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Hatboro-Horsham School District Students Get Hands-On Experience with Handheld Computing Devices
Technology Helps Students Master Key Science Skills
While Studying the Environment
ROSH HAAYIN, ISRAEL (June 4, 2008) - Students in the School District of Hatboro-Horsham in Montgomery County, Pa., are using handheld computing devices to master the digital literacy skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. In addition, in developing lessons and activities that encourage scientific, inquiry-based learning, district and school technology coordinators chose the Nova5000 from Fourier Systems to help several fifth grade classes leverage the benefits of technology while studying nature.
Wanting to provide their students with a computing device that would allow them to solve multi-disciplinary real-life problems as well as master the skills necessary to use spreadsheets to present, analyze and graph data, district technology coordinators researched devices that would best meet their needs. "After much investigation, the Nova5000 provided the best features, including the required mobility and durability for our elementary students," said Susan Casagrand, Director of Educational Technology for the district.
Built for use in a learning environment, the Nova5000 bridges the gap between laptops and handheld solutions. Weighing 2.4 lbs with a 7-inch touch screen, the Nova5000 offers what other computing devices do not - a high-powered learning appliance bundled with the tools and software many educators want to use, including netTrekker d.i., MathResources, Activote and more. A suite of office tools and multimedia, instructional and assessment software are built into the Nova5000, allowing students and educators to conduct complete projects and lab reports using these integrated tools. Recently, Fourier Systems released an updated version of the Nova5000 with an increased amount of RAM, flash memory, a faster processor, enhanced graphics software, and a longer battery life (more than 8 hours).
Beyond one-to-one computing, there also was a need for the district to develop an environment for scientific inquiry-based learning where the benefits of technology are integrated while studying nature.
"The Nova5000 gave us the opportunity to bring the equipment directly to a Nature Center and use it to record observations and draw pictures of items identified for further research and use later in the computer lab, library, and classroom," said Carmela Curatola-Knowles, Elementary Technology Teacher for Hatboro-Horsham. The fifth grade students used Inspiration and NovaPaint, software programs bundled on the Nova5000, to take field notes and re-create items they observed in the Nature Center using the device’s stylus. This provided for better use of student time at the Nature Center as they were focused on observing rather than keeping track of paper and pencil to write. The Nova5000 facilitated the transparent use of technology to aid student learning.
Prior to the field trip to the Nature Center, district technology coordinators put together a video with the help of the Subject Matter Expert on the Nature Center. This video and the Nova5000 were reviewed with the students during Technology Class to prepare them for the field trip. "The field trip was very exciting for the students and they couldn’t wait to use the Nova5000s," said Curatola-Knowles. "Its size, weight, ease-of-use, and wireless capability made it perfect for elementary students."
Fourier Systems has recently lowered the device’s total cost-of-ownership by reducing the price for schools, districts and other educational organizations. The Nova5000 is now available for under $500 - EX, SX and BX versions cost $499, $439 and $399 respectively.
For more information about the Nova5000, visit www.nova5000.com.
About Fourier Systems, Inc.
Established in 1989, Fourier Systems is a world leader in the manufacture and distribution of compact portable data-logging devices, accessories and 1:1 computing solutions for the education market. The company’s science kits are used in over 30 countries worldwide, to set high standards in science education. Comprising a wide range of sensors, user-friendly software and relevant curriculum material, the company's products embody its commitment to quality and innovation. As a result, Fourier has earned national and international accolades, including the Worlddidac award for the EcoLog™, ExperiNet™ and Nova5000™. For more information, visit www.fourier-sys.com.
For more information contact:
Brian DeSoto
Fourier Systems
708-203-4321
brian@fourier.us
For immediate release
Charlene Blohm
C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
608-839-9800
charlene@cblohm.com
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