Shenzhen FORGOS Electronic Technology Co.,Ltd

Hybrid learning’s popularity has grown significantly over the past few years. It combines traditional in-person classroom learning with online education, allowing students to have access to lesson resources from virtually everywhere. Oftentimes, students can interact with content independently online while collaborating and applying key concepts within the classroom. The pandemic has forced educators and students alike to adopt hybrid learning practices and adapt to this new way of learning. One of the biggest challenges of hybrid and remote learning is the lack of a proper workspace and difficulties adjusting to a new learning environment. Students often have to make do with whatever space they have available at home, which may be a limited or non-permanent setup. This is where portable second screens come in. In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of using portable monitors as second screens for improving the hybrid learning experience. Educator teaching a class via video chat with their FORGOS portable monitor. 1. Increased Productivity One of the biggest benefits of using a second screen is enhanced productivity. With an extended screen, students can have multiple applications open simultaneously. This allows students to easily reference learning resources to work more efficiently, including having their lesson notes or online textbook on one screen while working on an assignment on the other screen. Studies show dual monitor users switch windows 15% less frequently than single monitor users. The reduced need to constantly switch between different applications and helps students stay focused on their work. 2. Improved Collaboration and Engagement Using second screens can help facilitate collaboration both inside and outside the classroom. With an expanded screen space that can be rotated to face their peers, students can easily share their work and receive feedback in real-time. This can be especially helpful for group projects or for study groups, where students need to work together to achieve a common goal. When utilizing online video chats with teachers or tutors, screen monitoring via a second monitor allows educators to be present with their students when remote – so they can more effectively guide learning and encourage student engagement. 3. Greater Learning Flexibility Using a portable monitor as a second screen can provide students with greater flexibility in where and when they learn whether it be at home, in the library, or on-the-go. Often attaching to laptops directly or utilizing a built-in kickstand, portable monitors require minimal or even no added desktop or tabletop space, making them the ideal travel companion for students and educators. When selecting the most ideal portable monitors for hybrid learning, we recommend options that are lightweight and can stand up to the wear and tear of daily travel. FORGOS Essential HD 11.6” portable monitor is optimized for education and feature built-in drop protection. Its compact screen folds flat against school-issued Chromebooks or laptops to easily fit into students’ bags when on the move. 4. Enhanced Ergonomics Students shouldn’t have to sacrifice their extended screen setups to be comfortable while learning. The best dual-monitor setups allow for easy screen adjustments and viewing flexibility to help improve long-term comfort for students. With the flexibility to position their screens to their optimal height, distance, and viewing angle, students can maintain a proper posture while working remotely or in school, which can help prevent back and neck pain. This is especially important for hybrid learning, where student’s workspaces can be ever-changing, and a permanent ergonomic setup isn’t always guaranteed. Student adjusting their portable monitor screen. Conclusion Using a second screen, especially a portable option, can provide students with numerous benefits when it comes to hybrid learning and exceling in their studies - making quality learning both more accessible and engaging. As hybrid learning continues to grow in popularity, investing in a second monitor can provide an ideal solution for students who want to maximize their learning potential.  

The key to productivity, the big secret, is effective time management. Time management is the conscious structuring of your time to help you get more done. Structure is so important to helping our brains feel secure and productive, leading to a more efficient and happier version of ourselves. It can seem daunting, but the best part of our technology-driven world is that there are tools and gear to maximize the time you do have, making time management easier. The consequences of not knowing how to manage your time are, unfortunately, a bigger deal than they might seem. You may miss deadlines, feel rushed, churn out poor quality work, and experience a high level of stress. None of this is necessary. You just need a time management strategy and some tools to help you put out the kind of work you are capable of and also free up hours in your day you didn’t even know you had. Knowing you have effective time management tools in your back pocket will guarantee you feel less stressed. You will be able to complete tasks easily and with confidence. Not only will you build a reputation for quick work, but you will become known for your stress-free, light, and easy attitude, making more people want to work with you. Sounds great, right? And it’s completely achievable. The keys to a solid time management plan: Time Management Plan   Understand how much time you realistically have It’s important to be honest with yourself about how long things may take you, how much time you need for breaks (yes, you need breaks) and how much time, specifically, you really have. If you try to cram more into your day than you can realistically handle then you will flounder, fall behind, and spend more time and energy stressing than actually getting things done. Fortunately, there are tools that can help maximize the time you do have. For any work on a computer that means doubling your screens. A second monitor has been proven to increase productivity by 20-30%, saving you 8+ hours a week. It has been a lifesaver to me. I have spent so much time toggling between tabs and now - that’s all gone. Plus, with zoom in full swing, I can have Zoom on one screen and have documents open on another (though I try not to be the person who is always staring away from the camera). The flagship monitor from FORGOS is also portable, saving even more time when you are on the go. Prioritize your goals for the day Make a to-do list of the things you need to accomplish and put that list in order of importance with the things that are the most important at the top. This sounds simple, but don’t just “do it in your head.” Write it down. Break the list into “must do”s and “might do”s, acknowledging that if you aren’t able to accomplish everything, it is okay. If you are having trouble prioritizing, try Mark Forster’s time management system, The Final Version. He recommends prioritizing by comparing each task’s importance. It makes prioritizing manageable and almost meditative. Delegate If you are in a position where you can delegate some of the items on your to-do list to other people you should. Part of good management is clear communication about what help you need to accomplish your goals. Find out more about delegating here. If you don’t have anyone to assist you, you can similarly hand away part of your tasks to technology and tools built to help. Use time management tools Set yourself up with time management tools that make your tasks take less time and hold you accountable. A great list of time management software is reviewed here. The oldest, cheapest, tool in the box though, is a to-do list. It never fails. Stay flexible and portable We are constantly in motion and packing and shifting gears is an incredible time suck, knocking much-needed time off of your schedule. Keep yourself portable to be able to go with the flow. Second monitors are proven to boost productivity but are often only used in permanent desk spaces. With FORGOS’s portable second monitor that attaches directly to your computer, you don’t have to pack up to make your next move. Your productivity follows wherever you go and your time management schedule stays intact even with last-minute changes and relocations.   Set time limits, deadlines, and goals Once you understand how much time you have and what you need to accomplish, it’s time to set up your day. There’s no room for vagueries here; be specific. Break your day into chunks of time with a goal attached to each chunk. Deadlines are important for time management. Even if a task already has a final deadline, you also need smaller deadlines for yourself. For example, if you have a project that needs to be done by the end of the week, you will also need smaller deadlines for how much you should accomplish on it each day or each hour. Deadlines give you little success endorphins when you reach them. It’s important to know you’ve accomplished steps so you have the motivation to keep going. Reward yourself when you meet the deadlines you set for yourself and make sure you work time to decompress into your schedule and take breaks throughout the day. Ultimately, you are your own boss. Be a good one. Track your time It’s important to make sure you hold yourself accountable to the time limits and goals you set. You can use any of these apps to track your time. I use Toggl. It’s free for individuals and once I click to turn it on, I immediately am more focused. When a tracker is running I am less likely to click away to Twitter and start scrolling. I don’t understand exactly why, but it’s almost like if I do, I’m lying to the counter. It just works! Stop procrastinating But the first step is just getting started… or clicking that tracker on. Procrastination is a huge barrier to productivity that I face constantly. When we procrastinate, we spend more time worrying about how to do a task than actually doing it. It’s a huge waste of time, but sometimes it feels impossible to overcome. Fortunately, there are a few tricks out there to help. The “two-minute rule” is a recommendation gone viral from entrepreneur Steve Olenski. The idea is this: If you see a task or action that you know can be done in two minutes or less, do it immediately. The Now Habit is a book by Neil Fiore that describes a process of “Unscheduling,” which means building your To-Do list with the fun stuff first. This method is a solution for those of us who never allow ourselves any leisure time because we have “too much work to do.” It allows people to have their fun first so they can come to the rest of work refreshed.Stick to your plan with help from time management strategies There are many techniques for how to break up your time, reward yourself, and focus. There isn’t a “right answer” here. Different approaches work better for each person so try whichever one immediately speaks to you, but if it doesn’t work, just move on and try a different one. There is no failure here, we all just operate differently. Stick to your plan with help from time management strategies There are many techniques for how to break up your time, reward yourself, and focus. There isn’t a “right answer” here. Different approaches work better for each person so try whichever one immediately speaks to you, but if it doesn’t work, just move on and try a different one. There is no failure here, we all just operate differently. Time Management Tips Time management is harder for some people, especially those of us who are easily distracted. If you’re struggling with how to manage time try these tips. Stop Procrastinating Set limits for yourself. Start small and learn to say no to things that you cannot take on. I’ve said this one a couple of times, but breaks and rewards are important. Organize your workspace. Use tools like FORGOS’s portable second monitor to make you more efficient and keep you flexible. Don’t attempt to multitask. Focus on one item at a time. Remember the keys to your time management system: Prioritize, Schedule, and stick to it! Time management can seem like a big task, but with some help from the FORGOS team and a little practice, effectively managing your time will become second nature. Soon you will have a lifelong healthy time management process, increased productivity, and a lower stress level. Set yourself up with tools for success like a portable second monitor. Just get started. You’ve got this.

Looking to be more productive? It’s no secret that adding a second screen to your workspace increases focus and overall ergonomic comfort. But what you might not know is that your multi-screen setup doesn’t have to be confined to your desktop. In today’s world, it’s become more essential than ever to be able to adapt to the ever-changing work landscape with flexible work setups you can take on the go. Enter the portable monitor. Your key to workspace agility. But with so many different types of portable monitors out there, you might be thinking: Which multi-monitor setup is right for me? There are a variety of different styles of portable monitors to help you accomplish anything, from anywhere. Not all portable monitors are created equal, so before deciding on a second screen, you’ll want to understand what qualities are most important to you and what that means for your laptop’s compatibility. Let’s dive into some of the main features to consider when deciding on a portable monitor.   Display and Panel Type LCD vs. LED Monitors. What’s the Difference? The two most common screen displays are LED and LCD displays. Both types of displays use liquid crystals to help produce an image, but the difference is all in the backlights. You know how all Poodles are dogs but not all dogs are Poodles? Well, it’s basically the same thing here. All LED monitors are LCD monitors. But not all LCD monitors are LED. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors and use fluorescent backlights in their screen displays and feature a layer of liquid between two sheets of polarized glass. The lighting behind the screen shines through the glass and illuminates the crystals. Despite also using a liquid crystal display, Light Emitting Diode (LED) monitors feature backlighting that’s produced by LEDs instead of fluorescent lighting. LED monitors have superior picture quality, with a lifespan of about 50,000 hours compared to an LCD screen’s average lifespan of 30,000 hours. LED monitors are also often thinner and lighter, which you’ll want to consider if you’re consistently taking your second screen on the go. The downside to LED monitors is that they are often more expensive than LCD monitors and have a higher risk of screen burn than LCD monitors do. So, if you go with an LCD portable monitor, be sure to have your screen time out when not in use. Contrast Ratio and High Dynamic Range (HDR) Looking for an exceptional screen viewing? You’ll want a portable monitor with HDR. But to understand what HDR is, we’ll first need to understand contrast and why it’s so important. Contrast is the ratio between the maximum and minimum brightness of your screen, or the difference between the darkest blacks and the whitest whites. With a higher contrast ratio, monitors are able to display richer colors with more visible detailing in shadows and highlights. Higher contrast ratios are particularly useful in cases where being able to detect small differences in color and brightness are essential, such as graphic design, watching movies, or gaming. High dynamic-range (HDR) content uses the latest color-range technology to simulate true-to-life colors. That means improving contrast quality by producing deeper blacks, purer whites, and the array of grays in between. Because HDR expands the range of both contrast and color significantly, portable monitors with HDR are recommended for both professional visual and higher-quality gaming setups. Resolution and Screen Size When it comes to screen resolution, a bigger screen isn’t always better. Microsoft defines screen resolution as the clarity of text and images displayed on your screen, which is built from thousands, or even millions, of integrated color-changing pixels. The higher the screen resolution, the higher the pixel density, and thus, the sharper the image quality. And the larger your portable monitor, the higher the resolution it will typically support. Monitors with a 4K resolution – also referred to as Ultra HD - have a horizontal resolution of approximately pixels. 4,096 to be exact. If you’re comparing to identically sized screens, the one with the higher resolution not only produces better image quality, but also shows more, minimizing your need to scroll down to view content. This also means that images and icons will often appear smaller on your screen. On the flip side, if you have two different sized screens with the same resolution, the higher pixel density of the smaller screen will produce a higher-quality image, so it’s important to note that while screen size is important, you want to ensure that it comes with a higher resolution display to match. The resolution you can use depends on the resolutions your monitor supports. LCD monitors and laptop screens often support higher resolutions and work best at a specific resolution. Aspect Ratio When referring to digital displays, aspect ratio is the relationship between a screen’s display’s width and height. Because screen sizes are typically measured in inches from one corner to the corner diagonally across from it, based on screen size, the most popular LCD aspect ratio is 16:9 - though 16:10 and 15:9 ratios are also commonly used. While a 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for nearly all types of viewing, 21:9 aspect ratios or widescreen LCD displays provide a larger viewing area beneficial for watching movies, gaming, and displaying multiple windows side by side. Brightness In addition to the display features discussed above, having the appropriate brightness is essential to a superior screen viewing experience. Brightness, sometimes referred to as a “luminance rating” is the measurement of the amount of light a monitor produces. Most LCD monitors feature varying degrees of brightness to suit your viewing preferences. Brightness is measured in “nits” or candelas per square meter (cd/m2) and most monitors have a brightness range from 250 to 350 cd/m2 - though for extra detailed viewing for movies or gaming, a higher brightness at around 500 cd/m2 is often preferred. If you work in a well-lit room or in bright, natural lighting, you may want to consider taking advantage of brighter displays for easier viewing. Response Rate vs. Refresh Rate Though closely related, response rate and refresh rate refer to two different aspects of loading screen visuals. Refresh rate refers to the frequency that a display updates the onscreen image, or how many times per second the display is able to draw a new image. The time between these updates, or response time, is measured in milliseconds (ms), while the refresh rate of the display is measured in hertz (Hz). For example, if your portable monitor has a refresh rate of 144Hz, it is refreshing the image 144 times per second. Response rate refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another. It directly impacts refresh rate in that a monitor can only really refresh its image based on how quickly the pixels can respond. A faster response rate is ideal, as slow loading times can result in motion blur or a trailing “ghost image” behind the newly displaying image. The slower the pixels take to respond, the longer the trail and the less clear your image, especially when viewing videos or gaming. Portable monitors are available at many different refresh rates, ranging from standard 60Hz monitors with to higher end 240Hz refresh rates. Unless you’re using your second screen for gaming, 144Hz refresh rates are usually preferred. Touchscreen vs. Non-Touchscreen Displays In the past decade, Solo HD have their own kickstand support, so there’s no need to modify your laptop with mounting plates to attach the monitor. This makes freestanding portable monitors ideal if you work off multiple computers and don’t want to commit your second screen to just one laptop or PC.   Setting Up Your Second Screen Whether you choose an attachable portable monitor or freestanding second screen, check out our tips and tricks for simplifying your dual monitor setup and how to make the most of your added screen displays. Recommended Third-Party Tools Ok so now you’ve decided on a portable monitor, now what? Studies show that using a second screen can increase task efficiency, but only when set up correctly. Remember, having another screen is supposed to make your life easier, so it’s important to know how to maximize their potential before you buy. While there are likely plenty of built-in features in your computer’s operating system to support multiple monitors, third-party software may provide functionality for tasks like creating shortcuts for swapping displays or arranging windows. Check out our recommended apps for working from home to get the most out of your work setup. Is a Third Screen Right for Me? You’ve got the second monitor, but why stop there? Most desktop and laptop computers are able to support connections with more than one additional screen, but before reaching for that extra monitor, there are a few important factors you should consider for your perfect triple screen setup. If you already have a second screen attached to your laptop or PC, you’ll want to make sure you still have enough input ports that correspond with your computer’s output ports. If you’ve run out of ports, you’ll need to use a conversion cable, such as DVI-to-HDMI or DisplayPort-to-DVI, or utilize a computer port adapter. Once you’ve connected your portable monitors, you’ll need to confirm that all the monitors are detected by your computer. Here are a few tips and tricks I recommend for making the most out of your multiple monitor setup.   Setting Your Display Preferences When connecting a second or third screen to your computer, be sure to check out your display settings to manually adjust the configurations of your monitors and line up each screen's borders for seamless viewing. Whether you’re using your portable monitor with a laptop or desktop, take advantage of these handy display configurations: Mirror / Duplicate Display Function: Projects identical displays on both your computer and second screen Best Used For: Presenting your second screen with others while still being able to work directly on your computer Extend Display Function: Serves as an extension of your computer monitor as extra screen space Best Used For: Both work and home office computer setups where you want to utilize multiple open windows at once