Academic pricing for Kinect for Windows availability broadened

You all know how much of a fan I am of using the Kinect as an educational tool. I've highlighted a number of projects written by teachers, projects for learners (of all ages, young and old), projects from around the world.

But how do you get do you, the educator, take advantage of that? Funny you should ask...

Kinect for Windows Academic Pricing Update

Shortly after the commercial release of Kinect for Windows in early 2012, Microsoft announced the availability of academic pricing for the Kinect for Windows sensor to higher education faculty and students for $149.99 at the Microsoft Store in the United States. We are now pleased to announce that we have broadened the availability of academic pricing through Microsoft Authorized Educational Resellers (AERs).

Most of these resellers have the capability to offer academic pricing directly to educational institutions; academic researchers; and students, faculty, and staff of public or private K-12 schools, vocational schools, junior colleges, colleges, universities, and scientific or technical institutions. In the United States, eligible institutions are accredited by associations that are recognized by the US Department of Education and/or the State Board of Education. Academic pricing on the Kinect for Windows sensor is currently available through AERs in the United States, Taiwan, and Hong Kong SAR.

Within the academic community, the potential of Kinect for Windows in the classroom is generating a lot of excitement. Researchers and academia in higher education collaborate with Microsoft Research on a variety of projects that involve educational uses of Kinect for Windows. The educator driven community resource, KinectEDucation, encourages developers, teachers, students, enthusiasts and any other education stakeholders to help transform classrooms with accessible technology.

One such development is a new product from Kaplan Early Learning Company, the Inspire-NG Move, bundled with the Kinect for Windows sensor. This bundle includes four educational programs for children age three years and older. The programs make it possible for children to experience that hands-on, kinesthetic play with a purpose makes learning fun. The bundle currently sells for US$499.

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Key Links

• Microsoft Kinect for Windows news and resources
• Find an Academic Pricing Reseller
• Inspire-NG Move from Kaplan Early Learning Company

Project Information URL: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kinectforwindows/archive/2013/03/11/kinect-for-windows-academic-pricing-update.aspx