Education

When Annie Wang the Co-founder, CTO and Creative Director of HerCampus.com agreed to join Windows in Vegas for the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, I literally jumped out of my seat! Annie, a Windows Champion and known student blogger, knows exactly what students want, what students are thinking about and asks questions that help students figure out what they really need to know. The following video recaps Annie’s first day at CES.

The Halo Spartan last appeared on his high school graduation stage here. We asked you on Facebook where you thought he might pop up next and the answers were wild. People guessed all manner of locations. However, few guessed that he’d turn up in the most obvious next spot—college. Check out this video to see what happens when a Spartan goes on a college welcome tour.

As technology enthusiasts, we understand the role technology plays in moving the world forward. When it intersects with education, it truly lays the foundation for future generations. Studies have shown that schools with technology rich environments boast impressive outcomes for students, including higher morale and higher test scores. However, many schools find it difficult to increase access to technology for students with constrained budgets and resources.

“They have been training their whole lives to save the world,” said Jane McGonigal, world-renowned game designer and author, in reference to the students who participated in the Microsoft Imagine Cup.

For one member of the winning Software Design team, his solution not only stands to change the world, but to also affect his day-to-day life. David Hayden, the team captain from Arizona State University, was born legally blind. He used his first-hand experience struggling to see the teacher and take notes simultaneously as inspiration to create Note-Taker.

Our friends over on the Office Blogs have just posted a handy rundown for students on how to take class notes on your phone and sync them to Windows Live SkyDrive—perfect for those moments when you’re stuck in class (or a meeting) without a laptop.  Check out the post.

Their post also made me curious: Where else have you found OneNote handy on your phone? What are your favorite OneNote tips?

Mike

Back in October we told about a cool contest to give one lucky school a total tech makeover as part of NBC’s new reality series, School Pride. Well, we have a winner. On Dec. 1, School Pride selected Whatcom Middle School in Bellingham, WA as the lucky winner of a new computer lab. Whatcom was selected via an online November vote, and bested 4 other worthy schools. In addition to 25 new PCs, Whatcom will also receive a $2,500 cash prize.

Americans are divided about what to do to fix our schools, but we can all agree on one thing: they’re a mess.

While curriculum and teachers get a lot of attention, the infrastructure of our education system is collapsing around our kids. From rats, broken windows, leaking pipes and collapsed ceiling tiles to mildewed carpets, our learners are often expected to endure and excel in conditions that no corporation could get away with providing to their employees.

CyberLink YouPaint is fun touch app for kids. Do you remember when you are little? Coloring? Tracing? Or just drawing a sketch? CyberLink YouPaint, another application to earn the Compatible with Windows 7 logo, brings all the same fun to the PC.

For kids who like to color, you can use the different paint options to create your own master piece. With tons of color options, finding the right color will not be an issue.

The Microsoft Education team shared the graphic below with us last week.  As students head back to school, they’re going to face a job climate that will increasingly require tech skills – 77% of jobs will require some tech within the next ten years. 

Congrats @bonekeep!  You’re a teacher, gamer, dad and now winner!

Shoot me a DM @winashbrown with your email. 

Ashley