Interactive Whiteboards, Part II - Vendor Specifics
April 13th, 2009CTAP staff met with several vendors at the 2009 CUE conference in Palm Springs, looking to determine the following three things.
• How do their prices compare?
• What are the strong points of each brand?
• Who, in our region, is using each brand?
Each vendor has similar technologies, but each had one or two features that were uniquely their own. The chart below lists products alphabetically by vendor, and includes pricing information.
| Interwrite | ||
| Dual Board (77”) | $1397 |
|
| Wireless Dual Board | $1697 | |
| Infra Red clickers (32) | $1700 | |
| Radio Freq clickers (32) | $3200 | |
| Mobi Pad | $399 | |
| Interwrite Pad 400 | $295 | |
| Mimio | ||
| Interactive | $549 |
|
| Interactive + Capture | $699 | |
| Wireless upgrade | $199 | |
| Tablet | $399 | |
| Tablet with Package | $349 | |
| Polyvision | ||
| eno 4×6 | $1600 |
|
| eno 4×8 | $2000 | |
| Promethean | ||
| Promethean Activboard | $1299 |
|
| Tablet | $$ | |
| Activote (32) | $1,795 | |
| Activexpression (32) | $2,699 | |
| SMART | ||
| Board | $1399 |
|
| Airliner Tablet | $399 | |
| Senteo clickers (32) | $1999 | |
| Document camera | $849 | |
| Speakers | $299 | |
Interwrite
eInstruction makes the Interwrite board. One unique feature on the Interwrite is the Dual Board technology. Two users or up to four tablets can interact with the board at the same time. The new Mobi tablet boasts cool innovations as well with an LCD display on the tablet. The final thing that sets Interwrite apart is the ExamView. ExamView holds a bank of questions aligned with the state standards. These questions can quickly and seamlessly be integrated into lessons.
Talk with Regional Users about Interwrite:
- Kevin McIntyre; Coordinator of Educational Technology, Antioch Unified School District; kevinmcintyre@antioch.k12.ca.us
Mimio
Mimio is a solution for those looking for economical or portable equipment. Mimio folds in half and travels will ease. Mimio scales to different custom sizes and works on any flat surface. Do you need to record chart notes from a meeting, but don’t have a computer? Mimio’s physical ink capture has flash memory for just such an occasion.
Talk with Regional Users about Mimeo:
- If your Bay Area district is using Mimio and you’d be willing to have other educators contact you, please let us know, and we’ll include your contact information (link to blog email).
Polyvision
Polyvision’s eno uses a unique magnetized ceramic steel technology to create a durable board. This technology is baked onto steel and carries a life-time warranty. The board itself has no electronics or wires. This technology is the same type that is in the popular LeapPad products. Although this system comes with operating software, it will use any other whiteboard software as well.
Talk with Regional Users about Polyvision:
- If your Bay Area district is using Polyvision and you’d be willing to have other educators contact you, please let us know, and we’ll include your contact information (link to blog email).
Promethean
Promethean’s ActivClassroom is recognizable from a distance by its bright orange components. Their online teacher community, Promethean Planet <www.prometheanplanet.com>, evidences Promethean’s focus on an education-only market. Promethean also maintains a group of Teaching and Learning Consultants (TLCs) from across the nation. All have a minimum of six years of classroom teaching experience. The Promethean system offers a high level of integration of their components.
Talk with Regional Users about Promethean:
- Derek Treichelt; Technology Coordinator; Lafayette School District dtreiche@lafsd.k12.ca.us
- Ann Kruze; Coordinator of Instructional Technology; Oakland Unified School District; Ann.Kruze@ousd.k12.ca.us
SMART
SMART is the “Kleenex” of interactive whiteboards. They have the greatest market share overall. When we looked at their software, it was quite easy to pick up quickly. They have the tablet and student response system, but they also have integrated speakers and document cameras into their system.
Talk with Regional Users about SMART:
- Rick Stevens, Educational Technology Coordinator of the Fairfield Suisun School District; ricks@fsusd.k12.ca.us
Posted in 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Interactive Technologies, K-2 | 3 Comments »
Interactive Whiteboards – An Overview
April 13th, 2009
Don’t know what an interactive whiteboard is? Perhaps you’ve heard of some of their brand names - SMART Board, ActivBoard, eBeam, Mimio, and Interwrite are some of the most widely used at this time. 1
“Interactive whiteboards (IWB) are used in many schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards or flipcharts. They provide ways to show students anything that can be presented on a computer’s desktop (educational software, web sites, and others). In addition, interactive whiteboards allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time.” 2
3 is the Magic Number to keep in mind!
There are three components required for an interactive whiteboard in a classroom: three components to an interactive whiteboard, three kinds of technology that underlie the various brands of whiteboards, and three main considerations when selecting an interactive whiteboard.
3 components to the IWB
- Computer
- Projector
- Board
First, the interactive whiteboard is connected to a computer through a wired medium (USB, a serial port cable) or wireless connection (Bluetooth). The computer is then connected to the projector to project onto the whiteboard. The software that accompanies the whiteboard runs on the computer and is projected onto the whiteboard surface.
3 Kinds of IWBs
There are three main types of technology that “power” the interactive whiteboard:
- Resistive – Finger or touch sensitive
- Electromagnetic – Must use a provided pen
- Portable
Resistive technology consists of a membrane or skin over a pocket of air. When a finger, pen, or pointer touches the screen and depresses the pocket of air, the board registers it and responds. Resistive technology is easy to use and just about anything is an input device.
Examples: SMARTboard and Polyvision
Video demonstrating touch recognition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91VxJ9YYITc&feature=channel
Electromagnetic can be made of any material with embedded magnetic coils that are activated by a stylus or provided pens/erasers.
Examples: Interwrite and Promethean
Portable electronic whiteboards can be used with any white board or flat surface (wall, window, etc). The size is variable usually up to 4’ by 8’. The technology is often ultrasonic and infrared and is activated by the provided pens and erasers.
Examples: Mimio and eBEAM
3 Considerations for Selecting an IWB
- Touch, Stylus or Portable – Different brands will tout their technology as superior, but which is best? The brands that use a stylus claim that it is developmentally appropriate. Brands that utilize touch technology maintain their ease of use is critical to successful integration. Portable units can be extremely convenient if the technology needs to be shared between multiple locations. Think carefully about how you plan to use the tools and try each technology before making a purchase.
- Software – The software for the different boards are at the same time similar and very different. All the software does similar tasks. However, each software program has additional features that distinguish it from the others. Whether it is integrated test questions, online resources, or an intuitive interface, the best way to make this decision is to see the software in action. Most companies offer free upgrades for life on the software, and some offer free copies for students to use at home. These also could be strong selling points.
- Customer Support – The final aspect of this equation is the support. Will face- to-face training be included? What will be the training cost? Is there online support? What kind of technical support is offered for troubleshooting? Finding these answers can help determine what it will take to sustain whiteboards in the classroom.
Sources:
1. Technology Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing http://www.fsdb.k12.fl.us/rmc/tutorials/whiteboards.html 2/09
2. Wikipedia 2/09
Posted in 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Interactive Technologies, K-2 | No Comments »
Tout your Favorite Website: Post Feedback at CLRN
April 3rd, 2009
CLRN Search Result for Universcale
Here in CTAP Region 4, we’ve been teaching educators for years about how to use the state-funded California Learning Resources Network (CLRN) to learn about standards-aligned software, video resources and websites. We’re excited to see that they’ve now enabled a user feedback system where teachers can rate and comment about any of the 2500 web link reviews. The “Web Information Links,” or WILS, identify free primary resource, secondary resource, or reference information for the seven subject areas reviewed by CLRN. An expanded listing includes two new areas, free software or web 2.0 tools and free supplementary course materials, which also can be rated by users.
You can also read each of the comments left by other educators by selecting the “Read Reviews” link. Check out the free resources that CLRN’s team has identified at: http://www.clrn.org/weblinks/
Hopefully, you’ll take advantage of the new feedback feature by rating and commenting on your favorite web links.
I couldn’t resist the opportunity to recommend Nikon’s Universcale site, which reminds me of the “Powers of 10” video that I that captured the eyes and minds of students I taught when I was still in the classroom.
I also enjoyed searching for WILs that had been reviewed by users, and discovered many wonderful websites that were new to me. All were free of commercials and cleared as appropriate for classroom use by CLRN.
Cybersafety Training goes Online in Acalanes
April 2nd, 2009Many school districts are wondering how to respond to the Chavez Bill (AB 307), which requires school districts to include goals and an implementation plan for educating staff and students on Internet safety in their technology plans. Acalanes Union High School created a computer based online solution They are using Blackboard for students and staff training. Teachers extensively use Blackboard, an online course environment, to support face-to-face class work.
The course is structured around the six areas of the CTAP 4 cybersafety poster as well as the district’s Academic Honesty Pol¬icy. Each of the six areas of the course includes a screenshot from the poster, a definition, a link to a CTAP cybersafety resource, and a review of the district’s acceptable use policy. Students are given an online test on cybersafety and academic honesty at the conclusion of the online course. The district also trained their teachers and enrolled them in the course. “Teachers appreciated having digital citizenship integrated into Blackboard to make it more seamless,” says Cheryl Davis, the District Curriculum and Instruction Technology Specialist. “No teacher wants to give up their class time but they all want digital and academic citizen¬ship covered.”
Acalanes Blackboard
Posted in 6-8, 9-12, Online Learning Tools | No Comments »
Orchestrate Learning with Laptops. iPods, and Online
March 24th, 2009County: San Mateo
District: Sequoia Union High School District
School: Carlmont High School
Students in Jenna Cestone’s classroom study and learn English and social studies from the content she provides on the iPod, online and through community projects. Jenna is the quintessential 21st century teacher. She’s adapted her instruction methods and revised her standards-based content to meet the needs of her students. “I improved my own skill set and fostered my own 21st century skills set. I am competitive and modern, not crusty and old school, using outdated books and ideas.” She’s now in her 20th year of teaching and she teachers a Virtual Classroom for American Government and Econ, as well as a couple of English classes which primarily uses the iPod Touch mobile lab.
Students with iPod Touches have access to audio content, selected by Ms. Cestone specific to their learning needs. She creates a playlist, adds content via iTunes, and syncs them all at once with the laptop dedicated to the mobile iPod Touch lab. Content includes art, music, history, and English standards integration – with projects such as Mythology: Heroes, Gods and Monsters. The students can use ‘Animoto,’ an online slideshow application, to animate photos, translation software for second language students and, when laptops are available, she makes sure that every student creates an maintains a blog.
Students in Ms Cestone’s virtual Government/Econ class experience a hybrid of face-to-face learning days, active community-based learning, and online research and project work. Last fall (2008) she had students out in the community volunteering at the polls. This spring students are engaged in entrepreneurship in businesses for economics. She organizes the work for students in collaborative structures – small group or pairs. “I wanted to give them a way to learn how to safely socially interact online while also seeing each other on certain mandatory face-to face class days.”
What do her students say about this?
- ” Cestone rules” * Jessica ‘09
- ” It makes it easier to work around our other classes, AP etc. ” Todd, ‘09
- ” This class makes you more tech savvy and better prepared for the real world” Lupita ‘09
- ” It makes school less stressful, and puts the ‘fun’ back in school.” Mike ‘09
- “You actually learn and I feel more productive.” Adam ‘09
- ” I know the ‘why’ of what I’m learning for once, in other classes, I see no reason for what I’m learning” –Todd, and Lupita, ‘09
- ” Other classes have more ‘busy work’, but not good quality of answers, Cestone requires less work, but better quality,” Justin ‘09
When asked what she thought students might say, Ms Cestone noted that “They are engaged, respectful, see purpose in what I do, my vision and goals. They have a whole snapshot of the curriculum going in and it is reassuring. It can be frustrating never knowing day to day what the teacher will spring on them.”
Wonder what’s next in store for Ms Cestone’s students? She’s taking them into a global project and has signed up for Oracle’s ThinkQuest. She believes that this is the way teaching for the future ought to be. She really believes in motivating students by providing opportunities for learning 24/7 promotes life long learning for her and her students.
Posted in 9-12, English Learners (EL), English/Language Arts, Interactive Technologies, Intervention Programs, Online Learning Tools, Visual and Performing Arts | No Comments »
Antioch USD technology in the news
March 24th, 2009County: Contra Costa
District: Antioch USD
School: Dozier-Libbey Medical High School
Students use interactive clickers and more and more to jazz up learning in Antioch schools. Antioch Unified School District has always been a place where educational leaders are looking for new and innovative ways engage their students in learning. Teachers and leaders have participated in many CTAP IV programs, grants and training over the years. Just last
November 2008 the district made the news with its use of new interactive response clickers and interactive boards. Funds to purchase equipment for Antioch’s Dozier-Libbey Medical High School came from a specialized secondary program grant that they received from the state as well as initial start up funds. Technology has been viewed as an essential element from the start. These exciting interactive tools have been implemented in all classrooms. At the elementary level - laptops, interactive whiteboards, pads and “crickets” were purchased using an after school program grant. Their use is now spreading across the K-12 district.
Please read more about what they are doing in the article published in the Contra Costa Times
For more information about these interactive tools and their use in Antioch Unified School District contact KevinMcIntyre@antioch.k12.ca.us
Information about interactive boards & response clickers being used can be found at http://www.interwritelearning.com/products/index.html
Posted in 9-12, English/Language Arts, History/Social Studies, Interactive Technologies, K-2 | No Comments »
David Kleine - The Trail Blazer
January 22nd, 2009
Dave Klein presents to other teachers
County: Contra Costa
District: Mt. Diablo
School: Foothill Middle School
In his classroom, David delivers 90% of his direct instruction through PowerPoint presentations. This has multiple benefits for his students and him. He is not tied to the overhead projector and free to walk around the classroom and check in with students. His lessons are very clear and easy for students to follow. By using the animation features of PowerPoint, he can control the pace of his lessons. If a student is confused, he can easily back up to a point where they understand the material, and then proceed more carefully from there. An additional benefit to using PowerPoint is the ability to post lessons on the teacher’s website. Students who are absent or have trouble with the homework can download a lesson and go through it at their own pace.
David also uses a document camera in the classroom. He can display new material and show answers to homework. What is most valuable is the ability to take student work and display it for the entire class. They can discuss what is done well and what needs to be improved. David can correct errors in real time for all students to see and also save pictures of exemplary student work and post them on the website.
Another valuable tool in David’s classroom is the graphing calculator. For students in Pre-Algebra and above, graphing calculators can dramatically increase the ability to see the relationships between functions and their graphs. With the addition of the TI Navigator, each student’s work on the graphing calculator can be projected onto the screen, discussed and evaluated. It’s an exciting time to be a teacher.
As David has done, go out and blaze a trail.
Posted in 6-8, Mathematics | 2 Comments »
Smartboards in the Math Classroom
January 21st, 2009County: Contra Costa
District: Oakley Union School District
School: Oakley Elementary School
Mrs. Harrison works on even numbers with the students.
Second grade hands shoot up as teacher, Kylie Harrison of Oakley Elementary School, asks her seven and eight year olds to show all the even numbers between 60 and 72. They clamor to share their answers and their understanding with each other. Students chant, “Yeah Marcos,” in support as their classmate approaches the board to demonstrate his answer and mathematical thinking. Mrs. Harrison asks the others, thumbs up or down, to agree or disagree with their classmate’s answer as they follow along on their own clipboards.
This is a snapshot of the many ways that the Smart board in Mrs. Harrison’s class is engaging learning and thinking.
In this lesson, they moved on to the concept of counting money by transferring their grasp of the 100s chart and counting by nickels, dimes, and quarters. Mrs. Harrison uses one of the many interactives that are part of the Smart board software suite, this one an image of a piggybank and gigantic coins. Her student labels the coins as he counts aloud and explains how he remembered to switch and count by tens when he got to the dimes.
Displaying and interacting with money concepts.
In the fall of 2005, Oakley Union Elementary School District’s, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Carol Boyd used lottery funds to put Smart boards in 17 classrooms that applied for the opportunity. Since then, Smart boards have cropped up in many other classrooms in the district and Dr. Boyd supports their use with professional development provided by Pat Anderson, their district technology specialist. Read more to contact Oakley about their vision and implementation of Smart boards, or to learn about the use of other brands of interactive white boards in our region.
Contact for Oakley: Pat Anderson <PAnderson@ouesd.k12.ca.us>
Oakley Union Elementary School District
Technology Integration Coach/Teacher
