ShoreTel announced earlier it partnered with Scottsdale (Ariz.) Unified School District to deploy the eCoach, a first-of-its-kind mobile learning and technology training bus that will be used to train teachers and enhance students’ learning. While numerous school districts across the nation have utilized ShoreTel’s communication solutions, Scottsdale Unified has taken this one step further by converting an old school bus into a modern mobile classroom to train teachers on new technology tools and gadgets before they hit the classroom.
The company said its unified communication solution is flexible enough to be deployed on a school bus and delivers tools for managing real-time communications, allowing computers and phone systems to handle voice, video or IM. School officials predict the new eCoach program will save the district time and travel expenses while offering a hands-on way for teachers to improve their technology skills.
“The school district’s motto of ‘Engage, Educate and Empower Every Student, Every Day’ is truly demonstrated by the technology being put into the classrooms within Scottsdale USD,” said Kevin Gavin, chief marketing officer at ShoreTel.
The eCoach technology is designed to replicate what is used in the classroom, including a ShoreTel business phone system with integrated communications. As technology needs change, the eCoach will be updated with the latest hardware and software releases, the company stated, which will enable staff and teachers to learn about them before they’re installed in offices and classrooms.
“The eCoach will also be used to allow students to have access to technology that they may not have at home, and it will help educate parents and community members about the types of technology that students and teachers are using,” said David J. Peterson, superintendent of Scottsdale Unified. “We are extremely grateful to be working with a company like ShoreTel who helped make our vision a reality.”
Allen Behnke, director of safety, security and telecom at the Green Bay (Wis.) Area Public School District echoed that ShoreTel showed them how this new technology was “brilliantly simple” to implement.
“In this economy, no one can afford to take a chance on big, complicated systems, even from brand-name vendors. We wanted a straightforward, easy-to-use, reliable solution, and ShoreTel demonstrated how it was possible,” he said.
