Clearly, COVID-19 and its multiple variants have permanently changed how schools operate. More districts are implementing methods for sharing information quickly as needs arise – in many cases, daily. While sending emails and SMS messages are still popular, schools can also use their interactive displays to send important alerts and messages so that teachers, school staff, students, and parents can stay informed. The award-winning ProColor interactive display by Boxlight has recently added MimioMessage - an easy-to-use application that turns the display into a communications tool.  

We are starting off 2022 with amazing news – we are proud to announce that FOUR of our solutions won Best of 2021 from Tech&Learning. The purpose of the awards was to recognize educational technology that exceptionally supported teachers and students in 2021, no matter what the learning environment. A panel of educators evaluated nominations based on a set of criteria such as the product’s ability to support different learning environments and student needs, versatility, and ease of use. Which Boxlight solutions were recognized by this well-respected organization? 

J.K. Hileman Elementary School in Queen City, TX recently purchased Robo E3 3D printers and MyStemKits standards-driven STEM curriculum. After a half-day training in October, one teacher quickly jumped in to use this award-winning STEM solution. Let us introduce you to Haley Williams. 

The award-winning ProColor interactive display has announced new firmware release notes, including the addition of the MimioMessage app which turns the display into a communications tool. Users can use MimioMessage to broadcast messages, information, and alerts to staff, students, and visitors to a site (school, district offices, etc.). More information on this innovative app available on all ProColor displays will be coming soon! 

Mars exploration made strong advances in 2021. There were exciting missions to explore the Red Planet by several countries, such as China, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. The exploratory missions include analyzing the atmosphere, mapping out the planet’s magnetic field, searching for water and ice, and scouting the land and rock formations. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) provides insight into their Mars missions, allowing space exploration enthusiasts to share in the exhilaration of new discoveries. Teachers can help spark interest in space exploration for their students by incorporating robotics in their curriculum. While the overall focus is on Mars, skills such as coding and programming are also taught – skills that are in demand for jobs in the STEM fields. 

As we begin this new year, we need to look at the grant possibilities – those currently open but will quickly close in the coming months, and funding that will be made available throughout 2022. To do this, I’ve compiled a list of grant funding possibilities that includes the funding source and website, the purpose of the grant, areas covered by the grant, funding size, and other information.  

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” - Albert Einstein 

Research shows that incorporating social and emotional learning (SEL) in instruction helps students understand and manage emotions, personal challenges and difficulties, and relationships with others. Consistent and dynamic SEL teaches students the skills they need to deal with life in and out of the classroom.  

Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff, Wales, U.K.) is “committed to ensuring that every student fulfills their potential to make outstanding graduate-level contributions to their own and future generations.” To support modern learning and teaching, the university decided to equip their teaching spaces with interactive technology to ensure instructors and students had what they needed to stay actively engaged. Until this time, their audio-visual technology included a standard 4:3 projected image onto a screen that was lowered from the ceiling and connected to a tutor PC in the room. This outdated form of tech produced low-quality images that did not have the innovative feel of an interactive learning environment.