Top Tech Items For Heading Back To School

It may feel like summer just started, but the school year has started for many students. Parents and educators alike are already jotting down their needs for the school year and looking out for back-to-school shopping deals. Today’s back to school lists, however, are in stark contrast to those just a few years ago – pencils, notebooks, pens. As has been the trend for several years, it’s all about tech. Here, we’re breaking down the top tech items for heading back to school for all ages and grades.

Dash & Dot Robots 

Kindergarten certainly isn’t what it used to be. Students are getting introduced to technology at younger and younger ages, as tech savvy becomes a necessary skill. Dash & Dot Robots encourage young kids to learn the basics of computer science through a simple touch interface that employs music, animation, and stories. Dash & Dot comes with apps, weekly challenges, and the monthly Wonder Magazine to keep kids creativity and excitement growing.

Tablets 

While tablets are technically a great buy for students of all ages, they become particularly relevant as students enter their middle school years. One of the many reasons why tablets are a great buy for students is their portability. Rather than lug around a heavy backpack filled with textbooks, students can access nearly all of their school materials inside the tablet. Many schools have cloud-integrated software, as well, so students can access their work anytime, anywhere. Tablets offer students the latest mobile technology, all at their fingertips. In fact, many of the best tablets available this year feature Snapdragon processors, with 4G LTE capabilities and 4K HD Video. With this mobile technology, productivity can go through the roof. And, they’re more affordable than many parents think, with many of the latest models coming in at under $150.

Birksun Solar Powered Backpack

High schoolers these days have a lot on their plate, and it’s important to make sure that their gadgets can last the whole day through, from homeroom to soccer practice. The Birksun solar-powered backpack does just that. Featuring 4-watt solar panels, the backpacks can keep devices charged throughout the day. On average, the backpack charges a smartphone 1 percent for every 2 minutes of sunlight exposure. This backpack particularly comes in handy for field trip days, or for those times when practice runs late. The backpacks come in a variety of colors and styles, and can even be customized.

LiveScribe 3 Smartpen

The LiveScribe 3 Smartpen is a college student’s best friend. It allows for handwritten notes to automatically be transferred to a tablet or smartphone where it can easily be categorized, edited and shared with others. Students can even create “pencasts” which sync live audio to their handwriting, so they never miss a word of the lecture. In addition, the LiveScribe 3 has a lithium ion battery which allows for 14+ hours of use – perfect for the college student on the go.

No matter what grade your student is entering next month, you can send them back to school with the gadgets that will make all their peers envious, and may actually help them learn some more this year.

This is a guest post by Jennifer Thayer.