Samsung Electronics Offers First Look at New Free Educator Community Platform at FETC and TCEA 2023

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. announces it will provide a first look at the new Samsung Education Community Platform during the 2023 National Future of Education Technology® (FETC) Conference and Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Convention and Exposition. The free-to-join platform will offer educators an online discussion forum, access to peer and expert coaching, and free, self-paced professional development courses, enabling them to develop new strategies for leveraging technology that can enhance classroom engagement and learning outcomes for all students.

Building New Communities for Educators

“Nearly three years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic upended classroom teaching and learning, yet educators are still addressing the impacts of prolonged remote learning, from declining test scores to rising rates of stress and burnout. In this challenging climate, educators need more support and professional development than ever before,” said Chris Mertens, Vice President of U.S. Sales, Displays, at Samsung Electronics America.

When conceiving the idea of Samsung’s Education Community Platform, Dr. Micah Shippee, Director of Education Technology Consulting and Solutions at Samsung, brought his 22 years of experience as an educator to the forefront. He and his team developed a collaborative, online hub that aims to meet the professional development needs of today’s educators by offering innovative lesson plans that embrace best-in-class technology.

“At Samsung, we strive to build community through technology. Educators and EdTech enthusiasts will be able to use the Samsung Education Community Platform as their go-to destination to convene and share bold ideas to reimagine the future of learning,” Dr. Shippee said. “Through our platform, educators can embrace more innovative teaching practices and technology that solve common pain points we’re seeing in classrooms across the country.”

Educators who join the platform can access professional development courses led by Samsung Education Coaches, all of whom are experts in curriculum development and instructional design. The courses will teach participants how to create an interactive, immersive learning environment through engaging lesson design. Platform members will gain access to continuing education certificates and monthly professional webinars where they can learn more tips and teaching practices from their Samsung Education Coach.

All monthly webinars will be recorded and made available in Samsung’s rich library of member resources, including blog posts, tutorials, lesson plan templates and self-paced online courses. As educators complete their coursework and engage in thoughtful discussion through the online forum, they can collect digital badges that demonstrate their progress and knowledge of EdTech strategies. Samsung will identify the most active power users to become Ambassadors to create their own content, serve as conference presenters and host Samsung-sponsored webinars to inspire their fellow educators.

To sign up for updates and become one of the first to join the Samsung Education Community Platform, please visit https://business.samsungusa.com/EDUPDC.

Experience Samsung’s Vision for Schools of the Future

In addition to previewing the Samsung Education Community Platform at FETC and TCEA, Samsung will also showcase its portfolio of Display Solutions and software designed to transform the student experience not only in the classroom but across all corners of campus life. FETC and TCEA attendees are invited to experience Samsung’s vision for the connected campus of the future at booths #908 and #684. Products on showcase will include:

• Samsung Interactive Pro: Available in 55-, 65-, 75- and 85-inch models, the Interactive Pro is a transformative interactive display that helps educators bring vivid learning to life with multimedia content, a real-world writing and drawing experience and wireless screen mirroring from any mobile device.
• The Wall:Transform any school lobby, auditorium or campus space with the Wall All-in-One. Easy to install and available in 110- and 146-inch models, the Wall helps schools make a lasting impact with spectacular, stunning visuals. Today, private and higher education institutions use the Wall to tell inspiring alumni stories to drive new student applications.
• Samsung Kiosk Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Edition: Now available in Celeron i3, i5 and i7, as well as Windows Operating Systems (OS), Samsung’s new Kiosk brings the same convenient self-service experience that’s revolutionizing retail and Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) into schools. Ready to use for transforming food service, front-office sign-ins and campus events, the secure self-service display solution includes a touch display with a speaker, printer, scanner and payment solution in a sleek design.

• QBH Smart Signage: Featuring state-of-the-art UHD picture quality, Samsung’s QBH series of displays provide captivating digital signage that schools can incorporate into high-traffic areas to share important announcements, promote clubs and events, highlight student achievements and raise school spirit among the student body. Stevens Institute of Technology has embraced Samsung digital signage in the design of all buildings across its campus.
• XPR-B Outdoor LED Signage: Modernize the school monument sign with Samsung’s outdoor LED signage built for reliable outdoor operation and clear visibility in virtually any weather conditions. School leaders can easily and dynamically control on-screen content with time-sensitive information, such as school closings, sports events and parent-teacher conferences.
• MagicINFO Software: At the heart of the connected school is Samsung’s MagicINFO software which provides full remote device management and control of the content published to all Samsung displays. In the event of an emergency, schools can use MagicINFO to automatically push alerts to all displays with on-screen content to direct students and staff to safety.
• Gaming Monitors: For schools with eSports programs, Samsung’s gaming monitors offer a next-level gaming experience with an ultrawide DQHD screen for maximum immersion and minimal eye strain. Incredibly low input lag can provide the millisecond advantage for teams to seize victory.

New Strategies for Enhancing Equity and the Learning Experience

During FETC and TCEA, Samsung will host Matt Miller of Ditch That Textbook as a special guest presenter on-site at its booth. One of the top influencers in education technology, Miller is a prolific voice in the new era of education who has built a strong following with his innovative approaches to the craft of teaching. Leveraging Samsung’s interactive displays, he will present live sessions with practical strategies for educators, including:

• ChatGPT, AI and Chatbots in Education: When ChatGPT came on the scene, instantly, educators started considering its implications in the classroom. Would students use it to do their homework? And more broadly, how will chatbots and AI change the classroom? In this session, Miller will share ideas for using AI to support classroom instruction. (FETC – Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. CST; TCEA – Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. CST)
• EfficienTEACH – Teach Better and Save Time For What Matters Most: How can teachers do their best work and get home at a reasonable hour for the important stuff? The answer: “EfficienTEACHing.” This session outlines research-backed teaching practices that are both effective and save time, helping educators level up their teaching skills and get home sooner. (FETC – Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. CST; TCEA – Feb. 1 at 2:20 p.m. CST)
• TEACHFLIX – Free Videos and Activities to Engage Your Students: Having the right instructional video is priceless. It shows students key concepts vividly and provokes their thinking. But where do educators find those videos – and what activities can students do to consolidate their learning afterward? Meet TEACHFLIX, a free library of videos and activities ready for the classroom. (FETC – Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. CST; TCEA – Feb. 1 at 2:40 p.m. CST)

Instructional design expert and Samsung Education Coach, Dee Lanier will also present an interactive session titled “Maker Kitchen Equity Edition” at FETC in Room #353 on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m. CST. A thought leader at the intersection of education, equity and technology, Lanier is an advocate for creating more equitable learning experiences for school leaders, staff and students. Co-presenting with influential education strategist Ken Shelton, Lanier’s session at FETC will provide attendees with the recipe for improving equity in the classroom, including critical thinking, research and communication. On Thursday, Jan. 26, at 10:30 a.m. CST, Lanier will be available in the Meet the Author area at Booth #3423 to sign copies of his book, “Demarginalizing Design: Elevating Equity for Real World Problem Solving.”

To learn more about how Samsung Display technology is shaping the future of education, please visit https://displaysolutions.samsung.com/industries/education.