Dell Helps Schools Embrace Digital Age with Next Evolution of Its Connected Classroom

Dell today announced advancements to its Connected Classroom learning environment with the upcoming launch of a number of new services and products. These help provide schools and teachers with the necessary technology and understanding to transform the traditional classroom into an environment in which students can be nurtured and prepared for life in the digital age. New technologies and teacher-focused professional learning enables teachers to more effectively engage students and individualize instruction with easy access to rich and diverse digital content.

Last year, with design input from educators, Dell launched the Connected Classroom offering with the goal of helping schools to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) beyond the PC lab into every aspect of the teaching and learning environment. Today’s announcement takes the Connected Classroom goals further. It offers a range of new technology platforms from which to build the Connected Classroom, combined with a variety of services that will give schools and teachers the confidence and materials to deliver effective education that meets every student’s needs. It helps teachers adopt individualized, collaborative, and project-based learning practices while enhancing traditional teaching methods, ultimately increasing student engagement and promoting mastery of content.

New Technologies Announced Today:

By incorporating innovative, educational functionality into multi-purpose devices, such as teacher and student PCs, classroom projectors and printers, schools can minimize the cost of purchasing and managing dedicated hardware devices and focus resources on enhancing teaching and learning.

Today’s announcement includes the launch of:

• Dell Latitude 2110 – the next evolution of Dell’s popular netbook offers several enhancements that support the rapid adoption and use of digital content in the classroom. In addition to the rubberized coating on the chassis the optional keyboard featuring anti-microbial protection¹ now also includes a "tamper-resistant” design to help prevent loss of key-caps. An optional high definition Truelife display (1366x768) and optional Broadcom Crystal HD accelerator make the most of rich new content and on-line assessments. For schools moving to digital textbooks the Latitude 2110 allows for screen rotation so that students can turn the netbook on its side and hold it like a book to read. It is scalable with connectivity options like integrated WiMAX support and embedded mobile broadband card. The netbook also boasts up to 10 hours and 13 minutes² of battery life with the available SSD drive (storage up to 64GB) and optional 6-cell battery and netbooks are available in Red, Black and Blue. The system, available now, starts at $389 USD³.
• Dell Mobile Computing Station – storing up to 24 netbooks, it allows teachers or students to transport shared Latitude 2110’s or 2100’s from classroom to classroom, as well as including a wireless access point, device charging indicators and a wake-on LAN feature. This enables IT staff or teachers to conveniently deliver updates via the network, greatly simplifying management. Available May 17, 2010 (except US/Canada).
• Dell S300wi Interactive, Short Throw Projector – combining the capabilities of an interactive pen with this multi-purpose, short throw projector, teachers can make virtually any smooth surface an interactive learning space. In addition, 3D capable* DLP technology allows for an experience that is not possible with traditional 2D content. While the new S300wi gives schools the flexibility to use any compatible interactive software platform and toolbar, it ships with eInstruction Interwrite Workspace (at no additional cost to customers), providing interactivity in no time. (Launching soon in selected regions).

*Requires separately purchased active 3D goggles with DLP Link, 3D player software application, HDMI/VGA cable, 3D content, PC/laptop with a 120Hz signal output quad buffered graphics card.

• Dell multi-function printers – choose from select multi-function printers with software that transforms manual, paper-based processes into easy and efficient digital workflows. The solution bundles a set of education-specific applications that provide print-on-demand bubble sheet tests, instant grading results (a server with Windows® and additional software is required) and reporting. These capabilities allow teachers to react quickly to an individual student’s challenge area, as well as to adjust overall lesson plans in order to impact full class achievement. The Classroom Station software will be available bundled with three new Dell multifunction printers, the Dell 3333dn, the Dell 3335dn and the Dell 5535dn. (Launching soon in selected regions).

Services Designed to Support Digital Content Adoption

New services from Dell help ensure that schools and educators have the necessary skills, confidence and infrastructure to help transform everyday teaching practices and reach an increasing number of students with varied learning styles. Technology can enable teachers, as the major driving force behind making positive changes in the learning environment, to differentiate instruction and accommodate multiple learning styles by dynamically tailoring lessons to fit the specific needs of individual students.

These services help educators effectively integrate digital content into the learning process by helping teachers adapt teaching practices and helping IT effectively deliver content in a secure and reliable manner.

These services include:

• Professional Learning Services to support the integration of digital content and Connected Classroom technologies, including platforms like BrainHoney, into daily teaching practice.
• IT Simplification Assessments can identify unnecessary complexity within a school’s technology infrastructure. This provides a foundation for schools to efficiently support a digital content-rich environment that scales easily and cost effectively to help meet current and future needs.
• Cloud Consulting Services deliver ubiquitous interfaces, which enable teachers and students to access and share content in traditional and virtual classrooms.

Quotes

"We invested in the Dell Connected Classroom because Dell provides a vision and solution all in one deployable package. Having a single computer lab was a deterrent for teachers trying to integrate technology into the classroom. Now, using the mobile lab of 2100's, we were able to more than double the hands on time with students in the elementary school. Our students have been able to create, collaborate and produce work in ways we haven't seen before. I have received emails from teachers and parents alike thanking us for introducing the netbooks and providing the focus on technology. Our goal is to have a cutting edge technology program that incorporates the latest in hardware, software and services that provides us with the tools to prepare our students for the future. With Dell's support and the creation of the Connected Classroom we’re easily able to make technology the focus of our agenda as it provides all the parts to get the job done.”

Stephen Reiach, Director of Technology, American School of Milan

"We constantly strive to deliver opportunities to our students while being good stewards of public funding. We selected the Latitude 2100 netbook series for its rubberized exterior, long battery life, good-sized screen and keyboard and multi-media and Webcam support. Most importantly, we partnered with Dell because of the value it provides - allowing us to double our purchase from 1,500 laptops to 3,000 laptops. With Dell, we are now much closer to our goal of providing one computer for every three students to help enrich their education."

Marcos Zorola, CIO, San Antonio Independent School District

"Dell’s Connected Classroom has been welcomed by schools around the world as a means to connect students and teachers through technology and promote collaboration both inside and away from the classroom. Dell is placing the needs of students and teachers at the heart of the learning environment by providing the tools that schools and teachers need to plan and deliver engaging and effective lessons. Dell has listened to feedback from teachers and students worldwide and combined new professional services with cutting-edge infrastructure technology and devices. Unlike vendors who produce point products for students, Dell has a complete solution addressing students and teachers needs. By combining our vision for education with our advanced technology and services, we believe that schools will be better placed to ready students for a life in our digital age.”

Mark Horan, VP Global Sales, Dell Education

For more information go to Latitude 2110.

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¹ Agion antimicrobial keyboard treatment fully registered by US EPA.

² Latitude 2100 Battery Life: Based on lab testing. Varies by configuration, operating conditions and other factors. Maximum battery capacity decreases with time and use.

³ Offers subject to change, not combinable with all other offers. Taxes, shipping, handling and other fees apply. Offers available only to qualified U.S. K-12 customers, and subject to restrictions in your applicable contract, if any. Dell reserves right to cancel orders arising from pricing or other errors.