Belkin Portable Tablet Stage-Right for Any Tablet

It was great having a chance to visit with so many vendors while I attended ISTE 2014 Conference a couple of weeks ago. Walking through the Exhibitors Hall, I was struck by just how much "stuff" is out there that educators need to vet. As I walked the Exhibit Hall I came across some unique products that I know will finds its place into the classroom. One of favorite new products is from Belkin and it is the Portable Tablet Stage, a light weight and portable stand for your tablet that can turn it into a great presentation stage. When you pair up the Belkin Portable Tablet Stage with the free Belkin Stage app (Available in Apple App Store & Google Play) you have a wonderful tool for making the classroom come alive. I had reviewed the Belkin

Stage app earlier this year and it affords teachers a rich set of tools for turning an IOS or Android device into a great teaching tool. With your tablet set on the Belkin Portable Tablet Stage you can utilize your tablet's camera and turn it into a document camera which you can then annotate on top of. The Belkin Portable Tablet Stage  and accompanying Stage app takes your tablet to the interactive whiteboard arena at a fraction of the cost. You can add labels, audio, draw and interact with images right on your tablet using the Stage app. If you like you can record your sessions and email them to your students for later use. The Belkin Portable Tablet Stage is a portable solution for teachers who find that they are moving from classroom to classroom and need a platform to deliver their content. The Belkin Portable Tablet Stage folds up into a small package and should store easily in a backpack or briefcase. At around $99.99 dollars this is great value and one gadget that I'm know I will use in my classroom this fall. For more information about how to purchase this product contact me.

Read More

Tools of the Trade- A Day of iPad Training

MaxCases Educator

Today I set off to do an iPad Training and thought it would be interesting for you to find out what I packed for the workshop. Of course, I packed my trusty Apple iPad which I have been using for the last 2 years and it has treated me well. I also used my Epson Powerlite 915W projector which not only supports VGA but HDMI which is great for using with the Apple TV. If you really want to experience the iPad when doing training then you need to carry your Apple TV with you, so that you can move around the room with the iPad as you are projecting the screen. Apple's Airplay technology is just great for sending the video and audio to the device. I also used the Maxcases Educator Case with my iPad which allowed me to hold the iPad securely with the adjustable hand strap which gave me the freedom to write directly on the iPad using the free IPEVO Whiteboard app. Using the IPEVO Whiteboard app enabled me to use the iPad as if I were using an interactive whiteboard and could simply write on the screen on the iPad and everyone was able to see the contents. I also demonstrated the IPEVO Ziggi-HD document camera and IPEVO Wireless Station for iPad which gives you the power of utilizing a document camera with the iPad. For my presentation, I used a Haiku Deck that I customized for this training session which looked spectacular- the graphics really popped.and having a 3000 Lumen, Epson 915W projector really sets the stage for some fantastic looking images on the screen. I also used the Belkin Tablet Stand which worked great to position my iPad on the desk when I wasn't using the Maxcases Educator case. It's really a symphony when all the pieces come together! A super day of training was had by all :-)

Created with Haiku Deck, the free presentation app for iPad

Read More

Belkin Tablet Stands - Adding Ergonomics to the Tablet Equation

While most schools are eager to purchase the latest iPads or tablets for the classroom sometimes they may over-look how and where students will be using them. When looking at how students will be utilizing the iPad it is

Belkin Tablet Stand

important to take look at the positioning of the iPad so that it is at a comfortable viewing and typing height. Sometimes in our haste to get the latest technology into the classroom we may overlook the ergonomics which can have a big impact on just how functional the system is. With this as a backdrop, I had a briefing with Jon Roepke, Belkin Senior Product Manager, Education who had a chance to share with me some of their offerings from Belkin in the K-12 marketplace. Belkin has released two stands for the iPad (Belkin Tablet Stand & Belkin Tablet Stand with Storage) which vastly improve the ergonomics when students are typing or utilizing the iPad in either landscape or portrait mode. These finely crafted devices are both aesthetically pleasing and molded with a soft cushion material on the top of the stand with a hard plastic on the bottom. The soft cushiony material in the channel firmly grips the iPad in either landscape or portrait mode, thus putting the iPad and a comfortable viewing and typing angle. The bottom of the Belkin Tablet Stand has non-skid

Belkin Tablet Stand with Storage

rubber which prevents the iPad from moving when typing or interacting with it.

Aimed at the primary grades Belkin also shared with me the Belkin Tablet Stand with Storage which adds to the basic stand the capacity for students to store their schools supplies. The Belkin Tablet Stand with Storage is an ideal stand for students who will be using the iPad or other tablet and who need the ability to organize their supplies. It is ideal for students who need to store their ear buds, pen, pencil or whatever these choose. The design is very pleasing and the latching mechanism is easy for students to access and securely closes. If you are using iPads or tablets in the classroom then you need to consider the ergonomics and take a look at the Belkin Stands to help you create better working environments for your students.

Read More