FlipNLearn Story - what happens when a paper engineer meets an educator.

I’m Irv Michlin – As president of IMCOM I’d like to share how FlipNLearn was created.

Its roots are in FlipPix -a unique product that had been used as a promotional item and for the creation of multi dimensional pieces on home computers. It is popular with photographers and people involved in scrapbooking. While education had been considered as a potential market, no one had brought focus to the opportunity until I met Peter Pappas.

Peter, a prominent educator, has been active promoting the use of print-on-demand technology to all students and teachers to publish books to showcase great teaching and learning projects. These projects bring rigor and relevance to the classroom and motivate students with opportunities for publication of their work. As a result Peter was spending considerable time learning about the potential of new technologies in the classroom

In July of 2006, Peter’s work brought him to ColorCentric, a large digital computer printing center in Rochester, NY. While reviewing a digital book project, he met Bill Sullivan, a long-time friend of mine and a great supporter of our products. A former Xerox executive, Bill was impressed with FlipPix and its ability to print on one side of a photo quality paper and create a unique two-sided interactive format.

Bill showed Peter one of our FlipPix®. Peter immediately saw the potential as a learning tool. Bill gave him my contact information and later that day Peter sent me this email.

Irv, A quick introduction. I'm an educational writer / consultant / trainer with a national clientele. I just met with Bill Sullivan regarding a ColorCentric project. (We're both in Rochester NY)

Bill showed me FlipPix. I immediately recognized its great potential as a learning tool in the K-12 market. I bounced some ideas off Bill and he gave me your email. I'd like the chance to discuss my ideas for partnering with you. Is there a convenient time we could talk? Looking forward to speaking with you.

Peter Pappas

Thus began a long series of discussions and test marketing to explore how FlipPix could best be used by educators. The reaction has been overwhelmingly favorable.

As Bill Sullivan reminded us, FlipNLearn, with it’s proprietary software focused on educational applications, represented a new genre in digital printing.

Peter and I are proud to be able to focus our expertise on bringing FlipNLearn into the classroom. We invite your reactions to the product and suggestions for educational uses. We plan share your ideas for great FlipNLearn projects with other teachers.

FlipPix is the only product that allows for the printing on one side of a document by printing and then folding and laminating, which results in a two sided document in perfect register. It has the additional benefit of more than doubling the thickness of the sheet. The resulting sheet could not, in many instances be fed through most laser and ink jet printers.

About Irv Michlin & IMCOM, Inc.:

IMCOM (an acronym for Innovative Marketing Communications) was founded in 1998, by Irv Michlin who was previously Senior Vice President of one of the leading printing manufacturers in the country. Irv has a strong background in printing and direct mail, and has had a number of patents issued - all dealing with innovative and unique printed formats.

About Peter Pappas:

I am proud of my 34-year career in education, especially the many years I spent as a teacher. In 2005, I retired as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at East Irondequoit Central Schools, a suburb of Rochester, New York. Previously I was the K-12 Director of Social Studies at Pittsford Central Schools, Pittsford NY where I also taught high school social studies for 25 years.

For much of my career I served as a consultant to schools, districts, universities, publishers and state education departments. I’ve published professional and popular articles as well as contributed to texts, teacher resources and test banks. I’ve been recipient of state and national grants including “Independent Studies Fellowship” from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 2006, over 400,000 unique viewers visited my websites and blog to access instructional resources, projects and publications.

I’m very excited to partner with Irv Michlin to create FlipNLearn. I’ve tested it out with many teachers and students from elementary through high school. The reaction is always been one of great enthusiasm. I’m continually inspired by the creativity it brings out in students and educators. More about Peter