St. Paul, MN, November 5, 2009

Ergotron’s TeachWell™ Mobile Digital Platform puts all the essential tools educators need into a compact, high-performance technology hub that facilitates 21st-century collaborative learning environments.

Designed for classrooms in K–12 primary and secondary schools, as well as private and public colleges and universities, the TeachWell Mobile Digital Platform frees teachers from being tethered to desks and removes the physical barriers between instructor and students. The platform consolidates a teacher’s laptop or tablet PC, portable document camera/visualiser, DVD player, wireless extender and more into a single compact classroom technology hub.

Working seamlessly with on-board projectors, remote displays and projection devices, TeachWell optimizes utilization of classroom space and reduces infrastructure investments by eliminating the need for a separate podium, secondary desk and A/V cart.

“The new TeachWell takes the headache out of integrating new technology into delivery of a school’s curriculum,” says Suchi Sairam, Vice President of Roadmap Innovation at Ergotron. “Teachers and professors are freed from fumbling with cords, cables and connections. Instead, instructors simply dock their laptops or tablet PCs, plug TeachWell into a power source and start teaching.”

TeachWell’s mobility eases delay between classroom transitions and facilitates more engagement in classrooms, bringing flexibility into the teaching experience. Moving easily through aisles and small doorways, around desks and over thresholds, the TeachWell platform:

• Shifts teachers from the up-front, remote position of authority to immersion with students throughout the classroom,
• Keeps all teaching materials and technology accessible throughout class,
• Brings the instructor’s computer next to the student’s desk for one-on-one discussions, and
• Acts as an adjustable podium for student presentations.

The TeachWell Mobile Digital Platform uses Ergotron’s patented Constant Force lift technology to offer teachers simple, fluid adjustment of a keyboard and display. With up to 25 inches (63 cm) of height adjustability, TeachWell allows instructors or students to easily adjust the display to match their position while they sit or stand, providing ergonomic comfort and flexibility. Just as important, TeachWell’s independent screen positioning and negative-tilt keyboard tray ensure optimum sight lines and proper elbow and wrist placement to avoid repetitive stress injury. TeachWell also offers neat routing of cables and a flexible, open-architecture design that is scalable for future computer and AV equipment upgrades. It’s durable, easy-to-clean exterior is composed of aluminum, high-grade plastic and powder coated painted steel.

Ergotron’s TeachWell Mobile Digital Platform is available for $899 (MSRP) in the US and is for sale to the global education market through regional distribution and reseller channels. TeachWell ships fully assembled for quick integration with existing computer hardware in the classroom. Included on every TeachWell are a laptop docking tray, large integrated worksurface, mounting tray for a portable document camera/visualiser, keyboard tray with left/right mouse tray, wrist rest, mouse holder and four dual casters. The optional Locking Drawer for teaching tools and personal effects is sold separately as an accessory for $129 (MSRP). A Power Strip (US and Canada only), Power Strip Mounting Kit and a Utility Shelf for mounting a projector are also available.

See TeachWell in action in Ergotron’s movie “TeachWell to the Rescue” at http://teachwell.ergotron.com or on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgcFLDWkHi0. For more information about TeachWell, schools and educators may call 800-888-8458, visit http://www.ergotron.com or join the discussion regarding computing wellness in education at http://blogs.ergotron.com.

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