The Pondering Pixel

A close-up wide angled but abridged look at projectors and other classroom technology, product reviews and releases, tradeshows, debates and conspiracy theories as well as humble observations on schools and screens.

It looks as if Epson has responded to the cry of educators the world over who cite the cost of classroom projector replacement lamps as the greatest downside to bringing a projector into the technology mix. They are now offering replacement lamps for several of their classroom projectors for $99 through their Brighter Futures® program for schools.more

Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division, Business Solutions Group unveiled new Classroom and Conference Room 3LCD projectors: the CP-X2015WN, CP-WX2515WN CP-X2515WN, CP-X3015WN, CP-X4015WN and CP-WX3015WN.

The networking capability these models offer is important to schools and universities where multiple projectors are installed throughout buildings or over the whole campus. Hitachi's PJ Man software allows the tech guys to remotely monitor diagnostics including remaining lamp life so as to avoid classroom downtime.more

It really does sound like quite a bang for the buck in the realm of classroom projectors. Last week, Epson announced the launch of its PowerLite X15 classroom projector with 3000 lumens of brightness and several convenient setup and operation features for the classroom not least of which are HDMI connectivity and "EasySlide" keystone correction technology.more

I know from past blog posts that Pondering Pixel readers love news of contests and giveaways. It's no wonder. Classroom technology is expensive. Today, Casio today announced its Lamp Free Projector Sweepstakes and it is certainly worth your time to enter as there is an opportunity to win a Signature XJ-M255 projector.more

In an article earlier this week in her blog on tweenteacher.com, writer/teacher Heather Wolport Gawron addresses an issue I raised in my mind and in an earlier post of my own: Why would schools continue to spend money on a high priced interactive whiteboards (SMARTboard,Promethean or otherwise) in light of current trends and technology options?more

I am thrilled at all the chatter surrounding the so called “flipped” classroom. It is not a new concept. It was pioneered by two very forward thinking teachers in a rural school and actually predates YouTube and online video. However, it was highlighted at the recent ITSE Conference and new discussions have emerged in blogs and forums.more

CDW released a report today claiming that only 39 percent of students claim their technology needs are being met by their highschools. I was struck by a student quote which read “I don’t want to type things just to say I used technology, I want to be doing something I couldn’t do without it.” I’m not sure why but it was reminiscent of a discussion I had with a middle schooler not long ago when asking him about the projector/whiteboard combination present in all the classrooms of his upscale school district. He told me there was really no point...that it was all the same things only shown on a projector instead of written on a dry erase board.more

Identifying trends enables foresight. Sometimes those trends appear in obscure places and people don’t make the connection. For example, in education circles, what’s to be learned by looking at the kind of classroom furniture being manufactured these days? I think it is something significant.

Perhaps it is best to first consider that US colleges and universities,the ultimate destination of many of many K-12 students, are now seeking to "host the discussion" rather than simply house the genius. In other words, they want to be the facilitators of innovation. It takes student collaboration to achieve this.The ability to work successfully in groups is a 21st Century skill and is not innate simply because we're human.more

Mitsubishi recently announced its contribution to the classroom projector release season with the wide-screen WXGA WD570U. Widescreen is important for a lot of new classroom applications and hi def video. Since the projector has LAN display, four computers can be connected to the device at the same time to divide the screen into fourths in support of a move toward more collaborative learning in the classroom. With its 3500 lumen output and 3000:1 contrast ratio, I don’t see this projector being limited to the classroom—it should find solid footing in the business market as well. We look forward to receiving a product sample and reviewing this projector in the coming weeks.

It is the season of new classroom projector releases and NEC announced two new models—entry level mobile projectors both of which are less that $600 MSRP. The NEC V260X and the V260 are 2600 lumen DLP’s with a contrast ratio of 2000:1. The former has an XGA native resolution and the latter, SVGA.more