In the last episode of BiTT, I shared some maintenance tips for laptops. As I had mentioned more and more schools are rapidly deploying one-to-one student laptop initiatives across the nation. As schools move forward into the implementation there are a few things that they must think about. The first is sustainability; once they have found the funding for their laptops, they plan for the continued funding of professional development, maintenance, and continual upgrade. The second is management; how will the district teach the staff and students to manage the laptops (charging, distribution, transportation, and daily integration).  And finally, thereâ??s the protecting of the investment.  Many times this is either overlooked or bargain cases are purchased for distribution. But to be honest, protecting your investment, requires not only making sure that laptop cases are purchased, but making sure that the case purchase can with stand the day to day abuse that they will receive.

I have found what I think is the perfect laptop case. The Higher Ground Shuttle really has an affordable price and has an intelligent design.Higher Ground has created a laptop case that truly meets the needs of the 21st century school and 21st century learner.For more information about the shuttle or to see some images, please visit the following page: http://techteacherhigherground.blogspot.com/ 

Inspiration Software is celebrating 25 years of inspiring excellence with visual learning! As part of this celebration, they have created two great opportunities for you! They have recently created free lesson plans for  Inspiration, InspireData and Kidspiration that are avialable on CD.

These lesson plans offer the following:

• Ideas and instructions on how to achieve key standards with visual learning, plus suggestions for assessment and adaptation
• A student template complementing the lesson plan

These lesson plans are available for a limited time on a complimentary commemorative 25th anniversary Evaluation CD. You can get this CD when you request materials for your upcoming training sessions. Along with these valuable lesson plans, the Evaluation CD also provides your teachers with access to complete 30-day trials of our software, plus extra resources to help them get started with visual learning.

Just remember to request 25th anniversary Evaluation CDs for your training sessions.

Inspiration is also offering you a chance to Inspire others with your creative ideas. Join and participate in the Inspired Learning Community for free and help to build thier leanring community dedicated to exploring and advancing visual learning in education.

In doing so and by uploading 3 or more templates or examples you will recieve a 25th anniversary Inspiration coffee mug.

Check these out at:
http://www.inspiredlearningcommunity.com/whats-new/news

Getting a new projector for your classroom? Maybe you already have one, but just need some maintenance tips? Found some funding to hang one in your classroom? Check out: http://projectortips.blogspot.com/