INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS
So what has changed about Interactive Whiteboards in the school since 2007.
First — We no longer use Numonics Interactive Whiteboards. All of these have been removed.
We have added new Interactive Whiteboard Equipment to many of the classrooms. The question remains, however; how long will Interactive Whiteboard Technology last with the advent of true Interactive Display Screens and new tablet devices and software that interact with those those display screens. Both Epson and Promethean have introduced Interactive Displays that are much better suited for classroom use than traditional Interactive Whiteboards. Unfortunately these devices are very expensive at the moment.
Another new technology that is gaining ground is the use of portable Interactive Whiteboard systems that can be used with any standard whiteboard. We have added a number of these to our school resources, and the make more sense then spending money on a new Interactive Whiteboard.
Even newer are the Interactive devices that can be used on any surface. Table, desk, floor, etc. We have ordered two of these for our school and hope to receive them early in the fall of 2016. If these prove successful our new five year technology plan will probably move in the direction of purchasing one of these devices for each of the classrooms in the school.
In addition to the Interactive Whiteboard Technology the ability to stream data to a whole classroom from a single teacher computer or tablet via software and some hardware now makes it even easier to create interactive lesson content for the students. We have a variety of this software installed in our school and some of the hardware as well so that teachers have a new option for creating and sharing content with their students, and their students sharing back with them.
In Grades 5 and 6 We have a Hitachi Starboard Interactive Whiteboard (See Image Below)
This board connects via a USB Cable (see image below).
The software for the Board will be loaded on the Dell Computer In the classroom. The board software is also installed automatically when the computer system boots, so that the board should be ready to use immediately after the boot cycle is completed. The software to control the board will have to be opened using the system tray icon or the desktop icon, or can be opened from the Windows Start Menu List. Prepared lessons can be loaded fromm within the board software. These boards can also now use the RMS Easiteach software. Prepared lessons can be downloaded from the following WEB site. http://www.hitachi-education.com/resourcecenter/
In Grade 3, 4, 7, and 8 we have the newer Mimio systems and have replaced the older eBeam system seen below. If appropriate software can be found this older system will be relocated into the Kindergarten Classroom. (See Image Below)
This system is designed to use a standard whiteboard and turn it into an interactive board using the System Beam Control and the supplied pens and software.
The Control unit is permanently attached to the upper corner of the whiteboard. It has a USB cable that attaches to the Laptop computer in that classroom. The software for the system is on that laptop.
The Laptop must be connected to the LCD projector to use this system. The LCD projector musts be turned on to use the board interactively.
Any data file can be used for lesson purposes with this system. The unit simply picks up the information displayed on the whiteboard or even written on the whiteboard and the special pens make it possible to interact with that content. The content can be saved and printed from the laptop.
For more details on using this system please see the Media Specialist.
A special iPEVO Interactive Whiteboard unit exists in the STREAM Lab and is run from the Instructor’s station laptop in that lab.
Two new Bird Interactive Devices have been received during the summer of 2017 and will be tested in Grades K and 1. If Grade K decides not to use this device it will be moved to Grade 2. If not an alternative device will be selected for grade 2 during the 2017-2018 school year.
TV Connection in 1st Grade — SPECIAL NOTE:
In First Grade we have a new Panasonic Flat Screen TV system system that permits a direct connection via VGA cable to a computer in the classroom. There are several video connectors on this TV including VGA, HDMI, S-Video, RCA, and USB.
The VGA cable is connected to a “Y” cable splitter on the back of the Dell Computer in the classroom. When connected to the TV the Computer Screen can be displayed on the TV making it possible to use the TV as a whole group instruction tool. It can be an interactive tool by allowing students to control the software application or WEB based application on the computer while the images are displayed on the TV for the rest of the class. Students can take turns doing this.
KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten now has a flat screen TV that also serves as a backup DVD player. This TV is connected to the teacher’s laptop computer for control and display of content from the WEB.
NOTE: If you want to view a video of a typical setup of a Whiteboard go to this WEB site. Not exactly like our old Numonics Boards but similar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2dzjUAm6Rg
GRADES PREK 4, SECOND, FOURTH, AND FIFTH — SMART TV’S
PREK 4 has a Panasonic Smart Flat Screen TV which they will use primarily for playing video and DVD media for the students. They will not be using the other smart features of the TV due to the fact that there is no TV Cable Connection at the moment in that area and the wifi bandwidth in that area is limited due to its underground location.
SECOND Grade — has a Roku Smart TV and cable TV connection this TV is Internet Enabled and can be used for a wide range of Internet and Cable based educational TV activities.
FOURTH Grade — has a flat screen TV that is EBEAM smart TV enabled and can receive wireless transmissions from the Teacher laptop as well as be used as a CABLE and Internet TV device. It is HDMI cable enabled.
FIFTH Grade — has a teacher purchase Samsung Smart TV which she uses for various Internet and computer based activities. While this classroom does have Cable TV connection the teacher is not currently using that connectivity.
The following Documents have been added for you to provide additional information on Whiteboard Setup, Configuration and Use. Please see me if you have additional questions.
Additional Information on Online Whiteboard Resources
Free Online Whiteboards
http://writeboard.com/
http://www.scriblink.com/
http://www.scribblar.com/
http://www.skrbl.com/
http://www.imaginationcubed.com/
http://www.dabbleboard.com/
http://www.twiddla.com/
http://digg.com/news/technology/Online_collaborative_Whiteboard_-_FREE
http://www.groupboard.com/products/
http://www.jotspace.com/
http://www.virtual-whiteboard.co.uk/home.asp
http://vyew.com/site/index3
This is a jump list to Interactive Whiteboard Lesson sites:
http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/smartboard.htm
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