Welcome to the February 2024 Edtech Show & Tell, in which our editors share some of the new edtech products that have caught our attention this month. These are not reviews or endorsements, but a showcase of education-friendly items, platforms, and more that we think might be noteworthy for you.
This month’s new offerings, many of which were showcased at ISE and TCEA, include new chromebooks, platforms, projectors, wall mounts, and more!
Acer | Chromebooks
Acer has expanded its line of Chromebooks for education with three updated models: the Acer Chromebook Spin 512 (R857T) convertible with a 12.2-inch display, the Acer Chromebook Spin 511 (R757T) convertible with an 11.6-inch display, and the Acer Chromebook 511 (C737) clamshell with an 11.6-inch display. Powered by up to the latest Intel N250 processors, these Acer Chromebooks come with the new Quick Insert key, durability features, and technology options that enhance the student experience.
Cooler Master | MasterLiquid 360 Atmos Stealth
The MasterLiquid 360 Atmos Stealth is a new non-LED version of the MasterLiquid 360 Atmos AIO cooler. The Atmos series is known for its signature engineering seen in features such as the dual chamber design and customizable pump top cover. It features a refined dual chamber design, customizable pump top cover, a removable pump top cover, and more.
Epson | PowerLite 810E
A newly designed extreme short throw display, the PowerLite 810E enables an 80-inch display from as close as one inch away and can project a 160-inch image from as little as 14 inches away. With enterprise wireless connectivity and dual speakers, this lamp-free laser solution offers 3LCD and 5,000 lumens of equal Color Brightness (IDMS Rated) and White Brightness (ISO Rated), ensuring readability in ambient light environments.
Magewell | Q-SYS Plugins for Pro Convert
The new plugins enable monitoring, configuration, and control of Pro Convert devices through the Q-SYS Platform. For Pro Convert encoders, users can configure NDI encoding settings; specify the NDI transmission method; access an NDI Discovery Server; view technical details; and adjust image settings. With Pro Convert decoders, the plugin lets users configure NDI transmission and discovery settings; select between available NDI source streams; view technical details of the NDI streams; configure the decoder’s output resolution; and adjust video output functions.
Snap Circuits | Spy Kit
Snap Circuits new Spy Kit is a dynamic STEM toy that lets kids dive into the exciting world of spy gadgets and covert operations. By combining play with education, Snap Circuits helps kids develop critical thinking and engineering skills in an engaging way. Snap Circuits has won several awards including the Specialty Toy of the Year, Seriously STEM, Good Housekeeping’s Best Toys, and Purdue University’s Engineering Gift.
Sonnet| Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock
The Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock is the latest offering in the company’s family of docking stations and the first to exploit Thunderbolt 5, the fastest external computer interface available. It features a choice of Thunderbolt certified PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs from Kingston Technology, and also includes: Four Thunderbolt 5 ports; Four USB 3.2 Type A ports; 2.5Gb Ethernet (RJ45) port; 3.5mm headset jack; and SD and microSD card slots.
Chief | dvLED Universal Wall Mounts
The TiLED Universal dvLED Wall Mounts offer total x-y-z axis adjustability, enabling precise alignment and eliminating pixel misalignment and gaps — even for dvLED displays with pixel pitches below 1mm. Another feature of the TiLED Universal series is its floating button-capture technology. This patented design provides universal compatibility with most 27″ dvLED panels on the market, simplifying installation across a wide range of manufacturers.
Asus | Zenbook A14
The Asus Zenbook A14 is the product line’s first Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series model, and is now available for purchase. In addition to being the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC on the market, the Zenbook A14 is also the first ASUS laptop to have an all-Ceraluminum build, offering the ultimate combination of power, portability, and luxury. It also delivers outstanding multi-day battery life, enabled by the power-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series processor and a high-capacity 70Wh battery.
Kramer | PoE-Powered Dante Speakers
The new PoE-powered Dante speakers enable seamless integration into networked AV systems. These soakers reduce installation complexity and wiring requirements, making for a perfect fit for modern installations. Each PoE-powered Dante speaker has a corresponding passive model with the same industrial design and sound profile, allowing system integrators to mix and match speakers while maintaining consistent sound quality and a cohesive look across installations.
Crayola | Create and Play app
The award-winning Crayola Create and Play app will now be available on Google Chrome, and all versions are now FREE for educators. By being accessible through a web-based version on Google Chrome, it makes it easier for teachers to use across devices. Whether on student Chromebooks or a classroom Smartboard, educators can seamlessly guide students through activities, including the special Creativity Week event, exclusively within Crayola Create and Play. Crayola Create and Play is developed in collaboration with the gaming studio Red Games Co.
Corwin | RIGOR Unveiled: A Video-Enhanced Flipbook
RIGOR Unveiled reclaims and redefines the term to provide a clear, strengths-based approach to teaching and learning that supports both educators and students. Designed as a video-enhanced flipbook, this hands-on professional learning tool helps administrators and teachers set meaningful goals, identify instructional strengths, and elevate classroom learning. With 25 clear indicators, classroom video examples, and guided rubrics, the book provides a structured yet flexible framework for improving instruction.
Velodyne Acoustics | SPL-X subwoofers
The SPL-X series from Velodyne Acoustics is built on the same cutting-edge DSP platform that powers the acclaimed MiniVee X and SC1500 models. With an expanded feature set, the SPL-X subwoofers are available in 10″, 12″, 15″, and 18″ sizes. Their stylish curved cabinet design is inspired by Velodyne’s premium Digital Drive Plus series. Robust construction ensures peak performance: The cabinets feature 38mm thick walls, internal bracing for added rigidity, and support for the powerful magnet systems of the high-performance drivers.
95 Percent Group LLC | 95 Phonics Lesson Library 2.0 and Sortegories by 95 Percent Group
95 Phonics Lesson Library 2.0 is a new version of the Evidence for ESSA-listed resource that now connects seamlessly to 95 Literacy Intervention System, and its digital literacy practice tool, Sortegories by 95 Percent Group. 95 Phonics Lesson Library 2.0 includes everything teachers know and love about the proven intervention solution, enhanced by an array of both digital and print tools that make it even easier for them to set-up and deliver instruction and monitor progress. Sortegories by 95 Percent Group is a digital literacy practice tool that pairs with any core literacy curriculum, providing K-3 students with purposeful practice opportunities. It promotes integrated decoding, vocabulary, morphology, and syntax skill development for emerging readers as well as for students who lack accurate and fluent word recognition.
SMART | SMART Board Mini
The new SMART Board Mini interactive podium addresses various needs in modern instructional settings and workspaces, letting presenters more freely face and engage their audiences with robust tools for real-time collaboration, industry-leading digital inking that can be saved and shared, and high-quality audio and video for hybrid meetings and instruction. Across industries, the SMART Board Mini empowers presenters to excel by seamlessly connecting in-person and remote audiences. With its interactive tools, it supports more connected, engaging spaces by simplifying complex workflows while allowing presenters to focus on what matters most, their audience.
Overdrive’s app Sora, a key platform for digital reading in classrooms, will now be integrated with TeachingBooks. This integration allows students and educators to access any ebook or audiobook from TeachingBooks — making reading even more accessible and efficient. If the title is in a library’s Sora collection, a Sora logo will appear in TeachingBooks, which users can click to go directly to the title in Sora.
StarTech.com | 240W Multi-Device USB-C Charger
The 240W Multi-Device USB-C Charger is the ultimate charging solution for environments such as meeting rooms, workstations, studios, and workbenches. The 4-Port USB-C PD3.1 charger delivers up to 140W EPR per port (240W total power) to charge four laptops/devices simultaneously while providing unique mounting, security and charging capabilities. This powerful and versatile enterprise grade charger was developed based on feedback from enterprise companies who were seeking to solve common challenges encountered in modern workspaces such as limited wall outlets, messy cable setups, and misplaced charging cables.
Ascend Now | The Edge
Designed in collaboration with educators and aligned with the CASEL framework, The Edge is the first curriculum to meet educators’ demands for high-quality instructional materials for SEL and life-skills readiness. The curriculum helps students cultivate communication, problem-solving, and self-awareness, as well as essential life skills like entrepreneurship, negotiation, financial literacy, and networking, to boost their academic abilities. By combining bite-sized lessons with project-based learning, The Edge creates a dynamic and effective learning environment with ready-to-use, adaptable resources educators use to help students develop both hard and soft skills.