Education Ideas
Student Discounts!
Education, Sales Strategies submitted by cnmopt
02/18/07 **ALREADY OFFERED**
Similar to Apple, Dell should offer students a special discount on Dell Products. The Apple market share is currently growing in the education sector and offering [college] students a discount would be useful to counter Apple's strategy.
19503
ubuntu on my computer: open source for education
Education, Linux submitted by raymako
03/23/07 **UNDER REVIEW**
I am a french teacher working in the south of France .The school's computers are Dell and Nec computers.
Like most of my colleagues, I am using "opensource" (free) softwares, and specially Ubuntu for 2 years.
It works perfectly and the pupils who tried Ubuntu like it very much. I hope it will be possible to buy a Dell computer without Windows very soon and I hope that all the Dell computers of my school will use Ubuntu.
Not only because Ubuntu is free (even if it's not insignificant in a french school...) , but because working with Ubuntu forces you to understand and to think how and why you are using your (Dell) computer.
I know that I'm speaking and writing english language like a spanish cow, so I'm sorry.
I just want to finish my message with this: please be the first big computer manufacturer offering Ubuntu or Windows (which is very performant, but not the only one and specially at school) .
7100
Affordability and Durability for Student Laptop Initiative
Education, Laptops submitted by hdrews
02/21/07
If our district was to even consider a 1:1 student to computer ratio, we would need something much more affordable than what is out there now. Money could be saved by cutting storage space, video quality, and more. What our students generally need at their desks is the ability to surf the net and work in an "office" suite. Advanced projects can be done in our more robust labs.
Also, a laptop initiative is no good if in-house support increases 10-fold. These have to be durable. If they fall off a desk, they have to keep working. Replacement batteries need to be less expensive or an extra battery should come with each purchase.
4856
please inform customers about screen resolution
Education, Monitors and Displays submitted by ninjagecko
Jul 2
Unfortunately many customers still think "larger screen" = "I can see more".
This is not true, and is a fault of the computer industry not taking the time to better-inform the customer. Dell can be a leader in this area.
Customers do not realize that large screens of 1024x768 resolution are as bad as small screens with the same resolution (exception: people who are nearsighted).
Please allow 1) searching for laptops/computers by screen resolution, 2) links in many places educating customers about screen resolution.
Please also allow people to specify the resolution of their monitors, to at least as high as UXGA. Laptops can come default with a low/high resolution and if the customer decides they want a different resolution, they can see the price change associated with it, and decide if it's worth it.
240
giving old computers to underpriveleged people
Environment, Education submitted by drorb73
May 25 **REVIEWED**
An acquaintance of mine is going to start college soon on financial aid, and does not have the resources to purchase a new computer. Currently lots of people send their old computers back to "recycling" programs whereby the machines are shipped to China where some kid breaks them open bare-handed. Instead, computer manufacturers could reinstall some reasonable software on them and give them away (perhaps at a token cost) to under-priveleged people here in developed countries. I have no doubt that lots of perfectly decent 3 year old computers get junked - and there are lots of poor Americans and Europeans that could use these machines for another several years. Wouldn't this be more "green"? Thanks!
Please see dawn_l's comment
430
Dell Kit Computer - Build it and Learn.
Education submitted by reg
05/02/07
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The Early Home Computers were possible to buy as a build it yourself kit.
Dell should have a basic kit:
- an unassembled motherboard, chips, resistors, capacitors, sockets, wires, etc.
It should be one of the cheaper set ups - under $500.
Kids, and hobby computer enthusiasts can solder together the motherboard components,
install the chips and RAM into the sockets, hook up cables, hard drive and CD burner.
All in a snap together case.
For safety sake - the Power supply and power supply wires are sealed and already built.
But for the motherboard, people get an instructional booklet that teaches them
resistors, capacitors, basic circuit logic, and what each sub component chip does,
from the I/O to the CPU.
Great Holiday gift! And Extremely educational.
I have met far to many people who have no idea whatsoever what goes on inside the box.
</font>
250
Dell Mobile PC Center
Education, New Product Ideas, Digital Nomads submitted by bhenders126
Jun 30
When I was a kid I remember one of my favorite days always being the day that the Bookmobile would come to my school.
We didn't have a very good library so it was great to have a regular dependable method to get books that I could read.
In the same spirit of the Bookmobile I think Dell should make mobile PC centers to take to schools and commuities that may not have regular access to computers.
As I envision them, a Mobile PC Center would be something along the lines of the set-up's I've seen set up at electronic conventions for demos of gaming systems like the PS3 and XBOX or perhaps more of a big self contained climate controlled RV vehicle type of set up like the ones I've seen used for medical screenings.
While helping to get kids more familiar with the use of computers, the mobile PC Center's could also be used to offer quick demo's on current and future Dell products and could also maybe even offer classes that would conclude with coupons or discounts for future purchases with Dell.
The mobile PC Center could even be used to go to Senior Citizen's centers or Assisted living communities to help them learn how to better use the computer as well as to inform them of the latest products and services offered by Dell.
140
Give away
Education submitted by jacksonly
Jul 12
I'm not sure if you already have a program like this aready.
I think that you should have a program that gives away free compurters to under priviledge kids, so that that can sit in there home and look at there computer just like I am. I think under priviledge kids have great ideas they just don't have the resources.
Just an idea!
110
Buy one, get one at cost for a school.
Education, Sales Strategies submitted by fishyfool
02/26/07
Why, during the ordering of a Dell computer, don't you offer the purchaser the option of buying a second identical computer (and shipping to the school chosen) for a local school of his/her choice at cost.
You sell more hardware (kickbacks, tax writeoffs), schools say wow, we have enough computers, finally! (Ain't Dell cool)
Schools would have to register and be approved to be eligble, also the schools that have too many computers would have the option of either sending poor kids home with a new Dell, or rerouting the new computer to a poorer school.
It's a win/win baby.
30
Edubuntu (Linux)
Education, Linux, Operating Systems submitted by shadow_mil
02/25/07
Edubuntu is a side version of ubuntu. But the software on it is geared towards educationally purposes... and go from small children to collage level. Comes with a full suite of open-office software, typing games, and other educationally software.
340
College lectures solution
Education, New Product Ideas, Laptops submitted by t.t.braddock
Jul 10
in college its kind of difficult to take notes on your laptop and record the teacher during lectures. so an idea would be is have a built in vioce recorder. so that you can type your notes without having to hold an vioce recorder at the same time. then you can rewind later and listen while you type additional notes and use to study off of later.
110
Explaine why Dell recommends Windows Vista® ?
Dell Web Site, Education, Operating Systems submitted by yesmathew
Mar 12
I saw many idea related to "Dell recommends Windows". Here is one more. Based on Home user or Business user, Dell website recommends either Vista® Home Premium or Vista® Business. Explain why?
So the idea is to educate user, why Dell recommends Windows Vista? Is there any page explaining why Dell recommends Windows Vista? hyper linked to heading "Dell recommends Windows Vista®".
Otherwise does not make any sense to just display "Dell recommends Windows Vista"!
720
ONLY ship unassembled systems to NEWBIES!
Education, Service and Support submitted by phubert
06/25/07
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Educating computer NEWBIES...
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ONLY sell them UNASSEMBLED systems!
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NO PHONE Support!! ... just decent "tab A in slot A" instructions!
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LEARN your system before you USE it!!
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Cut overall support calls dramatically!
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(Full disclosure on sale, of course...)
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:-D
YES, it's humor... but the discussion gets into support and education.
-340
A Student, Corporate and Medical Tablet PC
Education, Small Business submitted by quintin
07/02/07
A recent video was put on Direct2Dell proposing a new Dell Tablet. It proposed that it should be delivered to student, coroprate and medical markets. My experience as a student, a long time tablet user, a computer store owner and as a marketer (previous job) informs me best as to the student catagory, but i would like to note that ONE SIZE TABLET DOES NOT FIT all the aforementioned markets.
Student needs:
- battery life - unis dont have many powerpoints and students are often there all day
- features - why? Because buzz-word-of-mouth marketing is big on campus and the computer guys really do tell everyone what is best to buy
- style - have a look at the iPhone, its simple, tough, has a long battery life, minimalist, and showy. Students when they see a tablet will all go and have a look 'hey look you can write on this things screen', but if its no good the student who owns it will spread the word. You need to make it so 'cool' people just want to use it like the iphones touch-slide screen...
- build quality - students throw the laptop in their backpack and give it a rough time. If Dell markets a tablet to 'students' and its not rugged evryone on campus who has one will tell everyone on campus who does not very very quickly.
- cheap - students cant afford much! Like Apple one should engage in price discrimination. Even buying an Apple Hi-Fi students can show their student ID and get a big discount. The Result? They buy and they tell. Word of mouth on a campus where everyone swaps classes regularly and everyone looks at the few people who have laptops and asks them about them is extraordinarily important - moreso than any other means of advertising.
- loyalty - many software brands will offer their thousand dollar product for free to unis in the hope they can build loyalty among students who will go 'i used this SW i really liked it and because it fit me so well i will buy another'. The computer market does not have brand loyalty BECAUSE THERE ARE NO BRANDS WITH PERSONALITY AND WHAT'S THERE IS PRETTY HOMOGENOUS, therefore producers compete on price. The same could have easily happened in the portable music market had Apple not done those five things above.
- segment well - sorry i keep apple idolising i dont use a Mac, i own 3 different tablets, and i see in my store how marketers of tablets really miss the mark. Make a laptop specially for the student market, another specifically for the medical market and another for the corporate market. In tablets one size does not fit all. People who buy tablets buy them beacause they need something more customised to their needs than the normal offerings of other computer companies - so why go generic? i dont know. Those who dont suffer the following problem:
the different segments mentioned:
medical
- power points are all aroun so only a normalish battery life is needed of a few hours
- medical people like big screens because they will put the tablet down whilst they are doing somthing else and will want to draw and see what they are doing
- they will need it to be light as they will probably go from meeting to room to meeting with it and charge intermitantly between or at each venue.
- medical people need the computer to easily integrate with their current system.
- medical professionals will learn about things by nature by having pharm. reps and others come out to show them how things work. This is how they like being marketed too, or else colourful and detailed brochures.
student
- unlike medics students need powerpoints because unis currently dont have them in most lecture halls
- students dont need huge screens 14" is fine because their eyes are good, but many do design so they will want to get up a bit close
- students will not need it too light because they are strong 2-2.5kgs is fine but they need it to be rugged because unlike medics they will not have tender loving care in the way they handle things
- students dont need to integrate with existing systems but probably need software to make use of the tablet's functionality - as i said sotware makers should give software away almost for free to this market to get them hooked - lookat mindmap, notetaking and design software here...
- students are marketed to through word-of-mouth and promotions. If they see a promotion they will go ask their friends in IT what they think of what is being promoted and if its a good deal. They will also look at what other students have and ask how they find it.
Corporate/biz
- biz users generally will have the PC docked on their desk with an esternal screen and will take it to meetings for a couple of hours and bring it back for a charge
- therefore biz users dont need huge screens because they will probably use an external one on their desk and a projector in the meeting.
- therefore it will be easy to make it small and light so they can carry it in their crowded briefcase (unlike the students backpack or the medics hand (probably)).
- they, like the medics, need it integrated into their existing systems. They will need onsite support (unlike students who will want a big warranty provided for free TO PROOVE ITS RUGGEDNESS MORE THAN TO GIVE PROTECTION!)
- Biz people are used to being advertised to and they often go for big coroporate deals within their biz or else they buy similar to what their co-workers have which is why the dock makes it more palettable.
Therefore i think the idea should be to cater very specifically to each market.
I am happy for anyone from Dell to contract me if they want anymore detail etc.
290
Offer a Consumer Convertible
Education, Sales Strategies, Laptops submitted by bsmmoney
Mar 3
The Latitude XT is great for the business community, but offer a cousin for the Home/Home Office category. College students, home entrepreneurs, and techies would all love to use a tablet convertible, but many aren't affiliated with a small business. Redesign the XT for the home/education users. If Dell could market a tablet classroom, schools internationally would be interested. I happen to be in a county school system that offers Dell Inspiron 600m's to every student. The system is great, but the computers can't handle what is thrown at them. I'd love to take notes on the screen, so much easier!
170
Computers for Educating Dyslexic Leaners
Education, Software submitted by reginastaffa
02/17/07
The article in the Statesman today was right on about schools not using thier internal data to solve problems with the school. Programs should be developed to combate the problem of dyslexic learners in the school system which are ignored and not serviced especially in AISD. Research has shown that computers programs based on research can be used to teach dyslexic learners to read, yet few of the schools use the resource efficiently or effectively in the schools. It seems the schools have lots of computers but don't use them in away to reach some of the brightest students who will not receive a higher education because they were not taught to read the way they need to learn in the school system. 20% of all students have trouble reading and in disadvantaged schools the percentage is as high as 50-60%. Wouldn't it be nice for computers to help solve illiteracy and give everyone a shot at a better life?
36
Starting in Kindergarten
Education submitted by bingearnest
02/17/07
I saw the article "Giants Together for Our Little Ones" I was a little disappointed in the reporting since it looked like union between M. Dell And Mr. Jobs resulted in a gripe session about teachers and how schools are run rather than implementing ideas for technology in the classroom. I have a suggestion for technology and education that you may help with.
I recently moved to Austin from Boise, Idaho where they had a computer program called Waterford ( I think funded by Joe Albertson) for all the kindergarteners. They also had computer labs in the elelmentary schools and computer classes for the students to take weekly.
I understand that Mr. Dell has donated millions to education. I would be curious to know exactly how that money was spent and I would like to see the data showing how it improved education for students.
You could come up with a program to rival Waterford for kindergartners and take data to see if it helps more children develop fundamental skills in reading and computers....
You could negotiate with the schools to get computer labs ans hire teachers to teach computer skills. I know my son has created two powerpoint presentations this year which he truly enjoyed!
You could negotiate a video lab and teachers to teach it.
There is so much you can do to get technology in the hands of the students. You just need to be creative in your negotiations with donations rather than griping about stuff you can not fix. Be accountable for your philanthropy. You can become a great name in education if you focus on what you can do, not what you can not do!!
The Kids have the passion to create, they just need the opportunity and guidance.
Good Luck
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