• My Account
  • Company Structure
  • My Wish List
  • Sign In
  • Compare Products
  • Create an Account
Toggle Nav
My Cart
Search
Advanced Search
Account

Blogs
Complete Solutions

Experts’ Top Tech Picks for Back-to-School

by Ashley Wallinger

September 21, 2021

Educator Favorites for the Classroom

Back to school is an exciting time, especially this school year, with some students returning to the classroom for the first time since spring 2020.

Education incorporates more technology than ever. With so many tools, navigating which ones truly make the grade can be tricky.

Look no further than these 10 stand-out products to see what educators use and trust in their classrooms every day.

Promote Safe and Healthy Campus Environments

Surgically Clean Air JADE Air Purification System

Keeping students and staff safe and healthy is top of mind. The Surgically Clean Air JADE Air Purification System is designed to destroy harmful contaminants, not just filter them. With its 99.998% effectiveness, portable design and whisper-quiet motor, the JADE is ideal for learning environments.

Schools can use American Rescue Plan funding toward solutions, like the JADE, to improve indoor air quality.

Support Impactful Teaching and Learning Experiences

HP Chromebook 11A G8 Education Edition

Designed to survive drops, spills or bumps, the HP Chromebook 11A G8 is created with rugged durability in mind.

Its powerful AMD processors, Chrome OS and long battery life deliver classroom-ready performance in a device that’s easily transportable from classroom to home.

Don’t forget protection! Investing in a warranty plan ensures the most uptime for your device fleet.

Inspire Collaboration and Engagement

Newline RS+ 75” Interactive Flat Panel

Interactivity is key to keeping students engaged. The Newline RS+ 75” Interactive Flat Panel features a stunning 4K display with intelligent touch technology that’s easy for students to use.

Its antimicrobial-infused glass has been lab-tested and certified for effectiveness against common germs to keep teachers and students safe, and its easily customizable interface inspires collaboration in any classroom setting.

Curious about using IFPs in the classroom? Discover ideas for making the most of your investment.

Drive Student Engagement and Teacher Creativity

ViewSonic CDE20 Series 4K Ultra HD Large Format Display

Create, collaborate and connect with the ViewSonic CDE20 Series 4K Ultra HD Large Format Display. With its bright screen, wide viewing angles, dual speakers and size options to fit any space, students can see and hear lessons from anywhere in the classroom.

Move Displays Safely and Conveniently

Peerless-AV SmartMount Motorized Height-Adjustable Flat Panel Cart

Learning can go anywhere with the Peerless-AV SmartMount Motorized Height-Adjustable Flat Panel Cart. Designed for maximum flexibility, the cart is easily movable between classrooms and with the touch of a button, you can adjust the display height.

Connect, Captivate and Collaborate

Epson BrightLink 725WI Interactive Laser Display

Enhance classroom collaboration with the Epson BrightLink 725W Interactive Laser Display. It can turn nearly any wall or whiteboard into an interactive learning space! Up to eight people can use it at the same time, fostering improved student engagement.

Enable Interactivity and Seamless Engagement

AVer M11-8M USB/HDMI Document Camera

Document cameras are a compact, portable way to bring lessons to life. The AVer M11-8M USB/HDMI Document Camera features flexible power and connectivity options for sharing content, whether students are learning in the classroom or at home.

Learn more about how document cameras can help you create a foundation for continuity in an ever-changing educational landscape.

Level Up Learning

Lumens VC-A61P 4K 30 fps PTZ IP Camera

Conferencing cameras are essential for creating a seamless classroom experience. The Lumens VC-A61P PTZ IP Camera delivers ultra-clear video quality so students can easily see everything they’re learning.

Increase Interaction and Improve Attention

FrontRow Lyrik Portable Wireless Sound System

No matter where instruction happens, it’s crucial that all students can hear clearly to learn effectively. The FrontRow Lyrik Portable Wireless Sound System delivers portable, powerful and versatile audio for any learning environment.

Relay Important Information

Samsung XPR-B Series Outdoor LED Digital Signage

Showcase all the important events happening at your school with the Samsung XPR-B Series Outdoor LED Digital display. Its eye-catching brightness and high refresh rate ensure content can be easily read, day or night, rain or shine.

Solutions to Start the New School Year

No matter what products you invest in, working with a trusted partner to help you confidently implement your new technology is crucial to ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed this school year and beyond. The Trox + Tierney Back to School Buyer’s Guide can help you navigate back-to-school purchases. You’ll find great classroom solutions, expert advice and comprehensive services to take tech to the next level.

Read more about the secrets to saving money during the education buying season and the five questions you should ask yourself before making your next purchase.

The return to in-person learning marks a significant milestone in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. With the new school year looming, millions of students and teachers are headed back to the classroom for the first time since March 2020. Schools have been planning for this return for months. In the face of new COVID-19 variants, it’s crucial for administrators to consider how to keep students and staff safe.

The CDC offers guidelines for schools to improve building ventilation to prevent the spread of viruses. The recommendations include improving central air filtration by ensuring filters are appropriately sized and within their recommended service life ( 1 ) and supplementing existing ventilation systems with portable air cleaners.

Using portable air filtration systems in combination with universal masking can reduce exposure to COVID-19 aerosols by up to 90%. ( 2 ) Air filters offer a much more affordable option versus the cost of overhauling a school’s HVAC system.

Contaminated Air Can Lead to Learning Issues

Even before the pandemic, poor air quality has been shown to negatively affect learning, with lowered test scores and increased behavioral incidents and absences in students exposed to pollutants. ( 3 )

In response to concerns about air quality, the American Rescue Plan provides two years of emergency funding for schools to improve indoor air and address other environmental health hazards. In a recent report, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security at the Bloomberg School of Public Health urged schools to invest in solutions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases and improve student learning. ( 4 )

Their recommendations include:

  • Purchase HEPA air filtration units for classrooms and common areas.
  • Use only proven technologies: appropriate ventilation, HEPA filtration and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.

When it comes to air filters, size matters – particle size, that is. Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERVs) dictate efficiency. ( 5 ) A higher number indicates the filter can capture smaller particles of bacteria, dust, mold, pollen and viruses.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are widely considered the gold standard in filtration, particularly with the coronavirus, which travels in smaller-sized particles than many other airborne contaminants. HEPA filters must be at least 99.97 percent efficient at capturing particles 0.3 µm in size and have even higher efficiency for smaller and larger particles.

Some school ventilation systems aren’t equipped to handle HEPA filters, but portable filtration options are available and recommended by ASHRAE. ( 6 ) New York City School District, Chicago Public Schools and hundreds of other districts across North America are investing in portable air purifiers before reopening this fall. ( 7 )

An Affordable Solution

One of the most popular solutions that meets ASHRAE standards and performs well in classroom settings is the Surgically Clean Air JADE Purification System. It uses a HEPA-Rx filter, activated carbon filter and germicidal UV-C+ to capture and destroy viruses, bacteria and other harmful particles in the air. This combination of technologies makes the JADE more effective at removing pollutants than a HEPA filter alone.

The JADE utilizes trusted technology to remove 99.998% of indoor air contaminants. Its multiple stages of purification – capturing, absorbing and destroying pollutants and re-energizing the air – helps protect students and staff.

While popular in dental and medical offices, the JADE is gaining traction in K-12 schools and college campuses. David MacAleese, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Surgically Clean Air, says it comes down to one thing – the JADE is whisper quiet. “Other purification systems are so loud that teachers can’t talk over them without turning the speed down, which means there are fewer air changes,” he says. The JADE’s design allows for a more efficient airflow while keeping the sound volume as quiet as a standard household dishwasher. This means learning won’t be interrupted, and students and teachers can breathe easier.

Create Safe Learning Environments with Solutions for Cleaner Air

The American Rescue Plan was created in part to support the safe reopening of most schools. While keeping schools closed removes a source of COVID-19 risk for students, teachers and staff, virtual learning isn’t the best option for all students. ( 8 ) There are many community-wide benefits to in-person learning, such as:

  • Psychological well-being through reduced isolation
  • Social skill-building opportunities
  • Access to nutritional and welfare services
  • Improved learning quality for students with special needs
  • Allows parents to return to work and avoid child care costs

Investing in portable air filtration systems is one way for schools to reopen safely, improve indoor air quality and ensure students can learn to their full potential.

Learn more about how the JADE Purification System helps create safer, healthier learning environments this school year and beyond.

Sources

  1. ASHRAE. ASHRAE Filtration Technical Resources [Technical Resource]
  2. Lindsley, W. PhD, Derk, R. MS, Coyle, J. PhD, Martin, Jr, S. PhD, Mead, K. PhD, Blachere F. MS, Beezhold D. PhD, Brooks J. MD, Boots T. MS, Noti J. PhD. 9 July 2021. Efficacy of Portable Air Cleaners and Masking for Reducing Indoor Exposure to Simulated Exhaled SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols — United States, 2021 [Report]
  3. Gilraine, M. 28 October 2020. The importance of clean air in classrooms—during the pandemic and beyond [Report]
  4. Olsiewski, P., Bruns, R., Gronvall, G., Bahnfleth, W., Mattson, G., Potter, C., Vahey R. 26 May 2021. School Ventilation: A Vital Tool to Reduce COVID-19 Spread [Report]
  5. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 3 March 2021. What is a HEPA filter? [Report]
  6. Tobias, M. 24 June 2021. Coronavirus Prevention with Air Filters: Understanding MERV and HEPA [Blog]
  7. Salhotra, P., Zimmer, A. 9 July 2021. All classrooms to have 2 air purifiers next year, New York City officials pledge [News Article]
  8. Editorial Board. 27 July 2021. Opinion: The benefits of in-person learning still outweigh the risks [Opinion Article]

About the Author

Ashley Wallinger is a content marketing specialist at Trox. She began her career in broadcast journalism, working as a producer at two TV stations, where she created content for news broadcasts and digital platforms. She has since held roles as a digital copywriter for a marketing agency, as well as a social media specialist overseeing content creation and analytics for the Scottsdale Unified School District in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her background and profile can be found on LinkedIn.