When recent school funding initiatives made it possible for the municipality to invest in education upgrades, Chuck Marzec, the district’s director of technology, turned to Larry Meister, president of IT solutions provider Mercury Networks. Meister, who has worked with the district for over a decade, collaborated with Marzec to determine which products and solutions would maximize learning benefits for the most students. Considering the timing, pricing, and available funding, they concluded that the LG CreateBoards could transform the experiences of every student and deliver forward-thinking classrooms that prepare students for a tech-filled world and job market.

The district last updated its projection-based classroom systems in 2012, before the explosion of new touch-sensitive smart boards that are sweeping across the education landscape. Attractive pricing helped convince the district that smart boards would be the most impactful, sustainable and widely deployable solution, offering greater capabilities than existing systems while standardizing every classroom to simplify daily management and long-term maintenance.

“LG’s easy-to-use CreateBoard interactive digital boards come at an incredible value, making them the best fit for Jamestown Public Schools. The district initially considered outfitting about half of its classrooms with a competitor product at double the price. With the CreateBoard, they’re essentially doubling their investment, creating streamlined experiences for staff and students in every room and school,” Meister explained. “The district’s previous projection systems were single-room solutions lacking significant communication options and new advances in interactivity or cloud-based learning tools. Now, with the LG CreateBoards, they have a unified 500+ display network that can be monitored, managed, and used to distribute content from a single location for morning announcements or emergencies. Additionally, the ability to set automatic on/off schedules ensures no energy is wasted, eliminating one task for today’s busy teachers.”

The district is excited about what the technology can unleash in terms of classroom participation and faculty lesson plans, including simple access to popular web-based tools such as Google Classroom. The 40-point multi-touch digital displays allow a variety of interactive lesson plans and activities that can invite multiple students to use the board at once, in addition to convenient streaming and mobile device connections for educators and students alike. For instance, teachers can quickly log in to their accounts for Google and other services by scanning an on-screen QR code with their smartphone, and then leave the room knowing that the display automatically logs out of all accounts when the wireless connection is severed.

“It’s hard to overstate the value of standardized solutions for our students, faculty and district as a whole,” Marzec says. “Running a school or district involves a lot of moving parts, and when we have teachers who may use multiple classrooms or even multiple buildings throughout a day or a week, giving them the same tools everywhere ensures there’s no time lost sorting out technical issues or troubleshooting compatibility with their prepared lessons. The same is true for today’s students who have never known a world without touchscreens. With a streamlined experience year after year, they can become fairly advanced users of the LG CreateBoard technology throughout their education, helping develop explicit technical skills alongside the school’s curriculum.”

With LG CreateBoards, teachers can easily augment lessons with presentations or videos, screen share lessons or content from their own devices and enable students to screen share projects from their devices. With the new centralized control capabilities, Jamestown Public Schools can also easily deliver video morning announcements to every room without any action required from teachers. Lessons can be saved and stored online for later viewing and study, including live annotations over text or video that enable teachers to provide context, information or discussion to delve further than standard textbook descriptions or pre-prepared content.

LG CreateBoards Enhance Teaching

According to Jason Hubbard, senior account manager for education at LG Business Solutions, implementing CreateBoards can also fundamentally change how teachers approach the classroom by freeing them to leave their desk when using digital resources.

“The two-way connection between laptops and the LG CreateBoard means that they can control and manipulate their computer or content from the CreateBoard, unlike a projection system or other non-smart solution where they have to be at the desk to exert control,” says Hubbard. “This offers educators greater freedom of movement and caters to a variety of teaching styles, which can aid engagement and attentiveness, directly affecting student and school outcomes.”

When consulting Mercury Networks, the district considered different manufacturers and options, landing on the LG CreateBoard solution based on capabilities, manufacturer support and cost. The upgrade project began with 10 initial installations at the high school, then an expansion to five schools, and then the final decision to outfit every classroom all at once ahead of the 2024-2025 school year. Each room’s audio solution is also being upgraded to provide better sound quality and ensure long-term consistency for all users.

“We are excited to see our teachers and students leverage these technologies for greater collaboration and enhanced discussions in a way that encourages participation and connects with students’ daily experiences and digital lifestyles,” Marzec adds. “Additionally, buying into LG’s ecosystem has offered us new opportunities to consider deploying connected digital signage displays in hallways, cafeterias, entrances and other public spaces to provide school messaging or community content such as student achievement reels or replays of events including sports, performances, guest speeches and extracurricular activities.”

Marzec also noted how LG’s attention to detail and willingness to provide assistance went above and beyond his expectations. In the past, technology providers had been much more hands-off, while LG acted more like a partner in terms of working to answer questions, resolve issues and ensure the district was fully satisfied with the outcome. The last installations concluded in early July 2024, with every classroom at every school ready to launch for the fall semester.

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on October 21, 2024. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

The post LG CreateBoards Enhance Teaching in Jamestown Schools appeared first on My TechDecisions.

CISA’s new report, “Protecting Our Future: Partnering to Safeguard K–12 organizations from Cybersecurity Threats,” includes insight into the current K-12 threat landscape and offers simple steps school IT leaders can take to strengthen their cybersecurity efforts.

The report on K-12 cybersecurity comes as schools adopt more advanced networking technologies designed to facilitate learning and make schools more efficient and effective, but are also introducing new cybersecurity risks. This is leading to an increasing number of threat actors targeting K-12 institutions. The report comes after a year in which several high-profile ransomware attacks forced school districts to shut down while the attack was mitigated, such as the case of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Data included in the report shows how cyberattacks against the K-12 education community are increasing, and reported incidents have increased from about 400 in 20187 to over 1,300 in 2021. The reason is simple: schools, school districts, educational technology vendors and other entities have a lot of sensitive data on students and school employees.

However, participants in CISA’s listening sessions on cybersecurity in K-12 institutions say that they lack the IT support, staff and resources to sufficiently protect their systems.

“Participants noted that most districts do not employ full-time cybersecurity personnel, and some smaller school districts may not even employ full-time IT staff,” the report says.

Further, those K-12 schools with cybersecurity experts on staff say they can’t afford to pay for additional training or professional development. This issue becomes even worse at smaller school districts with very limited budgets.

In addition to other issues schools say their existing IT personnel are already overburdened with keeping school IT systems operational and simply don’t have the time to build robust enterprise-grade cybersecurity programs.

CISA Director Jen Easterly says in a statement that ensuring the safety of K-12 schools means that they must be better prepared.

“As K-12 institutions employ technology to make education more accessible and effective, malicious cyber actors are hard at work trying to exploit vulnerabilities in these systems, threatening our nation’s ability to educate our children,” Easterly says. “Today’s report serves as an initial step towards a stronger and more secure cyber future for our nation’s schools, with a focus on simple, prioritized actions schools can take to measurably reduce cyber risk.”

The K-12 cybersecurity report includes a set of three key recommendations, including:

Invest in the most impactful security measures and build toward a mature cybersecurity plan by taking these three steps:

• Implement highest priority security controls.
• Prioritize further near-term investments in alignment with the full list of CISA’s Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs).
• Over the long-term, develop a unique cybersecurity plan that leverages the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF).

Recognize and actively address resource constraints:

• Work with the state planning committee to leverage the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP).
•  Utilize free or low-cost services to make near-term improvements in resource-constrained environments.
• Expect and call for technology providers to enable strong security controls by default for no additional charge.
• Minimize the burden of security by migrating IT services to more secure cloud versions.

Focus on collaboration and information sharing:

• Join relevant collaboration groups, such as MS-ISAC and K12 SIX.
• Work with other information-sharing organizations, such as fusion centers, state school safety centers, other state and regional agencies, and associations.
• Build a strong and enduring relationship with CISA and FBI regional cybersecurity personnel.

Read the report for more information.

The post This K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Offers Useful Guidance for School IT Professionals appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The project included a video production studio with a 20’ (W) x 10’ (H) curved LED (1.58 MM pixel pitch) virtual production screen, with camera motion tracking and focus integration using Unreal Engine, LED studio lighting, a video control room, separate audio-for-video control room and screening room to review the students’ finished projects.  

For audio production, the facility includes one primary recording suite, four editing suites, one Foley stage, one editing computer training lab and additional extensive video and audio production gear. 

Getting The Catalyst Center Video Production Studio Contract 

The Davis School District reached out to Ford AV, the Oklahoma City, Okla.-headquartered commercial integrator in April of 2021 as one of several integrators holding a state purchasing contract for AV services with the state of Utah. About 15 school officials were invited to participate in the proposal interviews and Ford AV sent their local sales manager, project manager, and chief sales engineer to make a presentation.  

Related: Zoom Rooms, Tech-Enabled Furniture Help School District Engage Hybrid Learners

The School District members were impressed with the passion of Ford AV. One thing the national integration firm did differently from other bidders was that they visited the construction site of the new school before their interview with the client, which was not done by the other integrators. Ultimately, Ford AV was chosen and invited to provide the design and installation for the $1.2 million project. 

Addressing the Challenges 

Timelines were very short, especially with supply chain shortages, but Ford AV immediately engaged and began providing design direction as well as ordering equipment. A few design shifts from the architect’s original plans were necessary but Ford AV put in place a detailed plan to get the project implemented within the customer’s timeframe.  

For example, the lighting that had been specified for the video studio was appropriate for live performances but not for a video production environment. Ford AV ensured that the correct lighting grid and lighting fixtures for the space were provided and installed.  

Despite the fact that Ford AV was contracted directly by the School District, constant coordination was necessary with the architect, the general contractor and other construction trades on the job site.  

Ford AV’s Job Superintendent and Project Manager communicated effectively, ensuring seamless progress was made. Ford also ensured that an ample amount of manpower resources with appropriate expertise were applied to the project, ensuring Ford’s portion of the installation would be complete and school instructors trained in time for classes to begin on January 19, 2022.  

The Catalyst Center Video Production Studio —A Learning Hub for All 

The Davis School District could not be more pleased with Ford’s design and installation. Tours of the Catalyst Center production studio are conducted on a weekly basis, receiving much interest from other school districts nationwide and from businesses and industry members alike. Local businesses in the area are interested in not only in using the facility’s resources but hiring its students with the expertise they are gaining at the Catalyst Center.

Equipment Highlights  

• Absen A2715 PLUS,1.58MM 
• AJA 12GSDI TO HDMI2.0 CONVERTER 
• Apantac VIDE, SDI TO HDMI/DVI CONVERTER 
• Clearcom INTE,SINGLE MUFF HEADSET W/XLR 
• JBL Subwoofer 
• LG displays 
• Sony Bravia 4k UHD 

 To see additional photos of the installation at the Catalyst Center’s video production studio, click view slideshow in the upper right hand corner.

The post A State-of-Art Video Production Studio at the Catalyst Center appeared first on My TechDecisions.

From uploading new student rosters to educating teachers across a district how to use new software, there’s a lot of work that goes into ensuring a successful software implementation. In fact, in a recent research study, the EdTech Genome Product—a collaborative effort involving more than 100 education research and advocacy organizations—identified adoption plans, competing priorities and support as just some of the top-10 variables that make-or-break implementations.

While summer tends to be when districts implement new software, these months are also when educators revamp their curriculums, plan for the upcoming fall, enroll in professional development and so much more. All of this planning leaves little time for implementing and learning new software.

Instead, districts should consider the advantages of implementing new software during the winter months.

Here’s why.

Face-to-face time and tailored support

An implementation that begins in January or February means more face-to-face time between districts and vendors. In almost every software implementation, there are five primary workflows:

• Installation
• Data migration
• Integration
• Configuration
• Training

Since the winter months tend to be slower for vendors, exploring an implementation at this time increases the likelihood of a vendor providing a more tailored and personalized experience, ensuring districts are set up for success. While vendors attempt to provide the same level of support during the summer months, it’s difficult to juggle multiple implementations and coaches’ schedules.

A district-vendor partnership is a two-way street, and the additional time benefits everyone.

For example, a winter implementation offers additional time for districts to provide direct feedback to vendors through multiple iterations, such as ensuring a data transfer process is as seamless as possible. The additional time allows for a deeper dive into the process and administrators can work with vendors to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Those data integrations are crucial, but in the summer months, implementations can be rushed and districts don’t always get the chance to dive deep into the data migration process or address additional questions or concerns. 

Additional testing and support

Enterprise-level software, like an SIS or enterprise resource planning platform, have extensive integrations with third-party programs as well as numerous configurations to ensure the software follows the rules of states and districts.

Even department-specific software, like nutrition, library, content management, workflows or student registration software, still have authentication set-up, integration with at least one other system and district-specific configurations.

These processes require a significant investment of time for both districts and vendors.

During a new software implementation, it’s important vendors test their software to ensure it functions as intended, integrates with the district’s other software and meets the specific needs of a district before the agreed go-live date. Although the summer months are considered slower for most districts, those same months are peak implementation season for vendors, impacting the amount of time vendors have to test their software, and districts have to provide feedback.

A focused software implementation 

Too often, educators face initiative fatigue. Teachers are constantly asked to learn new software, integrate new technologies into their classrooms and take on new responsibilities. Those constant changes and adjustments make it difficult for meaningful change.

For teachers, the summer months are filled with change—now more than ever—as districts continue to pivot to meet student needs. Often, June, July and August are a whirlwind as teachers transition back from summer vacation and prepare for the fall.

A winter implementation provides an opportunity for vendors to work hand-in-hand with teachers during training and ensure that each teacher feels confident and comfortable with new software. Instead of rushing through training and professional development, a winter software implementation provides ample time to work 1:1 with teachers. This is important as successful implementations are dependent on usage in the classroom.

A foundation for a strong, successful software implementation

Traditionally, districts set their budgets up so that their software renews in June or July. However, vendors run on a different schedule, often attempting to sell their software to districts from October to December. A winter implementation is the best of both worlds.

Most vendors offer 18 months of software for the price of 12, waving additional licensing costs. This approach allows education companies to take the booking in Q4. That additional time allows for deep conversations between project managers, customer success managers and districts to create a sustainable plan moving forward and ensure success.

Implementing new software in the winter opens the door for more face-to-face time and tailored support, additional testing and focused implementation. Together, those all reduce stress—for educators and vendors—and set the foundation for strong, successful implementations.

The post Why Schools Should Implement New K-12 Software in the Winter appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The new wireless Trilogy Privacy Standalone Pushbutton PIN Locks solution is geared toward college campuses and K-12 schools as administrators work to reopen and remain as such by employing preventive methods, the announcement states.

Retrofitting standard locks in minutes, the new solution features an inner privacy pushbutton. After entry, using a PIN code or ID card, the user simply pushes the privacy button on the back of the lock, on the inside door, to ensure their privacy, according to the company.

The lock will not open from the front entry side until the user exits, or optionally, the privacy session “times-out” following a preset duration, after a few minutes, up to 250 minutes. A self-adhesive, bilingual usage sign is also furnished.

Alarm Lock Trilogy locks are said to be the No. 1 selling electronic standalone locks in their class, featuring fingertip-programming, vandal-proof all-metal digital keypad and/or built-in smart ID reader, longest battery life (using 5AA off-the-shelf batteries) and field-proven Grade 1 durability for low-maintenance, according to the company.

Related: Some Schools Are Reporting Large Numbers of COVID Violations: Can Tech Help?

Other options include GermAway antimicrobial finish (plus several other architectural finishes) and/or optional Keypad Guard (HW2037) that facilitates daily disinfecting and cleaning of faciliites such as restrooms.

Matching Trilogy models are available for all doors and application needs, inside and out, from cylindrical and mortise, to narrowstile and exit trim. Next-gen advanced Trilogy Networx models are networked and controlled via server/PC-network using free Alarm Lock Windows-based software or leading real-time integrated platforms.

For more information on the product, visit alarmlock.com.

This story premiered on our sister site, Campus Safety.

The post Trilogy Standalone Pushbutton PIN Lock Converts Public Bathrooms to Single Occupancy appeared first on My TechDecisions.

As schools across the country are moving to STEM and STEAM-based curriculums, classroom technology must tangentially evolve to meet the growing demands of those programs, according to a recent product announcement.

“Students are not only active learners in STEM and STEAM programs, but they are participants and producers as well. The MA-1 and MO-2 were designed to enhance hands-on learning and interactive curriculum in the classroom while providing the visual presentation support that ELMO end users know and love.”

The MA-1 and MO-2 are the first Android-based visual presenters in ELMO’s lineup. The STEM-CAM’s will be able to access ELMO-Play, a secure source of education only apps, which will open a world of possibilities for STEM and STEAM-based curriculum.

The app possibilities can include a QR code scanner for text books, instant translation of foreign language, and augmented reality.

“Being driven by the power of Android, the STEM-CAM’s ability to work with augmented reality apps will revolutionize the visual presenter landscape,” said Matt Takekoshi, ELMO USA Corp.’s Chairman.

“Not only does AR increase student interest and engagement during lessons, but it provides opportunities for dynamic visual learning that static images or video cannot. Simply download an AR-ready app, point the camera, and unlock the magic onscreen.”

Video specs

The STEM-CAM offers a generous digital zoom of up to 16x in 1080p Full HD and can capture video at 30fps (up to 60fps when connected via USB).

The MA-1 features a five inch multi-touch screen for navigation and both models are compatible with HID compliant input devices.

Read Next: K-12 Education Technology: 5 Must-Have Elements of AV Tech

With an output terminals offering HDMI, RGB, and USB 2.0, the STEM-CAM’s seamlessly connects to a wide array of devices and is compatible in almost every classroom setting, including most Interactive Flat Panel Displays.

“The STEM-CAM’s also offer built-in Miracast wireless display connectivity and three-hour rechargeable battery so you never have to be tethered to a single workspace again,” the company says.

Learn more on the company’s website.

The post ELMO Introduces STEM-CAM Visual Presenters with Instant Translation, AR appeared first on My TechDecisions.

“A growing number of parents and teachers agree that tech is a powerful tool for education, over a wide range of subjects,” says Lesley Rohrbaugh, director of research, CTA. “Tech is helping children learn at every stage of education – from early language training all the way to mastering STEM concepts.”

Education technology importance

Key findings from the study show nine in 10 parents (92%) and educators (88%) agree students enjoy interacting with technology.

Given tech’s growing trend of anytime/anywhere access, 91% percent of parents and 87% of educators agree tech allows students increased access to education. In addition, 89% of parents and 87% of educators agree tech helps students develop technological skills for the future.

Related: Classroom Technology Fails: What NOT to Do with Education Environments

The study also concluded only 34% of parents and 39% of educators say tech is a distraction for students – a contrast to the high percentage of parents and educators who agree tech is a crucial part of education.

Parents say the tech devices most important in encouraging their child’s learning are:

• Laptops (81%)
• Tablets (77%)
• Web-based software (74%)
• Desktop computers (70%)
• STEM products (67%)

Top education technology used for learning by parents/educators

The top five technologies parents say their children use most frequently (once a week or more) for learning are:

• Video content (82%)
• Mobile phones (76%)
• Tablets (73%)
• Laptops (62%)
• Email (49%)

Educators of preschool through 12th grade indicate the top five technologies they use most frequently in their classrooms are:

• Email (79%)
• Laptops (69%)
• Web-based software (67%)
• Video content (58%)
• Smart boards (56%)

CTA’s Technology in Education: Parent and Educator Use and Sentiment study presents the findings of one online survey of 1,005 parents of children in preschool through grade 12 (fielded July 9-14, 2019) and another online survey of 502 teachers of children in preschool through grade 12 (fielded July 10-17, 2019).

The complete study is available for free for CTA member companies or purchase at CTA.tech/research.

The post Education Technology Insights: Study Says 4 out of 5 Educators & Parents Believe Tech Helps Kids Learn appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Projectors

Projectors and interactive display boards make it easier for teachers and students to collaborate and contribute to discussions. Wireless collaboration allows all parties to work together more on projects and presentations. This inspires students to solve problems and create together. With multiple users contributing, learning is more game-like and fun.

Personal

“The dog ate my homework.” Not in this day in age. And so long to bulky backpacks and sore backs.

Digital books, Google Docs and teacher portals have increased accountability and information sharing.

Personal devices help teachers and students prepare and record information for the classroom.

Portable

AV technology should be able to move with a class.

For example, what better place to learn about nature than outside?

Planned and pop-up field trips reinforce a subject and engage a student in ways that a stationary classroom can’t. Bring the classroom wherever you go with portable AV technology.

Progressive

New AV classroom technology enhances a child’s education beyond barriers of geography and finances. Virtual reality, AI and their next iterations gives them a fuller educational experience. It shapes a person, their perspectives and ultimately how they interact with others.

Power

You can never have enough bandwidth or infrastructure to power devices that draw on video rich content. A sustainable AV technology plan should include updating wires, routers, switches and access points.

Read Next: Fix the Technology Skills Gap Through K-12 Education

Just when you think you have enough, chances are that you will need more. AV Technology will continue to shape the future of education. These five elements will help provide environments that keep students engaged, connected and learning. And finally, technology makes learning fun.

The post K-12 Education Technology: 5 Must-Have Elements of AV Tech appeared first on My TechDecisions.

In IT, we try to communicate constantly with our teaching staff to ensure that, together, we provide the tools they require (or desire). I think of it as settling in at someone else’s house and trying to figure out which of the five remotes will turn on the TV. Simplifying the way we use technology has enriched the students’ classroom experience by promoting problem-solving and collaboration.

Choosing Tech Tools to Fit Teaching Goals

BGS is an all-boys school and we use technology to help promote our values in different ways for different year levels. For example, our youngest students race each other in math concepts. In music, they compete through online Star Wars battles using an interactive whiteboard to hit the right notes. Middle years students film themselves on a green screen and edit their movie, maybe adding a roaming dinosaur in their backdrop. Our most senior students complete homework by seeking feedback from their peers via cloud-based project teams. These activities facilitate collaboration, no matter the year level. The critical-thinking aspect of our students’ education is more a product of the teaching techniques and their skill than a specific technology tool.

Each year we refresh the online library of apps that we make available to our staff and students. Key amongst these is our Microsoft Office 365 platform, which provides the core basic apps, and our Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. Our learning management platform continues to be the central hub through which our staff and students communicate, share work, upload learning tasks, and submit student assessments.

We try to understand how our students think and learn, and especially how they concentrate best. If a student is focused on typing notes in class, they aren’t really digesting what they should be learning. By not wanting to miss a single thing, they’re missing most of everything. Now, using the screen mirroring tool Vivi, they just screenshot what’s on the boards  using their tablets. They can sit, listen, and comprehend what’s being taught without diluting the experience with excessive note-taking.

Screen mirroring also allows our teachers to be more immersed with their students, rather than anchored to their desk up front. Students anywhere in the room can present their work, fostering a culture of teamwork amongst the class. Problem-solving in the world beyond school is not always a solo experience, so learning to work together early is essential to developing critical-thinking skills. Plus, when students are given  a problem to solve, and a partner to solve the problem with, they’re less likely to use the time to talk about the weekend if they know they might be required to share their screen with the rest of the class after 15 minutes!

With universal technology, the students can take it and run (quite literally). I was walking out of school one day and saw students testing the relation between speed and distance by using their iPads to record videos of themselves doing the long jump. Technology allowed them to look back at themselves and recognize that the faster they run, the longer they jump, and vice versa. It helped them prove the science behind the sport. Then they went into class and made a compilation video of test runs, and put it up on the big screen to show the rest of the class.

Making Teachers’ Jobs Easier

My prior work experience in global, multinational law and accounting firms included walking into large conference rooms where the AV usage was perfect. So, when I got into a school and saw the challenges that teachers were facing around collaboration, I was scratching my head a bit.

Cables were constantly being snapped, getting lost, or didn’t fit the various laptops and tablets. Wirelessly integrating a screen mirroring solution with the ability to stream across devices solved that problem because everything was universal. Teacher’s aren’t walking into a new room and saying, “Oh goodness, where’s the remote? How do I connect my laptop?” The hassle is eliminated because they now connect wirelessly to the screen using an app. To make their tech setup even easier, all our classroom screens are controlled by simple wall controllers rather than remote controls to eliminate confusion, flat batteries, and lost remotes. We have 150 or more classrooms at BGS, and any teacher can walk in and teach using their own resources.

Keys to a Seamless Implementation

In this fast-paced world where everything changes constantly, IT directors are under more pressure than ever to deliver stable and fast WiFi into every corner of sprawling campuses. My advice is to become familiar with your teachers’ challenges, frustrations, priorities, and the ideas they have. Then work with them to ensure that whatever you are delivering is making their lives easier and more efficient. The hardest work is architecting solutions so that they become really simple.

The most successful tools are the ones that are intuitive to use. If staff or students need to sit through training and can’t just pick it up and start working, good adoption is challenging. Teachers and students are time-poor, and taking up time with too much technology overhead tends to frustrate and disengage them. Do a small number of things you can focus on really well, rather than throwing a lot of things at them and hoping something works.

Sandra Maher is the IT director at Brighton Grammar School in Victoria, Australia.

The post How Simplifying Classroom Technology Fosters Learning appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The fee that Verizon initially considered charging was due to funding spam-blocking services; however, users of Remind “said their texts weren’t spam.” As a result, two weeks ago, Remind, which serves over 30 million users, reported that they were going to “stop supporting text message notifications on the Verizon network of the free remind service.”

Then, Verizon announced that it would waive the fee for K-12 users, Ars Technica says. This includes users working in preschools, day cares, youth sports coaches, and other members in the community.

“Remind sends 1.6 billion text messages a year on the Verizon network, according to Verizon,” Ars Technica says. “The new fee would have been $0.0025 per message, according to Twilio, a technology platform that Remind and other companies use to send text messages.” This means that Remind’s costs for sending messages through Verizon’s network would have bumped up from a few thousand dollars to a few million dollars a year.

Takeaways for decision makers:

While Verizon gave this story a happy ending by waiving its spam-blocking fee, decision makers should be wary of fees in a solution they purchased from the get-go. This is especially true for decision makers in the K-12 space, which already typically has low budgets and other financial challenges, and more than likely can’t afford hidden or unexpected fees. Decision makers should consider keeping up with developments in their solutions, such as if a free solution was suddenly slapped with a price tag, or a free solution wasn’t as free as they thought. Doing so will help save money and stress when class is in session, and foster a stronger relationship between decision makers, product company, and end users.

The post Verizon Waives Fee for K-12 Texting Services appeared first on My TechDecisions.