CDW-G and Toshiba Help Transform Teaching and Learning

LPH · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2004, 02:50 PM

CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a leading provider of brand-name technology products and services to governments and educators, and Toshiba's Digital Products Division, a leading supplier of mobile computing products, today announced an agreement with Hinsdale Township High School District 86 in Hinsdale, Illinois, to transform the way teachers and students benefit from technology. The school district will be supplying more than 300 of its faculty with Toshiba Portege(R) M200 Tablet PCs as replacements for desktop computers, and also will be providing 250 tablets for daily student use in selected courses.

"Our district is not looking to design the school building of the future; we are working to design quality instruction of the future," said Dr. James R. Polzin, assistant superintendent of Hinsdale Township High School District 86. "We believe the introduction of Tablet PCs, rather than the continued use of desktop or notebook computers, facilitates greater interaction between student and teacher, between student and student and, most importantly, between student and the content they are studying. Tablet PCs provide teachers with a dynamic tool to create real communities of learners in their classrooms."

Wanting to develop a partnership based on a long-term vision of superior education for the district's high school students, Hinsdale looked to CDW-G and Toshiba to recommend and supply the right technology.

"The school administration wanted to create an environment where technology enriches the educational process and selected Toshiba Tablet PCs," said Chris Rother, CDW-G vice president for education and state and local sales. "However, there was a pressing need to get these units into the hands of teachers so they could be trained on the Tablet's unique capabilities before school ended and teachers left for the summer. Because of CDW-G's long-standing relationship with the school district and our reputation for responding to customer needs with a sense of urgency, Hinsdale chose CDW-G to recommend, acquire, custom configure, image and deliver 500 Tablet PCs. Hinsdale School District saw the future of education. CDW-G and Toshiba helped make it a reality."

Making it a great fit for computing in the classroom, Toshiba's award-winning Portege M200 Tablet PC is a convertible form factor that delivers breakthrough performance with a rich feature-set including the powerful Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology and built-in wireless connectivity. The lightweight and easily portable Tablet PC, combined with a hi-density, hi-resolution 12.1" SXGA+ screen for enhanced full-screen viewing, effortlessly allows for a more collaborative environment between teacher and student in the classroom.

"We designed the Portege M200 with customers like Hinsdale District 86 in mind. It combines the power of a notebook computer with the simplicity and convenience of pen and paper, and allows teachers and students to complete assignments in a digital format that's easy, fast and efficient. The end result is an easier grading process for teachers," says Dan Rosensteel, vice president of public sector for Toshiba Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "We're excited that Hinsdale is reaping the benefits of our technology, and they recognize the added benefits that Tablet PCs have over other traditional PC choices."

A few classes at Hinsdale Central have already started using Toshiba Tablet PCs. Richard Kick, math and programming teacher, has deployed the new technology to his advanced algebra class and Java programming students. "Because Tablet PCs enable students to work collaboratively, I see them revolutionizing the classroom environment," he said. "The students are much more engaged in the learning process. In fact, I had one student in my algebra class who is not exactly strong in math tell me that Tablets made algebra fun!"

The Toshiba Tablet PC rollout is part of Hinsdale's long-term plan to get the right technology to every student in its district. Starting with the initial 250 units to be shared by students, the district hopes to expand the program so that each high school student has his or her own Tablet.

About CDW-G

A wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation (NASDAQ:CDWC), CDW-G addresses the unique needs of government and education markets with brand-name technology products and services. CDW-G is a leading source of technology products and services from top-name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. For more information about CDW-G product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call 1.800.863.4239, or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com.

About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of three divisions: Digital Products Division, Digital Solutions Division and the Storage Device Division. Together, the three divisions provide mobile products and solutions, Internet access plans, communications, storage and imaging products and services. Products include industry leading portable computers, PDAs, projectors, DVD/CD recordable products and hard disk drives for computers, telephony products, digital imaging systems, cable modems, wireless solutions and services.

TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a world leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems. Toshiba has global sales of over $52 billion and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.toshiba.com.

About Hinsdale Township High School District 86

Hinsdale High School District 86 is 20 miles due west of Chicago's Loop and is home to a concentration of professional/executive/managerial families and major corporate headquarters and commercial centers. The two high schools, Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, Illinois) and Hinsdale South (Darien, Illinois), serve seven middle-to upper class western suburban communities including Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Willowbrook and portions of Westmont. These communities strongly support their schools and hold high academic standards for both students and schools. District 86 has an approximate student enrollment of 4,390. For further information on District 86 call (630) 655-6100 or visit the website at www.hinsdale86.org

(C)2004 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS). Portege is a registered trademark of TAIS. All other product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information in media advisories including without limitation product prices, specifications, content of services, and contact information, is current on the date of the press announcement, but is subject to change without notice.