Insights
Resources
Apr
16
Helping You Through The S2 Sonos Update
In June 2020, Sonos will release S2, a new app and operating system (OS) that will power the next generation of products and experiences. In addition to new features, usability updates, and more personalization moving forward, Sonos S2 will enable higher resolution audio technologies for music and home theater.
Many of you are currently using S1 products and the new app will not support the advances of S2 products due to their memory and processing power.
What this means for you: Sonos will still support the S1 app currently connecting to these abovementioned devices, and you can still use older products with the S1 Controller app. The S1 Controller app will receive bug fixes and security patches, but it will not receive future software features. For those of you using S2 products, you’ll continue to use the traditional Sonos app.
Sonos suggests that you separate your S2 compatible and incompatible products into two separate systems and that products in one system will not be able to group with products with another.
How we can help: Sonos is currently offering an option to upgrade through their Trade Up program and save 30% on a new compatible product. Please let us know if you’d like more information.
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Apr
07
Learn How to Use Screencastify!
Screencastify is a free Google Extension that allows teachers and students to record their video/audio along with whatever is on their screen. This is a great way for teachers to present asynchronous “instruction” and for students to “present” their knowledge to the teacher.
Many of our teachers (and students) aren’t ready or able to jump right to Zoom or Google Hangouts Meet for live distance learning. S3 is recommending to our partner schools to “walk before you run”! For the first few weeks of online instruction, encourage the teachers to use the technology they are already comfortable with. There are a plethora of free technology tools available right now. However, jumping too quickly into too many different types of new tech tools will be overwhelming for the teachers, students, and parents!
If you are a G-Suite for Education school and your teachers are already comfortable with Google Classroom and Google apps, then Screencastify is the perfect tool to arm your teachers with for success. We have recorded a FREE instructional video that will cover more than just how-to-use Screencastify. We will discuss practical ways teachers and students can use Screencastify across the curriculum.
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Jul
13
Emergency Connectivity Fund Applications are Open
Attention schools and libraries! Looking for extra funding for technology to support remote learning? Applications for the Emergency Connectivity Fund are open until August 13! Eligible devices include laptops, tablets, wi-fi hotspots, modems, routers, and devices that combine a modem and router. To apply or learn more about the ECF, visit https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/
All schools and libraries that are eligible for support through E-Rate are also eligible to receive financial support from the Emergency Connectivity Fund. However, you will need to register with the Federal System for Award Management (SAM) first if you are not already registered. Information on how to register for SAM can be found at https://sam.gov/content/home
S3 Technologies is committed to helping you make the most of your EdTech investments.
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Dec
17
E-RATE 2021
E-Rate 2021-22 Season is Fast Approaching
If your school is not taking advantage of E-Rate funding, you need to get started! New applicants need to be registered with USAC by Mid-January (exact dates have not yet been published). If you aren’t sure where to start or what services are/are not covered, let us know! We will come to your school and do a free walkthrough with you to help you determine what you should consider applying for.
Click "Download" below to get this month’s E-Tip for an explanation of the E-Rate process and how your school can save money!
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Nov
17
2020 Hour of Code
S3 TechU Robotics Challenge
Who: S3 TechU member schools may pick any grade level to participate (6th grade is suggested). Split the class into several teams. Please assign a robot and equipment to a team and wipe it down after each use. Students should have their own Chromebooks/iPads to minimize sharing devices. Please observe social distancing and other recommendations. We want this to be fun, but safe! Not an S3 TechU school, click here to find out more and register today!
What: Pick a popular winter/holiday story such as Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, etc. Make a map of the story and program your robot to move through the map, telling the story/adventure. Students can add in voice or light programming or make the robot move/dance wherever it is appropriate. Two or more teams could collaborate, each robot playing a different character in the story. During the practice stages, each team should have their own map. Once completed, they can come together and try to run their programs simultaneously on the same mat.
Be creative! Add obstacles, music, voice over, etc. The final submission must include one continuous video of your team/teams playing out the story. This can be embedded in a larger presentation or video with explanations of how you came up with the topic, how you developed the map and eventually programmed the solution. Please keep the entire final submission under 10 minutes in length.
Please obtain photo releases for the students to be on-camera and recorded if students are visible in the videos. S3 would like to post these videos on our website and via Social Media. Full student names will not be posted. Team and School names may be posted.
When: December 7- 11, 2020 is CSW/Hour of Code. Final Projects will be due December 11 (schools may begin working on the project immediately). We would love to host a Zoom call on December 11 or any day the following week (we can determine an exact date at TechU) with all participating schools and share the projects with each other. Depending on the number of entries, we will share all submissions or just 1 per school.
Where: At your schools, video submissions will be sent to S3 Technologies.
Why: To celebrate Computer Science/Hour of Code Week and to engage our students in coding using problem-based learning.
How: This contest is Robot agnostic. Use whatever robots and programming you have available to you at your school.
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Jun 16
Using Desk Shields to Protect Students
Add a layer of protection for your students
As educators prepare to reopen in the fall, schools are looking for ways to keep their students protected from the spread of communicable diseases.
Sturdy, lightweight, and easy-to-clean solutions like this plastic shield around each student is an inexpensive way to help fight the spread.
Pricing starts at $16* per shield and we are now accepting orders before school starts. Reach out today!
Click "Download" to learn more!
*prices subject to change, quantity purchase required.
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Jun 11
Interested in Being Part of the S3 Team?
Do you like to push the boundaries when it comes to technology? Are you someone who looks for ways to solve everyday problems? If so, you may be a fit for S3 Technologies, a company that thrives on solving problems using technology.
We are always seeking hard working, self-motivated individuals who are interested in being part of a results-driven technology team. We have positions available currently including Junior Technicians, Technicians and a Technical Design Engineer.
If you or someone you know may be interested, please e-mail help@mys3tech.com or complete the contact page here: https://www.mys3tech.com/contact for more details. Be sure to include in your message that you are interested in S3 job opportunities!
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Jun 8
S3 Technologies Acquires Akron-Based New Territory, LLC
Enhances existing technology offerings with emerging tech to offer greater range of solutions to customers across Northeast Ohio
AKRON, OH; COLUMBUS, OH – June 8, 2020 – S3 Technologies (“S3”), Northeast Ohio’s foremost technology specialist, today announced the acquisition of New Territory, LLC (“NT”), a leader in immersive technology experiences.
S3 delivers complete technology solutions from concept through installation and support, with projects including security, audio-visual, and networking needs. The acquisition of NT adds emerging technology to this broad suite of capabilities, with a powerful mix of virtual and/or augmented reality solutions that can help clients optimize processes and workflow, enhance presentations, and deliver impactful content.
Born and bred in Northeast Ohio a decade ago, S3 has been proud to serve its community through client work for educational and government centers, local and national businesses, senior living facilities, and a variety of commercial and industrial applications. The acquisition of NT
(which currently resides in Akron’s Bounce Innovation Hub) is an extension of S3’s commitment to fostering innovation and technology prominence in the region.
S3 Technologies’ Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Chris Larker, and Co-Founder and President, Nancy Larker, commented, “We are delighted to bring the New Territory business into our family and provide even greater technology solutions for our customers. Since founding S3 ten years ago, our team has maintained an unwavering commitment to creating value for clients by solving individual business challenges. From schools to industries to senior living, we are value-driven problem solvers who thrive on uniting cutting-edge technology with real world application. The emerging tech expertise that New Territory brings is the natural extension of our client focus – and drive to be the premier provider of technology solutions to this region.”
New Territory’s Co-Founders Bill and Grace Myers added, “Being able to combine our passion for emerging technologies with a significant Ohio-based tech business like S3 is a dream come true. The power that virtual, augmented, and mixed reality applications can bring to an organization is limitless. We are thrilled both to combine these exciting fields with S3’s existing security, audio-visual, and network expertise – as well as to help clients take their technology experiences to the next level.”
About S3 Technologies
S3 Technologies is Northeast Ohio’s foremost technology specialist, creating value for our clients by solving individual business challenges. With a decade of expertise and a dedicated team, S3 delivers complete technology solutions from concept through installation and support. Our projects include security, audio-visual, networking, and emerging tech needs with an unrelenting focus on trust and consistency. We are proud to serve our community through client work for educational and government centers, local and national businesses, senior living facilities, and a variety of commercial and industrial applications. Please visit www.mys3tech.com for more information.
About New Territory, LLC
New Territory (“NT”) is a leader in immersive technology experiences, driving virtual, augmented, and mixed reality content creation, an esports organization, and a virtual reality innovation space. Please visit www.thisisnewterritory.com for more information.
For media inquiries, please contact:
S3 Technologies
330-648-5408
Email: help@mys3tech.com
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May 15
Intro To Augmented Reality In The Classroom Using Sketchfab
With so many options to use augmented reality (AR) with students, how do you narrow them down while making these lessons free and engaging for students?
S3 Technologies has partnered with New Territory, an augmented and virtual reality design company based in Akron, to bring eLearning experiences to life with immersive technology. The platform we’ll be using for this particular webinar is Sketchfab due to its ease-of-use and incredible features built into both its desktop and mobile platforms.
The webinar will take place on April 22, 2020, at 3pm. Be sure to pack your virtual bags! We’ll be taking a tour of the world using augmented reality experiences through the Sketchfab platform.
