Bretford® Showcases ConnectEd™ Learning at ISTE 2012

Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.^® (ISTE Booth #2912), a United States manufacturer of dependable furniture products that improve how people work and learn, will provide a live look at ConnectEd™ education environments that incorporate its EDU 2.0 system of mobile and powered furniture designed to support technology for 21^st century learning during ISTE 2012, June 25-27, in San Diego.

During ISTE, Bretford^® will introduce a new tool called the Discovery Guide, which helps facility professionals understand, create and implement agile learning spaces, along with an accompanying webinar series that includes a case study project called iLab. Throughout the show, the EDU 2.0 furniture in the booth will be modified to showcase a variety of modalities. In addition, booth visitors can attend a daily session about using Apple Configurator to deploy and manage services for the classroom.

“The EDU 2.0 furniture is designed using evidence-based practices that involve the voice of the customer — this line and all Bretford^® furniture centers around five key ideas,” explained Cindy Weinschreider, director of marketing communications for Bretford Manufacturing, Inc. ^® “The furniture is agile so as rooms, people and information change, it adapts; mobile because it fits, works and moves together; technology-enabled for easy access to power and data; social because it creates interaction; and sustainable for a healthier learning environment. At ISTE, we are showing examples of EDU 2.0 products in actual applications while providing new tools that give educators the ability to stay connected in their learning facilities.”

Throughout ISTE, Bretford^® will host a session titled “Using Apple Configurator to Deploy and Manage Devices for the Classroom,” which will run in the booth (#2912) on Monday, June 25 at 2:00 p.m.; Tuesday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, June 27 at 10:00 a.m. It will include an overview of how to best set up, deploy and manage iOS devices for the classroom. The session will also discuss ways to use Apple Configurator along with the Bretford^® PowerSync cart or tray to push Apps, join wireless, set restrictions and more.

About the EDU 2.0 Line

The EDU 2.0 line of furniture is comprised of tables, desks, presenters, and seating products with countless power and design options. It is among the first in the contract furniture industry to achieve CarbonNeutral^® product certification for a greener school supply chain and healthier learning environment. All of the products in the EDU 2.0 line are currently shipping.

About the Discovery Guide

The Discovery Guide helps educators understand, create and implement the specific agile learning space that is right for them, using the EDU 2.0 line of furniture, which is built to be flexible and support the many changes that technology is bringing to the learning environment. It explores the trends and concepts uncovered in three years of Bretford® research, shows just how agile layouts affect learning then demonstrates how to implement change in a learning environment. The complete Discovery Guide is available by contacting a local Bretford^® sales representative.

About the Agile Learning Spaces Webinar

To support the guide, Bretford^® has pumped up its BretfordUniversity webinar curriculum by adding an enhanced six-part fall/winter series that focuses on the "how to" and "design" of agile learning spaces. The Discovery Guide and webinars also include information about a unique case study project at Hillbrook School in Silicon Valley, Calif. called iLab. Through a partnership with Bretford^® and HERO, Inc., a research and consulting firm, Hillbrook has been able to design and build an agile learning space, which will be used by students and monitored throughout the first six months of the 2012-2013 school year. The story, findings and results can be followed here.

For more information about Bretford^® visit Bretford.com or call 1-800-521-9614. Bretford^® can also be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bretfordmanf.