ahora se puede mostrar contenido desde una memoria miniatura y conexiones inalámbricas. Los recientes avances tecnológicos han hecho que la conectividad inalámbrica sea mucho más simple y potente. Un proyector es una necesidad de todos los profesionales de negocios al hacer presentaciones en la oficina o sobre la marcha. Así que no pase los primeros minutos de su reunión ubicando y colocando los cables, empujando conexiones sueltas o verificando clavijas dobladas. En cambio, esté listo para la presentación con un proyector inalámbrico.

 

Usar un proyector inalámbrico tiene muchos beneficios, entre ellos:

• Los presentadores ya no están limitados a una pequeña área junto al proyector. Ahora tienen la libertad de sentarse en cualquier lugar de la sala, por lo general dentro de 30 pies de distancia del proyector (se requiere el campo visual para mantener la calidad de la señal).


• El proyector se puede compartir con varias computadoras en la sala, lo que fomenta la colaboración en equipo.


• El presentador, al conectar de forma inalámbrica su dispositivo móvil al proyector, puede caminar por la sala con su dispositivo para interactuar y relacionarse con el público.


• Los presentadores no necesitan llevar consigo sus cables de conexión mientras viajan.

Algunos factores que las empresas deben considerar al usar un proyector inalámbrico incluyen:

 

• El ancho de banda inalámbrico requerido para presentaciones con transmisión de video.


• El alcance de la señal WiFi necesario para una sala de gran tamaño.


• La estabilidad de la conectividad inalámbrica que puede afectar la calidad de la imagen.

When all these aspects are verified, wireless projectors can deliver great conveniences for businesses, especially for mobile presenters.

 

Is your business ready to take advantage of the benefits wireless projectors have to offer? What other wireless solutions do you use in your business operation? Tell us on the blog.

 

Have questions on what’s the right wireless projector for your business? Learn more from our press release here.

 

ViewSonic has been a leading innovator of display technologies for over 25 years and understands the advanced features necessary for delivering a powerful presentation. ViewSonic offers one of the industry’s best overall projector warranty with 3-year limited parts, labor and LED light source, plus 1st year complementary Express Exchange® service. To learn more, click here.

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Es una pregunta sencilla, ¿realmente necesitamos tecnología para aprender? La respuesta varía dependiendo de la forma en que los instructores utilizan soluciones de tecnología para implementar sus planificación de clases. No importa cómo se utilice la tecnología, una cosa es segura, la tecnología ha transformado definitivamente las posibilidades de enseñanza. Todos lo hemos visto en las películas futuristas: un aula consta de una pantalla multimedia interactiva gigante frente al aula y las mesas de computadora para que los estudiantes trabajen de forma individual o como equipo. El futuro es ahora.

 

Es un hecho conocido que un estudiante comprometido absorbe información de forma más rápida y que la introducción de la tecnología al proceso de aprendizaje estimula a los estudiantes a pensar y aprender de nuevas maneras. Por ejemplo, el Distrito Escolar Kyrene en Arizona ha invertido $33 millones de dólares para renovar sus escuelas con pantallas interactivas, computadoras portátiles, proyectores para aulas, equipos de redes y software para la educación para adaptarse, desde lo visual y cinético, a los diferentes estilos de aprendizaje del estudiante.

 

Through this technology enriched learning, the students of Kyrene School District are now:

 

• using professional writing and editing tools and creative design apps to improve their writing skills and create higher quality PowerPoint presentations


• utilizing personal computers to get their ideas down faster while enabling teachers to edit their work more easily


• able to more conveniently complete and review work as a group using the cooperative technology solution


• participate in internet-based lesson plans for more immediate communication, including the ability to email the teacher completed assignments


• learning math through interactive games such as Alien Addition


• practicing spelling on interactive screens


• experiencing enhanced reading comprehension with interactive reading websites, and taking exams on laptops, with their scores being revealed in minutes.

 

As a result of implementing these advancements, students are able to master academic skills in a fun and creative way. School districts like Kyrene are a perfect example of how the classroom can be used to help students acquire the technological competence that is essential in today’s information technology era. What an exciting time for education!

 

To learn more about interactive presentation solutions to transform classrooms, libraries and auditoriums from ordinary spaces into exciting learning centers, read here. Have experience with implementing new technologies within the classroom? Tell us about it here on the blog.

 

Los nombres corporativos y las marcas comerciales que se citan en este documento son propiedad de sus respectivas compañías. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. Todos los derechos reservados.

 

 

The face of digital signage is rapidly changing, and its advancements in technology are pushing progression right along. Have you heard the term Open Pluggable Specification (OPS)? OPS architecture ties the digital signage ecosystem together with standardized interoperable hardware interface to drive effective component design, development and simplified integration complexity for lower implementation, deployment and management costs. An initiative from Intel®, OPS is a new technology concept that emerged about a year ago.

 



The OPS architecture modularizes the development of digital signage display panels and media players, thereby minimizing the implementation time for installation and eliminating other system complexities. While this clean solution ultimately benefits the integrator and end users, so far, only a few companies have adopted OPS technology. This is likely because people are accustomed to using an external media player (or PC) to run their media content on the signage display. Until the integrators and end users become more and more familiar with the benefits of OPS and industry demand increases, we believe it will still take some time before manufacturers and display OEMs adopt this new standard. However, with a company like Intel serving as the driving force behind this technology, things look very hopeful. Intel has launched multiple scalable intelligent software applications to enhance OPS display capabilities, such as Active Management Technology (AMT), Audience Impression Metrics Suite (AIM), Anonymous Video Analytics (AVA) and Near-Field Communication (NFC).

 

Will OPS architecture adaptation become successful? Only time will tell, but we believe in the benefits it provides. To learn more about ViewSonic’s OPS-enabled touch digital signage solutions in 42”, 46” and 65” sizes, click here. Have questions about what digital signage solutions are easiest for your business to maintain and upgrade? Ask us here on our blog.

¿Es usted un presentador profesional o educador que refuerza las presentaciones en el escenario con un lápiz láser? ¿Encuentra satisfacción en la interacción instantánea con su público durante su presentación? Si es así, quedará fascinado con algunas de las características únicas que las aplicaciones de presentación actuales en el mercado proporcionan para ayudarlo a atraer a su público y, al mismo tiempo, impulsar la colaboración. Dos notables aplicaciones que recomendamos para la interacción con el público son DisplayNote y Doceri.

 

DisplayNote is a software app that enables multi-user collaboration across any platform including smartphones, tablets and laptops; with support for more than 30 devices connected simultaneously. This app allows the presenter to share their screen while enabling instantaneous communication with other connected devices. In presenter mode, presenters or teachers can use their device to control the main screen, pass control to any other connected device, assign collaborative groups, send/receive private messages and view the individual screen of any connected device. In collaboration mode, the annotations and images on the connected devices can be displayed back to the main screen or viewed by other users. Furthermore, those viewing in collaboration mode can add their own private notes, underline or highlight what’s important, capture preferred slides, and save or email the presentation for later review. DisplayNote complements existing interactive projectors, whiteboards, and touch-screen devices, including tablets and smartphones running either Apple® iOS or Android™.

 

The Doceri® software app allows tablet owners to remotely control a PC or Mac that is connected to a display (e.g. projectors and monitors). A duplicate screen is displayed on the tablet to give the user total control and access to their computer desktop from their mobile tablet device. Doceri features interactive functions similar to DisplayNote, allowing the user to draw, write and annotate on the projected content with save and replay functions. Doceri currently doesn’t have the multi-user collaboration mode on their existing version; however this feature will be included in the next release. The existing version currently only works with Apple iOS, but an Android version is coming soon. 

 

Both DisplayNote and Doceri give users the freedom to instantaneously articulate their ideas during a presentation. Whether your need is for education or business, these powerful tools promote collaboration and audience engagement.

 

To learn more about interactive presentation solutions, read here. Have questions about what features you need for your specific presentation needs? Ask us here on the blog.

 

Los nombres corporativos y las marcas comerciales que se citan en este documento son propiedad de sus respectivas compañías. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. Todos los derechos reservados.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Los proyectores de corto alcance están diseñados teniendo en cuenta espacios reducidos en el hogar, el trabajo o la escuela. 

 

Un proyector de corto alcance produce imágenes claras dentro de un espacio limitado debido a la forma física de la lente del proyector, lo que altera la magnitud de la imagen proyectada. En un proyector de corto alcance, se usa una lente convexa para mostrar una imagen más ancha que con una lente de alcance regular. Como resultado, una lente de tiro corto puede tener una relación de 0,5:1, capaz de proyectar una imagen diagonal de 60 pulgadas desde tan solo 2 pies de distancia, mientras que una lente estándar tiene una relación de alcance de 1,6:1, capaz de proyectar el mismo tamaño de imagen desde 6,5 pies de distancia. Visite nuestra calculadora de distancia interactiva aquí para determinar si un corto alcance es la mejor opción para su espacio.

 

¿Por qué otra razón debería considerar un proyector de corto alcance? Muchos proyectores de corto alcance ofrecen mínimo agotamiento por calor y en la atmósfera para una máxima participación de la audiencia en salas pequeñas. No hay puntos de acceso cuando se proyecta sobre una pizarra, debido a la corta distancia de proximidad, la posición de montaje del proyector se eleva o se coloca por debajo de la pizarra blanca para proyectar la imagen en un ángulo muy pronunciado, lo que elimina el brillo que se genera por la pizarra.

 

¿Tiene preguntas sobre las características que necesita para sus necesidades específicas de proyección? Pregúntenos aquí en el blog.

 

Los nombres corporativos y las marcas comerciales que se citan en este documento son propiedad de sus respectivas compañías. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. Todos los derechos reservados.

 

 

What’s all the buzz about Laser LED hybrid projection? This new technology delivers better picture quality through higher contrast ratios, is lamp free and consumes less power for a significantly lower total cost of ownership. Designed for a range of uses including home entertainment, professional audio-video, corporate or education use. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of laser LED hybrid projectors to see if they make sense for your projection needs.

 

The Laser LED Hybrid illumination technology is a breakthrough in the way a projector manipulates light and images, resulting in superb picture quality with an ultra high contrast ratio of at least 10,000:1 for greater details, especially in dark scenes. The lasers and LEDs combine as a light source to create vibrant rich color, by generating a color spectrum far greater than that of normal mercury light projector which rely on a color wheel and may show ghost images and rainbow effects.

 

This eco-friendly technology is lamp free which saves anywhere from $199-$299 in replacement costs. No lamp means no mercury thereby eliminating toxic waste and no lamp also means virtually no maintenance to swap out bulbs. Laser LED Hybrid illumination technology delivers a longer light source life of up to 20,000 hours and is much more energy efficient utilizing intelligent power control, generating nearly twice as many lumens per watt as a lamp based projector. Furthermore, these projectors do not get hot to the touch, and are faster and quieter to switch on and off, as well as offering a more stable design.

 

Without compromising brightness, contrast or image quality, laser LED projectors lower TCO, are earth friendly and deliver rich, saturated color. You’ll save time and money, while enjoying a vivid and vibrant picture, year after year.

 

Have questions about what features you need for your specific projection needs? Ask us here on the blog.

 

*Light source life and energy savings may vary based on actual usage and other factors. Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

When it comes to purchasing new technology, making the wrong decision can be a costly move – especially for financially strapped schools. For example, a district’s upfront cost when purchasing a device can be just a fraction of what they’ll pay if they buy the wrong device, which impacts both budget and resources.

 

ViewSonic has advice for educators on how to future-proof their classroom projector purchases, while making the best initial selection for their budget. Purchasers should first answer this simple list of questions to significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO) to guide them in their decision-making:

 

1. Does the projector have a lamp? If so, what’s the expected lamp life?

Replacement lamps are not cheap; on average they can run $200-$300 per lamp. Look for the projector with longer lamp hours and a lower replacement lamp cost. Similar to the printer market, also be careful of projectors with a “too good to be true” price point. Often times, they will come with high replacement supply costs.

 

2. What sort of time requirements does the projector require of my staff?

Know whether your projector selection will require filter cleanings and replacement. This is usually the case with 3LCD projectors. These maintenance costs can add up over time, so to avoid filter costs completely, shop for a DLP projector.Look for top-loading projectors as well to avoid needing someone from the union to come out to change the bulb.

 

3. What sort of hidden costs might there be?

Installation and servicing can be expensive. Before you buy, talk with a servicer/installer who will answer your questions. Find one who will offer your school the best services for a good price. This can make a huge difference. The electricity costs of operating projectors can be more than you might think, so look for projectors with energy-saving features such as ECO mode (dims brightness by 20 percent) and DynamicEco™ (dims brightness by 70 percent). As an added bonus, these features will extend your lamp life too!

 

4. Warranty information can be confusing. What do I need to know? What is considered a good warranty?

Some projector companies offer seemingly longer warranties that exclude the more vulnerable moving parts and labor costs. Be weary of projectors that only ensure the chipset. This part of the projector hardly ever goes bad. To protect your investment, look for projectors with longer labor warranties (2+ years) to guard against costly repairs. A 1-year lamp warranty is also ideal in case the expected hourly lamp life isn’t meeting expectations. As most schools require 5-year warranties on the projector hardware, be sure to research which projector brand has the best price on extended warranty options.

 

To share hard numbers with your district heads on the savings your school can expect to achieve, check out our DLP projector TCO calculator. Still have questions about your next projector purchase? Ask us here!

Have you heard of the flipped classroom teaching model? It is a teaching technique that is gaining steam across the country. The idea is that students do their homework during classroom time, and lectures are done outside of the classroom via the Internet. This allows for classroom activity to remain centered around student and teacher collaboration.

 

The argument is that with traditional teaching models, students can be overrun by homework assignments. When students don’t fully understand the lesson plan, completing homework at home can be difficult. For students who lack structure and guidance in the home, or a quiet place to study, completing assignments outside of school can become a nightmare.

 

In a recent article, Tech Decisions shared an interesting case study about Clintondale High School near Detroit. Clintondale spends most of class time giving students help rather than classroom lectures. Additionally, multimedia presentations and video conferencing with other classrooms around the world have become part of the school day for a more interactive environment.

 

For this school and many others like it, the individualized attention is working. Chronic failure rates have dropped dramatically, while college readiness scores have more than doubled to nearly 29 percent. The best part is that this new approach requires a very minimal investment in technology upgrades, and no alterations to existing network infrastructure. It’s a great approach for schools experiencing a decrease in financial resources. In Clintondale’s case, they needed to purchase five PCs with powerful CPU capacity to support the increase in PowerPoint presentation creation, a few USB microphones so teachers could record themselves for lessons, and two tablets for greater mobility options.

 

Students vary in how they learn best. That calls for leaders in education to be open to evaluating new strategies for helping students grow, both personally and developmentally. It’s great to see students achieving impressive levels of success because teachers are taking better notice of their needs.

 

We’d like to hear from educators whose students have seen academic gains with this method or another alternative educational model. Share your results with us, or tweet your tips to @ViewSonic.

 

Thin client computing offers significant benefits over traditional PC deployments. In fact, IDC found that thin client users (when compared to full PC users) experience a decline in hardware and software costs of 40 percent and a reduction in IT operations costs by 29 percent. In addition, IDC concluded that a thin client computing setup increases IT worker productivity by 56 percent due to a reduction of troubleshooting and repair needs, when compared to traditional PCs.

 

For organizations wishing to save acquisition and operating costs, enhance security and manageability, and promote green IT and sustainability, ViewSonic’s MultiClient solution puts thin client computing in reach for cost-conscious districts and SMBs.

 

Following its unveiling at ISTE 2011, ViewSonic is announcing new product bundles and software support today for the company’s MultiClient computing offering. This cost-effective, scalable solution lets educators and businesses easily create and manage their own private cloud computing environment. Enabling up to 20 independent user stations (with monitors, mice and keyboards) to be powered by just one host server, MultiClient significantly lowers the cost per seat, reduces energy costs and virtually eliminates compatibility issues and IT management needs.

 

Now two additional energy-efficient zero client VMA Series adapters are available, each with four USB ports, so users can connect their preference of peripherals. We enable users to select their preference of software licensing between Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011™ and Microsoft® MultiPoint® WMS2011 for true customization.

 

To get started with a MultiClient setup, educators and businesses just need to connect the MultiClient Adapter box to a monitor with keyboard and mouse, and then plug into the host server. For more MutliClient information, click here.

 

Are you a thin client believer? What sort of benefits have you seen? We’d love to take your questions about thin client deployments within your organization. Share your experiences with us here!

While schools haven’t always had to pay for their electricity use, the current economy and budget cuts have made districts responsible for these payments. As a result, some schools are facing huge electric bills. In fact, according to Energy Star, the nation’s school districts spend more than $7.5 billion annually on energy — more than the money spent on computers and textbooks combined. Even worse, as much as 30 percent of a district’s total energy expense is spent unnecessarily.

 



ViewSonic has some tips to help school districts save on electricity use while maintaining or even increasing their technology implementation within the classroom:

 

1. Turn Technology Off: Ensure that electronics and lights are turned off at the end of the school day, as well as when they are not in use. This includes computers, overheads, projectors, etc. Remember lights are used in some less obvious areas as well, such as hallways and bathrooms. Also consider replacing lights with more energy efficient bulbs.

 

2. Don’t Let Energy Get you Hot Under the Collar: A big cost for schools can be proper heating and cooling of educational spaces. To keep heat and air conditioning in rooms to maintain temperatures, keep all classroom and office doors closed. Be sure to turn the heat down after school and on weekends as well. If heating and cooling bills are still higher than desired, consider the impact a little landscaping can make. Pinpoint the rooms that get the most sun each day, and try planting trees to shade the windows from the direct rays.

 

3. Computer Labs Can Be Consuming Culprits: Not surprisingly, a school’s computer labs can be a huge energy expense. The heat generated by 30+ computers and CRT or LCD monitors can generate expensive air conditioning bills, and older computer monitors can be big energy consumers as well. Consider a computer lab makeover – ViewSonic’s MultiClient solution for example enables up to 10 individual monitor stations to share a single computer, helping schools reduce overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by as much as 60%. For additional energy savings, Energy Star certified LED displays make a significant impact – up to 60% compared to an equivalent LCD monitor.

 

4. Saving with Solar: Another approach to reducing electricity consumption is by installing solar panels. Take Huntington Beach City School District for example. The district has slashed its electric bills in half and expects to save more than $15 million over the next 25 years in electricity costs. There are plenty of incentives and rebates out there to help your district with the upfront costs of panel installation.

Have an energy-saving tip to share that’s been implemented at your school? Share it with us here on the blog, or tweet it to @ViewSonic.