Baltimore County Public Schools Choose HP PCs for 120,000 Students and Teachers
TOWSON, Md. — HP today announced the distribution of new HP computing products to Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) teachers, administrators and lighthouse schools for the advancement of the school system’s digital learning program, Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.).
BCPS awarded Daly Computers a multiyear contract to deploy HP Elite PCs, using Microsoft® operating systems, to more than 120,000 students and teachers.
Before school begins in August, BCPS will distribute the HP EliteBook Revolve 810 G2—a combination notebook computer and tablet using Windows 8.1—to all teachers and to students in grades one through three in its 10 lighthouse schools. HP desktop PCs and charging carts will also be used in classrooms, offices and libraries. Daly, HP and Microsoft will combine innovative technologies and services into solutions to help BCPS succeed in its mission to equip every student with critical 21st-century skills.
“This is a culture shift for BCPS,” said Dr. S. Dallas Dance, superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools. “For me, it is all about getting kids engaged and connected with learning by leveraging technology. One-to-one technology can extend educator capacity to engage students with tools that are intuitive to them, differentiate instruction and provide timely feedback to support more rigorous demands.”
Like a notebook, the HP EliteBook PC comes with a keyboard and plenty of power for writing classroom assignments, taking notes or editing science fair projects. Like a tablet, the device has a touch screen for ease of use and the ability to download and use applications in order to access the latest mobile learning technology. At just three pounds, it’s lighter than many textbooks, durable and features both a camera and a pivoting, high-definition 11.6-inch diagonal display screen. The Windows 8.1 operating system provides students access to the same applications being used by the majority of businesses in the United States.
The S.T.A.T. initiative will include ample training for staff, students and the school community about the transition from traditional classroom instruction to a digital-learning landscape.
Students who use PC-based technology in their middle and high schools will be at an advantage when competing for engineering and technology jobs in the future. The same technology that students use today to complete math and English homework is used to create the groundbreaking innovations that change our world every day. When 95 percent of businesses use the Windows platform, it only makes sense for students to become accustomed to using this technology in order to get a head start on the path to higher achievement and career readiness.
“Daly Computers has become a trusted IT service provider by combining innovative technologies and services into solutions to help our customers succeed in their mission,” said Ryan Yu, president, Daly Computers. “Each solution is customized to our customers’ unique specifications and environments for optimal benefit, matching industry-leading technology with a sound deployment and execution strategy.”
For any K-12 teachers looking to integrate technology more effectively into their teaching practice, HP offers a free, five-module course. HP Teaching with Technology offers strategies, tips and good ideas that teachers can use immediately.
“Today’s students need the skills and experiences to quickly adapt to the changing workforce,” said John Solomon, senior vice president, Printing and Personal Systems, and managing director, Americas, HP. “It is a must to provide students access to real-world business tools that will be used for creativity, to access content and to allow them to communicate and collaborate with peers locally and around the world.”