The best affordable interactive whiteboards for schools can offer the digital screen smarts of a modern panel but without the steep price tag.

You might not require all the top features that some whiteboards come with that push up the price. So, finding the best affordable whiteboard option, that still serves all your needs, is the ideal goal. This guide aims to help.

Think about what you're going to need in terms of connectivity, compatibility, resolution, brightness, touch sensitivity, and size. Then check through this list of only the best options, listed with features front and center to make that clear, so you can find the perfect model for your class.

Want to make this even more interactive? Consider extra add-ons like webcams, wireless keyboard and mouse, and document cameras.

Also, be sure to check out this guide on what to know about buying an interactive whiteboard.

The best affordable interactive whiteboards for schools

1. BenQ Board Essential RE04: Best overall affordable interactive whiteboard

The BenQ Board Essential RE04 offers an affordable price while still packing in more than enough features for most needs. That includes a 40-touch point display with 65-inch IPS panel offering a high UHD resolution at 3840 x 2160. It's also bright and rich in color, which means this will be clear to the whole class, regardless of students being at the back of the room or close and interacting with the board.

In terms of connectivity, this plays nicely with lots of software and hardware thanks to an Android operating system and host of ports, including USB-C, 3.5mm in and out, PC OPS, LAN, and more.

Speakers are built-in, and you get both a remote control and two stylus pens with the package. This also features low blue light to protect eyes, is TUV-certified, and runs on low energy thanks to an Energy Star 8.0 certification, which should save money in the long run, too.

The EZWrite software lets students use their personal devices to interact from anywhere, allowing for a truly digital interactive class experience. Thanks to Google Drive integration, teachers can also access files and materials easily as needed.

2. LG CreateBoard: Best services board

The LG CreateBoard is a top brand option that keeps the price relatively low if you go for a smaller size. This should be fine in many cases thanks to that UHD 3940 x 2160 resolution combined with 400 nits max brightness and rich 1200:1 contrast ratio.

You also get a super sensitive 40 touch points of control on that IPS panel. The wireless screenshare feature enables up to nine users to directly interact in real-time. You can even remotely monitor and manage using the LG ConnectedCare DMS, ideal for scheduling and broadcasting.

Thanks to Android OS and a selection of Google services built-in, this offers a powerful way to interact, complete with a selection of educational templates and teaching tools available on the device. That also includes a strong level of security for protected access to materials with school-grade security.

You also have access to the many Google Play Store apps and games available for use at scale on that big screen.

3. Ikinor T982: Best at scale

The Ikinor T982 is a Chinese-made option that is super affordable, especially when bought at scale, making this a good consideration for district-level purchases.

The interactive whiteboard offers an impressive 65-inch display as a minimum but goes as large as 110-inches if needed. The resolution is plenty high at UHD 3840 x 2160, so it should be clear from any point in the room.

Thanks to a built-in 12MP 4K camera, speakers, and 8-microphone array, this is made to work as an interactive video screen system as well as a teaching tool. The Android OS includes a huge selection of Play Store apps are available for use on this 20-point touchscreen.

The useful file sharing system lets you access materials all in one place and then generate QR codes to easily share that with other devices.

4. Samsung Flip 2 WM55R: Best display quality

The Samsung Flip 2 WM55R offers a reasonably priced interactive whiteboard -- often with discounts -- from a well-known brand that's all about displays. As such, this is a super clear example of quality with a high-resolution backed by rich colors, fast refresh rates, and top brightness.

All that is supported by a super sensitive display with 20 points of touch but also the ability to use up to four stylus pens at once -- making this great for student projects as a team. The ultra sensitive writing feel can also be a helpful feature for teachers who want to do a lot of annotating or drawing on the board.

Connectivity is decent with WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, HDMI, Ethernet, USB, and audio out plus smart sharing via Samsung software that allows for students to interact with personal devices.

Available in several sizes, there should be a price point that works well while still getting you a very high-quality example of a digital whiteboard.

5. ViewSonic IFP5550: Best school specific features

The ViewSonic IFP5550 offers an impressive 4K UHD screen with 40 touch points backed by decent brightness and dual 12W speakers, all supported by Android OS. All high-end hardware specs, for a relatively affordable option, from a specialist in this field that's made a good name over the years.

Thanks to a simple USB-C connection point it can make using external devices very easy. The smooth writing and ultra fine touch sensitivity make it ideal for student drawing and writing as well as teacher annotations.

The myViewBoard suite offers native apps that are made to integrate with school systems and offer smart wireless connectivity from other devices. A helpful remote management setup is also ideal for admins, as is a three-year standard warranty and Energy Star rating for longer term savings.

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Lucidspark is a smart interactive whiteboard that's designed around offering the best possible collaboration experience for its users. As such, this works really well for education with some class-specific features designed exactly for that use.

The idea behind this collaborative whiteboard is to offer the flexibility to either work in the class together or to do so remotely. So students work together, at a distance, but also can add their take when in class from their personal devices.

Thanks to plenty of app integrations and a free account option, Lucidspark is a great choice for anyone who wants an open and powerful whiteboard app to be used anywhere.

What is Lucidspark?

Lucidspark is made to work via a web browser so it is really easy to access on most devices, including interactive whiteboards and projector displays. It also offers app support with versions for iOS and Android, making it widely accessible to students via their personal devices.

When it comes to sharing ideas and organizing thoughts, Lucidspark is designed to keep that simple while everything is digital for the widest accessibility and easiest organization options.

This is a good pick to help get students involved in contributing when they might otherwise feel reluctant in a group scenario. Simply have them add their thoughts using their personal devices and work with them, as a group, on the big screen.

How does Lucidspark work?

Lucidspark lets you get started right away by creating a free account using a school email address. Once you login, there is a welcome page with boards you've created or options to make new ones. Helpfully, this has a selection of templates available with many tailored specifically for education.

Templates include mind maps, dot voting, brainwriting, Venn diagrams, flowcharts, and more. These are helpfully color-coded to make it easy for educators to differentiate between students when looking at what's been submitted.

The system can be used as a brainstorming space to share ideas as a class, including the option to add text, numbers, images, free-hand writing, sticky notes, and more. Thanks to the adaptability of the tool, this allows for some great creativity so teachers can make it work to suit the task at hand in their specific class.

Students can either come up to the board and interact, or they can add to the shared space using their own devices -- or a mix of the two as needed.

What are the best Lucidspark features?

Lucidspark has fantastic integrations, making it a really simple way to work within existing digital frameworks. That includes using Google Drive to store and access content, signing in with a Microsoft account, or working over video with Zoom, are all options, with plenty more available.

Everything is very easy to use with drag-and-drop as the main interface, plus lots of options, including sticky notes, arrows, lines, shapes, free-drawing, GIFs, and the ability to re-size simply. All that makes this very intuitive even for younger students to use naturally.

Tools such as Magic Sort are great for teachers, letting you arrange sticky notes by color, for example, at a single click -- convenient if you're separating groups by sticky note color.

The Presentation Builder tool is great as a way to take a mess of notes and organize it all into a single presentation to share with the class -- ideal for class projects as well as for teacher slide shows.

For teachers, it's east to monitor contributions so you can see at a glance if anyone isn't getting involved and hasn't yet added anything to the board.

How much does Lucidspark cost?

Lucidspark offers a few pricing options, including a limited free plan, individual, team, and education specific pricing options.

The Free plan gets you 3 editable boards, basic collaborative AI, presentation mode, learning center access, unlimited shapes, freehand drawing, emoji reactions, and more.

The Individual plan, at $9.95/month, gets you the above plus unlimited editable boards, premium visual activities, and 1GB of storage.

The Team plan, staring at $11/month, gets you the above plus touchscreen whiteboard support, advanced visual activity controls, chat, revision history, call other to me, guest collaborations, collaborator colors, voting, timer, facilitator tools, laser pointer, reporting shapes, profile shapes, and more.

So while there are a few options, the only one that gives you most of the tools you will need as an educator is the Team plan.

Lucidspark best tips and tricks

Group up
Color code groups and break out work into sections so everyone can work as a team but in sections, adding it all together at the end.

Collaborate at home
Give access so students can add to the board over a period of days, allowing ideas to grow and develop outside of class, to organize when meeting next.

Project present
Have teams project their presentations to the class so they learn how to organize their thoughts and ideas into a slide show at the end.

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Classroomscreen is a modern whiteboard that takes the process online for ease of use in a way that's specifically designed to enhance the experience for educators.

Since this is online-based, it can be easily accessed across devices, connections, and locations -- freeing up teachers to move and educate without relying on bulky equipment.

For students, this can mean a recognizable and consistent screen that makes focus on a single point, as a group, far easier and far more informative than some of the alternatives out there.

This guide aims to help you find out if Classroomscreen is right for your classroom.

What is Classroomscreen?

Classroomscreen is an online digital whiteboard that can be accessed and controlled by teachers with ease, across devices and locations.

Thanks to a selection of ready-made screens, widgets, and free drawing, the whiteboard space can be used in a wide variety of ways to suit needs at the time and even before the class, during planning.

Specific subject tailored options are available that can make the creation and sharing of on-screen information an easy process that's less time-consuming than it might be otherwise.

How does Classroomscreen work?

Classroomscreen lets you try for free immediately, allowing you to use the system without the need to sign-up at all. You can then register to get more access and benefits as needed if you decide this is for you.

Initially, you're met with the whiteboard screen on your device, which can be output to a projector screen, interactive whiteboard, TV, and more as needed.

Along the bottom of the landing screen is a selection of useful option icons that include polls, timetable, timer, clock, text, image, sound level, randomizer, and more. So it's easy to get going right away even if you have no experience of the software. All you really need to know, technically, is how to output your device's display to a larger screen so the whole class can see what you're displaying.

What are the best Classroomscreen features?

Classroomscreen features a really helpful sound limiter that uses your device's microphones to measure the noise in the room. This is then displayed on a semi circle that fills up as it gets louder -- allowing students, and teacher, to see if it is getting too loud. This is a great way to have the class self-regulate on sound levels without the teacher even having to say anything.

The text and drawing tools make for a helpful space to show what you're talking about, live, with the freedom to create as you need. Or perhaps to annotate an image or document as you go through it with the class.

The random name generator is useful for selecting students in the class. This will save names so you can come back to use it at a simple button click for ease and speed of access each time.

Classroomscreen offers the ability to split the screen, which can be a helpful way to display information for two groups in the class who are working independently. This also allows for multiple timers, which can be a nice way to work as individuals.

The My Workspaces section allows teachers to create various screens that are pre-set so they can zip between or jump into these with ease -- and to have it all prepared before the lesson. The template library has some great options here to make that process even quicker.

How much does Classroomscreen cost?

Classroomscreen is free to use in its most basic form but there is a paid tier too.

The Free version gets you 25 widgets, annotation bar, remote poll voting, save three name lists, save your own widget bar layout, and access to the template library.

Go Pro, at $29.90/year, and you get save screens, organize screens in workspaces, save custom backgrounds, save up to 100 name lists, custom widgets themes, undo deletes for the last 30 days, Pro backgrounds, and create custom background carousels.

Classroomscreen best tips and tricks

Split the screen
Go half-and-half and have the class work on different projects, presenting each back to the other half when done.

Sound out
Use the sound monitor and have a result that affects the class if they break the top level, to help them pay attention to it in future.

Set widgets
Have your layout of widgets all set before class and save multiple so you can switch and be ready to go at the start of each new class.

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The right interactive whiteboard can enhance an educational environment massively, if you choose wisely. The key here is to know what it is you want, and need, from the right interactive whiteboard for your situation.

This guide aims to lay out all you need to consider before making an investment in an interactive whiteboard for your school or district.

While cost may be a big concern up front, it's worth balancing that against the features you need as you can now get a lot for your money. It's also important to consider how long a device will last. You could save money now but need to buy a new one in a few years, or spend more now and have it last longer. Which brings us back to it all depending on what you need.

From wifi connectivity and built-in cameras and microphones to high-resolution video and audio playback with a high number of touch sensitivity points, there are many device features to consider. As is the software you'll want to run on the interactive whiteboard.

After familiarizing yourself with what to look for, consider our best interactive whiteboards guide to find which model suits you ideally.

Which type of interactive whiteboard is best?

Before you start, the first consideration is what type of interactive whiteboard you want. Several variants are available, including: Infrared/Optical, resistive touch, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic/infrared hybrid. Essentially these are all differing ways of detecting touch on the display, some being more sensitive than others.

Sensitivity can be important if you want to draw on the screen with accuracy, or you require it to detect lots of kids’ fingers working on a group project at the same time. If you only need the interactive whiteboard to show presentations and occasionally touch to edit or move forward, then this could be an area where you save money by going for a more basic option.

The most commonly sold type these days is the infrared/optical version, which offers multi-touch, high responsiveness, and great durability. That said, this is generally one of the more expensive options.

The resistive touch type is more affordable but is usually single touch only and is less durable thanks to a soft touch screen.

The electromagnetic whiteboards are very precise when it comes to sensitivity, are durable, and not affected by light conditions, except these require a special stylus and don't support finger touch. These are also generally more expensive.

The ultrasonic/infrared hybrid option is a way of adding interactivity to existing whiteboards with real dry-erase marker use becoming interactive -- this is a good money-saving option.

Screen quality

Another important consideration is screen quality. This includes the size, resolution, and image fidelity that is offered. You'll want to go larger for bigger rooms, of course, but also consider moving up the resolution too. If you go for a very big screen but the resolution stays lower, then the image will appear blocky and less clear. It also means viewing detail is less easy both for the teacher up close and for students further away.

You'll also want to consider brightness of the display as it may be in sunlight, which can make it more difficult to see. Features such as anti-glare coverings or a high-nits brightness count are worth looking at in these instances.

Software compatibility

What you actually need done on the interactive whiteboard is worth considering as these requirements may mean you need access to various software types.

So right up front make sure the screen has a system that is able to work with all the software you use in class. This may also apply to devices, if you plan to use hardware such as webcams or microphones plugged into this screen.

Check the compatibility with existing educational apps and make sure that you can either run it natively on the screen, or run any via a plugged in laptop, for example.

It's also a good idea to think about how easy the software is to learn and use, as something with a more complex layout and steep learning curve may require the need to additionally invest in training as part of the new hardware too.

Connectivity

How your interactive whiteboard works with your school infrastructure is important. You'll want to think about how it connects to the existing network and internet. Will you need Ethernet ports or is wifi sufficient? And if so, what level of wifi are you going to go for so that this is future-proofed enough to last?

If there is a need to plug in laptops, memory sticks, or flash drives, you'll also want to look out for the necessary ports and software to support those options.

Pricing

The cost you’re willing to pay for your interactive whiteboard, or multiple ones, is of course a big consideration. As mentioned, it’s important to consider the upfront charges, ongoing costs, and eventual replacement figures.

You may have been considering new displays in the school and by going for a higher resolution whiteboard, it may be possible to consolidate those costs into a single device that caters to all your needs.

Be sure to check warranty and guarantee coverage as some models offer extended periods to provide peace of mind while also suggesting these are built to last.

• Best Interactive Whiteboards

Figma is a professional design tool that is built for business but also tuned and refined for educational uses. To be more specific, this is a whiteboard design tool, so it is made to be used collaboratively by teachers and students.

To give you an idea of the scale of this tool, it was at one point due to be bought by Adobe for $20 billion. In the wake of Google cutting support for its Jamboard tools in late 2024, the Figma offering is perhaps more relevant than ever for educational needs.

While this tool is built, developed, and updated for professional use, it is also made for education and offers many of these powerful features for free. So while the tools are broad, the interface is beautifully designed, as you might expect, to make it very easy to use for both teachers and students.

This guide aims to lay out all you need to know about Figma to see just how you can use it in your classroom.

What is Figma?

Figma is the professional design tool, while the online whiteboard part of that specifically is called FigJam. The two work together but you may find that in education it's the FigJam part that is most powerful in the classroom.

Teachers and students have access to both Figma and FigJam for free, which means access to powerful design tools within a framework that can be used collaboratively, between teachers, students, or a mix of the two.

So from classroom discussions to brainstorming of ideas, this can be used live in the room or across devices and accounts as needed. Crucially, this is made for multiple users at once, making it a great way to create group work digitally.

How does Figma work?

Figma initially requires you to sign-up as a teacher using your school email address. Once this has been confirmed, it is possible to begin using the platform via your educator account with its powerful features, for free.

To skip all the professional layers it pays to select the tag "FigJam for Education" where you will then be able to browse through the various templates to get started with ease. Find one you might use and save it as a draft so that you are then able to edit and work on that as needed.

A good way to start to get to know this professional tool is to try the FigJam Basics template. This provides walkthrough guidance on how to edit and take advantage of the tool's many features. It takes you through the various gestures and commands, making it a great way for both teachers and students to get started or have a refresh on basic controls.

Create a Team as a way to group up students or classes so that you can then easily access projects and monitor activity as collaborations progress.

What are the best Figma features?

Figma and FigJam are great for a host of collaborative tasks, from brainstorming and planning to discussions and group project work. Using real-time collaboration and feedback can make for a superb way to teach working as a group, digitally, but also so monitor and interact as a teacher within that framework.

The ability to enter Dev Mode is a useful addition. This allows students to see the code as well as the design tools, bringing those two worlds closer together. This can help to teach students code but also to help see how that code translates, live, into real-world use cases.

FigJam has an AI widget that uses ChatGPT to intelligently support use of tools within the system. Teachers and students can ask it to make custom templates, generate summaries, sort out stickies, build brainstorms, create plans, generate flowcharts, and plenty more. It not only teaches students about working with AI but genuinely saves time on projects and design creations.

How much does Figma cost?

Figma and FigJam are free to use in education both for teachers and students. Teachers simply need to sign up for an account, using a school email address before receiving an Educator account that can be used by students who are part of that class or group.

K-12 districts qualify for free access to the Enterprise tier of Figma. Higher education institutions qualify for the Professional tier for free.

Figma best tips and tricks

Learn from pros
Use pre-made templates to see how professionals build. Then reverse engineer or edit that as a group to understand how to work with this tool effectively.

Build a site
Teach the class to work on building a real website, or websites, as a class or group working collaboratively to present back -- perhaps as part of a university application or resume, showcasing their achievements.

Code it
Use the Dev Mode to work with coding or use plugins to customize that code, in either case teaching students while learning from templates.

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The best interactive whiteboards for education can help to make digital learning a more inclusive class-based experience. It can also make the life of a teacher a lot easier, saving time and helping attain that paper-free classroom.

An interactive whiteboard is, essentially, a giant touchscreen computer or tablet device that sits on the wall of the class. These are crammed with powerful features designed specifically with teaching in mind -- presuming you get the right one. That's what this guide aims to help you find, the right one for your specific needs as an educator. 

You may be buying for the district and simply want the most economically effective option, or perhaps you're a teacher with a particular need such as math with an equations-friendly stylus sensitive board. Or possibly you simply need a robust model that can be interacted with even by younger students without damage. 

Here's what to know about buying an interactive whiteboard.

Whatever the need for your model, this guide offers only the best interactive whiteboards, each categorized by special skill, so you can easily find the right model for you.

The very best interactive whiteboards

1: BenQ RP6502 Class 4K UHD Educational Touchscreen

The BenQ RP6502 Class 4K interactive whiteboard is the best one out there right now for education, thanks to a wide range of teaching-specific features. Primarily this is a big screen at 65-inches and it packs in a super high-resolution courtesy of a 4K UHD panel. Plus, it can manage 350 cd/m brightness and a 1200:1 contrast ratio -- all of which makes for a super bright, colorful, and clear display for the entire classroom even in bright daylight. The screen also supports up to 20 touch points at once, so lots of students can interact with it at the same time, ideal for collaborative work.

This interactive whiteboard is loaded with useful features specifically for teachers. The Floating Tool is really helpful as this allows educators to write on top of any media on the screen, such as a video, app, website, document, image, and so on. You can add information on what you're talking about without changing the original content itself. 

You also have handwriting recognition, allowing you to write and it can be converted to type for easy reading or sharing as needed. Plus, there is a voice assistant, making hands-free use of the board, even at a distance, a more realistic opportunity. Brush mode is another nice feature that allows you to freely create art as needed -- a nice option to encourage students creativity. 

Connectivity is also worth noting here as this plays nicely with nearly everything you could want. It comes packing in WiFi, Ethernet, VGA, audio-in, audio-out, three HDMI ports, and a massive nine USB slots. 

This board even has air quality, temperature, and humidity sensors so it can notify you when the environment is ideal for student focus and learning as well, as when it's not and what needs to be improved. 

2. Samsung Flip 2 WM55R

The Samsung Flip 2 WM55R is a mighty interactive whiteboard not only in terms of size (available up to 85-inches) but for quality. Samsung is well-known for its screen manufacturing expertise and, as such, this interactive whiteboard is one of the best looking you can get. That means a 4K UHD resolution for detail as well as extremely rich colors and excellent dynamic range. This quality continues into the sensitivity.

For using a stylus this screen is superb, with handwriting recognition and a pen to screen feel that is as close to "real" writing as you can get at this scale. That's helpful for teachers annotating anything on the display and for students who come up to write answers, for example. And with up to four using styluses at the same time, this can make for a great collaborative learning space. 

Connectivity is decent with WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, HDMI, Ethernet, USB, and audio out, however, no audio in.

For teachers, there is a helpful art mode that has a wide array of brushes available for creating art on the screen which, again, is another collaboratively creative opportunity for students. Sharing is also easy with the ability to send via email, USB drive, print outs, and more all from the screen itself. 

3. Vibe Board Pro 75"

The Vibe Smartboard Pro is a fantastic interactive whiteboard for anyone who wants a simple to setup-and-use model that doesn't scrimp on great teacher-focused features. Primarily, this is a mighty 75-inch screen with a 4K resolution, offering 8-bit color, anti-glare, and a 4000:1 contrast ratio as well as 400 cd/m brightness -- which all means clear and colorful images no matter the lighting conditions.

This is also a fully stand-alone system with computing smarts onboard, thanks to the Intel UHD Graphics 620 and Intel i5 processor combination. This is all run on VibeOS, which is built on Chrome OS, making this very Google-friendly -- ideal for Classroom users. 

While security is a top feature on this model, ideal for managing student devices securely, it also offers superb collaboration capabilities. One app, of which there are many free, lets the class collaborate on a single document shown on the screen all while using their own devices to input. 

This also supports remote learning and works with apps such as Canvas to save everything automatically in the cloud. From images and videos to websites and documents, it can all be displayed and interacted with ease. And with support for up to 20 touchpoints, many students can be involved simultaneously.

4. ViewSonic IFP9850 98 Inch ViewBoard 4K

The ViewSonic IFP9850 98 Inch ViewBoard 4K is one of the biggest interactive whiteboards you can buy and it's also one of the best at this size. Not only is this massive, making it ideal even for larger rooms, but it is also 4K UHD so the resolution detail is excellent, near or far. That means when using the 20 points of touch sensitivity, much of the class can work on this at once with clear visuals and responsive touch controls – for fingers or stylus pens.

Wall mount this beast or use the rolling trolley to move it between rooms as needed. Wherever it goes, this should connect just fine thanks to a huge array or options that include -- deep breath -- eight USB, four HDMI, VGA, audio in, audio out, SPDIF out, RS232, LAN, and AC in.

While this is powered by a quad core processor for smooth speeds, it also has lots of audio power. This packs in a 45W stereo soundbar, backed by a 15W subwoofer and multiple 10W stereo speakers. All of which equates to big sound to go with that big display -- for immersive learning no matter where the student is sat, even in larger rooms.

All that means this is expensive and probably has more features than any teacher needs -- but it pays to be prepared. 

5. Ipevo CSW2-02IP IW2

The Ipevo CSW2-02IP IW2 interactive whiteboard system isn't a traditional screen setup but rather a smart sensor device. Instead, this uses sensors to offer a way to interact that means a small and portable system that is also a lot more affordable than many of the alternatives. That said, the projector price is not included so it's worth factoring that in also -- or you can use a connected laptop if that works for you.

Three devices are included: a sensor camera, a wireless receiver, and an interactive pen. So you can use any surface, be it a traditional whiteboard, or even a document, and interact with it using the pen. This will then be displayed on the output device, be that a laptop or projector screen. Having a projector means you can output an image and have the edits appear live on screen, too.

Usefully, you won't need WiFi here as everything connects via a USB port. This works with lots of projector types and is compatible with plenty of apps for you to edit with. Since it's so small, it can be moved between classrooms easily and all while saving money.

6. LG CreateBoard

The LG CreateBoard is a powerful interactive whiteboard that comes in a range of sizes, from 55 to 86 inches. All of those come with Android OS onboard, making it ideal for any institutions that already use that system. That said, it can work with other apps well and does come with plenty onboard.

Collaboration software is built-in, so it's easy to work as groups, and with a massive 40-point multitouch display, this is one of the most interactive for the largest number groups that you can buy right now.

Another useful feature is the wireless screen share that lets you share the display, or a file, with nine other shared screens in the classroom. This makes file sharing simple but is limited in number, which isn't ideal for regular-sized classes.

This does come with a dedicated DMS, which makes monitoring and controlling multiple CreateBoards a simple process for admins. This also allows for broadcasting of announcements across the devices in the school.

A useful OPS slot allows teachers to mount an OPS desktop easily, ideal for use by varying users throughout the day. Other useful features include multiple windows on one screen, picture-in-picture, Bluetooth connectivity, powerful built-in speakers, front connectivity to plug in easily via ports such as USB-C, lots of security features, and an auto remove files option. 

Google Jamboard is a smart combination of hardware and software that allows teachers to digitize the classroom in a powerful way. The idea is to offer a digital version of what is being taught so that it can be accessible online, and also transfer between classes, rooms, groups and even years.

While Jamboard is a helpful way to teach the class for a teacher, it can also be a useful collaborative tool for students. Since this works as a mobile app, or on a 55-inch cloud-connected digital whiteboard, it makes interactivity super simple. And that goes for in the classroom across devices as well as beyond the room.

Despite all this, Google is sunsetting Jamboard on Dec. 31, 2024. In its place, Google recommends users try whiteboarding tools such as FigJam by Figma, Lucidspark by Lucid, and Miro. More on this below.

While it's still available as a Google tool, it's super easy to use, works with lots of other apps, and makes pulling in media from Google searches a very easy process. This guide aims to lay out all you need to know about Jamboard for your classroom.

What is Google Jamboard?

Google Jamboard is an innovative tool that allows teachers to interact with students with a whiteboard-style experience, only digitally without being in the same room. It's essentially a giant digital whiteboard that can be used by any teacher for any subject, making it a great tool for schools to use right across the -- ahem -- board.

Jokes aside, Jamboard does require a hardware investment be made for the full 55-inch 4K touchscreen experience. This offers 16 simultaneous points of touch contact and wifi connectivity, plus handwriting and shape recognition. A Full HD webcam and two styluses are available, with an optional rolling stand that ideal for moving between classrooms.

However, Jamboard also works digitally as an app so it can be used on tablets, phones, and other devices. It'll even work via the web using Google Drive, so it is really widely accessible. Of course, it also runs on Chromebooks, albeit without the shape or stylus support, but it's still a very capable presentation platform.

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While Jamboard was designed with business use in mind, with a presentation kind of feel, it has been adapted widely and works well as a teaching tool. Lots of apps work with the platform, from Screencastify to EquatIO. So it need not be a from-scratch creative effort.

What's new in Google Jamboard?

As mentioned, Google is sunsetting Jamboard on Dec. 31, 2024. In its place, Google recommends users try whiteboarding tools such as FigJam by Figma, Lucidspark by Lucid, and Miro. Starting on October 1, 2024, the Jamboard app will become view-only. You’ll no longer be able to create new or edit existing Jams on any platform, including the web, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Jamboard devices. We will also start converting Jams to PDF.

Over time, Google Jamboard has had regular updates. Recently, the new homescreen update lets you now view all your Jams as a list or as a grid for the easiest access to suit your needs as a teacher. And should you wish to share these Jams, that's easy now with a simple link generated that you can share in whatever way is easiest for you.

Other updates have included redesigned drawing tools, the ability to star or copy a jam from the homescreen, a new homescreen design, and enhanced app usability.

How to Use Google Jamboard

At its most basic, Jamboard is a great way to work through information with a class. This can be done remotely using the app, and could even be used with multiple devices to also incorporate Google Meet, as if you were all in the room together.

Of course Google Jamboard is also a great tool for integrating with Google Classroom since it is able to utilize Google Drive materials that are likely already being used by those who work with Classroom.

To access Jamboard, simply sign into your Google account, or sign-up for free. Then, when in Google Drive select the "+" icon and go down to "More" at the bottom, then down to select "Google Jamboard."

Alternatively, you can download the app for iOS, Android, or using the Jamboard web app. Create a Jam and add up to 20 pages per Jam that can be shared with up to 50 students at once in real time.

Jamboard works with many apps, a process called app smashing. Here are some great examples that can help make teaching more engaging.

How to Create a Jam

To create a new Jam, find your way into the Jamboard app online, via the app, or using the physical Jamboard hardware.

In the board hardware, you simply need to tap the display when in screensaver mode to create a new Jam.

For mobile users, open the app and tap the "+" to get a new Jam started.

When using the web-based online platform, open the Jamboard program and you'll see a "+" which can be selected to get your new Jam up and running.

Your Jam will automatically save to your account, and can be edited as needed.

Getting Started with Google Jamboard

As a teacher using Jamboard it's good to start by being open and being ready to take a risk. This is a new technology that allows you to be creative and to try new things.

Let the class know you're trying something new, that you're vulnerable but you're doing it anyway. Lead by example so they feel they too can express themselves even when it may feel uncomfortable or they risk failure. That's the next tip: Don't be afraid to get it wrong!

Share what you're doing with Google Classroom – more on that below – so that even children away from class that day will be able to see what they missed.

When working in groups be sure to label each frame so that students can refer back and easily find the page they're working on.

This sample Google Jamboard lesson plan is designed to implement the tool into instruction.

Top Tips for Easier Jamboard Use in Class

Using the Jamboard is relatively simple, and there are lots of shortcuts available to help make it more interesting and engaging for students.

Here are some useful tips:

• Use pinch to zoom to make pictures larger to quickly zoom in.
• When searching for an image, look for "GIF" to get moving images that kids love.
• Use handwriting recognition to input rather than keyboard for speed.
• If another teacher accidentally shares to your board, double tap the power button to cut it off.
• Use the palm of your hand to quickly erase anything on the Jamboard.
• Use Auto Draw, which will take your attempts at doodles and make them look better.

Google Jamboard and Google Classroom

Google Jamboard is part of the G Suite of apps so it integrates nicely with Google Classroom.

Teachers can share a Jam as an assignment in Classroom, allowing students to view, collaborate, or independently work on it as with any other Google file.

For example, create an assignment in Classroom, attach a math lesson Jam file as "Make a copy for each student." Google does the rest. You can also select "Students can view," which allows read-only access to a single Jam, if that's the way you need to work.

Google Jamboard and Screencastify

Screencastify is a Chrome extension available from the Chrome Web Store that can be used to record teachers using video. This is a great way to walk through a presentation, such as solving an equation, so the kids get the experience as if the teacher is really there by the whiteboard.

An easy way to use this is to create a new Jam as a whiteboard with a notebook or graph-style background. Then write math problems to be worked through on each separate page. Screencastify can then be used to record the process and that can be attached to each separate page so students have a specific guide video for each separate problem you present.

Google Jamboard with EquatIO

If you go into Texthelp in the Chrome Web Store you can get the extension EquatIO to use with Jamboard. That is an ideal way for math and physics teachers to interact with the class.

Create a Google Doc and name it after a lesson or book chapter. Then use EquatIO to create math problems and insert each into the Google Doc as an image. Then all you need to do is copy and paste the images into page on a Jam and you've got yourself a digital worksheet.

Google Jamboard best tips and tricks

Use shapes to highlight
Integrate the frame boxes to highlight certain words or numbers with color so these pop out at students and draw attention as you need.

Annotate
Use annotation to screen grab text and drag it in with comment boxes created for students to interact and add feedback.

Write as a class
Have students work as a group adding images and text to build a story as a group, in which the ending is a natural and creative effort as a team.

• Best Tools for Teachers
• New Teacher Starter Kit
• Google Jamboard Lesson Plan

Doceri Interactive Whiteboard

Interactive whiteboard app for designing and recording presentations

Pros: iPad mobility means no more being tied to a computer or whiteboard; the record-as-you-go feature helps students track and narrate their thinking.

Cons: Lacks some editing tools, such as a pointer and text tool, which makes it difficult to isolate items or add much detail; no recent updates.

Bottom Line: Teachers and students can spice up presentations and demonstrate processes and problem-solving skills with this well-designed tool.

Read more.

App of the Day picks are selected from the top edtech tools reviewed by Common Sense Education, which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. 

By Common Sense Education

Peerless-AV®  announces its showcase at this year’s Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Convention & Exhibition taking place at the Austin Convention Center from February 3-7 at Booth #222. Peerless-AV will be featuring a variety of digital signage solutions, including the SmartMount® Flat Panel Cart for 55" to 98" Displays, SmartMount® Motorized Height Adjustable Interactive Touch Panel Cart, and Outdoor Smart City Kiosk with an Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display at Booth #222. 

To showcase the range in mobility for education applications, Peerless-AV will be exhibiting its SmartMount® Flat Panel Cart for 55" to 98" Displays (SR598). UL® certified, the cart can be safely moved between classrooms, and includes display height adjustment and a pre-assembled base. 

Peerless-AV will also be showing its SmartMount® Motorized Height Adjustable Interactive Touch Panel Cart (SR598ML3) at TCEA, featuring a design that mounts, moves, and stores an interactive display. UL® listed actuators allow users to raise or lower a display, up to 25.6" (650mm), with the touch of a button. The rear compartment provides a secure area for a PC and power strip, while the cable management cord wrap stores the power cord when not in use. The cart’s large wall plate and locking casters provide a stable foundation for touch applications, and the integrated handles allow users to easily maneuver the cart from room to room. 

Peerless-AV’s Outdoor Smart City Kiosk with an Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display (KOP2555-XHB),  for education facilities and campuses, shares school information, travel, and weather details, as well as offer campus wayfinding, advertising, entertainment, and more. 

To learn more about the 2020 TCEA Convention & Exhibition, visit https://convention.tcea.org/. 

Technology in education, like most other areas of education, has fads, buzzwords, and trends that come and go often. There have been many predictions in the past regarding the future of technology in schools. This list contains a variety of trends that did not meet expectations, but also did not completely flop. The primary focus is on K-12 education, but there will be a few exceptions that apply to education at all levels and in general.

1. Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR)
   It still seems that the price tag still remains a major barrier of entry for Virtual Reality. Once this barrier is breached, then the issue becomes finding sufficient appropriate learning materials that use the virtual reality components in an efficient and effective educational manner. Augmented reality has become more widespread due to lower barriers of entry, but many implementations of AR could be seen as a simple short-term use gimmick. On top of the barriers of entry, there are also reported issues of headaches and motion sickness which make the selection of VR/AR less desirable to some. While there surely are many people that successfully use both AR and VR in their classrooms, it will likely take further improvements in the technology, more development of appropriate educational programs that can be used on a VR/AR platform, and a lower price point to make this trend reach its full potential.
   
2. Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD)
   The idea of having students bring their own devices to school is a very polarizing issue.  Some think it is a great idea to have students connect their education to their personal devices since they spend a lot of time on them anyway.  Others would say that it is a terrible idea, since the school may not be able to adequately monitor exactly what the students are doing on their devices since they are not school-issued and maintained.  Part of the reason why this may have not caught on to a higher degree could be because of the issue of what to do with students that do not own their own device, or whose parents do not permit them to take their devices to school.  This adds another layer of required management.  Some schools may collect old devices and enable them to be used by students without their own devices, or schools may purchase several loaner devices, but doing so undermines the concept of BYOD to a certain degree.  This is a trend/prediction that could go either way.  Schools could make a push to gather and repurpose used devices for students that do not have the ability to bring their own device.  On the other hand, schools could all together ban the use of personal devices (specifically as it relates to the educational experience) and only allow for school-owned devices to be used in schools.
   
3. Interactive Whiteboards
   This is a trend that I feel has already hit its peak and will begin to fade.  For many students in a 1:1 device environment, the need to have a central presentation location seems to be diminishing.  The expense of purchasing and maintaining the equipment can be high, compared to programs that can allow one computer to share a screen with a class of students on their own devices.  The fate of this trend seems largely tied to a variety of other trends in education that place priority on individualized learning over large group lecture-style learning.
   
4. Computer Labs
   While still somewhere in the middle, this seems to be a trend that is on its way down.  1:1 devices, inexpensive laptops, tablets, BYOD, and other related tech trends all seem to point towards the end of single-purpose computer labs.  While there is certainly still a need for students to learn computer skills, a dedicated lab of computer seems like it will soon no longer be the place.  Students may be able to get a better learning experience in any learning space with their own device and a teacher guiding them through productivity apps, computer science, and/or basic functions of a computer.  There will certainly be exceptions to this.  Rather than eliminating the space altogether, these spaces seem to be prime for morphing into STEM labs and maker spaces.  
   
5. Wearables
   I have predicted it in the past as an upcoming tech trend in education.  But its not quite there yet.  This can include a huge variety of tech-enhanced items including smartwatches, enhanced virtual glasses, and assistive technology for individuals with disabilities.  There still remains relatively high price points for these devices, and many are small and have the potential to be easily lost or damaged by students.  These issues seem to be preventing wearables from becoming a bigger trend in educational technology than they have been so far.  I still feel that this category has great potential to become a major tech trend in education in the future.

Dr. Lahullier is the Coordinator of Technology Services for the Rochelle Park (NJ) School District.

Promethean® has announced the next-generation of its ActivPanel®.  The new ActivPanel Elements recently won the international Red Dot design award.

The Elements series employs a unified menu to control all apps and settings on the panel, and source switching across connected devices. 

Another feature is Promethean's proprietary new Vellum™ writing technology, which brings together elements of hardware and software to make the writing experience natural and enjoyable. 

Now available in the United States, the ActivPanel Elements series includes Classroom Essential apps. Teachers can use the infinite canvas on the Whiteboard app to supplement lessons. They can also draw, highlight, and annotate over any content from any source with the Annotate app, and add to activities with the customizable Spinner and Timer apps. 

The ActivPanel Elements series also allows secure, multi-device collaboration via screen sharing across the ActivPanel, smartphones, Chromebooks™, tablets and laptops. 

The ActivPanel Elements series includes Promethean's interactive lesson delivery software products. To learn more, visit PrometheanWorld.com/Software. 

The value-focused ActivPanel Nickel is designed to provide teachers with all the essentials they need straight out of the box and without the expense of an additional computing device. The ActivPanel Titanium is ideal for STEAM-based lessons with Bluetooth® onboard for easy connectivity to accessories, robots, lab sensors, and more. 

BenQ announced today its lineup of classroom solutions that will be featured in booth 935 at ISTE 2019 taking place June 24-26 in Philadelphia. BenQ will host live demonstrations of its family of RP Series Interactive Flat Panels (IFP), Blue Core 4K UHD HDR laser projectors, PointWrite™ interactive technology, and the newly launched secure and software-free WDC10-C USB-C InstaShow™ wireless presentation system.

BenQ's premium RP Series IFPs feature capabilities that minimize the risks associated with prolonged screen time. The 4K UHD IFP lineup includes the 65" RP6501K, 75" RP7501K and 86" RP8601K to fit any big or small classroom. The IFPs include an anti-glare, bacteria-resistant screen that kills most germs accumulating on the screen's surface; a CO2 air quality sensor that monitors the CO2 concentration level; and BenQ's Smart Eye-Care technology, which is certified to remove the blue light and flicker that can cause eye strain and CVS-related eye problems. Capable of voice control via remote, the cloud-enabled IFPs allow teachers and students to share ideas, notes and opinions; and make annotations on screen captures from any device.

BenQ will also feature the first HDR laser projector with 4K UHD resolution. The short-throw LK953ST produces 3840 x 2160 resolution with 8.3 million distinct pixels for each frame, achieving CTA's UHD standard. The projectors generate 5,000 lumens of intense Blue Core laser-powered brightness for 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation.

Offering an alternative to traditional lamp-based projectors and delivering optimized visuals and energy efficiency, BenQ has a full lineup of Blue Core laser projectors designed to fit any learning environment. The interactive ultra-short-throw WXGA (1280 x 800) LW890UST, full HD LH890UST (1920 x 1080) and the short-throw WXGA (1280 x 800) LW820ST are K-12 laser projectors from the Blue Core family that can be configured for either pen or touch interactivity. When combined with BenQ's PointWrite™ kit, the system provides the classroom with an interactive surface 

The BenQ WUXGA LU950 and WXGA LW720 Blue Core laser projectors will also be on display, delivering up to 5,000 ANSI lumens of brightness without lamps, filters or color decay. Both projectors feature BenQ's DustGuard technology that hermetically seals the laser engine from dust to prolong the projectors' lifespan.

At the show, BenQ will feature the new WDC10C UBC-C model of its InstaShow wireless presentation system. Enabling BYOD classrooms, InstaShow allows multiple presenters to lead from any device. It is designed to host up to 16 presenters at a time and is interoperable with any OS or hardware platform while ensuring absolute data security through WPA2-PSK protection with AES 128-bit encryption. The new WDC10C model expands the system's compatibility to devices utilizing USB-C and Thunderbolt 3.

More information on the full line of BenQ products is available at https://business-display.BenQ.com/.

Beyond the glow of the large-format digital displays that replaced whiteboards and projectors in many learning environments, something even bigger is brewing.

AV has had a positive impact on the education market, but in terms of real innovation, not much has changed in the typical classroom. Today’s passive AV learning tools—essentially large, mounted screens hardwired to an AV source like a laptop or fed a beam from a projector—are really just bigger, more attractive versions of the old overhead projectors from decades ago.

A new trend in education is starting to change that paradigm, and alter AV requirements in the process.

Active Learning

[ New Tools for Schools]

The concept of active learning, a classroom philosophy that engages students in the learning process and aims to prepare them for real-world problem solving, has been around for decades. Active learning is gaining traction today thanks to the continuing evolution of AV technologies.

“It’s not just the teacher who does all the talking and presenting,” explained Daniel Routman, director of innovation at Ford AV. “They turn it around and get the students to do the speaking and presenting, break out into groups, and then share results at the end, which of course involves AV. We need speech reinforcement. We need to be able to show content from everyone’s team. I think today, that is the biggest driving factor.”

Facilitating this change in learning styles is the reliance on software- and cloud-based sharing systems such as Zoom and Skype, which students and instructors can use to collaborate in the classroom.

“The shift I’m seeing is that we went from selling individual AV systems to selling digital platforms that connect the classrooms,” Routman said. 

As he pointed out, though, there are no true plug-and-play systems for active learning. And with the multitude of collaboration platforms and ecosystems on the market, there may never be an easy solution for most laypeople. That leaves an opening for AV integrators, who can help universities and secondary school educators establish systems that support their teaching methods in a field that remains largely undefined.

[AV Tech Gets Creative]

“We have university people come to us and say, ‘Hey, this is what we have in mind, we want to try something new,’” he said. “People are coming up with their own ways of doing active learning. I think it’s still not quite set in stone what active learning is.”

Michelle Hull, a project manager at Level 3 Audiovisual, is seeing similar trends in clients’ needs, and is working to meet them so clients can “stay relevant in the ever-changing world.

“AV installations are being driven by the increased use of technologies such as wireless sharing, collaborative products, [and] videoconferencing—mainly soft codec,” she noted.

Regardless of how active learning is defined, the screens and interfaces that allow collaboration in wired or wireless environments are still essential equipment. For every cloud-based sharing platform students and teachers use to create content, there remains a need to transport that content to the entire classroom or auditorium, via large-format LED or LCD screens, or projection systems.

Design Thinking

[AV that Makes the Grade]

Another key element of this arrangement is the layout of the classrooms themselves. Modular or pod learning environments liberate students from the traditional row of individual desks in favor of circular desks that can seat a small group. Routman recently worked with the University of Arkansas on a similar design whose objective was to enable students to work together in groups, with a single display at each station, and then share that content with the entire class on a larger display through collaboration tools.

“Of course, [there is also sound] reinforcement so the people in the room can hear what the others are saying, wireless microphones and stuff like that,” he said. “But we’re seeing things like the Solstice Pod, which has this capability where you can have a pod at each table and then at any point you can share from one pod to another pod, or to all pods. We’re starting to see more technology like that.”

Form Versus Function

While the AV market has made huge strides in minimizing and disguising the AV footprint, Routman cautions against the temptation to place building aesthetics over actual learning functionality. Streamlined designs create interesting spaces, but viewing distance and angles must be the main consideration—after all, AV is only as effective as its implementation.

“We were looking at a classroom recently where the projector was offset to the left side of the room, so only people on the left side of the classroom could really see what was going on,” he said. “They did this because they didn’t want to block the beautiful glass wall they had.

“AV quality being sacrificed for aesthetics I think is detrimental to a learning environment. It’s supposed to help, and you’re taking away from them the ability to see and hear clearly.”

From a Distance

Hull said that distance learning is accelerating the adoption of collaborative environments in the education market based on platforms such as Zoom. Simplicity is always the best way to eliminate wasted time and distractions in making systems work together, she noted.

“There are so many online course options available now that require video capture,” said Hull. “Sometimes these systems are designed not taking into account the ever-changing end user. They need to be as simple to operate as your iPhone.”

Routman said that replacing outdated technology eliminates unnecessary complexity, such as having a large switcher to route and control all the different content sources in the classroom.

“The user experience is much better when it’s automated,” he added. “You plug in your laptop and it just shows up without having to push a button.”

Such environments enable universities to not only deliver better classroom instruction for both on- and off-site students, but also to house information in easy-to-access, centralized databases—often shared through the cloud.

“For things like distance learning, you’ve got web conferencing, but then you’ve got the whole arena for capture and content management,” said Routman. You capture the class and upload the video to a CMS, which the students can access with their university credential. Once they’ve logged on, they’ll see a list of all their classes, and they can pull up a video of a class lecture or presentation. 

Both Routman and Hull note that bring-your-own-device (BYOD) is still at play in the education market, driven by the expectations of digital-native students who can be more adept at finding solutions to connectivity issues than classroom instructors. Designing systems that accommodate third-party devices isn’t going away.

“These are young people who have had smartphones in their pockets since their early teens,” explained Routman. “I think they expect to be able to use any device—whether it’s a phone, Android or iOS, a tablet, or a laptop. They expect to be able to pull information onto those devices for their class work, and they expect to be able to use it in a classroom and connect it somehow.”

As the education market continues to pursue collaborative learning environments, AV designers and integrators are uncovering opportunities and developing solutions to simplify the systems that support the needs of students and instructors.

“The way classrooms are being taught is fundamentally different today,” concluded Routman. “These classrooms used to be disparate AV systems, and now they’re really connected.”

cross posted at www.avnetwork.com

 Jim Beaugez is a freelance writer and content creator for the AV, professional audio, and music industries. He has contributed to Systems Contractor News, AV Network, Mix and other publications. Beaugez is an accredited communications professional. 

Global education technology provider, Promethean®, will preview their latest technology at the Future of Education Technology Conference January 28-30 in Orlando, Florida.  Promethean will showcase the Promethean Escape Room experience, and debut of their new 'For the Love of Learning™' campaign and the announcement of the 2018 US Promethean Grant winners.

Promethean will preview the next generation of its ActivPanel®.  The new ActivPanel Elements Series  features a new more intuitive menu, Vellum™ touch/writing technology, and access to a choice of ActivInspire® and cloud-based ClassFlow® software programs as standard.

At FETC, Promethean will also be featuring its Escape Room experience, which provides training to effectively use Promethean's solutions in the classroom. During the Escape Room simulation, attendees are tasked to complete different challenges that incorporate Promethean's solutions, coding, and virtual reality. 

As part of its new 'For the Love of Learning' campaign, Promethean will be announcing the winners of its 2018 US Grant Program at FETC. Twenty winners have been selected, and will be announced at FETC, each to receive a fully installed ActivPanel package. For a complete list of winners once they have been announced, visit www.PrometheanWorld.com/Grant.

To learn more about Promethean at FETC,  visit booth 231, or visit www.PrometheanWorld.com. 

Dedicated to making ‘every day career day’, the leadership at the Charter School for Applied Technologies (CSAT) in Buffalo, NY have announced plans to install Boxlight Corporation’s  ProColor 752 interactive flat panel displays in every classroom across three buildings for its 2,365 students.

Installations have begun in the elementary building and high school math classes, with the addition of 60 75” flat panel displays for all classroom including art, music and technology rooms.  Each display panel includes MimioStudio for lesson creation and delivery.  Next fall, the middle school building will be equipped with the state-of-the-art, ultra-high definition LCD displays. The displays’ Touch 360° interactivity also features up to 20 single-touch points or 10 dual-touch for gestures so users can work simultaneously.

CSAT’s Bob Shannon and Alie Kuitems, chief technology officer and technology integration specialist, respectively, began their search for new technology that would provide greater collaboration – an important 21st century workplace skill that stems from CSAT’s commitment to extensive career preparation for all students – beginning in kindergarten.

“We also didn’t want to burden our teachers with something that wasn’t intuitive to use, added Kuitems.  “It had to just hang on the wall, plug-and-play, and start on day one – and that’s what we have with Boxlight’s ProColor technology. Additionally, Shannon and Kuitems noted that the ease with which the MimioStudio™ classroom software opens third party content created in programs such as PDF, IWB and PowerPoint – all without the need of a time-consuming conversion process. 

“In the end," Kuitems concluded, “while the features of the display boards captured our attention, it’s what we see in the classrooms that has us excited about our selection of Boxlight technology. “Students are more engaged, even volunteering more to go to the board and show their work and we believe that will result in improved learning outcomes for our students, now and into the future.”

Educreations 

Enliven lessons and presentations with easy-to-use whiteboard tool

Pros: You get just enough options to make creating presentations fun and effective.

Cons: This is a "one-take" creation app: You can save a draft presentation, and there's some editing capability, but be ready to get your narration right on the first try.

Bottom Line: An easy, functional way to create presentations on the fly. 

Read more here. 

App of the Day picks are selected from the top edtech tools reviewed by Common Sense Education, which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. 

By Common Sense Education  

Starton, Inc., introduces the MaxPad interactive whiteboard to the U.S. market.

MaxPad combines a ceramic-coated steel board with a built-in Windows 10 computer, optical infrared sensor technology, high-definition camera, microphone, and a complete set of wired and wireless ports.

The product, introduced in Asia in 2015 , holds 29 international patents, eight approved so far in the United States and others pending.

“It’s an all-in-one solution with a giant touch screen powered by an i5 or i7 processor, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and every kind of connector, from VGA to USB3 and HDMI,” says Sheryl Aganon, Starton USA s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “And now, because of our relationship with Casio, it pairs with solid-state laser/LED projection technology.”

Learn more at https://www.startonusa.com/education.

Hundreds of classrooms in Beaufort County will be outfitted with Boxlight’s interactive technologies in order to foster next-generation teaching and learning spaces that support whole-class and small-group instruction to improve student outcomes. The new 75-inch, ultra high definition (UHD) flat panel displays provide 4K clarity so that onscreen content is easier to see, even in large classrooms. The displays’ Touch 360° interactivity also features up to 20 single-touch points or 10 dual-touch for gestures allowing users to work simultaneously. 

https://tinyurl.com/y8rgmmj9

Promethean announced today that the deadline for the U.S. grant program has been extended to December 1, 2018. Teachers now have an additional month to submit a video explaining how their classroom would benefit from a Promethean ActivPanelTM for a chance to win.

Included with the ActivPanel is Promethean’s suite of teaching and lesson delivery software, which includes ActivInspireTM and ClassFlowTM.

To be considered for the grant program, educators can submit a short video discussing how their classroom or school will benefit from Promethean’s interactive display and why they deserve to win. Entries will be judged on creativity, need, and the impact that the technology will have in the classroom. 

For more information about the grant program and full terms and conditions, visit www.PrometheanWorld.com/Grant.

Casio Ultra Short Throw Projector

XJ-UT351WN

https://www.casioprojector.com/resource/spec-sheets/ultrashortthrow_XJ-UT310WN_Spec_Sheet.pdf

With its Ultra Short Throw lens, Casio’s LampFree projector can project brilliant shadow-free, crisp, images of up to 110”. The eco-friendly Laser & LED Hybrid Light Engine lasts up to 20,000 hours without needing to replace costly lamps or filters offering savings, both financial and environmental. The XJ-UT351WN has a full assortment of connectivity and features; produces 3500 lumens of brightness and boasts WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution.

Promethean ActivPanel

Available in 65″ 4K, 70″ HD, 75″ 4K, & 86″ 4K

https://www.prometheanworld.com/products/interactive-displays/activpanel/

This interactive display for immersive learning provides a tablet-like experience at the front of the classroom. Perks include a natural no-leg writing experience for teachers, multiuser recognition for group efforts and connectivity to engage students through their devices for instant feedback.

BenQ Curved Monitor

EX3203R, releasing August

https://www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/video-enjoyment/ex3203r.html

Set up a high tech AV nook with this affordable space saver that offers the flexibility to be used solo for small group work, or combined with multiple screens with seamless ultra thin bezel for edge-to-edge panorama effect. The 1800R curvature captures and helps focus attention by filling the field of vision within a small footprint.

SMART Technologies Inc. will be showcasing its latest SMART Board® Pro series lineup of interactive displays at InfoComm 2018 in booth #2614. Intended for collaborative spaces where users need quick access to show and share content, the new SMART Board Pro series provides an Intel® Compute Card with Microsoft Windows 10 Pro experience directly in the interactive display.

The Intel Compute Card gives users and IT administrators simple, upgradeable computing and flexible deployment within multiple spaces – users can walk into a meeting or huddle space with a SMART Board and Compute Card and access content in a Windows 10 environment without needing a separate computer.

[Best of Infocomm Winners]

The SMART Board Pro series is available in three series options—the 7000 Pro, 6000 Pro and 2000 Pro series and in various display sizes ranging from 65”, 75” and 86”. The interactive display lineup also comes with SMART Meeting Pro™ software, collaboration software that connects teams, content and workspaces for organized meetings.

Visitors to InfoComm 2018 can experience the new SMART Board Pro series lineup first hand at booth #2614.

SMART Board® Pro series family

• The SMART Board® 7000 Pro series enables simultaneous multi-user collaboration from anywhere, including one-touch access to a digital whiteboard, a built-in web browser and wireless screen sharing from iOS, Android and Microsoft devices.
• The SMART Board® 6000 Pro series provides one-touch access to collaborative whiteboarding, wireless screen sharing, and an embedded web browser.
• The SMART Board® 2000 Pro series, SMART’s first non-touch display, is designed to encourage better collaboration in the office via built-in wireless screen sharing across iOS, Android and Microsoft devices.
• All SMART Board® Pro series panels feature
• a 1-year SMART Meeting Pro software subscription – 1 room license and 10 personal licenses
• 3-year standard hardware warranty
• 1-year basic support services

Crestron, is demonstrating its new Crestron AirBoard network whiteboard capture device at InfoComm 2018, June 6 – 8 in Las Vegas, NV. Crestron AirBoard enables both local and remote participants to see whiteboard content on the main room display and on their personal display device, and then share it with the touch of a button. Crestron AirBoard is simple to operate and easily mounts above any surface using the included mounting kit.Live demonstrations of Crestron AirBoard are available at Crestron Booth #2562.

Crestron AirBoard is essentially a camera on an arm that attaches to any electronic whiteboard via the included mounting kit. Only a single Ethernet cable to the LAN is required for video, power, and secure connection to the network and Crestron ecosystem. People can quickly capture and share content via Crestron touch screens and integrated devices, such as Crestron Mercury.

[Teamwork (and an Interactive Projector), Makes the Dream Work]

Remote conferencing participants can access the whiteboard session much like they would connect to Crestron AirMediawireless presentation devices by entering the URL (or friendly name) shown on the room display in their web browser.

Crestron is demonstrating the Crestron AirBoard, along with its other solutions in booth #C2562 at InfoComm 2018, June 6 – 8, 2018, Las Vegas, NV.

Boxlight Corporation today announced two new touch technology products ready to ship. The MimioFrame touch board kit is a front-of-classroom interactive solution that turns conventional whiteboards into touch boards in less than 15 minutes. The ProColor 490 Touch Table enables up to four students to work on interactive lessons; it can also be used to develop fine motor skills in special needs classrooms.

[AV Tech Gets Creative]

MimioFrame

The MimioFrame touch board kit uses teachers’ existing classroom whiteboard, projector and computer to turn any whiteboard into a ten-touch interactive whiteboard. Teachers and students gain an 87-inch (diagonal size) area that works with non-interactive projector to become an interactive touch space.

MimioFrame’s 10-point Touch 360° interactivity enables up to 10 single-point touch users or five dual-touch and gesture users to work together, using their finger or a stylus to write, draw or erase.

The MimioFrame touch board kit also includes MimioStudio™ classroom software, which connects all Boxlight products.

ProColor 490 Touch Table

This 4K-resolution touch table includes the MimioStudio™ classroom software as well as the MimioMobile™ Team app, which allows up to four students to work together on interactive lessons and perform real-time assessments. Additionally, with MimioMobile Team students can work collaboratively on several touch tables in a single classroom and teachers can share any combination of students’ work on the front-of-the-class display.

The table’s screen enables up to 12 touch-points, allowing students to move, zoom, rotate, and draw. The ProColor touch screen is similar to that of a giant tablet, so special needs students with motor skill challenges can use it while also honing fine motor skills.

App of the Day picks are selected from the top edtech tools reviewed by Common Sense Education, which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly.

ClassFlow

Robust lesson-creation, presentation tool offers built-in assessment

Pros: An efficient way to deliver interactive lessons across multiple devices.
Cons: It's a tool that takes time to feel confident using, but can be worth it in the end.
Bottom Line: This powerful tool supports connected and blended learning from instruction to assessment, though it's best used to enhance already great instruction.

Read more here.

By Common Sense Education

PrometheanTM, a global education technology company, announced expansions to its interactive flat panel portfolio which includes the ActivPanel® and ActivPanel® i-Series. The ActivPanel offers a natural writing experience using InGlassTM technology, while the ActivPanel i-Series is an interactive flat panel for customers looking to replace their projector-based systems with a long-term solution.

The ActivPanel automatically detects differences between pen, touch, and palm erase. The new instant whiteboard allows free-form writing with practically no script-lag, pinch-zoom navigation, and pre-loaded teaching tools.

Available in 65-inch, 70-inch, 75-inch, and 86-inch sizes, the ActivPanel provides teacher-controlled wireless screen sharing, connection to Bluetooth® devices for hands-on learning, access to free educational apps, compatibility with third-party device management software, central management by IT administrators.

The ActivPanel i-Series offers a bright, high-resolution display that does not dim over time. Schools have an option to add the ActivConnect® AndroidTM module to enable a tablet-like Android user interface and access to teaching tools such as the instant white board, screen sharing, and free educational apps. The ActivPanel i-Series is a maintenance-free solution available in 65-inch and 75-inch sizes.

For more information about the latest ActivPanel and ActivPanel i-Series, visit www.prometheanworld.com.

A FRESH START

With a mix of whiteboards and projectors distributed unevenly throughout its five schools, Peters Township (PA) School District knew it needed to update and establish equitable learning opportunities for all students. Adam Swinchock, director of instructional technology, notes that the scattered technology “didn’t support collaborative learning … We needed a solution that would move away from passive learning and make the students more engaged.”

Students use the Sharp AQUOS BOARD being used in math class. The district decided on a solution that included upgrading its Internet connectivity and placing 70-inch Sharp AQUOS BOARD interactive displays in each classroom, in addition to rear-mounted DVD players, soundboards, and wireless keyboards. The displays are mounted on rolling mobile carts so they can be moved around the classroom and even between classrooms. The initial installation took place in 46 classrooms for grades 4–6 in August 2015.

INNOVATIVE RESULTS

Swinchock notes that the installation was “fast and easy” and “the reception from teachers was very positive.” Teachers can connect to, and control, the AQUOS BOARD displays via their preferred devices, and students can connect via multiple input ports. Up to four students, for example, can connect and work together on teacher-created math activities. The displays also support the district’s math program, including tools and games that can be used in small groups or as whole-class activities. Teachers are now able to explore cooperative learning scenarios with other classrooms as well.

In addition, the students benefit from more creative and real-world learning applications. Rather than simply looking at textbooks and whiteboards, students now have endless possibilities, such as viewing a live space shuttle launch or interacting with field experts via video conferencing.

Swinchock says that improved connectivity, combined with the flexible interactive displays, “has created a universally collaborative learning environment that we are very happy with” and the district plans to roll out the solution to its remaining classrooms.

PHASING OUT “OLD SCHOOL”

Tampa Prep, a high-achieving, independent school in Tampa (FL), serving 650 students in grades 6–12, completely rebuilt 12 middle-school classrooms and collaborative areas last year. These new spaces are bright, open, and flexible. And with two Epson BrightLink 595Wi interactive projectors per classroom, 1:1 iPads, wireless microphones, dry-erase wall coverings, and colorful ergonomic desks with the mobility of bumper cars, they’re thoroughly interactive spaces for 21st-century learning.

With two projectors, the classrooms no longer have a front or back. “Our students can’t hide from learning in the back of the room anymore, and with these new collaborative learning tools, they don’t want to,” says Chad Lewis, director of technology. “Our flexible environment, combined with innovative technologies, gets our students out of their seats and learning in new, creative ways.”

MORE COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES

Students and teachers enjoy the Epson iProjection app and Epson Multi-PC Projection with built-in Moderator device management software. No longer tethered to the front of the room, Tampa Prep’s teachers can transmit their iPads’ displays to the projectors from anywhere in the room. They can also share and compare student work from multiple devices using the Epson iProjectionTM app and Epson Multi-PC Projection with built-in Moderator device management software, which allows up to 50 computers, tablets, and other devices to be connected via the network for ultimate classroom collaboration.

With the BrightLink’s touch-based interactivity, up to six students can touch, draw, select, and interact with projected content using intuitive gestures and their fingers as writing tools. Even in their renovated, bright classrooms with the Florida sunshine streaming in, students have no problem viewing the projected images, which use 3LCD, 3-chip technology for brilliant, true-to-life color. Lewis is pleased with the projectors’ reliability and their long-life, low-cost lamps. Teacher Laura Bridges-Pereira says that the projectors “have an amazing image throw, which allows equitable access for all students to the same amount of information from anywhere ... each student in my classroom has a front-row seat to participation and learning.”

“Classrooms need to reflect our changing world, where teachers and textbooks are no longer the sole source of learning,” says Lewis. These students “now have the technology tools for more interaction with multimedia and each other, stirring up their critical thinking skills with equal access to information.”

HELP FOR TECH-SAVVY KIDS STRUGGLING IN TRADITIONAL CLASSROOMS

How can teachers in traditional classrooms engage students who have grown up using touchscreens, tablets, and smartphones and are used to interactive content? Kelli Joy, fifth-grade teacher in Portland (OR) Public Schools, acknowledged this challenge but didn’t want to lose valuable class time learning new technology and incorporating it into lessons.

Lana Penley, the principal of Marysville School where Joy teaches, realized the school needed new technology in the classrooms. “Schooling has to be connected to the real world, and I think that’s the advantage technology can give kids,” she says. “They’re more engaged because it’s more like their real world.”

A TRANSFORMING TOOL

Teachers at the use the Marysville School use the InFocus JTouch interactive whiteboard. An InFocus JTouch interactive whiteboard allows Joy to incorporate Web content and digital materials into her lessons and allows her students to collaborate and participate in presentations, activities, and even teaching. Students can share their work directly from their laptops with wireless casting technology.

The JTouch features a 1080p touchscreen display, integrated speakers, and wireless collaboration technology for screen sharing. Joy appreciates the ability to save work and says she often goes back to reference something the students worked on previously. In addition to greater student engagement, she’s also noted increased information retention.

“One of the things I’ve appreciated about the JTouch is the flexibility of the tool. I can have students working on our laptops and they’ll be able to share what they’re working on,” she says. “It all works so seamlessly. We’re moving and sharing things at a faster pace than we have before. I think it’s made me a better teacher.”

A GIANT PHONE-SHAPED COLLABORATION TOOL

Using SMART kapp, everything written on the board can be saved and shared. Nicholas Provenzano, high-school English teacher in the Grosse Point (MI) Public School System, loves any tool that improves collaboration for students and teachers. And SMART kapp, an innovative take on the interactive whiteboard, fits the bill. Users take notes using regular dry-erase markers, but everything written on the board can be saved and shared. And others—in the room or at a remote location—can follow along in the app as people write on the board. SMART kapp is easy to set up and use and ideal for sharing information and ideas on multiple devices.

For example, Provenzano writes instructions for his students on the board, scans the QR code, and sends it to his phone. Everything he writes or erases appears on his phone, and it works smoothly with a Bluetooth connection. The SMART kapp comes in 42” and 84” versions. Both can be wall-mounted and are compatible with iOS and Android devices.

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

SMART kapp also works with Evernote so users can text, mail, or send their work to Evernote. Provenzano says, “Since I have shared notebooks with my students, I can send any of these notes to all of my students by simply sending [them] to the shared notebook. Better yet, when students are working on different projects, they could use the board, scan the QR code, and start sharing their work in their own Evernote notebooks.”

Provenzano plans to include the SMART kapp in his school’s new makerspace. He says it’s “perfect for the type of work students have asked to do in our space. It is a very cool device that will only grow to have more bells and whistles.”

FOR MORE DETAILS AND HELPFUL DIAGRAMS GO TO HTTP://WWW.THENERDYTEACHER.COM/2015/02/SMARTKAPP-FITS-NICELY-IN-MY.HTML

www.smartkapp.com ■ Retail Price: $899

This dry erase board allows you to capture, save, share, and collaborate with your content via apps and browsers in real time.

Quality and Effectiveness: The SMART kapp board, at 42”, was easy to figure out and easy to use. I can imagine teachers, myself included, beginning an idea with the board, building on the idea for several iterations, and then opening up a larger discussion after that. All the content can be created dynamically, saved, and shared in PDF format for later analysis and collaboration. The board must be turned on to record; I realized this after the students began to make positive comments that were not captured until I copied them afterward. Many students offered to assist me so I knew the board was highly attractive to them for jotting down their ideas.

Ease of Use: I was delighted that it only took about two minutes for me and two fifth grade students to figure out how to use the SMART kapp board. Everything a teacher needs is provided: a code to share with students who have devices, a link to share with external participants, including possible external experts and the constant option to save as PDF or JPEG files, which can be shared by numerous methods (Dropbox, Evernote, etc.).The instructional materials are more than ample to help anyone get started and for those who prefer to open, tap, and weave their way along, the SMART kapp board is so easy to understand that teachers will want one in every learning space, pronto.

Creative Use of Technology: This newly evolved product builds on the best SMART functions and takes a big step forward. Each session has a unique code for participants to freely use with a tablet, iPad, smartphone, or PC (any device with a browser). This means anyone can connect and follow along from anywhere in the world. Participants at a distance can engage as smoothly as the participants in the room. When the session is over, participants can save all the slide iterations in PDF format for universal sharing. If your school, like mine, is looking for international collaboration opportunities, the SMART kapp board and related technologies offer a rich and rewarding way to interact globally. The board I tested came with black dry markers; more vibrant colors will help distinguish the visuals. Write LARGE on the board, because it will be easier to read, and you can save as many slides as your idea needs.

Suitability for Use in a School Environment: The SMART kapp board can be smoothly integrated anywhere people need to communicate and collaborate. The smooth board is great for drawing out ideas or elaborating on premises. I look forward to variously colored pens, as it will be easier to change perspective or version and highlight changes if multiple colored pens are available.

OVERALL RATING:

I highly recommend the SMART kapp board. And if a school opted for the VFI mobile stand ($822) so the board could be effortlessly moved around, that would be ideal. I could imagine wheeling the board to various nooks in the library or other unique learning spaces. Students (and teachers) are often inspired by helpful products, such as this one, that ease the way to creating, communicating, and collaborating.

TOP FEATURES

• SMART kapp board provides a way to capture dynamic content in multiple ways.

• SMART kapp board is easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to keep clean.

• SMART kapp board can be installed in smaller learning spaces to encourage collaborative groups to easily share each iteration of their processes.