THE Journal — Telecom
Skyward Debuts K-12 Mass Notification System
Software developer Skyward has launched a new mass notification system designed specifically for K-12 schools. Dubbed Skylert, the system is also designed to integrate with Skyward's Family Access system.
(7/28/2008)
iPhone 3G, New Mobile Apps Debut at Apple WWDC 2008
During his keynote address at Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) Monday, CEO Steve Jobs debuted the company's new iPhone 3G, an update to the popular mobile phone and computing device set for delivery July 11. Developers also took the stage during the keynote to show off new technologies arriving for the platform.
(6/9/2008)
Siemens To Provide Backbone for PosTrack Hosted VoIP
PosTrack Technologies has signed Siemens Communications to provide the backbone for PosTrack's hosted VoIP solutions for K-12 and higher education. PosTrack will use Siemens' OpenScape Voice and HiPath MobileConnect technologies to deliver unified communications and mobile capabilities for schools.
(3/24/2008)
Mobile Broadband Internet Use Growing Dramatically
The number of computers using mobile broadband technology to access the Internet grew by 154 percent in the 4th quarter of 2007 versus the same period in 2006, according to comScore, a research firm. comScore, which measures online behavior, said the total number of computers going online through mobile broadband technology grew to 2.1 million from 854,000.
(3/7/2008)
Apple To Add Exchange Support to iPhones
Is Apple acknowledging the power and ubiquity of Microsoft's messaging platform? That might be a stretch, but the company has announced a forthcoming update to its iPhone 2.0 software, which will include built-in support for Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync.
(3/7/2008)
Case Study: Bloomfield SD's Migration to Broadband and VoIP
As the IT director for Bloomfield School District in New Mexico, I faced a major challenge with our infrastructure when it came time to upgrade our network and voice systems to meet our educational and technological objectives. The district, with 10 administrative and school sites, is located in a rural area of northwestern portion of the state, which limited the alternatives available to us. Its network was based on T1 connections, and the bandwidth would not support the education initiatives of the district. It was also very expensive, costing us about $5,900 each month.
(3/3/2008)
Students Cross Cultures Through Videoconferencing
Students in 30 K-12 schools around the United States will engage in a cross-cultural exchange beginning in December through a new International PULSE videoconferencing program dubbed "Arab World and the U.S." Sponsored by Global Nomads Group, the videoconferencing program will connect U.S. students to schools in Cairo, Egypt to engage in collaborative activities and exchange cultural perspectives.
(11/29/2007)
Los Angeles USD Tries Out Mass Notifications
The Los Angeles Unified School District is deploying a mass notification system to provide emergency notifications to parents and students and to offer regular alerts on district events and news. According to the NTI Group, which is providing the notification system, LAUSD is now the largest district in the United States to deploy such a system across the entire district.
(10/2/2007)
Skype, Annick Press Connect Students with Authors
VoIP chat provider Skype Technologies and book publisher Annick Press are jointly presenting LIVEbrary, a series of online classroom programs that will connect middle and junior high schoolers and their teachers with various authors over a five-week program starting Oct. 15.
(9/20/2007)
Polycom Intros HD Conferencing System
Communications technology developer Polycom this week introduced its forthcoming HDX 4000, a videoconferencing and collaboration system that includes high-definition capabilities. It's expected to ship in the fourth quarter.
(7/25/2007)
ENA, Sylantro Launch Hosted VoIP for Education
Internet service provider Education Networks of America (ENA) has teamed up with Sylantro Systems to deliver hosted VoIP solutions for education using ENA Connect and back-end systems using Sylantro's Synergy platform.
(6/28/2007)
Whittier Union HSD Links Parents, Teachers
Introducing a new technology tool often has unexpected results. At Whittier Union High School District south of Los Angeles, teachers and parents are having more face to face interactions after the district introduced an automated system for contacting parents about student behavior.
(6/21/2007)
Report: E-Rate Brings Communications to 90 Percent of Low-Income Schools
Last week the Education and Libraries Networks Coalition (EdLiNC) and the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET) released a report detailing the impact of E-Rate 10 years and $19 billion later. The study showed a dramatic increase in access to communications technologies in schools and libraries. But the study also suggested that the mission of E-Rate is not yet complete.
(3/5/2007)
Grants: Omvox Offers $500,000 for K-12 Schools
Omvox Telecom has launched a new grant allowance program for K-12 schools in the United States, offering a total of $500,000. Schools can receive up to $2,500, which can be used to fund Omvox's Alertify mass notification system.
(2/22/2007)
Hatboro-Horsham Implements IP Phone System
Hatboro-Horsham School District in Pennsylvania has implemented a new IP-based phone system throughout the district. The new system, from Siemens Communications, replaces five separate systems in 11 locations throughout the district.
(2/7/2007)
A World Without Wires
Whether helping to resurrect the Katrina-devastated South or upgrading educational access in districts far and wide, more affordable wireless mesh and voice networks are changing the learning environment across the nation.
(1/1/2006)
VoIP to the Rescue
Faced with the challenges hampering school communications nationwide, three districts move bravely into the future with Web-based telephony.
(12/1/2005)
District-Vendor Partnerships
(11/1/2005)
Promoting Synchronous Interaction in an eLearning Environment
Cyber-instructors continually seek instructional tools that will hold students’ attention, and make online communications more efficient and effective.
(9/1/2005)
Flexible Network Infrastructure Helps Meet District’s Changing Needs
(9/1/2005)
Nortel Completes Deployments Across North America
Vermont educators come together to build a data warehouse that helps improve schools and student learning throughout the state.
(8/1/2005)
Surviving a Communications Network Overhaul
A head-to-head look
at how 13 antivirus
solutions stack up.
(8/1/2005)
Amarillo ISD Improves Functionality, Reduces Phone Costs With Digital Communications System
(4/1/2005)
Integrating Voice Into the School Network: Benefits of Wireless VoIP
(3/1/2005)
VoIP in a Campus Environment
(3/1/2005)
