Microsoft Windows XP to Provide Increased Communication, Collaboration And Digital Media Experiences to 21st Century Classrooms

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 24, 2001 — Communication, connectivity and collaboration: These features are at the heart of the next generation of the Microsoft® Windows®
operating system, Windows XP. They are designed to provide educators and students with access to rich digital media, wireless solutions that keep them connected any time, any place, and enhanced collaboration via the Internet. Available on Oct. 25, Windows XP will enhance project-based learning and make today’s classroom environment more conducive to learning than ever.

“The Windows operating system is the No. 1 choice for schools today,” said Mark East, worldwide general manager for the Education Solutions Group at Microsoft Corp. “But educators have asked us for increased compatibility with existing software, and improved help and support. Windows XP will deliver all that and more.”

“The Microsoft Windows XP Rapid Adoption Program enabled us to test both the operating system and a range of key applications before widespread deployment,” said Dan Updegrove, vice president for information technology at the University of Texas at Austin. “Our campus testers reported not only that Windows XP is the most stable first release of a Windows operating system but also that the vast majority of applications worked upon installation or in compatibility mode.”

Digital Media Boosts Learning

Because teaching styles are constantly changing in the education community, Windows XP offers better tools to motivate students and encourage collaborative learning. The new operating system delivers a range of experiences and offers a variety of must-have features, including Windows Messenger, which enables text-based communications such as instant messaging and real-time audioconferencing and videoconferencing, application sharing and online collaboration, as well as improved digital media with Windows Media (TM) Player for Windows XP and Windows Movie Maker. Using these tools, students can easily manipulate photos, video and audio, resulting in a wide spectrum of opportunities for projects and reports.

Connectivity in the Classroom and Beyond

Students, faculty and administrators moving about campus, from school to home, or wherever learning takes place, will experience a dependable, well-connected and easy-to-use learning platform using Windows XP. The Compatibility Wizard makes running older software easier for K–12 schools, and a new feature for auto-detection of wireless local area networks provides the benefits of seamless and secure network connectivity, regardless of location, for students on or off campus on their notebook computers. Teachers have the capability to grade papers any time and from any computer, and administrators can connect to their school computer from their desktop PC at home through the Remote Desktop feature.

Since collaboration is becoming increasingly more important in the learning experience, Windows XP also acts as a hub for individualized student learning. With Remote Assistance, teachers are able to connect directly to the student desktop to provide personalized instruction in or out of the classroom. Students have the ability to create individual portfolios and dynamic class projects using integrated photo and Web publishing. The enhanced search capabilities can assist students and teachers in everything from complete topical research using the Web to finding documents that may have been misplaced on their own computers.

New Platform Supports Existing Software

When upgrading or changing operating systems, the compatibility of a new platform with previous software is a universal concern of administrators and IT coordinators. Windows XP maintains the majority of existing applications, which means less retraining and professional development for teachers.

“With Windows XP, we have created a platform that will allow institutions to make the most of the software that they already have,” East said, “while providing educators with the tools that will further enhance learning.”

Windows XP Availability

Microsoft Windows XP will be available Oct. 25, 2001. For more information and to acquire Windows XP, educators can contact a local Microsoft authorized education reseller. Resellers can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/education/ . Current users of Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), Windows NT®
Workstation 4.0 and Windows 2000 Professional will be able to upgrade to Windows XP. Educators who would like a product demonstration or who have questions regarding Windows XP can log onto Microsoft’s education Windows XP Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/education/?ID=WindowsXP . Microsoft will support Windows XP with value-added content through the Microsoft Classroom Teachers Network ( http://www.microsoft.com/education/mctn/ ) and individualized IT assistance with TechNet for Education ( http://www.microsoft.com/technet/education/ ).

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

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