No, that image to the left is not an iPad surrounded by SmartCovers. That is the Microsoft Surface. Not to be confused with the giant table-sized computer the company released a while ago, the Surface is Microsoft’s entry into the tablet market.
Attempting to take a page out of Apple’s playbook on several levels, Microsoft revealed the Surface during a mystery press event in California. What those in attendance saw was an iPad knock-off that is heavier, boasts shorter batter life and an inferior chip. To be fair, the Surface does have an impressive cover that contains a fully functioning keyboard, but that is an accessory that must be purchased.
Microsoft has two versions of the Surface in the works, each for a very different audience. There’s a “consumer version” that will run Windows RT and a “business version” that will run Windows 8.
Microsoft isn’t saying exactly when the Surface will be available for purchase, or how much it will cost, but experts are predicting the “consumer version” to fall in the $500 price range with the “business version” to come in at over $1,000. The pricier version does have better overall tech specs than its cheaper brother, but that improved performance comes at the cost of weight and, of course, cost.
As all school administrators must know, there is a very real teacher shortage currently in American schools and the projections are that it will only be getting worse. What is causing this shortage? It is estimated that 50% of new teachers will leave the profession in their first five years of teaching. Some of the reasons for this high turnovers are: lack of district and state funding for positions, student enrollment is climbing, the pandemic has caused many teachers to leave their jobs,...
1) Come to school...
If you have seen the news lately, you are likely aware of what’s happening on commercial flights. The number of incidents involving unruly passengers is threw the roof, a rate higher than any other time since airlines have been recording this data.
Flight attendants are getting attacked and may be required to take self-defense classes. Passengers fighting each other over COVID-19 masks. Airlines, like Southwest, have curbed back serving alcohol.
To put it in perspective, the...
I have written two other articles that you may want to consider taking a peek at before reading this article. They are using STEM and STEAM in the Classroom and Planning,...
As the new school year approaches, let's discuss planning and incorporating STEAM into our daily schedule. If you haven’t read Part 1: Using STEAM and STEM in the classroom, you may want to start there. I also challenge you to walk away with ONE idea you may try when school begins. The classroom community...