Wow Factor

[DPrince]

We're opening a new 6th Form Centre/Classroom Block in September, and my Bursar wants to put stuff in to give a bit of a "Wow Factor". We have the usual - huge 3D projector with massive electronic screen, wireless, digital signage, dedicated computer room with touchscreen all-in-ones, projected keyboards on the work surface so users can connect their phones/iPads etc. The key isn't about practicality or usefulness - it's about 6th formers coming in and going "oooh... look, a Skype booth".

 

Any ideas?

[rama1712]

A Dedicated Tech to repair things as they break more then anywhere else around the school

[DPrince]

A Dedicated Tech to repair things as they break more then anywhere else around the school

 

Yeah, he's not necessarily after anything useful...

[jamesreedersmith]

Minority Report Style screen!

[ICTDirect_Dave]

NFC Charging stations at each computer?

 

Some kickass digital carpet that you can play five a side on?

 

Or how about a beast of a PC running abelton live on that they could use to to DJ sets in the common room (they still have common rooms right?)?

Edited June 2, 2014 by ICTDirect_Dave

[SpuffMonkey]

The key isn't about practicality or usefulness - it's about 6th formers coming in and going "oooh... look, a Skype booth".

 

Sounds like a scandalous waste of public money...

[pcstru]

3d printing

[DPrince]

Sounds like a scandalous waste of public money...

 

It would be if it was public money.

[DPrince]

NFC Charging stations at each computer?

 

Some kickass digital carpet that you can play five a side on?

 

Or how about a beast of a PC running abelton live on that they could use to to DJ sets in the common room (they still have common rooms right?)?

 

They do indeed have a large common room. Actually, I do like the idea of NFC charging, or similar.

We have these fancy electric sockets which include USB power outputs so they can directly charge a phone or wireless, but a few wireless charging pads are probably worth considering.

[6Foot2]

We are opening a new [refurbished/repurposed] block for our sixth form in September. We looked at large touch screens in place of IWBs but the prices were really unworkable for us. Maybe not for you?

[michael2k6]

I got in a few touch LED and they came in cheaper than interactive smarts due to the ease of fitting etc. iBoard touch.

[dhicks]

Actually, I do like the idea of NFC charging, or similar.

 

They actually turn out to be remarkably cheap - £10 or so per device. You could maybe embed them into desks - place a device on the appropriate spot on the desk to charge it. I'm not quite sure what happens if you put multiple NFC charging devices next to each other, as you would maybe have in a charging trolley. 3D printing is again, not expensive these days, although the fancier kind of 3D printer can start to get expensive. I'm not quite sure what would most impress someone at first glance - maybe an interactive table? Again, not actually that expensive these days - a decent LED touch panel laid flat on an appropriate trolley is around £4,000.

 

I've always wanted to try hooking up multiple projected displays so they cover the length of a wall, then having a whole-wall interactive area - how much spare cash / hardware do you have?

[CAM]

A suite of Macs and/or iPads in every room?

 

More serious note...what about a charging station for phones? It would be unique and useful at the same time. If you have an IT Suite in the new place you could also set up some form of NFC security door, tap and you are in. Even better if it unlocks just walking up to it with an NFC tag.

[Iain.Faulkner]

Our new sixth form opened about two years ago...we got a Starbucks :-)

[SteveT]

.... and meanwhile, in the real world, the rest of us struggle to get the money for a replacement monitor!!!