Samsung Electronics Unveils First Look at New Education Community Platform

The free-to-join platform will offer educators an online discussion forum, access to peer and expert coaching and free, self-paced professional development courses.

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., which is based in Ridgefield Park, N.J., said it will show off its new Samsung Education Community Platform for the first time at the 2023 National Future of Education Technology (FETC) Conference and Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Convention and Expo.

The free-to-join platform will offer educators an online discussion forum, access to peer and expert coaching, and free, self-paced professional development courses. This will let them come up with new ways to use technology in the classroom that will help all students be more engaged and learn more.

Building New Communities for Educators

"It's been almost three years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way people taught and learned in the classroom, but teachers are still dealing with the effects of long-term remote learning, such as lower test scores and more stress and burnout. "In this challenging climate, educators need more support and professional development than ever before,” says Chris Mertens, VP of U.S. sales and displays at Samsung Electronics America.

Dr. Micah Shippee, who is the director of education technology consulting and solutions at Samsung, used his 22 years of experience as a teacher to come up with the idea for the Education Community Platform. So, he and his team made an online hub where people can work together to help teachers with their professional development. It does so by offering innovative lesson plans that embrace best-in-class technology.

At Samsung, we strive to build community through technology. "Educators and EdTech enthusiasts will be able to use the Samsung Education Community Platform as their go-to destination to convene and share bold ideas to reimagine the future of learning,” Dr. Shippee adds. “Through our platform, educators can embrace more innovative teaching practices and technology that solve common pain points we’re seeing in classrooms across the country.”

Features of the Platform

Samsung says that educators who join the platform can take courses led by Samsung Education Coaches to improve their skills as teachers. These coaches are experts in curriculum development and instructional design, the company notes. The courses will thus teach participants how to create an interactive, immersive learning environment through engaging lesson design.

Members of the platform will have access to certificates of continuing education and monthly professional webinars where they can learn more tips and ways to teach from their Samsung Education Coach.

Also Read: How Schools Can Ensure Better Interactive Touchscreen Management

All of Samsung's monthly webinars will be recorded and added to the large library of resources for members. These resources will also include blog posts, tutorials, lesson plan templates, and self-paced online courses. Educators can earn digital badges that show how far they've come and how much they know about EdTech strategies as they finish their courses and participate in thoughtful discussions on the online forum.

Samsung says it will identify the most active power users to become ambassadors to create their own content, serve as conference presenters, and host Samsung-sponsored webinars to inspire their fellow educators.

Samsung’s Vision for Schools of the Future

Samsung will also showcase its portfolio of display solutions and software designed to transform the student experience not only in the classroom but across all corners of campus life. Products on showcase will include:

  • Samsung Interactive Pro: Available in 55-, 65-, 75- and 85-inch models, the Interactive Pro is a transformative interactive display that helps educators bring vivid learning to life with multimedia content, a real-world writing and drawing experience and wireless screen mirroring from any mobile device.

  • The Wall: Helps transform any school lobby, auditorium or campus space with the Wall All-in-One. Easy to install and available in 110- and 146-inch models, the Wall helps schools make a lasting impact with spectacular, stunning visuals. Samsung notes that private and higher education institutions use the Wall to tell inspiring alumni stories to drive new student applications.

  • Samsung Kiosk Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Edition: Now available in Celeron i3, i5 and i7, as well as Windows Operating Systems (OS), Samsung’s new Kiosk brings the same convenient self-service experience that’s revolutionizing retail and Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) into schools. Per the company, the new product is suitable for transforming food service, front-office sign-ins and campus events. The secure self-service display solution thus includes a touch display with a speaker, printer, scanner and payment solution in a sleek design.