04
Mon, Nov
1 New Articles

Fischer Middle School, IBM, and Wyse Technology Enhance Student Performance through Desktop Cloud

Trends
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Companies are assisted by Lrn2innovate and the Dunham Fund in a pioneering cloud computing infrastructure project to promote the development of 21s-century skills. 

IBM has announced partnering with cloud-computing leader Wyse Technology to deliver an IBM Smart Business Desktop Cloud solution that promotes access to technology for Fischer Middle School students in Aurora, IL. This collaborative program, launched six months ago, includes Lrn2innovate, an education infrastructure provider, and the Dunham Fund, a private philanthropic foundation.

Through the IBM implemented solution, school teachers can more effectively work with the different levels of student achievement in the classroom. More gifted students can progress to additional learning activities while students who require extra help can now get it.

The Indian Prairie School District and Fischer Middle School have created a technology laboratory designed to deliver a pilot math program. By targeting middle-school-age students with technology-based curricula, delivery graduation rates are greatly improved, studies show. The desktop cloud project is expected to be the first of many in a series throughout the U.S.

IBM's leadership in service transformation, along with Global Alliance partner Wyse—with its portfolio of thin-computing hardware and software know-how—has resulted in an effective desktop cloud computing infrastructure. It leverages advancements in services, enables innovation, and directly addresses critical education needs. To support U.S. education initiatives, IBM and Wyse will continue to invest in this area and promote their solution to educational institutions.

"Our solutions alliance with IBM, coupled with Wyse-led advances in cloud-client-computing technology, are giving businesses and institutions like Fischer Middle School new options to deliver computing technology that's secure, lower in cost, easier to manage, and green," said Jeff McNaught, chief marketing and strategy officer at Wyse. "Education is a special focus for Wyse, and today 10 out of the top 15 universities worldwide use Wyse to make technology a better tool for administrators, teachers, and students," he said.

The Illinois student laboratory houses Wyse thin clients powered by a desktop image streamed from IBM System x servers. The solution serves up to 150 students daily. This open infrastructure has already helped address student achievement gaps and given teachers new tools to work effectively with different levels of accomplishment. Furthermore, the IBM Desktop Cloud solution has proven to be "an innovative approach to keep our students in school and engaged in learning during a time of state and financial crisis as well as social and economic needs that schools are expected to meet," said Cristina Salvatierra Lowe, chief executive officer of Lrn2innovate.

By delivering solutions on demand, Fischer Middle School is able to substantially increase the availability of needed educational computing services and applications to students and educators, says IBM.

"Thirty years ago, I was spearheading IBM's PC efforts, and now I am a part of the desktop cloud revolution working with technology partners IBM and Wyse," said William C. Lowe, author of No Nonsense Innovation, a book that projects the impact of desktop cloud technology on groups dependent upon personal computers. "Working closely in this collaborative effort, it is clear that virtual and cloud computing, along with the advent of other open-content material, is an efficient, economical, and viable way to help K-12 schools navigate rough waters," Lowe says.

Cloud and virtual computing can give users easy remote access to critical information they need from various devices, including thin clients. IBM has shown it can help organizations benefit from this model. The company provides desktop services designed to enable users who have network-attached PCs and thin clients access applications and data through a centrally managed computing environment. The model, appropriately architected, easily can scale to other classrooms, schools, grades, or administrative facilities in a matter of days.

"Today more than ever, schools need an affordable, reliable and efficient way to deploy and manage desktop infrastructures," says Rich Esposito, IBM vice president of Workplace Services, IT Strategy Services. "A cloud-based, or virtual delivery model, allows schools and their superintendents to disperse new curriculum to schools simultaneously and seamlessly. Together, IBM and Wyse are improving desktop capabilities and cutting energy and IT costs with the use of IBM's Smart Business Desktop Cloud solution," he says.

About Wyse Technology

Wyse Technology is a global leader in cloud client computing, leveraging its industry-leading thin and zero client computing-based desktop virtualization software, hardware, and services. Wyse partners with IT vendors, including Cisco, Citrix, CSC, IBM, Microsoft, and VMware. It also partners with globally-recognized distribution and service partners, supports award-winning partner programs, and strives to service customers worldwide. . The company has its headquarters in San Jose, California, and offices worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.wyse.com or call 1-800-GET-WYSE (800-438-9993).

About Indian Prairie School District 204

Indian Prairie School District supports 33 schools, three high schools, and seven middle schools. It has a mission to prepare all students through comprehensive programs with families and communities to adapt to an ever-changing world. The desktop cloud computing project is a collaborative effort of funding and support by technology and community leaders with those from District 204. For more information about District 204, visit http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org.

About IBM

For more information about IBM education solutions, visit www.ibm.com/services; and www.ibm.com/education.

IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 3,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.

For more information, visit: www.ibm.com.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: