IWB in open area

[waldronm2000]

Hi all

I'm working with an infant school on a new build project. They're very keen on open learning, and want to use the workspace as flexibly as possible. They also want to be able to use an interactive whiteboard in the middle of an open space. Their idea is for an IWB to somehow appear from the ceiling. Is this possible? Does anyone know of it actually being used anywhere?

Thanks in advance...

[Linfit]

I have not come across an IWB that would fold down from the ceiling, although I suppose anything is possible if you want to pay enough for it.

Have you considered using a wireless tablet ? - this gives the interactivity but means you can use an ordinary screen to project the image - motorised screens which drop from the ceiling are much cheaper.

[DaveMurphy]

You could always put the projector on the ceiling and then have an IWB on wheels?

[waldronm2000]

I have experience of mobile IWBs from a college where I used to work, but they weren't popular as they needed to be calibrated every time they were used. I suppose this wouldn't be so bad with an integrated projector. Wireless tablet may be a good solution, except that with infants there's often the element of having them work directly on the whiteboard in groups.

[fafster]

Would there be a reason why it needs to be hidden when not in use?

[dhicks]

I have not come across an IWB that would fold down from the ceiling, although I suppose anything is possible if you want to pay enough for it.

BETT had several IWBs on show that worked by infrared sensor (like the WiiMote), so it would be possible to use a pen or wand with a motorised drop-down screen. These were actually the cheaper option, typically around £500, and Epson now do a projector with built-in infrared emitter and pen sensor.

Have you considered using a wireless tablet?

I'd look at that too - Windows 7 multi-touch slates are now available in PC World to have a play with.

--
David Hicks

[waldronm2000]

The WiiMote solution sounds interesting, but not sure whether a motorised projector screen would be sturdy enough to use as a base to "write" on.

[waldronm2000]

Would there be a reason why it needs to be hidden when not in use?

They're keen on having an open space that they can use as flexibly as possible, so no IWB when not needed. Also, the location where they want to put it is in the middle of the space, nowhere near any walls.

[robyholmes]

A school I tech at just got one of these:

Inclusive Technology Ltd Inclusive Interactive Plasma Screens

Might be a good idea? No projector needed which solves the 'Calibration' problems, and it can be wheeled out? Some good stuff on that site.

[dhicks]

The WiiMote solution sounds interesting, but not sure whether a motorised projector screen would be sturdy enough to use as a base to "write" on.

The demonstrations that I saw at BETT looked just fine - you could write quite easily on a drop-down screen. This, of course, assumes that your drop-down screen is of reasonable quality (a proper, smoothly-working motorised screen, with a decent weight at the bottom to hold it all taut) and that the user is delicate enough - letting younger pupils loose on it might not work so well. You can make an IWB out of a WiiMote for around £100, complete with IR pens, but you can now also get nicely packaged devices that use the same principle for around £500. Such packages generaly also include a wand as well as a pen, so you can reach up to the top of larger display areas.

--
David Hicks

[HiredGoon]

A school I tech at just got one of these:

Inclusive Technology Ltd Inclusive Interactive Plasma Screens

Might be a good idea? No projector needed which solves the 'Calibration' problems, and it can be wheeled out? Some good stuff on that site.

We have one in our school, cannot fault it! Bit expensive though!

[Sylv3r]

Something like this I would imagine would work on a pull down screen - but it would need setting up calibrating before use everytime.

http://www.mimio.com/global/em/index.asp

[enjay]

Could you go for an all-in-one board, you know the kind with the projector boom-mounted at the top, and then attach it to so form of hinge and pulley system, so the top remains static and the bottom of the board swings down? Does that even make sense?! I know what I mean, but can't describe it!!

[waldronm2000]

Could you go for an all-in-one board, you know the kind with the projector boom-mounted at the top, and then attach it to so form of hinge and pulley system, so the top remains static and the bottom of the board swings down? Does that even make sense?! I know what I mean, but can't describe it!!

Yes, I see what you mean; that could possibly work...

[waldronm2000]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'll summarise them for the school and see what they want to do.