Hardware, software and training culminate in offering that empowers teachers and delivers personalized learning for higher student achievement (image: BusinessWire)
ATLANTA, June 29, 2014 (Korea Bizwire)–Panasonic, a leader in holistic technology solutions for the educational market, today unveiled its vision for the connected classroom, with the objective of improving student achievement and making teachers more effective and IT departments’ lives easier. The connected classroom is based on Panasonic’s collaborative school products, such as wireless projectors, interactive displays, enhanced classroom audio and the new 3E (“Engage, Empower, Enable”) 2-in-1 student device, and is underpinned by education software and a suite of professional development programs that ensure teachers are able to maximize schools’ technology investments and stay apace of emerging technology trends. Panasonic announced its connected classroom at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference.
“Today’s students are digital natives, and we can’t expect them to respond to learning environments and lessons that are devoid of technology,” said Rance Poehler, President, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “We hear from students, teachers and administrators that technology is making a difference in student engagement and performance. In fact, technology-based classes have reported an 81 percent increase in high-stakes test scores, according to Project RED.”
Panasonic’s existing line of products for the education market are designed to sync up and foster a truly immersive experience for students while reducing burden for administrators through single source, vendor management. By integrating the technology in the classroom, IT professionals’ lives are simplified and teachers are exposed to a whole new world of possibilities.
As of today, Panasonic’s suite of school products also includes an answer to 1:1 initiatives with the 3E device. Panasonic collaborated with Intel and Microsoft Corp. to deliver the purpose-built mobile 2-in-1 convertible device, which features a detachable keyboard and aims to engage students, empower teachers, and enable IT with a flexible device that allows students to connect to lessons anytime, anywhere. The 3E devices are compatible with classroom management software that permits teachers to gather information from students and connect with them individually, in groups and as a whole. The classroom management software allows teachers to better connect with students by having more insight into where students are in the learning process, and therefore deliver personalized education.
Added Scott Thie, Vice President of Education, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, “School administrators face limited staff resources, and managing five vendor partners for various products throughout the school adds strain to their existing workload. Having an education consultant who can offer a bespoke or turnkey solution alleviates procurement headaches and significantly streamlines digital transformation initiatives.”
Developing Teachers as Experts and Advocates
Unfortunately, too often school districts take on large scale technology purchases only to have the technology be cumbersome or not used to its full potential. In response, Panasonic is offering professional development and IT services that complement the hardware and classroom management software. The professional development offering consists of a range of core programs that can be used to help educators get the most out of the latest technology innovations. Program topics range from hardware training, such as how to integrate interactive whiteboards into lesson plans, to tips for useful apps in the classroom. The in-depth courses can be customized for the school or district and conducted on location by a trained Panasonic edtech professional with classroom teaching experience. Workshops are available for both the tech-savvy teachers who want to stay ahead of the latest trends, as well as the technophobes who want an introduction to the digital age.
Professional development is particularly important in the realm of education technology because it can improve teacher adoption rates, increasing return on technology investments and creating a school-wide culture of digital competency that impacts student motivation and success.
“Curriculum directors face a major push to modernize schools, while mandatory online assessments add pressure to improve digital literacy,” said Thie. “Too often schools invest in technology but fail to train teachers on all the features and applications. As a result, student devices and other technology effectively amount to very expensive pens and paper. Training teachers must go hand-in-hand with the purchase of new products.”
Discount Pricing Program for Education Institutions
Panasonic is also launching Panasonic Education Pricing (PEP), a new program that offers K-12 institutions deep discounts from retail pricing. The initiative includes Panasonic’s suite of products for the classroom and will extend accessibility of its product and services to all students and faculty, without breaking the budget.
“The right tools can improve a teacher’s ability to reach students and increase a student’s desire to learn. Sadly, most school districts face budget challenges that make acquiring the best technology difficult,” added Thie. “Through this program, we hope to make some of the market’s most compelling technologies and solutions more attainable, providing teachers with the best tools and helping students achieve more.”
ISTE 2014
The 3E 2-in-1 tablet and full Panasonic connected classroom are on display at this year’s ISTE. At booth #901, attendees can experience the connected classroom and see how compatible products such as projectors, tablets, lecture capture, enhanced classroom audio and security can work together to improve the learning experience for students and ameliorate obstacles for staff and teachers.
For more information, visit us.panasonic.com/3E or contact educationsolutions@us.panasonic.com
Sales inquiries for Panasonic’s Education solutions should be directed to sales.psc@us.panasonic.com
Panasonic Solutions for Business
Panasonic delivers game-changing technology solutions that deliver a customized experience to drive better outcomes—for our customers and our customers’ customers. Panasonic engineers reliable products and solutions that help to create, capture and deliver data of all types, where, when and how it is needed. The complete suite of Panasonic professional solutions for government and commercial enterprises of all sizes addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance, retail point-of-sale, office productivity, visual communications (projectors, displays, digital signage) and HD video production. Panasonic solutions for business are delivered by Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation.
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic solutions for business can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at us.panasonic.com/business-solutions/.
About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. In Interbrand’s 2014 annual “Best Global Green Brands” report, Panasonic ranked number five overall and the top electronics brand in the report. As part of continuing sustainability efforts, Panasonic Corporation of North America relocated its headquarters to a new facility, built to meet LEED certification standards, adjacent to Newark Penn Station in Newark, NJ. Learn more about Panasonic at www.panasonic.com.
Source: Panasonic Corporation of North America (via BusinessWire)
