Monthly Archives: September 2012

Dell Issues Education Challenge to University Students Worldwide

ROUND ROCK, Texas, September 25, 2012 – Students, teachers and parents say that technology needs are not being met in school today, according to an opinion poll commissioned by Dell. Supporting respondents believe technology makes learning easier, makes teachers more accessible and can give students a personalized learning experience. Dell today issued the Dell Education Challenge to university students worldwide, asking for their inspiration, imagination and innovation to re-engineer today’s learning environments, both in and outside of the classroom.

“We heard from secondary school and university students, parents and teachers that they are familiar and comfortable with technology, but don’t think it’s playing as large a role in the classroom as it should,” said Steve Felice, Dell’s president and chief commercial officer. “Adults would like to see technology more integrated into learning. And, perhaps most importantly, many teachers do not feel as comfortable as their students do in using technology.”

In nearly 1,600 interviews with students, teachers and parents in China, Germany and the U.S., 71 percent of students said they have access to more advanced technology at home than they do at school. Parents said they would be willing to provide the technology their kids use at school, but believe they should have a stipend for the purchase. Despite this, a majority of students surveyed (51 percent) feel technology can serve as more of a distraction rather than an enabler. But they also said the benefits of technology to learning outweigh the potential distractions. This stands in contrast to parents and teachers who believe there should be more technology in the classroom, even though a majority of teachers, including 63 percent in the U.S., say their students know how to use technology better than they do.

Respondents view a personalized approach to learning as the most effective approach to education. Eighty-three percent said technology allows them to create a more personalized learning experience. However, most students in the U.S. and Germany indicate they spend two hours per day or less using technology at school, highlighting an opportunity to integrate technology into more curriculum areas and provide professional learning for teachers to achieve truly differentiated instruction.

“What we are seeing is that people around the world are increasingly understanding that digital learning will be critical to boosting every child’s achievement,” said Michael Horn, Innosight Institute’s executive director. “To unleash the power of technology, the important thing is to build new educational models or leverage existing proof points that allow us to rethink how school works and put the individual student at the center.

Dell Education Challenge to Support and Fund Innovative Learning Approaches
Dell is asking university students, the most recent participants in today’s education system, to help develop solutions to today’s biggest issues in education, including those identified in the poll. Continuing its commitment to inspiring innovation, the Dell Education Challenge is a spotlight challenge extending the partnership with the Dell Social Innovation Challenge (DSIC), managed by The University of Texas at Austin.

The Dell Education Challenge will identify and invest $30,000 in promising projects by university students working to transform and innovate learning in today’s primary/K-12 schools. Solutions can address in-school or out-of-school learning, the learning environment for both students or educators, or systemic issues with infrastructure, policy or administration. Dell will provide students who submit ideas with access to a global community that provides valuable feedback and encouragement on their projects to help make their ideas a reality.

Twenty semi-finalists will receive one-on-one mentoring from a DSIC-certified mentor to perfect their pitches. Finalists will be invited to Dell World this December to compete live in front of our judges for cash awards and support to advance their educational innovation.

More Information
For more information on the Dell Education Challenge, please visit www.dellchallenge.org/k12. Learn more about the Dell Education Challenge and get your questions answered in a special online meeting at noon CDT on September 26 at bit.ly/Ut5WMs or call 888-324-9651.

About DELL
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) is committed to helping students develop the knowledge and skills they need to learn and succeed in an increasingly digital world and a globally competitive workforce. As a top provider of technology and services to schools, Dell listens to and works with students, educators, administrators, parents and community members around the world to deliver innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more in and out of the classroom. Learn more about Dell in Education at www.dell.com. Follow us on Twitter @DellEDU.

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TAP CAMPUS LIFE LET PLAYERS CREATE THEIR OWN SORORITY ON-THE-GO

For immediate release

Build the Hottest Sorority at School With Your iPhone or iPad in This Brand New Free App

SAN FRANCISCO, September 20, 2012 – Rush week starts now with Pocket Gems’ sorority and college experience game Tap Campus Life, now available for download in Apple’s App Store. Tap Campus Life gives players the power to personalize their own sorority by recruiting the women of their choice, hosting fabulous events and designing and decorating their sorority mansion. Tap Campus Life is the first next generation college-themed game in the App Store and has over 50 characters each with their unique backstory, custom animations and outfits.

Tap Campus Life is free for both the iPad and iPhone and with over 1 million downloads in 5 days in the App Store it quickly climbed to #15 on the Top Grossing chart now that school is back in session this fall. From decorating the sorority mansion to outfitting each girl in the house, Tap Campus Life is a fun and creative way for students to carry the college experience in their pocket. Tap Campus Life also features bite-sized, on-the-go gameplay making it perfect for study breaks or down time on the quad.

In Tap Campus Life the party never stops, as players recruit star athletes, party planners and the smartest women around. To make friends with awesome new sorority sisters, players will host events like bonfires on the beach and sorority formals while wearing and trading the hottest fashions. Players can build their dream sorority mansions and continue to expand and decorate while progressing through the game. All the fun and self-expression of the college experience comes together in Tap Campus Life, a game that combines personalization, college themes and the freedom to build the coolest new sorority at school.

Tap Campus Life is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and can be downloaded for free in the App Store at (www.itunes.apple.com/app/tap-campus-life/id504634395?mt=8 ). With many more surprises and additions in store for Tap Campus Life, this is only the beginning of the college experience.

For more information please contact pocketgems@fortyseven.com

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Students Play Key Role on National Public Lands Day

Sept. 29 Event is Largest Single-Day Volunteer Effort for Public Lands

WASHINGTON, September 12, 2012 - College and university students across the nation will play a vital role in National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on September 29. Student volunteers will be part of an effort at more than 2,100 sites to sustain our parks, beaches, forests and other lands we conserve and use for outdoor recreation, education and enjoyment.

“NPLD is an opportunity to join other students and help your local parks and other public lands,” said Robb Hampton, Director, Public Lands Program at the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), which coordinates NPLD. “Service organizations on campuses that work with youths can also make NPLD an outing to connect with nature, or to get outside and be active that Saturday.”

Students can find a site to volunteer at www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites or, alternatively, can coordinate and register a volunteering activity through National Public Lands Day OnCampus, in partnership with U.S. EPA (www.publiclandsday.org/highlights/national-public-lands-day-oncampus). The North-American Interfraternity Conference has also partnered with NPLD this year and will provide its member organizations information on volunteering and invite chapters to hold volunteering events.

More than 170,000 volunteers of all ages are expected on NPLD. There are now NPLD sites registered in every state, the District of Columbia and many U.S. territories. NPLD last year contributed an estimated $17 million in volunteer services to public lands, which include planting about 100,000 trees, shrubs and other native plants, as well as building and maintaining approximately 1,500 miles of trails.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. is the event’s national sponsor for the 14th consecutive year. September 29th marks the event’s 19th year.

In recent years, college students in Florida helped remove invasive snails while learning about conservation in the Everglades. In Illinois, students maintained green spaces on campus by removing litter and planting native vegetation. In Washington state, students helped install compost bins, as well as honey bee and planter boxes.

NPLD is also a designated fee-free entrance day at many federal public lands including national parks. More information can be found at: www.publiclandsday.org.

NEEF is the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, connecting people to knowledge they use to improve the quality of their lives and the health of the planet. We achieve this by providing knowledge to trusted professionals and other leaders who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Learn more at www.neefusa.org.

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Kathie Lee and Hoda Will Broadcast TODAY Live From a College Campus

Students and Schools Can Submit Their Campus on Twitter

NEW YORK, September 11, 2012 - Calling all co-eds! Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb are heading to college. The ladies of TODAY’s fourth-hour are looking to take over a college campus with the most school spirit for a live TODAY broadcast in October.

Schools and students can enter their college or university by tweeting. Grab “Today’s” attention on Twitter with creative and original messages using the hashtag #KLGandHodaU and the name of the school. Pictures and videos are encouraged. Entries will be accepted until September 16 at 9 a.m. ET.

‘Today” will pick the six schools that demonstrate the most spirit, and viewers will vote on which college they most want Kathie Lee and Hoda to visit.

Follow TODAY’s fourth hour, Kathie Lee, Hoda and Sara Haines on Twitter and visit TODAY.com for all updates about the challenge.

For more information: www.klgh.today.com/_news/2012/09/05/13678754-show-us-your-spirit-klg-and-hoda-could-invade-your-college?lite

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SIMPLETUITION ACQUIRES VALOREBOOKS TEXTBOOK MARKETPLACE

SimpleTuition Now Reaches Over 10 Million Students Per Year

BOSTON – September 10, 2012 – SimpleTuition, Inc., the leading provider of tips, advice and interactive tools that help students save on college-related expenses, announced today the acquisition of ValoreBooks, an online textbook marketplace which offers huge discounts on new and used textbooks as well as rentals.

“SimpleTuition is dedicated to helping students and their families afford the cost of college,” said Kevin Walker, co-founder and CEO of SimpleTuition. “When you think about where students spend their money, textbooks are a big expense. The team at ValoreBooks has built a tremendous marketplace that has some of the best textbook selection and prices available today. Additionally, they share our vision for helping students save by comparing their options. SimpleTuition has done it with student loans, and ValoreBooks has done it for new, used and rental textbooks. Bringing the two companies together is a natural fit and allows us to help over 10 million students and families a year.”

ValoreBooks was founded in 2002 and was an early pioneer in the online textbook market. It provides students with the lowest textbook prices by connecting them with sellers from all over the country. The ValoreBooks marketplace now boasts over 18 million titles from 20,000 sellers. Customers can easily compare prices on titles and even see new, used and rental options side-by-side.

“From the beginning, ValoreBooks has worked hard to help students save money,” said Bobby Brannigan, founder and CEO of ValoreBooks. “We’re excited to join SimpleTuition and help millions of new students save money in our textbook marketplace. What’s more, SimpleTuition’s other products will help our loyal customers and their families better plan for and manage college costs beyond textbooks.”

The acquisition of ValoreBooks is the latest move by SimpleTuition to expand its suite of products to help students and their families plan for the cost of college, save on expenses while in school, and manage and pay down their student debt. Adding to their award-winning student loan comparison tool, the company recently launched SmarterBucks™ and SmarterBank®, a rewards program and online checking account that help pay down any student loan. Previously, it released PayBackSmarter, a student loan repayment tool, and College Cost Adjuster, a tool that allows students to compare financial aid awards to see which school they can afford.

“Over the last year SimpleTuition has found new ways to help students throughout the lifecycle of paying for college,” continued Walker. “This begins in high school, but can extend well after graduation, when you consider the cost of paying back student loans. Bobby has built a fantastic money-saving tool, making ValoreBooks a powerful addition to our portfolio of products that help students save money while they’re in school. But, with the cost of education rising each year, we continue to look for more ways to help.”

About SimpleTuition, Inc.
Since its launch in 2006, SimpleTuition has helped more than 10 million families afford higher education. SimpleTuition.com features tips, advice, interactive tools and deals that ensure students plan better for college costs, pay less for college-related expenses, and be smarter about how they manage and pay back their student loans. In addition to SimpleTuition.com, the company manages SmarterBank, SmarterBucks and PayBackSmarter, a suite of products that help graduates manage and pay down their student debt. Named Best Financial Services Site by Kiplinger’s, SimpleTuition is headquartered in Boston, Mass., and is funded by Atlas Venture, Flybridge Capital Partners, and North Hill Ventures. For more information, visit SimpleTuition.com.

About ValoreBooks
Founded in 2002, ValoreBooks is dedicated to providing students textbook discounts and world-class customer service. Their textbook marketplace of over 20,000 sellers offers discounts up to 90% on over 18 million textbook titles and the lowest rental prices available. Sellers compete against each other to deliver savings that rival other online textbook providers and blow away on-campus textbook prices. Students can easily compare prices on new and used books and textbook rentals. ValoreBooks also provides textbook buyback to help students get money back at the end of the semester. For more information, visit ValoreBooks.com.
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Media Contact:
Jan Jahosky
407-331-4699
jan@jahosky.com

LONGBOARDS 101: The One-Minute Guide To Getting Your First Longboard

For immediate release

Please contact Melissa Horwitz at 503-281-5123 or email melissahorwitz@gmail.com

PORTLAND, Ore., September 4, 2012 – If you’ve been on campus for more than a minute, there’s a good chance that you’ve seen other students cruising around on longish skateboards called longboards. Like skateboards, longboards are a really good time. However, longboards differ from skateboards in that they are, well, longer and typically have big, soft wheels. Consequently, the boards are more stable and can obtain higher speeds (because the wheels are bigger) than skateboards. So it’s easy to get from Point A to Point B on a longboard. Add in the fact that longboards, unlike bikes, can be carried inside classrooms, and you have a pretty potent commuting machine.

If you’re intrigued and want to look into longboarding, here are a few things you should consider:

Board Shape
If your main concern is riding around campus, you will benefit much more by sticking to the basics. You can’t go wrong with a classic “pintail” shape board. They are modeled after surfboards – but much smaller – and are very easy to get around on. Another great style of board is known as a “drop-thru.” Drop-thru longboards have a unique truck (the axle) and wheel mounting system, which allows them to sit lower to the ground creating a more stable ride. Both styles of boards are made with a generous amount of flex. Flex helps provide for a more all-around comfortable and smooth ride.

Board Size
While a lot of companies make some enormous boards, for a good cruising-and-commuting board, you will want to stay in the range of 34″ to 40″ long. Boards in this size are generally stable enough for anyone to ride, and they’re lightweight enough to carry around anywhere you go.

Wheels
Like board size, when it comes to wheels, bigger definitely does not mean better. A standard longboard wheel is 70mm’s tall which is plenty big enough to make it over any cracks or rocks that are in your way. Using wheels that are taller than 70mm’s puts you at risk of your wheels hitting your board when you are turning. Since longboard wheels are so soft, any contact with your board will stop you abruptly and send you flying forward. To avoid this, it is highly recommended that you do not use anything larger than a 70mm wheel.

Keep these things in mind when picking out a longboard and you will be zipping around like a pro in no time. If you have any questions or just want to learn more, feel free to give us a call at Daddies Board Shop, the largest longboard online retailer in the country.

For more information on longboards, visit Daddies Board Shop, call us at 503-281-5123 or email help@daddiesboardshop.com.

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